Lessons from campusers
My jeans and shoes could easily give me away that night. The jeans, not tight enough. The shoes, a bit too flat. In fact, my whole ensemble would not have placed me in that space. But there I was, getting with the programme. The things we do for work! I found myself explaining my presence to Charlene, as I later learnt was her name, even without her asking. It was the AMs and there we were, sitting outside the main event space on part of the wall fence. Each taking a break. Her, I assumed, from the six inch shoes and wildness of the party. Me, from the heat of youthfulness that filled that party hall. Her dress hemline sat way above her knees, exposing her long light skinned legs. It was a beautiful golden dress that worked well with her black lace stilettoes.
This provided the prefect conversation gateway and I went for it. You look amazing, nice shoes, I said as I smiled at her. “Thank you” she responded and smiled back. That is when I saw how well done her makeup was. My mind starting creating my next topic. Charlene, I discovered is a finalist student of Human Rights at Makerere University. She had come to this students’ party dome with two of her friends and it was “Lit”, so much that her friends could not take a minute to catch their breath like her. Do you party like this often? I asked her. Then I thought to myself, seriously, who asks a campuser such as question! Anyhow, Charlene and her friends being in third year, were selective about the events they went to but, “this was really hyped, so we came.” “But we won’t stay long, we have a test tomorrow.” Almost immediately, I wanted to judge, typical of an adult, but well, we have been at campus before. Enough said.
She chuckled that naughty way a cheeky girl would when I tried to speak about how expensive it must be. It looked like she knew a lot I didn’t, but I never pushed it. Her two friends joined in and quick introductions took place. Their dresses were even shorter and shoes more interesting. The thing that stood out though with all three was the makeup. Do you ladies first go to the parlor to have your makeup done before coming? I asked. It must be very expensive. “What! No.” The one called Marble volunteered. “We do it ourselves,” Charlene said matter of factly. “It is all on YouTube.” And that there just proved further how the internet had revolutionalised life and how youth apply it. They do not wait to be handed skills, but reach out and apply themselves, think bloggers and other young entrepreneurs who continue to do incredible things with the internet.
My friend Aggie, a makeup artiste sets you back Shs75, 000 for makeup while another Samantha charges Shs50, 000. And boy do they have clients of my generation waiting in line. I was impressed by these young ladies needless to say. As they said their farewells to head back to the hyper dome party, I made a mental note to think beyond TedTalks and Recipes the next time I visit YouTube. We just have to apply ourselves on this internet thingy like these young people.
