14for14: Street People Love

Keep Calm August is giving way to the best month... September *dancing*. In order to let August to bow out gracefully I shall do my 14for14 sharply :)!

There are few people I see on the streets of Gidi that make my heart smile. I won't go into the legality or illegality of what they do because its not my jurisdiction. Without much ado I present you my Street Peeps:

1). The Exclusive street food vendors: (FYI this does not include mama puts and hawkers). I like food, you like food, we all love food agreed? The people who grill plantain, yam, potatoes, chicken, goat meat and all those other mouth watering 'healthy' street food are fabulous!

I apologize in advance for making you hungry! Please bear with me :P

Oh the list includes puff puff and akara (bean cakes) too.

2. Smiling security personnel: There's nothing as wonderful as seeing people doing their jobs cheerfully! I have met some very grumpy security men who are always complaining and looking for "appreciation" for doing their work. So I should pay you for opening the door or stopping traffic as I back out of your companies parking lot right? Makes no sense! A smile is still the best clothing accessory. You should see the security men I hail every morning on my way to work, They are happy and have a swagger!

3. Road sweepers a.k.a LAWMA: Suited up in their bright orange ensemble, every morning  these people are busy doing their work. They serve as my time gauge of sorts. If Lawma isn't on the road on my way to work it means I'm late *full stop*

4. Life Savers! Vulcanizers and cobblers: Be it your tangible car or your leggedez benz (your shoes) these two always come to the rescue! I can't count how many times. The most recent was on my way back from doing my NYSC clearance for the month, my shoes gave away! imagine!

and the last but not the least are

5). Keke Drivers with disabilities: wondering why? They could have easily decided to be beggars and no one would judge them because of their conditions but they didn't. While the same streets are full of people with both arms and legs who fabricate the most amazing stories just to get into the beggarly profession!

 I salute these special peeps for the services they render and the swag with which they do it! 

for we walk by faith, not by sight--2 Corinthians 5:7

Sincerely,

Cee

14for14: last minute

The school where I am currently serving closed for the summer last Friday. Yay!! So I'm supposed to start chilling right? Well not exactly. My work just began and it has nothing to do with marking scripts and compiling results. I volunteer with an organisation every August to help disadvantaged students in developing their literacy and numeracy skills. This is my fourth or fifth year doing it and as a rule each year can only get better... So work dey but God is as always more than faithful :)!

There was a valedictory event of some sorts for the outgoing JSS 3 students on Thursday and the following are some of the things I learnt from the event:

1. It doesn't take plenty people to plan a successful event. I'm of the opinion that only the principal and her secretary planned the whole thing. I stand to be corrected but most of the staff were surprised by a lot stuff including the yearbook given to the outgoing pupils.

2. Students can undergo a complete 360 degree change when the music is turned on. I wish I could show you guys what I'm talking about. The dance moves were unbelievable! I really wish they could transfer a fraction of their enthusiasm to their studies. There are still a handful that have difficulty in reading and calculating basic sums.

The "he-pop dancers"lol!

3. The school photographer makes money!

4. It's the same set of students that get all the prizes. Its usually the first position in the class that gets the well behaved prize or the neatest student prize. Makes me wonder if intelligence is really linked to neatness and behavior...

5. Students are quite observant once it involves food or money! I gave out my food pack to a student who had been following me around that day and you can guess what happened next... Also the Vice principal sprayed some dancers money and that was how the next set of dancers danced until they got their share too.

Lol! July is almost over and I have succeeded in doing another Last minute 14for14 blog post! Next month I plan on breaking the trend :)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13(KJV)

Sincerely,

Cee

14for14: Dining Hall Nightmares

I went to a boarding school and like most, the dining hall was a world of it's own. It was the venue where the most embarrassing incidents and tales occurred. The two 'horrible' and 'earth shattering' things that you wouldn't want to happen to you in the dining hall were:

1) For your cutlery to fall! I don't know what the big deal was but then it was just so wrong. All eyes would be on you immediately and they'll be judging you. The eyes will automatically label you a grub, glutton, FFO (for food only) e.t.c. The judging had levels too. If it was a fork it was moderate, a spoon was worse but a Big Spoon like the one below was the worst of them all.

This was the basing Spoon!! lol

even Spoon get levels ;)!

2) For you to get a dining hall BADGE! That's what you get when food spills on your uniform. The bigger the badge the more the shame literally. Breakfast badges were the most dreaded because you had to sit through your remaining classes with it. Only babies were permitted to get food stains. (That reminds me according to this theory, I was a baby last Saturday because I poured a whole cup of tea on myself at an induction event and I was still going for a wedding afterwards. Sad right?)

So what did the Dining hall teach me?

1. That if I remain in my cocoon and refuse to try out new things (meals) from other cultures, I'll be missing a whole lot. You won't believe it but I started eating fish and water melon in Dining hall. Imagine!!

2. How to eat fast! Aint nobody got time to spend an hour eating a meal.

3. The person with the serving spoon is very powerful

4. Punctuality to the dining hall is key if you want to actually eat 

5. All that glitters is not gold. Some meals look way better than they taste

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

Sincerely,

Cee

14for14: Playing with fire

I love it when my parents, Grandma or Aunts decide to torture my siblings with something they did as a child. There are some classics that I'm saving for my nieces and nephews *winks*. Once the story doesn't involve any of my misdemeanors I am a good sport.

As one of the stories goes, my younger brother at a certain point in his life was fascinated with fire. He wasn't content to just watch from the sidelines. He needed to catch it! My mom being the super woman she is, would always jump over skyscrapers aka tables, rivers (aka puddles from our carelessness) or mountains - (toys strategically positioned on the floor) just to stop him. She used to work herself up trying to keep her baby away from the fire.

Until one faithful day, when she got tired and she let him get as close as his heart desired to the candle...

...as you must have guessed that was his last day near it. He wised up real quick!

Wondering what that has to do with anything? Errm.. the thing is that just like my brother I'm fascinated with  fire but a different kind. The type I know isn't good for me. Don't let your mind run far o!

Its just Sweets!

I dunno why I find it irresistible.

SO the main problem is how to deal with my case.... should I adopt  my Mother's method and leave my self  to indulge in as much sweets, chocolates and confectioneries as my hands can touch until I literally get burnt i.e jedi jedi (I first heard this word in boarding school and it simply means a severe constipation or something like that) and all the other side effects? 

Can a man carry fire in his lap without burning his clothes?

Proverbs 6:27 (GWT)

(victory dance: #team no defaulting! #may! #no slacking! #fresh air)

Sincerely,

Cee

14for14: Common Sense Wahala

He says he is stubborn but I say I'm strong willed.

He says he likes me but I say I love me

He thinks I'm a fool to throw it all away but I know I'll be the fool if I stay

The thing is... 

Gone are the days when feelings and emotions were enough to go by.

The world has evolved and I'm learning to grow with it too!

For everywhere I go, I have to carry  these three; my 'Bestie', my brain and "common sense" along

or else

this heart of mine would just put me for wahala!

Guess what else is reiterating the importance of common sense to me? (*side eye* why did you just continue reading without attempting to guess :(! ) Well... its my new Loofah Scrub o!

I was shocked to read the side note at the back just after the instructions on how to use it.

"...As always, use common sense and be gentle with yourself and your body."

Funny right? but nevertheless profound. It really cracked me up. Made me remember primary school days where every reference to 'common sense' had an underlying insult or wise crack. 'Don't you have any common sense?' 'Where is your common sense? (usually followed by the statement 'Use your Initiative')' 'Stop hailing him, its just common sense applied' 'Common sense is obviously not common in your case' 

It appears the only time we are allowed to be 'stupid' and ignore common sense is when it comes to love however it may be temporal.

Anyways I have a question for you?

I soooo love 'em and have been getting a lot of late. Remember I mentioned my valentine one here.
*wide grin* Testimony time *dances forward*

I won a month free of premuim plus on Iroko Tv. I dunno how I got picked, just got a call. Ermm scrap that I think its in conjunction with Swift (the internet provider I use). Not sure if it was a random select or if they were just appreciating faithful customers. Anyways I think it's a great marketing gimmick on IrokoTv's part cos prior to winning this, I never would have thought about subscribing to watch new Nigerian movies online. The truth is that I'm not a Naija movie person except the really good ones cos I have a low tolerance for Iranu a.k.a Banality. But seeing as I cannot let my Awoof go to waste I watched Flower girl yesterday and I plan on seeing Anchor baby when next I'm idle. So fingers crossed on if I'll renew afterwards especially since it is relatively cheap (500 for a month, 1k for 3 months and 2k for a year).

Ciao Amigos!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (ESV)

Sincerely,

Cee

14for14: Mushroom

When I first learn't that mushroom was a fungi, I was in biology class. Ecck! You can imagine my facial expression. For a long while, I couldn't understand why my brothers could dare to eat it and why my dearest aunt was in love with it as she would garnish all her Italian or Chinese inspired meals with them. I could barely put it near my mouth without remembering and imagining the ones I had seen growing on the wooden toilet door in my boarding house dorm. In my mind Mushrooms were in the same category as dirt, molds, irritating and rotten stuff that had no business anywhere near my mouth!

Anyways fast forward to present, for the first time in my life I cooked with mushrooms last night *Whoop!!* I have come a long way o! (Sorry I have no pictures). Wondering what brought about the change? Ermm (Coughs) Well it was my Dad! He came home last week with a big carton of canned mushrooms. Apparently a good salesman or marketer (as we call them in these parts) had whined/cajoled/convinced and not confused him into buying it ;). The guy had gone as far as giving my Dad and his friends a free mushroom dish or sampling). So when I was cooking the family dinner of Mixed vegetable rice, I threw 'caution' to the wind and added mushrooms. At the back of my mind I planned on picking out the ones in mine... buh yours truly there wasn't any need to o! I enjoyed the meal without it and joined everyone in taking a second helping. I'm not sure if I have been converted totally from #teamNoeatingfungi or if I enjoyed it because the mushrooms were sliced and weren't all up in my face.

Wondering how this classifies as a 14 for 14 post? Well I said I would blog about 3L&R here and this here is Life! In life I have learn't to never say never! change is the only thing that's constant. I keep evolving, growing and changing mindsets, views, opinions, relationships etc. If you had told me last year that I would touch a mushroom with a long pole I would have given you some serious Yimu aka I wouldn't have believed you and here I am already thinking of what to cook next with Mushrooms. Lol!

Change has a funny way of making some past opinions seem silly. I can stilll remember when as a little girl i was so sure I was going to end up being a doctor. But guess what? No body had to tell me I wasn't cut out for that job. My reactions and feelings towards blood, injections (which I felt was an excuse to inflict someone in pain with more pain) plus my intense dislike for the horrible smell associated with drugs and hospitals told me otherwise.

So yeah I have added fungi to the list of things I can eat :)! Only God knows what next would cross over from list on Never-ever-eating-that list... hopefully it won't be a reptile or an insect :)!

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." 

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

P.S: I'm going to be away for a bit. In fact, most of this month and I have no Idea how the Internet service will be where I am going to or if my schedule would let me blog. Anyways I plan on doing all my blog stalking with my phone :)!

P.S.S: I dunno whats up with the commenting system o! Abeg who send me message. Trying out a new system. What do you think? Yay? or Nay?

Sincerely,

Cee

14for14: Throw Pillows

You won't believe what I realized recently...I have too many Throw pillows in my life! Those considerable important people and things that I often overlook and take for granted but don't know how I'll cope without . 

Shey you guys know what I mean by Throw pillows right? Those tiny fancy pillows on the sofa in your living room that are best for hurling at a sibling when they are blocking your view of the TV or just being annoying. Throw pillows have a way of spicing up the living room ambiance by adding a touch of elegance and splash of colour (especially the arty ones) 

My Top 10 throw pillows are *drum rolls*

• Good Health
• Love
• Laughter
• Sleep
• Speech 
• My Pen and my amazing mind (Imagination)
• Hugs and Kisses
• Family
• Friends
• You

In an old article I read by Sam Kirui on "Don't take anything for granted- be grateful to God" (You can read it here), he asked the following questions...

Do you view life and breath and health and friends through the lens of the cross? Do you take those things for granted and view them as yours by right? What biblical truths have you neglected that lead you to regard these blessings as rights?

It got me thinking about this song,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be. 

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands. 

For it's only in Your will that I am free,
For it's only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.


I'm not there yet and don't have all I want or desire but I do know that every awesome thing and gift (especially the people in my life) I have is from Him so I must never lose sight of this truth. Instead I'm gonna engrave it in the inner recesses of my hearts. So help me God!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 (NIV)

Oh before I forget does anyone have any useful suggestions or tips on how to write fun and interesting book reviews? The editorial Lady in Church asked me to do a monthly book review column for the church bulletin and since I get a Free book every month courtesy The Book Tea Fountain tea party, I agreed. Now I need Ideas on how to do it. I'm thinking of reviewing the book Courageous by Michael Catt (Not yet done reading but its really loaded and inspiring :)

Sincerely,

Cee

14for14: Looking for Love

So Yaay! My first real 14 for 14 post (the other one was an introduction..lol). 

"What a person desires is unfailing love"

I can't forget this silly simple definition of Love I heard or probably read somewhere awhile ago. "Love is the feeling that you feel that you have never felt before". Of late, I've been looking for love o! Una help me o!

Searched all over... couldn't find nobody
I looked high and low... still couldn't find nobody
Nobody greater... nobody greater no... nobody greater than you

(I couldn't but insert the chorus of "Nobody greater" here)

Anyways back to my love hunt story, How am I supposed to experience this feeling o??! Bump into a stranger at the bank? Pretend that my car developed a fault on the road and wait for a handsome gentleman to pass by? (as is the case with most Nollywood movies) or be innovative or is proactive a better word and grab the "bull by the horns"? I am actually tired of seeing a lot of crap all in the name of offering relationship and love expert advice.

Anyways, I think I've found him...*scrap that* I know I have found Him or better said I know he has found me *love struck*

I think C.S Lewis knew about us sha.

Because he summed up my love story when He wrote 

“God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other... God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.”― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

...ON LEARNING

So that is how someone I respect and used to "salute" hurt me in a bad way recently. I actually thought I had forgiven her and moved on but recent events have proved otherwise. I truly want to let go and move on. Shebi it has happened and there's nothing I can do about it right? Forgiving should be a piece of cake but it hasn't been. I blame it on the major falling of my hand by her and the indirect way in which it was delivered (which deprived me of doing the whole confrontation and get-it-off-my-chest routine).  Oh well! I'm learning to forgive her all the same... its a gradual process... God is helping me...you see I smiled as i wrote and thought about her just now (Progress baby!!!)

In other news, the Love day is around the corner...usually associated with a lot of PDA's or if you are in Lagos... get ready for another round of  extravagant Red and White mismatched attires (last year the red and white everywhere was over the top and irritating ). 

Anyways, this picture below summarizes my plans with Le boo *winks*

Blogsville Pay it Forward originated from YSU and I got it from Lady Ngo,  So i'm doing this too:

*The first 5 people who comment on this blogpost with "I'm IN", will receive a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year - anything from a book, a ticket, a visit, something homegrown or made, a postcard, absolutely any surprise!

These 5 people in turn must make the same offer in their blog and distribute their own joy. Simply copy this text onto your next blogpost, so we can form a web of connection and kindness

****if you are not a blogger or someone i know outside of blogsville, it would probably do you well to leave some kind of contact info or something otherwise your surprise is most likely not going to reach you lol.****

 Sincerely,

Cee

14 for 14 challenge

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine

When I saw a post by Ms JB (you could visit her blog here) on the '14 for 14' challenge, I was inspired to go for it :)!! The challenge will involve me creating 14 posts for 2014 on a certain theme or something different from what I usually write about and blog about it every month. The aim of the challenge is to revive the dwindling blogging spirit and learn the discipline of "sticking-to-something". If you can join, please do. 

For more Info on the challenge click here and here


Now for my 14 for 14 challenge.... I'll be writing about any of the 3L's & R - Love, Life, Learning and Relationships. In No Particular order, I'll share a bit of my Journey so far monthly in this areas. Everyone has a story to tell so hopefully it will be fun for both of us :)! Check back soon for my post for January!


P.S: I was really tempted to write about Food, Hair, My Art class, Books or Places I visit instead.

Sincerely;

Cee