Friday Reflections

1.) Money CAN in fact buy happiness.

2.) I have never actually thought I could physically harm someone until I saw this.

3.) How to stop caring about what other people think

4.) The power of vulnerability

5.) We all need to do better,

6.)  How's summer going?

7.) Okay fine, I just gotta mention it: what the hell is going on in Nigeria, and quite frankly in America too?

8.) There is a recent disregard for human lives all around and I can't wrap my head around it.

On Baseball and Our Differences

I went to a baseball game weeks ago. And it was literally the most boring event I have ever gone to [in my entire life]. I can't even begin to describe how uninterested I was. But I went, and I even took pictures. So here are pictures for your entertainment. I can't believe anyone enjoys baseball. What?! Yet, people were cheering and clapping and making noise. At some point, I looked at the players and thought, how can this be your life? Like, you get to do something so boring for a living; day in day out. And immediately, I realized they could say the exact same thing about me and what I do. I mean, what I do is NOT boring [to me]: on the contrary, it's challenging, invigorating, and usually very interesting. But to others with absolutely no interest or understanding of my work, it would probably be the most boring thing in the world. And that's just life and human beings: so different, yet so alike in many ways.

Okay picture time.

Love,

I

Friday Reflections

1.) How God messed up this atheist's happy life.


2.) April Kepner's formidable strength is admirable. Honestly, Sarah Drew has been FIRE this season; it is incredibly sad to see her go.

3.) What I love about Kepner is how unlike TV's "baddest" women she is: not assertive or aggressive, but still filled with immense strength. That's something we can all relate to.

4.) I feel like often times tv shows and movies portray strong women and feminists as this formidable, assertive women who go for what they want, when they want it...whereas in real life many of us display our strength piece by piece and quietly (but not always successfully) fight for what we believe. Many of us actually doubt ourselves a lot, yet we are still quietly resilient.

5.) This profile on Chimamanda Adichie will make you love her even more.

6.) Read this to get a better understanding of the opioid and other drug addiction in Nigeria. Also big ups to BuzzFeed and that reporter for that stellar reporting; fantastic job!

7.) More women are speaking at Graduation ceremonies than ever before.

An Update and Some Life Lessons

I found this very old post I wrote on my phone while visiting Chicago in April(!) for a conference. And I thought to finally share it. I also put some notes in parentheses to reflect my comments from reading about my state of mind just merely two months ago. Enjoy!

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I visited Chicago for the first time!! But I weirdly didn't take pictures which makes no real sense lol. That place is cold and I understand winter has refused to leave everywhere, but the cold was especially troubling or shall I say the wind? I was also just recovering from being ill so it just was not the best trip. (Note: I was so sick in April; everyday I can eat and walk now is a testimony for me)

But I enjoyed it nonetheless! I went to present my work and that was mega successful and quite encouraging too.

Found this random and only picture I took with my friend, Barbara

P.S: I am writing this mile high and the lady beside me has her gaze fixated in the sky. I don't get people's obsession with window seats or the clouds. It's very interesting to me. Anyway, she's otherwise been a good passenger so no biggie. 

Today's life lesson (this sounded so pretentious but humor me please) is that we mostly only need one. Yes, one admission, one job acceptance, one spouse (except you are an ojukokoro), one car... of course, there are things in life that we require more than one for. But usually, one is enough. I say this because many times we apply for something and get many NOs or everyone but you is getting married, it is very easy to be discouraged or heartbroken about very many rejections. But before you give up hope, remember that eventually you can only attend a school at a time/marry one person at a time/insert whatever else here; your yes will come. Sometimes, it won't (you know, I'm always pragmatic). And it will be hard at first and you might never find out why you didn't get it, but you will be okay. 

The life I'm living now, there was a time I dreamed of if. And gosh it's so easy to forget that we have some of the things we wanted desperately. I know it is irritating to read someone else recount their blessings sometimes, (side eye at hashtag blessed folks) because I know life can be hard but if you think deeply, you would agree that God answers prayers. 

Anyway, this was supposed to be just a little encouragement for anyone reading to hang in there. Recently, medical doctors on Instagram did a "behind the square" challenge, during which many of them posted their real life struggles that might have otherwise not been obvious because we put out best selves out there and Instagram is the mother devil. So most people talked about how they were rejected from their dream schools/residency programs (whew I can write books on rejection) and other cool stuff like that. But one of my favorites, Lauren said,  look this life she has as a Harvard trained dermatologist, married to another Harvard trained doctor with 3 of the cutest kids on Instagram is her wildest dreams come true. And that while others' problems were being rejected from schools, hers was survival. Coming from the background she did (siblings in jail, uncles being gunned down), she never even thought she would make it out alive, much less get into Harvard medical school. So everything else, every new day she gets with her babies is a bonus.

Selah.

I hate to trivialize anyone's problems but damn if that doesn't get you thinking; about the hundreds of people definitely better than you but who never made it. I started to think, I know I'm not the best. Chiillllle, I'm GOOD but I'm not here because I'm the best. I'm here because grace found me. Somehow, I was lucky to be born into the family I have. You know, merely lucky and blessed to have parents who cared enough to invest in me; lucky enough to attend the schools I did; lucky enough to live in a free (albeit somewhat problematic) country with tremendous opportunities; lucky enough to have a tribe of great people supporting me and rejoicing when I win and encouraging me when I lose; lucky enough to have found God. 

So if I have God and I have them and I have good health, everything will be fine. I know, I know: what if you don't have good enough parents or tribe? Find them. It doesn't have to be blood relatives. Be that person for others and then before you know it you already have your own tribe. Whatever you do, relax. It will be okay. Remember to keep doing and moving; even when you get rejected, in the end, you will probably get one. And don't we mostly just need one? Trust God. Laugh. And be happy. After all, you are alive.

Love,

I

Friday Reflections

1.) Behold, another article/interview of Ellen Pompeo on how to own your shit.

2.) The Emir of Kano (and former Central Bank Governor) on being a modernist (and traditionalist), a polygamist, and Nigeria's governance

3.) If someone told me that I would learn one of the greatest lessons in faith on Grey's Anatomy, I would have said, not possible! But it happened, season 14 episode 17 did it; it taught me so much about faith. So darn much.

4.) I think the thing that has been consistent in Grey's is its theme that "no matter how dark it gets, the sun will rise again."

5.) And gosh April Kepner, as played by Sarah Drew is a brilliant character. I should write one of these for that character especially since Drew is leaving.

6.) This Meek Mill's situation is quite sad.

7.) Lol. I have had this list for so long  (without posting), that Meek Mill has now been released from prison. ha.

8.) What fullness is...on getting weight reduction surgery. The struggle, Lord Jesus. Can I just say this is why it's sometimes insensitive to comment on people's weight or other things like skin issues, you never know what the person is going through.

9.) This old post with interview of eye witnesses reminiscing (one year later) about the 2017 Oscar night fiasco, where La La Land was announced as the winner instead of Moonlight. Two things: first, people in Hollywood are very, very self-absorbed. Granted, it was an awkward night, but reading that article you'd think a war broke out that day or someone died. Gosh.

10.) Second, that's what happens when people like the Pwc accountant are more about all the hype than the job. And there are people like that in EVERY field: they care more about making lots of empty noises on social media about their jobs that actually doing their jobs or working. It irritates me.

11.) Speaking of the job over the hype, check out this badass woman building technology for women's health issues. I just love when people who are actually changing the world are doing it so quietly without all the hype or plenty noise or without an over-bloated ego.

12.) This article on 6 things the author thought she would do before 30, but definitely won't is quite satisfying and honestly, freeing. I especially love the points on diet and buying a house.

ON THE POWER OF WORSHIP PLUS A PLAYLIST PT.3

I forgot I had a blog. No, really, I forgot. Too much is happening: good and bad, and that's life and now I don't even worry as much about these things. But two things reminded me of my blog today. One was just my need and want for bringing out the creative side in me. I miss when I could call myself a writer or someone who wrote. Anyway, so as summer draws near (summer is actually here, cos we basically skipped spring and dove right into summer with what the weather is saying out), I want to be more creative: which basically, for me means writing! So I want to write more, which means blog more. Yay.

Second, I shared a song on IG stories today. My brother usually sends us (my sister and I) gentle reminders in form of various things to remind us of God's love, when we complain about all of our first world problems and how life (and people *ahem*) has been cruel to us. One of such things was a song and it became especially important  and apt yesterday as I recovered from all the overwhelming emotions of a significant part of my professional life (an exam I took). Relief. Fear. Anxiety. Joy. Angst. Regret. Hope. Everything in full force. But then I remembered this song! I was like I gotta share this: this can help others out there so I shared on IG stories, but that's rather temporary so I remembered my blog and here we are.

Before I continue, here is part one, part two, and somewhat of a part two point five of this playlist. Okay so the song is "While I'm Waiting" by Travis Greene. What a beautiful song, huh?!

While I'm waiting
I'm getting stronger
My faith is rising
And I will run on
While I'm waiting
I'm lifting up on wings as Eagles
I believe, I will trust in you.

What my eyes can't see
oh..I still believe
Everything that was spoken to me
There is no word that will come back void
I will trust the report of the Lord
God is not a man that he should lie
Every need he will supply
I will wait, I will not be moved

Waiting is hard for anyone. But you can wait and panic, or you can wait and NOT be moved. The latter option also comes with a lot of peace of mind. Meanwhile, it's truly best to think back and reflect on how God has come through for you in the past. Tried and tested method to keep faith. Because truly, for me it's often in my weakness that he shows his strength. Also my bible study/small group met yesterday and I think it was my best meetings yet. It was truly a good reminder of why God doesn't want us doing life/Christianity alone. There is something beautiful about being together and sharing life's struggles with people who love God and love you. It was quite an awesome meeting of strong, smart women who love God and life. I'm so glad I dragged myself out of bed and to yesterday's meeting. I was really fulfilled and encouraged. So yeah, beyond church, find a small group to meet with!!!

That's it. Happy to be back (or not). I do have some things typed out that I could publish if I feel like haha. Otherwise, here's to a blessed May!


Love,

I

An Engagement and My Mile High Pet Peeves

On to today's gist.

I recently made the shortest trip ever to witness one of my oldest friends get engaged. By oldest, I don't mean age; I mean one of the people I've known the longest.

our other friend and I actually did this! 

Now, unlike literally every other millennial out there, I, daughter of my esteemed parents and the most high God, do NOT like traveling. It disrupts my normal. My body fights it. I'm not able to eat and so much is outside my control. The only other thing I dislike more than traveling is flying. And the only think I dislike more than flying is flying on teeny weeny planes. I traveled to Toronto in Canada, which I jokingly refer to as a local flight because the flight is less than an hour. This meant it was a teeny weeny plane.

Anyway, while my reasons for disliking flying vary (such as my trust issues) one of the major reasons is you—yes, you human beings. Homo sapiens. Co-travelers. People suck. Sorry ha. My most recent trip was the perfect reminder that there are all kinds of people on a plane. Let's do a run down shall we?

The stubborn ones:
These stubborn people are the ones who just choose to disobey simple instructions. They break lines; they want to board before their group boards. And they extend this nonsensical behavior to the plane. Why can't you JUST TURN YOUR PHONE OFF when asked to? Why must you wait for the air hostesses to come over to specially remind you? So those two seconds can't be forfeited huh? The woman beside me was telling someone how much she loved them. I was thinking dude, this plane will land before my sister returns to her room from her kitchen (my sister's joke about my trip haha). So put off the darn phone and let's take off. Or the ones that defy the seatbelt sign. UGH. I don't think she eventually turned off her phone till we took off. You think you are cool; no, you are silly.

the city from above, just as we were landing

First time travelers:
Bless all of our souls, because we were all first time travelers at some point. No one was born with travel experience. But not everyone was an annoying first time traveler. We all hate turbulence. What we don't like is when first time travelers scream about how it's their first time flying and don't want to die. And they wail and scream and make the entire turbulence worse. I'm not going to act brand new and pretend the turbulence on my way back wasn't unnerving, it totally was. But man, close your eyes and pray to God or something. Please don't yell and cry and scream. Thank you.


Kids (not toddlers here; I mean teenagers):
These ones are just point blank obnoxious.  On my way to Toronto, a bunch of kids (about 4 of them or so) sat behind me. From the beginning of the one hour and twenty minutes journey till the end, they did not shut up for one second. They were literally screaming in the name of having conversations. They were incredibly chatty and it was the most inconvenient since I was trying to work. At some point, I felt like turning back and sealing their lips shut with scotch tape. But I did not.

Selfish people:
Who are we kidding? All of the above are a subset of this one. And I feel like this just encapsulates everything. Selfish people are obnoxious; they take your seat; take all of the overhead space; push their seats so backwards, it hurts your legs; spill things all over; yell for no reason either at co-passengers or over the phone. They are selfish.

Despite all these, flying is truly amazing. Honestly. Yeah it sucks but its just such a huge reminder that God is awesome. I mean those clouds😍

And the speed with which a plane moves? Only God could have blessed us (human beings) with the aptitude and wisdom to create such a thing.

All that being said, congrats M! I can't believe it. Little us from Emotan dorm 12 (in QC!) are now grown enough to get married and/or start families. God is good.

Love,

I