Monday, 31 August 2015

"I'd Rather Be A Side Chick"




The person who came up with this must be very foolish and stupid.

Mercy Johnson Okojie Is Pregnant For Baby No. 3

My favourite actress is pregnant! Whoop whoop! For other Mercy lovers, this is no news. I'm actually surprised I didn't put this up a week ago.... Oh well.
Go Mercy, go Mercy, go Mercy. Wow! Congratulations mama. Her baby is due before the end of this year. Really excited for her. Awesome news. It was also her birthday 2 days ago. Here's wishing Mrs Okojie a Happy belated Birthday and safe delivery in advance. God will do it again.

xoxo

Sunday, 30 August 2015

New Year Resolutions!


We are now at the end of August. Yes! Can you believe it? Time really does fly. Remember how you felt towards the end of last year, especially December 31st?  The New Year always feels like a new beginning, a brand new start, to be a better you. You can smell the freshness in the air. You feel positive and somewhat confident that all the things you couldn't achieve last year because of time or circumstances, you can now. All of a sudden, you have a new burst of energy and zeal for life. Sometimes when you have had a rough year, a New Year symbolises hope for the future. An opportunity to leave past pains in the past and look forward.



So far, how has this year turned out for you? Did you write a New Years Resolution list? Are you sticking to it? Have you accomplished any goal you set out for yourself? Are you on your way to striking one off that list. How is it really going? 


Like most of you, I wrote an exhaustive list! What was on your list? To live more? To laugh more? To love more? To forgive more? To ask for forgiveness? To climb a mountain? To run a race? Get a job? To go on holiday? Go on a retreat?  To lose weight? Save money? Buy a house? Rent a house? To buy a holiday home or an investment home? Make a new friend? To invest in stocks and shares? Give to charity? Adopt a pet? Get engaged? Get married? Have a baby? Become an entrepreneur? Go back to school? Start a Professional course? Be kind to others? Quit smoking? Quit alcohol? Learn how to swim? Learn how to drive? Buy a car? Anything? 


Maybe you didn't write a list theoretically but there is something you know you have to work on. Well there is no better time than the present to get it cracking. Why wait? If you didn't start on it before, how about you start now? Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Work on each point one at a time. Remember, for those of you who did, you did it for a reason. You wrote it down as a gentle reminder for you to become a better person. As you do it, you will feel great about yourself and great about this world.

As you do this, please I urge you, never lose sight of your goal. Also remember to count your blessings as you go along. You are blessed more than you know.  Follow your dreams but still live in the moment and appreciate what is around you. Accept the challenges that will come your way because they will come. They will only make you stronger. You will learn a lot along the way. Don't give up. Be positive and remember, "all things are working for good".


Thank you for Reading!

Be Inspired
xoxo

Naija Diaries: Why Nigeria, Why? Pt 2

iHeart Nigeria really. I will document my amazing experiences on this blog too. For now, just indulge me a little please ok. I just really have to get this off my chest.

So I really didn't want to end the last post on this topic simply because there are so many points to raise. I'll go straight to the point.

Here goes another list...

1. The creepy crawlies are just way too much. From the cockroaches to the rats to the flies to the ants to the lizards! I passionately hate them all. Its a daily battle keeping them all away. They smell food from a mile away and crawl into the tiniest hole/crack in the wall. I keep them at bay by keeping the house clean, but I now have OCD as a result.

2. Must every street be named after a person? Not their first or last name. Their full name (at least 3). I'm not trying to be funny here but most names are just too long and cumbersome. It takes getting used to anyway.

3. Why do we pay for trolleys at the airport? I really threw a princess tantrum at the airport about this. A trolley I am not keeping? N2,500 for a trolley I will only use for 15 minutes? Nigeria is the only country I have been to that ask you to pay for a trolley. Yet, everyone is still looking for other ways to take even more money from you. I had to tell them without mincing my words that I will not give One Naira to anyone. Let Jesus come.

4. From point 3, why do people like to haggle in the market? These are the same people who go to expensive shops and supermarkets, close their eyes at the pricetags, spend without flinching yet, want to drag one little N200 with an old woman who NEEDS the money to buy the basic necessities for her children. Go and buy your tomatoes, ogbonno and crayfish somewhere else please.

5. I have been people watching. Sorry. But I have. I saw someone get a cotton bud from his friend and then lick it before putting it in his ear. Does your spit clean your ear wax better???

6. Why is mackrel called titus?

7. Why is everyone living in or moving to Lekki? Is it that serious?

8. How many police officers can I do Christmas, New Year, Weekend, Ramadan, Bank Holiday, Dinner, Lunch, Sun Is Hot, It Is Raining, for on a daily basis?

9. Talking about the police, there are too many people wearing uniforms on the road. All in different colours. I don't really know what they do other than cause traffic. Except LAWMA. They work. I am yet to see them standing and gisting or harrassing car drivers.

10. TRAFFIC! What took me so long to mention that? Traffic is a serious problem in Lagos city. The lack of other forms of public transportation (i.e. underground trains) has ignited this problem. The days feel shorter and unproductive because you spend at least 4-6 hours stuck in traffic. Everyday. Its a total waste of valuable time. Time you will never get back by the way. Many people grow grey hairs in traffic! Time is money people, common!

11. From point 10, is it me or do people just horn too much. Nigerians are awful drivers at times. Every small thing beep beep beep. Even those big trucks carrying whatever it is they carry, when they horn, you feel you are in front of a bull, bear or lion. I am so scared to sit behind a wheel. I can deal with the bad roads. I can even deal with the people walking in the middle of the road trying to sell you something while you desperately try to avoid driving on their foot and giving them any eye contact before they swarm your car like bees. But the horns! It startles me. Drivers here have guts seriously and I guess they are used to it. Its like they have been trained to horn. Someone needs to check the mental stability of owners of cars that horn excessively. They might be having a bad day or perhaps they suffer from Persistent Road Rage Syndrome. You will hear all sorts on the road. Stupid, Orioda, Werey ni e (Can't spell yoruba, sorry), waka, oloshi, get out, your fada, move your dead car, oh its a woman no wonder. All sorts. Please, my fellow Nigerians, use your horns only in an emergency.

Thanks for reading x
xoxo

Saturday, 29 August 2015

3 Things To Keep Private



Do you agree? xoxo

Zendaya Coleman's Epic Response To Haters

My daughter really admires this young lady and I can see why.

Recently, someone on Twitter called her parents Ugly. Who does that? Ill-mannered miscreants. They need to wash their mouth with Omo and toilet bleach. Mschewwww.

Read her classic response here.

June was Immigrant Heritage Month in America and it was interesting to watch Zendaya and her parents share their story. Watch it here



Be Inspired!
xoxo

Friday, 28 August 2015

The Ngee Show: Tattoos Gone Wrong

Yaaasssssssss! The Ngee Show is back, after about 2months off. Where did the time fly? I'm just excited to have her back.

This Webisode is called Tattoos Gone Wrong and here, Ngee lists 5 things you need to consider before you get a tattoo. Sometimes I feel she is my long lost twin sister. She takes the words right out of my mouth.

Please enjoy! Love her!



Be Inspired!
xoxo

Song Of The Week: Mummy Mi By Wizkid


Mummy mi is a special song in my home. My children are so sweet. Since hearing it for the first time last week, they sing it to me every day, at least once. Hearing their little voices sing "Mummy mi o, Mummy mi o, Mummy mi o, Mummy mi o, I'll be there for you, I'll love you forever", makes my heart melt. I love them so much.

My husband also thinks Wizkid is the best artist in Africa, so hey, we've been listening to his Ayo album a lot recently.

My mum recently went through an operation and I was not in the country to look after her. But I must say, I have a bunch of awesome friends too. She also had some family and friends rally around her to ensure she was recovering as she should. I remember panicking before she went for the operation. The thought of losing her really shook me and I pray God keeps her alive for my sister and I and all the grandchildren. I dedicate this song to her. My mum. Love you Mummy! x

Drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Song Of The Week: Mummy mi
Artist: Wizkid

Please listen, enjoy and show love to your Mama! When last did you call her? If its been a while, please call/visit her. She loves and misses you.



Is it just me or does this song also remind you of "Sweet Mother" by Prince Nico Mbarga. Who remembers? I think its the only African Mothers Day song that is played on repeat every year since 1976. I grew up listening to that song at parties. "Sweet mother, I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you suffer for me. When I dey cry, my mother go carry me, she go say, my pikin, wetin you dey cry ye ye. Stop stop, stop stop stop make you no cry again oh. If I no chop, mother no go chop..." What a timeless classic.


Be Inspired!
xoxo

Thursday, 27 August 2015

Naija Diaries: Mosquitoes! 8 Simple Steps To Preventing Malaria

Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes (drags ear). How many times did I call you? I am warning you o. (drags ear again) Hennnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
"Blood Thirsty Vampires" aka Mosquitoes are small, midge-like flies which compose the family Culicidae. Females of most species are ectoparasites, whose tube-like mouthparts (called a proboscis) pierce the hosts' skin to consume blood. Though the loss of blood is seldom of any importance to the victim, the saliva of the mosquito often causes an irritating rash that is a serious nuisance. Much more serious though, are the roles of many species of mosquitoes as vectors of diseases. In passing from host to host, some transmit extremely harmful infections such as malaria, yellow fever, west nile virus, dengue fever, filariasis, and other arboviruses, rendering it the deadliest animal in the world.

Typically, both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices, but in many species the mouthparts of the females are adapted for piercing the skin of animal hosts and sucking their blood as ectoparasites. In many species, the female needs to obtain nutrients from a blood meal before she can produce eggs, whereas in many other species, she can produce more eggs after a blood meal. A mosquito has a variety of ways of finding their prey, including chemical, visual, and heat sensors. Both plant materials and blood are useful sources of energy in the form of sugars, and blood also supplies more concentrated nutrients, such as lipids, but the most important function of blood meals is to obtain proteins as materials for egg production.
The feeding preferences of mosquitoes include those with type O blood, heavy breathers, those with a lot of skin bacteria, people with a lot of body heat, and a pregnant woman's attractiveness to mosquitoes also has a heritable, genetically-controlled component.
Source: Wikipedia

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
The fear of mosquitoes is the beginning of wisdom. The mosquitoes in Nigeria are something else. I hate them so much. They are too intelligent. They can smell you from 50metres away so that means they smell their food before they even see you. My children are literally just recovering from a bout of malaria and to tell you I was worried is an understatement. We have certainly upped our Malaria Prevention Game and I will point out a few lessons I have learned along the way. Please, if you live in Nigeria, adhere to these guidelines. Mosquitoes do not look at your face with pity before sucking you/your kids blood.

8 Simple Ways To Prevent Malaria

1. Keep your house clean and dry. Mosquitoes breed in dirty, warm and wet environments.
2. Fleet your house every 3-5 days and fumigate your compund every two weeks. Make sure you target the corners too.
3. Shake all your curtains every morning for two weeks. Mosquitoes hide there and they are weaker in the morning.
4. Apply mosquito repellent cream on exposed areas on you/your kids body. We are using Odomos. Its quite effective.
5. Wear protective clothing as often as you can especially in the evening/night.
6. Shut the doors. Every door you enter, please shut it behind you.
7. Ensure the children sleep under mosquito nets every night.
8. Endeavour to take anti-malarial medicine before travelling to Nigeria. If you forget to take it before travelling, please take it upon your arrival into Nigeria. It is important you do this to ensure your body is ready to fight the virus if you get bitten.

Be Inspired
xoxo

Happy Birthday To My Husband

Happy Birthday to the love of my life, my husband, my best friend, my soulmate, the father of my children. I bless God for your life! Baby, I love you more and more each day. Thank you for loving us this much. Thank you for being the awesome husband and father that you are. We wouldn't have you any other way. May this year be your best year yet. May God shower his unconditional love upon you. May you live long to enjoy the fruit of your labour. May you see your children's children's children in peace, good health and happiness. May the grace of the Lord be upon your life and God's mercy and favour be upon you. The glory of the Lord is risen upon you. You are the seed of Abraham. You will grow from grace to greater grace. God is taking you to a higher level. I am so happy to be sharing this life with you. If ever I was to come back to this earth, I will do this all over again, just to have you by my side.

God bless You xxx

Love, Your Wife!

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Naija Diaries: Why Nigeria? Why?

This is the first time I will be living in Nigeria as an adult (not visiting) for at least 12 months, so the things I will ordinarily ignore and accept, I now notice and highlight. Please don't offer any scientific or politically correct answers. It won't work. As a disclaimer, don't get it twisted, I love Nigeria and I love Nigerians. Nigeria is an amazing country with beautiful people and it has so much to offer. I wouldn't be here otherwise, right?


Let me see if a list will work here. I will stick to 10 for now.

1. Why are there always maggots, sorry flies, inside Nigerian brown beans and not other beans? This really concerns me. My grand father used to say that was the protein in the beans so I shouldn't remove it and only the other day, I heard 'its the real McCoy..... that's what makes the beans sweet'. Errrrrrrrrr, NO. I don't make Nigerian beans often but when I do, I can guarantee I spend at least 30 minutes removing every bean with a fly stuckk in it. Eww!

2. NEPA (National Electric Power Authority) - The Power Holding Company that provides electricity to all the homes in Nigeria -  has been 'taking light' since I was a baby till today. Why?

3. The funniest of all, there are way too many churches on every street. Why? Another business venture maybe? Hmmmmmm.

4. Pot holes! Whats up with all the bad roads in Lagos? Its embarrassing. We ARE the giants of Africa. We are rich. Why? There is no excuse.

5. Do you even want to get me started on the fact that we have more cars than people living here in Lagos? I think Nigeria is the only country where you will see one house park 4-7 cars in their compound. Please, how many cars can your leg drive at a time? I do understand that the cars are always breaking down so you will always need a back up car. But if you ask me, one house that only has one family (husband, wife and kids), only requires 2 cars (maximum). One for the husband, the other for the wife. Having one car to take you to work, another to take you to church and another to take you to the market, per person, is all unnecessary and ridiculous. Just saying.

6. Their open drainage system aka gutters. It stinks. I've seen poo in there. Yuck! My village smells better.

7. Mosquitoes! There are just too many of them here. The fear of mosquitoes is honestly the beginning of wisdom. That's a whole 'nother post.

8. Paranoia. Please why is everyone scared of everyone? Its either corrupt leaders this, ritualists that, armed robbers this, kidnappers that etc etc. There are so many enemies seen and unseen, its ludicrous and exhausting.

9.Why do people always pee on the road? Honestly, the things we see in this life! Hehe! It is not uncommon so no one bats an eyelid. You will see the person pee like no one is watching, yet, he/she is doing this in the middle of peak time traffic - broad.day.light...

10. Why do Nigerians stare? It is rude. You know when you are looking at someone and the second they notice, they shift their gaze on to something/someone else? Well, here, in Nigeria, it is eyeball to eyeball. They stare and they don't care that you can see them burning your flesh with their eyes. Some even go as far as loudly talking about you, in front of you, as if you can't hear them clearly! Dumb.

I have a few more, but will put that in the next edition.

xoxo

#iTestify

Lets declare some words into our lives today shall we?



I testify that I am glorified
I testify that I have been brought unto glory
I testify that I am walking in the glory of God
I testify that the Lord is my light and salvation
I testify that the Lord is the strength of my life
I testify that the word of God is working in me mightily
I testify that I have the mind of Christ
I testify that my mind is anointed and I think the right thoughts. I think thoughts of victory, success, strength, power and prosperity.
I testify that Christ is my wisdom
I testify that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus
I testify that I am justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
I testify that I am a soul winner
I testify that I am the light of the world
I testify that the Lord is my habitation
I testify that the Lord is my light and salvation
I testify that I have the Holy Ghost
I testify that the Holy Ghost is my helper
I testify that I have a sound mind
I testify that all things are working together for my benefit today
I testify that I have advantage in all things
I testify that I have overcome the world
I testify that every mountain before me is made plain
I testify that all crooked paths are made straight
I testify that I am super favoured and I live in super abundance
I testify that I walk in divine health in the name of Jesus Christ
I testify that I produce great results in the name of Jesus Christ
I testify that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world
I testify that no plague comes near my dwelling (body)
I testify that no evil befalls me
I testify that I walk in divine health from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet
I testify that I am financially loaded
I testify that riches, wealth and honour are in my house
I testify that my barns are filled with plenty
I testify that I can see my harvest and it is large
I testify that I am the seed of Abraham
I testify that I am blessed in all things
I testify that in my pathway there is no death
I testify that I am strong and very courageous
I testify that this is my year of testimony
I testify that this is my year of supernatural accomplishments
I testify that I am like a tree planted by the rivers of water
I testify that my leaves are evergreen and shall never wither
I testify that I am flourishing like the cedars of Lebanon and I do not know when dryness comes
I testify that I have an unction from the Holy One and I know all things
I testify that I am the salt of the earth
I testify that I am the light of the world
I testify that I am blessed of God
I testify that I am so highly favoured today
I testify that I am a champion
I testify that I am a victor
I testify that I am excellent in all that I do
I testify that I am born again
I testify that I am the head and not the tail
I testify that grace and peace are multiplied unto me
I testify that the word of God is effective in my life
I testify that any careless word spoken by me or against me is nullified in Jesus Name
I testify that all people, all governments, all institutions, all councils and all organisations favour me today and always
I testify that my days are fruitful and productive
I testify that I am making progress and moving forward
I testify that God is doing wonders in my life
I testify that the Grace of God is upon my life
I testify of God's faithfulness in my life
I testify of the efficacy of the word of God in my life
I testify that I am full of power and glory
I testify of God's goodness in my life
I testify of my victories this month
I testify that I have won the battle
I testify of my achievements this year
I testify that I am bearing fruits and my fruits remain
I testify that I am a new creation, born with the ressurrection life
I testify that I am a believer
I testify that the wisdom of God is heard in my voice and seen in my actions
I testify that I am increasing in the knowledge of God's word in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
I testify that I am being transformed from glory to glory
I testify that I am positioned for the extraordinary life of dominion, purpose and power
I testify that I am immune to the negativities of this world
I testify that it has been approved

Hallelujah!!!!!
Be Inspired
xoxo

Hold Your Wife's Hand At The Mall

On a serious note...Very wise! Hahahaha
xoxo

Name ONE Thing You Cannot Live Without


My Family! Family Is EVERYTHING!

SIGGGOS for life!
xoxo

Naija Diaries: "Madam, You Dey Hold Am?"



So I am currently in Nigeria with my family and I will be sharing some of my hilarious and bizzare Nigerian experiences with you all here.

Ok, so a few weeks ago, I accompanied my husband to get his car washed at the car wash company close to where we live. While waiting for our car to be washed, we decided to buy something from the supermarket. As we were jejely holding hands and walking past a police station, a policewoman who was obviously jobless as she had no serious crimes to fight on the streets of lagos, decided to mock/mimmick me. She looked squarely into my eyes and said "MADAM, YOU DEY HOLD AM?" whilst placing her hands around her arms. As if to say I couldn't walk on the street by myself without holding my husband. Did I say husband? I believe I did. For clarity purposes, I said HUSBAND, not boyfriend.

Someone please explain this to me or ask this police woman what exactly was her problem? How is holding the arm or hand of my husband a crime and how on earth does it affect you? What is wrong with holding the hand of a spouse you are in love with? Is it that uncommon in Nigeria? From what I have observed, so many marriages are under fire. A lot of spouses here in Nigeria are "suffering and smiling". Marriages are constantly breaking down and disintegrating in Nigeria. So isn't it nice to see a couple walking together hand in hand? I love seeing love. Unfortunately, societial pressures make women in particular keep up the pretence that they are happily married. A lot of married women live like single mothers because their husbands are busy hotel hopping with one ashawo to the next (I'm not trying to be funny here, but, as long as you are sleeping with a married man, my friend, you are an ashawo, all that pretending you are doing in church doesnt change that fact, ok!). Some women are really frustrated and it is quite sad to see. So here I am, a mother of three, WITH my husband and the father to all my children (like it should be - and as it is in most progressive countries) and you want to tell me you have a problem with me holding his hand on the road? So what if I do? So what if I want to feel his heat while we walk? So what if I want to feel protected on the streets of Lagos? Who better to protect me than my very own husband? It really rattled me for a moment. I was so surprised and a little embarrased, I just smiled and kept walking with him, but two seconds later, I wanted to turn around and give the woman a piece of my mind! Thank God I now know how to control my tongue when I am around people and I dont throw temper tantrums. Thank God for maturity to walk away from nonsense. Thank God for teaching me to pick my battles wisely. Was she worth the hassle? No. Was she worth this post? Yes.

xoxo

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Rules Of A Gentleman No. 270


Anyone else agree?
xoxo

I'M BACK!!!!!!

YAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! Whoop Whoop! I AM BACK. Back to blogging that is! YESSSSS! Praise God!!!!!!!!


Missed me? Well....... I sureeeeee missed blogging! I dont know what it is, but it feels like blogging is now a part of me. A part of who I am and what I do. Although its been just over a month since my last post, I think about posts and content every day!

Having said that, I would like to officially apologise to my readers for the long unexpected/unplanned hiatus.

To be honest, although I was quite busy for a while, I also felt a little uninspired! Thats crazy because INSPIRATION IS ME.

Now I am back, all set up, re-inspired and ready to work!

Shall we?

Be Inspired
xoxo