Tips - Live Your Dreams

During my 'introspection moment' on Sunday, I was pondering over the question 'How many of my dreams have I realised already?' This is a very important question that we must be asking ourselves every now and then. It is so fulfilling when you realise you are living, or have lived, your dreams.

When we are growing up, we have all these lovely fantasies that gradually become real as we mature into adulthood. We spend more time focusing on them than actually doing something to make them come to past. I have decided to be more goal oriented and ask myself all the time what end my actions are aimed at, and if that end ties in, in any little or remote way, with one of my dreams.

I was a child once, a teenager at another time, and now an adult. I had a few dreams, some of which I tried to realise, others I just gave up on (too bad!), and I am still working hard on getting others done. I have realised a few little tricks on realising dreams that have to do with places to visit:

* I fantasised about Switzerland, and told myself and whoever was ready to listen that I will not leave this world without stepping on Swiss soil...I did, 1st trip to Europe, took SWISS AIR with transit in Zurich!

* I was wondering why people want to go to Paris, so I took Air France on a trip with stopovers in Paris, and hurray! I missed a flight and spent a night in Paris!

* I have this fantasy about flying on Qatar air (please bear this ad, I can't resist...'your 5* airline*). I am planning to travel to the UK for a short break at the end of June and I am considering doing Q! Don't mind the long flight, it is worth it!

OK, let me not bore you with these, but I have as many examples of flying experiences that have taken me to places in my dream as you have phalanges (fingers and toes for my anti-biology readers) on your body, including flying business in one of the world’s best (won’t let out on this!)

Tip 1: Book an airline that will have at least a stopover before your final destination. They say 'killing two birds with the same stone'? try this.
Tip 2: If you are a regular flyer, use your miles wisely… they can enable you to fly business or spend the night in a dream hotel

Tip 3: Change airlines as frequently as possible. This means discovering new 'soils'.
Tip 4: Spend a lot of time going around. Buy day/week savers bus or train tickets) and just jump from bus to bus or tram to tram.
Tip 5: Even if your schedule is tight, do not sleep for long hours when you are on a trip! Spend time out.
Tip 6: Budget for travel. It is worth every cent of it!
Tip 7: Never mind where you are, enjoy it!

Easter Wishes

From Renz

Hey! Another busy period in the kingdom of God. A moment of reflection and appraisal. When met with obstacles, find relief at the foot of the cross. There, your life is given a meaning.

And now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love. Love, you give completely, very honestly and so true. Heard in your loving words and felt in all you do. I look into my heart each time I feel like missing you; for there, I feel your presence, a special existence that shall never depart. It's such a blessing knowing that I am loved and most of all unconditionally. Such thoughts brighten my world. Thank you for all you've done for you've proven that without you I am nothing.

May God fill your Easter with all the happiness your heart can hold.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

Learn all you can while you can!

I have been taking certain things for granted because there has always been someone there taking care of them. Yesterday was perhaps the most exasperating day I have spent in Lagos... I was working on my assignment and my two laptops ran out of power, and there was no electricity to recharge them. I really had to get that assignment to a certain level, and the heat was almost unbearable.

I went out to put on the generator, and behold I could not! I called my hubby, and despite spending almost 10 minutes on the phone with him advising me, I still could not turn it on. I felt so frustrated and I bit my finger for not having learnt enough when my hubby was trying to teach me.

Lesson: learn all you can while you can, even if it doesn't seem useful at the time.

Happy Mothers' Day

This Poem was written by Maya Angelou, one of the greatest Poets of our times. I am posting this, as a tribute to women and the role they play.

Phenomenal Woman - Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Fragility of life

I have been having quite a few secret thoughts since I got to the office this morning, which unfortunately I can't share with you because of they are still not clear in my mind. I have been away for a week, and returned to the sad news of the death of a colleague who sits opposite me. I hear she was in the office up until Wednesday last week, and complained of headache, and then passed-on on Saturday.

I am at a loss here how fragile our existence is. How can one make better use of one's time on earth? Can one prepare enough for the eventual home-calling? And where is Home?

Renz, my beloved sister

Routine? Work - Home, Family - Friends, Self - Others, Spend it - Save it, Hold on - Let go, Fast - slow. Just remember, whether it's Smiles or Frowns, Ups or Downs, Give or Take, It's bound to even out. So hang in there. Read the Bible, Pray everyday and believe in yourself.

Whatever life has to offer us be it good or otherwise we can weather any storm and face any problem that may arise. Let us not get tired of doing what is right for after a while, we will reap a harvest of blessing....

My hugs I send thro' email. Tis' a sweet spirit I long to share. Remember I too am just an email away.

Bless your day with Phil 4:19

Giase

Turn to...

During those times when I am feeling low

I turn to Jesus!

When I feel the people who matter are no longer there for me

I turn to Jesus!

When I am tired and not in the mood to talk to anyone

I talk to Jesus

I can go on and on.

Unless you come into the realm of God's Glory through Salvation by Grace through Faith in Christ Jesus, you will think I am being stupid. The Bible says the Word of God is foolish to him who does not know God. I prefer to be stupid to the world and intelligent in the presence of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Blessed among the blessed.

Friends, have you thought of giving your life to God? He is there for you always... but life is too short! Take that step of faith, and let the Lord guide you.

He loves you

Jesus loves you

Turn to Jesus!

Simply courteous or Interest-directed

This will probably be the most spontaneous posting I have done so far on my blog. Like the ghost of an unhappy dead person, one question has been pursuing me since I could think... What stops people from showing respect to everyone they meet?

I have a somewhat small corpulence (just about 5ft) and 52kg, and needless to say I have been victim of displays of disrespect and complete lack of selfless courtesy many times than I can bother to count. Usually, I take pleasure in seeing the look on the faces of people who meet me for the first time after having heard of me, or spoken with me on the phone. Why do people think that when you have a seemingly 'big' title, professionally, it should be accompanied by an imposing personality? To be unfairly modest to myself, I tend to be quiet, inconspicuous and humble, and at times people tend to take this to mean weakness, or people try to exploit the situation. I have had to tell a few people off as well (trust my words can sharper than a sword), when they breached the boundary and got to my rather quiet nerves.

You may wonder what has prompted this creativity today. It is because of what happened earlier today that I feel I should get off my chest. This morning, my hubby drove me to work, and we parked as usual in the space reserved for staff. A female colleague came and parked besides us and told the guard to ask us to leave that space. The guard, not recognising me informed us the lot was for staff only, and I informed him I was staff. So we shut the doors and were walking towards the office entrance when the colleague practically jumped out of her car and asked us to stop. We did, and she came shouting that we shouldn't park there because it is space for staff, and so we should go and drive out. The guards were telling her I am staff, but she was just not listening. I told her so myself but she was busy 'barking' and informed me I was not a staff member. So I asked her politely if she doesn't know me, and she said she doesn't. So I called my name and then she 'recognised' me. How embarrassing in front of guards! She apologised and apologised again but the damage had already been done - to her.

A few questions have been going through my mind. Is it because we were not driving a car as plush as hers? Is she carrying a burden from somewhere and just couldn't resist exposing her bad manners at the first chance? Even if we were visitors, is that how to address another human being? If she had an issue with someone parking there, why couldn’t she inform the appropriate persons and let everyone do his/her job? Why can't people just respect, just be courteous to anyone they meet, irrespective of looks or possessions? Must we be nice and polite only to people we think are of our 'class' or people we have particular interests in? There are as many questions as there are impolite people on earth... and no satisfactory answers.

Please be nice to people. Even when hurt, try to keep the tone down... you will learn a lot more that way than shouting without listening to others, just to end up being the fool.

Amazing! what things and people one misses

The other day when I was sitting in a hair dressing saloon braiding my hair, I had enough time to think through my life. I was amazed at how much I missed certain things and people. I always lie to myself about not missing home, but hey that is just one way of getting over it. I might not miss the obvious but there are people and things I miss that give me a feeling of frustration at times.

* My hair dresser. Oh how I wish I could spend that much money I used to, and get a good hair-do. Back in Yaounde, at times I felt my hair dresser was taking more than he ought to from me, because he was always on the high side of pricing compared to others. Not that others were as good as he was of course, but you know that feeling especially when you are counting your money in the ...000s (FCFA not £). Now I wish he was around. Since I got to Lagos, I have tried a few hair-dressers but their services have not satisfied me. How I miss him!

* Cameroonian dishes. When I walk into an eatery here, I sigh at the thought of the wide variety of dishes in a restaurant in Cameroon. Not to say much here, try both countries and you will find yourself running back to Cameroon! And oh how I miss fresh green spices.

* National team t-shirt. Back in Cameroon, I would not wear the Indomitable Lions' t-shirt even if it was given to me for free (don't get me wrong here, I was a fervent supporter, if ever there was one). At the end of January 09, my brother in law who came for a visit in Lagos (from Ife) wore one and I almost pulled it off him out of covetousness. I am happy I convinced him to leave that with me!

* My neighbour's kid. One of my neighbour's in Cameroon has one of the most amazing kids I have ever seen. She is so gracious, and will make anyone smile even in the worst of days. She is very alert and would remember everybody's name (or pet name), and she was barely 2!

* Girls night out! Those who are guilty know what I am referring to... I miss my company of friends!

* Of course I miss having electricity (without the noise of generators) 24/7; driving for 15-20 minutes to work (compared with the two hours here), and driving alone very late in the night without fear of being harassed.

I miss pays... Camer pour toujours!

Reformed Kitchen Manners

Up until a few months ago, my kitchen was never the place I liked to spend my time in the house in. Back in Cameroon, my kitchen and kitchen-related activities accounted for the least portion of my income. My best cooking moments when I was hosting friends or mates, then I wouldn't mind spending half a day in the kitchen. This was not because I did not know how to cook, far from it. In fact, my colleagues and mates could testify to the delicious meals they ate in my house... and some will never forget the okro and keep asking for it even after they got married. Call this recognition, rather than pride.

Well, getting married and living with my husband meant more frequent visits to the kitchen. Friends and siblings were praying for me to be able to take care of the family in the kitchen front because they knew my habit. They encouraged me, and I decided to take a step of faith and start loving the time spent in the kitchen. I got recipes for pastries and stuff I never endulged in before, and now I just can't stop. When I am at home, the only thing I want to do is go into the kitchen and try out a recipe I got from someone or downloaded from the Internet.

Now there is no stopping me... I am finally a lover of cuisine. Please share those rare recipes with me.

Hurray! Is it 2009 already?

Thank God we are in 2009... away from all the trials of 2008, not completely shielded from even more trials, but knowing that we have a God who has an interest to see us through to a new year. My God is faithful, His love is everlasting, and His mercies are good every morning... and every year!

We spent Jan 1, 2009 in-doors because we attended a Virgil the previous night and returned late. Oh my, what an exhilarating experience! We decided to fellowship with brethren in the Lord at the Winner's Chapel Canaanland. It took us three hours to drive to the venue because of heavy traffic, but once there, we realised those three hours were necessary. The highlight of the evening was at midnight, as you can all imagine. Lights in the auditorium were switched off, and everyone lit candles. Spectacular! You could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit moving in that place, the lifting of the candles was like the evening sacrifice as God inhabited the praises of His people.

As is my custom, I don't eat heavy on New Year's Day. I roasted fish, fried plantain, and made a lovely tray of tuna salad. I ate a plate of salad and drank almost 750ml of a drink I love so much... sorry won't tell you which because I don't advertise. I actually felt a little tipsy, though I did not let my husband and brother-in-law know... but you know that light-headedness one gets when one takes more than required alcohol?

2008 to 2009 Bliss

For us, the bliss started on Friday 19 Dec when we hopped into a bus in Lagos heading East... didn't the Wise Men head East as well? This was one long journey, we started off at 7.30am and reached our destination after 8pm. Usually, I am told, the journey is not this long, but we were victims of some unscrupulous traffic police in two places that took up at least 45minutes; and the roads were not as good all the way. But aren't these regular such that they have become de-facto considerations when travelling...East? Don't ask me if it is not for these reasons that people prefer to fly to the East, instead of going through all the hurdles with doing road. I wanted to experience travelling by road in Nigeria, and also it served as a good sight-seeing to me as we drove across many states. More so, the Port Harcourt airport (which is closest to Eket) had been closed for refurbishing, and this would have meant flying into Calabar, which is about 2hrs drive to Eket. This lovely village is located in the state of Akwa Ibom, in the oil-rich zone of East Nigeria. Eket is an 'oil village' with oil exploitation happening in and around.

Eket is Aunti Rhoda Ikono’s (our Best Man's wife) village. They were celebrating the traditional wedding of her younger sister on Saturday 20 Dec. It was a colourful ceremony, with lots of food and drinks though not as many varieties as you will find in a similar feast, or any party in Cameroon.

On Sunday, we left in a convoy for Ikpene Inuen (I might have got this spelling wrong), Mr Ikono's village. His house was still under construction, but that did not tamper the partying that ensued and ran throughout the week. Everyone slept on a mattress on the floor, with power cables criss-crossing because our source of light was a generator, and the electrification of the house was not complete. There was no shortage of food or drinks throughout our stay there, but again not many varieties of food...mainly jellof rice; pounded yam or garri (eba) and afang soup (in Cameroon called eru, though the recipe is slightly different). Anyway, I enjoyed these the first two days and then wished I could eat something different! Think of 'poisson braisé', fufu (corn) and kati kati (chicken), 'Ndole', etc. How I miss Camer at such moments!

We culminated our stay with a family thanksgiving marking the 60th anniversary of Mr Ikono's uncle, and celebrations marking Aunti Rhoda's nth birthday; and headed back to the hustle and bustle of Lagos on Sunday Dec 28