GONE TOO LONG

Hey Y'all! I wonder if anyone still bothers to read my blog since it's been ages since I last updated. My people, make una no vex o. Na life o. So much has happened between Christmas and now that as much as I have wanted to write, I had no clue where to begin. So, I'll do a checklist of sorts and try to hit the highlights.

December

• Nigeria was a blast. I arrived on December 24th and immediately started hitting all the weddings and events. It was non-stop for real. Congrats to Bimbo, Ade, Titi, Damola, and to the many others who got hitched in December. Long may your unions last.
• Christmas Day was great. The first with the boo, and he didn't disappoint. Gifts for me and the whole entire family as well. He was not playing. LOL.
• The arrival of boo's brother and his American/Ghanaian gf (now fiance - more on this later). I finally got to meet her after many phone conversations, and she was even cooler in person. The boo's folks threw us a party to introduce everyone to us. It was lots of fun, very cool and an opportunity to see where boo and his brother got their "mojo" from. LOL
• Last, but certainly not least - it was absolutely fantastic to be home with my family.

January

• January 1 was a year for me and boo. It was very low key but great. Lunch at Lobster Pot and a movie and some we time. I put together a CD with our moments from the past year for boo (thanks ICY!), which he loved. I was promised a bigger celebration later.
• I threw a get together at the house for friends. It was great to have folks that I hang with in ATL and the US at my home in Naija. Shout-out to Yuwa for making sure she showed up, albeit when the party was over. Big-ups to Jess, Bola, Titi, Steve, Fred, Zee, Tunde and everyone else for making it memorable. Thanks to my sis, bro, dad, boo and mom especially for making it happen. And you know Naija time was in full-effect when people started showing up 4 hours after the party was supposed to start! As a side-note, Naija has a way of helping you distill the real people from the crap people in your life. Just saying...LOL.
• Also on party day, boo's brother and his gf returned from a day trip to Ghana ENGAGED! Boo's brother did good on the rock too, I might add. They missed the party but we celebrated afterwards anyway and caught up on their nightmarish 4 hour experience at the airport on their return.
• Boo made sure he took off work the whole time I was home, which was great so I got to see him all the time. It was fabulous and made me even more excited about what was to come. I was sad to leave Naija but hey, life must go on.
• My return to the States was pretty sad for me but I got tons of great news on my return. I completed my interview with Emory, found out that I was admitted at Vanderbilt with scholarship and invited to interview with Chicago.

FEBRUARY (Best month so far!!!! - LOL)

• I learned in Early February that I was also admitted to Emory with the possibility of an amazing scholarship. I also completed my interview with Kellogg and Chicago. As far as my MBA apps go, I'm 4 out of 5 so far and I'm extremely blessed. I know I'll definitely be going to school somewhere in the Fall and it's such a great position to be in especially after all the blood, sweat and tears. Again, a big shout-out to all my friends who supported me during the application process. I love you all! I'm still waiting to hear from Cornell about an interview and by the end of March, I'll know where I'll be going. Pray for me y'all.
• I went dress shopping with my gf in whose wedding I learned I'll be a bridesmaid, which is exciting! She looked beautiful and I cannot wait for the day. It's gonna be tres classy.
• My dad and brother came in town for a few days, which was exhausting, but wonderful. My brother also turned 18, and it's so amazing to see how much he's grown. 6ft 4 and still growing and smart as can be. Proud of him!
• My sis shared some absolutely fantastic news and I'm so happy for her. I'll leave her to let y'all know....LOL
• My mom is in town now...well, in NY and she'll be here with me next week.
• We added a new member to our family - Sage, a Pomeranian mix dog. She is in California with my aunt and we can't wait to meet her!
• Ummmmm....oh yeah......BOO is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, you know I couldn't keep that to myself. LOL. He arrived over a week ago and is with me for a cple of weeks before he has to start his job up North. We're hoping he can get on a project in ATL but either way, it's sooooooooo much better than a cross Atlantic deal. He has been spoiling me rotten since he got here and I'm telling you y'all, LIFE IS SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!!!!!!!!. I can't even front. It's just so good to have his physical support and know that he's waiting at home when I get there. I'm showing him the city, he's getting to know my friends better, we've gone to church.....I could go on. It's just fabulous!
• 2008 for me has been fantastic so far. The positives have far exceeded the negatives and I am so so thankful to God for his grace, mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. It's more than I think I deserve but I am so grateful and I'll take it!

So, those are the highlights. If I left anything out, I'll come update it. I hope things are good with you guys. I haven't been able to keep up with the blog reading as much but I'm trying. Keep praying for me and I'll keep praying for you. Love y'all...ALWAYS!

Ms. May

Good Friends Are Hard To Find, I Think I'll Keep Mine....Thank You Kesingsheen!

Ok...funny title I know, but does anyone who grew up in Naija remember that ad for the hair cream, Kesingsheen? "Good hair is hard to find, I think I'll keep mine. Thank You Kesingsheen". Well, I do! So I modified it a bit cos y'all I have me some good friends and so it really should be, Thank You God!!!!!!

A lot has gone on since I last graced these pages with my presence. I was on a roll for a while but I told y'all it wouldn't last, didn't I? LOL. Anyhoo, the past few weeks have been a roller coaster of fun and hard work. Amidst studying for my GMAT, and work and life, I had 8 family members visit from London which happily took up a ton of my time. I had a blast spending time with them, especially the kids ranging in age from 4 to 15, and showing them Atlanta. They were here for about 8 days with one full weekend so I rented a minivan for the weekend, rounded up the troops and we visited Zoo Atlanta, Atlantic Station, Lenox, Phipps, (what, you didn't know they were local attractions....lol), and best of all, the MLK National Historic site. I had never been, and when I say that the experience was the most memorable and heartwarming thing we all experienced together, I am not exaggerating. Even the little ones somehow felt the magnitude of the man whose life story we were experiencing....no joke. It was amazing!

We weren't able to squeeze in the Aquarium, the World of Coke and Six Flags so there's a lot left to do next time they come.....or at least that's what we told them anyway. LOL. On their last night, I took the grown-ups downtown for dinner at Gladys Knight Chicken and Waffles, and ran into the coolest chick ever, Leona Lewis, the British girl who won X Factor in the UK. She was the nicest and we chatted and she told me she's in ATL recording with Ne-Yo. We took pics and left her to her meal. I think I'll be stopping by GKCW a bit more often now - never know who I might run into next!

The fam left the next day and then it was back to studying and having some fun as well over the long weekend. I hit up my first Final Fridays (TiwaWorks) party in a long time, and had an absolute blast, VIP style! The Naija crew was in town for the weekend and represented well. Also my friend's sis had a baby who was named after me....LOL. Not really, we just have the same name - so I spent some time with them as well. Then fast-forward to last weekend - my BDAY weekend. I was expecting it to be very low-key. On Friday, the boo made sure I got some flowers since he couldn't be here to celebrate with me and I had dinner with my girl Cris at Cheesecake Factory.

Saturday was spent with family and at a shindig at another friend's place. We had a ton of fun dancing and playing musical chairs. Note to people - musical chairs as an adult can be brutal!!!!! The people I played with were taking absolutely no prisoners...LOL. My bum still hurts from falling on the floor. LOL. Anyway - my friends made sure I stayed till midnight and sang to me and put a candle on a piece of cake for me. The we stayed and gisted till the early hours. On Sunday, I went to church and it was just ALL about thanking God and giving Him praise.....I didn't ask for anything. I just sang, and danced and praised Him. Then I met up with my friend Michael at Sal Grosso for what I thought would be a quiet dinner, only to find my friends from the night before and more at the restaurant. It was a blast and I realized even more than ever that I am so lucky and blessed to have good friends - people who I consider family now. I was also spoiled with gifts by them, as well as all of the phone calls, text messages and FB messages I received.

Me being serenaded at my birthday dinner. I got serenaded twice too. Once in English and once in Espanol! Who's a lucky girl then?


Just to take a moment to reflect, this time last year, I was lamenting about this. It's amazing the difference a year makes. I spent most of last year reflecting, making decisions about who and what was important to me, making changes that would move me forward and closer to the life that I have envisioned for myself and hopefully closer to my life's purpose. Last year was spent cleaning out my closet and this year, I have seen the benefits of doing those things. I have seen God's goodness just manifest itself in my life in ways I could not have imagined and I am ever so thankful. As always, I am still a work in progress, but the progress is happening and reaping rewards. The biggest change has been the QUALITY of people I now surround myself with. It is really true that you attract who you are, and it is wonderful being surrounded and loved and cared about by good, like-minded people. So to the boo, and to T, S, W, D, T and M especially - thank you so much for being there and for being such amazing friends.

So, this is the end of my gist o. You all have a blessed week. Make it count for something, you know? Make it count! Love Y'all and I hope to be back soon with another Changing the World article. Peace!

One Of Those Days

It has been one of those days when I really miss my family. I have lived away from my mom and dad to varying degrees since I was 10 but except for about 2 years, until 2005 my sister has always been on every journey with me. We haven't necessarily always been in the same place but at least she's been close by. I certainly treasure my alone time and acknowledge that I've been forced to be more outgoing, more social, more personable, more open and more of a lot of other things that I probably wouldn't be because I've been and lived alone. Still, every once in a while I have moments, sometimes fleeting and other times, like today, prolonged, that my alone becomes lonely.

The days that I could pick up the phone and have marathon conversations with my sister when she lived in Dallas are gone. Now I have to catch up with her life through short and sweet text messages, 5 minute phone calls, or juicy tidbits on her blog. I talk to my mom and listen to stories of them hanging out, and doing fun things without me. Lots of "wish you were heres" and "we missed you today at....". I feel like I am missing out on important moments. Not just in my sister's life but with my parents and brother too. There was some comfort when there were two of us here but now, it's me, myself and I and most times it's fine but today is just one of those days when it hurts.

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.

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