THIRTY +

In conclusion

2010-11-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps,

There is nobody like you Lord, like arugbo ojo - that's what I have got playing over and over again on my laptop media as I type
Yes ke there is no one like him, how else can I thank him for all he has done and he is doing.
I kira fun baba God a million times with a million tongues, not enough

You have heard it before and it's true in my case as well. I wrote a post many times but alas it was in my head that the post was written.

I wrote the post about the Sunday Sunday dude who did not tell me that the friend he constantly mentioned and reported to at so called ungodly hours was the actually the girl he told me about, the post was one longyness of a post. I wrote it honestly but it was in my head that I wrote it. How he commended my cooking and how I took courage to ask a burning question that I sensed and he fell yakata for ground.

I wrote about the dude that thinks God is everywhere even when you take someone's name to join your own by force by fire (schwepps I thought that was a girl thing). I wrote what courage it took to walk away, what relief it felt listening to elderly and Godly advice.

And then I actually started to write an entry of myself and paddy mi in a private blog but only managed a few entries. I was going to write about the strange questions folks ask me about paddy "Has he been married before?", "Does he have a child?" "Is he illegal?" and how I could almost sense disappointment when I say "none of the above and yes we are age mates". I did not understand until much later.....it must have really looked bleak for thirty+ especially when good men are scarce.

A man once told me about Elijah and the remnant prophets who did not bow to Baal, I believed him then theoretically and as a believer but now I believe him even more because I am a witness to it.

I am endlessly thankful and totally gobsmacked about God's faithfulness.

Between taking pictures at weddings, working 9-5, shuttling between two abodes, chasing defaulters and planning a wedding it has been one wonderful ride this year.

So in conclusion, here is to the wonderful friends I have made on blogville, to the few frogs that came my way, to my paddy who sealed our friendship with a ring (still pinching myself and love you gan ni o)

I'm off blogville.

Till we meet again on facebook, another blog, at a function, on a flight, somewhere, anywhere, this is soon to be Mrs Oluwathirty+ saying keep keeping it real, keep loving God, keep representing him everywhere you go, there is nobody like our God.

Aurevoir, O digba, Goodbye :)

12 Things

2010-08-06T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hello peeps,

Once upon a time there was a creator, who created the heavens and earth, he formed a being from clay breathed in his nostrils and called him man. This man who can be grouped by race and creed was created in the likeness of the creator

This creator who also created thirty+, ness is the greatest of the greatest, the only God, to him be all praise and glory
So my very dear friend and pally shared this with me and I thought wow, it's bloggable. Even though this was written about a hundred years ago, it is still relevant and not just for negros, white, caucasian, red indians and so on, indeed there is one or two principles to learn for all of human race. My comments are in red italics

12 Things The Negro Must Do For Himself by Nannie Helen Burroughs
Posted by Black Men In America.com Founder & Publisher Gary Johnson from the original book by Ms. Burroughs. (Circa Early 1900's)

1. The Negro Must Learn To Put First Things First. The First Things Are: Education; Development of Character Traits; A Trade and Home Ownership (three out of four is not bad eh).

The Negro puts too much of his earning in clothes, in food, in show and in having what he calls "a good time." The Dr. Kelly Miller said, "The Negro buys what he WANTS and begs for what he Needs." Too true!

2. The Negro Must Stop Expecting God and White Folk To Do For Him What He Can Do For Himself.

It is the "Divine Plan" that the strong shall help the weak, but even God does not do for man what man can do for himself. The Negro will have to do exactly what Jesus told the man (in John 5:8) to do--Carry his own load--"Take up your bed and walk."

3. The Negro Must Keep Himself, His Children And His Home Clean And Make The Surroundings In Which He Lives Comfortable and Attractive.

He must learn to "run his community up"--not down. We can segregate by law, we integrate only by living. Civilization is not a matter of race, it is a matter of standards. Believe it or not--some day, some race is going to outdo the Anglo-Saxon, completely. It can be the Negro race, if the Negro gets sense enough. Civilization goes up and down that way.

4. The Negro Must Learn To Dress More Appropriately For Work And For Leisure.

Knowing what to wear--how to wear it--when to wear it and where to wear it, are earmarks of common sense, culture and also an index to character (so true, I remember the term "power suit").

5. The Negro Must Make His Religion An Everyday Practice And Not Just A Sunday-Go-To-Meeting Emotional Affair (Amen sister).

6. The Negro Must Highly Resolve To Wipe Out Mass Ignorance.

The leaders of the race must teach and inspire the masses to become eager and determined to improve mentally, morally and spiritually, and to meet the basic requirements of good citizenship.

We should initiate an intensive literacy campaign in America, as well as in Africa. Ignorance--satisfied ignorance--is a millstone abut the neck of the race. It is democracy's greatest burden.

Social integration is a relationship attained as a result of the cultivation of kindred social ideals, interests and standards.

It is a blending process that requires time, understanding and kindred purposes to achieve. Likes alone and not laws can do it.

7. The Negro Must Stop Charging His Failures Up To His "Color" And To White People's Attitude.

The truth of the matter is that good service and conduct will make senseless race prejudice fade like mist before the rising sun.

God never intended that a man's color shall be anything other than a badge of distinction. It is high time that all races were learning that fact. The Negro must first QUALIFY for whatever position he wants. Purpose, initiative, ingenuity and industry are the keys that all men use to get what they want. The Negro will have to do the same. He must make himself a workman who is too skilled not to be wanted, and too DEPENDABLE not to be on the job, according to promise or plan. He will never become a vital factor in industry until he learns to put into his work the vitalizing force of initiative, skill and dependability. He has gone "RIGHTS" mad and "DUTY" dumb.

8. The Negro Must Overcome His Bad Job Habits. He must make a brand new reputation for himself in the world of labor. His bad job habits are absenteeism, funerals to attend, or a little business to look after. The Negro runs an off and on business. He also has a bad reputation for conduct on the job--such as petty quarrelling with other help, incessant loud talking about nothing; loafing, carelessness, due to lack of job pride; insolence, gum chewing and--too often--liquor drinking. Just plain bad job habits!

9. He Must Improve His Conduct In Public Places. Taken as a whole, he is entirely too loud and too ill-mannered (Guilty as charged, just been called aside for my loud telephone call which I taught was okay to shout as I was in one of the office meeting rooms - alas the soundproofing of the room was not made with my decibels of nosie in scope, in my defence I was talking to my father who kept saying so oro soke (speak louder) according they guessed it was me because it was an African Voice yeeepa!. There is much talk about wiping out racial segregation and also much talk about achieving integration. Segregation is a physical arrangement by which people are separated in various services.

It is definitely up to the Negro to wipe out the apparent justification or excuse for segregation.

The only effective way to do it is to clean up and keep clean. By practice, cleanliness will become a habit and habit becomes character.

10. The Negro Must Learn How To Operate Business For People--Not For Negro People, Only.

To do business, he will have to remove all typical "earmarks," business principles; measure up to accepted standards and meet stimulating competition, graciously--in fact, he must learn to welcome competition (kerching, glad i am slowly and surely breaking the mold in my photography).

11. The Average So-Called Educated Negro Will Have To Come Down Out Of The Air. He Is Too Inflated Over Nothing. He Needs An Experience Similar To The One That Ezekiel Had--(Ezekiel 3:14-19). And He Must Do What Ezekiel Did.

Otherwise, through indifference, as to the plight of the masses, the Negro, who thinks that he has escaped, will lose his own soul. It will do all leaders good to read Hebrew 13:3, and the first Thirty-seven Chapters of Ezekiel.

A race transformation itself through its own leaders and its sensible "common people." A race rises on its own wings, or is held down by its own weight. True leaders are never "things apart from the people." They are the masses. They simply got to the front ahead of them. Their only business at the front is to inspire to masses by hard work and noble example and challenge them to "Come on!" Dante stated a fact when he said, "Show the people the light and they will find the way!"

There must arise within the Negro race a leadership that is not out hunting bargains for itself. A noble example is found in the men and women of the Negro race, who, in the early days, laid down their lives for the people. Their invaluable contributions have not been appraised by the "latter-day leaders." In many cases, their names would never be recorded, among the unsung heroes of the world, but for the fact that white friends have written them there.

"Lord, God of Hosts, Be with us yet."

The Negro of today does not realize that, but, for these exhibits A's, that certainly show the innate possibilities of members of their own race, white people would not have been moved to make such princely investments in lives and money, as they have made, for the establishment of schools and for the on-going of the race.

12. The Negro Must Stop Forgetting His Friends. "Remember."

Read Deuteronomy 24:18. Deuteronomy rings the big bell of gratitude. Why? Because an ingrate is an abomination in the sight of God. God is constantly telling us that "I the Lord thy God delivered you"--through human instrumentalities.

The American Negro has had and still has friends--in the North and in the South. These friends not only pray, speak, write, influence others, but make unbelievable, unpublished sacrifices and contributions for the advancement of the race--for their brothers in bonds.

The noblest thing that the Negro can do is to so live and labor that these benefactors will not have given in vain. The Negro must make his heart warm with gratitude, his lips sweet with thanks and his heart and mind resolute with purpose to justify the sacrifices and stand on his feet and go forward--"God is no respector of persons. In every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is" sure to win out. Get to work! That's the answer to everything that hurts us. We talk too much about nothing instead of redeeming the time by working.

R-E-M-E-M-B-E-R

In spite of race prejudice, America (United Kingdom, UAE, Germany, Afghanistan indded the whole world) is brim full of opportunities. Go after them!

So what is your action plan now?

Till later

Special Offer, Now and Then

2010-06-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

Some things never change, there is however the One who changes but never himself changes, they call him the Unchanging Changer. To him I bow my knees in worship and thanks

I was just thinking about it this morning as I came into work, the fact that not much changes really specifically relating to School and work

Back then we had lockers

Now at work I have a locker

Back then we had uniforms

Now at work my dressing is pretty uniform (corporate) from Monday to Friday

Back then we had monitors and prefect

Now at work we have snitches and ass lickers

Back then we had peer pressure

Now at work I find myself sometimes speaking like “Bongos” the popular one

Back then the teacher asked questions and we raise our hands to answer

Now at work the boss asks questions and we fake a cough as a sign to answer

Back then we had break time
Now we call it Lunch Hour

Back then if I faked a headache to avoid school my mum farigas and frog marches me to school

Now if I try to fake a headache to avoid work, Bills frog marches me to the door (for me it's no work no pay)

Back then we did simultaneous equations

At work today I had to write a simultaneous equation involving x and y on a piece of paper to help me work out a particular cost.

Back then we had a late comer catcher

Now at work, the 'knowing look' from ‘them lot’ is the late comer catcher

So you see there is no need to bang your head on a wall because, there is nothing new under the sun. As the writer puts it

“What has been will be again,

what has been done will be done again;

there is nothing new under the sun”

Until then don't miss this Special Offer

From now till the end of July when you book any event or portrait session
You get 25% off, this is an exclusive offer for blogspot readers only
So Hurry and make your bookings now

To make a booking or get more information Contact Me or Email

Thanks and Much Love....ooh and spread the news

I would have loved

2010-06-09T03:54:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps,

The fact that God is good is not up for debate, I will just admonish that you join me sing halleluya for the good things he has done in our lives.

Ok this is really not an update becaue I just happened to click through to my own blog from another blogger and I had / have no intention of writing an update.

Right now, I have no writing juice nor zeal for blog whatsoever, even though there are few things I would like to blog about. For the life of me there it is not flowing, maybe because it's early in the morning, and I am at work.

But if I had the mojo to update ......

I would have loved to write about the gifts I got for my birthday and how I spent the day.
I would have loved to write about how pleased I am with myself clearing my backlog and some new skills picked on photoshop.
I would have loved to write about Brides and false eyelashes - the danger it poses for your photographer and your wedding pictures.
I would have loved like to talk about wigs, the half ones, the full ones, the lace ones e.t.c. and what happened when my favourite half wig went missing for 48 hours leaving me stranded....it was not funny.
I would have loved to rant about how annoying this 'girl' is - the one that likes to peep over my shoulder and read my stuff and how bizarre it is that she just walked past now and peeped over my shoulders yer again. How I would really like to give her a konk on the head or twist her ears (ouush) like my integrated science teacher used to.

But like I said I do not have the zeal to write a post just yet.

So till later

Still Here

2010-05-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps,

I don't know what it is about praises but God does fearful and wonderfl things in praise it is no wonder I kira for him at the begining of each post, afterall there is no me without Him. Thank you father.

Still here even in the midst of my hustle and bustle of this world of ours I occassionaly remember I have a blog, maybe no more readers.

On this rare occassion that I am acutally sittting down on a saturday having just come back from a family portrait shooting and waiting to go and hook up with some fabulous ebis of mine I'm taking time out to drop a line and clear the cobwebs on my blog.

God has a sense of humour, just when I was praying to stop travelling I had to shift base yet again. But I am not going to even talk about that anymore else I start sounding like an annoying resounding cymbal. Afterall only the ones living get to shift base and do lots travelling. On that note may God grant the family of former President Yaradua succour and comfort in this their time of need.
Apart from that thirty + is doing fine, my photography is gaining leaps and bounds everyday, there is so much to learn and even much more to achieve. I have been covering eventsnon stop for the past six weeks, three weddings inclusive.

I have to make a confession, the last two weddings I covered were so emotional, I found myself crying, it was so beautiful and quite moving. On one occassion it was the misty eyes of the hubby as his bride walked down the aisle that got me and the song playing in the background "from this moment on by shania twain, I tell you even Efunsetan Aniwaura (Idi Amin or Hitler if you have no idea who Efunsetan is) would have shed a tear or two". I had to hold the camera tightly to my face to camouflague my tear stained face...

On the other occassion, it was the bride clinging to her father crying as they danced to Luther Van dross "dance with my father" track. Before you could say jack what his face, thirty plus turned on the water works, this time I used style to move to corner to take my shots.

I know it's probably unprofessional to be crying like that but mehn I could not help it, there is something about weddings in the first place added to it lovely moments like the ones I witnessed, infact....

So anyhow if you are getting married or preparing to get married give me a shout, don't worry I will not come and cry you a river, I have a new strategy to add dark glasses to my photography outfit so you are safe. More than that there is juicy discount to good to resist for my blog family and readers, so give me a shout.

If you have not already done so join my fan page and do invite your friends to join as well, hopefully I will be adding gallery links of some of the events covered soon, so watch out.

In the meantime here is a taster.

Till later, it still moi, thiry plus saying

No one like me?!

2010-02-21T03:26:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Father I declare that you are my Valentine, there is no me without YOU, you make me all I am.

How are you doing ma blog family?. Been a while since I dropped by here

This post is as self involved as can be can, so please allow me.

Y'all know I claim to be a matured lady who is very single - Everybody choruses Yelz

How come everyone around me is more frazzled, come across as single ready to mingle but myself.

According to more than one source, I don't look like someone "who is single or even ready to mingle" (biko nu how do they look?), "It does not show on your face sha (this irks me so, as in what?!!), "I thought you have someone somewhere! (but why would you go thinking on my behalf).

My single lady friends make more reference to their single state, getting married, kids that I wonder if I am okay for not speaking or thinking about it as much.

So I had a self talk and these were a few of the reasons that I came up with

God told me he will settle me in my joyful matrimonial home hence my calm disposition to it all.
I am content with not being married for now because I have seen what how miserable a married woman can be.
I am somehow sabotaging myself and have made a pact with some unseen forces to remain single.
I am too Lacadesical to be bothered about singleness or marriage.
Everyone around me is doing the fretting and bothering leaving me no room or time to bother about it myself.
I am in denial of some sort

I do hope it's the first reason on the list, otherwise intervention may be required or going by my valentine it may not be necessary after all....hmmmn.

Happy New Year

2010-01-15T03:35:00.000-08:00

Hello folks,

Even two days to the end of 2009 some folks ceased to exist and could not share the greetings of Happy New Year. For you and I that can read this post on the 15th of the year we ought to praise the God of heavens, Father Lord I juba (hail) o.

My prayer is that this year will be a year of Rest and Rejoicing for you.

Goal Setting (Not New Year Resolution)
I just thought to drop some lines on goal setting based on what I read in open heavens a couple of days ago.
In the past I usually have this well laid out document stating what I would like to achieve for the year in the area of Spiritual, Self development, Finances, Health / Physical Wellness (one guess of what always appear on the physical / health list....hmmmmnnn hmmn you guessed right).

However in the past two years I have slacked big time. Why?

You know a while back I referred to myself as a pilgrim, well if back then I was a pilgrim, now I am a pilgrimest (pardon my English). I mean dedicating a whole post to Airport should give you a clue about my escapades. I have stopped telling folks what I do because sometimes even I don't believe myself : ).

Anyway I decided this year was going to be different and I was going be on ground and sort myself out, alas it was not to be. Last Saturday had me dashing through security gates and runway to catch my flight (no kidding), come to think of it I have been doing a lot of running lately.

All is not lost as soon as I am back to base I am going to have some talks with some certain people and we would come to a compromise.

And yes end of January is not too late to set goals for the year.

I wish I could upload a document so i can show you a cool template that someone gave me years back and which I still use drop me a line here or facebook if you will like me to mail the template to you

So what are your goals for this year and have you started on them.

As we remember the people of Haiti we should also be also of some sadistic people who will use the opportunity to scam.

Best option tried and tested is the American Red Cross

Jolly Jolly Season - Chasing Santa

2009-12-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Hello my peeps,

Tis the season to be jolly fa lalalala lala lala

Christ the reason for the season fa lalalala lala lala

What would it be like if there was no Christmas, no time cooped up spent with family,

No excuse for extra jollofing

No opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ

No unexpected gift coming through the post

No greeting card from the friend you forgot you had

No chance to visit the grotto and see baba kereesi

Nothing to look forward to at the end of the year.

I am glad because of Christmas but more so because of Christ, thank you Jesus

And just in case you are reading and really have nothing to look forward to this Christmas, I pray that the spirit of giving associated with this season will located you and surprise you in an usual way, Amen

It's been a wee while I have come by here, what can I say there has not been much really to come and write about or do you really want to here all the boring details of my ups and down with photography, more of the up sha. Or how I have been contemplating making a change yet being mindful of timing.

But this evening provided a good opportunity for update!

I was lying down in my bed jejely wearing three jumpers and coughing like our old panel van after an unfortunate visit to a dubious mechanic. At the same time working on some layout while some Nolly wood movie was making noise in the background . Suddenly suddenly I heard this noise by my bedside window and was wondering who had the effontery to be making so much noise in my neigbhourhood whether jolly or not. The jolly noise got louder and louder that I had to get off the bed and investigate.

Right outside my window I saw the most cheering view any kid would love to see, father Christmas on his sleigh live and direct, oh what a jolly site. Not only that he had his elves with him going to different doors not with gifts but with buckets to collect donation.

Tafa o, even credit crunch has affected Father Christmas unlimited?!

Anyway it did not deter this ogbongecious 3o+ woman o, I shrieked like a 5 year old and waived frantically at father Christmas while shouting at the elf and father Christmas to wait for me.

I dashed downstairs and opened the door only to be told by the elf that father Christmas had gone but I could still catch him. I grabbed two left foot slippers and started running down the street shouting "wait for me!", "Father Christmas wait for me!".

I eventually caught up with him and got some shots no time to adjust settings on camera I just snapped away. I even got on the sleigh and got a shot with him but there is no way I am putting that pix up here. I looked like a run over Michelin babe with hairstyle of Ursula the witch.

So if you saw a crazy looking heavily padded dressed woman running down the street chasing a sleigh, that was thirty plus :).

I bet by now some folks might be thinking I have ako iba (cerebral malaria) with associated hallucinations, well pictures don't lie.

From my window - magical eh?!

Chasing Santa

With his elves

Okay I really don't know what came over me and why acted in such manner unbecoming of a thirty something year old woman, after all I was not deprived of visits to the grotto as a child. Maybe it was the fact that he was right outside my window on a sleigh and it kind of looked magical or maybe I was touch basing with my inner child, I don't know and I really don't care. All I know is it was a thrill and I totally enjoyed the few minutes of "misbehavior"

Till later have a joyful Christmas

Some Loose ends

2009-11-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

Hello people,

All thanks be to God who has helped us this far from the beginning of the year till date. Eleven months don waka we still dey carry go, even though some have said goodbye to the Ville, we know they are alive and well off the ville. It's enough to thank God for.

Before the year runs to an end, I need closure on some posts....

Sandra
Sandra eventually died or better still I put her down when the time for annual check came, I just could not be bothered with the bill. I am now on the lookout for a replacement like yesterday. As it is I would not be able to splash out like I expected because well it's not yet harvest time for the money tree behind my house. More so, I don't know if anyone ever told you but my oh my "Photography is expensive". Please don't let me recount the loss of 430EX flash that dipped £200 in my pocket....issshhk it still hurts. Suffice to say, Sandra's replacement will be modest.

Dentists and Needles
I have had a start stop relationship with my dentist, so started treatment but yours truly have missed so many appointments because of the numerous travelling I have been doing this year, I have clocked up some tidy frequent flier points yeeaaaaaaaahh. Nevertheless I must now rekindle the relationship and sort this teeth out once and for all.

Sex, Kids and lies
On that issue of sex, kids and lies, the more I seriously think about it, the more I empathise with my mum's sex education delivery to young thirty+ "Now that you have started to see aunt flo, don't get close to boys or else you'll get pregnant". It was enough to scare me off being a visual person that I am, anytime a guy as much spoke to me all I kept seeing was my tiny frame falling down due to the weight of pregnancy (quite naive).
That kind of education won't work on these Internet age kid. Aside from telling him or her to be careful and preserve their body I really would not know what to say. My conclusion is that I will cross the bridge when I get to it or better still may I never get to that bridge as in my kids will all be straight up about their books and manners till they are matured enough (so help me God).

Till later, Happy New Month

Schipol Airport

2009-10-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps

Then sings my soul, how great thou art, how great thou art, enough said.

You probably guessed from my last note what I have been up to.

God does answer prayers even when it's quarter to no hope, he shows up by sending help. On that note a big shout out to Shonavixen for the hook up with D, D was just absolutely fab.

I just have to vent a bit about Schipol Airport (Amsterdam).

Schipol Airport doesn't come across as being friendly. Maybe it's my imagination but once is a chance, twice a coincidence, three is like hmnn

Reasons
1) I have passed through Schipol Airport quite a number of times this year and honestly everytime I arrive there, I am welcomed by "Will passenger van deer gutang for destination Kuala Lumpur please get on the plane otherwise their luggage will be taken off the plane". It leaves me wondering why folks are always late at this particular Airport

2) I don't like the idea of a Toilet flushing itself especially when it's a dumb toilet. I fess up first time I went by and the white house released itself I jumped a bit. Especially as I hadn't a chance to even hang my bag talk less of..... And of course you wait after you finish to make sure it does flush itself after da bizness. I demand the right and liberty to administer the flushing judgement.

3) The People / Staff - Witness this dude who was being denied taking his Jack Daniels on board despite the fact it was bought from Duty Free, their excuse it was NOT sealed. You need to see the way they were going on at the man like he had just been found with cocaine. Maybe because he was Nigerian but come on...... . Common sense should have prevailed instead of the gang up on the guy. Eventually someone with a bit of sanity came and offered to check the bottle in.
And you don't want to see the way they eye your passport whether green, red or black. Me, if you eyeball my pali, I will eyeball you and your uniform number (if any) in a matter of don't try me else...... (you must at least have shakara).

One more thing, their "just before you board security check" one one side of the Airport wing is downright annoying. Why can't they just be like other folks and have the general gate security check instead of having it at every boarding gate. Wasteful and Oversabi.

What else is new?

I'm editing pictures like there's no tomorrow, got a backlog to clear.

Which brings me to this, what has your hands found to do lately?

What are you waiting for?

God will reward your effort.

One of my life's principle can be found Right Here

P.S - I'm taking wedding photography bookings for 2010, if you know anyone getting married do inform them.

Till later

Stop Press - CROATIA

2009-09-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

God is merciful and I can't shout.

This is not a post but a request for information.

Are there any bloggers in Croatia or with contacts with croatia.

If so please contact me asap (as in like yesterday).

Thank you

One Wedding and a Funeral

2009-09-11T12:39:00.001-07:00

Hello Blogville,

Baba God, the one who wraps himself in Lighty, the first, the last, the present, the future....I Hail Your Name.

Been a minute. It's good to have a blog where one can share thoughts and happenings in our daily lives without interruption. I will recommend blogging to everyone even if you are not a writer, it's a good place to ponder type your thoughts. For the gift of blog, blogville and bloggers in general I thank you Lord.

The good book says that it is better to go to the house of the mourning than go to the house of feasting. I have been to the house of mourning and tomorrow I am going to the house of rejoicing, with my current closest companion, my camera.

Let me say this straight up, it's much better and preferable to be a photographer at a wedding than at a funeral. Did not even consider that I could be asked to take pictures for a funeral. After the initial panic of being called to come and take picture of the body to which I had rehearsed a declining speech, I charged my batteries, cleaned my lens took my back pack and off I went. Thankfully the casket was closed, phew ope factorial.

The house of mourning certainly gives you some food for thought on this so called life. The greatest lesson for me was this it is better to die with a knowledge of the one who made you. Because when the dust has returned to dust and funeral procession goes to their various home, when the last tear has been shed and the black clothes exchanged for your office wear, the spirit of the one who passed on is left to face it's owner.

And the wedding, oh the joy of starting a new phase of life together with the one who makes your world go round. The love in the eyes of a newly wedded couple is joy to behold. No wonder it's easy to snap 1000 shots, have aching hands but you still have a smile. Of course you come back home to edit and tell yourself for the upteenth time to go easy with the shots.

Just like I am telling myself now that tomorrow, I shall keep calm and not capture bums unnecessarily. I mean just because I find folks dancing bumper to bumper hilarious does not mean I should get wild with the camera now. Although some of those shots are so candid and makes the couple smile.

I know I have not been responding to comment but not wanting to sound like a broken record, I'll say (hopefully for the last time) 'time has not permitted me'. Don't give up on me just yet.

Naija chickito has returned after one and half years in exile, we must celebrate.

Check this out

Till later

Masterpiece

2009-08-29T03:33:00.000-07:00

Oh what a big big God we serve.

God is REAL, I can't say it enough and what's more HE IS ALL THAT! No wonder I can't help but Juba* (*hail/worship/bow) for him.

I was going to try and write a follow up on the last post, most especially as quite a few folks confessed they did not know what they would have said, but like Arnold said "I'll be back" on that topic.

For now I watched this skit below and rushed to this page to share with you, enjoy.

If only we can see ourselves the way God sees us, I am a Christian and yet I know that I don't see myself the way he sees me. Too much interference with God's signal.

Interference come in many forms it could be: what we see in the media being advertised as the standard, what the culture sets as Norm, what Fiends say, what some friends say, what the parents say, what the past echoes, what the future whispers and most of all what the flesh says (you can drop more in the comments box)

....In the begining it was not so. Folks take time to check out what God is saying about you now

Love Plentiful

On sex, kids and lies

2009-08-12T02:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody

Hope you are feeling fine! "Oluwa ni Olugbala aya ta ni o fo mi" ("The Lord is my deliverer whom shall I fear")...Halleluyah plenty!

I read LG's post on Let's talk about sex which she wrote way back and it reminded me about my friend and his 10 year old son.

The boy came and asked her about what to buy for a girl he loved (or something like that). My friend was shocked! Not that she is ignorant that this is normal in the UK but for some reason she deluded herself that "Femi" was different.

Kudos to her they are very close, he is the only child they have and is practically tied to momma's string by choice.
She discovered that the boy had been texting the girl with all his credit and really liked the girl.

What was her response to all these I asked?

Friend: "Well I told him that he needs to be careful especially when he was not yet sure if the girl is God's will for him in marriage."

Thirty+: "What?! please don't tell me you actually said that?"

Friend: "Wo o ba mi lojiji (I was caught unawares) and that was the first sensible thing I could say".

Marriage, Will of God?! Ogini mere?! I laughed till I nearly peed in my pant, how could she have said that to a 10year old boy. And she did not help matters, telling me in her most serious tone that it was not a laughin matter, of course I laughed the more.

Eh ya bless her heart. I don't think anyone prepared her for parenting like that as in my home girl was brought up in our own era with strict christian background. Did not have a boyfriend (her husband was her first), is not exposed in any way. At least some of us read blogs and our eye open small.

So she asked me "What would you have said?!."

I seriously thought about it for a moment and was not sure what I would have said either. As in free me abeg, it's not me who has a 10year old son in love, when I get to that bridge I'll cross it. She pointed out my hypocrisy as in at least she said something even though it may not be the most sensible or appropriate thing to have said but she had no prior warning

Now that I have had time to think about it, maybe I would say something like "What do you mean when you say you love her"? "Why do you think you love her"? (Stalling, I know). Then I would advice him that girls are to be treated nicely and with respect, treat her like your sister and a good friend or something along those lines.

What if he turns and says "but I really love her"?
I could do either of the following

Suggest to cook his favourite meal and then put on a three hour film that we should watch together like the 'English Patient'. Hopefully by that time he would have forgotten or his Dad would have arrived for hand over.
Alternatively I may consider buying him Tina Turner's Album "What's Love got to do with it"
Say something like this "It's good that you are in Love as long as your 'Pee Pee' does not go near her 'Vee Vee'. (P.S At what age can a girl get pregnant?)
Tell him about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

My friend went for the hand over option, after their initial conversation she promptly reported the boy handed him to the father to "sort his son out".

Hypocrisy

2009-08-01T02:16:00.000-07:00

Hi my peeps,

It is good to sing praise to the Lord and bless the Lord most high.

Happy New Month to you all, the first half of the year will soon be gone.

Recently one of my friends (call him J boy) let me down, basically I wanted us to partner in some bizness and kind of wanted to him to tidy the sales side of things while I sourced product. The guy was all mouth 'yeah no worries, I will do the groundwork, I have told you before business is the in thing.....bla, blah, black sheep'.

When time came for him to deliver, no show.

This was the same guy who used to call me all the way from the US to advise me on marriage and I use to even what his scope was. I remember a conversation we had shortly after he relocated to Nigeria (on this same marriage issue).

J boy: '30+ you should make sure you shine your eyes well o and be very prayerful before choosing a partner, you divorce rate is high this days. I just heard a sermon and the guy was saying some serious stuff'.

30+: 'Don't worry, I am always praying about it anyway you nko how far?'

J boy: 'It's you I am waiting for (laughs), God will do it'

He then made an excuse to get of the phone (credit or somethin like that)

A couple of months after that conversation, one of our common friends called to rejoice with me and confirm when J Boy's naming ceremony will be.

30+:'Which J boy'?

Friend: 'Same J boy now, don't you know he has a baby girl?'

30+: 'Shuo since when, is he married?'

Friend: 'You mean he did not tell you that he is now married to little K girl'

30+: 'Little K girl ke, are you dreaming, K girl who has barely finished WAEC or which K girl are you talking about?'

Friend: 'Ah okay you have not heard. The long and short of the story is there has been some underg rendevous between the two for a while and result became VISIBLE. Parents sha insisted he must marry her before she gives birth'.

I called another friend who filled me in on the details. Kai, imagine, this is the same dude that was always was advising as if he was my father yet he managed to miss out that he had impregnated our K little girl who was donkey years her junior. Let's just say K girl is one of those area aburos whom we all use to send on errand when we hang out in their hood. K girl that use to call him and his friends Uncle and Aunty, K girl who was still in secondary school.

His excuse for not telling me earlier ("after he apologised") He wanted it to be a "SURPRISE" (yeye guy, na today dem born me?!).

Why are people such hypocrites there he was advising me and next thing you know all the while he was wiring little K girl.

Anyways on this fateful day I called their house (i.e. Mr and Mrs J boy) as per business concern and it was litte K girl that picked phone, of course level don change, it was no longer 'Aunty 30+', it was now '30+ what's up? 'I just calmly respnded I am fine, abi afterall she is now my friend's wife . I asked after her husband and she said to hold on... The next thing I heard shocked me, 'Stuppiiiiiiiiiid', 'Stuppiiiiiiiiiid', (shuo who is she fighting with) and then again 'Opponuuu' you have a phone call.

Chai I prayed please don't let it be what I am thinking and as if he read my tots, I heard my friend's voice in the background replying her "Whhhhatt mo nbo jo" (I am coming).

Olopa o, what happend to sweetheart, darling, baby, honey all dem dem romantic names abi is this new fashion in Nigeria?!.

In short J boy a.k.a stupid/oponu eventually picked phone and I had my conversation with him like normal although he sounded uneasy
(What?! You expect me to ask him who oponu is? No o, wetin konsign me, you want them to use my name enter their sheneidegan, God forbid!).

Even if they were fighting she should not have embarrassed the guy like dat. Then again it is not her fault it's my friend who could not take his eyes of her melons nor take to his own advise, the girl was obviously immature.

The next time I called and she picked up, it was different, it was now 'Mrr Foolissshhh' you have a phone call" (not a joke). Well things are getting better abi at least he now has a prefix.

There and then I decided not to call their house again, I'll rather email or send letter, can't stomach any more name calling although J boy messed up but still...

Moral of the gist, walk the talk, you are an Epistle.

Till later

Nostalgia...I miss

2009-07-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps,

There is a time for everything, a time to sow and a time to pray, a time to laugh a time to cry, a time to sleep and a time to wake. As for praising God it is for all time, all day and all night his praise should be on our lips...I praise you Lord

Right now is the time for me to reflect and reminisce.

I miss the early days of blogging, when I constantly checked my blog for comments and spend hours blog hopping. I miss reading Fineboy's post. I miss reading from Doctor Naaps, Bimby's series, Mrs Somebody, Carlang, Undacova, Calabar girl, Anu Boy and a few others.

Don't get me wrong, there are still yet more bloggers who are in the block, just that I miss a few of the ones who have left.

Sometime I wonder if I should draw the curtains on this blog but can't bring myself to do it just now.

I miss my Husband and kids, the ones I don't have yet.

I miss my Dad....sigh. He is very much alive hale and hearty in Naija just that I am missing him right now. Don't know why seeing that we are not necessary the best of buddies. Maybe I should plan to visit home soon.

I miss gbegiri and ewedu, it's been a while I had it.

Yihaa, my photography is doing very well and thank you all for your support and encouragement both here on blogsville and facebook. I have been getting quite a number of enquiries and custom. I will be covering another wedding very soon, hopefully will come back here with plenty gist.

Till later, take care of yourselves.
P.S.

If you or someone you know is getting married soon, give me a shout, we (in conjunction with my partner who is a make up artist) have got some good package on offer .

Shopping Frenzy - Eureka

2009-07-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps

Unquestionable he is the Lord, he created us but himself was not created.

Seeing that I don't plan to repent on blogging faithfully anytime soon, I may compromise and start talking photography here. That will prolly give me the impetus to come by here more often.
Imagine my 2nd year blogging anniversary passed without so much as mention. Whereas last year I put up this longified post celebrate. Time changes things.

Sales and sweltering sun what a summer combo.

I am not a typical girl when it comes shopping. Don't really like shopping that much, I usually start off with a high but within an hour I am like can I go home already. Another issue for me is I have a one track mind when it comes to shop. For many years I was a card carrying member of NEXT just 'cos I went in one summer sales period and got good bargains and clothes that fit. Ever since then, anytime I am going shopping like a robot it's NEXT. Often times I see other people wear clothes and wonder why I did not see them in the shop i.e. NEXT.
My sister gets lovely tops from H & M, you will think I should do the maths and go in there to ge myself some, till date 30+ has never stepped into H & M by herself to buy anything yet I envy the tops when she wears them.

Then my favourite store became Dorothy Perkins and I had a brief sting with Wallis.

Ok why all these stories.

Currently I have no shop in the UK. Got tired of NEXT after one particular sales period that left me looking like iyalode of Balogun market as I practically struggled a pair of shoe with one woman. Took one look around the store saw the craziness of it all, dropped my picks and headed for the door. No store is what that hassle 70% sales or not and anyway all the good stuff had gone. Dorothy Perkins after going in twice and not finding anything I dropped them like hot potato.

In the past two years or so I have been doing my shopping whenever I travelled. But as I am not travelling this summer and my weight is doing a yoyo on the scales, I realised I needed interim solution until my body weight made up it's mind or I decide to stop taking a Kit Kat every break (whichever came first).

Last week, I sat scratching my head on where to shop.

Primark
For above reasons, I don't shop there plus back in time, I made the mistake of going there at Christmas time with a friend who came in Nigeria. Unfortunately it was the one located on Peckham High Street, we are talking 5 years ago before the re branding attempt of Peckham. So my bus stopped in front of Primark last week and as I saw folks coming out with brown bags and looking rather satisfied, I decided to venture in. I keep forgetting how ridiculously cheap that place can be. I got not one, not two but three tops for under 30 quid.
What's more, the shop here is not nearly half as crowded as the ones in the Queen's City.

Eureka

Ok their clothes may not be all that of a good quality but who cares, all I want is an interim UK shop until I set off on another voyage.

My shopaholic friend tells me there is an outlet in Swindon sumfink like that so failing my travelling I may go check the place out.

In the meantime I need to make peace with my body and some information about Child labour being used to sew Primark's clothes.

Till Later

In my head (1)

2009-06-26T03:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps,

He can do it again and even much more, than what you think. Why? Because he is the same yesterday, today and forever, for that alone, I must to Kira fun baba God who is the unchaning changer.

So just like that MJ beat it from planet earth well as a wise seer under inspiration wrote :

"Remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it."

Let's leave that one aside for the main post

Lately in my head, I have been preaching a lot. As in proper preaching especially when I have just discovered something in the bible. I tell you now God's word is new everyday.
When I was much younger, I use to wonder what will happen after I finish reading the bible, well I thought you just read it through and get the gist but panicked about what will happen next. Until I discovered that his word is fresh and dynamic, a scripture verse can speak differently to one million people....How great!
Yesterday I had to used my hand to cover mouth because I realised I was actually speaking out loud to an invisible audience explaining what I just read in Phillipians 3. *Kilode now I cautioned myself **"ara ile lo ma mo ni amodi, were lara ita ma pe".
Ma peeps the thing baffled/baffles me and it's not the first or second time that this will happen to me.

No I don't believe I have the calling of a pulpit ministy, though a few folks do say that I have but no no no, abeg I prefer the sidelines.

Facebook
Believe it or not, I now have yet another fb profile...aargh. It's a long story but was def not the plan. The profile was set up just to load pix but eh karamba no sooner than I loaded pix than the friend requests started coming . After about 6 requests came immediately some of who where already my friends, I thought why not and started adding more myself...crazy abi lol.

P.S
Love you plenty.
Also glad to see Obiwanne and Tolantino back to blogville.

Translations
*Why
**"to the one who knows better it can be called enthusiasm, to the outsider it will be called madness".

The Unsaid

2009-06-14T04:50:00.000-07:00

My peeps,

God loves me, I don't know why? It is not a wonder that I choose to praise him in all I do, he is my all in all.

How are you all doing?

My friend was gisting me of another friend who said she joined a dating website. I know folks do that a lot this dayz but my oh my I am old skuul plus there are so many Aliens in the world today and cyber connection adds another dimension.

Peeps mi just check the SUCCESS stories on this website (the first one) and tell me honestly what was going through your head CLICK HERE, isshkk is what came out of ma own mouth, I no fit talk. (17/06/09: Update, 'the link to the ones I am referring to seems to have been moved, copied the link a while back so :(

Love what a booriful thing.

Talking of which my friend the garrulous one celebrated her birthday recently so was on the phone asking how it went blah blah. She tells me of how Mr So and so did not show up cos he took his family on holiday and how he had a go at her wondering what is there to celebrate when all her mates are doing birthdays for their fourth born.

Oucch! Tafa o! Ok I know my friend is a lil bit loud and razz, actually so razz that I have reduce communications with her cos she been rubbing razzzness on me. What can she do, should she marry herself.

Unto other gist

I went for the Premiere of a movie called "The Unsaid".

Now, I thought Nollywood was getting better but this movie left me speechless, and to think I walked red carpet to enter Cinema and watched this film which I paid £10 i.e. N2,800 for. Up till the last minute I was sure there was going to be a spin to salvage the mediocrity of the production, story line and acting. Alas it was not to be. I was left speechless and the only thing I could mutter was "It's a lie! It's a lie!! It's a lie!!!
I just could not believe anyone Nigerian will have the audacity to "Premiere" a movie like that and collect money. It should have been premiered on You Tube or the living room of No 10 Kingsland road, Hackney (apologies if this your address, but hackney did get a mention in the movie).

Synopsis
Ireti Ola Daniels was diagnosed of cancer while abroad, rather than come home and die in the midst of family and loved ones like most normal human beings decides to return and stay in Lagos, splashing 100billion naira on house and three cars living a recluse. She met a prostitute (Bimbo Akintola) they both got drunk and were helped by Doctore X (Desmond Elliot). She later hires Bimbo as her Personal Assistant and Desmond (who was having issues with his girlfriend) fell in love with her (totally out of the blues) and then she dies.
In fact writing the above synopsis is enough to give me a headache, there was no begining, no middle but there was an end sha.

Kudos to Bimbo Akintola and Desmond but even their effort could not salvage the movie.

My verdict - 3/10.

And tin and tin

2009-06-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

Thank you Lord for a new month.

Peeps mi, thanks for all the birthday wishes, really appreciate all the love.

My birthday was great, I enjoyed the outing although despite my earlier declaration to enjoy myself so much that I forget about having a blog, I found myself talking about blogging during the dinner outing.

I wrote a full post in my head but now that I am here all I can think of is why my sleeping habit is messed up (sleeping at odd hours) and I ain't preggers nor do I drink coke.

If one nose seems permanently blocked like mine, does it mean I am surviving on 50% oxygen? That must account for my feeling drowsy but not sleeping, the pollens need to disappear already.

When a man starts giving different excuse for missing appointments or picking your calls, ladies usually start suspect unfaithfulness and quite rightly so. I can give you more than a few excuses for not replying comments but the truth is I am being unfaithful to my blog.

Facebook and Photography are the real culprit behind my unfaithfulness and what's more I don't see myself repenting anytime soon.

Photography: What can I say, I am totally in love. There is so much to learn both pre and post production, it's not just carrying a good camera and pressing the button. The learning never stops, from composition, lighting, ISO, aperture, focal range and tin and tin, e no easy.

Facebook: Well I keep discovering some old folks from eon years ago. Recently reconnected with some of my mates from secondary school. Furthermore, endless gist is flowing especially with that gbeborun feature that broadcasts your story to all your friends "Thirty + has sneezed", "Thirty + is at work" e.t.c. Well I have a few friends who put details of their every move as status update and in as much as it's silly I find myself checking them out.

Though I set up a twitter account but have now resolved not to bother getting into that otherwise, I might as well leave the real world, virtualise myself and change my name to Andromethirty+.

P.S
Check this out http://aseda.shutterchance.com/

Till Later

Month of May

2009-05-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps,

In all things I give God thanks and thanksgiving, at all times in everyway I give God thanks.

Hope you folks in the Temperate areas of UK and USA are gearing for 'proper summer' (that does not sound grammatically correct, does it?)

I agree that men do get depressed but not as much as women!

I love the Month of May, it heralds in the sunshine, end of winter blues, bikinis, diets, and the onset of parties upon parties especially weddings(at least in the UK). Don't think my peeps back in Nigeria have anything like the wedding or party season, it is lways ojo gbogbo bi odun (everyday is like celebration).

Another reason I love the month of May is because it's by Birthmonth "he he he ehe eh". As conceited as it sounds, I have this believe that May is the most special month of all followed by December and January - Lol.
Just think of it is the only one that has three letters, it is close to half year but not half year. Brides love to get married in May and most importantly, all May babies are the best...do I hear whoop whoop.

The countdown to my birthday has begun, I think I'm even more excited than usual. When I told my friend she wondered why, afterall the clock is ticking. She is also a May baby, but while she is thankful and all, she can not get the gist of my excitement.

Even I dunno why, try as I may to have a one lady pity party, I could not, there is nothing as frustrating as not being able to be depressed when you want to be depressed. I know I sound silly but sometimes I go into fits of feeling sorry for myself and for my life, but these days it's getting more and more difficult.

Just the other day I heard some news and it dampened my spirit and as I was about to go into self pity mode all I could do was speak God's word out loud.

It worked

Even though that was not what I wanted, I wanted to work myself up so I can cry and kind of make God feel sorry for me. I am laughing hard here because writing it down, I sound like such a silly thing to be aiming for.
I believe I have matured to a level and most importantly, now I know the truth it has set me free.

I know enough of God's word to understand that he works in seasons and I am tatooed in his palms, so in the words of Tuface "what more can I say".

Will not necessary put a post on for my birthday, there will be too much grooving for me to remember I have a blog, lol.

As for presents, this is my request just say "thank you father for thirty plus". Honestly though that is really what I want from my heart of hearts, I think it is so cool for God to be hearing echoes of thanksgiving from different continents on my behalf.

Just so it does not look like I am being overly spiritual, I would like a HUGE birthday cake, not Gateau, not thoe funny ones from Marks and Spencer or Cosco. A proper traditional Nigerian cake with minimal icing, Lilac in colour.

For delivery details just inbox me on fb.

Till Later,

Why men are never depressed

2009-05-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hello my Peeps,

Male and Female he created them, the master designer who designed me to be female with a purpose, I acknoledge you Baba.

Got one of these in my box decided to share. I wonder who sits down to compose all these popular email forwards?

Men Are Just Happier People?

Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can never be pregnant.

You can wear a white T-shirt NO shirt to a water park.

You can to wear a water park.

People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

Car mechanics tell you the truth. You know stuff about tanks.

The world is your urinal. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You never have to drive to another gas station rest room because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay - How True

Wrinkles add character.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat - except when you are a brother to Thirty +, my brother can yarn.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase - Once the same brother mentioned above was ready to travel to the states with just a back pack and he was not going rock climbing o.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

You almost never have strap problems in public.

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

One wallet and one color for all seasons.

You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

So is it too true that men don't get depressed?

Till later

We are many

2009-05-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

Folks

When you thank God, his grace and blessings is multiplied on your little resources, so let's consciously thank God for all He has done for us. Thank you Lord!

Happy New Month to you all, this is a special month, my month of Reward....eh karamba I am so excited.

Reading Bumight's post on sometimes I get confused, it prompted me to post this.

There is a blogger whose blog heading includes / included "me sef I tire". The 'me sef I tire' subtitle refers to his feeling at being yet another Naija blogger.

"WE ARE MANY", just when you think you preety much know everybody, you stumble on yet another fab blog.

Moreso each blogger is unique in their own way, even though you may confuse mizchif with miz-cynic, everyone is unique in their own way.

When I changed my blog template, I decided to achieve a mean feat of putting as many bloggers on my reading post widget just to keep tab. I kept adding and adding, after like over 110 bloggers and counting I gave up counting.

How to does one manage to keep tabs on all the blog and comments, phew e be like say "me sef I tire".

Image copyright - Google Images

Shalom

Courage

2009-04-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Peeps

Oh that men will praise the Lord.

Just a quick one

Courage: "The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery"

Antonym: Cowardice

Tthere are some stories that just demonstrate what courage is, one of such is the story of Kayleigh. I also admire the CF Husband

Lord for these ones I pray for the healing balm to pour from your throne.

And I pray for them and all the readers of this blog (including myself) that we shall continue to "be strong and courageous, not afraid or terrified because of anything or anyone, for you our LORD your God goes with us; you will never leave us nor forsake us".

Image copyright: Peacefulone

Till Later

Some shoes must hurt more than the other

2009-04-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

Beaurifful People

How you dey yonder, thanking the Great Provider who provides all that we need if not for God where would I be.

I am sitting here balanced with some Boli and Epa the only missing ingredient is a bottle Fanta, Like my mother will say "Fanta ti o se ewon" (i.e. Fanta that has been imprisoned inside freezer).
With my balanced diet on one side and a Nollywood flick on the laptop, I could not help but re visit my post of way back about which is better Waiting for a child or life partner?.

I mean at least when you are single the people on your case are limited to your family, friends and a few gbeboruns. When it comes to waiting for a child the equation is raised to the power of TWO. See the clip below from 5.15.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQscnLQhbDA&feature=channel

Imagine having a mother inlaw come into your house to display that kind of mentalo.
I wanted to dismiss it that it is just a film but read the comments below the clip and realised that something like that has actually happened in real life.
I remember one woman that was giving me gist of some of the things she went through while waiting for a child. On one occassion the mother in law was actually peeping on her while she was having her bath trying to see her naked to see early signs of pregnancy which kind errrant nonsense be dat.

Women are just special people, when I think of all they go through it makes me shudder how they still manage to keep a smile on their face.

While we are still on the shoe wearing thing, what is the best answer that I can give to the next person that asks me why I am Still not married?

I have overused or let's say the following no longer has effect

I am still in school - That one went out the window xx years ago.

I have not met the right one - Counter argument: there is no right one

I have not met a sensible one - Counter argument: Most men only get sensible when they are married..........(schwepps as in somehow I will import sense into him).

And I definitely can not say am not ready - The next suggestion is I have a problem.

So the challenge is thrown open "An intelligent gob shutting answer that stops further questioning".

Did I tell you about my experience on the last trip to Naija. Picture this I decided to say hello to an elderly neighbour of mine as we were driving past her house and she decided to ask my marital status across the balcony of her house to the hearing of passers by...just picture it.

I caused it now, deciding to be nice and stopping to greet her. And I only stopped 'cos I remember she has owl eyes and may have see me but pretend only to report to mumsie later. Not that I care abi mama thirty + can not dare to carry cane for me ke 'Tufiakwa'.

It was a combination of just greet her so she does not include you in her list of offenders, plus it's been a while since I saw her so wanted to say hi and ask about her daughter who was an acquintance.

Well before she finished the '5 mins over the balcony conversation' she had with me, I managed to gather that her daughter is married with 2.4 kids, the said daughter will never come to England 'cos she can not stand the place as people over there don't make real progress, and the said daughter is working in Lagos earning x million naira.

Yes o she told me her daughter's 'salary' and NO I did not ask for the information only ask if "Mary Clarence" (her daughter) was okay.

By the way her daugter's 'HUGE SALARY' as she calls it the total sum of ............................ Threes Millions Nairas and zero kobo per annum.

I am sure when the said daughter starts taking home ten million naira she will start a blog to tell the whole world how her daughter came to earn that much.

Moral of the gist, there is a time and place for everything, it is unwise to give unsolicited information over the balcony.

Till later

An exeperiment

2009-04-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

Peepos

I am mandated to give thanks to God before all things after all it's by him and through him that I have my being.

From here on all that I write will be off cuff no pre mediation so help me Lord.

...blank

....sighs deeply

"drinks water"

Is SSD light in complexion or dark in complexion?

Huh what has that got to do with anything?!

Must be because I just finished reading her blog.

I need some genuine aboniki....there is one lying next to me right now and I think I may be runnig out them soon. I like the feeling that comes with knowing I have ample stock of aboniki. Does it mean I am an old woman.......Error that can't be right.

I know I look and act younger that my age. Actually I don't act, I'm just young at heart.

"drinks more water"

By the way where is Jinta and it's been a while since I visited Laspapi sef.

Ok this post is going to be bloggers biased 'cos I decided to experiment after doing blog rounds.

I wish something interesting will come to my mind so I can just blog it scandalous or not.

Fat chance

......blank

For real Bumight you are a case blog marriage and blog baby, even SSD is organising blog baby shower

"laughs all by herself"

Thankfully no one is around to hear me lol alone.

FB and FBA showdown will be nice and I will be the Funmi Iyanda interviewing both of them.

I am baised towards FBA, that man/boy/dude is "89*&^)($", as in I got no words to describe him

....wait wait it's coming to me now yes the boy is Kreative with capital K.

Talking of K, XSN comes to my mind.

Ok enough already this post was an experiment to see what I would write without premeditation but obviously I have been unconsciously meditated by the blog rounds I did before writing the post....

"drinks more water"

Verdict: Whether consciously or unconsiously all posts are premeditated?!

Or what do you all think?

Wait lemme see if something else will come to my head

Yes I see it now Naira is coming to my head

...false that is also premeditated by the picture of Saheed Balogun on Facebook with Naira notes.

"swallows the water playing around in her mouth"

Ah of course Jeremiah 29:11 is also coming, because I read it on two blogs this morning.

Ok I need to try this some other time preferably in the middle of the night straight waking up from a deep slumber I shall blog, that will be much more preferable.

Smiles mischieviously...oh the joy of having a blog

See ya later

Interval and Confession

2009-04-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks

What shall I say unto the Lord, all I want to say is thank you Lord. That my eyes have seen this new month, dansaki re o Father Lord.

I want to confess that apart from the one time I checked on the blogger award thingy and saw a long list, I retreated to go and gather strenght and wisdom to vote (ok more like I was like whatt this is work, will log in later that night I forgot completely) and did not vote. 'Shaka shaka sho sho'* for us non voters (i.e. that is the opposite of clapping o) and a big gbosa for all the winners

Anyhoos I need to get some posts of my chest/box as per spring cleaning time now so here goes Spring Clean Interval - Part 1

Tip 1: Always rinse your mouth after eating Bran flakes or salad, infact after every meal for goodness sake bran particles stuck in Braces will not make you like a superstar, learn from brace wearing bloggers' experience.

Tip 2: To ensure that your fly is not at risk of being left open, always zip up before clasping the hook (hook clasping gives a false security that you are ok), experience they say is the best teacher, again learn from a bloggers' experience.

P.S
It is really distressing to hear the sludges of "who knows what" as it goes through the pipe after flushing on the first floor, I don't care that this is brand shining new edifice. You need to go and collect a refund from the silly Architect and put proper decking, sound proof or somethin on the toilet roof - concerned staff. P.S I am ready to go back to my old section in protest and will set up a picket line if you insist on torturing me like this. Who am decieving I probably just continue to tell you how airy and open this office is and keep agreeing with you that it fosters closer ways of working. Even though I want to throw Marvin's phone through the glass window for that horrendous ringtone he has refused to put on silent.

And another thing

I have said it once, twice, thrice and the next person who says I am in IT and should know what new version of Oracle is in the market may be mistakenly mulled by my fangs.

Why are folks so dull of hearing, 30+ can not repair your system, does not necessarily know what the programming language they used to develop your software, does not know how to make your PC work. My skills are limited to banging the laptop head, shutting it down and starting again. Just because I work with IT folks does not make me an IT person. Infact I am not IT.

Congrats Darkelcee and may the Lord bless you with muscles as you walk the paths of mortar carrying, yam pounding wives.

Chari, keep the faith, drink and baff with plenty cold water, you are able.

Till Later, love plenti

Week at the gym - Another Man's Story

2009-03-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

My wonderful Peeps,

If e no be GOD na original Satan, that is why I choose to give the Almighty father of life from whom blessings come all the glory, honour and power He is the Real Deal.

Since my last gist was on my gym and the characters therein, I decided to share another man's gist (as sent to my inbox) at his own gym.

Enjoy

This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,
For my fortieth birthday this year, my wife (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since playing on my college football team 25 yrs ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
Called the club and made my reservation with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26 yr old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY
Started my day at 6:00am. Tough to get out of bed, but it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She was something of a Greek goddess -- with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!!!!Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. She took my pulse after 5 minutes on the treadmill. She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attributed it to standing next to her in her Lycra aerobics outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring, Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

TUESDAY
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air, and then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying on the toothbrush on thecounter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurts when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other nonsense too.

THURSDAY
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking,I ran and hid in the men's room. She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY
I hate that witch Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anaemic little cheerleader. If there were a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the *&%#(#&**!!@*@ Barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year, my wife (the other witch), will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a vasectomy

Till Later

At the Gym

2009-03-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

How y'all keeping? Oya for the fact that you are reading this blog and post at this time take a minute to thank God, done.

I have tried to be a good girl by eating my 5 a day and going to the gym at least 2x a week. Although the pounds refuse to shift I am resolved to press on I need to keep fit.

For now, let me chronicle what happened at my gym with a girl/lady I call 'made in nigeria' (you go soon find out).

First meet some of my gym comrades

Size O a.k.a Twiggy

Skinny as they come, the type that some traditional women will argue can not bear children because she does not have child bearing hips or milk giving boobs. I was oberving her leg and the other and remember my brother's nickname in secondary school 'cassava plant'. Just because you are skinny don't mean you should not gym abi, you still need to keep fit but she takes it to another level. She is a permanent fixture at the gym one particular week I went to gym like 4 times (a good week) and my Twiggy was there each time.

I come into gym she is there, I leave like 1 hour or more later and she is still there.

The passion (almost as if posessed) with which she attacks the threadmill and the crosstrainer (her favourites) has led me to believe that "what lies beyond no 6 may be more than 7". I kid you not over the month her gym slacks are now falling off her hips and she rolls it to fit her small deriere.

I wish to go and ask the girl to slow her role but I remember the proverbs that "Soldiers ants are tiny but deadly". I don't want to have to be scraped off the gym floor for not minding my own business.

The Couple

Another set of gym loyalist, they come in to the together all the time and I wonder if they rehearse their steps or it is a coincidence that their walking is always in sync left together right together. Threadmill together adjacent while chatting, they row together, do the steppers together and you can see the scrawl on the guy's face go up a notch, on occassions when gym is full which means no adjacent machines. Funny though despite the seeming togetheress it does not sit well that they are a couple. Infact for a long time I thought she was training him until I saw him hanging outside the ladies changing room so they could enter the gym together. Maybe it's because the guy always has this look on him like a soldier on mission compared to the cool Missus.

There are more

The three jolly Greys: They are definitely over 60's, 2 ladies and 1 guy. I am a sucker for grey hair it evokes this air of Wisdom, Victories, Surviving. I so much Love the way the guy waits for the ladies while they finish up on a machine, I am sure one of the ladies is his wife.

The encourager: Let's just say when I look at her, I tell myself that if she is not discouraged then I should not be.

Recently I saw this newbie who come in and she most def was 'made in Nigeria', how did I know. Well 'We' kind of made that knowing eye contact ('as in you are we know ourselves') and smiled oyinbo smile.

She was on the threadmill while I headed for the rower. When she finished on treadmill she went to weigh herself (well it's common for folks to weigh themselves when they come in and when leaving). Next my homegirl went on cross trainer and after like 15mins hopped off and straight on the scales again (okay o). Before you know it 'made in Nigeria' gets on steppers just as I was leaving the rower, after like 15-20mins, guess what? Yes 'homegirl' goes to weigh herself yet again (by now I am chuckling to myself and thinking, girlfriend please represent now na today). Thankfully she leaves gym room (or so I thought) while I battled on the crosstrainer.

Like 10mins later 'Made in Nigeria' comes back into gym and did something odd, she was sniffing her fingers and I am thinking hmmn she is checking that no traces of no 2 is left under the nails. Well take a while guess on what she did next?! You guessed right the babe promptly went on the scales again to weigh herself. At this point in time I was trying so hard to hold my piss (yes piss) and not burst out laughing weight loss by fire by force.

You see a while back one of my colleague gave me a secret which was "the easiest way to loose 2lbs in 2 mins is to do a dump of no 2" and for maximum weight loss ensure ample no 1(liquid) and no 3(gas) is added. When my thoughts came to the liquid part, I had to abandon xtrainer and make a dash to the white house holding my piss and laughter along the way, it was no easy feat.

Human beings we are so impatient, sure she did not pile the pounds one in one day, why she expects it to go in one day pass me.

Morale of my gist, Rome was not built in a day, like the songwriter said "Lord help me to take one day at a time"

Abeg y'all can go and try the weight loss recipee which I call "dump 1, 2 and 3" free of charge courtesy THIRTY +.

Till Later

Shalom

Back to Reality and other stories

2009-02-28T18:09:00.001-08:00

Ma Peeps

Unto the Lord be the glory, great things he has done. Protection, favour are top of the list of the things that baba God has done for me.

NEPA, Okada o, Mosquito o, stinky helmet, crazy driving, unsympathetic sweltering temperature, norrin dey happen I full ground well well, naija was quite okay.
Ok I admit, I did not full ground at all when some soldier guy decided to shoot in the air to scare a few tactless drivers. As in, it's like, you know, just right in front of me, live and direct I saw a gun being fired. *'Tafa o' my liver jumped into my mouth as all the horror stories of misfiring did a fast forward play in my memory and I quickly ducked in my seat to the amusement of my friend who was the one driving.
Friend: "He just fired in the air now, it's meant to scare those guys off"
Me: "Okayyeee o" whilst wondering what happened to the good old tear gas, or banging on a car or simply barking an order.

Thing is it's been quite a long time I heard a gun shot and even much, much, much longer time since I saw a gun fired. Needless to say, I was a bit shaken(just a bit o). Anyway like I said norring dey happen.

I sold most of the items I took with me save some shirts and some bits and bobs. Thank God for that.

It's good visit one's home country as much as possible to witness some of the metamorphosis so one can be in the know. Man mi I open mouth for Oshodi o, kai, Fashola is trying.

Glad I went and came back in one piece, thank you Lord

Other Stories

Spotted
An immigration / customs / Airport official asks for a passengers passport and then proceed to open an american visa page which had expired (how did I know?!, it belonged to my travelling buddy). The officer only looked at the expired visa page o and returned the passport back waving the passenger to proceed. I was going to be cheeky and ask if she notice the lady's visa had expired and other question including what her role is, if she needed glassed but decided to mind my business.

Copyright
This issue of copyright business is not funny, it is sad when a blogger uses their time and creativity to create original material for his/her blog just to have some smarty pant rank xerox it. Worse still there seems to be no way of bring the offender(s) to order. It is sad indeed.
By the way the Anon person or persons that said they will be fapping my 'Him and me post', a permission should be granted before going ahead to use anybodys property (intellectual or otherwise). And please do reference this URL site if and when the article is used.

JENI O, JENI BABY, JENIFFERBBC
I have watched JENIFA like four times now and it's still a rib cracker. However, getting an email from Jennifer was puzzling see below:

Hello Dear,How are you today i hope you are fine. my name is miss jennifer,iam a yung lady i saw your profile today at(www.nairaland.com)and i became intrested in you,i will also like to know you more,I hope you will be the true loving, honest, trutfull,God faring,trustworld,sincere, and caring man,that I have been looking for,And I have something special to tell you about myself, So please reply me now so that I will send you my picture and tell you what i want to tell you about my self.God bless you.Yours sincerely jennifer.

The mail arrived in my inbox complete with email address, jenniferbbc@gmxxx.com.

Pity this *mugun can not *gbori wole for so many reasons and on so many lefus (levels), *mo le ju gbogbo iyen lo

*Tafa o - An exclamation coined by thirty plus, understandable only to her
*Mugun - term for a stupid / greedy victim of fraud.
*gbori wole - swallowing a bait
*mo le ju gbogbo iyen lo - I am too wise to fall for that scam

Till Later

My Naija

2009-02-18T08:22:00.000-08:00

Blog Peeps,

God owns all the land and continent for realz, he is the original Alale (land owner). Thank you father for the Godly inheritance that I have in you including landed properties.

Okay to answer all your questions, I am not relocating o, no way hosey! Relocation to Naija is not even on the radar at the moment.

I know folks say that "there is no place like home", but there is another saying that "home is where the heart is". For now my heart is in the town where I get fresh drinking water from the tap, freezing cold unpredictable weather, walking by the river side close to my house to reflect, lovely hills and scenery, the laid back enviroment, the friendships I have built.

You get the gist, my heart is not in Nigeria except for the occassional holiday. Not even the persuasive words and posts of my friend Postcard from Lagos can persuade me otherwise.

Meanwhile I am totally enjoying PH and was very impressed by some of the improvements in Gidi. I mean it only took like one and half hours for us to drive from VGC to Ikeja during rush hour was expecting it to be 3 hours. Yet to get on the BRT sha, will try to do that before I return, as for Okadas, mum is the word...

Darkelcee I no fit reach you o ringing no reply.

Till Later, love you yanfu yanfu

Long and Short of it

2009-01-27T14:23:00.000-08:00

Hello Peeps,

How una dey. Praise God from whom all blessings come.

Kajiko 2009 would be an interesting year, that much I know.

The long of it is that I am hot like faya, suddenly folks in the non cyber world see me as the encyclopedia to all their questions. Ok may be that is a bit of exagerration sha but it does feel as if I am very much in demand.

The short of it is I am not being in demand on the babe level o, just for my brain and minimal IT skills. I have given up explaining that I am not an IT person....kpom.
Anyhoos it would be nice to be in demand on the babe level sha.....squash that don't need the drama of babe demand just a supply of a cool headed, God fearing, brown sugar of man with no games because I have also kissed date goodbye.

I wonder why :- On new year day, Mz 30+ had two separate discussions which were exactly the same on relationships. I wonder what that was all about considering I am the last person to put nose inside other people's relation and to make matters more eerie it was on new year day. Imagine starting the new year discussing other people's relationship...abeg o let it not be sign of things to come, I am so not Dear Agony Aunt.

Small Gist : - Another New year surprise, one of my peeps was sorely vexed when a friend sprung the marriage surprise on him on New year day. According to him, they use to discuss their singleness and all that matter together. Next thing you know dude is leaving him behind to go and marry worse still it's not it was impromptu wedding 'cos of the long counselling and protocol the guy must have gone through. Felt sorry for the guy, I thought it was only we girls that did that kind of thing. But peeps mi at the same time I don't blame the dude who kept his business close to heart, he must have good reasons...maybe he has seen AIYE before a.k.a Winches, Fiends because come to think of it he (the one getting married) loves to pray the fall down and die prayer a lot...nuff said.

I am packing my boxes, this Ajala girl is going to Gidi, do I hear an Amen. Yes o ma peeps before you blink your eye I don reach that side of the equator only took me like 5 months to get my act together abi, I should have gone since summer blogger reunion but kno. Anyway OUR TIMES ARE IN GOD's HANDS.

Till Later

Year 2009

2009-01-02T17:23:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Ma Peeps,

Ikira(Adulation)x9 for Baba God who has caused us to partake of this New Year.

Father I bless you from the isale patapata(the very bottom) of my heart.

To all my fellow bloggers, the readers, the perusers HAPPY 2009 to you all.

In the manner of counting, especially for the human race, the number 9 is significant, moreso for the expectant mother. It represents the completion of gestation and month of Delivery for a new offspring to be born.

An expectant mother is picky about what she eats, where she goes, and what she does. An expectant mother is Nesty i.e. making her surrounding, clean and homely.

This year folks watch what you say, eat, do and the kind of folks you hang out with. Take time making your spirit, soul and body homely for your maker

Remember delivery is often accompanied by birth pangs and discomfort, this is soon forgotten once delivery occurs.

This New Year you will take Delivery, Deliver and be Delivered.

Image - Copyright google images

HIM and me

2008-12-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

Hello Peeps

God is a speaking spirit, he is a good God

So there I was speaking with him in my heart and it went something like this

'I can’t'

'Yes you can'

'You don’t understand'

'Yes I do'

'You have never lived in flesh'

'Yes I have'

'Aaagggrrrrr it is easy for you to say'

'You really think so'

'I am going to scream now'

'Go ahead I made your mouth for such a time'

'Ok can I just swear so I feel better'?

'Like you have not done that in your heart already'

'Oh ....'

'Go on I hear your unspoken words loud and clear'

'Mehn it’s like I am naked and totally bare before you'

'Like Adam and Eve Naked'

'Exactly, can I just go and hide for a minute to sort myself'

'Go ahead but you do know I am everywhere'

'Oh for the love of God'

'G O D, that’s the name you call me'

*Sighs heavily*, 'I surrender mehn'

'That is the spirit'

*Sulking*, 'I love you big'

'Can’t get enough of you either'

'Goodnight Sir'

'Sweet dreams child'

In the morning he poured some snow flakes on the road as petals for my feet

Till later

Have a Lovely Christmas

Didn't get the memo, still I believe

2008-12-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hi

When time ceases to exist, when darkness looms glaringly, when void fills the vacumn, there is a Presence that is ever present, He is GOD (Gen 1:2).

Whether or not He is acknowledged is a matter of individual choice.

Today, GOD, I acknowledge you. I acknowledge you as my father, my master, my friend, my mentor, you Oh Lord are the lover of my soul.

I did not get the memo about 1st of December and then when I did, suke blogger would not allow me sign in to post. Better late than never ehn, so here goes.

I believe in God because I met him not amongst a grand gathering or from the preaching of an eloquent preacher. I met God from the pages of the scripture, the book of John to be precise. Was given a New Testament Gideon's bible by an Uncle and he asked me to read the book of John. Being an avid reader I started on it when there was no pacessetter to read was and gripped. Especially when it got to what I called the climax, John 15. So gripped was I that I stayed back after school to finish reading. Was trying hard to understand why this hero who was about to die was so bothered about his friends, the one he also called brethren. A friend who had noticed the fact that I was reading a bible asked if I had become a christian and I replied no. She later asked to share with me and ask if I wanted to become one and I said yes (it was free so no harm, I thought). That was the begining of the journey.
I believe in God because I was a withdrawn shy girl who had low self esteem especially because of my small frame and comical characteristics. From discovering God, I realise he never makes mistakes, my petite nature gives me a USP. He created me as such so that folks can not but remember me. I realise that a merry heart is like a good medicine and the comical character was meant for mine and others heart merriment. Today I am no longer the same.

I believe in God because there have been several occassions when I have prayed for specific things and got specific results attributable to the prayer I prayed. A few instances

I was in Class 3 and lost one of my gold stud ear rings, they were real gold and I had already lost quite a few. I remember mama 30+ strictly warning if you loose this earring I will let you know that God has no tribal marks. I searched the whole classroom, dining room, no show. I covered up but day 2 mama 30+ asked and I said it is hidden somewhere. School closed and dread came on me, I prayed as I have never done in my life while wondering if God was actually interested in that kind of prayer afterall it was because of my carelessness and being too playful. I stood outside the school gates dejectedly exhausted from praying and crying, suddenly felt impressed to look ahead of me and believe it or not there was tiny glistening in the sand I approached it and it was my tiny stud ear ring. I can never forget that feeling I nearly went crazy with joy. A small stud ear ring found outside a school gate the ground was not tarred mind you, it was covered in light brown sand. I know ear ring is meaningless but as far as I was concerned on that particular date it was a matter of life and death, you need to know mama 30+ to know what I am talking about.
Once my brother laid on the bed writhing in pain, clutching his stomach with no Mum or Dad around and no mobile phone technology to call anyone. I laid hands on him and prayed in the name of Jesus as I have read in the bible for the pain to disappear (I was probably 14 or 15yrs old). He slept within minutes and woke up perfectly well.
When things were tough in the UK, I had been asking God whether or not to go back to Nigeria and finally on this fateful day walking down the street decided to start packing as soon as I got home. I heard audibly and softly this words "it is I who works in you both to will and do of my good pleasure". I turned to see who spoke but there was no one behind me on that street. That settled it, I stayed, today I have no regrets.

I believe in God because I have never lacked comfort even though it may not be the comfort I asked at that particular time, comfort always come. A word from the bible, a phonecall, a remark, a scenery, a song, a post, a chirping bird, the sunrise, Banff Hills, my family, fresh air, food on my table, a good cry in his presence e.t.c.

One thing I know is that, He is ever present whenever I need him most.....then again I have made a choice to acknowledge him.

Do you acknowledge him?

O compatriots, it's been so long

2008-11-24T03:43:00.000-08:00

Hello Burriful peeps,

Counting 11 months of God's faithfulness, he is worthy to be praised. God is near to them that are near to him, at every corner if you incline your heart, God is near.
If you are saying or thinking that you can't seem to find this near God, my question to you is, have you checked his word?!

Imagine you have a neighbour you like so much, not that you are close close but the times you hang out to have coffee or what's not it's usually very good and tight. One day you turn up to their door with your mug of coffee and suddenly their house is under lock and key you knock and knock (comments upon comments) but no reply. No letter left for you no forwarding address just cold break and you have to go back to your house with your cold cup of coffee while wondering what happened.

Well that is how it feels sometimes when a blogger just ups and leave without any prior warning.

Phhew, that is off my chest.

I know I did not give gist about my short break, well because it was uneventful, it could have easily been me going to the other end of town. I mean I went by air and was there within an hour and mostly stayed indoors. Although there was an official dinner which I attended and it was fab.

The food was fabulicious plus they served some Suya like that which took me straight to Sabo in Nigeria, it was off the eazzy. The company of folks I was in, the music, the MC and all was tight.

Talk about knowing how to take care of guests, these folks were on top of the game.

We had to stand up for the official national anthem at one point (the high commissioner's arrival). Now, maybe it was the fact that it's been so long I sang the national anthem officially or the fact that I was in company of very notable and respectable Nigerians I am not sure, however I felt quite emotional as we sang. More than a few thoughts including hopeful ones went through my mind concerning Motherland, Nigeria.

That was the highlight of the short break, rest of the days was spend just lazying around, doing a bit of personal work/study and general catching up on gist with my hosts.

Ended up missing my return flight because of too much gist, so decided to come back by overnight coach, that was also uneventful till we got to UK border.

I was not a happy bunny when the driver woke everyone up to get down for immigration control. Especially as we had to step out into the cold before going inside the control office.

My turn came and lady at the counter looked at my passport, looked at me then, looked at the passport again then asks me my date of birth (bear in mind that I just woke up from my relatively comfy sleep)...I answered her by asking "What is the date of birth written on the passport?". A 'don't mess with me this early morning' scowl accompanied my answer just for emphasis' - lol.

Miss Adamant goes "Yes I know the date of birth on the passport, just need you to confirm". I mumbled my DOB and she said "thank you", and then smiled "you are so lucky, you look nothing like your age".

In my head I was thinking 'whatever' but smiled wryly while managing a muffled thanks. Later chided myself for being such a grump when all the lady was doing was her job.

Anyhoo back on coach, then 10mins later had to disembark yet again because we were now on the ferry and apparently we are mandated to go walk inside and get on the ferry deck. "Why can't these folks just let me sleep in peace, if I am on the coach which is on a ferry surely it is the same thing". The driver did not agree and insists we all have to vacate the coach. So off we go and I start wandering around avoiding temptation of buying anything on deck talk about being overpriced hmmph, even the need to spend the remaining euro on me was not strong enough.

45mins later we get to Dover and proceed back on the coach off the ferry and continue the journey by road. I must have slept for only 30mins or so when some Essex boys (see reason below) starts to demo craziness insisting the driver stop on the motorway for them to get off.

Drama.

Driver tells these yobs that his destination is Victoria and he can't stop for obvious reasons. The boys fariga, insisting that they live close by (hence my conclusion that they were Essex boys, cos it was around that area and the accent as well) blah blah. In short when they insisted they were going to kick door open and jump out of the moving coach, while sitting behind the driver shouting like loonies, the driver complied and they got off.

Ope o I breathed a sigh of relief that, at least it was not a ploy to get the coach hijacked as I feared. Thing is while the drama was foing on all I was thinking of was one Abuja trip I went years ago and the coach nearly got hijacked by armed robbers.

From the on it was smooth sailing till we reached London, where I had a few days stop over before travelling down to my end again.

So that was how I spent my last holiday.

Thanks Aloted and SimeonBaba for loving my blog so much they passed the award below to moi.

I pass it on the first 9 bloggers to leave a comment on this post

Till later

Mixed Emotions

2008-11-10T02:53:00.000-08:00

Ma Peeps,

I CAN do everything through him who gives me strength.

Thank you Lord for strength for today and the hope for tomorrow.

On confirming the election result, I was in a sombre surreal mood. On the one hand trying to comprehend that the next president of United States is BLACK as in my own colour yeeerrrekkkke! On the other hand I was reflective on the "I can" slogan.

Is that it? Just like that, is that how history is made, reckless abandonment of status quo in tireless pursuit of unimaginable ambition / dream.

An opportunistic and strategically planned move that capitalises on the weakness of the way, things are currently being run.

Sheer HARD WORK (in form of tireless campaignes) and the support of all around in whatever way they can. Not taking any little help for granted (donations of $2 not considered small).

My own reflection has got me thinking on what things I COULD have done and what things I CAN now do and must now do. Like everyone I have been inspired by the victory no doubt, Obama just proved Phillipians 4:13 to be true.

So watch out for 30+, yeeaaaahhh because SHE CAN!

Still on the election gists, Nigerians have a sense of humour, I don't know how folks come up with stuff like the funny headlines some to my inbox (see below) especially the last two.

If USA was Nigeria , today (a week after election)'s papers Headlines would read something’s like: ·

Don't celebrate yet, McCain tells Obama (TELL magazine)

Concede defeat, Obama urges McCain (Punch Newspaper)

20 opposition cadres riot (The Sun Newspaper)

McCain Demands Vote Recount (Vanguard Newspaper)

Elections rigged - Palin (Guardian Newspaper)

No evidence of manipulation (NTA News)

The Church declares elections free and fair (News Line)

There will be violence if we lose; McCain declares (LTV 8 news)

Election results for Arizona , Florida , New York awaited (Channels News)

Trucks with suspected ballot papers crosses into USA from Mexico (Tribune Newspaper)

"McCain is an opportunist - Go back to your farm" says Biden(AIT News)

I will not accept results, McCain tells Obama (MITV News).

Democratic Party will rule the USA for the next 100 years - Clinton Declares (ThisDay Newspaper

Area Boys 20 killed, 30 injured at New Jersey Polling Booth )(Daily Mirror)

Obama: ‘I will soon roll out timetable for Royal Blessings’(PM News)

Several Ballot Boxes Missing at Phoenix , handwork of ‘Obama Boys’ - Republican Party(gatewaytv News)

Heavy Security at INEC H/quarter, Commissioners flee. (Newswatch Magazine)

$900million for Feeding and Wardrobe Allowances for Obama’s Daughters Justified (Presidential Spokeperson)

IJA SESE BERE NI – McCAIN SO FUN OBAMA (ALAROYE MAGAZINE)

MIO NI GBA O!! - McCAIN (Akede Agbaye)

Location, Location

Bloggers sha! I said no one should ask where I was in my previous post, yet some folks could not resist, I understand :). Anyhoo while in my secret location I opened Allied's blog (see below) and saw some strange words, checked mine and a few others and it was all the same. I panicked and asked my hostess why my computer was messing up, until she reminded me where I was...

I got myself a new camera, it arrived today and am quite excited.

Till later

Madness - Americans do not Vote?!

2008-11-04T03:05:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps,

The countdown has begun!

There is one presidency that is not up for election, it is the office of the president of the Universe, master and King...El Shaddai. No controversy.

I have been hooked on the presidential election frenzy in the past 72hrs, especially since CNN happens to be one of the few channels broadcasting in English in this particular city (shh don't ask me where I am).

Anyhoos as per the title, as much as the frenzy has been going on for Obama, I am cautious that Americans and indeed the whole world don't just stop on celebrating the need for change while not neglecting making the change itself i.e. Voting for the change.
According to CNN news, in time past millions of Americans do not bother to turn out to vote but I believe that tide has changed.

Forget Race, Creed or Gender, it's about change full stop.

Someone defines Madness as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result hence it will be madness to

Forgetting / Refusing to vote or Assuming your one vote does not count.
Voting for the typical face fits the bill candidate, change is NOT TYPICAL.

I am not a US Citizen so shame I can't vote :(. However if I had the opportunity, my choice will be clear.

Dignity and Integrity are some qualities that I find endearing and in this race my choice has demonstrated it. He answers the questions asked and focussing on the issues, distancing himself from personal attacking and throwing of mudslings.

So while I don't know about having a full resume or his future performance on the surmountable task of becoming the next US president, I can only go on what I have heard and seen so far to declare that the not so Typical candidate gets my vote today.

How is this for a change: Lewis Hamilton became the youngest Formula One winner (he happens to be black).

GLOBAL ECONOMICS DE-MYSTIFIED

2008-10-24T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hello my peeps,

God is good, and that is an understatement, I praise his name

Picture this - Before the recession hit Egypt of old, God caused a Young Man full of His Spirit to be strategically placed that Egypt prospered in the time of credit crunch / recession.
Not only that the young man was able to Preserve his very own chosen people Israel .

Got this in my inbox and thought it may be a comic relief for someone

Global Economic demystified

SOCIALISM: You have 2 cows and you give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM: You have 2 cows. The Government takes both and shoots you.

BUREAUCRATISM: You have 2 cows; the Government takes both, shoots one, milks the Other and throws the milk away...

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the
Cow dropped dead.

A FRENCH CORPORATION: You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called Cowkimon and market them World-Wide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You reengineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for Lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 2 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION: You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the numbers.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You worship them.

A BRITISH CORPORATION: You have two cows. Both are mad.

A ZIMBABWEAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You eat both.

A ZAMBIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You call in investors to look after them for you and wonder why they are not sharing the milk with you.

A NIGERIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You hire relatives for peanuts to look after one whilst you feast on the other without sharing. When your other cow dies from exhaustion, you blame your relatives for ruining your business.

Talking of economy, I need a new job o, I have been trying to think of what business I can go into, apart from my increasing passion for photography which I will keep educating myself on.

This is a good time for me to diversify and think of what I can do for myself but can't just seem to get my thinking juices to flow.

So people any ideas!!!

P.S
I have not been replying to comments lately, no vex, it's not snobbery just sheer laziness and finding words in my head to respond to each person.

Images - Courtesy of google images (c)

TAKE ACTION AGAINST POVERTY

2008-10-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,
Just because God cares for his own, his eyes are on the tiny sparrow and he watches over us, I submit to you that he is worthy to be praised. No one like him, none like, no one.

Call it coincidence, call it God speaking to me, call it random but the scripture I ‘Happened’ to read today is Isaiah 58 can not be more clear and relevant to Blog Action day against poverty.

I finished reading and lay on my bed thinking of practical ways to implement, what could I do right now I enquired in my heart only to find myself navigating to Simeon’s blog again and noticing the BLOG ACTION DAY AGAINST POVERTY and voila

In the midst of our very busy lives and the World news with all it glitz, scandals and charade, there is a reality that only gets to be heard / seen of on 2-5mins infomercials and even that is Infrequent.

There is something fundamentally wrong in a child going to bed hungry for days on end. What makes it even more unbearable is the fact that the food is available but mismanagement, greed and non chalant attitude of 'A FEW' results in the wastage and subsequent denial of these provisions for those who need it.

One thing is sure, there are enough resources for everyone on this planet to eat and have their fill every day. In the beginning he saw everything and it was good, the creator provided enough for his creature to eat and satisfy their hunger.

It may sound that my post is biased towards food and hunger as opposed to Poverty, my line of thought stems from the Yoruba proverb that says “ti ounje ba ti kuro ninu ise, ise buse” (once hunger is cured, poverty has little or effect). Nevertheless I am mindful that poverty can be and is relative to individual.

The post is not geared towards the details of horrors of poverty, it is more towards "what part can I play to eradicate poverty". So here goes

SHARE

Share Love - While poverty as is widely known/thought of may not be very visible in the Western world, there is a well masked poverty “Poverty of the soul”. There are many that wake up and go to bed without any form of love shown to them, start with your neighbour, find out their name without being too intrusive, give a smile. Adopt a penpal from afar and write encouraging letters to them. Share your faith.
Share your substance – Support a charity that is poverty oriented, you can start with as little as £3 pounds a month. Declutter your wardrobe and give those things you will never wear to someone who has none to wear. Volunteer your time a few hours a week.

PRESERVE

The earth as been given to us to maintain and preserve it’s resources.

Avoid wastage in any form.
Avoid over eating or cooking what you can not eat and if you do, please preserve left overs.
Use compost bin if you absolutely have to throw food away.
Recycle as much as possible it helps preservation.

SPEAK

Be an ambassador in your own way. Challenge friends, families and all around you to do the same as above. Put up a post on your blog if you have one. Put up a message on facebook. Every little helps. Ask your leaders in the place of worship on what they are doing to make poverty history.
Especially if you are a Christian the gospel of Jesus Christ means the true good news (Luke 4:18). Good news to the poor is not just preaching on a Sunday or lifting holy hands and ushering in decked up attire.
To the poor good news is providing their needs and showing them how to meet their own needs so churches are to actively give to the poor (see John 13:29). Remember Faith without works is dead.

A few good charities are listed below (there are many more)

Disclaimer: I support the first 3 on the list and have interest (non financial) in the first one.

You should also visit

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY (Sign petitions)
FREE RICE (Play the game)

If you are already doing any or all of the above, how about raising the standard just a little bit more.

Have a fab week

Can't Sleep, HONESTLY

2008-10-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

I am always amazed by God's mercy, kindness and endless love, it is more than I an comprehend. Thank you Lord

Can't sleep, it is 2.50am and I have been sitting by the laptop forever, hopping all over the net and what's not.

Right now I kind of feel like I can not be bothered, been here before and can't imagine what God must be thinking. You will think this babe has learned how to cope in situations like this. When things don't go the way you expect or want.

No doubt that even this too shall pass....but before that, I can blog it.

Watched clips of the Obama vs McCain debate and boi it seems like Senator McCain's feathers are being ruffled by "That One". I am excited that this is happening in my time, new history in making.

How can somebody get on your nerves even without trying, is it possible?! I know I am speaking in codes but for my future reference it's got to do with G.....

My consolation is the so called lessons I am learning as maturity sets in.

I don't like doing expenses and taxes :(.

Need to hit the gym big time, the pounds are catching up on me and have the unfair advantage of post holiday and London binging. Gym kit - check, willingness - check, mojo - none. The shorter days and longer nights settling in do not help matters.

Thank you Believer for the award of honest blogger, sniff sniff .

I pass the award on to the following bloggers who in turn should ideally pass it unto another 7 other bloggers (although I can see a few rule breakers on my list so we shall see)

Undacova
Princessa
Uzezi
Napaali
Flourishing Florida
Shubby Doo
Darkelcee

Secret agent 30+ loves her blogger friends on facebook, especially the new ones *wink* - lol.

I need to get my groove back sharp

Till laters

Nigeria ages and Customary courts

2008-10-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps,

Unto Baba God be the glory, great things he has done. Let me make a distinction sharpish because there different gods. The God that I am talking about and kiraing for is the El-Shaddai the one who declared his covenant name to be Jehovah, the one who sent his begotten son Jesus to die on the cross.

Ope o, that cleared another round of ikira for Him, Father you are too much.

Happy Birthday to you Nigeria, in the face of criticm, PHCN crisis, Niger Delta, economic hardship, being deserted by your children, you still remain sane, you have tried.
Yet I am concerned that you are as you are, o Nigeria. I wonder why there are no sorrow of birth pangs coming from you in hope to deliver the future you hope. I am concerned that status quo seems to remain and come to a harsh/bitter conclusion that change is not coming anytime soon.
Nevertheless you deserve the honour of these wishes, may the blood and sweat of heroes past speak for the future yet to come.

Just got off the phone from some dude that I came upon eon years ago. According to him my friend gave him my number donkey years ago and he called me on one or two occassion. He said he "used to Toast me" (his words), bbbuuuaaaah. Been a long time I heard anyone use that word around here.

The dude kept asking "What do you fiii about you and me?" (he pronounced feel as fiii). And another one "So when was your Betday?" (Betday = Birthday).
He has been thinking of me since all these years (more than 5yrs o), then hangs himself without any effort, well truth was he has been in a relationship with one Old woman who kind of must have used juju on him because blah blah......

His mission: since I am not married yet, dude is saying nothing is impossible, okay now...that means hell can freeze abi?

To better gist

I read the story below in some magazine and had to put it up, it brought memories of the few times I read iwe iroyin yoruba, my favourite section was the ones that had customary session proceedings. I just use to find the stories in the section hilarious

The eight-year-old marriage of a Lagos trader, Mrs. Ajetumobi Ajike almost collapsed because of endless GSM flashing by a man she claimed to be her colleague. The matter came to a head when the presumed colleague flashed and called her at midnight. The next morning, her enraged husband headed for a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Agege, Lagos and filed for divorce. When the matter continued to rage in court, the midnight caller appeared in person and pleaded with the woman’s hubby not to send her away. The court president, E.K.S Bruce later cautioned the man thus: “Your wife was childish. So, please pardon her. For the woman, you made a great mistake by keeping your husband in the dark about that colleague of yours. You allowed that flasher to ruin your marriage.” The story of GSM gaffes are legion. A top civil servant in Abuja once mistakenly sent to his real wife, a sex-explicit text intended for his mistress. But for the intervention of their children and family friends, the marriage would have hit the rocks.

Just imagine that these two grown ups would have had on their divorce certificate, reason for divorce: GSM Interruption? Or GSM flashing?.

Is this how derailed the insititution of marriage has become?

Till later

Old News reaching us.....Children Protest

2008-09-21T04:27:00.000-07:00

Peeps mi,

Thanking God for the gifts of children, they are the future.

I try not to get passionate about some things, one of which is politics and the ills of the society.

One thing is for sure and that I am not ambivalent about, moral decadence can and will only get worse. Politics will continue to be a dirty game. And as much as I want to believe Nigeria will be great, the journey is indeed long.

"Hundreds of toddlers and children on Sunday took to the streets in Port Harcourt to protest incessant kidnapping of underaged persons in Rivers State". More here

I know the story is a bit dated but am I irrational in my thinking when I say that it should never have happened, it is errant nonsense marinated in gross irresponsibility.

Is it okay that I am here praying that the days of WAI should be implemented again for jus for one day enough for me to go to PH and personally flog the crap out of the adults who followed this todlers protest march.

For the love of cheerios some of this kids are still in Diapers and you are having them carry placards in the hot sun.

The message is clear isn't it: - "We the adult will not fight for you children, we are pot bellied weaklings who are guzzling their future down with a side dish of fatted turkey. You must defend yourself and what best way to get you started than carrying placards when you are still in diapers."

The folks set machinery of kidnapping, somehow manage to negotiate payment and yet claim the kidnapppers are elusive. It does not add up. And this so called demonstration which I believe wholeheartedly to be a bit of (if not totally) propaganda.

Oh please, the kids demonstration is just what we need to stop the kidnapping once and for all, especially when the kidnappers have a heart and are can be dissuaded by seeing the little cuties sweating it out in the sun. Like the kids being targeted by kidnappers are actually the ones carrying placards.

I can just imagine Junior the 3 year old Son of Chief Engineer Anthony Emeritus Paytene of the Glaxonchevmobil company taking permission from his dad to go for a demonstration against kidnapping. Chief Anthony turn and says "yes my boy you can go, make sure you carry your 'superman rucksack' the one I bought for Harrods with some chocolate drinks and hotdogs, and you can go to demonstrate your heart out". Yeah right

Chin up children - selling bread and akara after school hours have not broken you, child molestation and abuse have not broken you. You are still here standing strong. These placards you are now being asked to carry has gotten nothing on you, you will still stand strong.

SHALOM

RIP

2008-09-10T01:52:00.000-07:00

Ma Peeps,

To him who is able to keep us in Perfect Peace do I Kira fun.

Anyway Anyhow 30+ must yin Baba God.

As per post title, ok hold yourselves no one died again at least not that I know of.

Like someone replied in the comments to Orun Makanju "I shall not die but live and declare the Glory of the Lord". Most folks just stop on the "I shall not die but live", they are not mindful of the rest of the statement which says "and declare the Glory of the Lord".

Are you declaring the glory of the Lord with all you have, your body, soul and spirit or you just want to live for the sake of it.

Talking of which, Life is for living, living to me means all that I do speaks and demonstrate that there is a God. Like the preacher said it is better to remember Him while we are here on this earth because once death comes like "ti e ba e, oyo lo wa" ("your own has caught up with you" as in your are on your own).

There is a question that keeps bugging me. You know how we all go RIP (Rest In Peace) when someone dies, is it more of a slang or is it heartfelt?

IMO - I often wonder whether RIP is really the right thing to say. Would it not be better to say something like "Wow he / she died, all the best on the other side o". Yes now, truth be told I can safely say 99.9% of folks who say RIP to a dead person have themselves never died before and hence have no clue what is happening on the other side so why do you wish someone to rest in peace.

If wishing peace is a good thing, what will you do if someone wishes you Rest In Peace as you are about to go to bed....I can imagine some folks reaction will including cursing the fellow or saying back to sender - lol.

Speaking strictly from the scriptures:

Death is a transition, the place of taking off this earthly suit in exchange for another one. It is appointed for man to die ONCE and after that judgement.

When I leave this earthly suit, I imagine I will be giddy with excitement more than that of 4 year old on a christmas morning probably will fly faster than the goodness and mercy angels to embrace the Lord Jesus. One time I will sign up to join the heavenly choir kia kia, and be among the ones that will do orisirisi dance and rababa for Father Lord.

There was this dude friend of mine and it so happened that we where praying together, on a particular occassion. Suddenly the guy started praying loudly (he was leading) for his mum for like 10 - 15 minutes, no biggie shey. Well the said Mum died like 5-7 yrs ago or somefink. Initially when he started on that prayer point, I had to open one eye to check if he was for real and yep he was dead serious (no pun intended). Prayers like make her comfortable, let her eat the best of the food in heaven and wear the best, wipe her tears, let her be happy look back and be a mother indeed and thing and thin…along that line sha….

Although I was Amen, but mehn I did not feel comfortable "which kind alakoba prayer is this". I was counter praying inside my head "Father the living and the dead have nothing in common", "Father Lord I bind any mama from looking back and seeing me in the name of Jesus", "I bind, I loose, I take captive, I cover myself in the blood of Jesus"

Later when I asked him stylishly about his odd prayer, he said no prayer was ever wasted....okayee o. I remain unconvinced, he prolly was praying like that to make himself feel better about the loss.

So back to RIP, when you say the word do you sincerely mean it as a prayer and do you think it makes any difference to the dead person. How come we don't say things like 'Have fun', 'Enjoy yourself', 'keep a space for me' e.t.c

It's just bugging me

Selah
Why do we people spend time creating chaos for themselves and the people around them only to have Rest In Peace engraved on the tombstone. Today seek peace with God, yourself and with all around you.

Back...London

2008-08-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hello ma peeps,

Praise be to the LORD, the God of my life, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to moi. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey of my life so far and he will continue to lead me all my life.

I am back and inspired (not) by my transit stay in London to note down some of the good, bad and ugly of this capital city which is one of the most expensive in the world.

The good
The joy of getting to the bus stop just as the bus is arriving
Being able to source almost anything Nigerian that you want at relatively good price.
High chance of bumping into an old friend.
Chances of hearing someone else's gist on the bus.
Theatres and Restaurants (endless variety)

The bad
Being offered a seat because you look 3-4 month pregnant.
The constant chatterings of those "you getme's" a.ka. shaniquas, roshandas
Seeing every other wannabes carrying a knock off version of your bag.
The metro litter

The downright ugly
The dude that grinds you at the back and pulling away proves difficult 'cos you are all squashed.
The underground train system has no personal hygiene screening for it's users.
The madness of early morning rush at Victoria and King's cross underground station in the morning.
Idiots with boom box bigger than their car with no concept of noise pollution.

--------------------

Needed to buy me a nice weave (in London) and after the getting the attention of the sales lady to pick a particular one, she drops me the information about a dude that was eyeing her. I am not sure how that add inches or sheen to my weave but I obliged her banter asking if she liked the dude in return. Following the light hearted conversation and the completion of the transaction. She dutifully informed me "You know when my spirit says I should sell for you, I sell for you but if my spirit says no I just tell the other girl to serve you, that is why I serve you". Ok o let's just hope the spirit does not tell your boss not to pay your salary. At least the spirit moved her to sell me a nice half wig that fits me wonderfully well.

It is not a good idea to go on long vacations, you get more drawn into the delusion that life is about long walks in the park, shopping like the world is coming to an end and adventorous visits to different places of interest.

I am seriously slacking on blogville, not visiting other blogs as much as I used to nor respond to comments on my page as I used to. And what is more disturbing I don't feel as guilty as I thought I would. I THINK I MAY BE GOING THROUGH A BLOGGING CRUNCH OF SORT...LOL

Maybe I should just go back on holiday.

Till later

Wear your own shoes

2008-08-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hello my peeps

I don rock am before, I go rock am again this is the song that has been filling my heart "...and when my heart is overwhelmed, please lead me to the rock that is higher than I".

You probably got the gist by now that my behind is rocking on my long holiday. This is one of the longest holidays I have heard o since the days of my non working life. I am enjoying every bit of it. I don't even want to come back sef if not because I gats to.

Ok I will try not laden you with blow by blow account maybe one of these days when I can't think of what to write. But I owe you guys some of the lovely pictures (See below)

As to my previous post, I always thought it was an obvious answer that it is better to wait on a life partner than the fruit of the womb because the pressure is not as much and you can easily give excuse of Career and Personal choice blah. However, for the fruit of the womb, right from church folks stand singing that they will be back in 9 months time (like they can make babies) and the pressure is double your folks and his folks.

After reading your comments which was an eye opener, I have come to the conclusion that it depends on who is wearing the shoe.

So let each wear his own shoe, TRUST GOD and recieve available grace for each individual, each man’s race is different so also our times and seasons are different.

I will be back from Holiday end of this week and hopefully blog better and less dry gist next week - lol

Till then

Bloopers and Question

2008-08-04T02:44:00.000-07:00

Ma peeps

How you dey?

Let's not take anything for granted o, for me that I have fingers to type and you that have eyes to read we must to do what....GIVE THANKS TO HIM.

"If the LORD had not been on our side, when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth" Ps 124: 2-6

Don't act surprised na it is my logo now I must first thank the one who was, is and is to come - lol.

I may not be able to update as such o since I will not be around for a while.

Hold on .... why na, kilode

E gbami from these dudes sitting next to me o(think he is from one of the other company site) his legs keeps blocking my drawer and bumping into my desk. I don't know why the two of them are sitting on one desk (make it 3.5 'cos 1 one of them is heavy D's cousin)

The heavy one keeps breathing heavily and I am almost like asking if he is okay. The guy prolly got some thyroid or insulin problem - poor soul

Abeg let me turn and move my laptop so I fit yarn proper.

Ehn ehn as I was saying, for those asking of setting limited profile on facebook, it is all on the privacy section

Click on view friends.
On the right hand side click make a new list and give it a name (e.g limited profile, you can have different lists, tight crew, just limited info e.t.c)
Select friends you want to add to that list
Once that has been set up go to the privacy page
Click on profile and from the drop down button on each information (e.g basic info) choose customise.
From the customise box you can to limit the folks seeing using the except option you add friends or lists that can not see a particular information.
You can do the same for applications, news feed and search
For pictures go to album and choos album privacy at the top right of page and customise as well.

On to other things, in the spirit of blogville idol past here are some of my bloopers

bloopers

I have been meaning to ask which is better or easier
a) To be waiting on God for a life partner
b) To be waiting for the fruit of the womb.
IMO, there is an obvious answer but abeg I want to hear your own answer with reasons to back it up.

Till Later
SHALOM

Rand, Random, Randomer

2008-07-25T05:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Peepos,

No matter what comes our way, our lives are in the hands of the almighty. When I think of that it helps me to kulu tempa and chop chill. Once you know the driver of your car you fit sleep falala.

My week has been busy as can be.

All the work folks suddenly want a piece of me, well God dey and since they are paying my dough, I shall not complain.

Infact right now I have just finished presentation and have got all this folks around talking numbers, budgets e.t.c of course my heart is pounding because my boss is standing across from me as I type this. How naughty :). I am mastering the act of grandising simple tasks (a.k.a blagging) even me sef I fear, well that is what consultants do shey.

I have always know that bloggers like gist and my last post confirmed it, folks did not even spare that I was trying to be blogville idol host they still want to hear gist. Anyway show is over so I gat no excuse, work or no work gist must flow today so here goes.

Rand - Photography is a passion I am developing, I love taking pictures. Folks can do and undo with the technology available these days. But even me sef I was shocked at how they translated (note translate not transform) an acquintance of mine, so much so I first ignored her friend request on facebook thinking she was one of those "funny" people who add you without knowing you, eventually added her to my limited profile friends list sha when she persisted. I knew her name of course but not the face. It was like the proverbial yoruba saying "owo lowo Esau, ohun lohun Jakobu" ("Hands are that of Esau but the voice belongs to Jacob")
When I finally made the connection I just opened mouth, comments under the pictures also confirmed my reaction.

The translation falls somewhere between the two before and after pictures below

BEFORE ......AFTER ......BEFORE ....AFTER

Random
Blogville Idol has ended :( and it was a bit of anticlimax what with Pink S 's exit from blogville. It was fun while it lasted. I hope to post some of the bloopers I had while recording the sessions.
So I called one blogger and she immediately recognise my voice as 30+. I am thinking schwepps I have prolly been outed 'cos that means if any of the folks that know me in the real world hit on idol page they would have recognised my voice and go that is .......*insert my real name*.

Na wa o, wetin I fit do

Randomer - Got this in a forwarded mail (think I read something similar on another blog but can't remember where)
This morning on the NPR a lady came on air by name Betty Johnson who was about 90 years old. She explained when she was a teenager she was pretty flat chested and her mom began to worry that she might not get boyfriends so she bought her an inflatable bra. She was really happy about it and she set it to a size 32. So, one day she was on a plane in the Andes or something and as the plane began to elevate her bra got larger, it could not take the pressure. It kept growing till it became a size 48 and then it exploded!!! The pilot had to come out with a gun and they landed the plane so a bomb squad could check her out.
Peeps I laugh tire for this story.

Other Randomers
I went to see MAMA MIA, lovely movie all round, did not click that it was a musical until Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) sang the first song. Mama Mia was a pleasant medicine that has cured me of a horrible memory which occured some 6 years and caused a re think my previous resolution on musical movies. I absolutely loved Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski), Donna (Merryl Streep) also delivered. The film was an 8 out of 10, indeed MAMA MIA is a lovely summer movie and of course you get the bonus of hearing your ABBA favourites all over again. My friends had to calm me down when the dancing queen track came on -lol

Holiday is coming no more meetings o, no more reports o, colleagues goodbye, managers goodbye I am going to have a jolly holiday.

So much for gist will catch you later

SHALOM

Eh o Eh o lo lo lo - I get very very happy

2008-07-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

Peeps

Ki lo n pops?!

The jury is in God is good, no controversy it is a settled matter.

So I was tagged by Princessa

Rules:

1. Put Your iTunes/ music player on Shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT!!!

4. After you’ve answered all of the questions, tag 5 other people and then let them know they’ve been tagged to do the meme themselves.

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Appreciation - Sunny Ade
Word

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
He is Lord, He is Risen from the dead - Maranatha Singers
For shizzle, my peeps I think I am Jesuscentric, whatever that means - lol

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL ?
Eniyan ibo ma yin Oluwa - Esther Something Ebo Ope
Well I like folks who like praising God so yeahhh

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Part 2 of the matchmaker - Bishop Walker message
:) - Say what, you are freaking kidding mehn - lol

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
He knows my name - Paul Baloche iWorship
Omo this thing get winch o

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
This is the air I Breathe - iWorship
Shey! I am a breathe of fresh air now

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
What to do when all Hell breaks loose - Gregory Dickow message
You and who, I reject that in the name of Jesus Christ, back to sender in registered must deliver envelope. Although .....

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
If you go - Styl Plus
Ogini mere, go where ?

WHAT IS 2+2?
Restoring fellowship with the Father - Joyce Meyer Message
Na so the muzik talk

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Isn't He Wonderful - Terry Clark
That must be my man, yes he is

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Armed and Dangerous - Joyce Meyer Message
Armed with the word and Dangerous to the devil, kapish

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Ololufe - Wande Coal
Okayee, if you say so

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Halleluyah God I worship you - Muyiwa & Riversongz
From now sef till Eternity, I want to be a Worshipper.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
As the Deer pants after - Paul Oakley iWorship
Well makes sense

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Overdose on Love - Nayo
Word! I am the love overdose for them

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Let the river flow - Darrel Evans iWorship
Okay but it is very slow song o, but we will manage it

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Spiritual Love - Trin i Tee
Interesting - Let them play it jo I will be with my Lover Jesus Christ thanking him that his love lasted me till the grave beyond :), so carry goes.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Integrity - Joyce Meyer Daily Message
Well! I try to stay in Integrity and it's a big turn off when I meet folks who's got none.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
We Bow Down - Twilla Paris Songs 4 Worship
Word! When you bow before God you can stand before any Man.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Benefits of Fellowship with God - Joyce Meyer Daily Message
It is better to have a good fellowship with God first jare before any friends

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
I get very very happy o, oruko Jesu lo mu ori mi wu - Midnight Crew
Praize da Lord, I don't have to think of post title

I am so not tagging anyone

Imagine just because Naija Chickito was tagged some moons ago the babe has gone missing - lol please let us organise a search party for her.

Anyhoos, you can catch me on Blogville Idol page, trying to be Hosty.

Try to vote for Tayo Olabiran (see right pane) and show support for a Naija babe representing. I came upon the group she set up on facebook and she is preetier and more model like than some of the others on Top 10 - ok maybe I am biased 'cos she is Naija. She is participating in the vmagazine 2008 model search and needs to be in the Top 10 to stand a chance.

Till laters

Shalom

IDOL '08 - Shsh Simon, Mz 30+ is talking

2008-06-30T04:19:00.000-07:00

Peepos,

Are you ready for this?!

You know how I like to sing and praise Baba God every time I start typing a post, like right now that I am reflecting and singing that "he is the true Baba Ara ti o mo iyi omo" (the true father of wonders who cherishes his children).

Well y'all be hearing my skentele voice throughtout the Blogville Idol competition becasue

Mz 30+ is the HOST for Blogville Idol 2008

Thank you, thank you for those who are smiling with joy for me, and for the rest, skontolo your ears.

I have checked the rules, nothing stops the host/hostess from bursting a tune every now and then - lol.

Tell Simon Cowell, his job is not safe...........

Ok excitement down, I am thinking oh my goodness

What am I gonna say?
Should I phonetise
Or naijarise?
Or be very serious?
Or try to be funny
Or be razz?
Or all of the above 'cos I am a mix

I don't know mehn, but pray for me just like every other contestant.

I am not singing but I'm still kind of NERVOUS.

OK Tarry Plus, 1 mug of camomile tea and breathing exercise coming up.

SHALOM

From her window – 15th Street

2008-06-24T05:11:00.000-07:00

Peeps mi,

How'dy? Been a moment.

Do you know that God is so good, so much so that before you we even showed up "he has given unto us everything that pertains unto life and Godliness".
One of the things that pertains to life is creativity and boy did we see a display of that on the 14th and Serenity project, well done guys.

Blogville Idol 2008 is coming up o, if you have not heard before you are hearing now, sign up and let's see another aspect of creativity in action - the use of vocal chords - lol.

You don't have to be celine dion, mariah carey or kanye west, as long as you have mouth that can open and hopefully produce a sound/noise you should enlist. It will be fun, last year was so cool but I am sure this year will TOP IT.

I dey kampe o, nothing dey happen God is on the throne, it is unquestionable.

Well I have been having withdrawal symptoms from the 14th and decide to write the piece below. Mehn tis not easy sha you berra enjoy it

Here goes...

Mrs Cee detested the gauze cover of the window; she on the other hand loathed Mrs Cee’s coke laced nose and the woman’s insistence on being an accessory on 14th street.

Through the gauze covered windows, she could see the enclave of drama. Sex, Drugs, drama and more Sex were the prime attributes of the ominous building standing at the junction of chaos. Freshly bathed air blew into her abode; she inhaled deeply willing for a cleansing.

She had wanted the executive bachelorette pad at Grandville avenue end of 15th but could only afford the 1 bed Apartment at the Serenity end; it gave a vantage view of the hotel and in the distance the back garden of Mrs Cee.

Outside, the Mediterranean looking artist concentrated hard on the canvass doing his day job, drawing shoddy caricatures. His victim this afternoon was a Paris Hilton hopeful whose Chihuahua was threatening to escape. What was it again ‘animals being a better judge of characters than human’? The artist work littered the sidewalk and somewhat told a story. His latest piece bore an uncanny likeness to her deceased friend RM. RM lived opposite the bachelorette pad at the Grandville end of 15th. They had met outside the pad while she was waiting for the agent; RM had been quite chatty persuading her that the apartment was worth every bit of the asking price. They soon found out they had a few things in common, exotic men and arts. Their subsequent acquaintance met Mrs Cee’s disapproval, not that it mattered.

RM had been a frequent visitor to the 14th; she seemed to know the story of a few of the residents. Once she had spotted RM coming from the artist’s inner chamber.

From her window the sight of an odd looking guy struggling with his brolly caught her attention. The man walked hurriedly past the artist knocked down the latest piece. The man did not stop he appeared to be on a mission or running late for a rendezvous at the hotel which he headed towards.

She sighed and sipped her sparkling coconut and mango drink, her gaze trailed and settled longingly on the bottle sitting on the glass shelf above her book collections.
Her mind was made up; six months on 15th was long enough, what was she thinking in the first place, if the one born of Immaculate Conception could not reach Mrs Cee what could a prostitute’s daughter achieve. Blood may be thicker than water but it’s not thicker than a fix.

The events of the past months were enough to drive anyone over the brink of reasoning starting with the ‘Letter’ that brought her to the 15th. Zena’s boyfriend Ty, had been a God sent in helping her secure the accommodation. He was kind enough to show around the neighbourhood since she was new in town and Z lived at the other end of town.

Who could have thought?

Ty’s unexpected death should have been a blessing in disguise rather it seemed to fuel the passion for revenge the more. Pure cowardice Zena had exclaimed ignoring the fact that an armed man had gone to Ty’s house to batter his skull leaving his wife to find him in his cold blood. Zena had set out on a mission to find out all she could about Ty and the woman carrying Ty’s ‘evil seed’ as she called it.

The smoke alarm called her attention to the burning burritos. Next to cherry flavoured drinks, Z loved her burritos; she dashed into the kitchen to turn off the oven. The call last night worried her there was something in Z’s voice she could not place. Ty had changed Zena who was once a bubbly, down to earth, confident kind of girl. Then came Ty and things changed before then there was no secrets between them, they were sandbox friends who planned to have their family live side by side and share school runs.

Now Z is a bitter scorned woman, while she was a young lawyer on a failed redemption mission, racked with guilt yet bestowed with an unexpected gift and a lost opportunity of bonding with her ‘brother’.

“There is a time for everything under the sun, a time to die, a time to live, a time to cry and a time to laugh”, father Michael’s voice played in her ears. “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes” he continued. She placed her parting gift of a single black rose on the young lad being lowered to mother earth, this was their second meeting.

At the first meeting, she had observed her brother closely; there was no semblance between them. His pale white complexion was stark contrast to her Olive skin. He was blonde curly haired, she had straight jet black locks. He looked really dead lying on the slab of metal in that cold room, she felt very much alive coming in from the afternoon sun. They were not treating his death as suspicious the officer had told them, it was an OD case. She touched his cold head now drained of life and at that very moment felt the baby’s first kick. She had gasped while their mother, Mrs Cee held her tightly from the back, muffling some consolation and cleaning her tears “it’s ok at least we have each other now”.

What mother forgets to mention her son to her daughter, especially when she is reconciling with the daughter after 24 years? Then again Mrs Cee is stoned half of the time and refuses to go to rehab. And she had the nerve to request she be called Mum.
As far as she was concerned, ‘her mum’ Franceska Roberts was dead. Mrs Cee was only an egg donor she had hoped of having a meaningful relationship with hence the choice of living on this side of town rather than the apartment recommended by her firm.

She could see the umbrella man coming out of the Hotel; he was walking funny and had changed his clothes for an African print similar to the ones she had seen Ty wore on a few occasions. Ty had worn it on that unfateful rainy night when he visited her apartment to report Zena’s vandalism of his car.

From her window, she saw as Z swore at the ambulance which drove past her heading towards Mrs Cee’s street. Ordinarily she would have jibed about Z wearing shades on cloudy day as this but she had an inkling humour was not on today’s menu. Her stomach knotted with every step Z took towards the building.

© copyright 30+ , June '08
Picture from google images

Shalom

*Orun Makanju

2008-06-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Peeps mi,

How are you all?

Abeg Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

If you are reading this post, you sure have breath, why don't you praise God. There will be such a time when the breath will be no more, now that you still have it praise him.

Yesterday - I heard that a good friend of mine passed on. One with whom we worked in hand in hand, one who touched me and helped me in the path of this pilgrimage . He went to be with the Lord sometime last year but I knew not of it. You see I had not seen him for over a decade but believed that one day our paths will yet cross and we will exchange notes.

I will never forget the day I made Orifi cry, he was the first man I will see cry openly because of me (except my dad), he apologised even though I was in the wrong. I teared up inside but put up my stubborn front - he had shown me Humility. I will never forget how he persuaded me to change one habit, where others had faltered he spoke only two sentences, it was like a hammer that broke any questions or resistance of mine - he had demonstrate the power of the WORD. That day he gained my full respect, this was leadership like I never knew.

A kind hearted man, his stature physically was not intimidating but he was strong warrior, Orifi knew his God and he did exploits.

'Orifi ti lo o' (Orifi has gone).
I know our paths will meet again to part no more at the feet of our LORD.

Last week - I visited my neighbour who lost her husband who was well advanced in years yet no less painful for his widow. She let her tears flow freely, a partnership spanning more than 40years now severed.

Monday - I heard of the death of a former colleague, more of an acquitance than a friend, he was just a year my senior but in a neighbouring school. He was a young man whom I am sure had ambition.

Today - Veteran Ibadan politician died aged 81. When it comes to the grandfather of politics in Ibadan, it was Adedibu kan Ibadan kan (one Adedibu, one Ibadan) his influence extends beyond the borders of Ibadan going all the way to Aso Rock. I am sure Ibadan is in uproar, molete will be a no go area, *Erin wo gbogbo ile ni lati mi titi* (*An elephant has fallen, the ground must groan*). The face of Oyo state politics will never be the same.

"Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Eccl 12: 5-7 - NIV).

*Orun Makanju - A popular saying among the yorubas in time of death is 'orun makanju, gbogbo wa la nbo' literal meaning 'heavens don't be in a hurry, we are all coming.

SHALOM

Update

2008-06-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

My personal peeps

How are you all doing? I see God’s work unfolding in your life and I thank God for you lot. He has all the power, raw materials and time to finish the work he started in you. When you think of it life is worth living cos Baba God has not finished just yet.

What can I say, I think I have broken a record as far as blogville is concerned o, yippee yippe doo dooo daaah. I got not one, not two, but three virtual cakes from three different bloggers on this ogbonge blogville, infact one of them was an Alien cake and the other was invisible.
Mommy, Aijay and Darkelcee merci beaucoup for the cakes, it was very thoughtful of you.
Thank you all for your prayers and birthday wishes in fact my head was swollen.

So you want to know what I did on my Birthday shey, I did Nada. 30+ was working all through, imagine that. All the folks calling me from England coould not believe I was working 'cos it was bank holiday for them. I got some lovely cards and gifts. I felt special that day sha and was so joyful and thankful to God I cried that evening. God has been good to me is all I can say…I can’t shout.

I have been quite bizzy in the past week and have only managed to do some blogrounds.

E be like say YES, WE CAN, Obama is rocking...

Personal gist level, not much is happening, lost a couple of pounds.

My flatmate said I look like a 23-25 year old - buuuaaaaaah

Oh yeah I have got a new flatmate, a foine looking guy with a small semblance to Superman's dad (but younger, he is caucasian ). After the initial panic that I may have subconsciously taken on a foine looking flatmate with an ulterior motive, things are back to normal. Temptation is far from me now because he smokes (dude lied that he didn't) and he does not believe in God, how unsexy.
Peeps mi, the first couple of days/week I was avoiding the guy big time as in and lead me not to temptation but deliver me from slander. Imagine the headline "notorious no sex before marriage naija blogger, 30+ jumps her flatmate in a moment of heated lust" – chei, God forbid. It will be worse than Samson and Delilah at least they had a hollywood movie. Mine would be a cheap Nollywood flick with 'ill dressed' actors and actresses and razz lines.

Selah
Have you ever wondered it is been so many years Samson did the do and yet folks are still talking about it, long after God had forgiven Samson, David and Bathsheba nko. In the same way there are some things you and I have done in the past which God has since forgiven but the people around you will keep reminding you and using you as the example. You may even be the one that has refused to forget what God has since erased. My friend get stepping, Old things have passed away, as long as you hang onto that past the future will be a struggle for you to move into.....

14th is keeping us all entertained so get your fill on from THE STREET. Writers let's read some daylight stories please, let's hear from some of the other characters in the neighbourhood, abi nothing else dey happen for the street ni. May God bless your brains and keyboard as you take time to deliver such graphic and entertaining stories.

Till later

Shalom

Bon Anniversaire

2008-05-26T02:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps

Trust you are all doing great and enjoying the summer.

Peeps mi, as you read this post just repeat these words for me "Baba God, 30+ is grateful, she is thanking you for all you have done and what you are going to do, she wishes she had a billion tongues just to tell you how grateful she is"

The plan is if at least a few folks read this post and the repeat the words above (not carried away by the cakes below) God would have heard in more than one language and in different Continents that this baby daughter of HIS alias "30+ of Blogsville" appreciates HIM.

Have you helped me thank him? Oya thank you for thanking HIM.

If the cake is not enough, Darkelcee is organising some more on her blog, bless her heart.

Updated: Mommy too has got some cake for me (only if you are bold or alien inclined - lol)

I no get plenti to talk, feeling so loved from all messages I have been recieving all morning.

Indeed I have a reason to praise the Lord.

14th and Serenity premier is sometime later today you can watch/read free of charge on my account, tell them it's 30+ Birthday.

Shalom

copyright pictures from Heartlight.org and google images

TAG DONE

2008-05-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Peeps,

What's up, how you all keeping.

"Mo gbe oju mi si oke woni, ni bo ni iranlowo mi yio ti wa, iranlowo mi yio ti owo oluwa wa eni ti o da orun ati aiye" ("I lift my your eyes Up towards the Heaven, from whence comes My help, My help comes from the Lord who made the Heavens and Earth").

Alphaly speaking (permit the grammar to be so) , you must look up first to Heaven for help, HE will send help down for you to receive, He is that faithful. A mother may forget her suckling child But God is always mindful go you.

Don't look down before looking up, Look Up before looking down because the Help you really need is from above.

You have heard o

It is official, you bloggers are lovely and adorable. I could not help but smile as I saw the attempts some quite futile to match tbloggers to the description and the modesty of some obvious bloggers as they wondered if they were on the list :).

I have to say this 'the Dude that made me laugh when I first came to blogville was 'Baba Alaye intel'. Before Fineboy was there was BabaAlaaye, fineboy na im Son. Awon winch and haters anons chased him.

Maybe one day when I no get gist or I get writers block, I will post the other names against the list.

Tagged by Darkelcee (a.ka. Dudulafe) and Kpakpando (a.k.a Lipsy).

1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules in your blog
3. Tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged
Here goes

1) 30+ likes counting and calculating - nope I am not an accountant, just like counting and mental multiplications. One of my childhood memories involves an attempt to count the number of beans in a Bag those 30-40kg type ones. I fell asleep just after two congo (bowl) or so. I have since realised that all I needed to do was concentrate on counting one bowl then work out how many bowls are in the bag and that should give me an estimate. Now I need to find me a bag of beans and some idle time (both are luxuries these days).

2) I am an expressionist i.e. my expression does a lot of talking (I know I am murdering English here, bear with me). So in as much as I try to avoid talking, folks can easily read me 'cos of the facials I pull.

3) I love my beverage, must have at least two cups a day.

4) I bring up my food after eating, especially meat and diary stuff.

5) If you need someone to help you cry, you can count on me, I can cry for Olympics.

6) I often interject my sentences or gist with french especially when I am having a serious or formal discussion, oui I do (exactly just like that). My boss once asked if I actually speak french (yes in my dreams).

I tag Ejatutu and Ms Kiki

I have just been hooking up with my old friends from like donkey years ago, courtesy of facebook and networking through some other friends. In short in the past two weeks I have had long gist over phone with ma peeps in Naija (6 of them o), chatted with another one in Singapore abi wetin call, another in Canada. Good news all around o, these folks are now Big Boyz doing well for themselves, I am so pleased.

Yippee I am counting down to my Birthday, eh karamba, God is good. It's a privilege to be called by his name.

SHALOM

1 yr on ....

2008-05-07T05:51:00.001-07:00

Hi Peeps

Wow it seems that times does fly. Whatever we are going through remember that the phrase "these too shall pass". Life has different terrains, from the valley to the hills, to the plain, to the brooks, the sea, the lake, the wilderness, the dessert.

We can learn so much from the unseen/uknown God from the things he has made. He is the master of the universe.

A year today I put up my first post on Blogsville starting a most interesting, educational, engaging and roller coster ride journey. Though my profile says April, it took till May to finally put up a post and figure out what to write.

My blog introduction sounds nothing like what my blog gist/journey has been. Why? Answer is also in my introduction .... he started a new thing in me. Hence rather than delivering on the promised rollercoster, venting of frustrations, the gists on this blog has been mainly 'an easy read' with a dash of humour as I recount some daily happenings and observation in my world.

The 30+ that started this blog was at a place of despair and gloom where she struggled to sense and find her maker as she tried to hold on to her saness adjusting to so many changes as her so called achievement that was eroding her peace.

The 30+ writing this post feels loved, joyful, blessed and divinely favoured. I know that the one who saved me lives,

On Blogville I have

Picked up more Pidgin English than before Na, Una, wetin, na so.
Started writing things like prolly, ishh, sheeznees.
Got myself an official blog sister and brother, no blog boo yet :( ehn did I hear cradle snatcher.
Wrote a poem off cuff
Wrote an inspired poem and short story
Got my creative juice to come alive again
Shared my weirdness
Have written a few posts
Got more than a couple of comments - lol
Made friends plenty of them – (I wrote name (s) against the list but took it out, it's more fun guessing, some will be easier to guess than others though)

The one I see as my aburo for real
The one who reminds me constantly of what I would rather be doing
The one whom I see as my brethren/comrade
The one who is bent on engaging my brain full throttle when reading their post
The one whose post is ever so sensual and makes me wonder
The one I feel like sitting down and raking for just 'cos I love 'em so
The one I really want to meet and hug tight
The one whose cyniscm does not deter my fondness
The one whom I gave the title regular lovely blogger
The one who could easily be my friend from the past
The one whom I admire as intelligent
My aburo
The mumsies group
The one I find endearing
The one who encourages down to her blog title
The one whose love for I AM challenges
The one whose blog is touch and go
The one whose blog is a pure pleasure to read
The one who shares my name and delivers as such
The veteran whose passion I commend
The dude that made me laugh so hard when I first came upon blogsville
The Young Lad
The traveller
The one I call Writer
The ambitious babe
The ones I see as three Musketeers
The kind hearted Husband
The one whose blog name makes me think of fairies
The no nonsense blogger
The one whom I call Babe
The one with whom I have more than a few things in common (tis almost scary)
The one whose Avatar made me smile now it's been changed :(
The one who unknowingly inspired me to blog but does not know my blog

To you all above and everyone who has read my posts, left comments or passed by this way.

30+ is saying

“E seun”, “Nagode”, “Sosahan”, “Imela”, “Thank You”, “Dankschen”, “Merci”, “Siyabonga”, “Shukriya", “Obrigada”, “Gracias”, “Dan san”, “Grazie”, "Doh je"

SHALOM

Another day in the corporate world

2008-05-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Peeps,

With or without hair me I am thankful and will continue to thank him especially as this is my Month, the MONTH OF MAY.

I am persuaded that the wish of some BB (balding/balded bloggers) will not come to pass, when help is available from sharp babes like Sherri and LaReine. I will soon come and share my story probably even write a book on it self. I can see the title now it will be called "Opelope Anointing". Voila I am on the essential oil mix train o, anointing the bald areas at night according to info from Nappturality.com (cool site for hair). Another good site is the also long hair forumn.

So on a good day like that I decided to strike conversation with a colleague in the name of socialisation.

Now please understand that due to the stressful condition that the conversation created, the victim a.k.a myself could not possibly have remembered what he said word for word but the conversation below will give you an idea of my ordeal.

30+: "Good morning Kevin, I hear you grow daisies"

Kevin: “Funny thing you should say that it’s a good morning because when I woke up this morning the daisies behind my bedroom window overlooking the gnomes and the lililies were witling despite the fact that spring is here. And I thought this is not a good morning I suspect that the rain from yesterday which was about 4 inches must have drowned them and as you probably know next to Tulips, daisies are the most delicate of all biennial flowers. I remember when we went to Sweden’s national park and the tour guide mentioned that they had a breed of ducks which were just like pink flamingos. The ducks actually were all lined up by the brooks of the water which was surrounded by daisies similar to the one in my back garden. Actually do you want to see the pictures that I took on that trip to Sweden? Sweden was more of a stop over than the holiday destination, because that summer we were actually headed for Berlin, from Stansted. I remember vividly because it was the Independence Day in the United States…..blah blah”.

20mins later (no exaggerations) I am wondering why I did not listen to my first instinct that said 'avoid socialisation till you have had your Tea and Breakfast'

Please my peepos, how in the name of all things designer labelled do you tell your colleague that he is talking too much. Bear in mind that I could not really say what was on my mind, which was something along the lines of "Chai Bros you too dey yarn dust, abeg hol your side and daisies make I go chop" or "abeg e don do, I just dey form, I have no interest whatsoever in daisies if they want to wilt they can wilt infact I can't tell a daisy from tulip even if my life depended on it" or "Okay give me a break I do not give two monkeys about poxy flowers like that, I am just trying to appear as an inclusive part of the team .....

Anyone seeing the stock market, food and petrol prices....starts to hum 'we shall overcome'

Till later

SHALOM

Balding...nearly

2008-04-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

Spring is here no doubt, a change of season, time to shine and enjoy the outdoor. Remebering that God changes times and Season I give him thanks.

Quick Tip: Water is your best friend don't be afraid to drink up to 2 litres each day starting today, put a bottle on your desk and drink slolwy throughout the day. It does wonders for your skin and may be more effective than buying one silly small jar of Biotherm cream for £39 (must have been jazz) which only becomes a dressing table artefact.

People I am going bald and it is not funny at all.

The hair itself is long, luscious, full black and healthy or so they have told me. Only trouble is this description is fit if you start observing/view my hair somewhere about a quarter way from the forehead. Nice people call it baby hair, I call it early signs of baldness (as in my hair is going in reverse, receeding hairline e.t.c.)

I googled up and found two products Lenzi’s request and Boundless tresses which are 'supposed' to be good . Guess what they are available in the US only UK shop seems to have it (at least online)

Ok, what is wrong with this UK folks self, half the good stuff I want are in the US and I can’t order without an address in the states.

Last year I saw some gorgeous Jewellery that I wanted to order online but the company will not deliver internationally. My only friend in the US panicked that his over sensitive wife might start trouble if he takes delivery for me. She will start asking questions and he will have to ‘fess up that it is 30+ his teenage sweetheart that she suspects he still carries flame for.

No thanks to Napaali’s Beloved and Pink gloves I started whiling away time on target only to see some good stuff which again you guess right. I also spotted some good quality stainless steel pots to buy on another website and again ….can’t be delivered internationally …aaargg disgusted.

Not that I did not try, knowing I was going to be in NY last June I tried ordering stuff and getting them delivered to our hotel so we can pick on arrival. Pssteew for where they refused o, did not even bother trying in LA.

In short any sharp brained woman there who can help me out with either Lenzi’s request or Boundless tresses in the US or better still an alternative that can be gottten from the UK. Biko, this is a distress call before all my head finally assumes permanent position for reflecting the Sun’s glory.

US bloggers you can hit me o, especially if you are close to Miami, my brother will be there in May and I am sure he can pick up the stuff for me if you live close by.

In other news, it’s good to see Tminx back in full blogging mode, seems more bloggers are spending time outdoors now and have neglected blogville. Now Anu has gone for NYSC, Jinta is rationing his post, well Uzezi's post you need visa for that, while Darkelcee, Obiwanne, Zephi and Lighty there own is residency permit you need. Isi has taken off at least she warned of taking off. SOS to Ms allied, Rinsola, Nyemoni, Mommy. Pink S spice it up with Blogville Idols now, Academie can't wait.

Much Love

SHALOM

Music in my ears

2008-04-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,
Have you ever wondered why God commands us to praise Him does he want us make to make his head swell....The answer may lie in the way we feel when we praise him. Next time you lift hands to praise God observe the state of your mind and the changes as you praise of him gets higher and deeper.

So I have been rocking my music even more than ever na 'cos I was feeling like that you know (see previous post). BTW, thank you all thanking me and for the concern e.t.c let all passion be resurected o Mr .....gry.

On that note E ba mi gbe oruko re "Emi ni to nje emi ni, OLORUKO NLA, EMI NI MASE BERU" ("Help me to lift his name, the one who has such a BIG NAME, the one who says IT IS ME DO NOT FEAR").

A little digression (or not). I don't need no Butt Bra, I'll rather smext the looser who thinks multidadding is cool and with all my work approximeetings, Protirement seems a juicy option now. At least I am not a salad dodger, the scales says this chic is 12lbs lighter. Please pass some salad to the nicotine using generation XL kid looking at me like expecting some skinship. Booohh, UCS pay up where's my gift.

Confession Time: Sowwwy Asa fans with all the rave's going on, I am just not feeling her like that. Strange considering the fact that I dig Lauryn Hill & Tracy Chapman with whom she has music sameness (allow my grammatic error). Maybe it's because there was too much hype before I actually listened to the music, therefore I had no chance of Falling in love. I know she has symphony, soul, voice richness blah blah but ......

Now Wande Coal - don't know what happened but I just happened (lol) upon his Ololufe track and whhhhhhhatt!, je suis smitten. Albeit there is the small snag of the one line that says "ti iku ba de se o ma ba mi lo?" (if death comes will you go with me?), I ain't following o. It's got nothing to do with the fact I love life tew much, just of the opnion that I gats to stay back and look after his kids and the props you know *wink*. So I change it to "ti iku ba de jowo ma lo" ("if death comes please go ahead alone") - Lol.

Anyhoos my own ololufe aint dying till his old age when we are Grey, Fulfilled, Surrounded by our children, grand children and great grandchildren.

And then there is Gongo Aso (translation: Gongo = uproar, A =will So =sprout in order words "an uproar will sprout"), what can I say about the song except that the day I heard it, Gongo So and Kputuku wu in my heart. Even now Gongo is still Soing and kputuku is still wuing in my heart for the song.

Topping the charts for me however is track 2 from the Albumn Intimacy (by Funmi)this song is DA BOMB as in I opened the waterworks 1st time I heard it. It's nearly 4 months since I first heard it, the song is still driving me to heavenly ecstacy and I still turn the waterworks anytime I listen to the song meditatively, because folks 30+ knows where she is coming from, she can not shout (phrase borrowed from pink gloves - lol).

Funmi.wma

Did anyone attend FOL? You prolly saw my guy Mike on the Sax or (is it Trumphet)....chei, I just wanna hire him for a night and let him serenade me while I give a dance to Baba God...
Mike just in case you are reading can I hire for the night, honest no indecent proposal here just wanna be serenaded.

"kputuku awu": another way of saying sprouting of an uproar

SHALOM

Why I light a Candle

2008-04-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps

Been a wee while. Trust the One who created you is keeping you. No one can take care of you better than the one who made you for this I consciously choose to thank My Maker.

Been feeling a bit melancholic this past week because of some blogs I read and did not just feel like posting. To top it all Friday had me despairing about cycles and how I am aching for a change. Got my music in full blast all day now let the word be playing into my ears.

I have learnt that the Devil is a liar, you only need a small trigger for negative vibes to take over, No I will not allow it. I know enough not to allow that isshhh.

WE ARE NOT PERFECT BUT PERFECTED IN HIS LOVE. Whether you believe it or not, it is the Truth and that settles it.

In my melacholic state and thinking about London Buki's mom, I got curious as to why folks light candles for remembrance, prayers et al. Below are some of the reasons I discovered:

Because we love, and candlelight is a reflection of that love
To provide comfort in our sadness, soothe our sorrow, and heal the hurt of loss
For sanctuary, the aura of candlelight creates a place to meditate, pray, and give devotion
For solitude, contemplation, and reflection.

So, I am lighting a candle

To show that I love all my Blogger friends, especially the ones feeling down in the dumps right now, don't stay there Get Up because THE ONE WHO MADE YOU LOVES YOU.
For London Buki that God will comfort her and her family
To remind myself that a melancholic state of mind is perfect for praying and meditating on his word.
To reflect on Colossians 1 v 22, indeed I am free from accusation.

In case you haven't, please stop by London Buki to show some Love, after 5 years of battle her mum has moved on to Glory.

SHALOM

Easter Monday

2008-03-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

Here is wishing you a happy Easter.

If I was in Naija and aged between 10 and 13 yrs old we would have spent the day at a picnic either the Bar Beach, The Trans or The Apapa amusement park. I loved those times especially the Amusement park as we expectantly set out to Gethsemane to meet Jesus with a big cooler of jollof rice and chicken. Never mind the fact that Jesus will prolly prefer to meet his disciples in a more appropriate place than the house of horrors in Apapa Amusement park (I wonder if Apapa Amusement Park still exist or at least the carcass of it) . Fast Forward to March 2008 my Galilee is spent inside my office, yes o I am stuck at work and it's snowing bigtime as well. Well I am not complaining since nobody sent me message.

I came across this story on Crosswalk website and decided to share

A little boy born with Down syndrome attended his third-grade Sunday School class faithfully each week. As you can expect, the other children did not readily accept the boy because he seemed different.

The Sunday after Easter, their teacher brought in small boxes--one for each child. The children were told to go outside, find some symbols of new life, and put them in their containers. So the children ran wildly throughout the property looking for something to fill their boxes. Once they returned to the classroom, they began to share their discoveries with the class. One by one they opened their boxes to show flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more. Each time the class would "ooh" and "ahh."

Then the child with Down syndrome opened his box to reveal nothing inside. The children exclaimed, "That's stupid! It's not fair! He didn't do the assignment right!"
The little boy exclaimed, "I did so do it! It's empty...because the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty!"

If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would be foolish and fake. But He did rise from death, confirming His life and message. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our hope of life eternal beyond the grave. Don't ever forget to include the resurrection of Christ from the dead when speaking of His death on the cross. For because He conquered sin on the cross and death through His resurrection, we can have unmistakable hope in Him for eternity.

Till Laters, I pray every dead/dry areas of your life recieve resurrection and life today.

SHALOM

Danger Mouse

2008-03-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

I trust you are all good.

Remember that from North to South there is no other God, from East to West there is no other God before him there is none and after him nko no one.

This is an old gist I had promised to download a while back about Danger Mouse who happened to be a match make attempt it just occured to me I did not fulfill the promise so finally here it is the update you don dey halla me for 'you know yourselves'

Background - Sister O is one of those 'Iya eto' (make it happen women) in my church, who saw me on one Sunday and asked if I was seeing anyone to which I answered negative.

Like film sha Sis O pulled me aside about three Sundays later and introduced me to this guy Bros Dangermouse (a.k.a. Bro D) Here goes the convo:

Sis O: "30+ meet D"

Moi non the wiser said casually "Hello D"

He acknowledged followed by awakward silence, my eyebrow raised at Sis O face as to 'who he was supposed to be'.

Sister O just said "Talk now, ki lo nseyin"? (Talk, what is wrong with both of you?)

That was when the penny dropped, I turned charcoal black from the blushing, how embarrasing. Where is a ground opening earthquake when you need one.

Folks, some peeps can be tactless.

I observed Bro D with my corner eye, the bros was decked up in Suit, nice itele (shoes) tie knotted gbagbagba(i.e choker level) he had obviously made a lot of attempt to impress, na wa o. Physique -well heightwise and widthwise, the name Danger Mouse was meticulously given after careful observation of the aforementioned and the latter shenennigans.

Bro D apparently grew up in mission house, was shy and doesn't know how to talk to girls e.t.c all according to Sis O.

Like eja kote head (frozen fish head), we exchanged pleasantries and numbers under the watchful eye of Sister O. If not that we were in Church and that I was/am working on mind renewal, bridling tongue.....God knows what I would have done.

Anyways, the guy called me a couple of times and the conversations were usually typified by monosyllables and sleep inducing jagbajantis like:

Bro D: "How are you? "

30+: "Ok"

Bro D: "What are you doing?"

30+: "Nothing"

Bro D: "Did you poo?"

30+: "Yes I finally did!

Bro D: "Did you wee?"

30+: "I don't remember?"

Bro D: "Do you drink water"

...and so on so forth meanwhile trying hard to maintain civility. Why did I pick up his calls, I was being polite. Plus he was the one burning his credit and by the time he gets off the phone, I drop of to sleep instanta.

Then he invited me for a meal and film, and 30+ said yes, pass me not by free food and awoof no dey kill person ko...lie.

Come the D day, good meal, nice film, good weather, altogether nice outing, how splendid! I carried bag ready to go my own way abi after you see THE END at the cinema, next destination is for me to go home is it not?!

30+: "Thank you Bro D, God bless You, see you some other time"

That is how Bro D extended arms as per 'hug' goodnite shey, no shakin me too I accepted.

Next thing I know, what's going on? Shuo, I was on lockdown, Bro D will not let me go! Dude was holding me tight like his life depended on it.
I managed to free my head a bit to read his face as in 'what the heck is going on' I will try to carefully describe what happened in the following 2mins or so.

Have you seen folks in karate lesson when they take position as the Sensae shouts "assume the zeng ko kuda chi genda barai kamaite " . Bros D had assume position of kissing o, dude had his eyes closed, lips pouting and shooting out ready for me to reciprocrate. Then I started feeling his hands going down gradually and eventually resting ever so slightly on my DERIERE ready to grab my butt cheeks shuuuuuoo, not on your nearly balding head..............'haya!' 'hai!!' 'hai!!!'. I doubled up strength like the power rangers and broke free.....my dereiere, lai lai lai...na yam.

You and who? When did we start geography that we are drawing map?

So film and dinner is the cost to grab my precious derriere. I did not know that they taught them 'butt grabbing' at the mission house. Needless to say I gave him one look and lest I commit (in the days when I was not this calm, that bloke would have chopped hot slap), started walking away. One after the other I sucked my butt cheeks in just in case they decide to wiggle at him in a mannner of showing off ....

Did I feedback to 'Sis O'? No I could not be bothered.

However unknown to me 'Sis O' had informed 'Sis Devil is a liar' (a better pally of mine)about her matchmake effort and was wondering why I did not show enthusiasm to the guy (apparently danger mouse gave 'Sis O' the impression I was not keen and he is shy around me). So when 'Sis Devil is a liar' asked my taken aback self, I gave her the low down of the butt grabbing expedition of 'Bro Danger mouse' knowing fully well she will not hold back in speaking a piece of her mind to 'Sis O'.

On a serious note I was a bit miffed at the whole shebang. I was not wearing anything revealing to entice him, we did not even watch Romantic film, it was X men or something like that. So at which junction did my body language signal to him that my butt was itching for a grab.

Someday I will tell my kids and grandkids the story of what this Nubian Princess went through before meeting her Prince, better still I will just give them this blog URL.

Till laters

SHALOM

NEW EVENING CLASSES FOR WOMEN

2008-03-09T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Peeps,

There is no end to the wisdom of God who chose to create them male and female, male and female he created them and blessed them commanding us to be fruitful...Thank you father for indeed I am and will even be more fruitful.

Now for the Women, All the ladies in the house say "Hu, Hu": Prompted by Princessa's comment after earlier post on class for men, I have up with course details for Women's Evening Classes. It's a summary of hints and feedback picked up over the years as to what type of classes men may want women to attend.

DAY 1

Must he really buy you flowers? Panel of debate on alternative options a) Getting a gardener plant flowers in your front garden to hearts content b) Getting a florist deliver flowers to you with your husband’s name and credit card 365 days a year or until you are tired of flowers e.t.c

Is sex really a weapon or legal, spiritual and moral right? (for married only) - Testimonies from frustrated men and several ladies (i.e the strangers) who don't mind married men just to get 'some'.

Picking up after him how difficult is it versus getting wrinkles from concocted face? Seminar Talk: How a little bending and picking can be more advantageous than the paid gym membership you never attend.

Do men really think of Sex a lot? A video interview with Professor Jintagry. Snippet from the interview: "Yes we do", "It is another sport for us", "It helps stress" e.t.c.

Is it possible to keep quiet when he says dumb stuff especially in the public? Classroom lecture How to drown out individual sound. Amazing long lasting gobshutting chewing gum and invisble ear plugs to be distributed as part of practical. Practicals will be offsite in following locations Lagos (Oshodi), London (Peckahm), New York (China Town).

Why do men like food so much? Picture slide show of different women’s facial expression as they tuck into a well cooked and well presented meal. Delegates will come out of class with evidence that the love of food is not limited to men.

He watches football all the time - Open field experiment: Delegates are advised to wear shorts and jersey as we will endeavour to chase the stupid rubber called football around the field to understand the enjoyment.

He will rather get lost than ask for direction - Living with it: 7 things you can do rather when he gets lost e.g. Snooze, Enjoy the Scenery, Gist about mundane things, doing a quickie: it spices up the marriage e.t.c (a 10 page booklet read, paperback, author 30+).

DAY 2

Are women more Intelligent than men? Classrooom Debate on poverty, environmental pollution, oppression, Aids, Depression, Diabetes, Cot Death, world peace and it's mpact on our planet. Each student will be advised to come up with their own answer of Men vs Women Intelligence question in light of the classroom debate.

What is the purpose of God creating Men in the first place? Student will be required to bring either their father/sperm donor, son, brother, uncle to class for direct questioning. Stand in Models also available Gani, Nelson M, Tuface (please pray he does not get attacked before the day). Efforts will also be made to contact Baba God online to defend this creation.

Why does he think he knows everything? - Objective Q and A paper. Sample questions include Does his thinking add 1 cubit to your height? Does it remove 1 cubit from your height? Are you a certified mind reader?

Can I submit to Him without loosing my respect / status? - Online Teaching including Practical demonstration of a dwarf prostrating and getting up without lice on it’s head. Corporate heads (women) who submit to their man and still hold their position come to share their thoughts. Delegates will be asked to spot the difference to prove it does not cause any physical deformity.

He has refused to Change? 1-2-1 Counselling He may never change, counsellors available including ministers, Meditation, you are strongly adviced to pre read the book "Theory of evolution - A pure fallacy" before attending this class.

Constant Persuasion a.k.a nagging/small quarrel, is it really sexy? Tutorial: Evidence base and Feedbacks. Evidence from historians account in the Good Book (Jud 16:16 - Delilah, Click for Even More Evidence), Feedback from Men / Husbands / Sons / Brothers / Fiances. Note: The I will not nag - Self Affirmation Tapes will be distributed after class.

Differences between Your Husband and your son? Slide presentation on how mothering him cause comparison to His mother.

He replied that my bum is big? How to desist from asking the question in the first place. Learning to carry what you weigh with grace, packaging your thang neatly, clothes that create slimline illusion. How to allow Bingo to help with the kids left overs.

He does not tell me he loves me? Men and Women differences in verbal expression explored. How to remind yourself that your Man is not Shade or Dunni or Kemi who you exchange I love you with at every pause of your convo.

He does not understand me - Role Play, "saying what you mean and meaning what you say".

He says I talk too much? No class needed for this, you proabably do.

Feel free to suggest other courses that should be added!

Holla back

Shalom

NEW EVENING CLASSES FOR MEN

2008-02-29T06:32:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps,

Now unto the King Eternal Immortal Invisible the ONLY Wise God be all Honour Glory and Power Forever.

I am doing fab, God has not finished with me and I know He is still who began a good work is faithful to the end.

I read Mr Jintagry's post on Women's conflicting need and could not help but smile. The whole Men vs Women debate as far as I am concerned is in itself a Sport and very soon may be considered to be part of the Olympics indoor games - lol.

I can't recount how books there are or how many gatherings where the main fun was arguing why Men are this or why women are that. What do men want, what do woment want. Men are from mars, women are from venus and all that Sheeznees. Being a vocal person who enjoyed (note enjoyed) I was often put on the spot by friends and foes throwing questions at such gathering and thrusting me forward to be the main speaker for the female specie.

Why don't I enjoy this debate as much as I did previously?

Being mizunderstood by folks who pick my words to validate their opionion of me.
It also became a bit of a boring sport for me
I have matured from what I was 10yrs ago and don't necessarily have the energy.

The first reason of course precipitates on being a female, Nigerian, 30+ and unmarried.

On a lighter note I came upon this mail which refused to delete it because it is still a good read and sure to get a smile on your face. Men you know it's all Love so enjoy the joke.

NEW EVENING CLASSES FOR MEN - ALL ARE WELCOME
Note: due to the complexity and level of difficulty, each course will accept a maximum of eight participants.

The course covers two days, and topics covered in this course include:
DAY ONE

HOW TO FILL ICE CUBE TRAYS: Step by step guide with slide presentation
TOILET ROLLS- DO THEY GROW ON THE HOLDERS? - Roundtable discussion
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LAUNDRY BASKET & FLOOR - Practicing with hamper (Pictures and graphics) .
DISHES & SILVERWARE; DO THEY LEVITATE/FLY TO KITCHEN SINK
OR DISHWASHER BY THEMSELVES? - Debate among a panel of experts.
LOSS OF VIRILITY - Losing the remote control to your significant other - Help line and support groups.
LEARNING HOW TO FIND THINGS - Starting with looking in the right place instead of turning the house upside down while shouting "It's not there!”, You’ve moved it!” or “We’ve run out!” (Open forum )

DAY TWO

EMPTY MILK CARTONS; DO THEY BELONG IN THE FRIDGE OR THE BIN?
Group discussion and role-play.
HEALTH WATCH; BRINGING HER FLOWERS IS NOT HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH - PowerPoint presentation.
REAL MEN ASK FOR DIRECTIONS WHEN LOST - Real life testimonial from the one man who did.
IS IT GENETICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT QUIETLY AS SHE PARALLEL PARKS?
Driving simulation.
LIVING WITH ADULTS; BASIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR PARTNER - Online class and role playing.
HOW TO BE THE IDEAL SHOPPING COMPANION : Relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques.
REMEMBERING IMPORTANT DATES & CALLING WHEN YOU’RE GOING TO BE LATE - Bring your calendar or PDA to class.
GETTING OVER IT; LEARNING HOW TO LIVE WITH BEING WRONG ALL THE TIME - Individual counsellors available

Till later folks, celebrate your gender it is key to purpose fulfillment.

Shalom

Random Sturves

2008-02-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps

Trust you are all good. I will never tire to say it God is faithful and he cares. Rababa for him to the left and right because he deserves it.

I have been feeling very much like myself lately o, woreva that means but it's very good.

All around all around everywhere I look your love is all around (can't get the song out of my head). I think the Valentine business added to it mehn.

Red carpet, roses, good food, paparazi, that describes my valentine and I was not even dreaming....good fun.

No it was not courtesy of a knight in shining BMW. Just my church peeps outdoing themselves to give us a night to remember.

So officially it now makes 3 folks that I know personally who are Blogville residents, my sister and two other friends (Do your sherlock Holmesign - :).

Don't mind me, I know this post is mumbo jumbo but just decided to drop a line sha to my peeps ANWAY, ANYHOW today.

Click on the Pix

Shalom

God's own Country

2008-02-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps

Thank you God for your Patience and how Merciful you are in your dealings with man.

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink......................"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' .......................'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' " - Matt 25 v 41-45

It is impossible to Love the CREATOR without caring for His CREATION.

Think of the one Superpower country today and which country comes to your mind, by chance is the country THIS ONE.

Yet common 0.17% of the earnings to be contributed to end world poverty still has no schedule for fulfillment, see LINK.

I bet if it was to mark territory on a potenitally oil rich country, there would have been a state of emergency meeting and schedule will be RIGHT NOW!!!

It is a good thing I am not GOD, because about now I will be breathing fire and brimstone on certain folks/places.

And please do visit FREE RICE again.

Every little helps

Shalom

After the Ponderings

2008-02-07T05:10:00.000-08:00

Hi peeps,

I want to believe you are all well
How awesome is God, he never forgets, he rewards, he compesates.

So it seems most folks aren't prepared for what is next? It is either one of two things: a) The question was misunderstood b) Most of the folks belong to the same sample group with a consistent commonality.

For me, next step for me will be marriage and progressing my career. I kind of got them covered in that I know what course to go on next blah de blah. As per marriage I am as ready as can be except SELFISHNESS. I suppose you can only learn to be selfless when there is another to consider so I am not fazed about that. Although not being able to hop and jet out Lasgidi, Taj Mahal or LA at my own will is gonna be tardy bit difficult. No worries will cross that bridge when we get there.

I also discovered that as financially astute as I claim to be with monthly spreadsheet of shares bought, bank balance et al, I DO NOT ACTUALLY HAVE A BUDGET TALK LESS OF STICK TO IT. What a rude awakening!

I spend on whim and generally don't know how much I spend in a month....(insert eyes popping here). I only assess after the damage is done with statements like "wow seems as if I spent a lot last month sha!" or "what exactly did I buy last month?!" or the classic standing at the cash machine frowning "I thought I had more than that in the account?!"

I have since drawn up a budget and must tell you my outgoing is whack...if not that I get a decent pay....no wonder folks find it difficult to save.

In the spirit of savings and belt tightening, I am taking up a lodger. Whatever rent they pay me goes towards the "Dubai is calling me fund". Wisdom is profitable to direct ko. You are also welcome to donate to the fund it will be judiciously disbursed preferably no Dollars please. I accept Naira, Pounds and Yen.

Some gists on hot drinks and heart attack
The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine . Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer . It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware.
Dunno how true the gist is (I am not doctor o), let Dr Lamikanra come and talk.

SHALOM

Preparing for Different Strokes

2008-02-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps,

To him from whom all blessings come be praise and glory titilai, amen.

I have been reading some of this naija folks saying it's cold in Nigeria at the moment witht he harmattan and all. I am reading and thinking yeah right come over when you wear 4-5 layers and you still drinking Tea every hour as if it's going out of fashion.

The northerly or is it westerly winds was blowing so hard on Tuesday the thing nearly carried me off ground opelope ajesara of starch okele in different forms. If I had reached my target weight the wind for carry me. I am determined to walk to work so I just giddy up (add more layers if need be) and keep walking.

My friend then calls me on Tuesday and when I mentioned weather she just said meshionu (i.e. keep shut) "go online now and google for the temperature in my city" (she is in canada), guess what the temp was -15c kilode (mouth wide open), I meshionued one time.

Teaser
So if Adam and Eve were naked in the garden, that means there was no winter in the garden of Eden abi there was no winter at all?
Shall we blame the weather on the eating of apple, because it seems as if "in the beginning it was not so" (to borrow someone's favourite phrase).
If the garden of Eden is a tropical country and I am from a tropical country (Naija) that means I am seriously blessed. Maybe I should just carry bags back to Lasgidi....

I got a mail in my inbox and it kind of set me thinking.....

As much as I try not to fret, all this recession talk is causing me to access, another interest rate cut in how many weeks, it's like the desperate measure of a man fighting Titanic.

I wonder how prepared generally for the future but also specific to the current economic situation around me.

My question is how prepared are you for the next stroke be it a relationship, marriage, children, unexpected Economic downturn, your future e.t.c?

Hmmn let me go and do some thinking and planning

Holla back, Shalom

Blog Carnival

2008-01-25T01:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps,

Thank God, Mz Sandra is back but not after I had to use take my Legzuz to work and that on two very cold winter days.

I may just carry on with the Legzuz, that will be doing my bit for the enviroment na plus hopefully help my quest for fitness...phew. But it ain't eazy ma peeps.

Did you know there was a 7 day carnival going on?!

Swing on by to the crib of Daddyz Gal to read from bloggers giving you the low down on different parts of their body.

Oh yes and I also feature introducing you to my... 'Lips!

Update just because I know some folks can't be bothered with links, see the Ode below:since some folks will not click link, I have pasted the ode below...

Nectar and honey that's what comes to me

Anytime I think of you

Perfectly formed, Pouting with every pose I take

The sweet nectar of you may cause many to fall

But I choose to keep your nectar

And like a hardworking bee turn it to honey

Healing and Soothing

The words that come from you

As you team with my sponge and pearls

You cleanse, you wash, you nourish

Yes my lips drip of honey

Satiating the ears that anticipate

With sweet wild honey

Rise and be healed it drips

So are the words formed on my lips

Like the balm of Gilead you will heal many

Shalom

Sandra!

2008-01-18T19:03:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps what's popping

Thank God for the gift of blog, it gives me opportunity to rant when I need to. Thank God for the gift of boredom and time otherwise how else would folks sit down to actually read this.

Mood: Babanla major upset
Reason: Sandra, more bills

Sandra has really outdone herself o, causing majory embarrassment for 30+ in the public. To think that I took pity on the her to give her the chance when the previous bloke gave up on her pimping her for peanuts.

BACKGROUND
She was a bit of gamble considering her state when I met her and the pittance that I was commiting in cash, well I had no long term plans for her. However there was a particular day when we were cruising down. suddenly her shoe hit something and it came apart. Anyhoos I decided to buy her 2 brand new (a replacement and the other for spare). Well the dude fitting the new shoe (s) I bought, called my attention to Sandra's booty, where a brand new tyre complete with jack was hiding (under the carpet). I had earlier told the guy I had no jack nor spare, (he must have thought I was a bird brained woman). Ehm I am too busy with life to be checking under carpet for spare tyre and jack. I don't know why it has to be hidden under a carpet in the first place.
Anyways after this incident, realising the underestimation I had for her, a new level of respect developed (hey, a spare and jack demand respect na). Also decided to rock her a bit more than earlier planned at the same time giving myself more time to save for a gengencious upgrade.
Lately I had been harping on the need for an upgrade and made the mistake of discussing this while driving Mz Sandra , it must have touched her nerve or is it suspension. So of course Mz Sandra waited till Friday morning to demo craze for me.

Early in the morin just as I am manoevoring to the reception area to get a temporary security card, the noise came 'Kriunch Krench', muutering "your days are numbered" I pressed gas to continue movement and managed to move 0.00000000001km. Don't even try it, more gas..... VOOOOOOOOM, kno, Sandra was as still as Olumo Rock. Close investigation revealed that driver side tyre had partly disengaged itself from the rest of car. Like the kid who decides to jump when every other kid is sitting still for the class picture - knowing fully well it was only one shot per class.

Wharra mess! right at the T junction in front of my office. "Sandra is it me you decided to advertise with disgrace like this". I was so tempted to dump her arse right there and just walk away but did not want my name to be in the next office newsletter for causing grievous accident to her colleagues by abandoning her vehicle.
Long story short I reluctantly called the mechanic to come and take the idiot to the garage asking casually for an estimate, "will get back to you he said". Kpatakpata (at worst) double digit figures. That is how the poxy guy called me around 5pm as I was coming out of one of those brain freezing meetings that derobes me of my saneness with all the fakeness and grammar blowing.

Garage man: Your car is on the ramp now, I will be fixing the suspension, gear something, ball and socket joint something and it will cost 275 excluding VAT. Note that they are suddenly repairing 3 things.
30+: "So what is the Status, how soon can i get the car and am I getting any discount on that amount?".
Garage man: "Will see what I can do".
Fast forward 1 hour later, as I am packing up to go home, brain is thawing slowly as the affairs/stress of the day begins to lift off my head.
30+: "Flipping Heck" I suddenly muttered out loudly, "that winch of a car is costing me how much again?", . "How much did I buy the ramshackle car in the first place?" "Olopa o". I dialled garage frantically "this is sosoliso garage, we are now closed for the day, for emergencies....".
30+: "Dem jazz me how did I agree to pay that" ......BLANK
I can buy another banger with 275 ke.
I miss Mr Scopido, no VAT, no receipts all payment in cash, the guy will do work to suit your pocket/less.
On a normal day (excluding power suit, meetings and brain freeze) I would have done Naija style telling the garage man to tow the car back with heavy Nigerian accent. Instead I was yarning dust and asking for Status of car.

OK Sandra you don win this round, I promised all sundry that no money was going to be spent as I am saving all my love sorry money for Sandra's replacement. However since Sandra has chosen to fight dirty, she has another thing coming. The intention was to do the honourable thing by her as in give her away graciously to someone who will appreciate her but now I am selling her old raggedy arse off. I will use the life out of her but as God is my witness I am selling this sucker off, auction, ebay o, Woreva. Worse still I will take her to a car dealer and use her "ungrateful arse" as the deposit for ma new ride.
Moral of the gist
- No money/deal talk after a meeting especially post 5pm.
- Hell hath no fury like a car scorned especially when she has a lady's name.

OK rant over, the sun has gone down and I have vented my anger.
P.S - Inanimate object can hear word o but they don't read blog so I should be safe from any more of Sandra's embarrassment.

Shalom

Los Angeles - The Finale

2008-01-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

Hello peeps,

It's 2 weeks into the New Year already! This year is flying mehn but we shall also fly on the wings of the MIGHTY GOD from whom all blessings come

So here is the conclusion of Los Angeles trip gist make you hear word.

Rodeo Drive - Pick one answer.
a) I shopped so much till I dropped then parked my bentley, called Posh to come over so we can have tea at the Cafe a la Aroma.
b)I drove past and hissed saying "what is in the silly Rodeo drive sef it is not even that fancy and I am sure those folks don't stock my style"

Camarillo Outlets - Some good bargains here, you've seen the video from driving.

Universal Studio - Went for the Blast Zone, Shrek 4D, Terminator, Water World, Sound Effects, Jurassic Park, Studio Tour. All enjoyable experience but top for me was Studio Tour. Another cheesy clip below. P.S I recently found out windows movie maker on my system, so be ready to endure more cheesy clips from me in the future...ha ha ha haha/

Hollywood Star Walk - Not much to this one, we just walked up and down a bit. Apparently nominated stars pay $25k for the priviledge of their name on the walkway - so says our Tour guide. JULIA ROBERTS and CLINT EASTWOOD do not have a star on the walk of fame although DONALD TRUMP has one so I guess it's okay...

Hollywood Museum - Good thing this was part of the LA GO CARD thingy, if it was a cash over the counter, I would have requested a refund. It was quite below par.

Hollywood Trolley Tour - DRY: Tour guide trying too hard to be funny. Saw paramount studio, nickelodeon studis, CBS studio, I suppose the only highlight was we got on the grounds of Hollywood Bowl and got closer view of the Hollywood Sign.

Kodak Theatre Tour - 30mins tour but well worth it. I was able to rehearse my Oscar speech live. It was cool to hear some inside gist of the Oscars e.g. The stars are encouraged to go to the loo when commercial is on and their is usually a sit in guy/lady who takes their sit while they are gone all so the seat does not show as empty on TV....I'm like who cares if seat is empty or not.

Gauman's Chinese Theatre - Did not go inside the theatre just milled outside reading the hand/foot prints and writings from some of the stars. Missed seeing Will Smith doing his own imprinting (12th of December) dang.

Movie Stars Home Tour / Beverly Hills - Not even a sparkle did I see talk less of movie star. However it was nice seeing Peter Falk's house (I like the guy, his character can be annoying but i think he is adorable and quite intelligent). At at a point our Tour guide was telling us the profile of the actor who lives in a particular house ending with the statement "....he is currently in UK promoting his new movie I am Legend". "Will Smith!!!" my sister and I shrieked at the same time. Tour guide replied "wow I see our ladies from London are quite excited, I think I just made their day" "YES! Of course, WILL IS A BROTHER" came my response. "Ok?! Y'all heard her, they say he is their brother". She missed the gist. Woreva, abeg help me interprete to her the concept of A Brother with respect to awon temi a.k.a my peeps.
She was even more puzzled when we did not bat an eyelid at seeing David Beckhamn's house "...my ladies from London are the first Londoners not to comment on seeing David's Beckham residence" she questioned over her microphone. Wanted to reply that I am not a Londoner but ignore her as I was strategising with my sis on coming back to hang out with the Prince of Bel Air. David ko Peteru ni?!, we are talking Will he is talking David - 7up the difference is clear.
a)________________________ b)

I rest my aroye (gist) on Los Angeles, like they say where I come from, the end is close of cinema.

THE END

Shalom

Happy New Year and Oh LA 2

2008-01-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps,

What a GLORIOUS GOD, more than anyone or anything GOD IS GOOD. No matter where we have been, where we are and where we are going GOD IS FAITHFUL and HE NEVER FORGETS!!!

Christmas and New Year was Great for me, it was totally stress free, no cooking/cleaning, no getting into arguments with the family, no overeating. Christmas Day was spent lazying in the Hotel and eventually going for the tour of Movie star homes then heading to Long Beach to have dinner at the Queen Mary's, the food was sumptous.
31st of December - Spent in London, went to church for the watchnight seervice and we sent words to the New Year, this is our year indeed. I see order and new creations unfolding in my life and in your life. New year day itself was spend lazying in bed at my brother's place, later went to see my mum. Stayed a couple of more days in London before flying back to my village base.

New year resolutions - none. The last time I had resolution was probably 10-12 years ago. I make resolutions on as needed basis why wait till Jan, as they say 'Carpe Diem'.

LA - What can I say I enjoyed myself. I later found the internet access was just $10.

Armed with the Los Angeles Go Card, the places we visited include- Getty Museum, Santa Monica Pier, Sunset Strip / Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive, Griffith Park, Hollywood Hills, Camarillo Outlets, Queen Mary on Long Beach, Kodak Theatre, Universal Studios, Movie Star homes tour, Trolley Tour, Hollywood wax museum, Gauman's chinese theatre.
Summary gist for each place visited is below in no particular order (I will conclude the rest in next post).

Driving in LA - LA Drivers have no patience sha. Maybe it was because we mainly took the freeway ni o I don't know but just after 4 hours on the road come and see stress for my body. Picture this, Ikorodu Road having 6-7 lanes of smooth motorway, and instead of molues, tokunbos and some choice rides we have 70-80% SUVs / Trucks. Then imagine that the SUVs / Trucks are being driven with an added attitude of 'notin dey happen, insurance dey'. Now imagine my humble self who drives in a country where you sweat blood and money before you get your licence, any small mistake gets you points (not trophy point); She has not driven on the wrong side of the road (i.e. left hand) for over a decade, has not seen so many lanes on one road in her life, has forgotten that you can overtake from left, right, centre, front. You get the picture?! Even with the strong winds those folks were just going for it like mad. I was swerving ever so often because my brain kept panicking that I was on the wrong side, the wind was blowing heavily and those trucks were coming at me from every where, mehn I tire. I was so glad to return the car back and get on the metro phew. See video below, my speed was between 50-60mph on a windy night!!! yet even trucks were overtaking. The other language you hear me speak is yoruba, summarily I was just venting and saying I will stick to one lane no matter what (last) at the same time comparing the driving to Naija and UK.

Getty Museum - The maze garden and the views from this museum was the main deal for me. I must confess we only did a brief tour of the current exhibition which had a lot of displays about early christianity and war items (forgot the name of it now). Spent some time taking in the views from the terrace cafe and walking around the garden.

Jamba Juice Joint (As per Kimpossible) - There was one outside universal Studio and I visited. I had a smoothie but that was 2 days earlier, so it was not quite the Jamba smoothie. Gist was I had just finished Capuccino or somefink when I came upon the jamba joint so just could not down any other drink. Found another around Griffith park but it was closed :(

Santa Monica / Venice Beach (As per Allied & Mochafella) - Imagine 30+ with her eyes kongba and the buffet of people available for my watching consumption with a backdrop of the sea lapping on the shores of the beach. I could ride up and down all day just enjoying the scenery, wait...that is what we did. We rented bikes and spent the whole day riding the stretch of the path from Santa Monica to Venice, stopping only for lunch. As if that was not enough I got a free gift of watching the Sunset (see earlier video).

Lunch

Griffith Park / Observatory (As per Jinta) - Here it was a touch and go deal. We only went there on the day of our departure and was advised not to bother going to the observatory as it was packed.

Till later when I conclude my LA gist, "I wish you a joyful and fulfilling New year. A New Dawn has come"

Shalom

OH LA!!!

2007-12-27T14:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Peeps,

Merry Christmas everyone. Trust y'all having a good one. Thank God for his unending love and mercy.

Well I am having a good time in LA, yes ke, in fact I am broadcasting live from LA.

Small Rant: I had to pay $14 extra for 24hr internet access, imagine that pstew. if not that I was missing Blogville.

LA Highlights so far, seeing the sunset on Santa Monica Beach. Oh my dayz tis was spectacular.
As the sun went down on one side the moon was coming out on the other withing a short period of time. I stood in awe meditating on these two incredible entities wondering on the mystery of it all. Geography tells me that the earth is spinning in it's orbit hence we move around the sun blah de blah, however that theory was furthest from my mind as I beheld this happening before my very eyes. See video below.

The hills around Los Angeles generally are amazing, however as you drive down descending to Camarillo City, phew one word Fantastic (click on the pictures for better view). I felt humble looking at the mountains sprawled out in majestic splendour with overlays of green and golden grass carpet. GOD IS AMAZING the work of nature indeed speak of HIS MAJESTY.

Pix 1 (side view)

Pix 2 (Camarillo city seen beyond)

Pix 3 (more view from side)

Pix 4

On another note, LA DRIVING IS CRAZY, I think most drivers get weed as present for passing their driving test.....(full gist later).

Till later, we will ALL enter year 2008 with nothing / no one missing nor any loss suffered in Jesus Name.

Shalom

8 Wierd Things

2007-12-14T05:04:00.000-08:00

Howdy people,

Thank God that we are alive at such a time like this. "He whom has kept us this far will continue with us".

I was tagged by Princessa to let you in on the weirdness of 30+

Un: I like counting. It is borderline obsessive but not compulsive e.g. I will stand outside a high rise and building start counting the floors and number of windows it has. I will carry my coin box empty it all and start counting sorting by denomination. If you ever see me in church or a party stretching my neck as if searching for someone na lie, I am probably counting the number of people in that gathering.

Deux: I am no 2 biased. This to me is the mother of weirdness. If I am staying overnight in your house or a couple of days/1 week. I will not be able to do no 2. However if I come just for a brief visit and the white house is clean I have no qualms. I have tried and proven this weirdness many times and it still holds true.

Trois: I zone out a lot. E.g we are all together in a living room having a good gist and generally yarning. Next thing 30+ is all quiet, you have to tap her to come back. It is usually because a thought has come to my mind and I have to process there and then, it can't wait.

Quarte: I like watching cartoons. Although these days I don't watch any form of T.V. however when I do watch it, amongst my favourite shows are/were Rugrats (until they grew up - not cool), Arnold and Recess. Sshh don't tell anyone but there was actually a time I stayed up to watch teletubbies.

Cinq: I remember random things about people. E.g. I met you 10yrs ago and suddenly see you again my memory flashes all I see in my mind is Cat. Why because you probably told me you were having your cat neutered back then. I may not remember your name or where we met but remember your cat's name, or your aunty's birthday e.t.c

Seize: I do a lot of acting/stories in my head e.g. I see some folks in the supermarket and the guy does or say something bad, in my head I see that the wife did something yesterday and this was how she did it and why she did it. I also continue their story in my head, what will happen when they get home, who will say sorry. I also go ahead to write a story of how the man or woman grew up (remember I don't know these folks from jack).

Sept: My expressions are a dead give away of how I feel. Picture this you come into a room and tell a lie, 'involuntarily' my nose turns up and my eye says yeah right. It has no respect for who is talking, I could do the same in front of Yaradua and have gotten into trouble a couple of times as folks have reported that I called them a liar (not me o, my expression). I am working very hard to moderate it, these days you will hardly notice, except for keen observers (like my current boss).

Huit: I am a people watcher. We are at a party and everybody is grooving, even while dancing and laughing my eyes dashes round and I notice the smallest frown, the fake laugh, the one that seemed confused and will describe them back to you as such. Forget what they were wearing just say "the one that smiled least at the party" and and I will get the gist. I also 'used to' stare a lot so much so as a small child I was given a nickname to that effect. Presently I have now perfected the art doing it without the object/subject's knowledge so I no longer call it staring but "Observing".

Here goes I hereby tag darkelcee, undacova, bimbylads, jaybabe, onyiodchic, kimpossible, aminata, naijafineboy (hope he wakes from slumber). If you have been tagged before that means you still got some weirdness to share (lol) .

LA UPDATE
Thanks guys for all your comments my itinerary done full, blogville rocks. Mochafella you tew much, the guy gave me LA 411 in one comment. So I am packing my bags bit by bit may not be able to update till I get there. I do hope the room has Internet access as I will not pay any extra $5 for access after the $XXXs per night for the room. Need to check with my sis who did the booking. If there is Internet access then I will try to broadcast live from LA. If not have a FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS

Shalom

LA and Inspired

2007-12-03T12:36:00.000-08:00

Hi peeps,

Happy new month to y'all, 2007 is packing her load, thank God for enduring mercy. The countdown has begun. For me on the one hand is the 2008 countdown, while the other is the countdown for my trip to the city of Angels.

Yes o, if you were planning to come over mine for Christmas you have missed it. This babe is flying her behind out for some good fun. I am so giddy with exctiement because this time I plan to have a proper holiday not those shopping trip frenzy that I have been calling holiday.

Here is the plan, you drop a comment on the must have experiences in LA city and I promise I will not dissapoint. Will visit all the places you mention and come back with loads of gist, okay not only gist but cyber gifts.

Anyways as I promised Allied, this is the piece her poem inspired me to write

Your name flashed on the phone

Without hesitating I called back and said

'I know'

Moments later we are sitting speechless

Taking in each other from the corner of our eyes

Old damn fools, fools in love

We were both on the High

We mused at the sheer Irony

All the while we played perfect harmony

Good music sweet for all to dance

Yet we only played to enhance

Hung up on perfecting each piece

We failed to see our masterpiece

I paused, looking forlorn then you turned nigh

You Knew

Your heart stopped beating and I heard you sigh

I knew

Last night, the Orchestra came crashing down

The fat lady brought the house down

You pleaded that I set you free

And I knew

When you love someone you let them be

If they are yours they will come back to you

Now I let out a tear

That you are nowhere near

As I breathed in the chillness of December

I went back inside, drawn towards the fire embers

Looking distantly at the grand fireplace

I finally knew

Thing is, you were never mine in the first place

Take care and God bless, remember to drop the must do things in LA

Shalom

THIRTY +

In conclusion

12 Things

Special Offer, Now and Then

I would have loved

Still Here

No one like me?!

Happy New Year

Jolly Jolly Season - Chasing Santa

Some Loose ends

Schipol Airport

Stop Press - CROATIA

One Wedding and a Funeral

Masterpiece

On sex, kids and lies

Hypocrisy

Nostalgia...I miss

Shopping Frenzy - Eureka

In my head (1)

The Unsaid

And tin and tin

Month of May

Why men are never depressed

We are many

Courage

Some shoes must hurt more than the other

An exeperiment

Interval and Confession

Week at the gym - Another Man's Story

At the Gym

Back to Reality and other stories

My Naija

Long and Short of it

Year 2009

HIM and me

Didn't get the memo, still I believe

O compatriots, it's been so long

Mixed Emotions

Madness - Americans do not Vote?!

GLOBAL ECONOMICS DE-MYSTIFIED

TAKE ACTION AGAINST POVERTY

Can't Sleep, HONESTLY

Nigeria ages and Customary courts

Old News reaching us.....Children Protest

RIP

Back...London

Wear your own shoes

Bloopers and Question

Rand, Random, Randomer

Eh o Eh o lo lo lo - I get very very happy

IDOL '08 - *Shsh Simon*, Mz 30+ is talking

From her window – 15th Street

*Orun Makanju

Update

Bon Anniversaire

TAG DONE

1 yr on ....

Another day in the corporate world

Balding...nearly

Music in my ears

Why I light a Candle

Easter Monday

Danger Mouse

NEW EVENING CLASSES FOR WOMEN

NEW EVENING CLASSES FOR MEN

Random Sturves

God's own Country

After the Ponderings

Preparing for Different Strokes

Blog Carnival

Sandra!

Los Angeles - The Finale

Happy New Year and Oh LA 2

OH LA!!!

8 Wierd Things

LA and Inspired

IDOL '08 - Shsh Simon, Mz 30+ is talking