Corruption

Anybody who has been poor in Nigeria (note that I don't say poor in Africa because I know how irritating generalizations are) knows that they will do whatever is in their power to make sure that they are and everybody they love is never ever ever is in that situation again. This and the fact that there is no guarantee that you will receive your pension, or that the state will be there when you are sick, or will make sure that you have some electric light to read by, or some water to drink, that you will not get robbed of the little you have with impunity, and that you do receive even that which you pay for: the benefit of your taxes.

This to me is the basis of corruption among the average Nigerian.

I'm not talking about the leaders corruption, neither am I supporting or justifying corruption. I'm just trying to show its not as simple as it looks.

Why else would a policeman hold a man hostage over 20 naira?
Because to him, it may mean more than just 20 naira, it may mean meat in his soup that night.

Addendum to pray for Nigeria

I pray for justice in Nigeria.

I do not pray for peace in Nigeria, because there can be peace without justice.
But never true justice without peace.

Praying for Nigeria

If you have seen the latest news, this is not a good year for Nigeria. The pictures from the escalating violence in Jos has brought fear to my heart. I feel so helpless, and I want to help,
I was then told of the story of Daniel, and how he prayed for his people. How he fasted for his people,
Daniel says:
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. - Daniel 10:2-3.

My friends and I do not know if there is a guarantee for the solution of the problem, but I invite you to fast with us, to read Daniel 9 and 10, to think on it, meditate on it, roll it around in your mind.
We are only trying to show our sorrow for our nation and want to do what we can.

These are the daniel fast guidelines
http://danielfast.wordpress.com/daniel-fast-food-list/

Of course, if you can't do the daniel fast, a regular fast, or joining us in prayer will be much appreciated. You can also just send us positive vibes.

Sorrowfully,
WS

I hope it lasts

I took his hand that he stretched out to me and
suddenly, the world was upside down,
everything was different,
until i realized that everything was right side up,
and I had been all wrong all along.

"that which you seek is in front of you, if you could just see it"

Tribal Marks

I saw the hottest man with tribal marks , like seriously he was so fine the tribal marks even enhanced the unreal handsomeness. I was even at the point of going over to say hello and was doing my pre-introduction scanning when i spied the wedding band.

damn,


xoxo
WS

Tell me why

That irritating overweight girl in front of the line in the cafeteria thoughtful scoops up

every
single
spoon

of her meal, thoughtfully and with meditation, as though she was gauging carefully her calorific intake, and ends up putting

even
more
food

on her plate than me, who takes each scoop quickly, heartily and enthusiastically with a sense of realism, perhaps encouraged with the knowledge that an unwilling hour at the gym every other day should be ok.

She irritates me because she is slow, and gets in the way of me and food

when
i
am

hungry.

Thisday Awards 2010

Ok so I usually try to stay out of politics and controversy (we got Sugabelly for that)
If you have seen the list of people being honored at the Thisday awards 2010, you will say to yourself what a great idea but THIS IS A JOKE RIGHT

1. Ibrahim Babaginda is on that list.
2. Ibrahim Babaginda is on that list
3. Point one and two needed to be repeated. and also
4. Only one woman is on that list and Nigeria is NOT a country where women are not in the public sphere. This is not even about feminism. This is about fact. Only Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala made it on there. Obi Ezekwesili? Dora Akinyuli?? Chimamanda Adichie? and this list is just scratching the surface.


Nigerians, we should STOP letting this jokers represent our media and our opinions. Frankly this list made me ashamed, as foreigners are trying to sympathize with us because of our history of TERRIBLE leaders and here these *&$#&*^% people are honoring them.

I mean some people definitely deserve their awards (Fashola is an example)

But as one of my friends said when she told me about this DISGRACE

Be ashamed, be very ashamed.

Food thoughts

So one thing you need to know about me is that I lovvee to eat. I don't like all that junkfood business. I love good food o, using fresh produce, high quality free range beef or chicken, and butter not margarine. I always say if you are going to consume those calories make it worth it.
I'm the kind of person who when i lived in a small village in Europe for a little while made the farmer near me sell me his eggs because they tasted better. No for real those chickens were allowed to roam like they were in Nigeria so I was after their eggs (and the chickens themselves sef if I could get it). Don't let anybody fool you Nigerian meat is the sweetest, they let those animals wander around and eat what they like .... so I try to get as close to that here. None of this lean beef for me.
I'm the kind of person that would put diced smoked oysters in my efo riro.

Another thing you should know about me is that I used to be fattish (I was a size 10-12 at age 9). If I had continued on that route, hmm I would have been very large by now. Then I started working out like a demon when i was about 15 and became a size 2. True Story. Im now a 4 but its a nice compromise.

Now tell me why I've started eating all sorts of admittedly delicious experiments and not working out. My mother says "youre behaving as if you are naturally slim" LOL. I can no longer fit into my graduation dress that I had made last month oooo hmm

Please does anyone know any dieting plan that involves delicious food so that i can be slim by the end of may. I can't seem to get my exercising P back on...

seriously
x
Smith.

Gender wahala / Happy Single Awareness day

"Men will say anything at all to get what they want"

"ehen, as in what?"

"Hmm to get in your pants , abi!"

"ahn ahn they are not that bad, women can be useless too"

"No! you must assume a man is useless till he proves otherwise."

"Guilty until proven innocent?"

"Yes o, my sister!"

"Ehn, so you hate men?"

"I didn't say so!"

"So what are you saying??"

"I'm saying, when they are waxing poetic, watch your back!"

"Abeg Abeg, me im looking for love, and they have to make an effort jor."

"Im trying to say its not what he says, its what he does!"

"Hmm, so in short you're roasting* for valentine's day"

"yup, until i burn"

"hahahaaha"

"shattap!"



*roasting: Nigerian slang for alone, single but not in an empowered way.

why?

A friend once said to me
"You have no morality!"

Because I don't believe

that everyone should be
exactly the same as me.

Since i've been gone!

So Ive been a bad girl, keeping away from blogville. I don't even think anybody comes here anymore, but I had a most interesting past six months.

My experiment with the African Women initiative sort of petered out. (is that how you spell that?)

I was sick in all kinds of new and interesting ways. I had diseases like Shingles and lung infections -My doctor started to think I was HIV positive or pregnant, but no it was just stress apparently.

My two best male friends are apparently no longer speaking to me. I really was rather fond of them but hey. They know where to find me. (i'm hoping one will read this and call me)

My college family is well: One is engaged :D

My real family and I made up: my favourite grandmother died and we had to bond together and pick up the pieces.

I went to Nigeria for Christmas and fell in love with Lagos all over again.

I'm taking a creative writing class :D

I've grown a lot in the while I've been away. Growing up is not so bad after all.

as always
x
Smith