Writing On Sand

A recent event made me remember an incident that happened when I used to be a Sunday school children teacher. I was just 18 years old and I was the Head of the Children Department in my church and the only one managing the baby and older children class. After a while, an assistant came in, a Hausa mother, who would tell me ‘Toh, Mummy children (my assigned name) you dey try with these children oh”. After a while she left and another woman  came. 

And It Came To Pass…It Was Not A Lonely Christmas

  ‘Tis the Season of Joy. Our Saviour is born. Christ is born, a King is born. Merry Christmas Y’all.

This is the first Christmas I’ll spend alone in my house. I came home to spend my Christmas and take care of our poultry in the absence of my mum who decided to jet out and leave me *sob*.

What Do You Mean?

*Clears cyber cobwebs* I know it’s been a while -in blog world that’s like for eternity- I have been here. Sometimes, life happens and you just have to take some time off.  I have been getting feedback on some of my blog posts, requests to write more and questions about why I stopped blogging.

On One sided stories, Okada ban and the Governor's answers.

I was watching Moments with Mo on Sunday evening and I heard  this...

"I googled 'Lagos' and images of yellow buses stuck in traffic with a crowd of people came up and when I got here (Nigeria) it was totally different" - Saad Cheama, Global manager Rocket Internet Gmbh

I attended an event in Lagos as an AGDC delegate on Saturday, Youth Stakeholder's Forum by the AGDC and Lagos Ignite.

What Toddlers Don't tell you (Naija Toddler) - Part Two

First of all. let me put it out there You can call me Naija Pikin, razz or not razz. Let me tell you my story the naija way. I am titling this "Life as a naija baby".

• Pet Peeves: CBeebies. Yep, you heard me. Why all the oyinbo? When my parents speak typical naija language  to themselves at home. hian. One of the major entertainment channels we have is Cbeebies. Isn't there any indigenous TV channel where we can switch to?

What Toddlers don't tell you - Part One

                                                                               

   Nobody makes you fear rapture better than toddlers, they have made it really visual enough to understand what it is like. Their disappearing act is out of this world. One minute they are by your side, the next minute you are combing the whole area for them and questioning your sanity. Swift, tiny legs carrying tiny bodies away as fast as possible in a flash, that what's up. Sorry, Usain Bolt you are a learner.

I have been doing a lot of babysitting recently and I learnt a whole new lotta things. Things they probably teach you in some psychology class. So this toddler- who is their spokesperson- will be telling you ten things they feel you should know.

Libester

I am giving a huge tuale to Inthemidstofher for nominating me for this Libester award. Keep giving us those wonderful posts and encouraging us young madams on Christian marriages and relationships. 

Here are the rules

1) Thank the blogger that nominated you.

2) List 11 random facts about you

3) Answer the questions by the blogger that nominated you

This place called Heaven

                                    

Before I go on I’d like to recall this song by Micah Stampley “Heaven on earth” and one by Deitrick Haddon “Well done”. Those songs make me go craaazzyy every time I hear them. Hmmm… but seriously what is Heaven really like? As usual nau I have gist. Oya leggoooo.

I was in Unilag some days back when a hand just stretched out a booklet from the back of the cab to me in the front seat. Toh! I began to read.

The Right Name

            You know that bank that does this ad about them having an ATM on the moon? Yeah, that one! I had an episode with them. 

On a Saturday evening, on my way from a conference, I went to use the ATM at one of their branches in Ibadan. The traffic at the branch was almost non-existent. I inserted my ATM card into the machine and I noticed it couldn't retract the card. I tried removing it with my keys but the card went further inside. Then, security man came to see what the drama was all about and told me to wait for the ATM operating officer. As we were contemplating what to do, another girl waltzed to the machine and same happened. 

iIGNORE

Every now and then, I hear of stories of someone who was hurt terribly to the extent that forgiveness seems just far out of the question or totally impossible. When I first heard of Malala Yousafzai story months back, I  tried to imagine how hard or easy it was to forgive her Taliban shooter. Then,

Those who endure to the end...

To everyone out there trying to overcome the chill of the cold, rainy weather we are experiencing in Nigeria, especially in Lagos; I say you are not alone. I had this experience in church yesterday; I'd like to share with you. 

Whenever I am in Lagos, I attend Chapel of the Healing Cross. with my folks. Every now and then there are people who just return from the all parts of the world with their own weather peculiarities. Every once in a month, the Chapel holds a Bible Study and Prayer Project (BISAPP) in one of the buildings away from the church where everyone is split into groups. The cathedral air conditioner was super cold, probably because the ‘overseas’members were around. So imagine my joy when the time for bible study came and we had to leave the cathedral.

 The topic for the day was ‘THE PATH TO JOY’, unfortunately it was my path to the Antarctic and Iceland combined. The only definition I can come up with the temperature of that place was… I can’t find the word. So the preacher kept asking questions I would love to answer under a different circumstance.

•   ‘Can you mention some of the things the Bible says about Heaven?’
• What are some truths and feature regarding death that we ought to know?
• Discuss some of the joys that are derived by being in the presence of God?’

This was my look right then

Hmmm….yeah….Dear Lord, If I survive this, I know there is no mountain I cannot climb. I couldn't feel my fingers and my insides were vibrating. Just then I remembered the story of a girl where I used to work, that collapsed because of the AC. I didn't want to end up like that oh.Then, I kept throwing SOS glances at my folks behind but they kept giving me that ‘What?’ look.  Nobody was complaining so I just pretended. Why is everybody so calm? What is wrong with me?  O ma ga o.

I just had to behave myself because all the Professors and former deans and Provosts of Unilag were there. Just when I couldn't take it any longer, the closing prayer came.

Right outside the church I am chanting “ I made it, I am alive” phew. Then my Sis-in-law tells me that it was because I sat right under where the air from the opposite air conditioners meet!  No wonder no one was complaining.  

This life sha.

 At the end of the study, I went to say hello to my former MD and his wife who sat two rows behind me and the words he spoke to me were just amazing. God surprises you when and where you least expect it. I am not telling what he said. Hehehe.

Lesson learnt:  They that endure till the end… shall not die of cold. *wink*

stumbled on this blog, you can check it out. its cool

Related articles

• Enduring Until the End (teatimewithesther.wordpress.com)

'Orebe' - The birthday story

When I was in primary school, there was this song we sing for birthday celebrants.  It goes like this “Olojo ibi, ijo kan e o, se were koda wa loun” –Meaning:  “Birthday celebrant, it’s time for you to dance, act in haste and answer our call…Orebe” {clap, clap, clap}. FORGET THAT! I had my own version, “Olojo ibi, ijo kan e o, se were ni e, ko da wa loun” {clap, clap, clap} – Meaning: “Birthday celebrant, it’s your turn to dance, ARE YOU MAD? Please answer us".

Don’t blame me; I was just an Edo girl, living in Ibadan who was still learning how to speak the language.

The Cinema hits the Ancient City again

Danielle Steele is a very good writer, but I couldn't wait to finish reading ‘Zoya’, the carousel-like plot was making me mentally dizzy. ‘Zoya’ the main character, marries guy then  he dies, she remarries, he dies, she remarries again he … - see what I suffered? The radio was my hope of sanity-at least.  I tuned to The BEAT FM 97.9 and Vicky and ‘Amakanda’- you should listen to them, really lovely, hilarious ladies- were on air, talking about the new film house at the Heritage Mall at Dugbe, Ibadan. They talked about the movies that were showing …and guess what, they were offering free viewing. I was tired of sitting and reading Steele anyway, so I got dressed. I lost the battle for the car key to my mum who decided at the last minute to drive my ride somewhere else. In contrast, trekking is better than that spin of a book. Psst

Water, Blood and... Everything in between.

I remember being added to an online group that had a mandate of recruiting twenty million youths to come together to fight for their rightful position in leadership, inclusion in the running of the of the government and to oust the tyranny of recycled leadership. Although, this mandate is not peculiar to this group alone, it is the burning desire of young people all over the country who pine for better governance- I stand corrected. I was excited at first, but then I went through some of the comments made on that page and I realized the sad truth- we are not ready.

TOUCH

10.30am Somewhere in Ibadan

 “Good Morning mum, how was your night shift?” Fareedah (Pseudo name) said smiling and genuflecting welcoming her mother. She peeped into the white nylon bag containing the loaf of bread her mother never forgot to buy on her way back from work. “Pele omo mi.[Nearest Meaning:How are you my child?] Oh! Thank goodness we have light”, I really need to take a cool shower and sleep, I am tired”, her mother sighed.

OUR TOYS CHANGE…

Warning: This is a very random blog post.

You see, I have this thing in me, I thought was never there.  I am still in the process of obtaining a restraining order against Microsoft word because I think I have been conspired against by the forces that make this world spin and worse, by the forces that try to make it not to.  Every time, this brainwave walks into my head, sits, crosses its legs, stares intently at me, lights a cigar and begins to blow smoke rings towards me. I ignore it, I really try to. Then it picks up cymbals and starts to strike them together. I immediately develop selective deafness, I am too busy. No time. Then it beckons to my phobia- Astraphobia. Finally I give in.  I really think it is high time that atavistic(hmmm, big word) astraphobia always hovering around is dealt with. On realizing it has crossed the Rubicon, it gets up and whistles away. Annoying Brat…

Touched by an angel

Most times, we complain about our country, the government, the economy, our neighbors, friends and more often than not, God. Whatever it is, there is always something/someone to complain about or blame, just like President Jonathan who deems it seemingly fit to blame ‘no one’ for corruption. Good thing is, that he has ‘one’ to blame. So, in my queenly garment, scepter and my cute poodle (wink), I finally decided to summon courage and blog this (this story is about a month late I have been really busy).

‘EDAKUN’....

Before I begin to tell you my story today, I would like to say thank you to all who gave me feedback to my last post “This is Sabo”, I really appreciate you all.

 I was born in the city of Ibadan, born and bred in her. I didn't understand the language early enough and sometimes I was nonchalant about it. Not because I was proud, not because I hated the people but because I was just felt I didn't need to understand the language. It wasn't until the folks around me began to stylishly throw fancy insults at me. When I realized, I made up my mind that I had heard enough. So I started learning the insults.

THIS IS SABO

                                                              

One of the joys of life is when you least expect an occurrence and then it suddenly happens.  Especially when pleasant natural phenomena like a rainbow, snow, an eclipse occurs. It is something you look forward to and take pictures of. But on a Friday afternoon at about 2 pm  when you are walking under the hot sun, in need of transportation (an Okada is not even an option) and you get to the taxi garage only to find it empty. Believe me, the only pleasant occurrence you need is a ride in a vehicle with a roof.

Diary of a bridesmaid: One for the bride

I love weddings, I really do but sometimes I hate attending most of them because the planning is just off. The mammoth crowd is stifling; the roadside onlookers stare is piercing making you tighten your grip on your clutch, the sitting arrangement is terrible, and the food non-existent. As a result, you can’t even wait to drop your gift and hurry out. I really do not want to sound like a professional or anything similar, but I would like to share my experience on this issue. It’s nothing compared to Katherine Heigl’s "27 dresses" movie. Gee! If one were to amass that amount of bridesmaid dresses in a short time were a job, what would we call it?

One Mixture, too many...

Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity is a very relevant theory in even the most unusual aspects of life, whether it is moving objects, colours, fashion, art or even beauty. Every dream has a price tag attached to it; it’s either you can afford it or you move down the shelf for a cheaper alternative. I really don’t know how to start to talk about my experience in Yaba. Even as I type this words I type with a little difficulty, not because I am in pain or short of words to write but because I fixed artificial nails(for the first time in my life) which by the way are really cute and cool, but trust me it’s like walking on stilts.