JOICEE

Byebye

2010-06-08T05:10:00.000-07:00

Farewell and thankyou to everyone that stopped by this blog and took out time to read my ramblings. This blog will closed down and I shall start another one sometime in the future. I will still be around reading blogs and leaving comments whenever I can.

Cheers!!!!!!!

Life

2010-05-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

You have life...celebrate it. Envy is a waste of time, you already have all you need.

Why can´t a successful black woman....

2010-04-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

I came across a video on the ybf blog I normally frequent about the lack of partners for successful black women in the U.S. I do not live in America so I do not know about the dynamics there, but it seems this is quite a big deal judging from the many videos and articles I found on the net concerning this particular issue. I´m curious to find if it affects african women living in the U.S as well. I embedded part one of the video, subsequent parts are on the youtube website.

Reminiscing

2010-04-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

It has been a while. This song brought tears to my eyes. I miss my homeland.

Maga no need pay

2010-04-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought I have been set free from spam emails, I received another one yesterday.

Your Email ID has been awarded 1,000,000.00 GBP in the TOBACCO PROMO send your

Names....
Country....
Occupation....

Maga no need pay, I hope the message in this song gets across.

Watching the news

2010-04-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

First of all, a happy new month to everyone. I know, we are smack bang in middle of april but it is never too late right?. Recently I have discovered that I have an apathy to watching the news. I find it difficult to sit down and watch CNN or BBC24 or any news channel for that matter. I noticed this after the haitian earthquake in January, I just hated listening to the news, because it seemed like all there was to report about was tragic.

Funny enough the only newsbulletin I can tolerate right now is the AIT International newshour(nigerian television network). Maybe because I want to still hold unto the little things that remind me of home. Those newscasters looking so chic in their ankara and gorgeous jewellery lol. I still check out BBC online and the times magazine website from time to time.

I write this because I just logged onto yahoo to check my mail and I came across this news article on the china earthquake and its rising death toll. What is happening?

pic from here

March 8th

2010-03-31T02:45:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of the month of march 2010. It goes by very fast doesn´t it? Anyway march 8th was international womens´day. I know... I know, it is little late but nonetheless I wanted to still make it known somehow. I love this song African woman by Onyeka Onwenu. Although she centered on african women, it could be applied to all women across the board. Enjoy!

Spunk!

2010-03-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all you need in life is a little spunk. I was reading the times magazine and I absolutely loved this article. I am a foodie and I can see myself doing something entrepreneurial with food someday so I was really inspired by what I read. Above is the video, I could not find the written article online but I hope you get the message from this video.

Credit:Time magazine

PDAs

2010-03-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

Hey People,
I trust you had a nice weekend. What do you think of PDAs (Public Displays of Affection)? I was at church on sunday and everywhere I turned it was either a couple hugging up an each other or giving stolen kisses during the sermon. I was like, I did not get the memo... what is going on?. With this couple sat next to me, I noticed while the worship was going on, the lady was standing, whilst the man who was sat down was rubbing her leg the whole time, I mean, come on...there is a time and a place for everything. You love each other, we get it , you are in a sacred place for goodness sake, have a little patience, when you get out of the church you can consume each other for all you are worth.
Am I being to sensitive to think that PDAs in a place like the church should be kept to a bare mininum so that the couples in question and those around them could concentrate on the reason why they are there in the first place or is it asking for too much?

pic from here

Nietzsche

2010-03-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

I spent last week saturday evening reading this book. A comic depiction of the life of german philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It made for quite an interesting read, because Nietzsche had such a brilliant mind. The fact that it was mostly done in cartoons made it all very lighthearted and easy to glide through. The weekend is already upon us, what to do?, what to do?..I´lll take a moment to think about that one.

Anyway I wish you all a great weekend!

pic from here

T.V and Terry Crews

2010-03-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of weeks since I started an internship, my life has been more of a routine than I would like . Wake up at six, get to work at eight, get back home by eight and then in the process of watching a little t.v, doze off.

I recently got myself a t.v set after years of living without one. I think because I have lived without one for such a long time, I have not really had any lust to sit down and actually watch a show. I have no interest in most of the programmes running. The irony of it all is that I have over 1500 channels to choose from -from Nigeria´s AIT International to Britains´s CBS Reality to Germany´s Prosieben but I still find it hard to settle on a programme to watch from beginning to end.

That is until recently. I saw this reality show on BET about Terry Crews and his family. Now this one got my interest as I liked him in Everybody hates Chris as Chris Rock´s Dad, so I thought I would watch him to see him be Dad to his real life kids, but who I am kidding? Most of the so called reality shows are all scripted so you don´t what is real or not.

On the last episode that was aired, they found out that their first child was pregnant. The scene looked quite fake to me, it seemed that they knew about the pregnancy earlier on, but just wanted to put that in the show for some special drama effect. What made me skeptical, was the lapse way they took the news, maybe it is just me, but it seemed quite weird.

Nevertheless, I'll still watch the show , his kids are so cute.

A tale of online dating

2010-03-16T05:46:00.001-07:00

My laptop died on me about two weeks ago. Apparently there is something wrong with the graphic card. I do intend to get it fixed later this month anyway, so you see why I haven't done a blog entry since the beginning of march. My life has been quite uneventful and I am trying to rejuvenate myself, make a little money before school begins again in april.

I wonder how many people out here are really into online dating and what they really think about it. My cousin met this guy online, facebook precisely. After months of chatting online and subsequently on the phone they decided to meet up. She had sent some pictures of herself to him while he just sent her a scanned old passport photograph, apparently he had no pictures stored on his laptop.

Prior to their meeting physically, they already discussed a lot about their lives, had both fallen in love with each other. Now this is where I am a bit skeptical , can you fall in love with someone you have not physically meet before? Anyway, they met up and she was quite disappointed with his appearance and the height lol. She has feelings for him but she knows he is more in love with her than she is with him.

Anyway she came back feeling all mixed up and so on but she has decided to keep it going. She has been asking for my own take on this and I suggested that she let the relationship grow and see what happens. I think although physical attractiveness is criterion when it comes to choosing a partner, there is still so much more to look out for in a potential partner e.g shared values, personality etc, afterall looks fade.

I'm excited to know you guys' take on this.

Blackness

2010-02-25T08:16:00.001-08:00

I have just started reading this book by Matthew Ashimolowo called What is wrong with being black. I am at the third chapter and I already feel depressed. This book is an eye opener. Have you ever wondered why it is seems that blacks always seem to be found at the bottom of the totem pole or why africa the wealthiest continent has the poorest inhabitants on earth. The answers are in this thoroughly researched piece of work. I would recommend to everyone. Read this book.

I am feeling this song by Estelle and Kanye West, American boy.

Thank you

2010-02-23T09:08:00.001-08:00

What to blog about? Today is a slow news day...I ´ll take a cue from one of my fave girls GNG and do a thank you post today.

I finished all my exams successfully this semester, even with the fact that I was really stressed. I am so thankful for retentive memory.

I am thankful for this special someone that has brought so much joy to my life, it is unbelievable, I´ll let that marinate awhile.

I thank God for the gift of hearing, I have been listening to a lot of music lately, for some reason and it´s been wonderful.

The weather has been gorgeous, since the beginning of this week, all the snow has finally melted and I can smell the spring in the air...I am so thankful for that.

Intellect is very precious. I personally know someone who for some reason can´t really read nor count, even though said person has been educated to high school diploma level. I refuse to take this gift for granted.
Photo from here

Love languages

2010-02-17T03:32:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, the second post in a week...goodness!
I first heard about the love languages in a church a couple of years ago. In essence it is just about the different ways people express love and affection, I think knowing your love language and that of your partner can be very crucial as it can make or break a deal. There are five types of love languges and most people have a combination of love languages. In his book, the five love languages Gary Chapman writes beautifully about this. The five love languages are--

Words of affirmation

This is when you say how nice your spouse looks, or how great the dinner tasted. These words will also build your mate's self image and confidence.

Quality Time

Some spouses believe that being together, doing things together and focusing in on one another is the best way to show love. If this is your partner's love language, turn off the TV now and then and give one another some undivided attention.

Gifts

It is universal in human cultures to give gifts. They don't have to be expensive to send a powerful message of love. Spouses who forget a birthday or anniversary or who never give gifts to someone who truly enjoys gift giving will find themselves with a spouse who feels neglected and unloved.

Acts of Service

Discovering how you can best do something for your spouse will require time and creativity. These acts of service like vacuuming, hanging a bird feeder, planting a garden, etc., need to be done with joy in order to be perceived as a gift of love.

Physical Touch

Sometimes just stroking your spouse's back, holding hands, or a peck on the cheek will fulfill this need.

I think mine would be a combination of acts of service and physical touch, what is yours?

What is your body type?

2010-02-16T06:29:00.000-08:00

Hey folks,

I have been away for far too long, there has been so much on my plate lately, including testing out a potential romance*winks*, so I decided that I had to post something before february came to an end.

Now back to the topic at hand, I came across something quite interesting on the internet. An american physician Dr Eric Berg, talked about different body types. I am sure people reading this will begin to think in the the direction of pear shape, apple shape and so on but actually this is different.

According to Dr Eric Berg, there are four body types -the ovary, liver, thyroid and the adrenal type. I tried embedding the youtube videos, but it did not go through. so I had to link in the website addresses. Anyone know how to embed youtube videos onto blogger , please?

Ovary type
Liver type
Adrenal type
Thyroid type

From watching these videos, I know I am the ovary body type, it was an eyeopener for me. For every body type there is a different way to control weight gain and also maintain a healthy lifestyle.....so check on it.

Haiti and other stories.

2010-01-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

How are you all, my people? It seems january cannot wait to come to an end ...It is like it is running as fast as its legs can carry it.Haba!

I think the wii sport is the business. I probably might not need that gym membership afterall. My favourite sport on it is boxing. The first time I did it , I was completely out of breath and I was just at the beginner stage, go figure. Now I am getting the hang of it, hopefully I won´t be bored anytime soon.

I just want to use this opportunity to remember our brothers and sisters in Haiti. I can hardly bring myself to watch the news. Too hard. Please if you can, then do what is right. The Devastation is just unbelievable!

During the past few weeks, facebook has become like sort of revelation to me. Everyone is getting or is already married. On every profile I click , I see the trad/ white wedding picture albums. I did not get the memo!!!!!. There surely must be something in the water that nigerian girls(based in Nigeria) are drinking. Woah!!!. From what I have noticed, most of the girls are getting married and moving with their boos"overseas". I have therefore concluded that there cannot be a shortage of men in Nigeria, because everyone (my friends on facebook based in Nigeria) is "in a relationship or married".

Here is to wishing all my married facebook friends , a happy married life filled with abundance and joy!

Pic from here

A pleasant 2010 and such!

2010-01-10T05:03:00.000-08:00

I trust everyone has settled in nicely into 2010. It is going to be a great year, I can feel it. I am back to base and holiday is long over(sigh). Honestly, My trip from the U.K was quite uneventful, although I anticipated so much drama at the airport after the Mr. Knickerbomber incident(cue the above pic). The Nigerian government should please do all they can to get our nation of that terror list as soon as possible, It is not even funny.

During the christmas break, I had the pleasure or should I call it pain of watching ROOTS. The miniseries based on the Alex Haley´s book by the same name. I found it very moving, hopefully we will all learn from the history and it´s ongoing effects today. The most moving scene for me was when Kinte Kunte´s daughter, Kizzy, had to be sold off because she helped to plan the escape of another slave. I cried so bad, it was too painful to watch. I plan to read the book again once I have got free time, I noticed there were some scenes in the movie that were´t in the book, I guess there were added for more intrigue.

Please what is up with all this cold weather and snowstorms? Can someone explain this? I find it quite ironic that this sudden frigid temperatures everywhere started not long after the summit, held in Copenhagen against global warming. Is nature trying to tell us something?.
Hopefully, I'll get down to writing down the list of things I would like to acheive this year. I have it all in my head but I better put it down in writing just so that it is more concrete. On this note, I wish you all a pleasant 2010.

The pic above is from the very fab JSD blog.

Hey!

2009-12-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I just popped in to check how you all are doing. I had and I am still having a fantastic time at my parents. I came over for the christmas break and it has been fun, for once I really do not have to worry about those mundane things like going grocery shopping et al. Last Sunday was my parents' silver anniversary, it was a blast. It was low key ceremony at my parents home and it turned out really well. I think the highlight of it all, was the traditional outfits my sister, my mum and myself wore, It looked awesome.

I am sure you all have heard about the christmas bomber. As I heard the news, I thought, perfect timing, isn't. I will be travelling by air early january so I guess I should psychologically prepare myself for searches and pat-downs. I will never be able to understand the logic behind suicide bombings/killing in the name of religion. Never!

You are not the father!

2009-12-15T03:38:00.000-08:00

I just had to post this lol. I´m sure I am not the only one that watches Maury Povich. His show is definitely a necessary evil as it helps women find their baby daddies, I guess.

p.s Why do the women run to the back once Maury proclaims that said man is not the father of their child? Hilarious indeed!

Das Supertalent

2009-12-13T03:27:00.001-08:00

This is one of the few black faces on german television. Bruce Darnell first appeared as one of the presenters of germany's next top model before he went on to be one of the judges of the german version of America´s got talent show.His american accented german trips me lol.

Una no dey shame!

2009-12-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

I am sure that I am not the only watching on as the Tiger Woods saga unfolds. Not like I have any choice, the media has gone frantic with this story and we certainly do not have any choice. More and more women have come out like termites from rotten woodwork , to claim that they had affairs with Tiger Woods. I find it all really depressing that it has come to this. Ofcourse what he did was wrong, he has apologised for his "transgressions" and for letting his family down. The truth of the matter is that it is none of our business whatever happens between Elin Nordegren and Tiger Woods, these two should be let to figure out their own mess themselves.

The other thing that bothers me are these women that want to kiss and tell. You banged a man you knew very well, was married with kids. What do you want us to do then? Give you a round of applause for your adultery or congratulate you for stooping so low. Just what!SMDH. Then these ladies wonder why at the end things do not add up. People never talk lessons from history. Monica Lewinsky at one time was the most famous woman in the world for having a go at it with the most powerful man in the world at that time Bill Clinton. The question is where is she now? The fact is that, whatever she does, her name will always be inextricably linked with Bill Clinton and not in a positive way. According to her trivia she has had many failures personally and professionally and is try ing her best to stay out of the media. I guess people never learn.

World Aids Day!

2009-12-01T05:07:00.001-08:00

Happy first advent!

2009-11-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

Has anyone been following the news about the situation in Nigeria?, especially as the president Umaru Musa YarÁdua is critically ill. Apparently there is tension building up, the northeners do not want Goodluck Jonathan the vice President to be sworn in, in case Yar´Adua doesn´t make it.

It does not help that his health keeps on deteriorating. According to the Sahara Reporters, he is suffering from Churg Strausss disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the bloodvessels. Slowly things are coming to light about the whole sitaution. I honestly hope that common sense and logic will prevail for I fear as many times before, an inevitable civil unrest looming. I hope it does not comes to that.

Please forgive the total randomness of the above post ...Happy first advent to you all.

IJE

2009-11-13T11:35:00.001-08:00

Being quite the nollywood enthusiast, I am looking forward to this film Ije. I hope it does not disappoint. Genevieve Nnaji, whom I think is very talented actress with lots of potential and Omotola Jolade Ekehinde, a nollywood veteran both star in this film. Hopefully through this film, they both get the exposure that they need.

Once it is out, I hope I will be able to lay my hands on an original dvd set, instead of a bootleg copy or from youtube ( you know the temptation can be great at times), because I really want to support this project. Hopefully we´ll see.

You can get the film´s synopsis at Jaguda.com.

Oh no! It is almost december ...again

2009-11-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

I really do not want to believe that the month of december is around the corner. Seriously where did it all go? Wasn't it april like yesterday? I am dreading the christmas lights that will spring about in the city center around the 1st week of december and also the christmas markets, where they sell items (mainly hand crafted) at exhorbitant prices. I am not also looking forward to the throngs of people walking around, pretending to be interested in what is being sold neither am I anxiously waiting for the christmas sales to begin.

Despite all of this, I am still thankful for the good health and the successes I have had this year. Of course there is stuff I am still working on achieving but all in all, I am happy for the blessings that came my way and the ones that are yet to come. My parents will be married for 25 years this november and so I am exceptionally grateful for that. I can honestly say that their marriage is a beautiful example of what love and companionship is. I am looking forward to flying home to be with my family and the many festivities that will take place in december, including ofcourse the silver anniversary of my parent´s marriage.

Speaking of christmas...I will be giving books out for christmas gifts this year. Usually I give clothing items , perfums, beauty products depending on the person, but this time around it will be different. I have already bought the first gift, for my sister, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ´s The thing around your neck. It is a beautiful piece of work, a collection of short stories, as usual she did not disappoint.If you have not read it yet, you should.

So many questions

2009-11-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

I heard a story that just completely boggled my mind. I have being thinking about this a lot and trying to rationalise the situation but the more I do that, the more it does not make any sense. Writing is therapeutic for me so I knew I had to put it done in print somehow or else I´d go raving mad...sort of.

The guy, we will call him P. P came to Germany as a student about 20 years ago. After three years he dropped out and subsequently got into a contact marriage to obtain papers. After 5 years both parties went their seperate ways and met another woman, we will call her "german girlfriend" they both have a child and are still living together although they are not married.

About seven years ago he wanted his sister to come to Germany, so he "married " her to enable her get the permanent residency. Now said sister has gotten the permanent residency but they are not divorced. Now this whole theatre does not end here. P met and fell in love with a nigerian woman about 5 years ago. We will calll her "nigerian wife". They both got married in Nigeria, and since the marriage is not recognised in this country because he is still legally "married" to his sister, he could not figure out a way to bring her in legally so she came in via asylum annd lived incognito for three years. Nigerian wife gave birth about a year ago and and is still struggling to get a legalised stay in the country.

P has Nigerian wife living illegally with his children(babies) in the same city while he still goes home to German girlfriend and their child(teenager). Please note that P has since become a german citizen. German girlfriend and the child they have together know nothing about Nigerian wife although I suspect Nigerian wife is fully aware of the sitaution. I wonder how much longer she can take it. There are so many questions and so few answers. The questions I have been itching to ask P are:
-Why would you bring in Nigerian wife when you are still involved with German girlfriend?
-How do you manage your time between these two women; how do you sleep at night peacefully?
-Why could you deceive people so bad and yet you call yourself a christian?

Vintage Eko!

2009-10-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

Market food inspector lagos, Nigeria 1950. Check out his colonial gear.
Oba Adele II of Lagos with Cardinal J.F McIntyre Lagos, Nigeria 1954
Sisi Eko jamming to music c.a1950s/60s Lagos, Nigeria

Olubumi Jibowi presenting flowers to Queen Elisabeth Lagos, Nigeria 1956.

I love this blog and since I love photography it gets a thumps up from me. The happy lagosians blog features lagos, its people and projects going on in the city. But I especially love the vintage photography about lagos life in the 50s and 60s. For more click on the link above.

I heart Freiburg

2009-10-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

I lost my wallet. I was supposed to have an exam by 1315hrs and I needed to revise this morning, so I rushed to the computer centre to do some studying. 20 minutes into that, I felt I needed a cup of coffeee, so I decided to make do with coffee vending machine in the building. I dip my hand into my bag to grab purse. It was then I realised it was not there.

I became frantic.

What the hell is going on?

Now my wallet means lot to me. In it contains most of the essential things I need in my life from day to day .e.g bank cards, credit cards , NI card, transport ticket, health insurance card, library card, spare change...Thank God I was not carrying lots of money around.

I immedately packed my books and rushed home, absolutely sure that I must have left it on the bed or something.

Got there, I could not find it.

That was when I began to panic...Geez!

I have an exam to write in an hour's time, I have lost my wallet and I am an emotional wreck. Just perfect!

I suddenly remembered that I used the bus to go back home in the evening around 2200hrs and it then occured to me that I might have forgotten my wallet on the bus. With my heart in my mouth, offering prayers to God I got the telephone number of the transport office and after 5minutes on hold I got through.

Words cannot express the joy and relief I felt when I was told they had my wallet in their office and that I could come to get it.

I love this city sooo much. I can´t imagine losing stuff like that in lagos, london or leeds and having to find it without much qualms.

T.V

2009-10-22T05:17:00.001-07:00

I recently started watching television again. I am hooked on the X-Factor the british equivalent of American Idol and the last year winner Alexander Burke performed her number one single. This song has grown on me.

There is a nigerian-brit girl Rachel Adedeji on the show as well. Hopefully she will go far.

Shhhhhh!

2009-10-20T04:24:00.000-07:00

I moved house, there are three things I am totally thankful for.
-It is an upgrade..yay!
-I have one flatmate and she is nigerian yay!(I am not opposed to other nationalities at all, it is just that, it is very hard finding likeminded Naija people, you have to live here to understand)
-She has a very nice bubbly personality and I totally love her.

There is just one thing.

She talks too much. She can go on and on and on, now if only she would know when to shut up.

Do not get me wrong, I love to chit chat but sometimes it gets really tired. Sometimes I just really want to unwind,I mean get out of my work/school clothes, make myself a hot steamy cappuccino, tuck myself under a blanket and watch a food show(yeah I am a foodie!) in silence.

That is not too much to ask for now, is it? I don´t have the courage to tell her to stop talkng because she is a very lovely person so I feel I am at my wits end. I have to build a strategy to communicate politely to her that sometimes silence can be very tranquilizing.

Wish me luck!

Blood tests and what not

2009-10-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

I got my blood tested today and just found out that I am really anemic. On one hand it did come as a shock to me, but on the another hand I knew I had found the answer to my predication. My blood test results explain the tiredness I have been feeling for a while. I just could not shake this feeling of lethargy off of me. There are times when I find myself yawning all throughout the day and feeling sleepy all the time, no matter how many hours I had spent sleeping.

Many people are walkng around with anemia and do not know this because the body adapts itself to this situation. It is better to be on the safe side and get your blood tested. I had a lightbulb moment reading the signs and symptons of iron deficiency anemia on wikipedia.

So tomorrow is a public holiday here in Germany. That means all shops are closed for the next two days. Well I did not know germans could horde so bad. I went to supermarket this evening to get some groceries, boy was I shocked. These folks had emptied the meat, bread, milk sections. The food stuff readily available were the veggies lol. Go figure!

I hope to make good use of this weekend...rest relax and study. Have a great weekend everyone!

Desert Flower

2009-09-26T03:05:00.001-07:00

Ex-model and FGM activist Waris Dirie´s new film Desert Flower is out. The film, which stars Liya Kedebe is based on her book(her autobiography) with the same name. I have read the book and I found it quite intriguing. I am not sure when it will be coming out in theatres here. I guess I will be on the watch out for it anyway and you should be too.

Above is the trailer for the film...Love it.

Just checkin'

2009-09-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

Phew! It has been a while since I posted stuff .

For the two of you that actually came across this blog and wondered why I haven't updated, truth is my lack of motivation and juggling work and summer internships.

I can't believe this year is almost over, I still remember the first sun showers in april like it was yesterday. Time flys by so fast it is unbelievable.

So I was bored out of my mind and I decided to watch the seasons 1 dvd of gossipgirl. Honestly prior to that I could not understand the craze about it, but I surely found myself hooked, stayed up all night watching, I could not believe it.

Truth be told, the show is silly and superficial, but somehow addictiv, once you start, you know you would want to see how it all ends.

I hope my mojo returns for good...soon!

Wole Soyinka on African Voices

2009-08-02T04:25:00.000-07:00

loves it all

Lightup Nigeria + Summer reading

2009-07-24T00:07:00.000-07:00

I would advice all nigerians and friends of Nigeria to join this passionate cause. Let our voices be heard. The nolight situation in Nigeria must come to an end. Enough is Enough. I would have loved to write an epistle on the effect of the lack of electricity in Nigeria but I think many other bloggers and twitterers have already done that. You can join here at facebook or twitter.

I would love to read these two books once I get a chance. Now we all know the author of the first book, The thing around your neck, our very own Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The author of the second book Dead Aid is somewhat new on the scene. She is Dambisa Moyo, a harvard educated economist. From the reviews so far I can´t wait to lay my hands on this book.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

lolllls

2009-07-14T03:54:00.000-07:00

Contempt

2009-07-09T02:56:00.000-07:00

contemptn contempt [kənˈtempt]1 very low opinion; scorn

This particular behaviour is a red flag in any relationship. In his book Blink, Malcolm Galdwell writes about the importance of contempt. For example in a marriage, you can tell by the body language and verbal communication of the individuals if it is going to work or if they should start hiring their lawyers and thinking about the custody plan.

There are four major negative reactions that could come up in a realtionship. They are defensiveness, stonewalling, criticism and contempt, where contempt is the worst of all. Criticism can be used a condemnation of one´s character, but contempt is a scornful disregard and condemnation where the person sees him/herself as superior. This brings to the koko of today´s post.

My friend is seeing someone who I´m afraid may fall into the contemptious category. I have seen them together a couple of times and she has told me about several occasions where the guy would totally disregard her opinion but would make sure she obliged when he brought up an idea. She told me, once he was celebrating his birthday, she had helped him with planning and he had only invited his friends and family. Ofcourse she was bored to death...now my friend is ugandan and the boyfriend is german, so I guess one can only go so far. The last occasion was the one to confirm my suspicions. We were at an event hosted by the ivorian womens´club in Freiburg. Anyway the guy came very late and throughout the look on his face was priceless.

You did not need to be psychic to read the "I would rather be anywhere else but here" expression on his face. He refused the drinks offered and ofcourse at the end of the event he couldn't wait to leave. As I watched them, I discovered my friend was a bit embarrassed at the whole situation. My question is, why would anyone let themselves in such a stupid situation. If you are in a relationship especially intercultural/racial, there MUST be a mutual respect and regard. If he /she shows contempt for you, your culture, your occupation, it is best you part ways because in the long run, it is not worth the stress.

Happy new month!

2009-07-02T03:18:00.001-07:00

Happy new month to all

Exactly one year ago from today, I was at one of my darkest hours. I found myself suddenly stranded as I was given a notice to leave the apartment I was renting, aside from that I had a serious exams coming up that would eventually shape my carrier and I had to undergo a minor surgery too because of a gum inflammation. I was at my wits end and the stress at the time was no joke.

Today I would like to spend to reflect and say a prayer of thanks. I am at a better place. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and we wonder if we are ever going to get through in one piece, like there is no way out. But someway, somehow, through his mercies we overcome these challenges and I think we should never forget to be thankful.

I went to a club on saturday and they played the D'banj's song, Gbono fele, since then I have not being able to get it out of my head lol. Suffix to say it is presently on my itunes. Go D'banj.
Anybody watching the kokomansion realitytv show, if so, what is your take on it ?

Restlessness

2009-06-19T04:28:00.001-07:00

Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

I was very restless throughout last night. The reason is the phone call I received from my very close friend.

She checked into a psychiatric unit at 10.00am this morning. It came as a shock, although I knew that somehow her depression had gotten worse as she had been through a lot in recent months.

This issue has been on my mind all day. I am very hopeful that she will recover speedily and come out of this a stronger, happier and healthier person.

Mememememe

2009-06-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy through the last weekend and since this week began ....That explains the delay.

After school today, I popped into H&M and copped me two summer dresses. Don't give me the evil eye. My wardrobe is starving from lack of dresses. In Nigeria, dresses were my fave item of clothing. I wore them at home, to church, to parties, but in these parts wearing a dress is quite a big deal. Women don't wear dresses here that often, even in the summer and it baffles me.

I will do little random meme, it has been a while since I did one. So here it goes

I like to think that I am not a vain person, but I know better. I find it hard not to look at my reflection when I pass by a reflecting surface, I just can't, especially on days I take particularly care with choice of outfit and makeup. Dang!.But I guess we all have narcisstic personalities in us. Don´t you think?

I get easily fixated on things. For example, I don't mind listening to the song on my ipod over and over again, I never put my ipod on shuffle. Another example, when it come to food I don´t mind having the same thing for breakfast over and over again until I become bored. Funny enough, whenever I discover a new food item, I think it is the best thing that ever happened to me and I wonder why I hadn't thought about it earlier. Case in point, I went through a rye bread and cheese for breakfast phase some time ago.

I just could not get enough of it. I had it for breakfast, also as snacks and I took it as my packed lunch whenever neccesary. After a while my interest in rye bread just died . Now I cannot for the life of me fathom how something as tasteless as rye bread ever really got my fancy.

I am very practical in most things, I find as I get older I am more outspoken and generally less tolerant. When I mean less tolerant, it is like this, I don't have the patience to hang around folks that are really no good or even find myself in a relationship that has been warped from the start. Once I notice this person will bring me more headache than necessary, I just walk away. I find this attitude has brought me so much more happiness than I can even begin to describe.

I just cannot do the suck up. I can´t. I can´t pretend to like somebody just for the exchange of friendship or favours. I can understand if one has a boss that likes getting his a## kissed and the only way up is to do just that, but when it comes to wanting to be friends with a certain person because he or she is rich or whatever, then I think that is really pathetic. The worst thing that can happen is when the person in question notices you are sucking up to him/her for any reason. The next thing is, superiority complex sets in and ofcourse that is the end of the story.

I can´t think of anything more , so I´m off to other blogs. Ciao.

Platonic

2009-06-05T04:31:00.001-07:00

Just when I thought I am having a very beautiful platonic relationship with this man ...Reality hits me wham bang on the forehead and I´m like....

''Oh my dayz"

Surely platonic relationships between men and women are almost an impossibility.....if not why are they so darn hard.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Wordless Friday

2009-05-29T05:50:00.001-07:00

Germany´s next top model

2009-05-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Now I do not watch television and I do not own one. But I am aware of this top model reality tv series that has taken the world over thanks to the media mogul Tyra Banks. So you can imagine my surprise when I found that the winner of the reality tv show Germany´s next top model model hosted by Heidi Klum was ethiopian born Sarah Nuru. You can read more about her here. I think she is absolutely stunning and totally deserves it . Here are some pics.

Ueber alles moegliche!

2009-05-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

I just haven't any urge to sit before my laptop and put down anything. I think my motivation to blog is also in a recession LOL. Anyways a dear friend of mine that has recently relocated to Nigeria came back to freiburg on a business trip. We have been hanging out. We talk about everything and most importantly the situation at home (Nigeria) at the moment.

According to him, there is a lot of money to made in the Nigeria especially in the welfare sector-Hotels, catering services, hospitals, medical laboratories etc. I would like to know more from people presently residing in Naija about their take on this. He is doing very well and I am extremely happy for him. It also helps to keep my hope of returning and starting up a business back home alive.

I have decided to do more photography and practice my amateur skills on any scapegoat I came across so I got myself this baby-a vintage nikon F401 film camera. We will see how that will work out.

I am currently reading Doris Lessing's The golden notebook that won the nobel prize for literature in 2007. I am at the begining and I am really trying to enjoy this book. Wish me luck.

Have a fabulous weekend.

Sunday Random!

2009-05-10T05:59:00.001-07:00

I called my grandma yesterday. It was really sweet hearing her voice since we don't talk too often , because of distance and we all know how the networks are in very small towns sometimes. She went down the usual terrain of talk.

"Joicee, don't follow people. Don't keep bad company, be like your mother, she finished her schooling, got married and had you people"

I love her.

It got me thinking though, will my mother be able to say the same about me to my children in the future. I hope so.

There was fabulous report on the nigerian music industry on CNN's Inside Africa, something positve and inspiring at last, goodness knows it is about time.

Psquare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im screaming.....they are both gorgeous.

Enjoy.....and have a fulfilled week.

10 Signs it's time to return to Africa

2009-05-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

I was going through Mimi magazine blog and I found this article quite hilarious, especially number 2 and 8. Go figure!

My most random post ever....

2009-04-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend on my way back home from work, I noticed that an african guy is also running as a political candidate for a govermental position in the city of freiburg. Blimey... Who would have thunk that? This city never ceases to amaze.

I hope to get a bike this summer and also how learn how to ride one.. Yeah I know.... I can't ride a bike ...Damn shame.

As I stepped out of the tram today ...I felt someone tug at my jacket. It was a very petite, beautiful black woman asking if I could speak English...after we had a little conversation about everything and nothing, we exchanged numbers and went on our merry ways.

The weather is extremely unpredictable...I mean, gorgeous today awful the next ...I feel a headache coming on.

At school today we were using the stethescope ...checking heartbeats, palpitations, the works.. some girls found it rather difficult to remove undress for the physical examintion...Twas hilarious...I did not know that these people could be quite conservative.

Somebody has been flashing me ...Whenever I pick up the line goes off...I´d be outta my mind to call this person..I mean seriously...If you want to speak to me fine, stop being cheapskate.

That is how far I can go lol ....Pardon my errors ..I did not proofread.

Desert Song

2009-04-20T02:09:00.001-07:00

And as I was saying...

2009-04-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

Why is it that in a room full of people, once someone mentions sex, the room goes quiet?

Why is the tune you hate most the one you can't get out of your head?

Why when you lose something , do you keep looking for it in the same place over and over again and why is it suddenly there the 4th /5th time you look?

Why is the queue you are on always the longest?

Why is everything a penny/cent short of a sensible price e.g $6.99, $2.69, $19.99?

This book "Why the toast always lands butter- side down; the hidden science of Murphy's law by Richard Richardson provides answers to these questions and more . Let just say it is
psychology/science über-simplified and written about in a very fun way. What I also really liked about this book were the simple witty quotes that were interjejected between two paragraghs every now and again.. Here are some examples.

Conscience: the inner voice that warns us someone might be watching(H.R Mencken)

How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom you are on (Zall)

An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance (Laurence J Peter)

Nobody is entirely sad at the failure of a friend(Gore VIdal)...mean but true

and this is so true ...Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success(Christopher Lasch)

There are so many more . I don't want to spoil it for anyone that might be interested in reading the book. Overall a fun book that I enjoyed very much. Although it had to do with psychology and science, it did not come off as boring at all.

Springcleaning and other stories.

2009-04-11T04:31:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or do the days just fly past without warning? I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent at home as this was the first holiday in 3 years that I had where I totally "free", as in I did not have any exams waiting for me at the start of the semester. I am back to Freiburg and I am preparing myself mentally for the workload ahead. I am also done with springcleaning, as I have thrown every bit of crap that I don´t need. I hope to maintain the "ordnung" that I have created. Well we shall see how that goes!

I did a little grocery shopping today, on my way out I decided to visit the ladies. After that I went to wash my hands, lo and behold I saw in the mirror a lady behind me wearing the uniform of a toilet attendant . On closer inspection, I found out that I indeed know this girl . She was studing Medicine in a 1. year and then abruptly left to go back home. Immediately she saw she quickly sat down on the seat nearby and I hid her head in the newspaper. After I was done, I dropped some change on the table and I left, without any of us saying a word.

There were so many questions I wanted to ask her, for example, why she was doing this job when there are indeed better jobs out there for med students ( no offence to toilet attendants), or how she was faring, but I just let it be since she was not in the mood of talking. It just dawned on me, that I should not take anything for granted. As a foreign-student in this country I must admit that I don´t have it half bad and I really should be more appreciative of what goodness that has come my way so far.

I am currently reading a book by Richard Robinson called "Why the Toast Always Lands Butter-Side Down: The Science of Murphy's Law". I'm totally loving it, it is witty and funny and provides answers to those mundane questions you ask yourself when no one´s watching. More on this book in my next post.

I wish you all a very happy easter....and I hope you get caught in the significance of this precious holiday...Have fun.

Mma Precious Ramotswe

2009-04-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely loving The No 1 Ladies Detective. I am not a t.v person, but I am already smitten with this miniseries. It shows on HBO in the states and also on the BBC in the U.K. With the BBC iplayer on the internet, you can watch whole episodes incase you missed it. Jill Scott stars as Mma Precious Ramotswe, a private detective. Her performance is stunning but it is not just that, it is the music, the scenery of Africa....... ooohh I could go on and on. Go see it.

Barack Obama's book review....sorta

2009-03-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

I am presently on holidays....so everything has gone into slow mode for me and I am actually lovin' it. Being at home with my family and doing the occasional shopping and preparations to return back to school. I finally finished this book. Loved it in its entirety. It just goes to show important it is to know where you are coming from, your heritage and roots so as to really know where you are heading. I found myself googling up Auma Obama and other Obama relatives mentioned in the book and I indeed found some interesting articles as well. I'd recommend this book to anybody . My tip.....don't be in a hurry, savour every chapter.....you will not be disappointed.

Have a fun filled week.

I got this email.......

2009-03-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

.... the other day. This 419 mails are getting really old and tired. I'd suggest the fraudsters look for another strategy. Enjoy!

Dear Partner,
I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of($15.5)million to your account within 10 banking days.Upon receipt of your reply,I will give you full details on how the business will be executed and also note that you will have 40% of the above mentioned while 50% will be for me, and other 10% will be for the expences occur in this transaction,I am expecting your urgent response.
Please it is top secret. OK
MR MOMMA FASO.

Observations

2009-03-16T02:32:00.000-07:00

I am still on facebook, for some reason and I have been able to keep in touch with old friends in Nigeria. What I find really amusing is the silly religion inclined status updates they keep writing. For example:

X is having a wonderful tym wit God
Y is thanking God for her life
Z gives God the glory

Ha! I don't think we will ever change. Religion is in the air you breathe in Nigeria and I think sometimes it does us more harm than good when we cloud our mentalites in such a manner. THINK People THINK! There is more to this life, really.

This recession is no joke. I have noticed that people aren't advertising on billboards anymore. Most of the adverts I see nowadays are cigarettes and maybe a couple of shops showcasing clothing for spring, other than that, nada. The billboards companies are the ones advertsing themselves, calling on people/companies to give them a ring. Very hilarious indeed

On a more serious note, when will it all end. We hear of job losses every single day on the news and banks needing help. I guess it becomes a sad reality when it directly hits you but for now it just numbers isn't it. For example:

Virgin stores cuts 50000 jobs
Woolworths closes down
Principles closes 300 shops

But these aren't just numbers or jobs, these are livelihoods, families, people. I hope a solution pops up soon enough.

Hope y'all had a nice weekend:)

Wordless Friday

2009-03-13T06:53:00.001-07:00

Yipee!

2009-03-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Pop the Champagne
Pour the bubbly
Throw rice
Do the dance

I have successfully finished exams that totally kicked my butt for the past 6months. I feel quite overwhelmed by it all and I am really thankful.

The one about foundations

2009-02-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

I am neither a makeup fiend nor expert but I do appreciate a good makeup product when I use one or a beautiful lady with gorgeous makeup anytime.

Last summer was dreadful because I was stressed out of my mind and my face broke out horribly. I tried everything that I could lay my hands on until I finally made my way to a dermatologist.

I was skeptical at first because I thought of the fact that acne on black skin requires a different approach than on white skin but I cast my fears aside as the dermatologist was recommended by my doctor. It has been 6 m0nths now my skin feels and looks great. The spots from the acne breakout haven't cleared completely ( it does take time) but my skin feels supple and healthy.

I actually discovered that the foundation (rimmel london)that I was using at the time aggravated the acne because it was oil based. It completely wrecked my skin, moreso as it was during the summer heat. I have since ditched the foundation cream.

I now swear by Maybelline mousse foundation. It is the truth. The caramel tone matches my complexion and it is completely breathabel. It does not feel heavy at all and it does last on my skin. It is a bit more pricey than rimmel london but it is definitely worth it.

Ladies, what type of foundation do you use?

With my lover in mind......

2009-02-14T01:59:00.001-08:00

Nocturnal....anyone?

2009-01-19T11:44:00.001-08:00

I have started a new gig at the hospital. This new job is thankfully an upgrade in more ways than one. This involves night shifts and the pay is quite good. It is the best that I could wish for, because I get to help out at the hospital whilst learning practical stuff and also have enough time left for studying.

I am beginning to think that I am quite nocturnal seeing that I am not a morning person and during the night shifts I hardly feel tired. Except on the way back home, do I begin to feel real drowsy. As I have found out nothing really beats the pleasure that I get from hitting the pillows when I get back home and after I have taken a hot shower....hmmmm heavenly.

Thanks to the media player from windows vista, I found Habib Koite the malian musician. His songs are truly unaldurated west african and are so beautiful and sensual. The single Din Din Wo(the little child) is out of this world...purely mystical. I'm just mad I did not hear about him soon enough. I'll make sure I cop his album.

Take care all....Have a fun filled weekend. The video below is of the song Din Din Wo. Enjoy as always.

Blink...Blink

2009-01-12T00:26:00.000-08:00

What's up with the big chill around these parts. It is pretty cold in freiburg with temperatures ranging from -3 to -8degrees celsuis. I'm sitting in the library and I'm freezing. I forgot to dress warmly...again...darn. The funny thing about all of this is that it is quite sunny. Appearances could be deceiving.

My sister got me Malcolm Gladwell's Blink over the christmas holidays and I have just recently sunk my teeth in it. It is very factual, got loads of theories and has psychological background to it. Basically it talks about those split seconds decisions that we make. Okay no spoilers here, but so far it has been good.

I'm back to routine.. you all know the deal...school, work, school.I have got major exams in march, so posting frequency will wane a bit or maybe not. Have a fabulous week all.

Already here

2009-01-07T01:36:00.000-08:00

Happy new year to everyone that stumbles upon this blog.

I spent the holiday season at Halifax, England with my family. Although it did not feel quite christmassy, I still felt overjoyed that my entire family was healthy and we also had my aunt and her entire clan over all the way from Lagos, Nigeria. I must admit I was a bit apprehensive about that since I had'nt seen them in a long time and we aren't that close, but it turned out really well. My young cousins seem quite grown now, and I could not get over the fact that some of them were quite overweight. It seems that the overweight problem is also affecting Nigeria as people abandon healthy lifestyles. Oh well..

This year 2009 will be GOOD to me.
I will be take very good care of myself this year.
I will succeed in all that I set my hands to do this year.
2009 will be glorious.
I will be as radiant as the stars in the sky everday of this year.
I will read my bible and meditate everyweek this year.

These aren't new year resolutions.......nooooooooooo....these are proclaimations....and they will come to pass. There are so much more but I have just decided write down these few.

I wish you a fantastic 2009, may all your heart desires be granted.

......so so Random

2008-12-21T03:33:00.001-08:00

I bought myself a christmas present over the weekend. It was a beautiful pair of patent leather boots that was reduced from 59,60 euros to 9,95 euros, now talk about a bargain. This year I managed to get presents for every member of my immediate family which is far cry from last year because I was so damn broke. This year has been different and i´m so thankful.
This will be my last post before the holidays so here is to wishing you all a fantastic Christmas season.
And yeah.....I heard this song at a party on friday and I can´t get it out of my head. Enjoy.

Ledisi

2008-12-11T04:12:00.001-08:00

I came across this gem whilst snoopping around AOL Black voices a couple of months ago. Ledisi Anibade Young is a jazz/soul musician from New Orleans. If you are into Jill Scott then you´ll love her music. I especially love this song.

Got me White Teeth

2008-12-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I stumbled into the local library after work to see if Barack Obama´s Dreams of my father or Malcolm Gladwell´s Blink had been returned. Alas they weren´t but I found Zadie Smith´s White Teeth at the English section of the library. I let out a shriek of joy at my discovery for I have been looking forward to reading this book. Oh weeee.............

World Aids Day

2008-12-01T10:36:00.000-08:00

Be informed
Inform others
Protect yourself
Protect others

DON´T BE IGNORANT.

Reflecting

2008-11-29T06:31:00.000-08:00

*photo credit: open photo

Where did it all go? December is creeping on me like a sly python and all of a sudden I am forced to reflect on the year I will soon be leaving behind. I´m thankful indeed because so many miracles have come my way and I am expecting more but there has been setbacks for me this year but I know in the future I will look back at it all with happiness.

I had an appointment in Düsseldorf so I boarded a train from Freiburg by 12midnight and got to Düsseldorf by six in the morning. By 12noon I was finished it everything I had to do,I had one hour left before boarding the train and so I decided to do some window shoppping and then visit the local library. It was really cold and so I could not really go too far away from the train station. It has been exactly two years since I left Düsseldorf and I was really thankful for how far I had come since then. It was just beautiful for me to reflect on the two years that I had gone by.

Let December not just be a month of spending, buying gifts and meeting family, it should also be a month of reflection and thankfulness for you.

Brainwashed much?

2008-11-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

This has been on my mind for a while now but the words to use to express this has failed me. My school does not have a a lot of foreign students. Most of the foreign students come from China, Eastern europe and Russia, others come Africa and a few from Latin america. Most of the african students came from francophone Africa, Cameroun precisely , and since I do not speak any french it is pretty much difficult getting along with the francophone african students as most of them only like communicating in french. I´m the only Nigerian student (except for my twin brother) studying at my school and thus I have noticed a huge difference in mentalities of francophone and anglophone africa and the impact that colonialism still has on the African people.

During colonialism the french managed to convince the people in their colonies that they were indeed french. This is why during the second world war, african soldiers from the colonies were recruited to fight for France against the german aggressor. They were told to do it for their motherland. Wow. But you would think such thoughts may have been erased and the french speaking africans of today have realised that the french people really don´t care about them. Nope. Most francophone africans cannot speak their mother tongues which I think is very sad and I have noticed that most of them actually claim France as their country, which I think is really pathethic.

The french really succeeded in brainwashing the people in their colonies and what is really sad is that most of these brainwashed folks do not even know it! I have never meant a kenyan or a ghanaian who claims to be british just on the mere fact that he/she can speak english or because they were colonised by the british. France colonised much of africa, but you can go to France now and see how majority of the africans, even those born there, live, in squalor. The racism in france is ENDEMIC. Much worse off than in the U.K., even though the british did their own fair share of evil in the name of colonialism.

Here is to hoping that our francophone brothers and sisters will one day wake up from their slumber and actually realise that the french peopleare really NOT THAT INTO THEM.

RIP Miriam Makeba

2008-11-12T01:34:00.001-08:00

Your music and the legacy you left behind will not be forgotten.

Congratulations to the first family

2008-11-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

Wünshen

2008-11-07T06:31:00.000-08:00

Isn´t it funny, the last post I made was actually how overjoyed I was to have internet at home, but I guess my joy has been cut short, for my laptop has died on me. I got the laptop from my Dad and honestly it is an old laptop. It wasn´t a matter of if but when the laptop would finally give in. I do not plan on getting it fixed, because I took to the IT department at my school and it turns out that there is actually something wrong with the harddisk and so it may not be worth spending a whole lot of money on and frankly I do not have the extra dosh for said repairs. Ther efore, I need me a new laptop *wink *.

The title of this post is actually german and means to wish in english. I was on facebook the other day, I got to see loads of people from my schooldays back in Nigeria. I felt a bit like a lurker as some of weren´t my facebook friends per se, but I could still view their pictures because we were in the same network. Some had changed, some hadn´t, but what really surprised me was that some still kept their cliques of friends especially those from the affluent familes that worked with multinational oil companies in the region.

I lived in Port Harcourt, an oil city in Nigeria with many multinational companies that operated in the city. Most of the well to do families in town worked for these companies, lived in high end exclusive estates, had company cars and free access to exclusive clubs(golf, polo etc). Some of the students at my secondary school were from those rich familes that worked for these companies.

Since I was a daydreamer in my teens. I wished one of parents at least work for these companies. I wished for all those beautiful thing these other students had . It did not help that I was at a boarding school and most time I would return for the school term without enough provisions or pocket money. I coveted the lives of my rich fellow students.

Being on facebook brought back memories and made me realise some situations are just temporary. As a teen I had no idea about the exploitation of the Niger delta by these same multi national companies that I so wished my parents worked for . I was completely ignorant about the effects of these companies on the land of the poor people of the Nigerdelta region. Looking back now, I´m grateful.

LET´S PUT A STOP TO THESE CRISES

......in the NIGER DELTA
......in the DR CONGO
DON´T BE FOOLED.. THE MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES HAVE A HUGE PART TO PLAY AS ROOT CAUSES IN THESE CRISES.

LET´S PUT A STOP. FULL STOP.

Finally...Internet

2008-10-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Freiburg , Littenweiler view from the train
View from my bedroom

Internet has been installed in my new accomodation and so I blogging right now from home. Posts will hopefully be more frequent since I now have the internet 24/7 at my disposal. I moved from a small village called Burg Birkenhof at the edge of the black forest back to the city of Freiburg where I study and work. The new place is lovely, with a beautiful view of the dreisam river and the black forest overlooking...it is awesome.

Random

2008-10-01T04:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Nigeria
Happy reunification Day, Germany

Mother of mine.

2008-09-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

On this day, 50years ago in a little town in eastern Nigeria , you were born.

Ha, but you do not look a day older than 26, how can this be.

You look the way God created woman, you are beautiful, Ma.

Oh ...How I love you... I´m glad I do not have to wait till I´m a mum to realize that you´re the best.

Your heart...made of gold, it is so large it hurts.

Your smile ...oh it melts away my frowns.

Your laughter...makes me laugh, sometimes against my own will.

Oh...how I love you...I remember you´d cry for us, your children ...Like when we were left at school long after school was over, because they wasn´t anybody availabe to do the school runs on time or like when in 2006, you heard about racist violence in eastern Germany and wanted your child back home on the next possible flight.

Oh yes...I also remember when I came home after being hit by a neighbour. You almost went crazy. How dare this fool hit my child.

Oh.....how I love you..I appreciate your presence in our lives so much. My admiration for you grows continually by leaps and bounds.

Oh Mother of mine......May you be blessed on this day and forever.

This post was inspired by vera

Where are all the good songs?

2008-09-22T04:34:00.001-07:00

I bring you the BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED Sade Adu. Enjoy

Transitioning

2008-09-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

I called home after quite a long time. It felt good to talk to my family. I am in a transitional phase right now . Many things have happened, some things are about to happen and someothers are yet to happen . I have to continue working hard I guess, there is no other way . I cannot give up on my goals and aspirations, no not me.
*Obi , a nigerian guy that owns a callshop at the Freiburg MainTrainstation has left to permanently reside in Nigeria. I miss him. He did mention that he would be leaving and selling off the shop but I had no idea that it would happen so soon. We had planned to visit a nightclub owned by another nigerian dude but alas it was not to be. *Obi,wherever you are I wish you God´s Blessings.

The new guy at the callshop is also Nigerian. I came into the shop the other day to make a quick phonecall and then it happened. This dude began questioning me if I had bought the telephone cards from him or I bought the telephone card from somewhere else and came to make calls for free. I was furious and I actually put him staight. He went on to apologize and so on. There you go... Customer Service on point(tongue firmly in cheek).

*not real name

Finally.....

2008-09-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

.....a break at last.

About being MIA

2008-07-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hey folks,

I haven´t abandoned my blog!!!!!!!
Just incase anyone was wondering!!
Blogging has taken a backseat seat until late autumn.
In between exam stress, moving into a new accomodation and finding the time to eat and sleep, there is not much time left for blogging ...that´s why have been MIA for some time now.

But I definitely will be back.

April 1st

2008-04-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

A happy fools day to you all

I want you

2008-03-27T07:31:00.001-07:00

I am so feeling this Marvin Gaye´s 1976 "I want you" song
Can you believe it was banned from radio back then?
This piece is perfection .....it just makes me swoon....Kai.
Enjoy!!!!!!

Yahoo Yahoo

2008-03-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

419 MAIL I RECEIVED TODAY IN MY MAILBOX...THESE GUYS MUST BE INSANE..ENJOY

Iam Elody Bamba
Avenue 12 Rue Reine Abla Poku,
12 Bp 7854 Abj 12, Cote D'Ivoire.

Dearest One,

URGENT ASSISTANCE

Good day, I am Elody Bamba From Abidjan Cote d'ivoire, I wish to request for your urgent assistance in my investment plans in your base,I wish to invest in manufacturing and real estate management in your base,this is because I inherited an important sum from my late father who died in recent political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire here.

Before the death of my father he informed me near his hospital bed at chu- teaching hospital, that he has saved the total sum of ($10.500,000) Ten Million, Five hundred thousand united states dollars only, in one of the bank here in cote d Ivoire.

This money was been deposited for my social security and for fruitful international investment.That is why I need you to keep this transaction highly confidential and trustworthy person who will assist me to receive this fund overseas for investment establishment purposeindurities and lucrative profitable ventures.

Further directives and details about the deposit and on how to move the fund successfully into your private bank account in your country will be given to you as soon as I get your response.

Yours Faithfully.
Elody

Inspired by new friend

2008-03-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

I made a new friend whilst on the train going home. He’s a newbie in Freiburg. I like his honesty and openness about everything. From him I’ve learnt so much about life of many paperless Nigerians and ofcourse the desperate measures that follow. It is really sad. Maybe with time I will share, right now I cannot fathom why people
would leave a life (this guy had a shop that wasn’t doing badly)to come over to Europe to literally beg for handouts (asylum seeker allowance=40euros a week).

I’ll blame it on the false ideas people have of Europe. My new friend regrets leaving his business to come over but he tells he has two women that could be “willing to make baby for him’’, insert paper could be on the way, so there could be a silver lining after all, albeit one riddled with desperation. To all those Naija peeps that have “abroad dreams’’, know before you go. It ain’t flowing with honey and milk, the streets sure ain’t made of gold and money don’t grow on trees over here.
***********GOD HELP HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!****************

Nigeria has failed its citizens…true. But is it so bad that people will do anything, I mean anything?!?!….. Sadly Nigerian society does not value innovation, talent, honesty or hardwork. It is really not about what you know. It is show me the money and you’re so f*cking in. People shit on knowledge but will bend over for money. It is capitalism gone way wrong.

That’s why working as a professional i.e. Doctors, Lawyers in Nigeria really sucks especially when you do not have a backup plan. If you don’t know anybody, you will eat dust. It doesn’t matter that you spent a huge chunk of your years learning your trade. Although I hear working in Oil/Gas, Banking and the telecoms sector could give you a promising future lol. But as regarding most things naija, I am treading on very sandy soil here.
**************GOD HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***************

Insight and intellect is relegated to the backseat. Engineers graduate...and wait and wait and wait. Some decide to "open a church". It is lucrative business I hear. I do have my reservations though. There are so many needs and ideas.They say necessity is the mother of invention, why aren’t there people hungry for their very own patents. We have to open our eyes to see clearly.

Not trying to cynical but I have lost a lot of confidence in most of these so called Churches and Ministries. In Nigeria, there is a saying that goes “church na one man business’’. Back in the day I would probably be among the rebuking crowd, but these days I might as well agree. If planting churches had the same huge impact economically like for example developing a software industry or biotechnology, Nigeria would have been a top notch Nation in Industry. It is at this point, I get to ask what the leaders are really doing, but then again I am already too tired.
*************GOD HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***********

No title

2008-03-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

It's been a hot minute since I last posted 'aye? It is a very busy time for me so posts will be quite infrequent. But I will try my best to update more frequently, more like put up a proper post next week.
Laters

The one about being embarassed..

2008-01-25T05:09:00.000-08:00

I just got in from school after a quasi-long miserable day. I did a quiz of seven questions and I couldn’t manage to get any right. They say, you win some and lose some. I am not beating myself up for this. I have got to move on, they are still so many hurdles to jump and I’m aiming to get there with hardwork and diligence. And ofcourse staying focus, with my eyes on the price.

So I get home, remove my warm clothing and drag my tired self to the kitchen to make me a cup of hot coffee. While I am waiting for my coffee to brew, I find myself in a little chit chat with my land lady. Giggling, she tells me of an experience she had, earlier that day at an african shop. Apparently she went to see a friend (the shop owner) and she found out that she had moved. Suddenly, she is being approached this young Nigerian man, who begins to ask her out her.

According to her, he could not have been more than 25 years old. He literally asks her to marry him and then asks if he could move in with her (just for the record, my landlady is about 65years old). I stand there listening and doing the fake-throw -head –back laughter, infact we are both laughing at the stupidity of it all. For a split-second, I felt embarrassed by this man, and then sorry for him.

But on a more serious note, how desperate is desperate? I am no position to sit and judge anybody but I think regardless of whatever predicament we find ourselves, a little bit of selfdignity and respect is needed. How desperate could this young man have been to propose to a woman, old enough to be his grandmother, whom he had just met for 5minutes? He must want those papers soooo bad.

Now I think to myself, if an old German woman could receive such treats, how much more the younger German woman that has not just that red little book, but also youth. My landlady tells me that this is not an isolated incident and I agree completely. No wonder people see you as a black person and make all sorts of assumptions about you.

Well, I have come to a simple conclusion, these Nigerian "asylum seekers" could go on with their frivolous activities causing mayhem if they want to, I’ll stay focused on the business I am here for, wearing my own brand of nigerianness with pride, like a beautiful garment, that will never go out of style.

Reggae High...

2008-01-25T04:59:00.001-08:00

I am not a serious fan of reggae so when a friend recommended this german reggae artist I quickly become skeptical, but alas I was in for a surprise.I really do love the song and the ofcourse the conscious content of the lyrics. What I actually find most fascinating is that he is actually singing in patois(jamaican pidgin). Incredible Stuff...

Random pic

2008-01-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love this pic especially.

I´m saying Thanks

2008-01-15T03:18:00.000-08:00

I am obliged to say thank you Jesus today. I´ve had so many testimonies since the start of this week and I´m a bit overwhelmed and it´s just Tuesday. One of them being that I recently lost and found my new Ipod nano. I felt quite broken as I discovered it was missing, I couldn´t simply believe that I had lost it already. How could I have been so careless. I could hear my Mum going "Your´e so careless". I could see my Dad giving me a mean look and just saying Hmmmmmm!!!!!. I had already planned to save up money and buy a new one. The exact color so that no one would notice. I was so distraught not because of the item itself but I guess what it represented. It is a christmas gift from my Dad and I only recently synchronized with a personal itunes that I had painstaking uploaded on my laptop and loaded a couple songs on it.Now this.
But Thanks to God I found it.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you Lord
Did you notice it was seven thank yous....tehehe....I miss home. Oh... the life of a foreign student....Pssst.

I know it's a little late...

2008-01-10T03:38:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

This Season

2007-12-19T04:41:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to (insert here). For me it is really about love. Giving love and receiving love.That why people give gifts during Christmas. In many cultures giftgiving is the ultimate sign of showing love and appreciate. I f we can recall those three wise men that met baby Jesus that cold night trailing that star, they did not go empty handed, although they had come all the way from the east. The gift itself is the symbol, the thought is what matters the most. Being there with family and loved ones is also a gift, traveling airmiles, spending your precious time and money is an offering especially when done in love.
Enjoy this holiday and above all be thankful for seeing this year come to a closure.
God bless you all.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-19T04:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I last posted on my blog. I hope you're all good.I just finished my last exams for the year. It was an oral examination, so I really had to focus hard on it. Failing this exam would mean waiting till the 2nd Week in January to retake the exam and that I didn't want. Thankfully the exams were successful and I can now let my hair and enjoy the christmas holidays.

This holiday season will be one of my greediest, in the sense that I am not really buying gifts for people, but I'd be receiving quite a few. The thing is I'm damn broke. My folks would just have to love me and my broke self this christmas but anyway I promise to make it up some other time. I haven't felt that christmas itch yet maybe it's just me and the fact I am not in the shops that much, as I was last year, fighting for bargains but in any case I wish you all a merry Chritmnas and a prosperous new year.

To all Poetry lovers

2007-11-27T02:32:00.001-08:00

This poem is just too beautiful. As I listened to it, tears stung my eyes. I am not a mum, but yet it moved me so.
Bassey Ikpi is an american poet of nigerian heritage that has appeared more than a couple of times on Def Poetry Jam.

I absolutely LOVE her.

ENJOY.

...and then they were four

2007-11-14T04:32:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
I hope you´ll had a good start in the week. For those not familiar with this blog, I´ll reintroduce myself, I´m a med stdent in Freiburg, Germany and this blog is in general about my experiences here.
So....school is going on fine and I am really happy at the point where I am now. I know that things can only get better ´cos I got my eyes on the price. Out of 320 med students in my year, 5 african students were admitted, we are pretty closeknit sha. The sad thing is that one of the african students has been exmatriculated, in other words kicked out of the program.

Let´s just say he lost his focus and drifted. At this point I´d dole out a piece of advice, never ever lose your focus ...Go figure lololol. The guy in question is camerounian.The funny thing is that he had a lot of german indigenous friends he used to hang out with. Instead of grabbing this opportunity as a foreign student, to get his friends to help him out with school work, he didn´t. Dang.

He´d go partying and clubbing with his "friends". The only difference is that after partying, these friends would stay up late burning the midnight oil, while he´s asleep, snoring away, fatigued from all his abendteuer.

Although I feel sorry for him for this misused opportunity, I also think he is responsible for his predicament. He´d hardly meet up with us to discuss school work and was a complete snob.. Funny enough all his "friends" have deserted him .... nowhere to be seen.

I have a goal and I´m so thankful that I have been able to make it so far by his special grace in a different country, culture and language. I´m thankful that I can trudge along against all odds, without relying on "friends" especially the indigenes. As for the indigenes...no comments for now..maybe someother time.

So lessons learnt so far....club all you want, party all you want, gbensh all you want...but always remember..
Stay Focused....Keep your eyes on the price.

....Sensual

2007-11-14T04:28:00.001-08:00

Maxwell´s voice is just extraordinary. It deserves more attention than it gets...by the way ....KUDOS to the person who edited this video.

"Falling Into You"

2007-11-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

And in your eyes I see ribbons of color
I see us inside of each other
I feel my unconscious merge with yours
And I hear a voice say, "What's his is hers"

I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you

I was afraid to let you in here
Now I have learned love can't be made in fear
The walls begin to tumble down
And I can't even see the ground

I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you

Falling like a leaf, falling like a star
Finding a belief, falling where you are

Catch me, don't let me drop!
Love me, don't ever stop!

So close your eyes and let me kiss you
And while you sleep I will miss you

I'm falling into you
This dream could come true
And it feels so good falling into you

Falling like a leaf, falling like a star
Finding a belief, falling where you are

Falling into you
Falling into you
Falling into you

xxx

Churchgoing

2007-10-27T03:24:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a lot of soulsearching these days, especially as it pertains to my spiritual life. I grew up in a christian home, so I got to experience going to Sunday School and the works. Ofcourse for those of us who grow up in Naija, we all know calling on the Lord for DAILY BREAD is all part of the deal LOL.
The thing is, I haven´t really gone to church in a while, except ofcourse when I am at my parents. Here in Freiburg, I have been a bit disillusioned with the whole church going thing and I am really asking myself, WHY.I pray everyday...ok..almost everyday... I know that I have a relationship with the Lord. But a couple of experiences I´ve had at worshipping gatherings here, have a left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.

The last time I went to Church, the pastor was preaching about trials and spiritual warfare, and then he went on to say that the Churches in Africa are preaching the wrong doctrine that implies that once you come to Christ all your problems will be over and that it is well received because ofcourse Africa is poor continent. Well, he just had to go there, didn´t he....cos Africa and Poverty is sooo inseperable. Can an african sista get a break please. I remember our Kumuyis and Adeboyes of Nigeria and I know for sure that this people are preaching the GOSPEL.

Anyway I hope I break out of this spell of NON-CHURCHGOING someday but until then I will still look for other ways to enrich my life spiritually.

I´ll sign off with this song lyrics that I learnt during my senior secondary Days in Naija

Smile, don´t you know God loves you
Come to think of it, I love you too
Take sometime to smile at someone and before you´re through
Someone will be smiling back at you

Peace.

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? Trailer

2007-10-18T08:15:00.001-07:00

If there is a movie I really want to watch ..........

Decorating

2007-10-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't dare to think that I am talented in times of decorating, but I think I have an idea of what my home will look like when I become a homeowner. I am a tenant so I do have restrictions on whatever I do in terms of decorating and apart from that I am also strapped for cash.

As a student there is always going to be a thousand and one things, you could do with your money instead of splurging on interior decorating items. It does at least pay to visit flea markets, car boot sales or second shops for very nice antiquities that you may never find in those big furniture houses.

I am a minimalist. Maybe not to the core.....but you know. I'd really love rich earthy tones to make up for the appearance of lack of warmth and of course neutral colours. I am anti-clutter and apart from that I don't do sentimental attachments. No carpets, no rugs, no wall paper. Let the house breath for goodness sakes.Maybe a couple of treasured pictures on the wall but that's it.

Dark ages

2007-10-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
I know I am guilty of going MIA but it was not totally my fault. For the past two weeks, I have been sort of living in the dark ages.

How frustrating can it be?

When you have a brand new mobile phone but cannot use it because it is "locked".
When you have a laptop but can't browse at freewill because, you don't have internet access at home or
When you have an analog telephone handset, but cannot make any calls because you just moved and you neeed a new landline.

Ciao

Just called to say

2007-09-24T23:32:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,
I haven't really had any motivation to blog since I arrived. Its weird because I'm practically on holiday. I guess it is because of the change of environment, and the fact that my familiar blogging environment is at school in Freiburg. Anyway, I'm not letting anything break my stride.

Not a lot has changed at home. I still got my good ol'lovin' family, what more can I ask for. Everyone is well, I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful that my lil' sister that was kinda estranged has come back to her senses lol, I dunno what's wrong with kids nowadays.

Well I found out that my parents have gone green, yes green. UNBELIEVABLE.I came home to find most of the unwanted items were recycled and my mum is talking a lot about solar energy facilities these days.WOW.

Yes, another thing. I always wake up every weekend morning, with music blasting from my parents room, but these days it's my lil' brother doing the blasting. Well, it's usually contemporary christian music but whenever he wants to listen to other types of music i.e.rap, he usually uses an earphone lol.

My aunt is coming all the way to visit. Inasmuch as I am thrilled because I haven't seen her in ages, I still have a bit of apprehension. I'm trying to remember all the fond memories, there may have been.I just hope she enjoys her stay. My Mum's birthday is on the moro, so I'm baking two cakes today. I'd try and take pictures of the cakes and maybe post it. Have a blessed week, everyone. Cheers!!!!

Random Musings

2007-09-17T06:38:00.000-07:00

I recently joined Facebook. I found friends from my secondary school in Nigeria and even from my primary school days, neighbours and relatives. It was one of those overwhelming moments, and ofcourse there are those people, in whose case, you´d rather let sleeping dogs lie.

Anyway, I found a distant relative of mine on facebook. Back in Nigeria, he rarely used to come and visit my family . The only time he came to visit, was when he wanted money from my parents. It was so obvious, that everyone know about this attitude. Well,I found him on Facebook and I wanted to add him as a friend and then I thought again. What if, he hasn´t changed that attitude.

By next time, I ´d be blogging from my Halifax, England. I´m going to visit my family. Sooo happy. See y´all ....over there.