Stranger In The House

Years before i was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family.This stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.

As i grew up, i never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors; Mum taught me good from evil and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger..... he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.

If i wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answer about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took our family to the first major league ball game.

He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn't seem to mind. Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were hushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for quiet and peace. I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.

Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity  for example, was not allowed in our home - not from us, our friends or visitors. Our long time visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my Dad squirm and my Mom blush.

My Dad didn't permit the liberal use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged us to try it on regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He even talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.

I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by this stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked.... and NEVER asked to leave.

More than forty years have passed since this stranger moved into our community. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first.Still, if you could walk into my parent's den today, you could still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him and watch him draw his pictures.

His name?.............We just call him 'TV'

Stranger YEARS AGO

He has a wife now...... We call her 'Computer'

Their first child is "Cellphone"

Second child is "iPod"

And just born last year was a grandchild "IPAD"






culled from a magazine

Stranger PRESENT DAY

Oh my! HOW TRUE THIS IS!!!!

Recipe: Moi Moi

Woke up Saturday morning with a strong craving for moi-moi.  When i'm excited about getting a particular task done my mind is fixed on it and can get everybody around me excited about the task too. I eventually got my mum and sister to be my assistant chefs. There's something about eating moi-moi made with leaves, it gives it a very unique and delicious taste. Had to rush to the market to get the moi moi leaves and some other ingredients.

Decided to prepare moi moi my style and share on my page. So here goes......

Ingredients

• 4  small cups of beans
• 2 medium sized Titus fish
• 3 medium sized onions.
• Vegetable oil and or margarine
• 2 Knorr cubes
• Salt
• Moi moi leaves

Moi-moi is the one of Nigerian food recipe that is prepared cold. All the mixing and adding of ingredient is done off the stove. Once you start cooking, there's no going back! You cannot decide to add more salt or ingredient. So getting it right at the mixing stage is very important.

Continue for method......

Emma!

Dear Emma,

There are no words to describe the utter grief that i still feel now, and i cannot possibly imagine the shock and sorrow that has been thrust on your family as well.

It still feels like a nightmare and i need to wake up!

I remember your optimistic attitude to life
Just once you asked;
"Are you sure i can make this?"

I was quick to say "Of course"
Usually i'm a realist but you made me believe again.
You struggled for over 5 years
You struggled with cancer, but you were never angry.
You took each day at a time
Believing and hoping all will be well.

I've known you for about 3 years
but the lesson i learnt from your life is worth more that 6 years in college
You were a loving and caring friend
Constantly calling to check on your friends
when we should be the one making those calls
You always had a listening hear
with a strong shoulder to lean on

I remember going to visit you at LUTH when you had chemotherapy about 2 years ago
The way you laughed and made a small deal of the medical procedures
and jokingly said "This people wan use chemo kill person o"
How you told Austa and I tales of all the other male patients in your ward
You made us laugh long and hard
You eventually traveled to India last year
stayed there for over 6 months
You called regularly applauding the medical service you were receiving there
How the chemo had minimal side effects
cos it wasn't affecting your appetite at all
How you'll call just to tell me what mummy made for lunch
I remember you made me promise to make you starch and 'owo' soup when you got back
You got back with a healthy glow on your face
You even made me lunch when i came to visit.
I remember your constant shy smiles
healthy appetite for food,
deep love for God.
I remember.....

Sometime last month you called
You mentioned you were going back to India
I asked if there was a problem
You were quick to reassure me
You said it was just routine check up
It was 6 months after your last visit so i understood
This time you were traveling alone(without your mum) cos it was to be a very short visit
You were very enterprising and was even planning it to be a business trip
You asked if i needed anything, they make lovely saris there
I said "No"
I should have said I needed you to come back

Usually when you travel you always keep in touch
you call.... you send sms...... facebook messages.... facebook chat....
This last visit was different
Over a week and no call
I tried your line you had in India it was switched off
I got excited, assumed you're already back
Then tried your mtn line it was off
Decided to drop a message on facebook
Just to see a few messages saying "RIP Emmanuel"
My heart literally stopped!!!

Emma, why didn't you call to say goodbye
Everybody miss you
Your mum is devastated
Your siblings are crying uncontrollably
Its over a week now but the pain is still fresh
You were  barely 33

I am not angry anymore
I was angry for some days but that has faded into some sort of acceptance.
I still occasionally dial  your number....
You're gone to a better place and i pray we'll meet someday
I miss you Emma.

Adieu dear friend

Miniature adults everywhere

The way parents dress their young ones these days is gradually becoming cause for concern.
I understand wanting our female daughter to look pretty and chic.
I understand keeping up with latest trend  in fashion.
What i don't understand or find difficult to tolerate is young female scantily dressed in very revealing outfits, forcing them to become miniature adults.
Some parents dress their children irresponsibly in the name of fashion and expect them to dress responsibly when they grow up. That's not gonna happen. If you start at a tender age to dress them scantily, when they grow up they become Lady Gaga (pardon me Gaga's fans).
It all starts from the home, parents have a lot of role to play in this.

Children are on summer break so get to see all sorts. Go into any shopping mall or cinema these days and you'll be amazed at what they wear out. Teenagers in ridiculously short skirts and dresses are at every corner.

There's this 9 year old female that stays on my close, she's always dressed in micro mini-skirts and very indecent short knickers. She walks down the road and we are all forced to stare. Its not just her legs we're staring at, neither is it the confidence she exudes. Its the blatant seductiveness and sensuality in her stride. The other day, i caught her winking at a male teenager and had to blink to be sure i saw right. Does she understand the "game" she's playing?

There has been numerous stories in the past of child molestation. I can be very passionate about issues pertaining to sexual abuse particularly when it is committed by family members or people is the child's circle of trust. The blame goes primarily to the molesters but parents have a role to play in the way they clothe their wards. Stories are coming up daily of fathers sexually assaulting their children. We constantly hear of houseboys and relatives violating young ones, lots of pedophiles out there. Often times these children are innocent and may be unaware of the damage done to them.
We regularly hear that men are turned on by what they see; women by what they hear. Some men even get turned on for no excuse at all. Why don't we help these men; why constantly get them excited. Not just the adult females that are guilty of this, some of our "innocent" children are too. 

A close friend that works at a General Hospital told me few days back about his 3 year old  female patient. The mother complained that the toddler has itchy vagina. She assumed maybe sand got into the panties when she was playing during the summer class, or her daughter has very sensitive skin and reacting to the toiletries.

On examination, the mother wept profusely and started raining curses when she was told the state of her young child sexual health. I'm not gonna bore you with the details, but the doctor discovered that it was repeated sexual abuse. My heart weeps for her and for all other young children that has ever been violated.

If we're not careful this is what we'll see in our shopping malls/cinemas 2020.

TGIF! Fridays are gradually becoming my best day of the week.

Nooddles Night

Smoky hot!!!! It was delicious too...... You like?

Random Post/ Joined for Life

There is absolutely no excuse this time for my display of laziness last couple of weeks. No time to post or even check on my frequent bloggers. Struggling with this weakness. God help me.

How have y'all been? Got some sort of promotion at work. Promotion in job description/title, hope it comes with the financial benefits soon. So a little stressful joggling with the added 'new' responsibilities. Its a wonderful challenge and an interesting learning process.

Olympics has come and gone. I won't even bother to comment on our performance cos i decided to cut down on my criticism. New mantra is "Praise more...... Fault less". (But we no try sha.)

Beautiful games, lovely performances. Those athletes made me wonder why i didn't consider a career in sports. They made it seem so easy. Imagine jumping a 2M pole!!!........ Or running 100 meters in 9.63 like my brother Bolt (we actually have a striking resemblance believe me).

Was going through a newspaper a couple of days back and saw a picture of this wonderful conjoined twins

Abby and Brittany Hensel

Getting their driver's license

From the article, they are quite popular and was previously on Oprah's show years back. Their names are Abigail Lorraine Hensel and Brittany Lee Hensel. The sisters who share a body but have 2 heads are dicephalic paraphagus twins. Born 7th March 1990, their parent rejected the option of separating them after hearing from doctors that it was not likely for both girls to survive the operation.

The Hensel twins have a single body with separate head and neck, a chest that is wider than normal, 2 hearts, 2 arms and 2 legs.

In conversation and personalities the twins are clearly distinct persons with distinct likes and dislikes. Their preference in food, clothing and color differs too.

Despite the curiosity that their condition has generated, the Hensel twins have managed to live private life with relatively little press attention.

Now this article got me thinking..... We find it extremely difficult to live with each other, we are quick to complain when we don't get things done our way. I can imagine the unconditional love this twins have for each other, sharing their illness, pain, happiness, joy.....  

The uncertainty about their future, not sure if they'll find true love.  

Reading this was truly an eye-opener and a message for complete acceptance of ourselves. God didn't make us with flaws, we sometimes see our imperfection as flaws but He made us all GOOD. 

PS: It does feel good to be back.

Hey all

How's the week going? Hope the weekend went well.

Mine was activity packed. Had to attend a conference Thursday-Saturday. Lots of talk, talk, and more talk. It went well though. Made new friends and strengthened some old ones.

Sunday was my niece birthday. She turned 8 (can't believe she's 8 already). Its seems like yesterday when i held her in my arms and now she's beginning to dab my lipsticks on and play dress-up with my clothes.

Her name is Rukky (full name is Oghenerukeme-means God has given me or God's gift to me).

There's some form of strange flu going round in Lagos. Almost everybody i know has either catarrh or cough or both. Almost escaped it but my chest feels kinda funny.  My siblings are not left out too, Rukky's mum had a mild fever so she was banned from the kitchen-related activities. 

We had a small get-together for the birthday gal and cos i'm the most fit person around i was the cook, photographer, DJ and MC. Fortunately, it was just about 10 kids that came visiting so it wasn't stressful.

The celebrant-Rukky

Ms Busy Bee

I am really thrilled another Friday is here again, now i'm confirming some form of trend. Sincerely hope "The Lazy Me" is not becoming a more dorminant personality. I'm particularly looking forward to this weekend cos i intend to stay on the bed till about 9:30am, i only get that luxury once in a while.

I've been meaning to drop a post here for a while but i always turn up with the excuse that i am very busy. To some friends i may sound like a broken record, i even sound like a broken record to myself.
Why didn't you call me? I've been busy
Why didn't you do this? I've been busy
Have you eaten? No, I've been busy
You've had that book for ages when will you finish reading it? I've been busy.
We've not see you in ages!  So sorry I've been busy
Haba! I'm not the only adult working, tis just poor time planning, plain and simple.
So making a firm resolution before going to bed to write out daily To-do list for the next day(and stick to it).
Today i resolve to change. Starting from now. Thank you, thank you very much, enough of the applause.


Lots of people have mentioned that when you're about to get married you'll get very interesting admirers (serious toasters). I'm always quick to say "Abeg! na today men dey toast! I know what i want and no amount of temptation can influence me".
Darling dearest is one of the best things in my life, he's my best friend and we talk about almost everything. My stance hasn't changed but i know that men get very attracted to happy and contented ladies and sometimes they want to tap from that happiness bug.

Last weekend, a close married friend called and she kept asking " What's the gist? Give me names of all the exciting men calling now" Not you too, i thought.
I've met so many willing attractive men in the past. Usually i'm sloooow  in developing emotional feelings. That doesn't mean i'm not passionate, just that over the years I've learnt to keep my overactive imagination and hormones in check.

So couple of days back, i got my first temptation. He's single, tall, dark and handsome....hehehehe. Una wan hear story abi?
We had a long conversation and i discovered we had some things in common. It was nice just chatting and he asked for a date; dinner or perhaps a drink. I had to immediately let him know i'm engaged and won't want him to misunderstand my friendly attitude.
Thought that was going through my mind was will i willingly permit darling dearest to go on a date with a very attractive friend in the name of friendship. If they're old friends, no problem. If its a work date, no problem. But if it can't be defined then best to be cautious.

In situations like this, is it best to 'gist  about other toasters' to one's partner?
Personally i feel too much emphasis shouldn't be placed on other toasters because your partner may either get jealous and a little insecure. But on the flip side, talking about it may nip the bud at any treacherous feelings.

Why does female/male seem more appealing when they're taken?


I was just wondering if there are people who still think in their mother's tongues. I was thinking yesterday when i realized that i was thinking in English. Some years ago i used to think in 'pidgin'. Wonder what language will be next, maybe French! So tell me, in what language do you think?

TGIF

Hey all

Its Friday again! Yay!!!
 Lately i get particularly excited when its approaching the weekend.

Maybe its the stress of work and my body's needs a vacation.

Maybe its my body silently craving for a change. 

Maybe its just the fact that i can decide to stay indoors and not feel guilty.

Maybe i'm a little lazy....

Usually i read about 4 books simultaneously.

Number 1 book is what i call my Spiritual Fiesta. Aside from my bible, i'm currently reading "The Purpose Driven Life" (the book on the right hand side of this page). Its a must-read for any body that believes in God. May share some stuff on the book when i'm done.

My number 2 book is always in the toilet. This i call Loo Aider. It used to be fashion or gossip magazine but presently its a book on 1000 jokes. Sometimes it makes me stay in the toilet longer than planned and then have to rush so i don't get late to work.

Number 3 book is usually under my pillow, i call this my Midnight Dose. Years ago, i was a die-hard novel fan; i can stay up all night reading (not school book then o!). This can range from romance, crime, biographies and sci-fiction. The last couple of years i enjoyed some books written by Nigerian writers; Chimamanda Adichie, Myne Whitman, Sefi Atta and Jude Dibia just to mention a few. Lately its romance novels again, Yes oooo, i do that too! A girl can occasionally indulge nau. Older now and  can barely stay up couple of hours before drifting off to dreamland. Maybe Atilola's  book will be my next midnight tonic. 

Now the gist is about my number 4 book; the book presently in my handbag, i call this my On-the-go Fix. The title is "The Art of Living Totally". When i flipped through the first few pages i was tempted to assume it's a waste of my time. But delving further revealed some expected basic truths (that i don't completely agree with).

The book suggests that there are some "Symptoms of Health"; which are:

• Timely and sound sleep (at least 8 hours). according to the book, untimely sleeping such as siesta is unhealthy and a bad habit. The need for siesta is always due to excessive eating, badly digested book or both. (Tough one! I'm addicted to siestas on Sundays).

• A healthy appetite. Feeling the pangs of hunger on a full stomach is unhealthy; to get rid of false hunger, drink water on feeling it. A healthy breakfast should favour elimination e.g fruits. A healthy lunch should favour digestion. There should naturally be only one major meal a day, savoury and varied. (One meal ke! Usually don't joke with my 3 square meal o.) A healthy dinner should favour assimilation, which really means there is no such thing as a healthy dinner. Nature would require that nothing should be taken before retiring ,or at most fluids( Haba! i will dream of food).The body takes about 3-6hours for digestion, more hours for assimilation before elimination. If a whole day passes without elimination, look into it at once (that means i'm abnormal  ke*covers face*)

• Fitness such as brisk long-distance walking, jogging, cycling and swimming. Panting is a sign of unfitness. Fitness is a result of exercising the vascular and respiratory system rather than the muscles. Fitness should not be confused with strength or agility.

• Healthy skin is clean, moist, odourless and able to heal wounds fast.

• Healthy elimination of solid waste which should be consistent and odourless. (So smelly shit is abnormal?)

• Regular and easy urination, which should be almost colourless and odourless.

• Resistance to infection. A healthy body destroys germs of all types long before they get a chance to cause trouble.

After writing this post and making firm resolutions (firm small) to quit eating between meals my colleagues are trying to tempt me to eat corn. GET BEHIND ME........!!!!!!!

PS: I like my new colour purple, it looks regal right?

I Got Tagged

OMG, I got tagged and forgot to post this. Thanks so much Okeoghene. I'm soooooo sorry this is late. But better late than never abi?

Post Rules

I 'm sure everybody knows the rules already, so skip!

11 Random Things

• I love to read Karen Kingsbury's books. I feel like i'm part of the story and characters are my imaginary next door neighbors. 

• I love music.

• I was a good dancer, wonder where all that talent completely disappeared to.

• Past horror movie lover. Some of the scenes are so foolish that my sis and i would laugh long and hard at the stupidity of it all. The addiction stopped after watching  "Exorcism of Emily Rose"-based on a true life story. For about 2 weeks after the movie, my eyes would snap open at exactly 3am *that was spooky*. Rarely watch horror flicks these days but occasionally can't resist "1000 Ways to Die" .

• I like suya ( BBQ beef). I've been told numerous times that its unhealthy but i still indulge.

• I come from a family of 7.

• I'm about 5ft 9 inches tall.

• I'm Deltan.

• I love children; babies, toddlers, pre-teens. Don't plan to have more than 3 though.

• I love God.

• At last....... I feel emotionally drained after reading newspapers these days.

 Okeoghene's Q:

What is your middle name? Atary.



Favorite food? Presently, Rice.... rice....rice. It can be jollof rice, fried rice, white rice, coconut rice, Chinese fried rice, rice pudding, rice sha. I can eat rice so many times and won't get tired.



Favorite board game? Snake and Ladder. Tempted to say Chess but that tense me up.Snake and ladder is soooo relaxing, not much thinking involved (mostly a game of luck)



Favorite Nigerian musician?  Lemar, he's British-Nigerian, that's Nigerian now (was a little obsessed with his voice 5 years ago, bought all his cds).



Education or fame? Education please. In love with my privacy.



What grinds your gear? People who eat noisily with their mouth open.

Books or Movies? Books. I like to choose my own characters. Sometimes these directors never get it right.



Favorite movie?  Sound of Music. Old skool me.


Earth, Wind, Water and Fire? What describes you? Earth. I'm relatively cool headed.  Very practical and dependable. Don't like drama.


Legacy? What would you like to be remembered for? I want to leave behind a legacy of  love. I want to be remembered for loving and caring for people.



If you are not you, who would you like to be? Would be me over and over again. I love ME.



Don't intend to subject anybody to any late tags so will just skip this part

Purpose Driven Life

Reading this caption i'm sure you'll assume this is going to be a post on talk, talk, talk....... and more talk on how we all can make the best of our short trip here on earth.

Sorry to disappoint you a little. Actually used that title cos i'm presently taking a 40-day journey  trying to discover my purpose here on earth. May give a short review at the end of my journey though.

My doctrine makes me believe God made us to know him, love him, serve him, in this world and to be happy with him forever in the next. Y'all may be lucky to have discovered  your purpose on earth, i envy you if you have. I've started this kinda journey a couple of times in the past. First time was when i turned 21. Got this book from my elder sis *my family is a little obsessed with reading*. The title of the book is "A Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Its focus is on God's plan for your life. Its not like the usual self help book (some of those those can be very good too) that suggests that people should look within at their own desires and dreams. Its emphasis is in understanding God's purpose in creating us.  My second journey with this book was about some years ago. Unfortunately, i'll start the book with high hopes planning to be a better person but i don't get to complete it. Procrastination comes knocking, i skip a couple of days and then it gets difficult to complete it. Oftentimes, i get distracted with one thing or the other. I'm perfect at\making valid excuses but no excuse this time will stop me.

 I guess most of y'all may have read this book in the past, its a great bestselling book *definitely worth reading*. Not the conventional book that you'll be done with in a couple of hours or few days with little message left with you. Its a book that  seems like  a journey of discovery.

It is paradoxical that we all want to make heaven and nobody want to consider death. Earth is not our final destination, our final abode is with our creator and presently planning to live each day as if it'll be my very last. I'll advice all of us to do same, cause we don't know the exact time when it'll come calling (now that
sounds like a small sermon).

Enough of serious serious talk.

I'm always scared of the internet and revealing myself here but will share a couple of my pictures today. Just for fun. Enjoy.....

A Black Weekend

My weekend was horrible, guess it was same for over a million Nigerians.
My heart bleeds at the tremendous loss.

It started on Friday afternoon with a broadcast on my phone about multiple accidents on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Saturday at 7:10pm, it was a plane crash. A cargo airplane leaving Lagos for Accra. The crew of four people on board all survived the accident but unfortunately the aircraft collided with a minivan and resulting in death of 10 people./

As if that was not enough on Sunday morning we heard of yet another painful incident. The Islamic sect Boko Haram again struck. This time it was a Harvest church at Yelwa Borno  State,  about 15 lives were lost. Reports said that the bomber drove a Honda car into the church, sandwiched between Deeper Life Bible Church and Living Faith Church. The bomber detonated the bomb killing himself and the guards at the church

The one  that affected me most was the Dana flight 9J-992 that crashed at about 3:43pm in Lagos (Iju-Agbado area) yesterday, 153 passengers + cabin crew members died. I refused to look at any pictures yesterday and didn't see any sense in rebroadcasting images. Today, looking at some of the pictures made me weep.
Imagine those caught in the plane screaming and watching their body burn makes me weak.
Imagine the state of confusion and total helplessness.
Imagine the little ones asking their momma " Are we gonna die?" That tears me apart.
Imagine the terror going through the pilot's mind knowing that the plane will crash.
Imagine the fear not sure what will be next, if they'll be rescued or drift to the great beyond.

Dana Air Crash 03/06/12

The future seems bleak but we have to keep moving on.
You travel by road, a tanker can catch fire.
You attempt to travel by air, plane crashes.
You sit in your house, plane can come crash on your roof.
You go to church, you're afraid Boko Haram will attack.
You run to your village, get ready to bear the risk of been kidnapped.
Please God help us.


I have been thinking these couple of days about stuff.  My life....... My country..... My friends............. My family.............. My God.

What is it God trying to tell us in all of this?

Back at last

Hey all
It definitely feels good to be back. Had major issues with my starcomms modem and the wi-fi at work just decided to go off as well. Miss reading all ya blogs.

Guess i have to catch up on all the interesting gist ASAP.

Had a nasty experience this morning just outside my office. Saw this young female trying to cross the road (its actually a very busy one), unfortunately there was a careless  driver obviously in a hurry. It happened so fast i actually don't know who to place the blame on but the driver will definitely get the bulk of this.He practically shoved the lady off the road, as if that wasn't pathetic enough, he didn't stop to check if anyone got hurt. She tripped and fell down, in his bid to make a quick exit the lady got stuck to bottom of the car. The next scene was horrific...... The driver sped off with the lady lying almost lifeless attached to the bottom of the car. The driver was oblivious of what was happening and dragged the lady 5 blocks away before he realized something was wrong. She was eventually rushed to the hospital. I was in shock most part of the morning, angry at the carelessness and insensitivity of the driver. I pray she survives it.

Liebster Award

Blogging is so interesting. I  spend more time reading blogs and books than actually writing, i'm a way better reader than a writer. Sometimes you may catch me laughing hysterically at some bloggers jokes, quietly digesting some philosophical/inspirational messages, or reading some gossip blogs (yes, that too!)

I'm new at blogging so was ecstatic last month when i got a free book from Atilola

This month its Liebster Award. Big thanks to Okeoghene for nominating me for this award, truly appreciate.

Here's the Terms and Conditions for the award:

1. Link back to the person who gave you and thank them.

    Thanks so much Okeoghene

2. Post the award to your blog

    Check  on that.

3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you appreciate and value (its a great way to get the word out there about other blogs!)

   So here are my nominees

• Coyintrovert
• Atilola
• Nikkisho
• Africanaturalistas
• Gbemisoke

4 Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have received this award.

Pictures....

Hey all. Work has made blogging difficult lately, usually get home too tired to think much less drop a post. The Lord is my strength.

I love beautiful, interesting and creative pictures. I may not have the talent to capture or know such moments but i sure can appreciate a well-taken picture. When it involves children, i tend to like more. Lately bumped into a wedding photographer, Jason Lee. What struck is not the amazing beautiful wedding photos, but the  lovely moments he captured of his two daughters,Kristin and Kayla. The pictures i find particularly interesting can be found here 

Enjoy.......

Clothes in motion

Smoky HOT

Little dentists

Incredible genius

Post-it!

Super kid

Human plant

Motion picture

Larger than life

This looks like some form of ad for Jason Lee abi?

Have a great week.

Thots For Today

Today we have higher buildings and wider highways,
but shorter temperament and narrower points of view.

We spend more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses, but smaller families.
We have more knowledge, but less judgement.
We have more medicine, but less health.

We have multiplied  our possessions,
but reduced our values.
We talk much,
We love only a little,
and we hate so much.

We've reached the moon and came back,
but we find it troublesome to cross our own street and meet our neighbours.
We have conquered space, but not our inner space.

We have higher income but less morals...
These are times with more liberty, but less joy...
With more  food, but less nutrition....

These are days in which two salaries come home, but divorces increase.
These are times of finer houses but more broken homes.

That's why i propose that as of today;
Do not keep anything for a special occasion because every day that you live is a special occasion.
Search for knowledge, read more.
Sit on your front porch and admire the view.
Spend more time with your family.
Eat your favorite food.
Visit the place you love.
Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment; it isn't only survival.

Use your crystal goblets.
Do not save your best perfume... use it every time you feel you want it.
Take out vocabulary phrases like "one of these days" and "someday".
Write that letter, call or text that friend now!
Let's tell our families and friends how much we love them.
Never pass up a chance of adding laughter and joy to your life.
Every day, every hour , every hour is special because it can be your very last.

A Book To Read

I'm so excited, got my first blog giveaway. Usually very terrible at winning gifts but this just dropped on my laps without doing much *grins*.

The first freebie i ever won was an OMO t-shirt abbout 15 years back (Lever brothers had some form of promo then), and i smiled and glowed all day. I can vividly remember the UPS man. He parked his bike in front of our house, briskly walked to the gate, and asked for yours truly. I actually felt like a celebrity that day.

 I've read some of Atilola stories and she's a great writer, click here: Atilola

Here is a sneak preview on her latest book:

A preview from ‘In My Pocket’

‘Goshe – A short form of Shokolokobangoshe

Scenario 2

Mummy Bobo: Olowo ori mi (owner of my head), how was that favourite food of yours that I made for you? I am sure you enjoyed it. I have come to tell you about Bobo, your son. He is about to write his SSCE exams. The other day, I heard my senior wife bragging to her cousin that kola, her son, made all his papers two years ago because he is hardworking and brilliant. She then said she is sure Bobo will do the opposite and fail woefully. Olowo ori mi, please, don't let my enemies laugh at me. I know you can help me get the exam questions on the eve of every exam paper. This is the only way Bobo will be able to prove her wrong and shut her mouth forever. Daddy Bobo, you always say you love me more than my senior wife and if you really mean that, you will not let her have the last laugh over me.

Chief Goshe: Woman! Woman!! Woman!!! I have always warned you about this Bobo of a boy, but you will never listen to me. You spoil him too much, I hope he won't be the source of your downfall in future. Anyway, I will give you what you request, after which he will go to the UK to start his foundation course. You better warn your son to buckle up now, because there is no way I will fly over to meet David Cameron to organize exam papers by the time he gets to the UK. A word is enough for the wise. For now, the exam questions are not a problem. I have the education sector IN MY POCKET!

Scenario 3

Oloyinbo: (Getting up from his two minutes prostration, which Chief Goshe acknowledged by massaging his head with the sole of his left foot, he then starts hailing loudly) Baba Goshe, Baba mi, you will live long, your enemies will not see their children. Anyone that says it will not be well with you, it won't be well with them too.
Baba mi, the time has come. I need your help seriously. It’s time for the councillor election for the local constituencies. As I told you last year, I intend to contest and since I have adopted you as my political father, who else will I run to but you? Baba Goshe, don't worry about my credentials. The minimum requirement is the SSCE result and I have already sorted that out with some boys and now have my results. All I need now is your backing and support. Baba mi, I am in your hand now o.

Chief Goshe: Oloyinbo, my nephew, see your mango head like that of my father. You want to run for councillor, hmm? I thought you were joking when you mentioned it last year. I hope you know the implications of what you are doing? The politics of our time is not for the lily-livered at all. You have to be on your toes at all times. Be ready to make friends and enemies, be ready to do anything to protect your political career and even your life from political detractors. It’s a dog eat dog world and make sure you are ready for all the consequences. You should have just accepted the business I offered to set up for you, but you youths of nowadays have been bitten by the get-rich-quick bug. Since you insist, I will help you. I will take you to a meeting tomorrow, where you will meet some powerful people. But know this one thing, you must not, in turn, bite the fingers of these powerful people, including mine, when you win. You will have to dance to their tunes. Otherwise, the ground will have no choice but to reject you.
After tomorrow, your victory is a done deal. Even if you don't contest, you have won! It’s a done deal, I have the electoral system IN MY POCKET!

Scenario 4
Sisi Peperempe: (After a steamy sex session) Honey boy, cookie crumble, sweetie, darling, sugar! I need your assistance o. You remember my youngest brother, Dodoyo, he's in Anti-graft commission’s custody. He was arrested last week
(Kissing his fat filled pot belly). They said he posed as a minister and defrauded some companies. You know the story of my family and how Dodoyo and I had to see ourselves through life by all means possible. He's the only family I have. We have gone through so much and he doesn't deserve jail time or to lose all he has worked for. (Pouting her lips, with permanent red lipstick on) Baby boo, you must help Dodoyo or else ehn...

Chief Goshe: Sisi Peperempe! C'mon, rest your little head. Why are you worrying yourself over nothing? I am disappointed in the way you keep worrying and emphasizing on this issue. After the three years of us playing this 'love game', you still worry about these little things. Before you start your rants again, don't worry I forgive you. I guarantee you that it is settled. Give me a maximum of two days, Dodoyo will get out of custody and all his frozen assets will be returned. Plus the anti-graft commission, plus the person that created the anti-graft commission, I have them all IN MY POCKET!

Scenario 5

Mr. Sinwonje: (Smacking his stomach during a meal of Suya and bottles of Lager beer at a popular elite club in Abuja) Chief Goshe, what are you going to do about this latest development now? I think Mr. President is serious about this power thing this time around o. If those Japanese people dare sign that contract of the electricity overhaul in this country, that line of business is over for me o, and you know that means you will also lose your regular cut. Hmm, Goshe, this is not good news at all. That is my major income-generating business and I use it to keep body and soul, Princess and Priscilla together. Imagine that this whole country, Nigeria, will not need generators or diesels to make their life easier. This is serious disaster. I will do anything to make it fail….Read the rest of this and a lot more in your copy of Antonyms of a Mirage

The e-book is for sale on amazon and for kindle owners. To purchase the book on amazon, click below:
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Now back to my freebie.....

Happy Easter

How was the Easter break, y’all? Mine was great *grins*.  Well, it’s usually great when I can decide to wake or sleep anytime I please. No disturbance from any shrilly alarm clock and no thought of work.
I was involved in lots of church activities almost everyday (with some groove too!)

Most people prefer Christmas to Easter season but I particularly like Easter season. The triduum activity from Good Friday to Easter Sunday is what I actively look forward to. The death and resurrection of Christ is a deep and contemplative season for me. I’m reminded of Christ immense love and sacrifice or our sins. 

For some years we always watch the Mel Gibson’s “Passion of  Christ” movie on the Good Friday evenings. Irrespective of the number of times I’ve watched the movie I can’t seem to control the tears from pouring as we watch the movie. Always develop a drippy nose after. Scenes such as the betrayal by his disciples and followers, the scourging at the pillar, the agony you could see in his mother eye's and final crucifixion makes me weep. As usual it was sob; sob, sob and firm resolve to love him more.

On Easter Sunday night, I did what I didn’t do throughout my 7 years in the University I queued up for a show. Got to Eko Hotel the venue for the show and saw a long queue of eager Nigerians rushing and struggling to get in. Was almost tempted to ask if they gave out hundreds of free tickets and maybe I missed out on it. The holiday was having its toll on everyone we were all looking for some form of excitement. Got in line and fed my eyes with some outrageous clothes Naija babes wear all in the name of fashion.  Most of the female were scantily dressed, revealing either their cleavages or lengthy thighs or both. It seemed like the most indecent dressed will get a price and there was thousands auditioning for the grand price. The show was hilarious. Had maximum fun laughing, at a point I saw myself on the floor.

Eventually ended the long weekend more tired than how I was when it all started. Back to work again and anxiously longing for the weekend. 

Some Tips For Happiness

Trying to get myself out of a gloomy mood; thinking positively. So here goes some tips:

1. Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow mixed with the gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.

2. Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in little things.

3. Don't spend your life brooding over mistakes or misfortunes. Don't be one that never gets over things.

4. You can't please everyone. Don't let criticism hurt you.

5. Don't let neighbor's set  your standard ( there's no need "keeping up with the Joneses"). Be yourself.

6. Don't borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.

7. Don't take yourself too seriously.

8. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities or grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.

9. Do what you can for those who are less fortunate than yourself.

10. Pray for happiness.

SAD!

In the course of my daytime job (my recent night time job is surfing the net), I've come in contact with needles; from syringes to lancets. Using needles has never given me any cause for concern but heard this news last night that made me a little restless.

At the State Teaching Hospital yesterday a young doctor passed on. He graduated some years back from a prestigious medical school in the United States, got married to his heart throb (a gorgeous Pharmacist). They both decided to travel back home to Nigeria with plans to possibly relocate. In Nigeria, University graduates have to undergo a one-year youth  service program, to serve the community and make a positive impact in the communities they get posted to. The couple decided to serve their motherland and was posted to the State Teaching Hospital. They were both enjoying their stay but this all took a drastic turn yesterday. I can virtually imagine the couple having breakfast, giving each other a quick kiss on the lips and saying a hasty goodbye not knowing that may be the last.

At the OPD (Out Patient Department), he had to attend to so many patients one of which was a HIV infected patient.
Maybe he got negligent because of the large crowd he had to attend to.
Maybe he was just distracted.
Maybe it was meant to be.
Maybe.......
Unfortunately, in the course of giving an injection he mistakenly pricked himself with the syringe used for the patient. Its natural to panic after such exposure and its custom practice to give a prophylactic injection. Almost immediately Antiretroviral postexposure  prophylaxis was given. He developed severe allergic reaction to the injection and started swelling all over. All the consultants tried all they could to resuscitate him to no avail. In less than 10 minutes, the young bubbling doctor slipped on........Still in shock about it all.
Would it have been better if he hadn't taken the injection instead?

All health care practitioners should always ensure test dose is given to all patients before giving any IV/ IM injection.
Preserve life, not end it.

How Long Should Courtship Last?

This was the topic of discussion this morning with my younger sister as we were getting ready for work. Her close friend/colleague is finally getting married to her hearthrob after dating him for NINE years!(he eventually popped the question) We were both happy for her and excited that the marriage will eventually take place. But NINE years!!!! With no commitment! Not even an introduction between both families. The bride-to-be doesn't even know her father-in-law yet. Haba!!! Pardon me, i may be a little old-skool and not an average 21st century babe but NINE years!!!! I'd have been very understanding if he's reluctant cos of financial constraint or she's still in school. That's not so in this case, she graduated over 5 years ago and he has a very lucrative business. Now enough of my busy-body '"tatafo" gossip and back to the main gist. How long should a couple date before he pops the question?

Reading some literature in the past, studies have shown that the average human can have a feeling of intense chemistry that lasts for approximately 18months and 4 years. The well known love-related chemical phenylethylamine-PEA  ( also dopamine and norepinephrine) is actually what is responsible for mad passionate "lovey dovey" feeling. That feeling of instant chemistry, always wanting to be his/her company, the feeling of your heart skipping a beat when they walk by. Sadly that fades (maximum 4 years). 

In romance novels it ends with happily ever; in the real world that's when your eyes gets literally open. Open to ALL the flaws. That's when you begin to see the long sexy nose as been very ugly and gosh how did you cope with all those funny habits all the while. At this stage the relationship is based on the attachment, friendship and companionship.This does no mean that love fades, it just means that the initial excitement withers a little.

Now if it is difficult or impossible for him to care for you strongly enough to insinuate that he wants to spend his whole life with you when he is all high on neurotransmitters and adrenaline, what's the assurance that he'll develop those feelings later. Like my friend Emma always says: "A man will know if he can marry you after a spending some hours in your company". 

Personally my opinion if everything is in place and a guy can't commit within 4 years of a stable healthy relationship, i'll advice you to tread very very carefully.

Nice guys

You ever wonder why bad boys get all the good babes?

you see this lady, obviously well trained and with good family background,

yet shes in a mindless, all consuming relationship with a "good-for-nothing

bastard". This makes you and I wonder why right?

we usually begin to snicker and make such comments like "Girlfriend, open your eyes!", "You deserve better than this" or "Abi na jazz?"

Likewise some bad girls end up with very good guys

After countless abortions, exposing themselves to all sorts in their youth, 

then when they are ready to settle down.....

Viola! They get a perfect guy, gorgeous and all.

Here in my opinion are some of the reason why i think nice guys don't win the win the women, in fact bad guys do....I'm not saying all of this cause of a silent crave for a bad guy

neither do i want my very nice bobo to have a change in personality.

Just feel its better to be real than pretend to be a NICE GUY 

Nice Guys Don't Put Themselves First

One of their biggest problem is that most are hideously insecure.

They are so anxious to be liked and loved. 

They do things for other people to gain acceptance and attention,

rather than for the simple pleasure of giving.

They are so desperate to please that they put aside their own need

and place the object of their desire on a pedestal.

Instead of appreciating us, they worship us.

We are only humans and pedestals are narrow confining places to be on-

not to mention the fact that we tend to fall off them

Nice guys rarely speak up when something bothers them,

and rarely state clearly what it is they want, need and expect.

They fear that any kind of conflict might spell then end of the relationship.

Instead of compromising and negotiating, they repeatedly give in.

When she doesn't appreciate their sacrifice,

they will complain saying "Everything i did, i did for her"

as if that somehow elevates them to the status of martyrs.

A woman doesn't want a martyr,

she wants an equal, caring, adult partner.

Its Easier For Nice Guys To Mess Up

Having a brand as a "nice guy" enormously raises expectations:

The truth is, no one is nice 100% of the time,

even if they screw up by accident.

The difference is that when the when the slightly jerky guy screws,

"that's just how he is sometimes",

whereas when the nice guy screws up,

he's perceived as a hypocrite who was only pretending to be nice all along. 

Nice Guys Take Too Long To Recover

Bad guys shrug off rejection fast.

Nice guys by contrast, work very slowly.

If they get rejected, they spend weeks or months licking their wounds

before restarting the cycle.

Nice Guys Have Hidden Agenda

in general, being a good person is attractive.

For some nice guys, their niceness is not real.

Such a guy get into the habit of performing services for these women,

trying to ingratiate himself into their company.

Now you may begin to wonder,

"what's going on here?", "what does women really want!"

Its actually very simple.

Women at times don't base their choice of men on how nice he is.

They choose the men they do because they feel a powerful gut level of attraction (not compulsorily sexual) to them.

And guess what?

Being a nice guy wont make a woman feel that powerful attraction to you.

And being 'overtly nice' wont make a woman choose you.

A woman can instinctively perceive pretense.

JUST BE YOU and BE REAL!

I realize that this doesn't make a lot of logical sense and may be hard to accept

but just as the cliche says:

Nice Guys Finish Last