A boy, a girl and a monkey!

'Now I stroll at leisure with God, in the sunlit fields of life'

.Ok, I am the girl. Duke Keata is the boy. And our Monkey is well, a monkey.

And.....this is our picture story at the Lekki Animal Conservation near Chevron, Lagos...

Lil Monkey kept following me...Dts a brave smile there 'cos I was scared of  him.Ha!

Hello!!!!

Can't explain it...But there's something beautiful about this....

Just glowing...Not even the crocodiles can take away my smile.....

When we got to this tree, we heard someone call out...'Tolu, Tolu,  don't climb that tree'. We stared at her as she sat there, staring angrily and authoritatively at a young man in white. 'Honey', he replied, nothing will happen. He turned and looked at the tree, taking a step.

She screamed again...'Tolu' and the poor guy had to go sit with her. 

My thoughts: Things we do for love.

Anyways, there I was, so scared. Staring at the tree as Duke climbed away, with a brave girl in half dreads and half shaved head. 

'Tree is too tall', 'I have the wrong shoes'- My excuses.

I sat there. Wishing. I am scared. What if I fall.

And then a family joined us.'Honey', papa said, just in case anything happen. My will is in a folder marked 'will' on my laptop. Everyone laughed as Papa scurried away on the tree.

'Daddy' 'Daddy', his little one called. 'I love you sweetheart', he said, halfway through the tree.

Tolu came back. Staring at the tree. Papa's wife joined him and said 'I want to climb, but how will I come down though?'

My third excuse- Yes, it's easier to climb, but how will I come down?

'Tolu, come joor' his girlfriend called. He shifted uncomfortably, clearly embarrased, saying, 'Leave me! Ah!'

And then Duke came down.

'Ij, leave your fear'. He said.

'But my shoes', I said.

Is it that or is fear speaking? He replied.

And saying a quick prayer to God, I put them shoes in my bag and climbed.

Oh! The thrill of leaving fear behind and courageously living your life.

And Tolu said, 'Honey, if she climbs this, then I will'.

Well!!! Didn't see him though.

As for me, I learnt a beautiful lesson on trusting and living courageously.

Papa took this picture of me. I can still hear the cheering!!!!

'I died with fear and resurrected with courage'- Duke Keata

The few brave men...and women :)

With my new friend- Ayike.

Mr. Keata!!!!

Yayyyyy!!!! Glad I saw the yellow birds!!!

Are peacocks beautiful or what?

The grace to be a kid again....

Crocodile Hunting....The trail continues.....

Add caption

One of my fave pics...So glad I took it.

I think this is where we got our Christmas Tree decoration....

Joy births glow!!! True story!

Hello, Mr. Turtle....

Ah! Yes! The monkey :D

Looking at the beauty of the whole place, I kept saying to myself- God is my inspiration. He is creative.....

Wish I saw some crocodiles or snakes...Hahahahahaha...Honestly, would have stayed...I'm being courageous...LOL!!!!!

The animal conserve is an awesome place to visit...If you are tired of going to the movies or restaurants...And it’s so affordable... You can pay 2500 (personal membership fee) to visit  for a whole year. Great right?

The blessed thing about the weekend, apart from the new friend I made (Adventurous Ayike), was also the beautiful conversation I had with my friend, Duke...I love real people and Duke is as real and wise as they come...

Here are some punch lines from our conversation (you might enjoy them like I did)

·         I died with fear and resurrected with courage....

·         You need to build your self confidence, but remember, there is a thin line between self confidence and arrogance.

·         You need your talent and dreams, but of course, talents and dreams are nothing when there is no hard work and God.

·         Avoid life infectors. Don’t let the negative people affect you. Avoid them if you can.

·         Always dwell on the positive. Think about the good you've been dealt with.

·         Anywhere you are, think about the energy you are releasing, is it a beautiful aura or a foul one?

·         When we encounter God....Wow!!!!

My thighs are still sore from the trip and the climb...A good sore. 

Have to leave the heels for a while ....

Can’t stop humming ‘David Crowder’s song- Everything Glorious’

David Crowder Band- Everything Glorious

Source- Youtube

Take care of you!

Sweet week.

BUILDING BRIDGES :)

Photo Credit: tumblr.com

Happy Wednesday Mes Amis :))

Just a quick reminder to be happy and peaceable....especially being 'PEACEABLE'.

It's not easy though. People would always 'annoy' you and honestly, you would get on others nerve too.

But tell yourself, everyday, that you would build bridges. You would foster healthy relationships rather than tear down homes; You would turn the other cheek rather than start a world war; You would be a catalyst for unity and make someones day just like God does for you each day....

 Photo Credit: tumblr.com

Be peaceable...

Don't let anyone or any situation take away your joy and happiness...

SHALOM!!!!!!!!

God bless u :))

'An eye for an eye only ends up making the world blind'- Mahatma Ghandi

Thanks a billion for reading :))

WITH LOVE FROM 'DISNEY'

Hello :)

How is your day going so far?

Would try to keep today's post short ‘cos my fingers still ache from today’s guitar lesson. Spent most of my day learning the G and D chord and Nate (My teacher) insisted that we use our fingers instead of a plectrum. So now, it’s aching me a ‘Lil bit'.

Anyway, after today’s class, I spent the day indoors with some ram meat (My adorable Muslim neighbour shared some meat) and Disney channel (Thanks to my sisters love for ‘Shake it up’).

Disney is one of my fave channels (Kind of young at heart) and I learnt an important lesson in the art of cultivating great friendships. As we watched the different shows, from ‘ANT’, to ‘GOOD LUCK CHARLIE’, 'ALLY AND AUSTIN' and 'JESSIE', ‘and even a rerun of ‘LET IT SHINE', I sensed the ‘best friend ‘thingy’ going on (like rocky and cece in shake it up), and I started thinking about my friends, you know, my really best friends and some friendship that I've lost, like Goyte sang in ‘Somebody I used to know’, I realized that over the years, a lot people I used to call friends are now people ‘I used to know’.

I guess friends are special people, and sometimes they become family eventually. Friendship goes on a deeper level. It goes beyond sending virtual hugs and kisses on Black berry or saying hi once in a while. 

Sometimes, it’s like there’s a friend for different aspect in our life (A friend for partying and one for shopping or one for laughs, etc). That’s not the friendship I'm referring to here. I'm referring to the kind of friendship God talked about when he said ‘A friend is like a brother or sister’ and that's the kind I saw/ learnt from my Disney shows today- friendship that transcends family ties.

True friends cries with us when we are sad, isn't insensitive to our needs, easily forgives us but also tells us ‘I told you so’ when we make a silly mistake. 

Who is your ideal friend?

Mine is that person I call when I have a super amazing news or even a heart breaking news and I can cry on their shoulder without being judged. And most importantly, it's that person I can sit with in silence and still feel comfortable.

A friend of mine once said ‘Just because I accept your friend request on Facebook doesn't make you my friend. Just because I have over 200 contacts on BB doesn't mean they are all interested in the workings of my heart. I still feel lonely in a crowded room’. Friendship takes lots of effort. A truck load of effort to make it work.

Love those whom you truly call friends. Invest some of your time for them and your true friend will reciprocate it’. Expect mistakes also (they are as perfectly imperfect like you). 
I just thought of my best friends (they are so handful). They always make me feel like I’m great and they are always there. I try to do the same for them. I rejoice with them and I try to build them up and I cry when they do. We fight sometimes {they mess up a lot :) }, but we make up and I love them...My best friends are God and ...... (fill in the gap)....

It's your turn. How do you treat your friends?

OK, will stop now. It's already long,  right?

Hugs.

Thanks a lot for reading...Really 'preciate your support :)

Song for today: Who says by Selena Gomez

Takwa, Nia and I

It started out as a beautiful day; a dose of supernatural, a good meal, church and a guitar. 

Then Ukeme called and invited me to the beach. 

He didn't tell me though that it was an all boys affair but it was good being part of the 'boys' for a day.

I had just gotten 'Nia'- my guitar and even though we make a lot 'noise' together, I am determined to help her fulfil her purpose like her name imply. 

The beach is called 'Takwa Bay'. We had to use a speed boat to the beach which was terrifying for the first few minutes (Don't know why I was scared ~the boat was inscribed with 'The Lord is my shepherd'~). I heard somewhere that 'Takwa Bay' was beautiful; I didn't know how beautiful it was, till I got there. It was breathtaking (My opinion). Unlike other 'naija' beach, it wasn't dirty, you can actually swim in it without itching and there's a large field for playing football. 

I wanted to go into the 'Takwa village' but my friend said not to bother. It was Ugly. Besides, People only go inside to 'do bad things' he said. 

The rocks were my favourite part of the beach. I don't know if they were natural or man-made but I loved being on it.

Here are some pictures of my 'Takwa' experience.

My fave picture...God made all things beautiful :)

The 'not so pretty' boat park. No safety concern!!!

Finally conquered my 'hydrophobic disease'. And learnt a lot about big ships...

Girl: 'I'm scrared, please don't let go!!!', Boy: 'Promise never to leave your side, though I'm more scared  than you are' :D 

Our speeding canoe

Lagos from the ocean front

Rock pile

Let's play some football

Met these kids at the beach. Was wondering, Do they live here? Where are their parents?

Me and the boys

Singing 'Taylor swift and BOB- Both of us'

A day well spent!!!

The day climaxed with another scary, bumpy ride back to shore on 'the Lord is my shepherd' speeding canoe but it was ride I would love to relive again!!!

How's your holiday so far :)

Thanks for reading....Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!

I go to nature to be  soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order - John Burroughs

Memorable Day: July 17th...

Hi Friends, 
I'm so touched by your kindness, your love and everything..Thank you so much...I feel like the lady in red in this picture right now....


Like I always say, its the thoughts that counts and trust me it's been counting today. I love you. 
I've got a lot of well wishes and thoughts and prayers from you all....From Elsie's message at 12 am: 'My one and only Ijeoma...U so rock and I would keep loving you...' to  the serenade I got from Moby (Finding it difficult to upload Moby's song here'..Ps: Moby can SINGGG)...and several touching, beautiful messages on my Facebook page, Blackberry messenger and Google + page (My friends ROCK!!!!!)...Even Karen Kingsbury wished me a happy birthdayyyyyy (My face was literally red when I saw her message)....
Got this cool happy birthday stuff from Google (With the message: happy birthday Ijeoma)..Was a pleasant surprise....

Got to work to this beautiful Birthday Cake from my boyfriend...{He's away for now :(  miss him so much} The cake is so yummm...

and he's been surprising me with gifts...don't know what I'll get in the next hour....Good surprise...Even my bestie's message to me today can't compete with Mike for my heart- "HBD to my dearest best friend..u r d 9cest human being I know...I love you, yes, I said it and I admit it, I hope 1 day we get married just to say we did it"... Can you imagine the naughty boy? Still love him though and hope his girlfriend don't break my head soon....


My work mates have been great as well..Boss gave me 'something'...The s&c team got me a cute work shirt.. (Will be looking dapper tomorrow. Grin.) 
Oops and a pleasant surprise visit from a long time crush and friend...Wow...


Woke up to a kiss on the forehead (and prayers)  from mom and really nice Marks and Spencer shoes....


Memorable day I tell you... Wish everyday was my birthday :)


But honestly guys...Thanks a billion....



Today is a day well spent and its not even the end of the day yet...WOW!!!!!


Thanks for the love...Thanks for making my day special...


Love you....
Hugsssssssssss....


Song of the day: Starship- Nicki Minaj

You dancing yet? 
Joined twitter finally...Pls ff @ijeyoma


Thanks a billion for reading :)...You rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!