MISS WORLD KENYA 2014/2015 FINALS

Yaaay!!! My roommate won!! A girl with an old beautiful soul won!! I am proud!

It was a beautiful 6 hour event at the KICC in Nairobi. Starting at 10:00 p.m. the girls begun with an introductory dance which included a dance to former TPF (Tusker Project Fame) finalist Steve. After which every girl from the final 24 counties was introduced in a beautifully choreographed catwalk. The EMCEE’s for the night were Former Miss Kenya USA and Capital FM News correspondent, Miss Angela Muiruri and Easy FM’s homerun co-host and comedian Obinna Ike.

After the introduction and entertainment, the cultural wear category followed and my lord! Had the beauties prepped! African and Flawless are the words I believe. Miss Taita Taveta won this category with her calabash lades outfit covering her ta-ta’s and a beautiful finish from the waist below. #TembeaKenya comes to mind. After this, musician Shanky Radics performed.

Evening wear followed and the girls had on their crowns. Miss Tharaka Nithi had a major crowd with pluckards and signs. The epilepsy ambassador remained calm despite the major uproar. The beautifully crafted gowns had each their time on the runway as the girls donned and rocked them. It was a moment. After this was the designer’s traditional wear and talent was at its best! The major performance of the night was by nameless right after the 12 finalists were named by their counties: Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nakuru, Kirinyaga, Kilifi, Kiambu, Bungoma, Murang’a and Nyeri who proceeded onto the Question and Answer Session.

After Q n A, five finalists were named from the 12: Machakos, Kajiado, Bungoma, Kirinyaga and Kilifi. And the other involved titles were named and awarded right before the final crowning. Miss Beach Beauty went to Miss Kirinyaga County, Miss Beauty with a Purpose went to Miss Tharaka Nithi County for her championing the Epilepsy campaign in Kenya, and Miss Talent went to Miss Kilifi County while Miss Congeniality went to Miss Narok County.

The moment was finally here, at around 4:00 a.m. EAT the 2^nd runner up was named: Miss Bungoma County, 1^st Runner up: Miss Kirinyaga County and Finally Miss World Kenya 2014/2015 Miss Idah Nguma: Machakos County was crowned. I was so happy for her. I scream myself voiceless…it was fun!!!!

Off to the counties we go! Our champion project: Smile Kenya-Cleft Lip Palate must be kicked from Kenya!!

My Project as Miss Laikipia County: Bringing the World to the Village Child through technology and education.

My FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/misslaikipiacounty?ref=hl

Twitter Handle: @Nyandia_G Instagram handle: @nyandia_gachago

I am open and welcome to ideas to make our counties and country better hit me up on any social media channel and I’ll definitely hit you up back lol. I love you all.

P.S: THE PHOTOS...Not yet pro, i'm getting there. Just had to share with you the journey

Blessings and Love,

Nyandia Gachago

Miss World Kenya Laikipia County

BACK TO WORK? WHY NOT BE SELF SUFFICIENT.

Oh well, even I didn’t see this one coming. So basically, I’m back to work. I really wish I would share some of the things that happen in workplaces but I know one day I will, when the storm has set in and the tide is low. It is not of ill but of reality, not of malice but of a naked truth. Why self-sufficiency should be the only thing on a young person’s mind especially.

Today I got to work late. It’s my second day back after almost two months and it’s tougher than I thought. After all that has been happening, I thought my life was going to get better with time and I thought that ‘with time’ was going to start or would have already started. I guess it takes a day or two for one’s schedule to be back like to a functional 8-5 work day. Being back on meds is not making this easier and the fatigue and insomnia is haunting. I am one hour late to work. I am ashamed. But I know tomorrow and the consequent days will be better. Too bad I got a harsh warning from someone today, like a psychological thrashing of sorts. No level of explaining could be understood or justified so I sealed my lips. Well, up until it almost got ugly and I defended myself. Story for another day.

Beginning next year, God willing and bless my soul; I will have different lyrics, will be singing a different and new song. A much more melodious one. But for now, I’m learning. Learning to dance in the rain, instead of just sulking in wait for the storm to pass. It then hits me on how much I have seen my parents suffer in the hands of mental, emotional and psychological slavery in the name of employment. Oh boy! This cannot be a cycle. This WILL NOT be a cycle. I refuse. You should refuse. We need to mentally, emotionally and psychologically free ourselves, cut the damn chains and venture into creativity and thought. I know I have. Bae and I have a shoe business, though it starts slow at first and requires immense discipline and patience, in the end it does and will pay off. Think of something you can do, get some capital and do it!

Next stop for me, fashion. Every single dress I have hit the runway in, has been my own creation and EVERYONE loves every single piece. Why not make money out of it huh? Transport as well is also way up there. It requires immense capital but the reaping…boy oh boy. Farming as well aka agriculture. There are so many places my mind goes to when I think of venturing and you know what? Why not now. It’s time to break the cycle, time to break the norm, time to be free.

What do you think my dear reader? Share with me.

Blessings and favor,

Nyandia.

Bae, Babe, Love, Hun, Darling…IS IT REALLY THAT SERIOUS?

Beloved readers, guess who got themselves in a few hours fight in the dead of the night? Yup. Read my mind. Me. Lol Living the kind of life I live with the likes of the people I meet along the way. I have learnt to really take very little personally because honestly, it really is never that serious. Right? Right.

My scenario is pretty bleak. Why? Because I have friends who will always call me Bae and Love and the problem, my Mr. doesn’t approve. To him, it is utter disrespect and tolerance of crap as well as flirting on my side. Now I’m sorry to sound mean but, one can only take the sheep to the watering hole but can never force it to drink the water. Over and over again I actually have insistently and persistently asked these friends especially the males to refrain but boy! Was I barking at the wrong tree. My resolution? Ignore. After all, it honestly is never that serious. At one point a few of them pointed out the fact that maybe I thought they were getting personal and hitting on me whereas this was not the situation at all, this is what they call all their good friends.

My friend Mzito always begins his texts or calls with ‘Hey Love’ despite the fact that he probably is in bed with a girl. I think it all boils down to affection; basic fondness. I believe one can tell when someone is legit ‘babe-ing’ them and when they’re just being nice because you’re good friends. This is what he doesn’t understand. This is where I believe compromise comes in. I am not the snoopy people, trust me I’ve had my share of drama and I believe I am worth the very same benefit of the doubt. I personally would never go raving and insulting while insinuating to him that he is flirting or cheating just because some weirdo said, ‘Whassup boo’. I choose to not be petty.

Having gone through the kinds of things I’ve been through in my 23 years (bullying, family breakage, abusive relationships, major health conditions, being in the entertainment world of pageants and all), I choose what should annoy me and what to surpass. I choose to pick my battles and pick them wisely. I choose when and when not to poke a bear. I was partly raised by a man so I know when to shut up. I only wish the same was reciprocated.

But one thing in mind, life is too short. Especially in my case where this I know too well. Too short for disappointments, too short for arguments, too short to not laugh at yourself, too short to not laugh at life. Live and Let Live are the words I live by. After all in this life, no one will make it alive. Live and live it well.

Blessings and Life,

Nyandia.

SEALED FATE? BROKEN VIRGINITIES AND WHAT NOT

Heck no!

After my previous blog, I know most of you are wondering what next with me. Personally, I slowly am figuring that out, one day at a time. So for now, I live each day as it comes and boy! Has it been interesting! Truthfully, the tears have been coming of course. I mean, when you have so much burning passion for something and then somehow it doesn’t happen as you’d thought or expected after years of waiting for the right time and all, you’d be deeply heartbroken.

I honestly didn’t expect to recover this quick. I’m not yet there, but I will be. So a day after the event: Monday, as we are out of the hotel and meandering around the coast in our branded vehicles, we get called into a meeting. So apparently some girls left the academy immediately after the event without letting the administration aka the chaperone and principal and director know. Some of these girls (two to be exact) had qualified to the finals. The Miss World Kenya academy principal, Odada Okello who is also the former Mr. Kenya, announced that they had been ruled out of the competition and two girls would be replacing them. Wait, What? How did that just happen? Hmm that is an unexpected turn of events. Well, today is Saturday and the next academy for the finals begins tomorrow or Monday at the latest and still, no word.

Don’t get me wrong but I kind of have already accepted what happened. After all, there is a reason the Lord’s Prayer includes a ‘thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ right? Ok so back to reality!!! This week, I have done a full photo-shoot so as to have a portfolio AND guess WHO BROKE THEIR ON-SCREEN VIRGINITY? Yes! Me! I shot an ad campaign. Tough at first but got it soon enough and it was fun!! Who knew I would be shy in front of a camera at first? Hmm this experience really has come with a lot. I didn’t think I would actually be busy and have opportunities and chance like this. God indeed does work in mysterious ways. I really am hoping for more and am totally content with what I have…though God, a bit nay a massive opening of the heavens down on me would be pretty awesome.

I have made my peace with God. And though I may cry once in a while, it’s because I care. Because I had a vision that burnt so much in me…and I still do. I hope to continue with my project and Yes, I will. I plan to bring the world to the village child. Yes, you heard me right. And you know what, already have found interested partners. God indeed is faithful. Heaven indeed is smiling down on me.

Blessings and Love,

Miss World Kenya Semi-Finalist: Nyandia. 

D-DAY DAY OF RECKONING: LAST CAMP DAY

Or so we thought.

I’m sorry, took a while to post this. Reason being, No, I’m not bitter lol but immediately after the event on Sunday morning, I actually started blogging but then my Laptop gave up on me and I had to wait until I was back in Nairobi, which was yesterday so I could use my Hardware and Software Engineering Skills and perform a miracle. I ended up downgrading it back to Windows 7!! I feel robbed. 6GB, 750GB, 2.8GHz CORE i5!!! I’ve had you for the last three years c’mon!! Why do this to me now?! Ok Ok…I’m going out of topic

After an intense class, we head in for the prejudging…in our bikinis. This is my first time ever wearing a full bikini, in front of people. To be truthful, I’ve had issues with my body. Due to the Lupus, I’ve always been on medication especially supplements and sometimes, steroids and we all know what those can do to the body. So, as much as people tell me my body is fine…I do have some issues. Especially in a boot camp like this one where almost everyone is short of 50kg. Oh well, it did not go as bad as I thought, in fact it didn’t go bad at all and soon after, we were shooting in our bikinis and crowns and sashes at the pools and the beach. Yeah you go girl!!! Just a few more gym sessions and ill have this ass and these thighs toned up fully. PSSST…haven’t been to the gym since we got back, fatigue and other issues.

We pack and head to our respective rides to the venue and in two hours we are at Malindi Pata Pata Beach. We rehearse and after a few glitches here and there, we get it…or at least get better. At around 7p.m we go in for our dress fittings with the designers followed closely by hair and makeup. Not to spit bile but it took about two hours and a half for my hair to get done, twice and with almost the same result. Didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out that id undo everything and opt to let it flow, even our chaperones noticed. This did get me a bit on edge as everyone else’s hair, my lord! Perfection. I guess it was just one of those times huh.

Show starts at Midnight! Who ever heard of that?! Lol this is how they do things at the coast I guess. My brother is in the crowd. Oh I best not mess this up, I’ll be super embarrassed. Our dance routine is up and Lord!! We killed it! Fally Ipupa’s sexy dance was the best idea ever!! We killed it!! Up next was casual, followed by African and then dinner.  Next up, we were asked to introduce ourselves and our respective counties.

I’m up next to talk. Suddenly, the lights go out. The crowd goes into a bit of a frenzy and after a minute or two, which seems like a lifetime, they are back. I take the mic and head to the front. I say my name and where I am from. I freeze. Breathe Nyandia, Breathe. I start speaking about my county and I get a brain freeze. For the first time in my life, I froze on stage. I redeem myself somehow but I want to run out and cry buckets. I have NEVER EVER been afraid of a crowd. Today, something happened. At the make it or break it moment, I break. Yes, I have been doing public speaking since third grade. This moment, I cannot explain. Tears well up in my eyes. As much as some other girls mess up a bit, others hit the nail on the head, sending the crowd in an uproar!! Why God, Why? I don’t understand this.

As the second group heads to stage, I rush backstage and curse at myself. I send a text to my brother and to the bae, I messed up, I messed up big time. I am not that tall so for me, there wasn’t really any room for err. I let the waterworks begin but soon after, I have to compose myself. The girls keep telling me it was ok, but it is a competition after all. The results are here.

24 girls are chosen, yes. I didn’t make the cut. I think it is due to my mishap but then other girls had issues as well yet they made it. I head backstage and I’m met by a crowd of the prejudges, arms open wide, they let me cry, they ask why and soon after, I get my answer, my height. Sadly, none of the marks attained at the week-long camp were applied in the final decision. It all came down to those few runway hours. Not Fair, I tell myself. Not fair.

Why did God bring me this far only for me to be ashamed? Why put such passion and desire and fire in me for this for years only for him not to fulfil the desires of my heart? I ask him. I say I won’t talk to him, after all…he wasn’t there for me. (This is the crazy talking) The past months have been a roller coaster to me. Hell sums it up in a word. At work, oh lord! Blog for another day. My health, oh well. I rush out and look for my bro, who deeply encourages me. The fact that the judges and prominent personalities keep insisting I will go far, makes no sense at all right now. After all, I am broken.

Bud ride back was quiet. It was seven in the morning after all. Everyone is worn out. There’s a mixture of emotions in the air as well. I congratulate each and every of the girls who made it and even make an announcement in the bus. Though I am dying inside, I am a sucker for good. Straight to bed and I try blogging this out, my computer crashes on me. I mean, even my best friend at the time, crashed on me. Could it get any worse?

I call my Mom, she is heartbroken. I let it all out and ask so many questions. I ask why things don’t go well for me. I ask why I am a subject of bullying at work, I ask why I have to explain my illness to people over and over again just to get an equal chance at everything, I ask why I had to be the one popping sometimes ten pills a day at 22 years, I ask why I had to be the one to always be a victim, I ask why God let me down over and over again, I ask why me. I let it all out. This is the closest I have ever been to my Mom. I let it all out.

……continues in a day.

MISS WORLD KENYA SEMIFINALS: DAY FOUR

Tomorrow is the D-day and as cliché’ as this sounds, the closer we come to the end, the more intense and hectic it gets. Basically Today we slept for about four hours after an intense dance and workout session till past 1a.m and by 6 a.m. we were up for work out and more dance which lasted a bit over three hours as we included the perfection of our catwalk choreography as well as our dance choreographies in our respective groups. Can you imagine being in heels from as early as 7:00 am for an entire day? 6-inch heels, that is. Fun!

We rushed to freshen up and have breakfast and were given 20 minutes to do so, but knowing girls; we took just a bit longer and nearly got penalized! The whole lot of us! Phew! Dodged a bullet there huh? Tree planting with the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chair as well as the Minister of Tourism Kilifi County was up next at a local school in Malindi, about an hour and a half from our current residence. Happy to be in flats, we rested in the vehicles till we were told we had to be in heels for the entire time, and a short time it was not. The ground was rough with some sand and rock patches and a few girls barely escaped with their lives. (6-inch heels are not a joke) I kid! Though some nearly did sprain their ankles. The exercise took us through to the evening after which we had our packed lunch (a sausage, a white bread cucumber, butter and tomato sandwich, an Orange and a fine piece of chicken). #Models

We got back on the road and head to the event venue at Pata Pata beach which I guess must be close to the Vasco Da Gama monument and my lord, the venue!!! Speechless! From the fine sand, to the seats to the people….pure niceness. We got a chance to experiment with the stage which was at one end of a humongous tent at the same beach hotel. People really have some crazy and large investments AND it is owned by a lady who has her own line of hair as well. Yes guys you heard it right. Hair. Synthetic hair that is.

We head back to base and were given 15 minutes to freshen up and be ready and dressed to impress for dinner at the Governor’s mansion. Of course I need not comment on the 15 minutes right? Right. We were there by ten and had a cocktail that was basically heaven in a glass. Followed by fine dining by the beach as it is a beach house right after the Governor and his office had welcomed us heartily. Oh Lord, the food!! Mmh mmh mmh we got into our groove and danced a bit till it was midnight and we had to leave so as to retire to our camp, one hour away for some beauty sleep, literally.

When I wake up, it will be the day of reckoning. After the 8 O’clock class, there will be Pre judging which will have a Q n A session and a bikini session. Then the event at the evening. Oh lord! This is purely at your feet. Remember guys, voting ends tomorrow…oh yeah and today morning voting was reset to zero and had to restart. Thank you so much to all who have been voting please do not cease and involve friends and family as well (www.missworldkenya.com and click on Miss Laikipia County and Vote) as well as sending me messages of hope and congratulations and prayer. I receive them all and send blessings and love and favor your way.

God bless you all

Nyandia.

MISS WORLD KENYA SEMIFINALS: DAY THREE

Here I am, on my bed. Today has been a fun day. Woke up by 6a.m.  for work out just after 5 hours max of sleep, had a tree planting and photo session with the Sun n Sand Family here in Kilifi, had a two hour catwalk session after which some went to town to acquire some items they lack while those of us who opted to remain took walks by the beach collecting sea shells and swimming in the pools. Yes. Indeed a fun day.

My current team and I have immensely improved in our choreography, everyone is catching up and though some have a fierce fight in them for themselves, others are patient and choose to help. After all, a group is only as good as its last cum slowest member. I am torn, between being the super competitive person I am and being helpful and kind to everyone. I know, I know I should do what is right after all, that is the person whom God created me to be thus I can only pray that I prevail in each and every situation even when sometimes it calls on me to leave my own personal wants for someone else’s. Does anyone feel me? I’m sure someone does.

Being a vocal person, sometimes it does come out wrongly especially to people who do not seem to understand that it is natural and we do not choose to be who and how we are. Trust me, getting a thrashing on that parade in Primary School for being in a certain list of noisemakers was no fun but this is who God made me to be. For years, I questioned God on my ability to talk lol and for years I tried to change and be a quiet person, little did I know the plans he had for me; plans to give me a future and a hope as the good book says. It took time to accept myself as I am after years of being shunned but I am happy and this is me. Of course being talkative does not mean one should not be disciplined and learn how to listen; after all that is why we have one mouth yet two ears… I continually learn to be better at this with each passing day.

Oops I have to prepare for dinner, then a probable catwalk. Sleep time tonight might be the same as yesterday. Wish me well hunnies, I wish you well in all that you do; God’s favor be with you.

Blessings and Love,

Nyandia.

MISS WORLS KENYA SEMI-FINALS BOOT CAMP: DAY TWO

I am blogging this on the morning of the third day Reason will be evident in a few. After waking up to thorough exercise at six a.m. on day two, we had classes and then came the catwalk session…yes. We were choreographed for two hours straight on the introduction and casual categories respectively and I must add, it is intense. Great of course but intense. By 6:00 p.m. we were asked to go change into some comfortable beach sports outfits and had competitions in our carious teams: Blue, Green, yellow and Red in Beach volleyball and the pull rope. *Have no idea what else I can call it*

My team: Team Blue made it to the semifinals but it got dark before we could claim our champions title, which we will today, in Jesus name Amen. Lol I choose to be optimistic like that. There is no room for err let alone pessimism and disheartening. Here, one cannot afford to have that. We then went to freshen up and prepare for dinner after which the best dressed for the evening was picked, too bad I didn’t win. Oh well, you win some and you lose some, right?

Entertainment followed after which we were very pleased to go rest or something. Shock on us as we were told to hit the runway…My group, group one; mainly composed of the ‘short’ girls mind you which is 5’6 to 5’7 had work to do but we got I right. By midnight, we were drained. Literally on 1.5% body charge. Thinking we were wrapping it up, we then had to rehearse our introduction dance moves. Yes. And for my group, Lingala it is: Fally Ipupa’s sexy dance! My Lord, at barely 1.5% charge; your waist literally gives up on you. Lol but we did what we could and presented what we had to the judges. You need not be a rocket scientist to know that it was quite bad as coordination was probably 30%. But today morning, we are getting it right, 75% there.

By 2:00 at least we had all gotten to our rooms and were on lights out. This is really not for the faint at heart. It takes God, will power, passion and strength; mentally, physically and psychologically to make it through. I pray to grow stronger with each day, learn and perfect the art of endurance while at the same time becoming the best at catwalk and having my own signature walk. Your prayers are what is getting me through. As are your wishes and votes. (log on to www.missworldkenya.com and click and vote for Laikipia county) I love you so much. God Bless You.

Blessings and Love,

Nyandia.