Are you for real???

Warning-Rant post

Blogging this evening was the last thing on my mind but if I don't share this, I might just burst! I hardly rant on my blog, as it doesn't fit into the purpose of this blog but I think this one is necessary.

I left work early today as I was not feeling so well. Been in a foul mood because of hay fever and my boss stressing me at work etc. I thought browsing through blogville will cheer me up but alas! I had barely left standtall's blog talking of her illiterate "friend" and I was still reeling from what the guy had to say about women, only to be confronted with more drama at home!

So Baale comes home with one of his friends. This is someone I get along with very well and kinda respect. I always make sure he eats when he comes over. Anyway this evening, I asked Baale to sort him out as I was still feeling poorly. Everything was going fine (actually I wasn't even listening to their conversation, as I was still browsing through blogville) till mr friend lets call him T for talkative..he talks a lot kai said he wanted to watch the Apprentice as it was the semi-final show or something like that. I am not sure what they were talking about but next thing I hear T say "I have never come across an intelligent woman before". I was like "excuse me, what did you just say?" He repeated himself, that women are not intelligent. At first I thought he was joking. I was like T "how can you make such a statement". He was still forming, I was like "Baale, pls I want this guy out of my house, how dare he insult women". I was really upset o. I asked him if he even knew the meaning of what intelligent what and guess all he could come up with "challenging". Clap for yourself intelligent man. I went as far as saying only illiterates talk like that and that I was so sorry for whoever married him. I know that was harsh but I had to say something! To be honest at that point, any respect I had for him, as per Baale's friend, diminished. I really wish I could send him out of my house but for Baale. Baale told him not to talk like that but he was still mis-yarning.

I now asked him how many men and women were left on the Apprentice (I don't follow it that much) and he was like that's TV blah blah, but check this there were four women and 1 man left. I really wanted to fight o but Baale told me to take it easy so I kept quiet but was seriously fuming inside. To be honest T knows how to wind somebody and I didn't want to fall for it at the same time I wanted him to take that statement back about women.

Anyway I kept quiet and heard him say something about even the top women he had worked with in banks were not smart. That in meetings they keep quiet and all they can do is market. In my mind I was like wow...that is such a dumb thing to say. This is someone who is out of job o (let me not even go into that story). I also heard him say he isn't saying women are not good with other things and that he wasn't generalising. I was just shaking my head that this guy is very very dumb...what part of "all the women I have met are not intelligent" is not generalising. I decided to ignore him.

Guess what at the end of the Apprentice show, Sir Alan fired the guy...even though i don't follow it I was so happy...and was like "you see now and women are not intelligent". Mr T was still yarning dust. At this point I wanted to ask Baale, pls when is your friend leaving but decided to chill. Thankfully, a few minutes later Mr T decides to go home and said good night. I didn't answer. He repeated his goodnight again and I was like "sebi i am not intelligent enough to have a conversation with you so please just dey go". He was like " pls o don't take it personal" and I said "I am a woman so I will take it personal".

I was so glad when he left, I felt like disinfecting my living room. Se if I had known he was coming to say all that nonsense in my house, I won't have offered him food in the first place. LOL. He eats my food, and then has the energy to insult women in my house. Mscheeewww.

When Baale came back from seeing him off, he apologised and said he can't believe T made that statement. That he must have real issues. I totally agree, he either has major issues or he is just a male chauvinist. I am not sure if I can relate to him on the same level any more. Any one that thinks less of women cannot be in my good books.

Men like this get on my nerves. For a long time I felt many men were narrow minded but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt but apparently they are still plenty out there and one of them is Baale's friend. Sad very sad.

Thankful post- the "A" edition

Apologies once again for not posting this last week. Work has been so busy, in fact i think i need to take my manager to God in prayer so he can stop stressing my life. Anyway as some of you know today's thankful post is a bit different from the usual. It's all about the "A" stuff I am thankful for.

Here's a link to my last TT.

I am thankful for God's Amazing Grace in my life. Ever since when I can remember, I have always seen the evidence of God's grace in my life, marriage, family, work etc. Even when I don't deserve it, he showers me with his unmerited favor.

I am thankful for Abundant life. This year I have heard of a number of young people dying and I am no better than any of them. I am grateful for God's Assurance of life for me and my family. Not just any type of life but a life filled with goodness, love and plenty more.

I can not be grateful enough for Accident-free journeys. Since I started driving last year, I have not had a single accident even though I have been very close to having a few. I must confess anything accident scares me so I am very thankful for my safety.

I am thankful I have a good Appetite. A few weeks ago my eating habits was sporadic but am glad it is getting back to normal. Reminds me of the song we used to sing in primary school: "some have food but cannot eat, some can eat but have no food, I have food and I can eat, glory be to God on high"

I am grateful for Acquaintances & Friends I have made on blogville. You guys are just too much. God bless you all.

So what are you thankful for?

Please check out Icequeen's "I" thankful list from last week. I found it really refreshing! :)

Thankful Tuesday (13)

I know, I know, I have been slacking seriousily with my thankful series. Does not mean I am not thankful. Anyway I am back again to give thanks. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord!

Here's a link to my last TT

Recently I haven't felt like the good daughter I should be, sometimes I do not acknowledge God but He is forever faithful and good to me. Father I thank you and I am sorry.

After church on sunday, heading home, I tripped and fell down the stairs. I landed on my left arm and side and it hurt! I was half in pain and half embarassed; I just wanted to get out of there fast. I thank God that it wasn't more than that. My side and arm still feel sore but I am alive! And to think my spirit told me to take the elevator and I didn't listen.

My sis-in-law and her family came visiting from the states. This was my first time meeting her in person (we talk on the phone). She is such a lovely person, we got along well and we had loads of fun. I thank God for Baale's family. They are really wonderful people. Bless them.

Update on my dad (sorry it's late but better than nothing)- the cast has been removed. He has graduated from using crunches to using a walking stick. He is now back at work. Praise God! Once again, thanks for all your support.

I am grateful for Baale, he is doing so well at work. God's favor is certainly on his life and I know God is taking him to higher places. I am thankful that Baale cares for me, and checks up on me "Are you ok?" he always ask. Love u loads.

Thankful for wonderful friends around me and you guys on blogville. You rock my world. x

What are you thankful for???

********************************************
I was thinking, for those who do the weekly thankful post, we could do something different for next week or the next time you do your thankful posts. Can we list 5 or more things, starting with the first alphabet of our blog name that we are thankful for? So for instance, the following people should do a thankful series with the highlighted letter:

Adaeze, Aloted, Enkay, Good Nigerian Girl, Lolia, Icequeen, Nolimit, Mojisola, Rethots (do you still blog???), Seye & Writefreak.

I hope you get my flow and I believe this will be fun. Anyone else is welcomed to join. I have just listed the people I know who do the thankful series (I hope I have not left anyone out, if so, apologies!)

Catch you next time with my "A" thankful post ;-)

Too much!

Sorry this is coming late o!

Special thanks to Writefreak, Afrobabe, Nolimit, BSNC, Scarlet, Rita, theicequeen, Tigeress, doll, Kemi Penelope, Enkay (birthday mate!!!), SSD, Standtall, Funmie D rebirth, Buttercup, Laide XSchoolNerd, Nefertiti, Good Nigerian Girl, Parakeet, Bumight, Olufunke, Temite, Seye for the birthday wishes via blogger, facebook, voicemail, email, messenger, ecards etc. You guys are just tooooooooooooooooooo much!!!! Mwuahhh. God bless you all.

Easter baby like me, I had loads of fun on my day courtesy Baale. I went to the spa for a full body massage, manicure and pedicure. It was very refreshing and I felt pretty. ;o)

I thank God I am still alive today to declare his glory. By his grace, many more successful years to come for all of us. Amen!

I am getting very close to 30 and I am not finding it funny at all.

Will be back with a proper update.

Deo Volente*

Growing up, my mum trained my siblings and I to always say “By God’s grace” any time we wanted to say something futuristic. For example “I will be going to the market tomorrow by God’s grace”. Most people that know me, will know that I live (or I conscious try to) by this golden rule because I strongly believe that whatever I do, is by God and not my power.

I have been meaning to blog about this but reading Temite’s post on death, re-inspired me so I have decided to stop procrastinating.

James 4:13-16 says-

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

As human beings we plan, we strategise, we deliberate over our future. However we should remember that our lives is in the hands of God. A number of people sleep at night and do not wake up in the morning. What becomes of all their plans? No one can boast of tomorrow as only God knows tomorrow.

Remember the story of the rich fool who thought he had arrived but God told him he will die that night and he would not be able to enjoy all he had worked for. The problem was not that the man was rich but he thought he was invincible and could enjoy his riches anytime and all by himself but alas death came knocking.

This is just a short post to encourage us that as we wake up each day, let us be thankful for another opportunity to be in the land of the living as it is by the grace of God. Let us be a source of blessing to others and ensure God is directing our every step.


Have a great weekend and a Happy new month!

P.S-I have no internet at home as Baale and I just moved, so I shall be back on blogsville next week, by God's grace :)



*Deo volente means God Willing in Latin

Thankful Tuesday (12)

Men! It's been some time I did my thankful series. I see GNG, Writefreak, Nolimit are keeping the thankful flag flying hard. Good stuff ladies. It is Tuesday and I have come to give thanks. Here's a link to my last TTT

1. God has been good to me. He is merciful, loving and kind. I went through a rough patch for some time now but despite it all and how I felt; HIS love for me overshadowed it all.
2. Baale has been my rock especially during the rough patch... I am thankful for his support and his patience. Sometimes I wonder why anyone will want to live with me especially during my low times but I am very thankful for my man
3. I am glad that the rough time is becoming a thing of the past. I will not allow the devil to steal my joy; the joy of the Lord is my strength
4. My dad is back home now. Praise God. His leg is still in a cast but I hear it will soon be removed
5. I was informed that the armed robbers have been caught. Apparently they were a gang of sixteen or so.
6. You guys in blogville are just too much. Thanks for your messages, emails, phone calls to ask after my dad. The love I feel in here is just overwhelming. God bless you guys
7. My grandma is also back home and is improving everyday. Stroke- in your face!!!!!
8. Despite the recession, credit crunch and all the tales of woes, God has been providing for my needs. As his child, I cannot suffer. It is not my portion
9. Baale and I moved house.

So what are you thankful for?

I have changed my thankful series from "Ten Things Tuesday" to "Thankful Tuesday". That way I am not limited to ten things I am thankful for. Also I apologise that I have not been responding to comments. I cannot promise that I will respond to comments going forward or at least in the nearest future but do know that I appreciate them. Please keep them coming. However, if someone asks me a question I will endeavor to reply on my blog or via email. Thank you guys for your understanding :-)

Honest Scrap Award and other sturvs

I was given the Honest Scrap Award almost a month ago by YakeenNaijaBabe. Thanks babe, I really appreciate it. So the deal is I have to share ten honest things about myself now.

1. I can sleep for Nigeria, Africa and the United Kingdom all together. I would be a millionaire by now if I got paid for the number of hours I CAN sleep in a day.
   
2. First time I permed my hair was after secondary school. Sometime last year, I realised perming/putting chemicals in my hair was not for me, so i did the big chop and now I proudly wear my natural hair. Still looking for more natural style ideas. Anyone?
3. As a child & teenager i was an extrovert; quiet outspoken but now I seem to be more in touch with my inner man and do not care so much for outings and parties. Old age?
4. I am good with organising meetings in the office but rubbish with organising space. Thank God for Baale in my life
5. I didn't throw my bouquet at my wedding reception, I brought it back home (UK)! My logic then was it was too beautiful and besides i paid for it. LOL. Now it is "panti" (junk) at home.
6. I only use hot water to bath. Cold water is a no no.
7. I love the idea of food more than food itself. Explanation- I like cooking but when it comes to eating the food after cooking it, I sometimes get bored with it while other people are enjoying the food.
   
8. The only form of exercise I do is walking. Now that I drive, it is harder to do my only exercise. Sigh
   
9. I wore braces for 2 years as an adult
10. I love Jesus :)

I am suppose to pass this on to 7 people but men I no fit. Too many bloggers I love. Pardon moi.

Naija Blogger Award
I just found out today that I was nominated for best religious blog. I am honoured. Thank you o. Ok so the competition is a bit daunting- Jaycee & Rita. That means I will beg you to vote for me. Those two were kuku nominated for other awards, so here's the deal, vote for them in the others and just leave this reglious one for me. Fair enuff? LOL. OK in addition to begging, I will pray that the Lord will minister to your hearts to vote for Aloted. God bless you as you vote :o)

Update on my Dad
Thanks again for all your support and prayer. He is getting better now. Still in the hospital but should be discharged very soon

Have a blessed week and happy new month.

The day started like any typical day

Lord I give u praise, thanks and adoration. I thank you for who you are. I thank u that despite all the plans of the enemy, your mighty hand has prevailed. As the mountain surrounds Jerusalem so have you surrounded your people. You are my shelter, my rock and my shield. Words cannot express my gratitude.

My people, apologies for going MIA. Thanks so much to those who asked after me. I really appreciate it. I have no excuses. No excuses at all. I am back by God’s special grace. The devil is a liar. I am sure you are wondering what I am going on about. I will fill you in shortly.

I was going to blog about my encounter with a grumpy obnoxious man with his ugly dog but something of more importance happen this Saturday.

Saturday was like any other typical day. Baale and I were thinking of going to watch a movie in the afternoon but ended up not going. I was loafing on the couch around 12 noon when my phone rang. It was a family friend; his parents are neighbours with my parents back home. After the usual pleasantries, he asked me when last I heard from home. Immediately an alarm went off in my head. First thing that came to my mind was my grandmother- she is still in the hospital recovering and I thought oh no it has happened! Anyway I answered and said I spoke with my mum earlier in the week. He was like ok, he had some news but he wanted me to calm down. I was like ok, what happened, already panicking at this stage. He said he was just on the phone, with another neighbour when my cousin called that neighbour to say armed robbers came to our house that morning and attacked my dad and that he was in the hospital. To be honest I didn’t quite get what he was saying. All I heard afterwards was that it wasn’t serious and he is fine, my mum didn’t know (she had gone for a burial that morning in another town) and they didn’t want to tell her yet. At this point, I wanted to end the call so I could call my sister. I didn’t know what he meant by attack and I didn’t want to ask him.

I call my elder sister to find out what was happening. Baale kept saying take it easy, it is well and I was like ok but I don’t even know what is going on. My sis and her hubby were at the hospital and that’s when she told me what happened. My dad was shot on the knee! Shu! Shot ke, how? Why? When? She didn’t have the full gist as she wasn’t there when it happened. Funny enough, she had just dropped off her baby girl at my parents, when my cousin called like 10 mins later to say Popc had been shot.

My peeps, it was like a dream to me, I still couldn’t believe it. In broad day light!!! My sis was also like he is fine but don’t call momc yet as we don’t want to get her panicked. In my head am like these people don’t know momc sha, I have never seen that woman panic before in my life. She is like the calmest person I know alive. But then again, her husband has never been shot so…..

Anyway I felt like catching the next plane to Nigeria. I was worried but at the same time I just kept praying that all is well. I called my lil sis in the states, actually I woke her up. I couldn’t talk so Baale told her the news. It was funny because she was sounding sleepy one second and then next minute we got her full attention. We agreed to pray for Popc and I also passed the message not to call my mum.

My dad was to have surgery that afternoon and I got to speak with him before he went in. I can’t remember the last time I heard him sound so low. I could barely hear what he was saying. I can’t even begin to imagine what was going through his head at that point. My mum got back from the burial later on and my sis said when she told her she was really calm about it. No surprises there.


Thankfully the surgery went well, no major bones were damaged and I believe he will be able to walk again. He sounded much better after the surgery and I was relieved. You can imagine getting hourly updates far away. I really wished I could be there.

Later on my cousin who was there when it all happened gave me the gist. I’ll still like to hear my dad’s version when he gets better. Every Saturday, the gardener comes to the house to trim the flowers and whatever it is that gardeners do. They had left the main gate opened as I think they were throwing dirt out or something. We never leave the gate opened especially at night. The thieves, two of them saw the opened gate, easy target, and walked in. They asked the gardener to lead them in, I think they also saw my popc’s driver outside and ordered him in as well.

My dad was having his breakfast, with my niece on his lap. He was getting ready to go out. Next thing, the rogues entered and shouted “gather your children, gather your children”. Popc called my two cousins, who were the only other people at home. My cousins, the gardener, and driver were asked to lie down flat and thief 1 told my dad to lead him to the bedroom upstairs while thief 2 waited downstairs. Thief 1 collected some money, one of his cell phones and some new clothes (I still don’t get the clothes part). The guy then asked for the keys to my popc’s car and I guess popc must have said it was downstairs so they came downstairs. Ok this was where I lost my cousin a bit, so I’ll just say it as I think it happened. She said when my dad got downstairs, he walked hurriedly outside, saying “where is the driver, I want the keys to the car”. Apparently thief 2 who was downstairs with my cousins thought my dad wanted to run away or so, followed him outside. Thief 1 also followed and at this point my cousins with my niece fled to their room and locked themselves in. A couple of seconds later they heard a gun shot. Later on they came outside and saw popc on the floor, shot, with blood gushing out from his leg. Fortunately the thieves fled the scene and were not able to take his car because students from the neighbouring school came around when they heard gun shot. They do have the keys to the car as we speak.

My dad is still in the hospital and we are not sure when he will be discharged. I am thankful that no one else was hurt, and that he wasn’t shot in the chest or head. I am thankfully that I am able to share this testimony of God’s protection over my dad and that I have not come to share a different version of the story. I really cannot imagine it. God’s promise to us is that we shall live to declare his glory and he brought that promise to pass in my father’s life. It’s crazy how we think our day will go a certain normal way not knowing the devil is always planning how to kill us. If not for God on our side.

Yesterday night when I spoke to my dad, he said, “May the lord forgive them”. For a man who had nearly lost his leg, I am amazed he was talking about forgiveness. That was the last thing on my mind, but I guess as Christians we have no choice but to forgive. However I pray they get caught and are brought to justice.



*For those that do not know, Popc= Dad, Momc= Mum

It's snowing men..halleluyah!

Actually I am not excited about the snow, as my title might suggest. I am not a snow person neither do I like the cold, (go ahead and call me bush!) Anyway, I got ready for work this morning and had already decided I was not going to drive to work today. You know, as per new driver, I am not yet ready to test my driving skills in this knee deep snow! I am sure the picture gives you a pretty clear idea of what I am talking about.

Anyway, I got out only to find out how bad the snow was. I decided to brave it and slowly tried to find my way to the train station, and kept slipping. In my mind, I was like, please I can't come and break my leg because of work. So I made my way back home, slowly again, to go change my shoes. Thankfully, a colleague called and told me the trains, buses etc were closed. I checked online to confirm and decided to sit my behind at home.

Right now I am under my duvet, "working from home" (no further comments). I am definitely excited about the free day, just worried about my gas bill, lol. What I do not understand is how come the UK/London government was not prepared for the snow, despite the forecasts. Everywhere is closed down, people can't go to work. In this day and age, 2009. Hmm, I guess everyone was engrossed in the recession.

Anyway I am fine and warm. I thank God for that. I wonder what will happen for the rest of the day and the week as I hear it might get worse today and the forecast for the rest of the week is that the snow continues.

If you are in London/UK, how are you surviving the snow? Did you go into work today? Those in Naija, please send us some sunshine!!! :)

By the way, HAPPY NEW MONTH!!!!

N.B- Picture was taking by a friend of mine- Yinka.

Ten Things Tuesday (11)

Welcome to another TTT series. Here's a link to my last TTT

1. This is the fourth week of the new year. I am thankful for the precious gift of life, grace and protection.
2. Up until last week, I didn't realise I had taken my job for granted. On Sunday in Church, my Pastor asked those who were out of work to come out for prayer and to my uttermost shock almost half of the church came out! I was humbled immediately and gave thanks to God that despite the credit crunch I still have a job to go to everyday.
3. I am thankful for the work God is doing in my Church. It is such a joy to see people coming to know the Lord
4. My grandma had a partial stroke last week. I was quite scared and worried. At first I was not sure what prayer to pray considering she is very old (over 95, even at that age she is still very active and goes to the market!), but writefreak reminded me that God's promised is that we will be in perfect health (thanks for the reminder). It dawned on me that God did not put an age limit to this promise so that means even if it is time for Mama to go, it is not with sickness. I shared this word with my parents and we have continued to pray. I am thankful she is improving and I know her healing is complete in Jesus name.
5. Baale and I celebrated our first year wedding anniversary last week. I am thankful for a wonderful one year together and I believe it can only get better. I am thankful for the wonderful man Baale is.
6. I know this sounds like a broken record already, but I am thankful for being featured in Standtall's weekly interview last week. I am still the ruling celeb! LOL. If you still haven't read (or finished reading) the interview, rush there NOW. Abeg let me enjoy it while it lasts. :)
7. I am thankful for those that have decided to take part in the TT series on different days. Really proud of you guys. You know yourselves. ;o)
8. I am thankful for this weather, even though it is very cold and gloomy, some people have it even worse and I do not envy them for one sec.
9. I am thankful for my friends including those I have made on blogville
10. Writefreak and I launched a joint blog yesterday. Please check it out and we hope you'll be a part of what we are doing.

So what are you thankful for???

Aloted Unveiled...Somewhat...

Actually this is just to reveal answers to the 2 truths and 1 lie meme I did late last year. "Finally!", did I hear Good Nigerian Girl say? GNG has been bugging me to update on this.



I was going to do an analysis on who got it right or wrong and how people answered but I haven’t had time so I’ll just spill. Surprisingly most of you got the answer right. Not sure if I am too happy about that, lol. It probably shows how predictable I am or my questions were not tricky enough.

Oh well, here goes

1) I once jumped out of a moving vehicle- Very true and it was not a molue (big Lagos bus). It was in a cab o. I was 17 years old when it happened. I was on my way to see my friend and decided to take a cab. I knew how much the cab fare was since I normally visited. When we nearly reached, I gave the cab guy his money (mistake, I should have waited till I alighted) and he was like the price had increased. I was like no way. We exchanged some words and he said he wasn’t going to let me out. I started panicking at this point. I noticed he was moving slowly. Lo and behold a thought came to my mind to jump out! The guy was still yarning but I was busy calculating how to go about this in my head and told myself I could do it. I opened the door, put one foot out. I heard the guy saying, “ehn to ba bo le” (what! if you get out). I didn’t even answer. Next thing, I saw myself rolling on the road! I quickly pulled myself up, dusted my body, straight faced and walked across the road to the other side to where my friend lived. I didn’t look back. I am sure the cab guy was dazed. I still can’t believe I did that and I thank God there were no other cars on the road. In short I am thankful I am alive to come and testify his goodness to you all.
No it did not happen in Lagos.

2) I was a virgin till I got married- True. No story there. Actually there is. Contrary to what you might believe, it wasn’t easy o but God helped me through ALL temptations esp from wolves. I am very glad I waited. I shall stop here. LOL..you all were waiting for gist abi. If u want gist, email me at aloted@hotmail.com and we shall take it from there.

3) I love baking cakes- Lie. I have only baked a cake once in my life and I was helped by my aunt and a cake recipe. To think my mum used to bake all our birthday cakes in different designs and even ice them. Sad, I never paid attention. Was always licking cake mix. Actually like rethots said, if I knew how to bake well well, I probably would love baking.


I particularly liked Mimi answer for being different..and Rethots for his logic.

On to some more exciting news. Standtall is featuring me in her Thursday interview TODAY. I feel so very honoured. If you want to know more about my thoughts on some stuff she asked, please go have a read here. In fact whether you want to know my thoughts or not, I command you to go there now now. (winks)

Afrobabe, I am now the ruling celebrity on blogville. Hehehehehe

Ten Things Tuesday (10)

I have been doing my blog rounds and have wished most of you a happy new year but this is an official “Happy New Year” greeting from me at the Purpose Driven Blog. 2009 is the year to seek God’s face. Seek first his Kingdom and every other thing will be added unto you.

In 2009, I am running with 2 Chronicles 26:5:
He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the things of God; and as long as he sought (inquired of, yearned for) the Lord, God made him prosper.

To be honest, in 2008 I slacked in this area. It's like I took God for granted and expected that he will sort me out. God has commanded that I should seek HIM always and allow him to direct me in everything. There is no point making any plans if God is not involved. I shall seek HIM not for what HE can give me, but because I want to do HIS Will.

Back to the subject of today, this is the first TTT (Ten Things Tuesday) for the year. Wow! God has been faithful, words alone cannot express my thankfulness to HIM. I have decided to highlight 10 key months in 2008 and express gratitude for the wonderful things God did in the life of me and my family. On a whole, God was indeed good and faithful. I blogged about a few of the things below and I have included a link in case you want more details.

January- I got married to the love of my life. We will be 1 year old next week. Yippee! I must say it has been an eventful year.

February- God provided a new job for Baale*(hubby) miraculously.

April- Celebrated my birthday

May- Was 2 wonderful years of blogging. I’ll take note to do a post on my 3rd year blogging anniversary but I can confidently say blogging as become my best hobby (Baale thinks I am addicted) and I am grateful for the wonderful people I have met here.

June- We bought our first car.

July- New baby in the family (extended)

Aug- Went on our belated honeymoon

Sep- Passed my driving test and got my license

Nov- Baale’s birthday month

Dec- Travelled home (Nigeria) just before Christmas, was nice to see and be surrounded by family from both sides especially my grandma.

What are you thankful for?

P.S- I will get round to revealing the answer of the 2 truths and 1 lie meme. Please bear with me. Meanwhile, if you haven't answered, here's your chance, or if you want to change your answer ;o)

*Baale- this is officially now the new name for my hubby on blogville. It means Father/Man of the house. Anytime I speak to my grandma on the phone part of our conversation goes:
GM: “Baale re nko?” “How is the Man of the house?”
Me: “Baale mi wa.” “The Man of the house is fine.”

Do you believe?

Hi good people,

Sorry I have been away. I got the dreadful flu and I am just recovering. Anyway just stopped by to wish y'all a happy Christmas and a prosperous 2009.

In the midst of all the eating, merrymaking and jubilation, let us remember that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.

He brought JOY to the WORLD. May your JOY no know bound because of him.

He came to set us free from the law of sin and death.

He came that we might have eternal life.

He came because he loves you and I.

Do you believe in HIM?

He is coming back AGAIN, not as a baby but as the King of Kings.

Are you ready?

I pray that the true meaning of Christmas will be revealed to each and everyone of us as we celebrate.

If I don't update again before the year runs out, see you in 2009 by God's grace.

God bless!!!

True Lies

Ok I was tagged by Buttercup in the 2 truths and 1 lie meme. Y’all have to guess which of these 3 statements are truths and a lie:


1) I once jumped out of a moving vehicle
2) I was a virgin till I got married
3) I love baking cakes


I hereby tag-
Good Naija Girl
Writefreak
Nolimit
Tyger
~Mimi~ and
Simeon OMO Baba.

Buttercup didn’t leave the rules as she didn’t know them, so I’ll just follow what she did on her blog. For those that were tagged, you have to list the truths and lie, tag those you want to and let them know they've been tagged.

Not sure how soon I am suppose to reveal which ones are the truth and which is the lie. Buttercup hasn’t given us her results yet, so let’s see ….

So what are you waiting for? Get cracking! ;o)

Ten things Tuesday (09)

Hello my peeps, Sorry I went AWOL. I am back now. Bringing to you another Ten things tuesday. You can check my last list here

1. I am thankful to bloggers who checked up on me. Number 2 will explain what happened to me :)

2. Was in Naija, the past 10 days. Had fun, enjoyed the sunshine. So sorry I didn’t say…it was kind of impromptu and a very short visit so couldn’t catch up with any one, bloggers inclusive. I will plan better next time.

3. Was really good to see family: My parents, Parents inlaws, siblings inlaw, my older sibling and her beautiful daughter that looks like me, my grandma. Short trip but memorable

4. Had a safe uneventful trip going and coming. Sat beside some lady with a nasty attitude on my way to Naija, but thankfully the journey back was better. Sat beside some cute affable “half-caste” dude who is a DJ. As a married woman seriousily in love with her hubby, all I could commit was lookery lol (Naijalines na you I dey follow o). We chit-chatted most of the journey, apart from when I was watching an inflight movie or sleeping.

5. I lost my phone in Naija at the Jade restaurant Lagos. The waiter kept insisting I didn’t leave it there (I was about to throw a tantrum) but thankfully it was found in the kitchen wrapped in the table cloth the waiter had cleared. Phew!

6. Today is Writefreak’s 2nd wedding anniversary. I am thankful for her and her hubby.

7. This is the last month of the year. WOW, I am thankful to be alive, not by my power but by God’s grace.

8. I am thankful for blogville and the wonderful friends I have made here.

9. I am thankful for my hubby. He is the best.

10. Even though I couldn’t join the blog rally due to limited internet access in Naija- “I believe there is a GOD”, I am thankful that there is a GOD and that I believe in HIM. HIS loving kindness is better than Life itself. Without HIM I am nothing. He took all that I was and made me all that I am today.

So what are you thankful for?

Applying the 80-20 Rule

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80-20 rule, the law of the vital few and the principle of factor sparsity) was discovered by Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist. The law states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

Pareto, observed that 80 percent of the land in England (and every country he subsequently studied) was owned by 20 percent of the population. He also noticed that 80% of Italy's wealth was owned by 20% of the population. That's definitely the case in Nigeria as well.

Pareto's theory of predictable imbalance has since been applied to almost every aspect of today life.

The 80/20 rule can help you focus on what is really important in various aspects of your life. I have listed below a few application of the 80/20 rule:

Friendships- 20% of your friends probably give you 80% of the support, care and satisfaction you need. 20% of your relationships give 80% of the value. Learn to recognise people that fall into the 20% and improve those relationships. Those are your true friends.

Relationship/Marriage- In the Tyler Perry's movie, "Why did I get married?" a "version" of this law was referred to with a different twist to it. “In love and/or relationship you get about 80% of what you need from your mate. Sometimes we meet someone who has that other 20% that we are not getting and the 20% looks real good, but if you trade your 80% for that 20%, then you’ll really see how good you had it.”

Work- Approximately 20% of your efforts produce 80% of the results. Find your productive time/condition and make the best use of it. Personally, I find that I am more productive in the mornings. By afternoon, my brain begins to work on slow mode. Since I have recognised this, I try to do my 20% in the mornings to achieve maximum results for the day.

Possessions- 20% of what you own is used 80% of the time. We wear 20% of our favorite clothes about 80% of the time. Only a small part of what you own is used often. This might help you to de-clutter the junk in your home. I certainly need this tip!

We all have limited resources, be it our time, money, or attention. So to get the most out of them, it’s important to invest your resources in only the most profitable places.

Note 1: the 80/20 rules are approximates

Note 2: More details on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

Note 3: I promised Rita I will do a post on the 80/20 rule based on a post she did, so this one is for you girl :)

What's the Big Deal about Insurance?

Since I started living abroad, my bank or other marketers have tried to sell insurance to me and each time I refuse to buy. Just today I received a call from my bank trying to sell me an accident insurance policy. The lady went on and on about how if I was involved in an accident, they will cover my hospital bill blah blah. She listed so many benefits. All I had to do was sign up and pay £9.95 monthly. As she was talking of different kinds of accidents and disabilities that might happen as a result of the accidents, I began to bind and cast. In my head I kept saying "I rebuke it in Jesus name". Now to be sincere, am not quiet sure if it was an act of fear or faith. Can I say it was a combination of both. Is that possible?? But you know how we Nigerians/Africans are quick to bind and cast.


In the UK, it is compulsory to insure your car. I doubt that a lot of Nigerians at home have insurance for their cars. Makes me wonder how the insurance companies in Nigeria survive. We were not brought up to pay ahead against any ill fates that might occur. Isn't that what insurance is about. Pay upfront such that if anything bad happens you are covered ? Instead we see prayer has our insurance. Even if accidents or theft happen, we see it as part of life and move on.

After today's call with the lady marketer (we spent 12 minutes on the call going back and forth on top this insurance, she try sha), I asked myself why I refused to be accident insured. The only answer I could come up with was to quote the scripture that the Lord is watching over me and that no harm will befall me. Besides parting with £9.95 monthly?? Kilode, but why?


So share with us, what do you think about getting insurance. Is there a type of insurance you can take but some you won't e.g home insurance such that you are covered in the case of theft, but not accident insurance? What about Life Insurance? Do you see insurance as an investment? Do you think it is foolish not to be insured or should we continue quoting scriptures and pleading the blood of Jesus to protect us from all evil?


I leave the floor open to you...

*picture taken from static.seekingalpha.com/.../thumb-Insurance.jpg

Ten things Tuesday (08)

Hi people. I hope you are having a good week so far. Here's my thankful list. God indeed is awesome and is forever faithful! You can check my last list here

1. For good health and protection
2. A good friend of mine visited from Nigeria. It was nice to host and catch up with her
3. Took hubby to the airport and missed my way back home! The silly navigator refused to work. It was pitch-dark and I was so scared. Started panicking and hyperventilating (why I dunno o). Had to park the car to get myself together after nearly having an accident. At that point, God gave me wisdom to ditch the navigator and instead look at the signs for direction. That led me home. When I got to the turning to my road, I heard the navigator say “take the next left and you will reach your destination”….Nonsense! But in all I thank God I got home safely.
4. My MIL’s birthday was last week. I am thankful she is hale and hearty and that she had so much fun on her day.
5. My little cousin’s turned 11 yesterday. He is such a big boy now and it was nice speaking with him over the phone. I saw him last when he was 5/6.
6. Even though my business is moving slowly, I am thankful for the things I am learning and I believe it will grow better than I am expecting
7. Despite the credit crunch, I am thankful for provision every single day
8. I am glad Rachael was kept safe and is still in the X-Factor competition. Those who watch the X-Factor (Naijalines & co) will know what I am talking about. I hope she goes far even though I am not voting (might probably start when things become critical).
9. Today is Election Day in America. Even though I am hopeful that Obama will win, I am thankful because I know God is in control whatever happens.
10. I am thankful that Jonathan Eledu has been released and I believe the Nigerian govt will give him back his travel documents ASAP.

So what are you thankful for?

Please, if you can, take a few minutes to welcome Nwachi to blogville. I am feeling her blog already :)

Meanwhile I have been meaning to ask y'all a question. When you post a comment or question on blogs, which do you prefer- receiving a reply on that person’s blog, your blog or via email. Just want to be sure if someone asks me a question or whatever; I respond to the appropriate place. Personally, if I ask someone a question on their blog, I don’t mind where they reply as I typically track comments but I must say sometimes emails have a personal touch to it.

So please let me know. Ta!

FREE JONATHAN ELENDU NOW

ELENDU'S STORY- On Saturday, October 18th, Nigerian political blogger, Jonathan Elendu was arrested upon arrival at a Nigerian airport. He was arrested and detained by the State Security Service (SSS), which according to the US State Department, reports directly to Nigeria's President. Elendu was detained by the SSS, without charge, and reportedly tortured and forced to starve for fear of poisoning. He was eventually handed over to an anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but still, he was not charged in a court of law. Although Nigerian law requires every detainee to be charged within 48 hours of arrest, Jonathan Elendu was held for a period of 11 days without contact with a lawyer or his family. Until, Wednesday, October 29th, when word was received that Elendu was no longer under arrest and was receiving medical care. As of right now, Jonathan Elendu is no longer under arrest, but as his passport is still in the custody of the Federal Government of Nigeria, he is not free to return to his wife and child who live in the US.

*Adopted from www.nigeriancuriosity.com

Albert Schweitzer said- "The fundamental rights of [humanity] are, first: the right of habitation; second, the right to move freely; third, the right to the soil and subsoil, and to the use of it; fourth, the right of freedom of labor and of exchange; fifth, the right to justice; sixth, the right to live within a natural national organization; and seventh, the right to education."

MR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLS FREE JONATHAN, GIVE HIM BACK HIS TRAVEL DOCUMENTS SO HE CAN RETURN TO HIS FAMILY.

FREE Jonathon Elendu NOW

Where has your handbag been lately?

Hi peeps, A good friend of mine sent me the below article on handbags. I must say I was quite shocked ! It never really occurred to me about how much germs can exist on our handbags based on where we drop them. Gross!

Please read and let me know what you think? Cheers!

*Guys/men please feel free to comment as well* Rethots no vex o ;)
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Have you ever noticed girls who set their handbags on
public toilet floors, then go directly to their dining
tables and set it on the table? Happens a lot!
It's not always the 'restaurant food' that causes
Stomach distress. Sometimes 'what you don't know will hurt you'!

Mom got so upset when guests came in the door and
plopped their handbags down on the counter where she
was cooking or setting up food. She always said that
handbags are really dirty, because of where they have
been.

It's something just about every woman carries with them.
While we may know what's inside our handbags,
do you have any idea what's on the outside? Women carry
handbags everywhere; from the office to public toilets
to the floor of the car. Most women won't be caught
without their handbags, but did you ever stop to think
about where your handbag goes during the day.
I drive a school bus, so my handbag has been on the
floor of the bus a lot,' says one woman. 'On the
floor of my car, and in toilets.'

'I put my handbag in grocery shopping carts and on the
floor of the toilet,' says another woman 'and of
course in my home which should be clean.'
We decided to find out if handbags harbor a lot of
bacteria. We learned how to test them at Nelson
Laboratories in Salt Lake , and then we set out to
test the average woman's handbag.

Most women told us they didn't stop to think about
what was on the bottom of their handbag. Most said at
home they usually set their handbags on top of kitchen
tables and counters where food is prepared.
Most of the ladies we talked to told us they wouldn't
be surprised if their handbags were at least a little bit dirty.

It turns out handbags are so surprisingly dirty, even
the microbiologist who tested them was shocked.
Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Labs says nearly
all of the handbags tested were not only high in
bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria.
Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus
aurous can cause serious skin infections, and
salmonella and e-coli found on the handbags could make
people very sick.

In one sampling, four of five handbags tested positive
for salmonella, and that's not the worst of it.
'There is fecal contamination on the handbags' says Amy.
Leather or vinyl handbags tended to be cleaner than
cloth handbags, and lifestyle seemed to play a role.
People with kids tended to have dirtier handbags than
those without, with one exception.

The handbag of one single woman who frequented
nightclubs had one of the worst contaminations of all.
'Some type of feces, or possibly vomit' says Amy.
So the moral of this story is that your handbag won't
kill you, but it does have the potential to make you
very sick if you keep it on places where you eat.
Use hooks to hang your handbag at home and in toilets,
and don't put it on your desk, a restaurant table, or
on your kitchen countertop.

Experts say you should think of your handbag the same way you would a pair of
shoes. 'If you think about putting a pair of shoes on
your countertops, that's the same thing you're doing
when you put your handbag on the countertops.'
Your handbag has gone where individuals before you
have walked, sat, sneezed, coughed, spat, urinated,
emptied bowels, etc!



Do you really want to bring that home with you?
The microbiologists at Nelson also said cleaning a
handbag will help. Wash cloth handbags and use leather
cleaner to clean the bottom of leather handbags.