November 2009
M A G A Z I N E
Editor’s Note
SUMMER IS COMING! When the weather starts to get colder and the days shorter it is human nature to start being a little gloomier, almost as if we are matching the weather. It gets more difficult to get out of bed and we start talking about how we would love to move somewhere warmer or how we need a change. This happens every year but still, we complain about the weather getting colder and how we need a change. The seasons in our lives can very much be compared to the seasons of the weather we experience year round. When the summer comes around we are all happy and jolly, we work out more because “Summer is here, gotta look great!!” Then comes the fall and your workouts start to taper off, you’re a little bit grumpier… Winter… don’t even get me started… don’t want to leave the house… we wish for snow days so that we could just stay home. Like that will ever happen in Minnesota!! We still have to go to work in 12 inches or more of snow! Similarly, when things are going great in our lives and “summer” is here, we are happy and thankful for the beautiful days. We get out more and are much friendlier. When things start to go wrong we start to be a little sad, a little gloomy and less approachable. Finally, when we think that things have hit rock bottom, we don’t want to go anywhere or do anything. We just want to be by ourselves and wish that everything would be ok. There’s one important thing that we forget… just like spring and summer will come again, so will the better brighter days in our lives. We forget that we’ve been here before. Think about it, there was another time when you didn’t think that things would ever get better, but they did! As the holidays come around this year, rather than concentrating on how things are not right, why not consider that someone somewhere out there is a lot worse off than you are? It could be worse. One day when you wake up in the middle of the night turn to one of those infomercials talking about children all over the world going hungry, suffering because they don’t have water, let alone food. They wake up every day with the same clothes that they’ve had on for the past year. Think of the positives in your life. When you are going through your worst times, that’s when you are building your character and molding yourself to become a better person, getting ready for that next “summer” in your life. Let’s all try to stay positive as we go through this coming season because we know summer is coming. You owe it to yourself to be happy every day. If you don’t do it, who will?
Much love and respect, Linda Obel
Contents
IN THIS ISSUE Uche…What Makes Him Snap!
Evalyn Githina AIM Editor
Alita’s travels… Intriguing Stories Of Her Travels
Linda Obel AIM Editor
G-spot….Dating Your Wife
Fashion…….Classic Looks & “Blast From The
Wangechi Ruguaru AIM Graphic Designer
Past” Looks For Men
See no Evil……What AIM Is Listening To, Watching and Reading
Gerald Monty AIM Contributor
Food & Health…..A Yummy Recipe and Benefits of Green Tea
Alita Watson AIM Contributor
Therapy Sessions…For Your Mind & Body
To contact AIM email: aimminnesota@gmail.com
Feature Story
UChe
U
Uche Iroegbu
che speaks to you through his pictures. That is how we first saw him. His name was on all the good pictures of high profile local events. What is remarkable about his pictures is the quality and the angles from which his pictures are taken. We all know how annoying it is to see pictures of ourselves plastered all over, and it is even more infuriating when the pictures are poorly taken and shot from unflattering angles. But on all the pictures that had been marked as belonging to Uchefotography, the people, places and events came to life to those who were both present and absent, in the most amazing way. We met up with Uche on a lazy Sunday afternoon. In person and without the camera, Uche is enigmatic and thoughtful. Although he claims to be shy, I saw no evidence of that in our interview of him or through reviewing his portraits. I told him this and he countered by stating that, “shy people compensate by expressing themselves in a more potent, aggressive way�. So we sat with Uche in the sitting area of his Studio, which is an amazing space with great energy, and sparsely furnished to allow for free movement and the improvisation that is required in a setting space such as this. There was soulful reggae and African music playing in the background and we were at ease and at home right away. We then started off by playing twenty questions, which went roughly like this...... E: Please tell us a little about yourself and what you do? U: My name is Uche Iroegbu. I am from the Ibo tribe of Nigeria. I am a photographer and the owner of Uchefotography E: How long have you lived in the States? U: I have lived here for around 10 years. E: What was the hardest adjustment to living far away from home? U: The isolation. E: What inspired you to become a photographer? U: In hindsight it seems that I have always been circling around the idea, now that I think about it. I studied mass communications back in Nigeria and even when I moved to the States I still resisted the idea of photography as a career. After I bought my first camera, I started taking the idea more seriously, and I read as many books on the subject as I could find. The libraries and the bookstores were a great resource for me especially because I am a self taught photographer. E: What inspires your work as a photographer? U: I love the minimalist style and I am always seeking to make portraits about the person. I love portraying people by showing, their strength, beauty and vulnerability. E: What 10, high profile Africans would you love to photograph and why? U: I am not fond so much of particular people as I am of specific countries. I love Ghana - everything seems to be in place. It feels very orderly to me. I also admire what Ghana has accomplished. Cape Verde is also very intriguing to me and I think Lura, the Cape Verdean singer is gorgeous! I also love what Kenya has accomplished. It has its own problems, but it is doing well overall.
“Confidence comes from adversity!�
From Left: Linda, Uche, Evalyn and Wangechi
“Master your craft – whatever you need to learn, learn!”
E: What advice would you give to young and upcoming photographers? U: I would say....... Don't cut corners Master your craft - whatever you need to learn, learn! Pray Confidence comes from adversity Never give up Don't be afraid of external factors. Be sure of what you want to do. E: As a parent, what advice would you give to those out there who are responsible for taking care of their families and yet have dreams of pursuing their dreams despite the fact that they do not pay well in the beginning? U: I have a daughter, Unity and I believe that as a parent you should never stop feeding your soul. Children come first. However, that does not mean that everything ends there; your dream becomes delayed due to your responsibilities and I believe you should use that time to establish the foundation of what you want to do. E: Why did you name your daughter Unity? U: It is simply is a motto I believe in so much.
After a spell of conversation intermingled with directly pointed interview questions about his life, his work process and his tools, Uche asked to photograph us i.e. Wangechi, Linda and I. We did not need to be asked twice, especially me. You all know I’m the first to pose for pictures. It was easy, in that space, and of course having seen Uche’s work, to let the artist create a masterpiece... I could not wait to see what he would capture and I set myself in front of his camera so fast, that Wangechi and Linda, my fellow organizers did not see me get there. Outside of being a self taught photographer, Uche is also a DJ. We recently had the propitious opportunity to hear him spin at the Blue Nile on Friday night. I was excited to dance to "real" reggae, hip life, soukous and other African music streaming soulfully from the speakers. It is apparent that Uche has enough drive and passion to inject all of us with a jumpstart so that we may pursue our own. To get your own insight into Uche or to simply get beautiful photographs taken or to even just let loose on a Friday night, I recommend that you find what Uche is up to on his face book page, Uchefotography Minneapolis. In honor of Uche’s love for Unity I leave you with the words of Aesop, United we stand, divided we fall!
By Evalyn Githina
Uchefotography www.uchefotography.com Tel: 612.327.5671
G-Spot
Dating your Wife. . . Ladies, just sit back and relax, this one’s for the fellas. Fellas, let’s talk about our wives for a minute. You know, the women we stood before God and man and declared ‘til death do us part. The women years ago we thought we couldn’t live without. The mothers of our children… yeah, them! It’s been a few years, maybe even a few pounds, since those “good ole days”. You’re getting up in age (long in the teeth) and the children make it near impossible to have spontaneous romance. But the need to consummate your marriage still exists (at least, that’s the audience this is intended for). Fellas, I know you are as content with your life as an old dog with a big juicy bone, but news flash- your wife is no bone! Being settled and happy has made you complacent. However, to her your contentment looks like disinterest. She doesn’t realize that every time she passes you on your way to the kitchen you turn around to sneak a peek at her backside wishing you could “tap it” right there. Intrusively your 6 year-old asks “daddy, why are you just standing in the kitchen?” Her 2 ½ year-old sister echoes the question, rearranging some of the consonants. Unfazed by the children you think to yourself, “my, how she’s matured over the years, like fine wine.” But of course you don’t dare share this with her because you don’t want her to get the big head. Plus, knowing you, it wouldn’t come out right- she’d just accuse you of saying she’s old. So life goes on, each day identical to the last, a dog and his bone. Over the years she may have grown into your best friend (and guys we know how carefree we treat our best friends) but she’s still a woman, and as I’m sure you’ve heard: what it took to get her is what it takes to keep her. Remember how well she cleans up? (Not the house, I’m talking about how good she looks when she’s all dressed up, hair done, etc.) Well before you bore her into oblivion I have a suggestion, (drum roll please...) Date Nite! Take her out on a date without the kids at least once a month. I’m talking about a long sit-down steak dinner, a glass of wine and a movie. Perhaps a stroll in the park, ‘oow’ or maybe a horse and buggy ride. Nice, huh! Hell, go dancing! Whatever you do make sure (a) it is something you plan together, (b) she’s able to dress up for it, (c) a portion of the event is done publicly (otherwise why bother dressing up) and (d) that it stimulates grown-up conversation. Rediscover the woman you’ve been living with for the past 10 plus years. Tell her how you look at that backside when she passes by and that she’s matured like fine wine, mo' wet than Moet! OK, maybe that that last thing. Thank her for the care she puts into running the home and the hours she works to help ends meet just a little more comfortably. Thank her for your beautiful children. Tell her you love her! The point of all of this- just because you have children doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have passion, which is fundamental to a marriage’s vitality. Dating your wife should be deliberate not incidental. Mother’s Day comes once a year, so make Wife’s Day at least once a month! Iron sharpens iron, so let’s be better because of it!
By Gerald Montgomery
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, "WINDOWS & MIRRORS" DVD Cultural Jambalaya's "Windows & Mirrors" - A Teaching Tool, Widening World Views of Students. Cultural Jambalaya has completed production of its first educational DVD for teachers. "Windows & Mirrors" includes global images and narratives highlighting fascinating people and intriguing cultures. Supported by an online study guide, the DVD is a resource for Middle School teachers to engage students in a variety of subjects, including social studies, geography, history, diversity and language. Eva Githina of AIM did a voice over for parts of the DVD. This is a great tool for teachers, please purchase one for yourself, the pictures are incredible and also please buy one for the teachers in your life. They make a great gift! http://culturaljam.org
Speak No Evil ……
The International Charter of Compassion Launches to Promote The Golden Rule…. Karen Armstrong, a former nun and author of “The Case for God” Joins with Multi-national Council of Religious Leaders to Bring Compassion Back to the Heart of Society….. The Charter, launched 11/12/2009, calls upon all men and women to:
Corneille, a Rwandese raised in Germany, has risen in the music industry to win Best Anglophone R&B, Soul Artist of the Year, and Best Anglophone album of the Year. Once you listen to his latest album, The Birth of Cornelius. You come to understand the reason why the world is raving about his music! http://www.corneille.ca
• To restore compassion to the center of morality and religion. • to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate • to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures • to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity • to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings ~ even those regarded as enemies • to share, learn or find ways to be compassionate go to http://charterforcompassion.org
Food & Health
1/2 cup plus 2/3 cup fat-free milk, divided 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon poultry seasoning 2 packages (16 ounces each) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed 1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast 1-1/2 cups reduced-fat biscuit/baking mix
Directions
Chicken Pot-pie 6 Servings Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min.
Ingredients 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reducedsodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reducedsodium condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
In a large bowl, combine the soups, 1/2 cup milk, thyme, pepper and poultry seasoning. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, stir biscuit mix and remaining milk just until blended. Drop by 12 rounded tablespoonfuls onto chicken mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350째 for 40-50 minutes or until filling is bubbly and biscuits are golden brown.
Easy Chicken Potpie published in Light & Tasty February/March 2006, p42
Did you know? The main benefits of green tea include a good consumption of antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins keeping a body much healthier than normal.
Men’s Fashion
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THREE PIECE…… ELEGANT, BOLD AND POSH
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1. Plaid Regent Suit
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2. Classic Suede shoes 3. Armani Cologne 4. Windowpane Dress shirt 5. Argyle bow tie 6. Straight Captoe shoes 7. Classic Three –piece suits in pinstripes or mocha 8. Top Frame Briefcase 9. Tatterstall Umbrella
Fashion
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6. The Sherlock Holmes Look Is Back!
Find all these and more at http://www.brooksbrothers.com/men.process
1. Check Sports coat 2. Wingtip shoes 3. Tartan Scarf and cashmere gloves 4. Tweed and tartan hats 5. Ray ban Aviators 6. Triple Gusset Briefcase 7. Diesel cologne; Fuel for Life 8. Corduroy Jacket, Tatterstall Vest, Tweed sports Coat
Alita’s Travel AIM met Alita about two years ago and the one thing we all remember from our first meeting was her boldness, great smile and laugh. She is also very passionate about her work for a local, internationally reaching, non-profit organization.
Alita Watson
Alita also has her own non-profit organization, Brilliant Futures International, whose mission is “to provide young, disadvantaged women with the opportunity to attain their optimum life achievement and dignity. It does so by empowering them with access to education while meeting their individual and basic needs, through discipline, encouragement and monetary support.� In the pursuit of all her endeavors, Alita is blessed to be able to travel for work, passion and pleasure. These travels take her to countries in Africa and South America. While on the road, Alita is witness to a great many adventures. She pens these encounters in the most amazing way that captures our hearts, transports us to the regions she is visiting and traveling through and she unwittingly brings us face to face with all she encounters on the road. Alita shares these writings with her friends and family and AIM Magazine is very honored that she has chosen to share this series of stories with us. Thank you Alita!
Š Eric Lafforgue Contact : www.ericlafforgue.com
The first few days in Addis.... .
(Addis Ababa) was like any other loud dirty city, and we weren’t there long enough to experience the magic of the land and people that I had heard so much about, due to the self-riotousness of a Minnesota-born plastic surgeon who had the nerve to ask us to pay him for the surgeries our organization provides free of charge, to the shunned and isolated children of this country that are living with cleft lips and palates. This brief meeting catapulted us out of Addis Ababa, and before he could retract his absurd behavior we were in Entebbe, Uganda. Now we were in Africa! The Africa that I have come to know and love since I first came to this continent almost three years ago.
Ethiopia
Uganda
“…dark and gorgeous Ugandans had us both staring out the window in a trance of bewilderment.”
The road from Entebbe to Kampala is lined with brilliant fucia, blue, and green houses, and quaint thatched huts hugged with gigantic banana and palm trees. The contrast of the orange-silt that covers the ground, and the brilliant colored clothing worn by the dark and gorgeous Ugandans, had us both staring out the window in a trance of bewilderment. This is a happy and simple life, where children roam freely to each neighbor’s house and everyone looks out for one another. Men stroll hand in hand down the slow-paced streets and the women laugh and tease each other as they make their way through the long daily list of chores. We haven’t been able to sleep since we arrived, which is strange as we are both well seasoned travelers who are accustomed to time changes and unfamiliar accommodations; even the strongest of sleep medications has us tossing and turning, singing and crying in our sleep; it is clear that our “inner-boats” are being rocked. I have crawled out of bed at the break of dawn each day to ponder what lies ahead, and what I have left behind. Today we will travel into the countryside, to meet the strong African warrior women who are uplifting and supporting each other by teaching their sisters the art of weaving, tailoring and beading. They have invited us into their homes to witness their accomplishments and struggles, and in turn we will buy these goods to support the missions we intend to bring to Uganda.
I am blessed to be a part of this journey, and with each passing day feel more certain that Africa is where I belong. The journey of a lifetime................. We have driven almost four hours west of the capital city of Kampala, with a sweet and jolly fellow named Ben who is gracious enough to turn the AC on, and off, and on again as we pass through rain storms and sweltering sun. The countryside is stunning, with rolling hills of tea plantations and lush green acres where the farmers reside and grow plantains and sugarcane. In a small town called Jinja we stop to meet a woman we have heard about who is teaching young women the art of paper beading, a unique and beautiful craft using only recycled paper. As we roam through the huts where these women sit together to string necklaces and bracelets, we notice an abnormal amount of twins and triplets that seem to move hand in hand everywhere they go. A set of twins, no more than a year old, sit together on a stool feeding each other wearing nothing but matching undies. Kim captures a photo of the chubby duo from behind and it is such a great shot that she quietly steps closer and continues snapping unsuspected. As the villagers watch her they become confused and almost distraught that she isn’t shooting the twins from the front. “You can’t see their faces, come this way, what are you doing!?” Not wanting to offend anyone
by having more interest in their adorable little bottoms rather than their faces, she moved on; it is one of the best images she has captured yet. We arrive in Mbale to visit the CURE Hospital, and as we enter the gate and meet the cheerful Director to inspect the meticulous facility, we both know that this is where Smile will do their first mission in Uganda.
was just a school girl, she tells the story of her peers who would drop out of school to export coffee to Kenya by foot; those who returned would be covered in gold and expensive watches, those who were caught were slaughtered on site. It’s been 26 years since the madness of this man’s rule terrorized this peaceful country, but his legacy will haunt this nation forever.
The hospital specializes in treating children with hydrocephalus, an enlargement of the brain due to bacterial infections from things such as un-sterilized equipment or putting cow-dung over the umbilical cord after birth. This is the leading hospital in the world for treatment of this disease, and it is apparent that the care given to these children is of the highest quality.
We decided to do what everyone else does on Sunday in Uganda, rest! And pray of course; while some citizens spend up to seven hours in church, we paid homage by finding a beautiful beach resort along the Lake Victoria, which leads into the famous Nile River.
As we tour through the small 30-bed hospital, mothers sit patiently next to their children after surgery; I lean down to look into the eyes of a small and still baby whose eyes follow my foreign freckly face, and despite his discomfort he manages to give me a small smile as I touch his swollen head. He is one of the lucky ones, who has been cured in the hands of these god-fearing and committed people, who we hope to partner with in the years to come. Ben tirelessly drives us back to the city, which takes twice as long as it did during daylight hours due to hundreds of trucks carrying cargo from Kenya; they drive at night hoping not to pay duty, and avoid the intimidating soldiers with large guns that line the road for random inspections. Illegal importing from surrounding countries has historically been a problem throughout the continent, but since the rule of Idi Amin, this remains a crime punishable by death. When I ask one of our hosts what she remembers about this horrific period when she
Being the little fish that I am, my mouth was watering for a swim until Kim shared a story about a friend who had fearlessly jumped in the Nile and ended up with parasites in her brain. I opted for the pool. I flipped and dove into the cool water under the cloudless sky with booming Caribbean beats as a soundtrack to this beautiful day, everything was perfect…until I realized the sunscreen I had lapped on was not waterproof. As we depart today, I am crispy and pink, but rested and ready for Kenya. We have finally managed a goodnight sleep, although my dreams have been beyond bizarre. Last night I dreamt I was on a mission with my father to find the perfect meatball, but all that we could find were too big, too small or just not tasty enough. Uganda and its splendid people, and uniquely spectacular land will have me returning for many years to come. Nawuni Son Tuma, and so the journey continues……… Next stop…KENYA!
Therapy Session
1. I am a full time student and my weekends consist of me sitting for hours at my desk doing my homework. It can get boring, and every now and then I wander off surfing aimlessly to unknown territories…this too becomes boring after a while….until I landed on http://nyandat.com/muziki.aspx and then my life changed. This is the best therapy session and I recommend it to anyone who loves classic, soulful, dance and blues music.
Music that soothes your soul. The stream belongs to DJ 'break a leg' NYANDAT! A Kenyan based in Atlanta, GA. He does this for his own therapy. He streams live from the comfort of his basement. He has a following of people from all over the world and trust me; I know most of them by name because we chat along as DJ Nyandat plays the music. Each song brings a story with it and we share everything from politics to our families, coffee etc we have become buddies, and I always find myself looking forward to chatting with them. So next time you need some therapy, log on. And to my friends EJ, NixriQ, Wakio, Taz, Wangeci A., Mrs. EJ, Zao, Vura …..See you next session! By Wangechi Ruguaru
YOU CAN ALSO CATCH Dj Nyandat ON HOMEBOYZ RADIO 91.5 FM ***EVERYDAY AT 3AM EST (11am Kenya Time) ***EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT FROM 10pm - 11pm EST (Saturday 6am -7am KENYA time) http://homeboyzradio.co.ke (REPRESENTIN' THE STREETS) Stream: http://stream2.netro.ca/homeboyz
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Culture-seekers, curious passer-bys and spirited souls are invited to witness the deep-rooted cultural art form of African rhythm and dance with TIYUMBA!! Tiyumba invokes the sights and sounds of age-old African musical traditions that tell the stories of African culture, history, and people. These sessions will leave you asking for more, led by the energetic Fatawu, this is more than a passion for him; Fatawu was raised in a drumming family in Ghana. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Tiyumba offers drumming and dancing classes. Bring your family and friends for a lesson in rhythm through drumming and movement. All ages welcome. For more information or to Book an event Phone: 612-990-0788 Email: dreamingdancer1@gmail.com Website: http://www.tiyumba.com
The concept of Utamaduni Wear is to incorporate African fashion and design into everyday wear. Utamaduni Wear will give you dramatic fabulousness! To get more information or to order, visit http://www.utamaduniwear.com Email: utamaduniwear@gmail.com