Monday, 27 November 2017

Christmas as a child

My childhood...
Welcome to a glimpse of my early days. I don't remember much before I was four years and four months old. My memories began from the days that led up to the birth of baby Joy. I was awestruck at the sight of her. She was the most beautiful little being I had ever seen. I stood next to her crib all through the visit, wondering what was going through her mind.

With the Yuletide season came preparations to go home. I went through an entire year, every year; looking forward to my birthday and the annual trip to the village for Christmas. My mum my hero. She would ensure almost everything we may need was bought and packed for this long journey. From indomie to live fowl to rice to goat to Christmas decorations to maggi tomatoes beverages corned beef the list was endless.


During those trips, I learnt to be accountable and alert. She would tell us to always know by heart the total number of boxes, "Ghana must go", and anything else. It was a journey that involved both land and water so there was always transit. The moving of all our belongings safely from two cars to a boat in a busy park was somehow headache but when you'r little, you just do as you're told and you'll be fine.

My mum would take the pain every single time to tell us the name of each village. I never stopped wondering why we were not from the ones that weren't far. In her words, our village was the last which also made me wonder what existed after our village because the river of course continued. She would say in fluent Ijaw this is this village; remember Mr A? His wife's mother was from this village until she got married and moved to the village I showed you fifteen minutes ago. My siblings and I: okay.🀣
She would say to us that the villages on the left were Delta State and those on the right were Bayelsa state.

To be continued
Life in the village.
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Sunday, 19 November 2017

My father's blessings

About three weeks ago, out of the blues I decided to send my dad airtime. Usually I send to my mum just because πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. That day I was like why not daddy today? So I sent #1500 worth of airtime. I was too excited, I called immediately. 

After the usual laughter, I told him, and at first he didn't understand. He thought I said I sent him a message so he was like "I'm yet to see it, let me check." Then I repeated it and he legit screamed "really? Airtime? #1500! Wow!" More laughter...
He was so so so happy I didn't even know when I asked him "daddy why are you so happy like you can't buy #1500 airtime?" He laughed it away. Tears welled up my eyes, I still can't explain the tears. I was feeling very heavy at heart with some major issues I was dealing with, but that call lifted the weight off me. I could laugh and cry and felt good that I could make my old man so happy despite all.

Later that day, he called to say thank you and that he wanted to call me with the airtime. We talked about other stuff and yeah.
Ever since that day, I have been experiencing different level and types of favour. 
I thought to share the secret...
Nothing is really too small to appreciate these people we call mum and dad. 
Don't wait till "you blow"; as much as we don't want to reason in that line, it might be too late then.
Start small if you must, start anyway.
😊😊😊

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Thursday, 16 November 2017

Daddy for hire

Yes... we have a daddy we want to hire or is it rent? I'm not sure but here is the deal.
For a little fee you get to invest quality time with our daddy. Please pay special attention to the following. You should be willing to make lipton tea at least five times a day (No milk and no sugar, maybe sweetex). Morning devotion starts at 6am to err as the spirit leads but don't worry about that; yours is most likely to lead in praise and worship. Personal advice, let go of Sinach and Frank Edwards... go old school so you won't be the only one singing.
Do you love tennis? Well, you have to try... he loves it so much he got us coaches at a very young age πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Scrabble is equally important to him, be ready to record games.. It's just normal addition. Draft too yeah buh there's no scoring per say with that one.
Can you drive? That would be an advantage and could lead to discout. You will most likely become his designated driver.
This part is the most important, always run out of the house to shout "daddy welcome" whenever he comes back home. He loves it a lot and would legit pick up his phone to call all of us if no one does that.
Fresh food from mama's kitchen daily and during the day you can visit prettytouchomes for beautiful household decoration, blossemfreshdelight for fruit parfait, sandwiches and cocktails, Oke the photostylist could give you that photoshoot you always dreamt of, you can visit the lake, the cinema etc.
Just send your CV and reference letters.

I'm a creative writer... I write for fun.. I just decided to write about daddy today.

Please leave your comments below, let's talk.😁😁

Monday, 13 November 2017

My Trip to Italy

Now that I'm trying to document my trip down to Italy, I should have known from all that ensued that I was in for a rollercoaster here.
When I was putting my final things together,  friends of mine Anita and Ebise came to bid me farewell. See me "jjc" I packed every and anything, including hangers. Imagine my embarrassment when I got to the airport and had to unpack and send some ridiculous things back home. My uncle was shocked to see hangers (like 20) in my box.
Finally checked in and they left. Our flight had about an hour delay, I was tired so I changed my wedge sandals to comfortable slippers. The plan was to change back on the flight at least but I forgot completely.
Boarding was relatively smooth. We stopped at Lagos and more passengers boarded. I honesly don't remember what ensued, next thing a woman and a man were boxing right in front of my seat. I was in a mild shock. They were separated by well meaning Nigerians and boarding continued. Just as we were taxying, this lady that was in the fight started screaming that she couldn't breath, they tried to calm her but to no avail. That was how our pilot made a U turn back to the airport and called for medical evacuation team. Now this was happening in September 2014 the Ebola saga was still very on. Next thing we saw was a team of medical practitioners kitted to the teeth. Nose masks, gloves, just name it. They looked like they were going to space. The moment they stepped on the aircraft; everyone began laughing. After much negotiation, the woman agreed to come down only if her assailant would get off too. Eventually I think they hid the man so she would get down. We were three hours behind schedule! Some activists or journalists came to me for eye witness report and in my mind I was like "I just want to go to Italy quietly o" although I gave my honest account of the fight.
Needless to say, a good percentage of us missed our connecting flights and it was at that moment when we landed and realised that that we became really upset about it all.🀣
I was stuck with my horrible slippers till I got to Italy and since I got here it's been one drama to another🀣🀣.
Welcome to my world.

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Saturday, 11 November 2017

Police station drama (4/11/2017)

Earlier today, Faith Eferemo Okoro went to the police station to sort out something. I feel very well informed whenever I go there for enquiries.
She went first and saw a group of Africans and without asking questions, my madam joined them🀣🀣. After a few minutes, she tried to explain her plight but it only confused the police more. Eventually she got him to go through the document she had in her hand. She said the policeman asked her to go inside that the people she  joined were dangerous political assylum seekers. 😲🀣 I  asked her why when she was narrating her ordeal to me and she said she saw her brothers and sisters so she decided to join them.πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

I arrived much later and asked where I could wait for her and they said I could just stand with them outside. I felt happy and switched on my observant mode. Taking mental notes of plate numbers, car colours, vital statistics, outfits, unusual   in short I was sure I believed I was an undercover police or plain clothes. 🀣🀣🀣

After about 30 minutes, I decided I wanted to join the police. I mean I was already doing the work. So I walked up to them and asked them the procedure. They laughed ehn and that sealed my decision. I went online and found out that the first step was to go the police station and pick up an eligibility check list bla bla.

When they eventually realised I was serious, they let me in. I was given the form/checklist. It was at that moment as my eyes ran through the "impossibles" I realised how amazing Petroleum Engineering actually was🀣🀣🀣.

Just forget the last 2 paragraphs; it was all in my headπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Thanks for reading...

Che bella (03/03/2017)

Earlier yesterday, I rushed to U2 supermarket about 120 meters from where I live for a quick purchase. On my way back, I noticed the garden was busy with a lot of kids. Some on swings, some riding anything, some playing with the tap (taps that have no knob to open or close) they run 24hrs (just imagine a fountain). It was a beautiful sight, parents and grand parents keenly watching out and calling out now and then. Getting really close to my house, I saw an absolutely cute little munchkin riding his tricycle. He couldn't have been more than 3 years old. I smiled at him as I always do and then he turned to his mum and said "Mama guada, che bella" the mother burst out laughing and I was laughing and blushing. He was saying "Mummy look, she's beautiful." His mum repliesd in between the laughter "Si si molto bella" meaning yes yes very beautiful. Just then I saw another just like him riding a tricycle too coming along, so I asked the mum if they were twins and she said yes and in a flash I remembered them.
Two years ago, I always used to see her push twin babies in a two in one buggy and also pull her two large dogs!!! Whenever I saw her then, I would say to myself how can someone have twin babies to cater for and two dogs? If it were me, I would have given the dogs away πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ In short it was the dogs that jogged up my memory because loyal as ever they were with her πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Apparently she recognised me too, it was heartwarming to see how fast the boys had grown and how they could ride on their own and she didn't have to push them while pulling two large dogs. We laughed together a bit and I went my way wondering about life!
Sometimes we magnify our challenges and in pursuit of a better tommorow,  we never really live today and that hampers our ability to soak in the little beauties of life. Today, take some time off and just live in the moment and enjoy and thank God for the seemingly little beauties in and around you! Only believe!!!!!!!!
Stay blessed Romans 8:31-39

Friday, 10 November 2017

The meeting (16/02/2017)

Random musings II
Waited all afternoon for the call and because I have a strict habit of not calling people at work, I waited anyways both patiently and impatiently. The phone rang at about 5pm... "babe I'm coming with my friend for the meeting we discussed about" oh sure....ladies know the drill. The house may look great o but once a foreign body is coming you begin to adjust cushions that weren't even disturbing you in the first placeπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. They arrived in no time....I greeted and I was very excited. To be honest I felt like it was my first real business meeting. I asked tea or juice although praying in my heart they will just say juice. Making tea here is not a joke, inshort it is an art. First you will put on the cooker and then with a clean small pot heat the milk on low heat. Don't ask me why low heat o, when I got here I realised via observation. I think it's to prevent the milk from losing vital components, before the struggle wth sizes of tea cups yada yada yada. When they said "juice would do" I was relieved!πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ I quickly got the juice, glasses and a plate where I poured some fancy biscuits.
The meeting began, I was highly attentive and intressted in the first few minutes but when I realised all we needed to do and chirped in my opinion, to me the meeting was over. I became bored, it would be rude to fiddle with my phone so I literally turned my attention to the juice and biscuits...I only answered when they asked me for currency conversions.
Deep in my thoughts, the next thing I heard was "where is the cover?"
You know how you got bored in class back in Secondary school and you pop your blue biro cover in your mouth and chew it beyond recognition? I only realised after he asked for the cover that it was in my mouth and beyond recognition πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
There was no way I was going to bring out that cover from my mouth. I quickly bent down pretending to search for it and brought it out of my mouth and hid it in my pocket!
Little did I know that his friend would not let that kind of "big dissappearance" slide. Next thing he was moving everything searcing everywhere. I tried to casually ask him to free he kept repeating "it was just here, it's green colour, I saw it". Well, I joined them πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ so I don't look left out. After a minute or two of jumping around I decided to mistakenly tip the juice packπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Will they be looking for the cover of an empty juice pack? So I did very smartly, hurray!!! We had a bigger crisis than a missing cover. I quickly apologised for the mess, picked up the pack and threw it in the bin where it belonged got wipes cleaned the table perfectlyπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ even sprayed those things and wiped. Problem solved! Can we now get back to the meeting?πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ Just imagine the laughter we shared after his friend left and I brought out the dismantled cover from my pocket!!!!!!

Unsolicited advice (21/12/2016)

I used to think before now that unsolicited advice from strangers is exclusive to Nigerians but today, I was pleasantly surprised and laughed so hard!
I had an ongoing transaction which I began with a particular customer service representative and as such insisted on seeing her in particular although others were free. I waited patiently for a couple of minutes and it finally got to my turn. She recognised me and we quickly got to business, to be sincere I had never seen someone so excited doing her job most especially a banker! She was literally gay with excitement and because I enjoy small talks with random people, I stated it in a question like manner "You seem to really love your job" and she went "oh yes I do, I enjoy meeting different people and helping them out." I was impressed, then I noticed her beautiful wedding ring on her finger and asked out of pure curiosity if she had kids and she said  "Yes one, he's eighteen years old and just like his father!" I was taken aback, she honestly looked too young and then she went on to tell me her age (forty-eight) seeing my surprise and then she asked my age. I told her and she went "oh you're young do you have boyfriends?" I laughed,  I answered her and she said anyways it is good. She went on to say this wasn't the time to have just one boyfriend that  I should have as many as I like that life was just too short! That when I meet him...I would know, and then I could consider dating just him πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ but that for now.. many boyfriends but I should be careful not to mix up their names. See me see laughter! I was just thinking, how do I begin to bring in my faith into this conversation and loyalty and all that.... I decided not to I only said okay Ma!πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
In all of these, she never stopped even for a second. She was clicking away on her computer with regards to my request while dancing to a tune only her could hear.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Colossians 3:23
I don't know if she was a Christian or not but sitting there and watching her brought that scripture to mind.
It was beautiful!

Be kind -Maya Angelou (30/03/2017)

When I was very very young, I thought it was important to be heard so I spoke a lot well maybe louder than necessary as well. I grew up and I heard "actions speak louder than words" so I lowered my voice and reduced my words and began doing. Which had its numerous benefits. Simply beautiful....
Now, somewhat intertwined with doing, I bumped on another quote; People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou
I thought deeply about it and carried it along. Wherever you find yourself today and tomorrow, as much as you can....be kind to the people you meet....you never know!
Be a people builder, don't go about purposely tearing people down, ruining people's day, causing irreparable damages with your words, actions and inactions.
Finally, to thy own self....Be kind as well.

Who sent you? (31/01/2017)

It was a Sunday, he finally invited you to his house...you told yourself "phew finally!" In excitement you put on a smashing overly decent dress, make up was a thug of war between your usual and low key....you didn't want to go looking desperate nor shabby. Finally you're ready. You got there....you were offered food by his mum who the whole time was just watching you. You accepted the food so they wouldn't think you were proud even if you know you're proud. You finished the food without exactly tasting it because your mind kept racing up and down....wondering if you were even eating right. You felt a bit relaxed as they were all laughing and gisting...so you volunteered to clear up and do the dishes, you saw the surprise on his face because he knows you hate doing the dishes and, but you gave him that "I have got it" smile. Mama tries to stop you but the oversabi in you says "no mama it's okay." You started cleaning and washing and just as you were about to begin rinsing, the pile of breakable plates somehow managed to land on the terrazzo floor. All shattered, quite a loud thud and he rushes in.... you couldn't decide if to cry or just start cleaning up. Mama walks in and she won't shout, she can't even if she wanted to...It was Sunday lunch...they were her favourite. You began to pick the pieces while mumbling something that ought to sound like an apology. He joins you...the tears threatened  to come but you quickly advised yourself. Mama is just silent....heart broken if you may. She kept looking as he took the pieces away....you tried to drop the spoons and forks that survived and opened a drawer hoping to find a rack and alas right in front of you.... You're staring at the dish washer!!!! Mama was just looking at you and all you can ask yourself.....now, na who send me this work? Society's expectations, up bringing or just an over dose of oversabi? ? ? ?
Anyways you felt better when you were leaving because you took a mental note of every brand name and design and thank God they were IKEA.....oh and thank goodness Mama's birthday is next Saturday. IKEA....I see you.

Random musings.

Memories of Sunshine (7/06/2017)

Good evening,
I hope your day went well. My day started out beautifully. I slept well, got out right on time and rode Sunshine (my bicycle) to the bustop and off I went.
Wednesdays are usually hectic for me so I just prepare my mind and body.

As at the end of all my classes I still felt good to go, so when Faith EferemoOkoro and Yemi Okunlola suggested we go to the market before heading home, I obliged. Had I known what awaited me, I shouldn't have....who knows?

Little did we know that the broad daylight deceived us, we got to the market and they had closed so we started our journey home. We parted at our usual stop, while I continued home.

Getting to the bustop I ought to have alighted, I always look out of the window to get a glance of Sunshine but I didn't see her from where I sat today, which was relatively normal.

When I got off and was walking towards where I parked my dearest Sunshine and was welcomed by a bare grass,  I thought for a second that I was at the wrong bustop. I said let me think well, where did I park her? While I was racking my head and telling myself I wasn't having a nightmare in broad daylight I saw her padlock broken and resting on the floor. At that second, I knew and accepted that my dearest Sunshine was gone....my heart broke! My fear had been confirmed.

Oh well, I consoled myself and thanked God that at least the thief left the padlock for me. I had closure. Else, I probably would have still been out there checking the bustops around for my dearest.

Our time together was so short but you would always be remembered by me and your fans here that never got to see you. 😊😊😊😊😚😚😚😚😚

Good bye Sunshine.

Oh what a day! (29/05/2017)

Oh what a day!
 It didn't start out so well but then who cares? Better is the end of a matter.......

This whole story began exactly a year ago. Right about my birthday period, I made it clear to my friends that I wanted a bicycle as a gift. My love for bicycles is second to none when it comes to inanimate objects. I was so sure and my friends were so sure I would somehow get a bicycle that one of my friends even got me a safety helmet. Hahahhah When the D-day arrived, I got perfumes, shoes etc but no bicycle. Everyone thought the other person was getting a bike! Some assumed my boo (which I didn't even have) would get me and didn't want the imaginary boo to feel threatened. I think what was most painful was a particular friend that got me a perfume which the price was more than a bikeπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. In his defence the perfume was my favourite perfume ever although it just finished. I just dumped my helmet somewhere.πŸ˜‚.

It was much later I realised I could actually get used good bikes for a very very cheap price. I had no idea... I told myself I would get one but didn't even know where to. Last week I saw someone and we got talking and he told me he would look out. I bumped into him again today and long story short....today today just a few more days to my birthday I gifted myself a bicycle. I'm overexcited!!!!

Going out this evening, I rode my bike half way since where I was going was extremely far. I felt like I was flying...the weather was hot but I could feel the breeze in my hair and my face.... I rode and sang out with so much gusto one of my favourite songs and laughed so happily, smiling to everyone.
"You're my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when times are grey you never know dear how much I love you please don't take my sunshine away" oh her name is Sunshine. Yes my bicycle has a name.
An old man even joined me singing and a many others waved and laughed back.... I was so happy! It was all so beautiful. I felt like Maria in Sound of music singing and riding😊😊😊😊😊

I got back and same thing riding back hohohoho. I think the icing on the cake was also getting back and standing in the cold shower and being able to wet my hair!
I'm so leaving this hair like this,  this weather is too hot! I'm not sorry if my hair bothers you.... it's my hair and no it isn't unkemptπŸ˜ƒ. It makes me happy and no more headaches.

Bottom line
I can't stop wondering how much fun I had deprived myself. What are you waiting for? What makes you happy? Go ahead and just do it. Live life.....enjoy every moment. I'm thinking of the next fun thing to do..... that air balloon is calling my name and I would answerπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚.

My siblings,  if you do tell mum this story please don't forget to tell her yes, I will be careful and that I have already anointed Sunshine with anointing oil and covered it with the blood of JesusπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚.

Betrayal (06/06/2017)

Betrayal.

Good day and how are you? I woke up this morning feeling gloom. I'm sure we all have those days now and then when for just no absolute reason, you just don't feel upbeat. The weather even made it worse, it was depressing and gloomy... raining almost all day.

I was indoors mostly until the evening when I had to go out. I looked out and the rain had stopped and because I really enjoy riding Sunshine (my bicycle), and she usually adds colour to my day I decided to ride her halfway as always. I rode down and yeah I did feel slightly better although there was no singing today, I smiled mostly.

On my way back, while on the bus it began to rain. It was relatively cold and raining although raining here is equivalent to drizzling in Yenagoa. I wished I had left Sunshine at home because if I had,  I would have stayed on the bus till I got home warm and dry.

I was honestly tempted to abandon Sunshine there for the night since she was locked but then how could I sleep well knowing Sunshine is out alone in the cold? Would I forgive myself if I got back by tomorrow and Sunshine was gone? I honestly couldn't betray her like that. We are in this together, come rain come shine.

So, I got off the bus where I parked her and rode home. Did I feel cold and slightly wet? Yes! I felt warm from the inside knowing I did the right thing, I didn't betray my friend and companion during trial, I am a great owner and caretaker!
πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

The old man (03/05/2017)

Good morning 😊😊
How are you? I'm doing great! You see, some days I go out hungry for a story and more often than not when I least expect stories come to me. Today was one of the latter. I had a lot on my mind because I had a lot to do today. I rushed off to school and on my way from school and to the market, I made a quick call to mumsi although it was popsi that took the call.

 You see, there is nothing more relaxing and reassuring and heart warming here on earth than the sound of their laughter in this chaotic world we happen to find ourselves! It was a quick one and although the connection wasn't so great, the laughter came through. I also spoke with mumsi who kept repeating call your sisters Pepe and Joy,  talk to them and I'm like yes mummy but in my mind I was already writing this story and laughing hard. πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ She says that all the time, she would even add "make una talk to each other" πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ especially Joy her last cardπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Okay back to my story.

I got to a bustop where I had to switch buses, so i got off and sat down to wait for the second one. A well dressed old man walked up to me and asked me "cinquantaotto?" meaning 58 but I understood or interpreted it to mean he's looking for bus 58 and I told him it would arrive soon. He sat down as well and in less than a minute the bus 58 arrived and being the nice person that I am (I promise you I am nice) I told him that the bus had arrived,  he looked at me like I was talking about something else. In exasperation because the bus was about leaving I repeated like three times, he was looking at me like this child leave me alone! Next second he replied cinquantaotto? I screamed SΓ¬ sΓ¬ he just looked at me and said cinquantanouve! (59). It was at that point I realised he wasn't okay and there I was conversing with him like......I almost burst out laughing but that would be rude so I decided to just watch him. I began to wonder, how come he was so well dressed? Had he lost his memory or his way because bus 59 plies a route very very far from where we were... in less that three mins a lady approached us and told him this bus and they both jumped into the bus..... bus 11. She was definitely his care giver, she was most probably the reason he looked so well kept and dressed and it did warm my heart to know he wasn't lost, he just wanted to have a non conversation conversation.

Life is fleeting, the days go by so fast. I have decided to maximise everyday and just live because when it's evening and you sit in that recliner needing a care giver you do the things you can do so freely so easily.....It is the things you didn't get to do now, you will regret most and not even the things you tried to do and probably failed.

Where are those dreams, ideas, visions? Go pick up that dusty book where you wrote them down and retrace your steps and pursue them with a renewed tenacity.
Finally, find/discover Christ for yourself if you haven't yet. Spirituality is different from religion.

You're not alone Pt 2 (11/09/2017)

Have you ever gotten to that point in life where you were literally paralysed with fear? This fear could even be the fear the "grammarians" termed fear of the unknown. Paralysed in the sense that you no longer believed nor thought it (anything) could happen for you, or you could go any further, where you probably had an idea what to do but just couldn't find that inner strength to just try. Times when all you really wanted to do was pick up your minute personal belongings and just run to nowhere, not necessarily to start all over but just to get away from yourself and from the hanging cloud of shame or embarrassment...(which only you see).

Trust me, you're not alone!

Life is in phases they say and the beauty of our individual stories lie in the storm.

My Pastor  (Akposibruke Ogaga) once said to me, fear and faith cannot cohabit. It's like darkness and light so to speak. It is the one you feed, that will stay!

Bundle all those emotions, all those tears that wet your pillow at night, the countless hours you stay up at night wondering, worrying, thinking, hoping etc take them all to the place of prayer and drop them at His feet. Tell Him everything, holding back nothing after all, He knows already.... just let it flow...

I don't know how far you have drifted, what I'm sure of is that IT DOESN'T MATTER. The answers to all you seek may or may not come immediately but eventually EVERYTHING will fall in place.
You'll look back at today someday and laugh so hard at yourself for worrying so much. So relax, take it easy on yourself... it's only a phase, smile through it all, cheer up, laugh if you can... God has got you! He always did... He always will.

I honestly do love you... yes you!😚😚😚
Have a beautiful week ahead.

You're not alone Pt 1 (9/03/2017)


I have come to realise that we all have our struggles. I believe we have probably two major types of struggles. Individual struggles and collective struggle. Individual struggles could range from any area of one's life. Collective struggles are shared. A good example can be family, work (in some cases),  community etc. Where am I going with this?

I walk about the streets each day greeting almost everyone and/or smiling at them. The feeling when a total stranger clasp unto that smile and returns it is simply beautiful. I go about my day almost always wondering "I wonder what this person is struggling with today?" I say a word of prayer for strangers now and then asking God to please ease the load. As often as you can, smile and be kind....it costs nothing. You never know.

We all have those day where we just want to coil up in our beds and cry to our fill. Some days we overcome it by distracting ourselves other days, we cave in and indulge a little and then some more.

Don't beat yourself up too hard, it happens, it's normal, you're not alone and remember this....no matter how many times you fail you're not a failure until the day you quit. So yeah, you may be getting weary....oil your engine and push.

Do you speak to yourself? It works for me quite often. Times when I feel overwhelmed I call my name and I declare the word. I even go as far as saying "sweet nothings" to myself. "Tope you are a child of God and the Earth awaits your manifestation." Some days it's simply "Topsy you're an amazing person don't let anything or anyone confuse you" then I smile to myself. Sometimes I say Topsy I know you're tired, I know you want to give up but I also know that you know it's not an option. Yeah sometimes it's simply "God thank you for my beauty....I'm grateful" 😊😊😊

I don't know what those struggles of yours are, but I dare you today to drop it at His feet. You know why? You have got nothing to lose. One thing is certain at His feet.....it can only get better!
One last tip....one scripture of encouragement per day can go a long way. Repeat it, recite it, meditate on it, internalise and before you know it...You're living it.
God is near, always has been...always will.

Raise your sons right (27/10/2017)

Raise your sons right. Change is bound... otherwise they may be turned down by the daughters we are raising!

Respect is inevitable.
Simply being an adult male isn't all the requirement anymore and soon it would become obsolete.
There's an evolution coming....in short, it has begun.
Gone are the days of gender discrimination...
Teach him how to cook, teach him how to take care of himself, basic personal hygiene and strip off him any atom of entitled living handed down from generations long gone.

Raise your daughters right.
DON'T short change her.
DON'T stiffle her voice.
"Because you are a girl" shouldn't be the reason for her to do or not do ANYTHING.
I repeat "because you're a girl" should be scrapped.
Tell her her voice is valid.
Let her watch you battle with the battery head, teach her anything and everything.

DON'T send her to school only to tell her she must stop at Bsc or Msc because she's a lady... let her decide.
DON'T send her to school only to tell her some courses are not for ladies.
Tell her she can be all she dreams of and much more.

Feminism must have been twisted to mean a lot of things but I believe it's the right to life. The right to basic human decency. The right of every lady to live her life on her own terms. To choose to have a career or not. To choose to procreate or not. To choose career over a home or vice versa and a thousand more bottom line ... it should be her choice and she should be allowed to own those choices...simple.

DON'T push down her throat the handout you recived from generations long gone or society or wherever...
Let her live.
Let the girl child live.

This brings me to informed choices.
Which would be story for another day.

I gave humanity a break 7/11/2016


I GAVE HUMANITY A BREAK!
About two nights ago, on my way home and right at my entrance, I saw the usual African dudes that hung around concentrated on their phones. It took me a while to decipher it had to be free Wi-Fi! Hahahaha. On this special night in question there was only one of them probably because it was exceptionally cold. Just as I was about to open the door and get in after greeting him casually, I remembered I didn’t change the €5 note I had on me which I intended to use for the laundry machine.
I decided to ask him if he could help me change the money, he said he didn’t have. I said "okay, thanks." and was about to go my way when he suggested I tried the shop that was about 60m form where we stood. I passively said I had never been to the shop and that I doubt the person would help me. He then offered to go change it for me. First thought as a "Naija girl" SCAM ALERT! In my mind I was like so you mean you will go to that shop with my €5, change it to coins and come back and give it to me? Clap for yourself! "This Sudanese wan use me shine this night." (He looked Sudanese to me) On a second thought, I was like Tope give humanity a break! He actually could… I told myself okay God if he goes with my money, I am sowing it into his life (all of these thoughts were in less than 2 seconds). I thanked him and handed the money over to him.
It was really dark and I honestly wasn’t even watching him because I knew it wouldn’t make any difference, not only would I not see but I knew I would not even pursue him nor shout thief or nothing. I waited and waited and waited for about 20mins or more which was way more than enough time to walk to a small shop I could even see if I strained my eyes in the dark. At that point I told myself, babe you have been scammed be going inside, it is really cold. Hahahahhah I told myself to wait a little longer because if he came, and didn’t see me he has no idea how to find me either.
In no time after that thought I saw him coming back, I was pleasantly surprised! He came and explained to me that the shop didn’t have so he went to his apartment that was nearby to ask his flatmates (I felt bad for thinking otherwise to be honest). After he gave me the money and I asked him his name and where he was from (Audu, Ghana), I asked him “why did you come back? You could have gone with the money and I would never have found you.” He laughed and said “I dey go work” I figured his English wasn’t that good and maybe he was trying to tell me he works and doesn’t have to run away with my money, …. either way I was glad he came back. We exchanged pleasantries again, I thanked him and left smiling.
I gave humanity a break and it paid off! There is definitely still hope for humanity I thought as I walked into my house.

The moon (15/11/2016)

In the light of the moon's latest display of love towards Earth as I would love to put it, it brought to me memories I shared with the moon while growing up.
When I was about the age of seven or eight thereabout I honestly absolutely believed that the moon was meant for me. Safe to say, I believed God loved me so so much he chose my house as the spot the moon would rise and set. It made me feel special in a way I definitely will fail if I attempt to use words to describe.
I remember walking short distances to nearby shops accompanied by an elder yet feeling comfortably guarded by the moon as well as I watched it follow me to and fro. I actually believed it was mine and mine alone. hahahaha
Imagine my disappointment or should I say 'heart break' when we traveled to our village for Christmas as was the tradition, about three to four hours by land and an average of an hour forty five minutes by water and I saw the moon there!!!!
It was then I told myself this moon got to be joking,  It possibly couldn't have followed me all the way! It would have missed its way somehow. This moon isn't mine, it definitely is for everyone. I was hurt for real and from then on, I loved the moon less. hahahahaha

Hello and Welcome

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