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Showing posts from November, 2012

Writing life...

And just like that the last day of November is upon us. And I am happy to report that I did it, I completed the first rough draft of my second novel. Finally: after seven years of putting this story down and picking it up; after several months of trying to put words to paper and always finding a reason to procrastinate; I did it. I can now cross that off my list of goals for 2012.  Of course I have a lot of work to do still, lots and lots of editing, lots more research. The novel is set in Lagos, Miami and Ibadan, with the exception of Miami, I know next to nothing about those cities so I need to go visit, maybe I will be fortunate enough to spend a month in Nigeria and two weeks in Miami. But be that as it may, I am very glad that I took part in the NaNoWriMo writing challenge. It worked for me because I was ready to finally write this thing, and 2) i love a challenge, and I felt that I was letting down someone if I didn't sit down and write my words for the day. 

24 hours away from the ELP.

So I did something that my usually financially prudent self wouldn't do. I hopped on a plane and went far away for one day to attend the wedding of one of my friends from medical school. My travel day did not start off auspiciously. First I overslept. Next the zipper broke on the dress I had been planning to wear for days so I had to change into something that has been on facebook a thousand times. Hopefully no one will notice. Then I realized that I had left my powder and concealer in my desk at work, so I had to go barefaced! My skin is great ok, but I still have these spots and three big pimples that I didn't want to display to the whole world! It was a long flight (3 hours to ATL, and 1.5 hours to HPN) and I was determined to get as much writing as possible done on the flight. And I did, alternating between my laptop and my notebook. When I got tired of writing, I read through the tutorial for Scrivener , an organizing program for writers I am trying out. I had mad

News stories that caught my attention...

Monday: Buy a carrot, see a play for free! The Spanish Carrot Rebellion . Tuesday:   Still don't understand how this is stealing, and thank God, the judge didn't feel the same way! I mean hello, the outlet was in a public place  and did not have a fee for charging! I'm telling you, common sense ain't common, and some people lack mercy! Wednesday: If you are married, make sure you vote otherwise your spouse will run you over with a car. Thursday: All I have is one word repeated three times: Romney, Romney, Romney.  He is not a winner, but his comments sure are winners for bloggers everywhere!

Writing Life.

So, it is day 16 of this NaNoWriMo thing, and I am happy to report that I am still here. Writing away. Last night was a good night. I came to the page with great reluctance, confused and sleepy and distracted but once I got into the groove, I got into the groove. I even surprised myself. At the end of the night was at 26058, and I added 3000+ words. Are those words any good? I don't know. I will deal with that at the edit stage. I found this cool writing tool called Scrivener . Actually, I read about it on one of these NaNo pep talk letters. At first, I was like why would I need a tool for writing a novel, like I couldn't get it. But then I actually read about the features and I got it. What got me was the fact all my scattered word files  could be stored in one place. So I have been writing this novel separated into years instead of chapters, with the major characters telling each year from their view. I would put each year in their own file and then after I edited, woul

Lianne La Havas

I heard her songs when they were running a profile on her on NPR Morning Edition. Her voice is so amazing! Age Don't wake me up, Live Lost & Found

Pinterest Cookbook: Recipe 2 -Cannellini & Cabbage Soup

Source: fitnessmagazine.com via oluyemisi on Pinterest This turned out to to be very easy to make, and quite delicious too. Of course I modified the recipe. I added onions to the cabbage, carrots and garlic mix and sauteed that with black pepper and curry. I was generous with the black pepper because it is freezing out here and I need to warm up. Also, I'm battling a bit of congestion.  I used a mix of beans, garbanzo and cannellini, and also added tomatillo and celery. I think I was too generous with the tomato paste, I had a can that I had opened for the black bean chili so I wanted to be done with it so it wouldn't be a waste. It took no time at all to cook, I made this after work on Monday, and it was good and filling and comforting especially after the hectic day that I had. 

Cravings--Bed edition

My bed has fallen apart. It unfortunately did not make through my 4 million moves. It's time for a new bed, and I have been craving an upholstered bed since I saw Rachel Zoe's dramatic white upholstered bed on her TV show. Yeah, i know that show was all about fashions but i can't get excited about fashions i can't afford, however, I can and did get excited about that bed! I tried to look for it on the innanets but I can't find the original. Anyway, here are some beds that are similar. 68" Adler Tufted Platform Bed | Upholstered Beds | Restoration Hardware   Z Gallerie-Jameson Bed http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Montecito-White-Queen-size-Bed/6313250/product.html J.C. Penney Chico Upholstered Bed. 

What is mine is mine!

My lease ended at the end of September and of course I waited until the absolute last minute to search for my next place. Truth was I was not feeling anything that I saw close to my job, either the price wasn't right or the amenities were not too great. Anyway, I finally found a place that was closer to my job (6 miles vs 20 miles); had a great view (the mountains are in my backyard) and the rent was cheaper too. Truth be told, I had originally planned to move into this place when my lease was up, but I read some reviews on the innanets and I talked myself out of it. I liked it not because of the amenities (not a luxury apartment, whatever that is) but because it was very close to my writing office during the summer time. In fact, I learned of the apartment because I passed in front of it on the way to the canyon. Anyway, I went to the leasing office and applied for the apartment, got approved, paid my deposit and put the move date on my calendar. I started packing, and ev

I don't mind waiting...

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s  within  us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Romans 8:22-25 MSG. I am currently in the waiting room, waiting on God to answer some of my heart felt desires. Sometimes I feel like I have been waiting for eternity for Him to show up and show out. Sometimes I wonder if God hears me and ever plans to hear my prayer. Sometimes I get frustrated and act out of my own strength which of course sends me back to square one, at which point I get mad at God and call m

Writing life...

So, it's about eight days into NaNoWriMo and I have been pretty committed to it. I have stopped going back to sleep after waking up early in the morning, and started writing instead. I don't know if what I am writing is any good and sometimes that little editor in my head is in my ear whispering sometimes shouting that what i am writing is pure garbage.  But, I tell it i will edit after I am done and to leave me alone. I have stopped making excuses not to write. I tell myself that even ten minutes is something. So now, I write during my lunch hour, there is a park I drive to sometimes. I eat my lunch and then type as much as I can in the time that I have.  I even went to Starbucks after work on Friday last week, and this tuesday, in the hour between work and bible study. (Can I just tell you that it feels like there is a  Starbucks on every corner out here?) I don't know why I put off all those things that make me me. I love praying, and at one point, I thought I was

Pinterest Cookbook: Recipe 1 Black Bean Mushroom Chili

Source: eatingwell.com via oluyemisi on Pinterest I had to divide by three because I have a tiny little crockpot. I didn't have cardomom so I just used my jerk spice instead. I was generous with my spices because I wanted to feel the heat, and it was spicy. The only thing was that I couldn't taste the tomatillo, it got lost in everything. The beans and mushroom on the other hand were reporting very nicely. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be to make, after all, the whole point of a crock pot is to throw everything in there and let it cook right, what's all this sauteing and what not? But, I did enjoy the results so there's that.

Fig Tree

Though the fig tree may not blossom   Though the rivers run dry  Though the world around me crumble Though I heave and I sigh  I remember where my hope lies  Where my help comes from  If you could care about the sparrow  I know you won't forget me  (Repeat) Verse:  Lord there is much  That my mind can't handle  Puzzled by  The billowing of waves  Of this one thing  I am certain  You remain the God unchanging Lord you're watching me   Keeping me  Restoring me  You will never  Forget your own  Though the fig tree may not blossom   Though the rivers run dry  Though the world around me crumble Though I heave and I sigh  I remember where my hope lies  Where my help comes from  If you could care about the sparrow  I know you won't forget me  Bridge:  Through the raging storm  Through the fiery blaze  I will hold on strong  I'll stay in your face  Let the howling wind  What it ch

Hallelujah anyway...

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength --  Phil 4:11-13 NLT I stayed home from church today. My excuse was that I had to work tonight so therefore I needed a break from people. But the reality was that I just had an overwhelming sense of loneliness and discontent, and I thought to myself, I just can't put on the happy all is well with me face today. No way, no how, no can do. So I stayed home and drowned my sorrows in a novel and food, my two drugs of choice, and tried not to think about how weak I felt because I was losing my joy. I eventually left the house, and I went to a write in for the NaNoWriMo. A whole hour and a half late but I went, and I wrote for a bit, just 1500 w

Writing Life

So this month is NaNoWriMo . My friend put me onto it last year, and I was to work on Cheat Reflex. However, it was also the first month I started working at my new job so as always, my writing took a backseat to my job. But this month, I am committed to getting this book done! I don't know if it is a story worth reading but I must get it out, it's been too long. I made a plan to write during my lunch break and of course I found all kinds of ways to waste the precious hour of lunch that I had, self sabotage at its best. But I shall show up at the page no matter what, whether it's garbage or not. I shall write and not edit until after November 30. I have done it before, I can do it again.