Tidbits

I just got inspired to post cos I saw a few things that made me really proud to be Nigerian. As I said in a previous post, if you didn't already know, WE are doing it big!

In the Vanity Fair Africa edition, Nigeria is prominently featured in at least a couple of articles. Chimamanda Adichie and Uzodinma Iweala, two of our award winning young authors show up, as does Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, former finance minister and mother of Uzodinma. Family of achievers it seems. See more about the Vanity Fair Africa edition and the features (pgs 118 and 176) here but to read them and all the other great features, you have to buy a copy. It is so worth it!

Akim Aliu, an 18 year old Nigerian is the 56th pick in the NHL draft. He's the second Nigerian ever to play in the NHL. Pretty cool. See more here.

Also in sports, it's been a minute but I thought I'd also throw in something about Amobi Okoye, the 10th round pick in the NFL draft earlier this year. At 19, he has amazing potential and I'm excited to keep track of what happens with him. See more here.

That's it folks! Have a great rest of the weekend.

LADIES (AND GENTLEMEN)....THIS ONE'S FOR YOU

Y'all check this out. It's the engagement of Robert Gray and Keisha Williams. My friend Yuwa sent it to me along with perhaps all the other women in her email address book and it gave me chills, goosebumps, and all kinds of good but emotional feelings about people I don't even know. It's amazing how much I felt that their union is, without a shadow of a doubt, ordained by God. Don't ask any questions or wonder......just check it out and then it will all make sense.

Then when you're done watching it, head over to Ross Knight's blog and check out more pictures/tales of his work. Maybe if you're planning on getting engaged or married soon, you can use him. He is obviously fantastically great at what he does. You should be able to link back to his official website from his blog as well.

Men should see this too. Robert actually came up with the concept and planned it all. He definitely recognizes his woman's worth and boy does he try and succeed in showing it. Ladies, there's hope!!!!!! See the background on how he planned the whole thing here.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kiss My Tulips

The Boo did good AGAIN. Imagine my surprise when flowers were delivered to me at work earlier this week. Inside the box was a sweet message, along with some gorgeous tulips and a little companion for me...LOL. I'm a lucky woman. Pics are below. Have a great weekend y'all - I plan to since it's the last weekend before the full force studying begins AGAIN. Thanks to all who continually pray for me and wish me well. I appreciate it and you. May you also be blessed. Peace!

- Fresh out the box!

- Starting to bloom

IF YOU DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW........

Nigerians are going places. Chimamanda Adichie just won Britain's Orange Prize for Half of A Yellow Sun. She is the FIRST AFRICAN to win it in the 12 year history of this particular book award. Hopefully, the day will come when things like this won't be astonishingly surprising - just an "oh of course" kind of surprise. Congratulations to her! If you still haven't read the book......DO IT! See more here

THE BEAUTY OF NEW LIFE

There is nothing like the birth of a baby to remind you of how wonderful and good God is, how beautiful life is, and how every moment you are on this earth is one to be grateful for because it's an opportunity. An opportunity to do it better or right the next time, an opportunity to stand up when you fall, an opportunity to be stronger, an opportunity to have a better attitude and to be more positive, an opportunity to do more - so that you leave something good, maybe even something great, for the ones that come after you.

At around 4am this morning, Kaden Kwame Evans came into the world and reminded me of all the aforementioned things. His mom is my good friend from school, Rose, who herself should be a constant reminder to me that despite challenges and obstacles, God comes through for you....ALWAYS. Without fail. I am an aunty to little Kaden, and I want to be the kind of aunty who is a good example, and who teaches him that doing your best is good enough whatever the outcome, and that you should always dust yourself off and try again.

This has been a bit of a hard few days for me because I took the GMAT again and didn't do as well as I'd hoped. Not the biggest of deals really, but for someone like me who usually does everything pretty well the first time, it was hard to take. I had a rough weekend, but as a result, I really felt how much I was loved and thought of because friends and family called and called to remind me not to reduce my worth to a test score. 2 friends in particular made sure I spent some time outside of the house doing fun things. My boyfriend has been the best support. My mom rallied the Naija folk so I've even been getting calls from home telling me its going to be okay. I've been slowly but surely trying to get back on track and come up with a new game plan for the next time. I am taking a couple of weeks off to have a bit of a life - you know, do things like laundry, cook dinner for a change, spend time with friends without having to run home to study, and read for pleasure. Then I'll start studying again to prep for the exam for the 3rd and final time. I have figured out that I have to be okay with knowing that I put in my absolute best and take whatever happens as it comes. I put in my best last time, and I will do it again. Looking back, perhaps I could be more confident about my abilities, and be more positive this time around so in addition to my strategic study plan, there will be elements of positive attitude reinforcement along the way. I believe it will be well - whatever happens, it will be well. Dusting myself off and trying again is absolutely necessary.

See Kaden, you already gave your aunty a little lesson in life. You are a special baby, without a doubt! I was on my way back from sadness but you've jolted me back into happiness. Thank you for reminding me what life should REALLY be about. I love you little one.