DEEP BREATH...............PHEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!

Hey All. How are you guys doing? I thought I'd post something on this final day of November. Where has the time gone?!!!!!! I vividly remember the beginning of this year, looking forward and wondering what the new year would bring and here we are almost at the end of it and as I begin to reflect, I have no choice but to be thankful.

The reason I haven't posted for a minute is because I've been busy trying to study but also trying to plan. To Niyi specifically, and to those who have encouraged me, I have not taken the GMAT. I have postponed taking it which leads me to why I am letting out a deep breath.

The last couple of weeks have been hectic. I attended two interesting MBA related sessions. The first regarding the Consortium, the second about a program called Management Leadership for Tomorrow MBA Prep. Both are programs that I want to be a part of and lead to the MBA. More on the Consortium another time. The ML4T MBA Prep program is featured in this month's issue of Fortune Magazine. It is a year long program that basically funnels minorities into top MBA programs and has an amazing success rate. It provides coaching, mentoring and guidance with essays, GMAT prep, interviewing and also gives participants access to admissions personnel at the top business schools and corporate personnel at firms such as Citigroup, Boston Consulting, CocaCola, and the list goes on. It requires an application and that is why I've been AWOL.

The first application round deadline was in October and they have chosen a little more than half the class already. The second deadline is tomorrow, December 1. Considering that I only heard about this program last week, I have been running around like a headless chicken trying to put everything together to get my application in before tomorrow's deadline. I had to get a recommendation letter, order transcripts, write 4 essays, and take a practice GMAT test, all in 3 days. This week has been hell, and there were times when I just wanted to give up but I pulled through. I completed the online portion of the application and had to mail some parts in. I ran to the post office this afternoon and just as I got there the mail was going out. I explained to the lady serving me that my documents had to be in New York tomorrow by noon and this wonderful woman held the mail so my application could go out today and get there on time. God gave me strength to persevere and ordered my steps so I could get to that post office right on time. Sitting in my car outside the post office I took a deep breath.....IN and OUT. The hard part is done. Now comes the waiting....till early February. So my friends, please pray for me. I want so badly to be a part of this program. I WANT IT. I know I was put in the position to hear about this program for a reason and I'm believing that as I speak it, so it shall be.

So, hopefully I'll come back soon to write something more interesting but this is what's been going on. To those who've been expecting a return phonecall - you know who you are - forgive me and we'll talk soon. I am so going to sleep like never before this weekend! You guys have a good one and remember to always, always, always BE THANKFUL.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. - Don't know who said it but it works!

THANKFUL FOR YOU

Dear Blog Friends,

A short note to wish you a great Thanksgiving. Many among us are accustomed to giving thanks every day, or going to church on Sunday and "doing thanksgiving" so today holds a different significance for us but yet and still, I will be remiss if I don't grab this opportunity to say I am thankful for you all. For the way you care and share. For the way you sympathize and empathize. For the way you support. For your honesty. For your words of encouragement. For your gentle chastisement. For your stories. For your lessons. For your knowledge. For the laughter. For the good wishes. I an grateful to have discovered this place in which I can be as much as myself that I want to be and not be fearful. God Bless You all, my fellow "bloggies" and Thank You!

Love,

Ms. May

"There’s a miracle of friendship that dwells within the heart

And you don’t know how it happens or where it gets its start

But the happiness it brings you always gives a special lift

And you realize that friendship is God’s most perfect gift. "

- Anon

Daddy Dearest

Today is a special day, hence the Saturday post. Today, November 18th, is my daddy's birthday and this post is dedicated to him.

My relationship with my father is very much one of mutual respect. I am the first child and interestingly, daddy has always treated me as such...LOL. Interesting, huh? Well, let me explain further. See, my sister is daddy's little girl because she was the younger child for a really long time and then my brother came along, and he is the only boy so they have their own "man" relationship because of that. So, my place with daddy has always sorta been the elder/eldest child and father relationship where we both listen to each other, take in what the other says respectfully and whatever the outcome, we're cool. It also helps that we are quite similar in temperament.....quiet, soft-spoken observers who only speak when it is necessary not just because.

I wrote about my mother because she deserved a tribute but also because I want you all to be able to see how two people truly complement each other as I describe my father. My mother's bold style is complemented by my father's classic style.....he very rarely wears jeans. He always wears dress pants, shirts, suits or traditional wear in classic colors. My father is about 6ft 2 to my mother's 5ft 11 frame. My father's quiet manner complements my mother's outspokenness. My father's laidback energy is complemented by my mother's earnest energy. Having said that, they fit so well because when it comes to being social, they can both hang...LOL. That's the side of my dad that I love to see, because it reminds me that my dad is on whole other level of cool.

I have love and respect for my father on two different levels. The first is as a man who truly loves his family and will do anything for their growth, even at the sacrifice of himself. I love the way my father has supported my mother as her career has grown....never jealous, never complaining, always there. Whether it was to get us to school in the morning or pick us up, or to leave work in the middle of the day to take us to run errands, or to come to move us from London to the States for school, or to take care of things at home for almost a year when my mom had to work in another country, he has always been there because he understands that when my mother does well, he also does well. In addition, my father has never said no to anything we (his kids) needed to be happy. As long as we did well at school, which was our only job, he did his job to give us everything. My father never yelled, never hit us, never got so angry that he couldn't see our point of view.

On a whole other level, I stand in awe of my father. As I have gotten older, and I become more and more aware of who my father is and what he does, I have come to see that he is a very rare Nigerian man. My father is my daddy, or like my sister sometimes calls him...daddykins, but my father is also Laolu Akins. For those of you not familiar with the Nigerian music industry, my dad is a legend. No exagerration. In the time that the big labels like Polygram, EMI, and Sony were doing it big in Nigeria, my father was the A&R for Sony as well as a top music producer. If you can't help but shake your behind to Ace, Shinamania and Dancing time by Shina Peters, thank my dad. If you appreciated Adewale Ayuba's Bubbling and Bonsue Fuji, you have my dad to thank. If you grooved to Mike Okri's Omoge, Rhumba Dance, Time Na Money and more, that was my dad too. If you heard the call of God when you listened to Funmi Aragbaye's "Mo gbo Ipe", that was daddy. In addition, he has had significant impact on the music industry by working with people too numerous to mention but include, Christy Essien, Emma Ogosi, Onyeka Onwenu, Majek Fashek, and more. Growing up for us was a fabulous time because he included us in everything he did. We danced on stage for Shina Peters, we got visits at home by up and coming talent at the time like Lagbaja and Esse Agesse, many family parties were attended by a long list of star musicians including Shina, Ayuba, King Sunny Ade, and not to mention being able to meet legends like Ebenezer Obey, Onyeka, Sunny Ade, and Sunny Okosuns. In addition, we were surrounded by people involved in all forms of the arts, including RMD, Olu and Joke Jacobs, Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, and more. Oh, the memories I have from growing up are endless. At the time, it seemed normal, but now I realize that my father is amazing. He was working with all these people, changing the landscape of Nigerian music and coming home and being daddy and husband with no ego, no hubris.

To make it even more INSANELY COOL(my new fave expression), my dad was in a band called BLO in the 70's, at the height of the Afrofunk movement. Not only was the band successful on our shores, they were impactful abroad as well. My daddy was the drummer of the band, which included Lemmy Jackson and Berkely Jones, also legends in the Naija music industry. This was a time when Fela, the Lijadu Sisters, Orlando Julius, and the whole Afrobeat/Highlife/AfroFunk movement was in it's prime. My father is truly a part of Nigerian/World music history and when I think about that, I am truly in awe of him. Daddy has told me stories of touring, playing with people like Ginger Baker and Chuck Berry. Touring Africa, and rubbing shoulders with other African music legends like Miriam Makeba. I love to hear his stories, and if I have my way, he'll write a book. For more on BLO and their history see here. These days, daddy still produces and fights for artists rights and against piracy in Nigeria as well. He is working on setting up his own studio with state of the art equipment so that music made in Nigeria will be of the highest quality. As quiet as my daddy seems, all I have to do is remember BLO and know that my dad is COOL. No matter how old he gets, he's got that COOL stamp. LOL



So today on your birthday Daddy, I want you to know that I am so honored and proud to be your daughter. Not just because you are a legend and will be remembered always as a part of Nigerian music history but also because you are a truly good father who just lives for your children and wife to be happy. I love the relationship we have because you listen to me and everything I say and think holds value to you. I appreciate your quiet strength and consideration. Thank you for all the times you visit and tell me to keep living my life and you'll fit in wherever possible. Thank you for always cooking when you come so you can fatten me up and alleviate your worry that I don't eat. Thank you for sharing your love for music with me, and teaching me how to play the drums. Thank you for teaching me how to accept the part of myself that is shy and quiet. Thank you for teaching me how to be social as myself. Thank you for always putting us first. Thank you for being an example of not just a good Nigerian man, but a good man and a good human being. I haven't done justice to what I want the world to know about you - about how you overcame being poor, having to leave home to live with a stranger to get an education, to get to where you are today. There are not enough words to express how blessed I feel to have you as a father. I thank God for you and I love you with all my heart....your daughter May.

Dedicated To My Mother - My Number One Shero

Two posts in one day. Naijabloke, you get what you ask for o....LOL. I just had to do this post about my mother. LondonBuki and Overwhelmed both have weekly features on their mothers. While I won't be doing that (I can barely write a post/week), I do want to dedicate this post to my mother, especially since a good friend I talked to last night reminded me of why she is like no other.

I cannot even begin to explain to anyone how INSANELY COOL my mom is. She isn't just my mom, she's my friend and we talk about pretty much anything. Yep, even the Naija parent taboo issue called SEX. Everything I know about how to treat people, and how to talk to people, I learned from her. My mother goes out of her way to help anyone and everyone. In addition, she is a businesswoman who has had ventures succeed and fail. When they succeed, she shares it with everyone. When they fail, she picks herself up, dusts herself of and goes right back to it. She is not one to waste time complaining.

She is stylish beyond measure....BOLDLY stylish, with reddish auburn hair, brightly painted long nails, and she doesn't shy away from bold colors and patterns. She has graced the pages of style magazines in Naija but that isn't her motivation. It is just important for her to carry herself well. She is 5ft 11(taller than me) and used to model back in the day and could have made it big if not for us kiddies...LOL. But she doesn't regret it. Her life is just the way it is supposed to be. She once told me that her proudest acheivement is her children and she doesn't even need for us to take care of her in her old age.....as long as we are happy, safe and loved by our respective partners, she'll be fine. She makes things happen for her children no matter the sacrifice. I just went home in May, and had the bright idea of going again at Xmas because all my peeps are going. All I had to do was tell my momma........and she's making it happen o.

When friends meet my mom, they marvel at how warm and real she is. She doesn't even have to meet them in person. Once my mom talks to you over the phone, forget it....she's your new friend. LOL. Whenever we would come home for the summer from school in London, my sis and I had a get together practically every day and mommy would get up at 4am before work, cook jollof, fry meat and chicken and have daddy pick up minerals and voila - instant party!!!!! We never had to ask - she would just do it.And talk about hanging out....my mom can hang with the guys in every way....na Harp or Gulder.....she can hang!!!! LOL. And women find it difficult to envy her because she has a really warm spirit.

In addition, my mom is funny. She can crack you up like no man's business and she loves to play and have fun. When growing up, we used to have mad fun just talking to each other in posh accents on a whim....we still do. She also gives the best hugs, and the best pep talks.

Below is an MSN conversation I had with my mom yesterday. She is just starting to get into chatting online, so she's still learning about the slang and other forms of online communities. I think in just this small piece of our conversation, you guys will get how fabulous my mom is. She doesn't mince her words, she tells it like it is, she's fun, young at heart, looks and feels great (she's in her 50's), is open-minded and willing to try new things, and loves her kids to death - and anything/anyone we love, she loves too.

b says:
ok i gorrit !! I get it on email/txt sometimes but just ignored it...Luv u too.wotz up with d guys o?
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
lol...........not too much with the guys
b says:
your time will come soon in Jesus name o!!!
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
amen mom....amen. lol
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
r u ready 4 some grandchildren? lol
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
r u ready for someone to call u Nana B? lol
b says:
Yes o...but as long as you are able to look after them 85% I'll take the rest !!!
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
LMAO...............mom! u're too funny. No, oh. When u're ready to take care of them 75%, then we'll talk
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
lol
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
LMAO.....means laughing my ass off, by the way.
b says:
The guy should be able to do 40%, u do 45% AND I TAKE THE REST...FAIR?
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
why shld i do 45%? why can't the guy do 45%?
b says:
Gen has now been switched off.... and its damn hot...
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
sorry o
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Mom, you are just too funny.....I'm gonna have to put u on blast on my blog for real
b says:
WOTZ THIS BLOG STUFF SELF?
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Lol.......it's just a new way that our generation (actually, not exclusively our generation) are expressing themselves and their ideas very freely.....and others read it. it's like a little community...pretty cool thing. In fact Funmi Iyanda and Donald Duke have blogs.
b says:
sounds like fun if one gets round to it, I tend not to have time except check my mail...even the hi5 I dont do nuffing about. Got to find time to chill out a bit and have some fun
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
lol...it's cool. Mimi does it, I do it, Yetty does it, Lola does it............lots of folx
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
And they're fun to read. They're addictive
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Like Yetty did a feature last week on Naija men doing great things........lots of cute, sexy single Naija men!!!! LOL
b says:
I know Mims is on it coz shes talked about it I will get round to it soon...if I know wot & how am supposed to get on to it
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
actually it lasted for 2 wks....2 guys per day. it's not hard. it's just like a web address u type in.
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Mimi's is http://msminx.blogspot.com and mine is http://chicafricana.blogspot.com
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Just keep an open mind when u read okay.....
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
don't be too shocked....LOL
b says:
Am quite unshockable...believe it or not so have no fear
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
LOl...that's my mama
b says:
yeah!!!! there goes ma baby too...
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
LOL........i miss u so much mommy
b says:
have u had dinns? howz Dedun?
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Yeah I ate. I talked to Aunt Dee yesterday. She's good.
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Still there?!!!!!
b says:
24dec
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
oh cool....i guess we're gonna be there
b says:
U may actually make it...wont dat be nice? U'll be so nakered tho...but wot the heck... dats part of the 2week fun !!!!
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
heck yeah....mom, i wanna have so much fun when i come home. so many pple r gonna be home........it's gonna be partying all thru so get ready o...........and i won't be playing with my outfits either. i'm gonna do sexy in Naija
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Daddy will just have to deal with it o...LOL
b says:
Yeah rite... sexy ok but not boobs/butt hanging out o....
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
LOL.......there'll be some chest area but nothing distasteful...and lots of leg...
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Life is too short........and once i start having ur grandbabies, everything'll start falling so now's the time...LOL
b says:
I say Amen to lorra leg o...chest area? uhmnnnnnn we'll see bout that.
b says:
and as for the boobs hitting the floor ..... u'd bera do some good packing now to make sure they dont go on free fall too soon....
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
LMAO.......mom, u're cracking me up. But seriously, the chest showing will be tasteful
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
U know me anyway..........classy
b says:
u kno me...I can live wif dat. so long its tasteful...and I trust ma babe ...as for taste...she has oodles of it ,,, rite?
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
what do u think?
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
who taught me about that stuff?
b says:
RITE ON YOU ARE.....
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
ok mommy..........i need to study a lil bit...will talk to u soon yeah
b says:
FANTASTIC...LUV YA LOADS AND CANT WAIT 2 C YA...WILL CATCH UP WIF SOME CHITTY CHATTY SOME OVA TIME
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
ok..........luv u too mama..........pray for me abt my GMAT exam, okay? Special prayers needed
b says:
U BE OK BY GODS GRACE...WOT DATE IS IT ACTUALLY...
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
moved it to Dec 9.....was supposed to be next wk Sat
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
but i didn't think i'd b ready
b says:
Thankfully no more travelling so u settle down to do some serious stuff. Dont u worry...just apply urself ...it'll be a doddle
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Thanks mommy........love u
b says:
luv ya too....and nity nity luv
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
Nite Nite

Below is a poem that I wrote for my mom in 1997. I'm putting it up here as a dedication to her.

My inspiration comes from you
Your eyes, your smile, your lines, your face
Tell a story
You've lived it, life
Good, bad, happy, sad
You've been through it all
All I have to do is watch and listen and learn
So I make fewer mistakes and have better experiences
I see through your eyes
I live by your tales
Everything I do is a little bit of you
My inspiration is you

MOMMY - I AM SO THANKFUL GOD CHOSE YOU TO BRING ME INTO THIS WORLD. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH SOMETIMES I THINK MY HEART WILL BURST. YOU ARE MY NUMBER ONE SHERO - THE EPITOME OF THE WOMAN I WANT TO BECOME. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO WITHOUT THOUGHT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR NEEDS. IT WILL BE WORTH IT. YOUR ELDEST CHILD - YOYO.

UPDATE: Here's a message from my mom after reading this piece....LOL. Didn't actually think she'd get around to reading it so soon, but she only read this piece...not the whole entire blog. Now I know she won't do that....she has way too much to do. LOL. Anyhoo, you guys are now my "bloggies" o accordng to momsie...LMAO.

b says:
I just went thru your blog and its so fascinating girl !!! I'm so chuffed you feel so good about me and for all these comments from your "bloggies".. Luv you loads girl. Am proud of you too.
b says:
But hey, I told you... keep no secrets from me girl... now you know why !!!!
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
what secrets?
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
lol
b says:
Good to have everyfink in the open....

My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
oh...i get it....lol. i'm being slow.

b says:
Its almost 8pm...still at work...gorra go get a life... Like listening to my fav yoruba prog on radio on friday @8 in the car... bliss !!!!
My Sis is a Star!!!!! says:
lol

EN SUS OJOS (IN YOUR EYES)

Mo’ better
Mo’ blue
Mo’ sexy
Mo’ new
Mo’ right
Mo’ be
Mo’ who
Mo’ me
I love it when you call me MOMO

~ © 11/15/2006

THANKFUL FOR WHO GOD HAS MADE ME TO BE

Before I get into the flesh of what I really wanna say, let me start by asking;

Am I the only one who is sick and tired of people posting anonymously on blogs?!!!! I mean, if you have something to say and you're really convicted about it, say it proudly and don't hide behind anonymity. I have seen some really nasty messages left on other's blogs and some not so nasty but with the intent to cause negative energy and it bothers me. While we may not all agree with each other, for the most part, we all try to be respectful of others and be as PC as possible when discussing different things. In addition, we sign our names to our opinions and thoughts PROUDLY. Now, with that being said, I understand that everyone has a right to do what they want to do and say what they want to say but in my humble opinion, if you aren't willing to stand up and stand by what you feel, think, believe, have an opinion about, then whatever you have to say lacks integrity and you just shouldn't say it! Y'all, I almost turned BellaNaija's blog into a stomping ground today because of an anonymous person's comment,(Bella abeg no vex) so instead of that I came here to vent so bear with me o! LOL. Phew.....I feel better now.

So on to the topic of the day.....THANKFUL FOR WHO GOD HAS MADE ME TO BE. I often struggle with the fact that I'm not where I thought I'd be at my age. I had this fantasy of being more, doing more, living more, just.....MORE. Well, a couple of weekends ago on one of my work trips, I got the opportunity to return to one of the many places I have lived. I didn't want to, I didn't mean to, I didn't plan to...it was more like I was propelled there by a force greater than me. As I drove into town, I started to have an anxiety attack. Unpleasant memories of my time there came flooding back. Even though it was still recognizable, I noticed the town had changed in many ways since I left it and I wondered if the people I left behind had changed as well.

My first stop was the fast food restaurant where I used to work. I was surprised to see a person I used to work with about 4 years ago, whom I thought would no doubt be MORE, because she said she wanted more and was a hard worker, still there! Not only was she still there, she hadn't finished community college, is married and pregnant. I caught up with her and learned more about the fate of others whom I had worked with. Some had moved on to greener pastures, most had fallen down hard, and one in particular had fallen down and gotten up and was moving in the right path. His name is Justin and I set out to find him.

In the high-income suburban, primarily caucasian town we lived in at the time, there was very little to do and many of the kids were getting hooked on drugs, meth being the number one score. It was cheap, and very available. Justin worked with us at the restaurant by day and by night ran a meth lab (can't remember if he had accomplices or not). I remember him being very smart, always asking me questions about school and talking about his goals and ambitions. One day we were working together and the next thing I knew, he was off to jail. We kept in touch via mail. I wrote him in jail and so did my sister. I stopped after a while even though I meant to continue. So when Michelle told me he was out and working at a restaurant up the road, I had to see him. I drove the 5 minutes up the road, heart pounding. I walked in and asked if he was working. He was. He came out to greet me, a smile on his unchanged face. The only telltale sign of his hardship was his now large physique, probably from spending every spare minute pumping iron. In the 6 months he had been out, he was working and back in school pursuing a business degree, determined to do it right this time. He thanked me for writing him and he was even more grateful that my sister kept writing him after I stopped. It got him through some tough times and made him more determined to get it together. I left there wishing him well, with the promise to pass on his greetings and thanks to my sister.

I visited a friend next and spent two hours catching up with her, sharing new news, listening to her words of wisdom and remembering how much I missed her. Finally, I asked myself if I wanted to take the final step. The one that had been the primary cause of my anxiety attack. Did I want to visit the people whose actions had forever changed the course of my life? Did I want to visit the people in whose care we were entrusted that ended in disaster? Did I want to see people who I had barely spoken to or seen since I left that small town for more? What would it be like? Would I be able to face them without negative feelings in my heart and mind? Had I truly forgiven them? Had they changed? Well, I went. I saw. I conquered. While I won't go into too much detail, I came away from that intense few hours of going back with the realization that I had done more, and I am doing more. Not only am I doing more, I am doing better, and will continue to do better. Yes, the town had changed on the outside but on the inside, in many ways, it was the same. I, on the other hand, had changed inside and out. And while I'm not where I pictured myself in my fantasy life, my real life is not so bad at all. Everything I went through, happened because God has a plan for my life and He is placing people, places, experiences in my life that are getting me where He knows I need to be. Since I left that small town, nothing but good has happened in my life. As time has passed, it has become more and more important for me to make sure that I live better. Be a better human being, be a better person, be a better woman, be a better friend, be a better colleague, be a better sister, be a better daughter. I am thankful to God because He has made me better and because I strive for better, I am more. So, the next time I'm feeling less....I will remember. I AM MORE.

"The tasks are done and the tears are shed. Yesterday's errors let yesterday cover; Yesterday's wounds, which smarted and bled, Are healed with the healing that night has shed." - Sarah Chauncey Woolsey

"AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE" ESPECIALLY FOR NOVEMBER

So my girl Diamond, has a great post here about being thankful, especially this month so I will try to follow suit and mention something I'm thankful for everytime I post. I was going to talk about something I experienced over the weekend but I'll hold off on that because I received some great news today and it is worth sharing because one, it concerns my family and allows me to spotlight them and two, it really does show that God will never take you through anything that He can't bring you through.

Now, my regular readers know that I posted earlier about the armed robbery that my family experienced the day before my birthday. If you missed it, see it here. Well, yesterday my momma called and said that they had finally moved into a new home and even though there was no light, and the generator hadn't been hooked up yet, what a relief it was to be in a new place. You see, my folks had been wanting to move for a long time but for various reasons, nothing ever came through. But right at the time the robbery happened, this new place, in a safer neighbourhood, close to family friends we've known forever, became available. GOD IS GOOD.

This morning, I got into work and opened up my email. There was a message from my sis. I'm not sure if many of you know that our fellow blogger, MsMinx, is my younger sister. Well, she moved back to Naija last year to complete her youth service and has been working at Channels TV as the business news reporter, with other duties thrown in. She went to school in the States and emerged with a TV/Radio Communication degree, with a minor in Spanish and even though she is my sister, I have to give her props and say she is extremely good at what she does. If any of you read her blog, she definitely often complains about the job but deep down, she really loves what she does and understands that this opportunity will open the door for a lot more. Well y'all.....my sis has been promoted o! She is now a main news anchor, and not only did she get a raise, but to add to how important and groundbreaking this is.....SHE IS THE YOUNGEST MAIN NEWS ANCHOR ON NAIJA TV! Now, I don't know if she is the youngest person to ever be named a main news anchor, but she's the youngest on TV right now. My sis is a mover and shaker at age 24!!!!!!! I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of her. She left the States and went back to Naija after not having lived there for about 12 years. It has been difficult for her for many reasons but not only has she adjusted, she has entrenched herself, and is making waves. GOD IS DOUBLY GOOD.

BLOG FRIENDS, INTRODUCING.........MI FAMILIA

My Daddy

My Momma

Ms. Minx

My Brother

So you all, all I can say today is that I am THANKFUL. Thankful for family. Thankful for strength and perseverance. Thankful because the God that I believe in, the God that never lets me down, has yet again proven that his love is UNCONDITIONAL. My relationship with God is a daily work in progress, but regardless of that, He loves me without question and continually blesses me. Each time He blesses my family, He blesses me. I wish the same for everyone, that you experience the joy of God's blessings in your lives today and everyday and remember that He will not let you experience anything that you will not have the strength to get through.

Have a blessed rest of the week everyone.

"Be thankful. Cultivate an "attitude of gratitude." Thankfulness is much more dependent on attitude than circumstance. When you feel the lack of what you don't have, thank God for what you do have! At any time, there is more going right in the life of a committed Christian than there is going wrong. It's just that the "wrong" makes a lot more noise than the "right." - Jim Stephens

P.S: Great minds think alike! BGT, a fabulously talented woman and writer who blogs on Xanga, dedicated her post today to my sister. Check it out here. Also, there is a fabulous new organization called RedStart that runs The Future Nigeria, which is a website dedicated to honoring and recognizing young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 31 who are dedicated to making a difference and doing well in Nigeria in spite of the barriers that are in place. For any of you that personally know my sister, please go to this website and nominate her for an award. All the information you need is on the website, it requires a 500 word essay (not a lot!) and the deadline is November 17th. So please NOMINATE!!!! Thank you.