The Ramblings of A Nigerian Mom

  Image source   In a couple of hours -some 25+ hours actually, the curtain would drop on 2014 as we usher in the new year. I mean in a little more than a day, 2014 will be forever submerged in the sands of time. Forever sealed up in the history books as we eagerly unwrap our newest gift with childlike glee. And 2015 will be opened up before us- beautiful, fresh, clean and new. Untouched. Ochara. Tear-rubber . *insert smiley*

   Certificates 1 and 2.. Hello Sweethearts,  Apology for the long absence, November has been incredibly busy on this side of the computer.  In a few hours, we'd be in December...ain't we all blessed and lucky to still be here? #thankful

Friends, Sometimes, life could be very busy that we have no space for anything else, -like calling up a distant friend to find out how they are doing -like remembering a dear friend's birthday or wedding anniversary -like remembering to make arrangements for the next morning's breakfast -like remembering to turn on the Washer -like remembering to take the children out as earlier promised -like remembering to get the slides ready for the next day's Presentation -like remembering to laugh heartily -like remembering to study or pray -like getting a manicure -like getting the hair done / cut -like going for a date night with hubby / wifey -like being romantic -like getting some more fruits or vegies -like sparing 2 minutes of our time to help save the 'world'.. But remembering that some are not having it half as good and tables could turn (like it did when Ebola sneaked into Nigeria) is bound to put everything into perspective. It's November an...

Sign the petition   Truly, we can end ebola together. It is no longer news that #ebola is wreaking a devastating havoc on some West African countries with Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone being the worst hit. ''Ebola is tearing through West Africa, killing up to 70% of those infected and spreading fear through their communities'' Would not forget in a hurry what I went through some months back when Nigeria had a taste of what these helpless countries are currently facing. The fear and the uncertainties are not something I wish on anyone.

Source So Toinlicious and New Dawn would like to know 20 random facts about me and then New Dawn tagged me as her Blog Sistah . Thanks, Sweetie pies. Never knew anyone could be interested in boring ol' me.

I was pleasantly surprised to be tagged by Thecla for this award in September *face palm*. Even though it's been close to two months but I owe it to Thecla to do this, already gave my world I'd respond. You don't know Thecla? She's a beautiful woman of faith who blogs over at  This Favored Woman . Her posts are always so enriching and refreshing, so why don't you go over to her site and say hello to her from me? This award is actually a first for me and I should probably give a speech or something...y'all know how it's done, right? You hold the mic and chants OMG for a while and then launch into some long or short speech as the 'spirit' leads...then you dedicate your award to some lovely people in your life...

  Source   Beautiful people, It's a brand new day, a brand new month and a brand new beginning. Ain't we lucky to have come this far considering the happenings around us, the world over? It's indeed a privilege to 'see' this brand new month. Doesn't matter where we're coming from or where we are right now, we have the gift of a fresh beginning every time we open our eyes to enjoy the fresh breathe of a new day. This new month, may you experience unanticipated satisfaction, joy and fulfillment all round and may all your heart's desires be granted. So I say...November will be awesome for you and I.. ..be happy. Lots of love.

Source Yes, go on. Touch your breasts right now. Stand in front of the mirror and do some visual examinations, check for any obvious / imagined changes in the layout of your breast...any unusual wrinkling or crinkling...any changes in the nipples...then raise your arm and feel your breast with the small of your palm in a circular motion...first one...then the other.

I see it in his face Gazing out the window at strangers Giving out unsolicited smiles Hoping to get one in return Forced or natural, it hardly matters. When I was much younger And then this morning too, In the midst of praying for world peace and an end to neo natal deaths I yearn it too. It didnt matter that he feels it And hears it daily From an adoring ma and pa, In the loving touches and hugs Words softly spoken with gaiety. He needs it still more From someone who didn't have to know him Let someone who doesn't love him Wave back and smile hesitantly At the little boy gawking expectantly. Then like a million tiny bulbs I see his face lights up In him, I see me As he revel in those moments Of being special.

So my 5yr old is torn between being an engineer and a medical doctor+pastor....the 'Doctoring' + 'pastoring' must go together (in his mind)... Why? Engineers fix things, doctors fix people, save people and 'heal the world' while pastors are always smartly dressed in their suits. He associates pastors with 3pc suits, he loves suits and has also come to associate wearing them with very serious occasions.

Source It was a wet evening on a narrow in-street road. There were houses on the left and more houses on the right hand side. A huge Lawma waste truck was occupying a large chunk of the narrow road to the right. An elderly woman sat behind a tray of ripe plantain just by the drainage on the left side, watching the cars wobbling along on the uneven road filled with random potholes and pockets of puddles.

Yes, my little one -D2 had a dream. (Will get round to sharing big bro's many dreams anytime soon). But you know there are dreams, and there are dreams. I'm talking here about the dream that comes from snuggling in a comfy bed and drifting off into wonder land, you know. So my mighty 3yr old boy has been dreaming much of late. And his latest dream consists basically of one activity. Football. You guessed right...he apparently extends his playtime into wonderland.

Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. The clock is really ticking loudly as we slowly but surely move towards the end of 2014. It constantly reminds me that 2015 is so so near and raises so many questions in my heart...

Image source Becoming a mother is every woman's dream...well, not every woman's dream which is okay by the way. But it was one of mine. I craved the joys of motherhood forgetting that oftentimes, pain accompanies the actualization of dreams. You go through the dreamy 9-monthy motions and voila...the cute wrinkly squirming pinkish bun that took 40 weeks or less to bake pops out in all his slimy glory.

  Source   I grew up in an age and environment where children were allowed to be children and adults allowed to be adults. Seriously. It wasn't the stone age but in my house, our dresses and skirts were always knee length and pants had enough room. No skinny-show-me-your-figure kind of stuffs. God help you if you refuse to put on what was picked for you to wear to outings / events / occasions. Never had the 'opportunity' to wear make up until I gained admission into the tertiary institution.

Source Hi Lovelies, September officially marks the beginning of a new school session...or so it was until Ebola reared its ugly head and resumption had to be postponed for another one month. It also marks the beginning of the end of the year...in my mind. It's a time to reflect...on how far we have come in the year and how good God has been to us and ours even in the midst of our many travails. If you are reading this, then you have a whole lot to be grateful for. The gift of life alone is more than enough reason to be thankful. Seeing a new day really presents a new opportunity to shoot at the stars....and get it right. May all your previous struggles turn to joy and just like those beautiful sunflowers up there, may your life radiate with beauty and may every step you take be colored with success. This new month will be kind.

* Long Rambling Alert...Read this and you get  2 for the 'price' of 1...hahaha...kinda like getting more than you bargained for...Actually started writing this post three weeks ago but it never 'saw the light of day'....until today, that is...A whole lot has happened within the last one month...a lot* Once upon a loooonng time, terrorism was a far off menace. Evils being battled by veeeeeery distant 'unlucky' countries that we only hear / read about...but now its come home to roost. Can you think of a life lesson from this? 10 years ago, I never ever imagined we would be HERE...now, in Nigeria. But we're here and it just keep getting worse. Could really be worse than it already is. I only pray it doesn't get any worse till it gets better. I read about what's going on in the Middle East and I still utter thanks to the Almighty. At least it's not that bad, yet. He still loves us, really and His grip is ever so firm on us. I just had t...

  Totally unrelated to superheroes but it's what we're watching as I type this So we love Spiderman...Superman...Hulk as much as we love Old Trafford. It's official. Because I belong to an all-boys clan and if you can't beat them.... *sigh*...

June 19 is the day set aside to annually raise awareness about sickle cell disorder globally, not dedicating a post to this disease would be doing myself and others that could benefit a great disservice..really. This is actually belated as I was supposed to do this on the 19th but could not for one or two reasons so here we go. I previously wrote about my struggles with the disorder in this post and a few months after that post, I lost a niece to the complications of SCD. So sad to be dealt such a cruel hand but that's life. Hardly fair all the time.

Source All they want Is the right to life, dignity and education To live freely, walk freely and learn freely In a world that would bestow upon them respect All they want Is to bloom in the garden of life Flourishing like palm trees lacking naught In a world that would water their roots with love All they want Is to glisten like the morning dew Wetting the feet of early risers with love In a world that would support honest and hard work All they want Is to sit within the four walls of knowledge Shaping their paths like their luckier folks in the west In a world that would respect and support their vision All they want Is to laugh with abandon under the clear sky Infecting all around with their zest for life In a world that would embrace their gaeity All they want Is to feel the warmth of their mothers' embraces Shielding from the coldness of the elements In a world that would protect their smiles with grace All they want Is to live without fear in ...