“Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.” ~ Aldous Huxley
Ayanna Nahmias
Born in Florida, raised in Nigeria and Tanzania, my life has been an epic adventure segregated by oceans and time, continental divides and three Abrahamic religions. My blog is focused on issues and concerns related to Islam and Judaism, how I achieved feminist power and self-actualization within both of these systems, and what it was like to grow up in the late 60’s early 70’s within the midst of the most turbulent times for both Africa and America.
A query which provides background and a synopsis of the book can be read on the page titled, For Literary Agents. This page has been developed to provide a quick snapshot of the project for interested literary agents, publishers, and producers. Defining moments and seminal events that have occurred in my life are filed under the topic/category Memoir Shorts.
This blog will address topics germane to gender relations, race, religion, and sexuality from the perspective of an insider who lives fully within each of these contextual settings.
These musings will chronicle my strange and convoluted journey, from which I was miraculously spared horrible fates to which many of my companions succumbed; drug addiction, alcoholism, AIDS, prostitution, imprisonment, deportation, criminal enterprise, and some from which I did not emerge unscathed – rape, abuse, divorce, and low self-esteem.
Photo by Brooke Shaden
I survived cerebral malaria, when the local doctors confidently declared I was too sick to be medivac’d out of Dar es Salaam; and informed my mother that she should prepare for my death.
I am tenacious, eternally optimistic, and sublimely adept at moving past old hurts and wounds, to meet each day with the expectancy that dreams yet unfulfilled, will be realized before darkness falls. Baruch Hashem! He has made me this way, for there is no other explanation.
Hope you will follow my blog and accompany me as I time travel through the smells, tastes, and memories of all the places, people and situations I have experienced; and all the places of Africa which have known me and shall now eternally dwell within me.
Initially however, my travels began in Africa with a month long safari by car from the West Coast to the East Coast. In America, in the deep South, to the East and Midwest; and finally to my time in Europe and the Caribbean.
I look forward to sharing my thoughts, experiences, and musings with you, and I hope that you will accompany me on a great adventure told in memoir excerpts, social/political commentary, prose, poetry, and short stories; as I weave the fiction and non-fiction that is the fabric of my life.
Thank You for Visiting!!
Fascinating first cut at writing your Memoirs!
Merci pour lire mon blog. J’apprécie votre commentaire. On se parle plus tard !
I like the way your blog is layed out. Your subject matter is engaging, and your perspective refreshing. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Ayanna – Looking forward to reading your blog.
Very interesting life stories!!
Beautiful!
I am thrilled to read it….
I’m a little late writing this as I just had this website sent to me.
Loved the story written about me and had to share the fact that I converted to Judaism BEFORE my husband and I even met. Sixteen years of Catholic school helped me with my spiritual decision and honestly, my husband did NOT seemed thrilled to know I was Jewish. He thought I was Latina and certainly NOT a Swedish and Black Jew! Life goes on and hopefully my struggle with my in-laws will come to an end but I loved your website and blog….I was reading the coverage that was sent to me by someone and appreciated all you had to say.
Best,
Sunda Croonquist-Zafrin
Sunda Croonquist-Zafrin:
Thank you very much for writing this comment. I was so excited to learn that my piece was forwarded to you, and that you appreciated the story. I have heard you interviewed on many occasions, and I can truly, truly relate to your issues on so many levels. Because of your national exposure, you have given voice to women like me, who convert for reasons other than marriage, and for whom Judaism is a way of life, love and spirituality. Your honesty has inspired me and I wish you continued success!!
Best,
Ayanna Nahmias
I loved your blog and i was just wondering if you would go to my blog and post a comment on mine. thatwould be the coolest thing ever. Here, http://www.hansenlindsey.blogspot.com
Thanks.
Bye!
Hello from Russia)
Excellent blog, Ms. Nahmias. I just came back from TZ couple of months ago where I was studying during the summer. Loved Dar….
Really beautiful ! I like the way you write and the post is great also with beautiful photos !
Valentino
I came across your blog earlier tonight and was curious if you might be interested in writing for a project we are doing here in Southern California? Basically it involves writing about your Defining Moment in life and it will be assembled with many well known authors and aspiring authors alike.
I would really like to hear from you if you might be interested. Just an amazing story!
Spellbinding. Astounding. A lot of things to mull over when insomnia sings loud.
Love it! More, please.
beautiful ssssssssssaasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssststory s
you have quite a story. all the best with getting it out there into the world.
Two good publishing advice blogs are at http://literarydatabase.wordpress.com/
and
http://writershandbook.wordpress.com/
and a great resource (which I designed) at http://www.literarydatabase.com
Keep writing!
-Loreen.
IANA beautiful life full of culture, literature and travel
I hope to compose a picture book about the life of Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi, and his political and possible to secure substantial support
Thank you, we appreciate it.
Hello friend,I hope your happy good day.
your link has been add in my blog with name :
Memoirs of a Cipher.sorry for late reply.
plz add my link too.
Thanks and Good luck.
I’m the editor of The State We’re In, from Radio Netherlands. I was just trolling through the fan list and saw your website mentioned, and read a bit about you.
The story of your being ill and doctors telling your mom to prepare for your death raised my eyebrows. They’re still raised.
I wonder if you’d be willing to talk about that with me at some point soon?
Cheers<
Greg
hi how are you how do you life?
my full name tewodros gizaw i live in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the beautiful country and many nation nationality people country please your country ex plane