O compatriots, it's been so long

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

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?!

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

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

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)

• LIBERTY
• LESEA (Feed the Hungry)
• OXFAM
• CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY
• UNICEF
• CHRISTIAN AID
• WORLD FOOD PROGRAM

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

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

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