My very first Nigerian party!

On my recent visit to London I visited my good friend Marsha for a couple days.  We have known each for almost twenty years, we’ve lost touch, reconnected and stayed in touch even though she migrated to London.

“Gordon” as I fondly call her is always up for fun and adventure and that never changed over the years. During my visit with her I was introduced to a number of Nigerians who live in her building.  My first perception of them were nonchalant, but that was until I went to one of their parties!

All ready for the party....

It was freezing cold and not being as adventurous as Gordon, it took some convincing to get me on board with this plan of going to a Nigerian party in the middle of winter, I eventually caved (maybe bullied) and so I went to my first ever Nigerian “event”!

I was of the firm view that nobody on the face of this planet can party like a Trini…but I was forced to reconsider that foregone conclusion. Nigerians, much like Trinis enjoy socializing and partying, the music is somewhat similar in terms of the rhythm, however, the dance moves was vastly different!  

Gordon and I partying the Nigerian way!

I gathered that Nigerian loves a good party, hold true to their culture and loves to dress up for an event.  They also seem to enjoy entertaining and meeting people.  I was hit on by a few curious minds wanting to know which part of the world I hailed from or sharing their Caribbean experience with me….their twang took some effort to understand but I think once you get the hang of it, its not that bad.

All in all,  it was an awesome to experience partying in another part of the world, with a group that reminded me of home and how much we Trinis enjoy our culture and party!

A new engagement...

It was unplanned, unexpected and spontaneous but a really noteworthy experience.  Friday evening and I was on time for my 5 p.m. appointment as usual…an appointment I dare not miss - one hour of uninterrupted time to share my secrets, to give another human a glimpse into my life as I try to make sense of the calamity that erupted some time ago.

As the hour went along, a simple enquiry lead to dinner, movie and coffee! An enquiring mind asked what was my plans for the evening…and without hesitation I replied “heading home to sleep”, he laughed and said “you see, we now talking about that, let’s go get something to eat and see a movie”   I hadn’t done this in a while…so dinner and a movie it was!

For the first time in as long as I could remember, I allowed myself to be led by a stranger turned friend due to circumstances.  For the first time, I would engage my friend outside of a professional setting and likewise with him.  Would it be uncomfortable I wondered? Would there be awkward moments of silence?

Dinner was simple and perfect because the location didn’t matter when stimulating conversations were being had, laughter present and memories being created.  We talked about life in general, past experiences and he even shared his secret to how he select his lotto numbers (which shall remain a secret!)

The choice of movie was a no brainer:  we got to the movies and decided the recently released 007 movie – Spectre was the best option.   

The level of uncertainty that exist when you surrender to being led by another can be scary and nerve wrecking for someone like me,  who functions best with a plan….but this semester has been all about coming out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things.  As simple and as insignificant as this unexpected experience was it provide a platform to reintroduce myself to a degree of social activities.  Since then I’ve been to see two other movies, started the gym and paid for my costume for Carnival. 

I think I’m on a roll…don’t you?

Me and my poetry...

Poetry I thought always required flare, finesses, being poetic and having a rhythm.  I thought to be able to write poetry you had to have a super creative side, have a love affair with words and music and be able to share an idea, thought or concept in a unique way.  So to say that I was intimidated when my colleague approached me to do a collaboration using poetry, for part of this course assignment, would be an understatement.  What I came to understand the essence of poetry to be is expressed below...I think it sums up perfectly the essence of poetry!

I’m happy however, that I was brave enough to try it simply because it open me up to sharing my thought and emotions in a way I have never dare to before.  Initially, the fear had kicked in, I struggled to find a start…an idea that I can turn into a poem…then to get the words to flow! My first crack at this I came up with literally four lines before frustration took charge and I threw in the towel.

To my amazement I came home one evening after work and it just flowed out of me…the words just came one by one….and in a matter of 15 minutes I had completed my first Poem.

Thank you Cheryl to opening my eyes to poetry and encouraging me to remove yet another barrier.

Here’s my Poem…let me know what you think!

 

New Experiences

A simple hello creates new experience

A smile opens possibilities

A stranger becomes a friend

And so a new experience begins…

 

A new experience brings with her new possibilities

The excitement of anticipation

A chance for something grand

A chance to un-luck your fears

 And embrace with open hands

 

A new experience brings with her new possibilities

A chance to be daring

A chance to bare it allTo be scared and excited all at once

A chance to be free

 

A new experience brings with her new possibilities

A chance to open new doors

A chance to go beyond the ordinary

Unleash the inner you

To un-luck potentials unknown

 A chance to grow

 

A new experience brings with her new possibilities

That forces you to challenge you

And visit places unknown

To uncover a different version of you

And go beyond your comfort zone

The magic happens...

 Ever wondered where the magic happens...take a look!



 

 

 

 

Bearing it All???

We all have hang up about our physical appearance.  It's been said that we are our greatest critic, that we see things far more negative than someone looking in, that our hang ups are self-manufactured....and these self-manufactured hang ups, keep us from doing things we really want to do,  or from things we enjoy doing...like go to the beach and wearing a bikini or doing a photon shoot, going to events, wearing something we like...and the list can go on and on. 

 

I decided, after tremendous convincing to, in spite of my hang ups to do a photo shoot - it promised to be safe, tastefully done and fun. 

 

Agreeing to do this meant that I had to let go...or at least shelve the negative perceptions that I held onto about my body image.  It meant that I had to come out of my comfort zone...out of the box that I live in, in order to experience this photo shoot the way it would need to be experienced.  I am not good at having the focus placed on me...and this is exactly what was required of me.  Could I do this?  Am I ready for something like this? Is this just too much for me? 

 

 

I convinced myself otherwise, and the outcome turned out to be awesome...I was pleasantly surprised and motivated.  Motivated to do another shoot sometime in the near future,  motivated to get back on track with my wellness activities and to hit the gym! 

 

Sometimes...removing yourself from your comfort zone, as uncomfortable as it can be,  can lead you to a place of breakthroughs...

 

So....this is the outcome.....what do you think?

 

 

Covered in glitter...bearing it all or not!

 

Importance of trying new things....

It's important to try new things to keep life interesting!  Here are some simple ways you can try...

It's Brand New....Meet Alexander the Great!!!

I think most of us starts off somewhere at the bottom of the ladder with the understanding that we have to work out way up to the top.  This I think, holds truth to other areas of our lives,  for instance, our living accommodations - we understand that we would have to move out from under our parents, that we may have to rent for a while before we are in a position to become a home owner.   Similarly,  we acknowledge that when we get our driver's permit we may not be in the position to purchase a brand new vehicle (which really may not be the wisest thing for a newbie on the road to do), that we would,  in most cases, start of with a second, third or even a forth hand car!  We accept this, with the understanding that one day we will be in a position to do better...so we continue to forge to the top to achieve.

 

I honestly feel that words are very powerful because it plays a significant role in the reality that we create for ourselves.  The first time I saw the Ford Ranger Trucks I remembered thinking to myself "I want one of this...and I'm gonna buy one one day!".  I remember going to the company and getting one of the brochures...picking out the colour I wanted, the interior etc. At the time I was not in a financial position,  nor was I confident enough to go after this....but I knew I would own one one day...

 

Having driven a Ford vehicle before and having a very fulfilling and pleasant experience, I was very much open to owning another one,  but before that would become reality I had to experience a few others...

 

I started off with King Arthur (my Ford Focus and first love), then there was King Solomon (my Honda CRV),  then my faithful old King David (my Nissan Priarie, who was a loan vehicle from my bestie)...yes yes...I name my vehicles...and they are ALL Kings!!!!

 

 

I remember when I chose David's name, a friend said to me "No eh, you don't want a King David...as much as he was a phenomenal king, faithful and all that...he was old no ass and had plenty concubines!".  But I had already put that into the universe and loved the name so David it was going to be!!!  What's funny is that I had no clue who David would be...and true to form he was old and phenomenal and served me faithfully.  When this happened, I realised that I had called David into reality, so I said ok its time to call something of grandeur into being....and so the creation of King Alexander the Great begun...

 

King Alexander the Great!

Again, I started with the end in mind, not having a clue what the outcome was going to be other than the fact that grandeur was guaranteed!   So, when I started looking at purchasing a vehicle,  I said it was time to for something brand new...straight out of the showroom!  I had forgotten completely about wanting the Ford Ranger then, een though I was looking in the truck category.  I started off looking at the new Nissan Frontier...the DMax,...which at the time was the most economical.  But I tell you, what is meant to meant can never not be...

 

At that time,  vehicle sales started to ramp up , almost everything was on sale.  I saw that there was a sale on Ford Rangers and the price hd dropped.  I thought to myself "I don't think this is within my budget, but it wont kill to check it out". A friend and I visited the showroom and I was surprise to find that the Ranger fell smack dead into my budget with the sale price!!!

 

The company said I was one of the fastest close...it took two weeks from the day I walked into the showroom to simply take a look,  to the day I drove out with my very own King Alexander the Great!!!!  When its meant to be...it will happen without hiccups or stress.

 

Be careful with your words...they create your reality....use them to bring new and exciting experiences into reality!