Namibia the unknown country

Before to go to Namibia, all what I knew about it was that Frankie Frederick one of the best sprinter in the world is from Namibia.

I've discovered that Namibia has been colonized by German, Namibia has suffered from appartheid as much as South Africa, and I realized it is one of the youngest country that has got their independence , this year the 24th year has been celebrated.

I found out that in Namibia from which tribe you are from is very important, when I arrived many people were thinking that I might be a colored person ( a mixed person), and people would speak to me in Afrikaans first.

To be continued...

An afternoon under the sun!!

For a long time I've been traveling and trying to enjoy the best of each city or country, but sometimes planning to go out arrange accommodations etc.. It s just too much, when the best way to enjoy is most of the time simpler.

You just need to lay down under the sun and feel the warm feeling on your skin, you just need to put your feet in the pool and have that fresh sensation.

After a long tiring day, after some disappointment and stress, nothing can relax better that sitting under the sun and enjoying a fresh little wind.

I would agree that this moment would have been perfect if I could share it with important people in my life, but I cannot choose who is around me and who is not.

Am still enjoying even if I'm alone and I'm not saying I'm lonely!!

Happy late afternoon!!

Swakopmund... The coastal city

For a long time I've been traveling only to work without really enjoying the country or having touristic moment, after a month in Namibia, I realize it's an amazing country and I've heard a lot about the desert, the coast and ocean. I could not miss this chance to visit.

I went to Zambia last year without going to livingstone, I still regret it up to now.

Traveling from one city to another is a great bus ride, I've been lucky to seat in the from, so I could take pictures, relax and admire the beauty the country.

My daily life can be very complicated and I find my self disappointed , angry, nervous, and sad, I've decided for a weekend I forget everything and take a me time, a break time from my life.

It was just amazing, a big thanks to my student for booking everything for me especially that amazing hotel, I had some real rest there.

Unfortunately, I've forgotten to book activities, I wanted to go for desert and ocean adventures without knowing exactly what I can do.

So first when I arrived to the hotel I asked the reception for help to arrange a ride to the desert and a cruise.

I did not give any informations about what I want to do, I ended up in a living desert adventure, where the guide started looking for lizards, snakes and beetles, explaining the Eco system of the Namib, and how that weird foggy weather is important to maintain the animals in the desert, I was impressed by what I heard.

I felt more cautious, walking on the sand, looking for the trace. In the same time, he explained how destructive humans can be with their quad bike and 4*4 leaving trace on the sand, and hurting the Eco system, and for a minute I wanted to ask him to visit the Sahara, and see if he can find the same animals, if our Eco system is safe.

Second day, I went for a dolphin cruise, to be clear I did not see any dolphin but loved the seals, and the boat ride, I missed that feeling, watching the waves, pelican and seagulls, the lady working for that ocean adventure company was just lovely, after couple of minutes we became best friend telling each other about our life etc.. These kind of meeting are what I love in my life, no real attachment just two strangers looking for somebody to listen without judging or for a simple company. I would totally recommend this cruise.

And the most important I had oyster for the first time, with lemon and Tabasco and it s delicious, I loved it.

On my Saturday afternoon, I've decided to walk all way down from hotel to the city center , just to have  more ocean time, I loved being between the water and the wind, I felt that ocean water and felt happy.

I finished my trip to a visit to the gruner krantz, where I discovered local music, but also Nigerian and Kenyan , it was a great moment.

Swakopmund will always be that gift I had for myself, to remember that happiness is what I should feel everyday.

The power of a Hug!!

During these last years, I've been meeting people from all around the world, we might not speak the same language, but it doesn't matter because sometimes you meet people that share the same values, the same life appetite that make it so easy to understand each other, and the best way would be to exchange a hug. I believe it's the most emotional way to get close to someone.

That's why every good meeting or conversation will always finish with a hug.

Last time while teaching a small little girl came to my class, I was happy, being a baby lover, I wanted to play with her, I tried to lift her and she did not resist, she was quiet and lovely, holding her and teaching in the same time felt crazy but great, that little girl hug was full of emotion and innocence, I felt happy and loved.

There are moments where everything seems to be confused and lost, you may talk for hours, give your opinions, feel understood, but the moment you exchange that hug to say good bye, you really put the emotion and words together.

A hug is the best way to keep close to somebody, at least in my daily life.

Am sending all my love through a big hug to all of you.

DZWIT ..... DZ Women in Technology

DZWIT, DZ Women in Technology was an event hold on January 25th, 2014 at the cyberparc of Sidi abdellah.

DZWIT was an initiative of 5 women from different backgrounds and life experience working together to present an event for women by women.

On the D day they were there, students, professionals on Science, Technology or Engineering, they saved the day and has been part of this amazing opportunity to meet women in STEM, to share experience and get inspired.

The target of the event was to introduce three different topics, if you have a project, an idea, a wish to be entrepreneur why not start at the Incubator, and try to make that dream come true, in another word how to start your startup?

Then priority has been giving to introduce the Techwomen Program, bringing Alumnae emerging leaders to share their experience, insights, giving few minutes to IIE Team, mentors and other emerging leaders to put their own words on describing the program, and inspire the ladies.

The Q&A session has been really appreciated by the audience, the same preoccupation that we have met in the Silicon Valley, has been found in Algeria.

The last topic was about Mowgli Mentoring Organization, it has been really helpful to open mind to possibility of being a role model, a mentor to entrepreneur.

At the end of the day, after all the discussions, the ladies were feeling confident to come and discuss with us, share their uncertainties, asking questions, looking for the next step to join the DZWIT community.

My 50 dreams (updated august 2015)

My 50 dreams

1. Jump from an airplane ( skydiving) DONE
2. Learn trapeze in a circus
3. Ride an elephant
4. Play with an elephant DONE 
5. Go to cape Town DONE
6. Be a part of a dance group and perform a choreography DONE
7. Take a hot balloon air ride
8. Visit paris
9. Visit Havana
10. Drive a vintage car
11. Buy an automatic gear car DONE
12. Get married with my soul mate Working on IT
13. Learn to dance kizomba DONE 
14. Learn 6 languages at least
15. Read a book/night for a month
16. Have twins
17. Learn scuba diving
18. Dance one time/week DONE 
19. Be a consultant
20. Meet Pitbull
21. Learn photography
22. Go back to Ethiopia
23. Work with children
24. Make audiobooks
25. Learn quran
26. Master cookies/cakes recipes
27. Lose weight DONE
28. Try zumba
29. Go to newyork DONE
30. Try jet skiing
31. Swim with a dolphin
32. Fly in a helicopter (done) 
33. Learn to ride a bicycle
34. Build a snowman
35. Play piano with a professional
36. Keep calm 6 days /week DONE
37. Try a picnic with friends DONE
38. Buy a house
39. Go for a manicure DONE
40. Write a novel
41. Make somebody happy DONE
42. Take care of relative DONE
43. Kiss a stranger (done) 
44. Sing on stage DONE
45. Make Ethiopian hair style DONE
46. Drink more water DONE
47. Go to the beach
48. Smile once/day DONE
49. Surprise someone
50. Be happy

Colorful NewYork

On the boat going to Liberty Island, i faced the amazing view of NewYork Bay, these 3 pictures have been taken on the same day.

under different point of view, the building colors have changed.

i loved this place!!

What i know about Rwanda!!

I've been to Rwanda twice in my life, and each time it was a great experience.
Rwanda is named the thousand hills and million smile country , and it's a perfect definition.

1. Kigali is the cleanest city in Africa (Plastic bags are illegal)

Rwanda has banned plastic bags (they will cut up your bags at the airport), and as a result, there’s barely any litter on the streets. There’s also compulsory community service once a month for all Rwandans, where people clean up their communities. 

2. There are more than a thousand hills in Rwanda: driving in Kigali means going up and down continuously, with that green streets

3. How horrific the 1994 genocide was (and how the country has recovered) 
1994 genocide – 1 million people killed in a 100 days. When bad things happen in countries very far away from you, and the only way you find out about these things is through TV and newspapers, then there’s a tendency to be disengaged from the reality of it. 
Rwandans haven’t forgotten the genocide but they’ve somehow found a way to move on from it and not let it hold them back. The country is one of Africa’s best economic and political success stories, with a well-respected president, and a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. The country is now peaceful, stable and there seems to be no more tension. 

4. Rwanda is the tiny heart of Africa
Situated 1270 km west of the Indian Ocean and 2000 km east of the Atlantic Ocean, and around 160 km from the equator, Rwanda is pretty much in the middle of Africa. Rwanda’s neighbour, the DRC, is known as the ‘Dark Heart of Africa’. If the DRC is a super-sized muffin, then Rwanda is half a raisin. This tiny country is therefore Africa’s tiny (but warm) heart 

5. Passion fruit juice: Malocuja juice, this was the discovery of the passion fruit texture, and taste for sure the best feeling i had.

I did not have the chance to go for Gorilla tracking or swim in Lac Kivu, but i've met people, with whom i had meals, i talked, we shared laughters and emotional moments, people that i can call friends, Rwandan big heart is the best asset of this country.

What did i learn during my mentorship!!

Listed are some suggestions on how mentees can best take advantage of the mentoring opportunities:

• Make time to meet regularly with your mentor(s). Being mentored is an important long-term investment. Be prepared for your meetings and have specific goals and tasks in mind.
  
• Learn to ask for help or feedback. Clear communication is the cornerstone on which all other factors sit. It is through constructive and empathetic dialogues that relationships can develop, allowing both parties to bring forward their ideas, enter discussions, and maintain professional development.
  
• Be willing to listen and learn. Mutual trust is dependent upon maintaining confidences. Although difficult, the mentee has to be willing to openly accept criticism and feedback, demonstrating strength and the willingness to grow.
  
• Take advantage of opportunities presented. Part of your professional development should include seminars, speakers, classroom observations, etc. Your mentor may provide guidance on which activities would be most beneficial.
  
• Be open and honest. This is vital in getting the guidance and assistance you may need and will offer your mentor the assurance that they also can rely on you.
  
• Be proactive about your needs. Being proactive is much more than just taking the initiative - it's about accepting responsibility for your own behaviors (past, present and future). It is about building partnerships based on principles.
  
• Be a problem solver. When bringing problems to your mentor, you should have possible solutions in mind to foster the development of your own problem-solving skills. While the mentor can provide ideas and feedback, sometimes no one knows your situation better than you.
  

Being a mentee in the Silicon Valley

For the last 10 years, I did not have a real mentor, some people shared some essential advises with me but did not stay around that long to follow up. So I found myself trying to learn and evaluate my improvement by myself, which was not that bad.

Once I joined the techwomen program, I started thinking about being a mentee, what would it be in daily bases? What can I bring new to this person that is taking time to be my mentor? What if the relationship mentor mentee doesn't work?

I went from curious to nervous in a very short time, Even stressed.

When I received the email from the techwomen team defining my host company and the name of my mentor, I felt scared and not confident at all, I had to join the number one cloud computing company in the world and I will be matched with one of the director in the company, with a very long CV. I started putting pressure on me, this lady has a very big experience, she is working in the Bay Area, what can I bring in this situation, what can we do together, cloud computing is very far from my professional experience.

We agreed to have a Skype call one day after I reached home, and discuss the different subject proposed and see what can we do, honestly I did not know what can be my outcome from this experience, I joined techwomen to see how people work in the Silicon Valley , to understand the success methodology ( if there is one ) of these companies. So in a matter of project I did not have any idea what can be done or not I was ready to discuss any possible idea.

The brainstorming session had started, my mentor gave me different options, I had to see the positive and negative side of each idea, and we found our self combining different ideas in one project.

The first discussion was so natural, I could not believe it, after the first minutes, I felt comfortable and happy to meet this person even if it was virtual only.

We had around 3 or 4 Skype conversation before to meet in SF, we were able to define our project, try few things, and then I realized I need to start coding. I don't have the background but I always coded during my summer vacation in college, I took the chance to learn different languages and create some small software, but I did not have the mobile app experience, and I felt happy to go out of my comfort zone, to take risks, and try something new and different, I felt ready to trust my mentor with her advises and ideas, because I was able to give my own opinion, and she will listen to me.

When we met in SF, it was like friends meeting again, we were able to talk so naturally about our interests , jobs, and this amazing opportunity to work together.

My first day at office was inspiring, I was surprise how IT department can get everything settle down very quickly, then it was my turn to get into work , into my project, I had ideas to try, and I was all excited.

On the first week I had daily bases meeting with my mentor to discuss the projects and the steps to considere, but when Friday arrived I was freaking out, I felt little lost and not being able to do what I was asked to.

I realized that I can ask questions, I can share my ideas, I write it down, or make some spreadsheet, the most important is to get it out of my head and organize it, at that moment I understood what I had to do, I have got some insights from an amazing and professional lady, Jenny, she took one hour of her time to discuss the project with me, and from that moment everything became clear, my learning path ( the name of the project) is getting clearer for me.

After 3 other weeks of hard work, follow up with my mentor, meetings with people for suggestions, advises, and help I was able to finish that application and learning path. It was hard to convince people to trust me with the content, or with the way I want to code my application, I learned that you can be stubborn but prove that you were right.

It was great to have Jeanette around, it did make me feel safe to know that she is supervising the situation, that I can turn to her if anything is not okay. I enjoyed taking the opportunity to take my own decision, and have the chance to pitch it or argue it.

One month later, I realized that I can do a lot, if I'm in the right environment, but being in an hostile one can only make it much more appreciated challenge.

Looking for the chance to be a mentor, and I think the best way is to create this opportunity and chance.

It was légen.....wait for it......dary

Here I am on the plane from Frankfurt to Algiers.

Going back home, that great adventure is just over, time to get back to the daily life, even if nothing can be as before.

I've been thinking about this trip, about meeting 77 ladies from 16 different countries, it was just an amazing experience.

In the same time, I had the opportunity to meet my friends, people that know me pretty well for a long time, people that I've travelled with, and shared hours of my life.

Being in the techwomen environment, can be overwehlming sometimes, and I found the best way to disconnect for few minutes, or hours to enjoy it.

I felt very happy to meet Allaoua in San Francisco, it was a big surprise but in the same time,a great moment, it was the beginning of the adventure and still I had the chance to discuss it with him and in a certain way modify few things of my way of thinking on the days after his visit

In Washington, I've met Michael, for a lunch moment, we discussed the American culture and society, I felt better when I found that we share the same point of view.

It was also a moment to summarize our working experience with ZTE.

I would have loved to meet someone in Los Angeles or New York , let say it will be for another time

The last but not the least meeting was in Frankfurt airport I met my best buddy, Hakim how crazy is our life, I left New York he left Caracas and just met in the transit area, it was just legendary, he had to run over the airport but totally worth it. In some way I felt relaxed and ready for next trip.

There are friends that you will not meet everyday, you will always have different time zone but an hour with them is all what you need to get back your feeling good moment.

Thanks guys for being my friends, and giving me th opportunity to relay on you.

Cheers