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That
aside this is my CFA journey up until now.
The
first day I entered the class, I was all sweaty and looked like a wretched out
of place homeless guy with a pale and contrived visage and compounded by the
fact that I am this dark guy, you can imagine how haggard and dreary I looked.
Then,
I was still working in Mombasa Road. A place that should roughly take you like
twenty minutes and you are in ‘Strath’ as it is colloquially
known. Nairobi jam can dampen the spirit especially when it decides to show its
languor when you really need to be in a given place. I never went to class the
first week because of matters out of my ken. But the second week, I sure was
going to go to class. To find out about the chaps I was to be in class with and
just to get acquainted with the higher learning institution.
I
remember going to one Patrick’s office to be given direction on the CFA class.
I never found him but opted to still inquire in an office nearby, I have forgotten
about because I rarely frequent the administration building. The guy noted that
I was from walking judging by how I was sweating profusely on a slightly chilly
evening in Madaraka. Management Science Building (MSB 11) was supposed to be my
class. The class was warm, well lit and nicely furnished in comparison to 'the prestigious University of Nairobi' . My immediate former Alma Mater. Not with the mundane
desks found in most institutions. Though the classroom walls were bare, the windows were large and a cross of the Lamb of God, a well mounted projector and a clock
were distinguishable. But the way the slider which illuminates projected notes
rolled downwards after being switched on was quite startling for a guy who had no such interaction even though I have celebrated silver jubilee. The unlimited amount of energy the
students contained was heartening. Guys were in nice fitting suits. Ladies in
glossy colours that radiated with charm and allure. I felt like I was in a new setting,
was this a class or a conference!
The
lecturer that day was one Richard Muriithi, CFA. That suffix signifies a lot in the financial milieu. He is of average height,
chocolate complexioned with an amiable smile and eyes gleaming with energy. His physique is compact unlike most
lecturers who have a hate relationship with the gym. He was in a body-hugging
and fitted shirt and a slim tie that amplified the sturdiness of his physique. His
rippling biceps and triceps highlighted their powerful posture. One could be tempted to confuse he was brawny
more than brainy. But judging by the fact that he is a former Bush boy and a
comrade at actuary classes in UON, his acumen is unquestionable. Guess the
ladies liked his well-built appearance and soft voice, the voice of
consideration and attention (they came in numbers to the class). Again he is no vicious
tutor who glares at the class with red flames dancing in his eyes as he
expects an answer to a question even the world’s most intelligent mastermind
couldn’t provide an answer to (Just kidding). Comrades however said he was not that experienced
with the command of his lectures as compared to seasoned lecturers in other course units. And
having read about his bio on Linked In, I can attest to the fact that it surely
requires time to nurture the skill of imparting knowledge to easily distracted students
in an intuitive way that is humorous and keeps the tempo of the rhythm cozy. He
once did greet me because I am a back bench dude and never contribute anything
in class having been out of place during his class since I'm a homebody in
earthy tones.
I
recall, I took my school ID during the first week on Wednesday morning just
before heading to work. I had initially earmarked the previous Friday before
reporting as the day I was to take my school ID before the official start of
the semester. Unfortunately, that is the weekend Obama arrived in Kenya and the
roads having been closed, most of the staff had taken a break. On Saturday, the
staff was nowhere near the institution apart from the tall concierge or is he a
sentry I had initially explained to my predicament on Friday about the ID but
he told me the same story of the staff being on forced holiday. I have never
had time to enquire about this guy, mainly because I am usually busy at work
and by the time I arrive in the institution, it’s usually very late and I like
my space, just being alone and observing.
Strathmore
is an ID based institution, like UON of late due to the Alshabab threat that
has aided in the employment of more men and women as guards with metal
detectors they have no knowledge of the working. Unlike UON, there are no metal
detectors in Strathmore. You use your ID to gain entry almost everywhere. There
are very few buildings which do not require an ID to gain entry like the
SBS (Strathmore Business School, sic). It has this café that has average status but
still better than Student Centre at UON. The only problem is that you need to
return your plate and cup after eating. That is something my comrade from UON,
Julius taught me.
Already,
I am torn between writing this post and concentrating on my studies that
require a lot of time. This studies are getting into my nerves. Yes, they are.
I have to tender it like newlyweds do their marriage. Writing is like the boys
in my life, they keep on coming between my marriage to reading for CFA exams. I
have decided to cut the crap and write. Already, I have wasted many man hours
that I should have spent reading. That way, I would have eased my backlog on
studying for the exams because there are ten units that I should be reading
for. The only problem now is to be consistent with my reading. They say in
order to make it to being a CFA, a minimum of 300 hours should be dedicated to
study. I have done a paltry 30 hours as at present.
There is this dude who probably acts like the student assistant. Maybe his name is Jeremy, I factually don't remember his name. He a is tall and chocolate complexioned dobber like over 6". Having observed the oddities in his mien, there is no denial that he oozes a sphere of reclusivity. Sometimes you see him in apparels so lousy you wonder whether he truly takes time to choose while at his fashion dispencer. Having seen him reading Walter Isaacson's 'Steve Jobs' biography for close to a month, there is a hypothetical conjecture i formulated that he is either an FIT (Faculty Of Information Technology) student or a just another lazy
There is this dude who probably acts like the student assistant. Maybe his name is Jeremy, I factually don't remember his name. He a is tall and chocolate complexioned dobber like over 6". Having observed the oddities in his mien, there is no denial that he oozes a sphere of reclusivity. Sometimes you see him in apparels so lousy you wonder whether he truly takes time to choose while at his fashion dispencer. Having seen him reading Walter Isaacson's 'Steve Jobs' biography for close to a month, there is a hypothetical conjecture i formulated that he is either an FIT (Faculty Of Information Technology) student or a just another lazy
reader struggling to finish a book yours truly tried reading as an Ebook and the disastrous results are not penable. However his drab nature has probably put me off because he appears like that guy who wants to be sophisticated but that feat ideally backfired because he looks more wretched than serious. But maybe it's just me. You look at him and even though you may be mistaken to conclude he comes from those middle income suburbs where guys have an aloof trait that they will not shed because they think society bestows upon them such exclusive rights.
Enough of dudes, someone may be tempted to brand me a fag. Strathmore has not given me the slightest iota as to it being what it is highly regarded for. But in many other spheres, it qualifies as an institution that adds status and gives
one the signature oomph as opposed to the currently out of touch UON that has given undue preference to being an institution of advertising at the expense of affording quality education.
Hasta La Vista, Baby.
[Photo Source: CFA Institute]
