Zimbabwe turns 30

It's 1.59 and I'm taking a study break from preparing for my DAT's. My country of birth, Zimbabwe turned 30 years on Sunday. I'm naturally happy that we gained out independence from Britain but at what cost?

I cry as I listen to the liberation song 'Maruza Imi' on youtube. Our leaders have let the children of Zimbabwe down, the country has a lot as potential and talent. I feel privileged to be living in a country like America but I keep questioning my identity, who am I? what can I do to improve the plight of my people? How can the cycle of hate and corruption be broken? My birthright has been stolen from me, what can I do? what can I do? I have to do something, so much has been given to and not everyone has been as fortunate as I. How can I keep that fire within me burning? I have to do something!!

Week	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
1	5 min walk 2 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 2 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 3 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	Relax!
2	5 min walk 3 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 4 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 5 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	Relax!
3	5 min walk 6 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	4 min jog 5 min walk 4 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 7 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	Relax!
4	5 min walk 7 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 8 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 9 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	Relax!
5	5 min walk 9 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	6 min jog 5 min walk 6 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 10 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	5 min walk 11 min jog 5 min walk
6	5 min walk 11 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	13 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	15 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	Relax!
7	15 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	8 min jog 5 min walk 8 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	16 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	17 min jog 5 min walk
8	17 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	18 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	20 min jog 5 min walk	Relax!	Relax!
9	20 min jog	Relax!	12 min jog 5 min walk 12 min jog	Relax!	24 min jog	Relax!	25 min jog
10	25 min jog	Relax!	27 min jog	Relax!	30 min jog	Relax!	Race Day!

Week 1 Day 1- Couch to 5k Running Program (C25k)

Today I restarted the couch25k (couch to 5k) running program. I had previously stopped because I didn't like getting out of the house after work when it was cold. So now I've decided to leave my gym clothes and bag at the gym so that I can go there straight after work.

I've never been really a runner and so, this program is a challenge to me. I'm hopeful that I'll start running my first 5k in late March.

So, today I hit the gym and I had some glitches with the podcasts that I had downloaded. I ended up walking for a much longer time than I intended and I was a bit discouraged because I depended on the podcasts to give me cues. Another challenge that I encountered was that I tend to be self conscious (I'm working on this) and so, I didn't stretch because the stretching area in my gym is located where everyone can see you (lame). The result was that I had shin splints!

I'm optimistic that my workout was a success and my lessons learnt are:
~Always stretch
and Double check to make sure the podcasts work!

I also wonder how running will affect my weight and so, I will state my weight in my blogs. My starting weight is 125.4 lbs and I'm 5'5.

Ankle boots

I promised to recommend shoes for the latex leggings and my pick is some ankle boots. There is a wide price range for these shoes from the less expensive:
To the more pricey Gucci ones:
They go best with skinny jeans and leggings
cho

Latex leggings trend, Yay or Nay?

Many celebs have been spotted wearing latex leggings. Would you rock the style? I've put together an outfit for the bold (leggings ~$17, :leather jacket $99 from forever21.com)

I will post some shoe suggestions tomorrow.
chao

My Insolence by Guerlain

This is currently my favorite perfume. It's strong one bottle goes a long way. It's a very sweet perfume and a 1oz bottle is going for $52 from sephora. Definitely worth a try if you like sweet smelling perfumes!

Half a Yellow Sun By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I was impressed when I saw Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speak at the PEN American Center during Chinua Achebe's 50 year Anniversary for 'Things Fall Apart'. Her book, Half a Yellow Sun is emotionally charged and well written. It is based on the Biafran war of Nigeria. Adichie has won several writing accolades for her books including the Commonwealth Writers prize and she is a 2008 McArthur fellow.