tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129573172024-03-12T23:42:46.024-06:00formerlybostonchilemy life as me.oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-33837386924116231712013-05-31T08:01:00.001-06:002013-05-31T08:01:39.435-06:00The Cheat Reflex<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wunmi looked in on her mother and her two sister in laws, Bukky, the wife of her older brother and Kike. They smiled at her briefly and concentrated on their task at hand. She greeted her mother.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Pele Wunmi. How was church?”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It was good mommy.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I thank God for Sunday because that's the only time we see you in this house.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes ma.” She said.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wunmi could see from the look on her mother's face, and the subdued way her sisters in law had greeted her, that her mother was on the war path again. She wondered briefly what they had done to her mother this time. She thought that her mom was just too hard on her brothers' wives, after all they were someone's daughters as well. Ironically, she didn't like it when her youngest sister Feyisayo was mistreated by her mother in law. African women. A bundle of contradictions.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wunmi stayed in the kitchen briefly, hoping that her presence would lessen the tension somewhat. But, after a while, she couldn't stand it and left the kitchen to them. She followed the peals of laughter to the sitting room where she found her father with her nieces and nephew. She took her baby niece from his arms, and kissed her chubby cheeks. Her niece and nephew left what they were doing and ran to greet her.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Aunty! Aunty!”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Hi my babies.”<br />
Her youngest nephew kneeled before her solemnly.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Why is he kneeling?” She asked her father.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You have to lay hands on his head and pray for him. He won't get up until you do so.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Really, but where did he learn that from again?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Who knows with this child. I’m telling you, even though he is not two, he is an old man.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wunmi placed her hand on his head. “You will be great among your peers<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Amen aunty.” he said in his high pitched voice.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You will be a good boy to mommy and daddy.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Amen”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“God bless you and keep you.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Amen.” and then he got up and ran to join his older cousin.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Hi daddy.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Hi my baby. So how are you? How was church today?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It was awesome as always. Pastor Ejiro preached this sermon that blew my mind. I find it so amazing that no matter how many times I have studied a passage, he comes and he adds this new dimension to it again. I am going to bring the cd for you daddy. You have to listen to it.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Ok.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wunmi loved her church, she loved her pastor. She praised God every day for leading her to Salt of the Earth Ministries five years ago. She had been walking by the church for many months but one day she noticed that it had a big sign outside: Redefining Christian. She was curious about what that meant so she had walked inside. She had already been having serious doubts, not about her faith, but about church which she was beginning to see was for some just a business. She felt there was more to being a Christian than just attending church, dressing the part, singing praises, claiming positive things. After all, the bible said, faith without works is dead. As much as she loved her former church she wanted more, and her spirit was restless.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The bible passage that the pastor read that day arrested her, the pastor's sermon had kept her, and she hadn't left since then. She had been born again since shortly after secondary school, and lived in church throughout her university years (what with Sunday service, midweek service, worker's meeting, evangelism and so on), nonetheless, she grew so much when she got to Salt of the Earth. Each sermon always felt like God was directly answering her questions, and it gave her the fire and passion she needed for her tough job. It also fulfilled her need to be of use to God beyond being a worker in the church. <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pastor Ejiro strongly believed that Christians were called to make an impact on the world around them in the now. His personal statement, he loved to say, was not to be served but to serve. He felt that the best way to bring people to Christ would be to actually provide their needs. He was also a man of action, and the church owned a fully staffed and equipped but small health center. The church also had a school which went from nursery through secondary school which was open to anyone that lived in the surrounding areas of the church. Like the clinic, the fees were on a sliding scale.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There were many opportunities for community work and outreach for Wunmi to be involved in and she was heavily involved in one or two. She had been trying to get her family to join her church but they were content with their respective churches so she let them be.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Her youngest sister, Feyisayo and her husband soon joined them. Well, her sister's voice joined them first, it was every bit as big as she was small.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Hi daddy, hi sister. Where are my brothers?”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Those boys, they think they are still children, they are playing on their gamestation, abi what do you guys call it again?”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Playstation daddy!”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Idea is need. Anyway, they are playing soccer. I don't know why they just do not go outside and play in the backyard. They need it, especially that your older brother. He is getting too big.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Daddy.” Wunmi and her sister said in unison.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It's true.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Her brother in law went off in search of her brothers, and her sister sat down with Wunmi and her father.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What is up with mummy today? She was on a rampage in the kitchen, that’s why I left them to it in there.” Her sister said.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You know how your mother gets. I have told her to take it easy on your brother’s wife.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What happened now?”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I wasn’t even paying attention again. Something about someone not doing something. I just left the whole thing to her. How is work jo my dear?” Their father said turning to her sister.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It’s going well daddy.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bukky came to call them into the dining room. “Dinner is served sir, and you two, you abandoned us to your mom. It’s ok.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Oya, let's pray.” Her mom said when they had all gathered at the dining table.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Thank you Lord God for bringing us together as a family again this sunday. Thank you for protecting us on the road as we travel back and forth. Thank you for protecting us from the dangers of the night and the day. We thank you for multiplying our family. God help us to continue to be a tight knit family. All those who are working against the unity of this family, O Lord, help them to correct their wayward ways. Amen.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Amen.” the rest of the family said.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“And Lord God, we bring Wunmi before you. Remember her o Lord for good, we pray that soon, very soon before the year runs out she too will bring her husband to join us at this table. Lord, bring her husband from wherever he is. Help her to recognize him and not chase him away when he comes. In Jesus name, Amen.”<br />
<br />
Wunmi sighed. Her mother had found a way to slip in two attacks in one prayer.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Mummy, you act like Wunmi is pushing forty the way you talk.” Her eldest brother, Ayorinde said.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“And so what? She keeps chasing people away. Look at that nice, decent handsome man that your father introduced to her two sundays ago…”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Oh please…”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I still can’t believe Daddy tried to play cupid.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I was not. My friend came to visit me. His son happened to be with him. He saw a pretty girl, and he did what came naturally. What is bad in that?” Her father said.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Stop laughing at me, you guys. Ko funny ra ra.” Wunmi said.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“So what happened to the man?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Your sister chased him away like she does all her boyfriends.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I did not mommy. He was just full of himself. He thought he was a gift to me and I should be happy that he was talking to me. The man was even too boring.”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Why was he boring, because he doesn’t go to church day and night?”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Mummy..” Her brothers and sister said in unison.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Kini? Look at all of you, with your wives and your husband. So Wunmi should now be the only one left out?”oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-60783162360398882652013-05-24T05:58:00.002-06:002013-05-24T08:14:48.903-06:00The Cheat Reflex.So, as you my faithful reader (s?) may know, I have been <strike>struggling with </strike> editing my second novel tentatively titled Cheat Reflex.<br />
<br />
I have stared at my screen for the past ten minutes, in between visits to facebook, SDK, and LIB. Still no idea what to write next so without further ado, here is an excerpt.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wunmi 2005</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The first service at Salt of the Earth ministries was on fire that Sunday. God was present and Wunmi could feel His Holy Spirit moving. The pastor's message was on point as usual and she felt as if he had stolen her journal and was using her secret musings to preach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “The steps of a <span style="font-style: italic;">good </span>man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds <span style="font-style: italic;">him with </span>His hand.” The pastor’s voice was clear and sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She did a quick scan of her section. Pastor Ejiro hated distractions, and Wunmi took her job as an usher seriously. She did not tolerate talking, crying babies, aimless walking about or… She was brought up short by the man in the fourth seat in the back who had the effrontery to be dozing in church despite the charged spiritual atmosphere. She marched up to him and tapped him on the shoulder – “Your bed is for sleeping not the church pew.” Then she turned and went back and took her position at the back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Aside from a few minor distractions here and there, the atmosphere in the sanctuary remained fully charged up. Even the sleeping man appeared to be paying attention whenever Wunmi’s eyes swept the area where he was sitting. At least as far as Wunmi could see, his head was upright and not nodding out of time with the pastor’s message. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> By the time Wunmi left church later that morning, the sun which had been brand new in the sky when she got to church was making its presence felt. She walked as quickly as she could to her car, her thoughts on the sermon, and her week ahead. She heard someone call her name, Wunmi, Omowunmi and she stopped. Somehow, she had walked right by her friend Kehinde and her husband Badewa. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Kehinde na your face be this? You don fashi me since you married and left us on the mainland while you dey gbadun on the island with your man.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Fashi you? Never. Na you now. You na the one wey work every minute of every hour of the day. Anyway, how far? How are you? How body? Are you going to be at the health fair this weekend?” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Have you ever you known me to miss one?” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “You are right. If I need to find you urgently, I know to check your job first and church second. But let’s leave that for later. Come and meet Jibade, my husband’s cousin.” Kehinde said, pulling her by the hand to where her husband was standing with a tall man in buba and sokoto. He turned as Wunmi and Kehinde approached them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “I met her already, she was making sure I paid close attention during the service.” He said, his voice as smooth as his smooth dark skin was beautiful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It was a good sermon and Pastor Ejiro...”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Jibade, don’t mind Wunmi too much, she takes her job very seriously.” Kehinde said. “Wunmi, Jibade just got in yesterday from the States, you know how it is.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “I'm sorry, I didn’t know that. Well I’m glad that you came to church despite being jet lagged.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “No worries, no harm done. It's cool. Badewa keeps talking about Pastor Ejiro, Salt of the Earth and all the ministry is doing for the community that I had to come and see it.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “You are welcome. Hope it met your expectations.” Wunmi said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He smiled and Wunmi's heart quickened just a bit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Wunmi, don’t mind my wife jare. She yabs too much. But, speaking of jet lag, you and Kehinde will have to catch up later. I am sure my cousin is hungry as well as tired. ” Badewa said. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Ok o, Wunmi, we'll catch up. You should come and visit us this weekend. Maybe after the health fair we can come by mine and hang out. Have you even been by my place since I moved?” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “I was just there two or three months ago, remember?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “You’re right, I had forgotten. But come and visit anyway. I miss you.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “Ok, we’ll see. Bye, Kehinde, your people are getting restless.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> “They have even left me. Ok dear, have an awesome week.”</span><br />
<br />
<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-29996782699709835002013-05-23T18:38:00.000-06:002013-05-23T18:38:48.452-06:00Three months and two weeks later...But who is counting?<br />
<br />
Sorry I vanished.<br />
<br />
I have no excuse.<br />
<br />
I am going to be changing the name of the blog soon, because I am moving back to Boston in July.<br />
<br />
I am very excited.<br />
<br />
I hope this excitement translates to a stronger commitment to writing.<br />
<br />
We shall see...<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I am still editing!<br />
<br />
Pretending to edit.<br />
<br />
Ok, no longer editing or even writing.<br />
<br />
Just keeping it real.<br />
<br />
<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-34861213317178048472013-02-17T17:40:00.000-07:002017-02-14T13:46:33.947-07:00Unlimited Love<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I adored me some
Miguel. I fell in love with him on Feb 14. I was in Starbucks, they
were offering a free download of his song <b>"</b>Adorn<b>"</b>, I took it. All of my
non-secular music listening friends, you can skip this post. I don't
want to offend. But have patience for a minute, and see if you like
where I am going with this first.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anyway, I played
that song out, over and over and over again. I played it in my car,
I had to hear it before I went for my workout. I played it while I
was writing. I was that obsessed with it. I thought it was all so
romantic, I wanted someone to adorn me with love too.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Feb 16, I woke
up with fragment of a song running through my head: “Your love for
me is forever, your love for me is forever.” It was the bridge from
Fred Hammond's song "No Greater Love." I started thinking about God's
love. Unconditional. Irrevocable. Merciful. Forgiving. Eternal. He
said so Himself through Paul in Romans 8:35-39:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can
anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no
longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or
hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">(As
the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are
being slaughtered like sheep.”</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">No,
despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through
Christ, who loved us.</span></span></i></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">neither
our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the
powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky
above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will
ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in
Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></span></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">What
love, what amazing love. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Sometimes
I forget how much God loves me because I am stuck thinking about all
the prayers that I want answered right now. I wonder if those
prayers are running into a steel door up there in heaven because it
feels like the more I pray, the more nothing is happening. Meanwhile,
it seems as if everyone else in the world are getting their prayers
answered in an instant, which frankly is just pure envy on my part. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">As
I sit in the waiting room, watching the time pass by without the
physical manifestation of my desires, the little voices of doubt tick
out the hour: He doesn't care. He doesn't hear. He doesn't see. He
has forgotten you. Just do you. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course those
words are straight lies. After all God said in Isaiah, in response to
a similar statement made by the Israelites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet
Jerusalem</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">says,
“The </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lord
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">has
deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">“<i><span style="font-size: small;">Never!
Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the
child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not
forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.”
</span></i></span><i><span style="color: black;">Isaiah
49:14-16 NLT</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The
most amazing thing about this God-love is that it is offered freely
to anyone who wishes to have a part of it, there is no
prequalification and no need for pre approval. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>When
we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died
for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an
upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a
person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us
by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans
5:6-8 NLT</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Most
important of all, once we get it, we don't have to do anything to
keep it. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I
think this continues to be my stumbling block, wanting to earn God's
approval and God's blessings instead of resting in His grace. With God's help though, I know I will learn how to trust in His love. Meanwhile, I thank God for the best adornment of all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">I will greatly rejoice in the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">himself</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> with ornaments, And as a bride </i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>adorn</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">s </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">herself</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10</span></blockquote>
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oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-20326939559040495932013-02-16T12:14:00.001-07:002017-02-14T13:47:33.048-07:00Ó le Kú...This time the movie, not the song or the outfits. <br />
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I have loved this movie since I first watched it more than a decade ago. I watched it again this past Thursday when Tunde Kelani released Ó Le Kú part 2 on YouTube as a Valentine's day gift to his fans.<br />
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I think I have watched this movie at least three times, and each time i have been captivated by Ajani's and Asake's love story. I love the detail and authenticity of the movie set. Lastly, the Yoruba language and culture is showcased in all its glory. It's an awesome movie from an awesome director. If you haven't had the opportunity to watch it, please do.<br />
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This last viewing though, I found myself paying closer attention to the supporting characters, in particular, Asake's father. For example, Asake's father was vehemently against her marriage to Ajani until she completed her university education, and he did everything that he could to prevent their union from happening. <br />
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At first viewings, I thought "this old man is just mean. After all, she can go to school and be married." <br />
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But then he said something that blew me away: "My entire hope is in Asake." He wanted her to have his family name on her diploma not that of her husband's. He wanted her to bring that honor of being a graduate to his family. That was an amazing thing for that time period - early 70s, especially in a world where boy children are infinitely preferred over girl children, and some even consider educating a girl child to be a waste of money. After all, she is only going to go to her husband's house anyway, so why bother. Even in this century, s<a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/10/09/162573135/taliban-say-they-shot-14-year-old-pakistani-girl-who-exposed-their-cruelty" target="_blank">ome parts of the world have even gone as far as banning the education of girls.</a><br />
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I felt sorry for her poor father, powerfully portrayed by Chief Lere Paimo. He loved his daughter and wanted HIS best for her but his way of expressing his love was just so harsh. Love without communication.<br />
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Some things have not changed though, namely the men and their playeristic ways, and Ajani's friends made me quite upset. But I won't say anymore, watch it for yourself, and if you are so inclined, let's discuss it a bit.<br />
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<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-88280158211712259922013-01-25T18:25:00.000-07:002013-01-26T14:15:05.762-07:00Writing LifeLast time I discussed my writing, I was moaning about how overwhelmed I felt about editing. <br />
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Well, this past week I stopped whining and consulted my expert researcher Ms/Mr Google - s/he is an hermaphrodite- and discovered a nifty book called Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. This book is so on fire that it impacted my writing before I even received it. How do I mean? Well, I read an excerpt of the first chapter online and realized what was wrong with my own first chapter right away. In a word -well several words- I was explaining too much and not letting the characters live. I was giving all kinds of background and history and what not. A whole lot of info that had me saying in my nephew's voice: "who cares?"<br />
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I guess the avid reader in me knew the problem all along, but the writer in me resisted deleting a single word. I mean those words were agonized over and carefully chosen by committee. I was loathe to let even one of them go. But I eventually did just that and the story reads a bit better. So I am happy. And less overwhelmed and even excited. <br />
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I forgot I was working today and had planned to walk up into the mountains and write until dark but alas, the job that pays the bills takes precedence over my creative pursuits. Thankfully, it is a dreary rainy day so I will settle for cleaning my house. <br />
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oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com2Sun City Laundromat 8960 Dyer Street, El Paso31.86729 -106.429479tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-78737329942113685782013-01-18T04:35:00.002-07:002013-02-18T07:51:27.089-07:00Writing LifeHaven't really been writing much, despite my resolution and despite my desires.<br />
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I did finally read all the way through my first draft of The Cheat Reflex (tentative title). It wasn't as cringe inducing as I thought it was. It is ironic to me that the first few sections which I had already edited and had worked on for several months before the challenge were actually worse than the unedited words that I wrote during the NaNoWriMo challenge. Those latter words felt more ... livelier. I guess because those words were coming straight out, and had eluded the great internal editor!<br />
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I don't know.<br />
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Anyway, the hard work is now ahead of me. Of course I am trying to avoid it by reading about the process instead of being about the process. Sigh.<br />
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Meanwhile, I have to get my act together. My thought life is neglected, I really have to work hard this year on destroying my addiction to the gossip blogs. I have too little time and I must be very stingy with it. But, it's hard though because those gossip blogs are so seductive, short and sweet to read unlike maybe editing or studying or any of those good for me things I should be doing.<br />
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God deliver me sha.<br />
<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-33618960551852420942013-01-16T07:11:00.001-07:002013-01-16T07:20:06.977-07:00Run with youI have been trying to keep to my goals for the new year.<br />
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As far as exercising and looking better and loving my hair by taking better care of it, i am good. As far as writing and blogging and non emotional eating, am not. I keep making excuses and finding reasons not to get on the ball. I need deliverance. <br />
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This week I started a couch to 5K training program. I did my second little jog yesterday despite the bitter cold. I bundled up like I was going to be in subzero weather. I had on three sweatshirts, two tshirts, my hat, my hoodie, two pair of sweatpants, two socks, gloves. lol. i hate cold! and it is cold up in these mountains.<br />
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But it's beautiful to exercise up here, and it's challenging to go up and down the little hills so I am not complaining. I love going uphill, and I love coming downhill as the sun is rising over the city. So pretty. Keep trying to capture it but it is hard to snap a pix when you are trying to walk/jog as fast as you possibly can.<br />
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Of course I made a playlist to get me through the pain, a mix of gospel and secular music. It's a work in progress because I find myself sometimes skipping through the tracks in the midst of the workout (this is how i break my devices...just saying).<br />
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My current motivational song is <i>La Negra Tiene Tumbao</i> by Celia Cruz. When I hear that song, I get new wind especially if I am going uphill.<br />
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Then there is Lara George's song which is also the title of this post:<br />
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Brighter day by Kirk Franklin always has me forgetting that I am Yemisi writer, and has me acting like a choir director complete with hand gestures, I even throw in a dance here and there. I love this song, even after 11+ years.<br />
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Lastly, there is Pretty Girl Swag by Ciara. It reminds me of why I am out here in the bitter cold in the first place.<br />
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Hmm, all these songs are very old. Need an update!<br />
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<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-21460362972742624042013-01-04T07:59:00.002-07:002013-01-04T07:59:24.596-07:002013 already!I can't believe my last post was in November.<br />
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Despite my good intentions, December was a wasteland in terms of my writing and life goals. I moved to my new apartment, came down with the flu or rather an influenza like illness, and have just been so blah. The cold weather is not helping either. I really cannot stand the cold, it tends to sap my energy.<br />
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As always, I have a few goals for the new year. I already feel all kinds of stressed because it is already Janaury 4th and I haven't made any moves. I did do one half hearted workout the other day but it was bitter cold. I could actually feel the cold going through my hoodie, my t-shirt, my skin, my bones and grabbing my heart and lungs and squeezing them to death. I scurried back home and vowed to buy some winter gear. Total mileage 1.6 miles. Yeah pitiful.<br />
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My goals this year are simple:<br />
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1. Get with God and just delight myself in Him. Ps 37:5. I want to be serious about my walk with God this year. I promised myself last month that I was going to attend three bible studies at three different churches. I have always liked bible studies more than actual church services because you get to discuss and you get to know people better. I already attend the one at my church - RCCG Living Word on Montana, Tuesdays at 7pm. It's very intimate and fun.<br />
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I went to a young adult fellowship at <a href="http://www.destiny4me.com/" target="_blank">Destiny Family Christian Center</a> in early December, I liked it so I decided to add their bible study to my rota: it's not as intimate, but I like it a lot. I am also excited about the Young adult Fellowship which takes place two Fridays a month.<br />
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Lastly, the mother of one of my patients has been inviting me to her church. She has such a sweet spirit and I saw that their bible study was on Thursday so I was like yeah! I finally went yesterday, in the snow and all and it was an awesome experience. It's a Spanish speaking church but the pastor preached in Spanish and English. I realized that I could understand most but not all of the spanish, (i only know the present tense lol). Nevertheless, I am going back to that as well.<br />
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2. Last year, I was <a href="http://bostonchile.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-is-what-it-is.html#.UObn3G8R4xE" target="_blank">deep in debt</a> and obsessed with getting out of it as quickly as possible. This year, I am determined to start saving with that same obsession.<br />
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3. My hair, my poor neglected hair! The great thing is that shea butter is my friend. It has greatly simplified my routine big time, added bonus, it stretches my hair like nothing. But I digress. I need to stop being a slacker about washing the poor thing, and moisturizing and protecting my ends. I am so tempted to get a weave but then that would be incompatible with goal 4.<br />
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4. Lose my last twenty pounds. December was a very bad month. Very bad! I ate out almost every day, and I ate just once a day. It was bad! Bad! Did I mention that it was bad? Anyway, I am trying to be better. I made spaghetti squash the other day. It was good! Almost like the real thing. I think it was because my sauce was divine. It was simple really. Roast the spaghetti squash in the oven for about an hour. Scoop it out, and watch it miraculously become spaghetti strands. The sauce I made consisted of half a purple onion, two cloves of garlic, two roma tomatoes chopped and sauteed in a skillet with a bit of olive oil and seasoned with basil, black pepper and a dash of salt. Lovely.<br />
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5. Lastly, overhaul my wardrobe, except I don't want to spend a single dollar! But I need to really let my beauty shine. I promised myself that on my birthday and it's time to keep that promise. Watch out world.<br />
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6. Oops. See I am already leaving it off the list. Write more, write more, write more. <a href="http://www.courtleymanor.blogspot.com/2012/12/fellow-writers-this-year-take-daily-k.html" target="_blank">I joined a 1000 word challenge #DailyK put on by author Christopher Courtley</a>. In fact, it is why I finally decided to get my act together and write a blog post today. I also need to edit my novel. I read it last night and I was like this sucks! This really just sucks! I want to scrap it but I will commit to editing it and making it less sucky this year. I need to do research for this novel so I must find a way to visit Nigeria this year for more than 5 days. God make a way for oh and God please send the sun, thank you kindly. <br />
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So please to my one faithful reader, I urge you to poke and prod me when you see me going off the tracks. Thank you very much in advance.<br />
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Happy 2013!oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-14816868805816462512012-11-30T08:22:00.000-07:002013-02-18T07:49:16.998-07:00Writing life...And just like that the last day of November is upon us.<br />
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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. </div>
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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.</div>
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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. </div>
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I have been using an productivity app called Remember The Milk to help me with my life and my novel. I was going to write about it last week but um yeah, I was distracted by food. But anyway, I love it. I used it to keep track of scenes or other things I wanted to expand on as I was writing. I love lists, and I love crossing things off lists, it just makes me feel very accomplished so I loved this app. Of course, I am way behind on a thousand things right now so I am not loving the app right now. </div>
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Speaking of to do lists and being behind: my house is a total disaster. I haven't cleaned or put away laundry in a while so I am pretty much living in chaos and I am sick of it. I am supposed to be moving out this month, although truth be told, I had already started moving in October so my entire kitchen is boxed up. I guess this will be a weekend of packing and figuring out movers and things. </div>
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oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-10667933020186487452012-11-19T08:00:00.000-07:002012-11-19T08:00:02.441-07:0024 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.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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!
</div>
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<br /></div>
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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 <a href="http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php" target="_blank">Scrivener</a>, an organizing program for writers I am trying
out. I had made the conscious decision not to bring any novels with
me because I knew that I would read those instead of writing which
would start a chain reaction of guilt and self condemnation.
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In Atlanta, I had some time before my
connection so I rushed to the bathroom and took out my hair. I did a style called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNPH0gO8JVg&list=UU9Zl_UOLc2F5Aq45G6DxEaQ&index=1&feature=plcp" target="_blank">cocoon curls as explained by naptural85 on theYoutube</a> the night before. I used my<a href="http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=531345" target="_blank"> aloe vera leave in</a> to dampen the hair, and then whipped shea butter (mixed with idi-agbon oil). I could literally see my hair stretching
before my eyes as I worked in my mix. I must admit I took some
shortcuts such as not doing precise parts, so when I took it out I
was a bit disappointed. But I finger fluffed and shook my head a few
times and went to board my flight.
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I landed in the HPN a bit late. It was
a traditional airport, even smaller than El Paso and we didn't even
have a covered gangway. It was cool. I wish someone were there to
take my photograph as I walked down the steps waving to my adoring
crowd. What's that? Am not famous, and I have no fans? Not yet. Not
yet.
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The wedding was fabulous. The food was good. The music fun. And then it was time
to go to my motel which was in Stamford CT.</div>
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I drove up there and I wanted to drive
back somewhere else. I am not easily scared or fazed by anything. I
was that girl that was jogging through Little Haiti and downtown
Miami. I was that girl that walked to my favorite grocery store in
Little Haiti and bought my gas from the gas station across the street
from the place, only to learn from my friends that they had been told
to drive through all those areas without stopping for the red light.
People are people are people and most time they are not even thinking
about doing you wrong. Ok?</div>
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But this place scared me. I guess it
was all the people hanging outside. I didn't like that. My room was
right by the front desk and the ice machine and the dining area. So
it was pretty noisy. But hallelujah anyway, at least I was close to
the front desk so the clerk could prevent anyone from doing anything
to me, to be extra sure, I put the dead bolt on. Lol.
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I woke up early the next day,
attempted to write but couldn't focus so I got dressed, checked out
and went to a diner I found on Foursquare.
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I love breakfast in diners. I love the
toast, home fries, and eggs. When I used to work at Northeastern,
there was this little place across the street that my coworker put me
on to. Once a week, I would treat myself to breakfast: two scrambled
eggs, toast soaking in butter, and homefries. Yummy and cheap too! So
I recreated that here, plus I got some banana pancakes. I had a
feeling that I would probably forget to eat lunch so I was eating for
the long haul. I was very right. </div>
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Anyways, the diner did not look like a
place that welcomed lingering so I paid my bill and got up and went
looking for a cafe so I could get my words for the day in.
I got lost! I could feel myself getting agitated because I wanted
to write something before I got on the plane, at least type in my
freewrites. I could see my limited amount of time decreasing.
Finally, I just picked a random street and walked, only to find the place I was searching for. </div>
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Unfortnately by the time I paid for my
latte, the place had filled up. So I went outside
and sat on the library steps and breathed in cigarette smoke from the
people who were sitting there waiting for the library to open. I
sacrificed my lungs for my art yall.
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I had limited time so I focused on
typing one of my freewrites which turned out to be 1500 words long!
Yeah! That was just 100 words short of my daily word target so I felt
really good about that. Especially since I had about 4 others to type
in. I people watched a bit, and saw some delightful children.
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Then I heard the sounds of a parade and
I went to take pictures and even shed a tear as I thought about the
veterans service to the nation. I am totally against war ok, so I
shocked myself with that one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His swag was killing me. </td></tr>
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It was a great trip (even though I did spend most of it writing) and I am glad I
went. I made a few promises to myself though:</div>
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no more last minute ticket buying - so not frugalista.</div>
</li>
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No more motels, straight up hotels
for this girl, 3 star minimum</div>
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must do this more often.
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I just realized that Atlanta is a plane
ride away, so also is Phoenix and Vegas and Houston and Dallas and Chicago, and California (yeah the whole state lol). So I guess I will be creating some serious
mileage in the coming months as I explore the United States one city
at a time for 24 hours at a time. </div>
oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-42835820131935928022012-11-17T07:00:00.000-07:002012-11-17T07:00:07.895-07:00News stories that caught my attention...<br />
Monday: <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/11/12/164027250/to-get-around-tax-hike-spanish-theater-sells-carrots-not-tickets" target="_blank">Buy a carrot, see a play for free! The Spanish Carrot Rebellion</a>.<br />
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Tuesday: <a href="http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-11-13/news/os-homeless-man-arrested-cell-phone-20121113_1_homeless-man-cell-phone-arrest-report" target="_blank">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</a> and did not have a fee for charging! I'm telling you, common sense ain't common, and some people lack mercy!<br />
<br />
Wednesday: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/police-woman-runs-husband-voting-17716450#.UKWfLIcR4xE" target="_blank">If you are married, make sure you vote otherwise your spouse will run you over with a car.</a><br />
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Thursday: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/romney-obama-won-by-showering-gifts-2012-11" target="_blank">All I have is one word repeated three times: Romney, Romney, Romney.</a> He is not a winner, but his comments sure are winners for bloggers everywhere!<br />
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<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-85782593141461563852012-11-16T06:00:00.000-07:002013-02-18T07:49:17.007-07:00Writing Life.So, it is day 16 of this NaNoWriMo thing, and I am happy to report that I am still here. Writing away.<br />
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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.<br />
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I found this cool writing tool called <a href="http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php" target="_blank">Scrivener</a>. 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.<br />
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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, would transfer it to the main document. Whenever I needed to look up something I had written before, I would have to open the respective document to get at it.<br />
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Meanwhile, I have been doing freewrites for several scenes that I felt could be expanded. A freewrite for me is a tear out scene that I write with the plan of putting that in the novel somewhere at a later time. Sometimes I do them so I can get a handle on the characters, like one time I just sat and did the background of the families of both major characters. I write these in a notebook. The other day, I was trying to write about the family of the female protagonist and I realized that I couldn't remember a thing, not even the names I had given her family members. Well, with this Scrivener program, I can create these documents and refer to them easily within the program, including my pictures (<a href="http://pinterest.com/oluyemisib/cheat-reflex/" target="_blank">for which I had a pinterest board</a>), I was sold! Plus, it has a word count write at the bottom of the screen so I do not have to stop and do a count which with my mind means that i might meander into something else entirely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYC4eXBV1iq6NpWtYoCkCfGX8i76Y3x4y53bzDOleIcV0img_RgXkpDDpHFTSkZnQnmoE9m-EAy4hUpUWBWCmmA7PyHh_D5Pe3kkZ_4Ng4Pl2fPkT3RlDxIpmOh9o8IgKdboP/s1600/scrivnme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYC4eXBV1iq6NpWtYoCkCfGX8i76Y3x4y53bzDOleIcV0img_RgXkpDDpHFTSkZnQnmoE9m-EAy4hUpUWBWCmmA7PyHh_D5Pe3kkZ_4Ng4Pl2fPkT3RlDxIpmOh9o8IgKdboP/s400/scrivnme.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture is a thousand words. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So far, I am loving the program and I do plan to buy it very soon.<br />
<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-77202927097633358592012-11-15T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-15T06:00:15.077-07:00Lianne La HavasI heard her songs when they were running a profile on her on NPR Morning Edition.<br />
Her voice is so amazing!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Age</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Don't wake me up, Live</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Lost & Found</b></span></div>
oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-49785366117745016992012-11-14T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-14T06:00:17.489-07:00Pinterest Cookbook: Recipe 2 -Cannellini & Cabbage Soup<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/287808232407882450/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/287808232407882450_XmkZLiJV_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/healthy-hearty-soup-recipes/?page=2" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">fitnessmagazine.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/oluyemisib/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">oluyemisi</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-65004490206541711312012-11-13T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-13T06:00:17.388-07:00Cravings--Bed editionMy 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!<br />
<br />
I tried to look for it on the innanets but I can't find the original. Anyway, here are some beds that are similar.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.restorationhardware.com/ir/render/rhir/prod2110493?wid=461&src=rhir/swatch_vintagevelvet_white_repeat&res=120&resMode=sharp&op_usm=1.0,1.0,5,0&wid=605" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="624" src="http://media.restorationhardware.com/ir/render/rhir/prod2110493?wid=461&src=rhir/swatch_vintagevelvet_white_repeat&res=120&resMode=sharp&op_usm=1.0,1.0,5,0&wid=605" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2110493&cm_ps=modal_add_to_cart-_-none-_-other_items_you_may_like&categoryId=cat1600007#.UJ8mXAcEbSE.blogger">68" Adler Tufted Platform Bed | Upholstered Beds | Restoration Hardware</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.zgallerie.com/is/image/ZGallerie/hero/jameson-bed-bella-grey-999190619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.zgallerie.com/is/image/ZGallerie/hero/jameson-bed-bella-grey-999190619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/p-13237-jameson-bed-bella-grey.aspx" target="_blank">Z Gallerie-Jameson Bed</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/6313250/a6fb8dc6-5056-4248-830e-8c0fa456d94e_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/6313250/a6fb8dc6-5056-4248-830e-8c0fa456d94e_600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Montecito-White-Queen-size-Bed/6313250/product.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://zoom.jcpenney.com/is/image/ImageCatalog/0900631b81d1b48bM?op_usm=.4,.8,0,0&resmode=sharp2&rgn=0,0,3023,3023&scl=7.955263157894737&id=2vQPNODZJnK9Q1LPsAiSJF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://zoom.jcpenney.com/is/image/ImageCatalog/0900631b81d1b48bM?op_usm=.4,.8,0,0&resmode=sharp2&rgn=0,0,3023,3023&scl=7.955263157894737&id=2vQPNODZJnK9Q1LPsAiSJF" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-the-home/fair-square-prices-/best-prices-/furniture-/bed-chico-upholstered/prod.jump?ppId=1d17143" target="_blank">J.C. Penney Chico Upholstered Bed. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-82644703761575590262012-11-12T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-12T06:00:00.030-07:00What is mine is mine! <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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 even packed up
my entire living room, guest suite and kitchen and began to think
about how I would decorate, and daydreamed about trying again to grow
some plants. But then I got a nasty little surprise, apparently I had
to give 60 day notice even though I was now a month to month tenant.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was so mad. I lost my temper big time
because I was ready to go, I was tired of the long commute. I was
tired of living in my apartment and I was ready for the next thing. I
called my present apartment about my options and I was told snarkily
that I could leave, they weren't holding me hostage, but I had to pay
them their rent. Umm, dear not very brilliant person, you are holding
me hostage because you are making me pay rent whether I stay or leave
despite the fact that I do NOT have a lease with you.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So I sat and waited because I was not
paying rent in two places. My sisters reminded me that God is in
control and maybe there was something else going on that we could not
see at the present time. So I waited, grumbling and mad, but I
waited. The minute November rolled around again, I called the place
to find out if they had any apartments. I was pretty sure they would
tell me no or that they had an apartment with an ugly view but to my
surprise she said Yes, your original apartment is still available.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What now? (halle????)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the rent is, and she said something
cheaper than the original quote (hallelu!).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Someone had put in for the apartment,
but they were unable to rent it after all and the apartment still
remained available. (hallelujah!!!)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That really made my day.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now check this out, I didn't tell the
whole story from the beginning. You see, when I originally went to
rent the apartment, I had been looking at a smaller apartment on the
same side of the complex. However, I did not make my mind up on time
and when I returned to rent it, it had already been rented out. But
not to fear, the woman said, a larger place is now available, and
check it, the rent has gone down too so it's almost the same price as
the smaller apartment. I immediately paid the deposit and application
fee only to run into the roadblock above.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In short, that apartment was always
meant to be mine.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You know me, I am a total <a href="http://bostonchile.blogspot.com/2012/05/lifes-little-ironies.html#.UJ8hxocR4xE" target="_blank">extrapolator</a>.
There is something that I really want. I have even prayed and fasted
for it twice, dreamed about it at least twice, that's how strongly I
want this thing. About a month ago, I got some disappointing news. I
even cried, that's how hurt I was that this thing was out of my
reach. My sisters, who can be really mean to me by the way, told me
to stop the sniveling, woman up, grab a hold of my faith and let go.
Meanies!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Where was I? Oh yeah, so who knows. If
this thing that I want so badly is really for me, some things may
shift in the atmosphere to make it happen for me. In the meantime, I
keep praying for God to open my eyes and help to see His hand at work
in my life. </div>
oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-68931692616655970642012-11-11T06:00:00.000-07:002013-02-18T07:50:25.443-07:00I don't mind waiting...<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">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 </span><span style="background-color: white;">within</span><span style="background-color: white;"> 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. <b>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.</b> Romans 8:22-25 MSG.</span></span></i></blockquote>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/_hEiGEfm2uE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_hEiGEfm2uE&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_hEiGEfm2uE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></i>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">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 myself not talking to Him.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It can be painful and lonely in the
waiting room, especially when you have done your best, prayed and
believed with all your might, and confessed positive things over the
situation. For me, by the time the latest rejection came, a numbness
settled over me such that God's voice became distant. Truthfully,
it's more that I had become insensitive to His voice, and would rather turn
up the soundtrack of negative thoughts playing in my head: you lose
again, you failed again, you are nothing but a reject, you are no
good, give up. Forget it.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I heard the song above while I was
asking God for something huge for someone else. I would sing the song
but as I sang I could hear my thoughts saying instead, I do mind
waiting I do mind. I do mind. But then a shift took place a few weeks
ago, and thanks to that shift, I could finally understand the
scripture I quoted above.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to that shift, I moved from God
why God? to God what do You wish to form me into while I am here in
the waiting room: what skill, what spirit, what mentality do You want
to cultivate in me? What do You want to cut out of my life?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I realized that being in the waiting
room does not make me less loved by God. Rejection does not make me a
failure. God has already seen the end from the beginning so only He
understands why He chose to say no instead of yes. In fact, I started
to see no as get ready. I started to see no as rethink that desire.
As I let go of my sense of God has done me wrong, His still voice
became more distinctive to me. I became more sensitive to Him.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally I can sing the song with truth.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't mind waiting.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't mind waiting.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't mind waiting on you Lord. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. <b>He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. </b>Romans 8:26-28 MSG</i></span></span></blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-86110298219131646492012-11-09T06:00:00.000-07:002013-02-18T07:49:17.010-07:00Writing life...So, it's about eight days into <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> and I have been pretty committed to it.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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?)<br />
<br />
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 called to be an intercessor. I love writing, in fact, my tag in college was the one who writes to survive, but I have allowed the cares of my life to choke my loves to death, leaving me restless, discontent and out of sorts.<br />
<br />
The amazing thing is, the minute I take a step towards writing or God, I always feel a shift, without fail. I no longer feel out of sorts, depressed, down and out, resentful or hopeless. I even felt motivated enough to start exercising again. Walking, not jogging yet because my knee likes to complain when I overwork it, but I am moving at last.<br />
<br />
I think what helped my momentum was writing in Starbucks. Unlike the library where I always end up grabbing a book and just reading other people's words instead of writing my own or my house where I look at the chaos that surrounds me and start cleaning, I actually get work done there.<br />
<br />
I even went to a write in on Sunday. Mad late, and super anxious (my sister and mom had to hold my hand over the phone to help me walk in there, can you imagine? I didn't realize I was that socially anxious. Hmm.) Anyway, I went in there. I saw people who i suspected were writing in writers but I didn't have the guts yet to go up and say hi. Maybe next time.<br />
<br />
But yeah, cafe writing can be costly (wonder if i can write it off, hmmm) so I became obsessed with finding a teapot. I don't know why I need to have tea but that's what my artist demanded, and by golly, I plan to satisfy her so she can write and make me happy.
I came upon this one at World Market for a mere 4.99$. It was green but the price was right.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnpEAMwbDMm4vacE0u_Yni84wqpQZmF8W0zRD_UcbC_lxr576SKN9CjUJLz9b81orgcEZDWn5tH7ytItEQn5eNB-sYk-NS2ODGn7zYwUTbYV8HveRgp9-x6P1zhBJI7U94xb1/s1600/3c6394442a1511e29ed51231381b41f5_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnpEAMwbDMm4vacE0u_Yni84wqpQZmF8W0zRD_UcbC_lxr576SKN9CjUJLz9b81orgcEZDWn5tH7ytItEQn5eNB-sYk-NS2ODGn7zYwUTbYV8HveRgp9-x6P1zhBJI7U94xb1/s400/3c6394442a1511e29ed51231381b41f5_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Home Cafe. </div>
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Whatever it takes. Funny thing is, in about 8 days, I have written more words for this novel than I have written in the past 8 months. Whatever it takes! This book shall be finished this month, God willing!oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-34483454048436152482012-11-07T06:00:00.000-07:002012-11-07T06:00:00.281-07:00Pinterest Cookbook: Recipe 1 Black Bean Mushroom Chili<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/287808232407863558/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/287808232407863558_KUoQllFx_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/slow_cooker_black_bean_mushroom_chili.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">eatingwell.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/oluyemisib/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">oluyemisi</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> </div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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?<br />
But, I did enjoy the results so there's that.<br />
<br />
<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-70699469657477084362012-11-06T05:11:00.000-07:002012-11-06T05:11:06.234-07:00Fig Tree<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgAcBr05s-s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: left;">Though the fig tree may not blossom</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">Though the rivers run dry </span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Though the world around me crumble</div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Though I heave and I sigh </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I remember where my hope lies </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Where my help comes from </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
If you could care about the sparrow </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I know you won't forget me </div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
(Repeat)</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Verse: </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Lord there is much </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
That my mind can't handle </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Puzzled by </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
The billowing of waves </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Of this one thing </div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I am certain </div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">
You remain the God unchanging</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: left;">Lord you're watching me</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">Keeping me </span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Restoring me </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
You will never </div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Forget your own </div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: left;">Though the fig tree may not blossom</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: left;">Though the rivers run dry </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Though the world around me crumble</div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Though I heave and I sigh </div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I remember where my hope lies </div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Where my help comes from </div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
If you could care about the sparrow </div>
</span><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I know you won't forget me </div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Bridge: </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Through the raging storm </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Through the fiery blaze </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I will hold on strong </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I'll stay in your face </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Let the howling wind </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
What it chooses bring </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Even through it all </div>
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I will always sing. </div>
</span></div>
</span>oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-16299133597740391492012-11-04T19:15:00.000-07:002013-02-18T07:50:25.442-07:00Hallelujah anyway...<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">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,</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span></i><span style="color: black;"><i>who
gives me strength</i> -- </span><b>Phil 4:11-13 NLT</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">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. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">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 words but I wrote and afterwards when I couldn't stand
being there any longer, I took myself to the McKelligon canyon and
enjoyed the silence. Well, I distracted myself by chatting with my
cousin on Whatsapp because I didn't want to face my thoughts.
Thoughts like why can't I just be happy with whatever it is I have,
wherever it is I am, whomever it is I am with, whoever it is I am right now? Thoughts like: what
would it take for me to be fully content? </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I
wondered: if I do get what I want, will I be unhappy in that space
too? </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Finally, I came to the conclusion that I needed a mental and spiritual
readjustment. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">This
week, I plan to just be happy with whatever situation I find myself
in. I plan to to stop looking at everything with a “woe is me, why
me, why can't things turn out my way for once” eye. My new phrase
is going to be Hallelujah anyway. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Stress
on the job, hallelujah anyway, at least I have a job to stress me
out, just last year I had no job and no ends and plenty stress. At
least the money from the job can ease the stress. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Feeling
all alone out here in the ELP? Hallelujah anyway, maybe I can get
this novel that I have been working on for the past 7 years written
finally. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Missing
my family like mad? Hallelujah anyway, then the reunion will be even
sweeter. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">No
little munchkin of my own? Hallelujah anyway, until the time is
right, I can travel and see the world, and have fun so I can tell her
stories about mommy's adventures when she finally arrives. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">And
so on and so forth and such and such. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">May
God help me, amen. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-464098155156742892012-11-01T23:49:00.000-06:002013-02-18T07:49:17.001-07:00Writing LifeSo this month is <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>.<br />
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!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
I have done it before, I can do it again.<br />
<br />
<br />oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-91089260192033999052012-10-31T06:00:00.000-06:002012-10-31T06:00:19.675-06:00I whip my hair back and forth part 3Part 2 is still stuck in drafts. It was a long post too, but I ended up changing everything and simplifying my life after I discovered shea butter. My hair loves, loves loves it. It softens and stretches it out like nothing I've used before.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My hair regimen is pretty simple now: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Spray with my aloe vera mix just to get some water in my hair (water is the best moisturizer): aloe vera juice + rosemary oil + tea tree oil (cos my scalp is mad itchy) + some random conditioner.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Massage shea butter into my hair. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Put in a bun. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Run to work. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I need to get back into the habit of washing more often. It's just so tedious to detangle. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://bostonchile.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-whip-my-hair-back-and-forth.html#.UI3nR8UR4xE" target="_blank">http://bostonchile.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-whip-my-hair-back-and-forth.html#.UI3nR8UR4xE</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12957317.post-51662986006069102382012-10-30T06:00:00.000-06:002012-10-30T06:00:06.132-06:00It was a SADE weekend. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Talk about an ageless beauty, and classic music, never out of style.oluyemisihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839223200826591337noreply@blogger.com0