Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Off Vacation Early!
Hey you guys!!!! Sorry...I couldn't just leave blogging lol. I've only blogged once a week the past couple weeks anyways. Still here!!! I am back!!! Will make a better post tomorrow, I am really tired lol.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Life....nothing else to Say About it
I will never forget the scream my mother had let out that morning. I had been watching t.v. moments earlier when the phone rang. The caller ID failed to tell who was calling so as usual I refused to answer. Mom called from the other room to answer the phone and reluctantly I answered. "Hello," I said trying to figure out who was calling; all that I was about to get was that it was a cousin of my mothers. I went over to the living room where my mom was reading and handed her the phone, telling her that it was a cousin. Within the next minute, I went up to my room thinking I had heard a text come in...there was nothing. As I turned to leave the room, just crossing the threshold of the door I hear my mother scream. A scream that I had never heard from her before. I ran downstairs to find my mom wailing, arms waving in the air and in tears. I instantly knew that someone had died. My younger siblings had come into the room as well. We all wanted to know what had happened, but despite our pleas, our mother refused to speak.
All that I could think to do was to wrap my arms around her and try to comfort her. But she kept pushing my arms away and telling me to leave her. My siblings and I just watched helplessly not knowing what to do, or if there was anything that we could do. While she cried, they sat and I stood with my arm on the back of her chair. Dad came downstairs to ask what was wrong, all I could say was "I think someone died." Dad waited, and then tried to ask mom what had happened and she continued to cry as though she could not hear us, refusing to give up the source of her sorrows. I remembered the name of the person who called, all that kept ringing in my head was the last name, and whose death could make my mom cry like this. I was hoping that it was not any of my cousins who we had spent two weeks in Nigeria last summer. But I didn't know for sure, different people kept coming to my mind and I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose any of them. My dad had gone back upstairs at this point to give mom some room I guess.
I begged my mother to tell us what had happened, but once again she wouldn't tell. I looked at my sister, she looked at me and mouthed this name. I didn't get it at first. She repeated the mouthed the name again and along with it "mom's oldest sister." I was shocked...thinking how she could have died. We never knew she was sick. For the first time, I could feel tears in my eyes, because it would be the second time I was able to put a face to a name of someone who died. The first was a few months earlier, when an uncle of my dad's died...we had visited his house a couple times in Nigeria that summer, and he welcomed us with open arms. Even though he last saw some of my siblings (my little brother wasn't born yet) and myself maybe 13 or 14 years ago...he had greeted us with open arms. As though we were his own children. My parents always talked highly of him, and we got to see his generosity with our own eyes. They said that he died of stress...he was stretched thin monetarily, and he even called my dad to ask if he could borrow some money for his son...*sigh*
My mom's sister had traveled 8 or so hours to spend those two weeks with our family and she was around as all the time. Took me to my first open market...if she had died, I would really know what it means to lose someone in your family. Tears in my eyes, I stood next to my mom. Five minutes later, my mom began to talk. She said that a cousin of hers died of kidney failure. On one had, I felt relief that it wasn't the aunt that died, but I felt sad because a life is still a life. A brother-in-law of my mothers died of kidney failure a couple months back, and that cousin attended the funeral. In the words of my mother "little did he know that he too would follow suite and suffer the same fate."
I feel horrible, my mom told me of how she had met another Nigerian who had kidney failure here in the US...and how two years later, she saw him again and he looked much better. He had just received his much needed kidney transplant. Here in the U.S., you can get the treatment...but unless you have the money in Nigeria, that disease is basically a death sentence. And ironically enough, after my uncle had died of kidney failure, we were watching NTA and they were talking about kidney dialysis machines and how they are hard to come by. And they were talking about some hospital that had two of them. I can't even begin to fathom....life really comes at you fast. And someone that you were talking to not long ago, can be snatched away from you like that on the wings of death.
I have been saying that I will try to do something, but that moment, when I thought that I had lost someone in a manner...I have just really decided that I can't keep saying that I will do something and not. I want to help...I don't know how. Maybe I can raise money to pay for dialysis machines to put in the hospitals or something. I'm just really confused...sad, I don't know what. But I'm writing this post because I think I just want to take a break from blogging...maybe a week or two. I somehow feel that this is just the time for me to really just reevaluate my life and think more about what it is that I want to do now and what I want in the future. I've just got a lot to think about...
Take care of yourselves everyone, and stay blessed :-)
All that I could think to do was to wrap my arms around her and try to comfort her. But she kept pushing my arms away and telling me to leave her. My siblings and I just watched helplessly not knowing what to do, or if there was anything that we could do. While she cried, they sat and I stood with my arm on the back of her chair. Dad came downstairs to ask what was wrong, all I could say was "I think someone died." Dad waited, and then tried to ask mom what had happened and she continued to cry as though she could not hear us, refusing to give up the source of her sorrows. I remembered the name of the person who called, all that kept ringing in my head was the last name, and whose death could make my mom cry like this. I was hoping that it was not any of my cousins who we had spent two weeks in Nigeria last summer. But I didn't know for sure, different people kept coming to my mind and I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose any of them. My dad had gone back upstairs at this point to give mom some room I guess.
I begged my mother to tell us what had happened, but once again she wouldn't tell. I looked at my sister, she looked at me and mouthed this name. I didn't get it at first. She repeated the mouthed the name again and along with it "mom's oldest sister." I was shocked...thinking how she could have died. We never knew she was sick. For the first time, I could feel tears in my eyes, because it would be the second time I was able to put a face to a name of someone who died. The first was a few months earlier, when an uncle of my dad's died...we had visited his house a couple times in Nigeria that summer, and he welcomed us with open arms. Even though he last saw some of my siblings (my little brother wasn't born yet) and myself maybe 13 or 14 years ago...he had greeted us with open arms. As though we were his own children. My parents always talked highly of him, and we got to see his generosity with our own eyes. They said that he died of stress...he was stretched thin monetarily, and he even called my dad to ask if he could borrow some money for his son...*sigh*
My mom's sister had traveled 8 or so hours to spend those two weeks with our family and she was around as all the time. Took me to my first open market...if she had died, I would really know what it means to lose someone in your family. Tears in my eyes, I stood next to my mom. Five minutes later, my mom began to talk. She said that a cousin of hers died of kidney failure. On one had, I felt relief that it wasn't the aunt that died, but I felt sad because a life is still a life. A brother-in-law of my mothers died of kidney failure a couple months back, and that cousin attended the funeral. In the words of my mother "little did he know that he too would follow suite and suffer the same fate."
I feel horrible, my mom told me of how she had met another Nigerian who had kidney failure here in the US...and how two years later, she saw him again and he looked much better. He had just received his much needed kidney transplant. Here in the U.S., you can get the treatment...but unless you have the money in Nigeria, that disease is basically a death sentence. And ironically enough, after my uncle had died of kidney failure, we were watching NTA and they were talking about kidney dialysis machines and how they are hard to come by. And they were talking about some hospital that had two of them. I can't even begin to fathom....life really comes at you fast. And someone that you were talking to not long ago, can be snatched away from you like that on the wings of death.
I have been saying that I will try to do something, but that moment, when I thought that I had lost someone in a manner...I have just really decided that I can't keep saying that I will do something and not. I want to help...I don't know how. Maybe I can raise money to pay for dialysis machines to put in the hospitals or something. I'm just really confused...sad, I don't know what. But I'm writing this post because I think I just want to take a break from blogging...maybe a week or two. I somehow feel that this is just the time for me to really just reevaluate my life and think more about what it is that I want to do now and what I want in the future. I've just got a lot to think about...
Take care of yourselves everyone, and stay blessed :-)
Monday, June 11, 2007
Tales from NTA and Music
Wow! Can't believe it's been a week already. Nothing much new in terms of myself. But I have some crazy stories that I saw on NTA news that I just feel the need to comment on.
One story that I was watching with my parents was of a 7-year old child (I believe that was his age) that was lured into the field by some men on the pretense that he would be given sugar cane. These men instead led the child to the field where they took out both of his eyes so that they could be used in some ritual (to gain invisibility?). When I saw the kid, I was just shocked. Can you imagine how his mother feels, I can only imagine how I would feel if such would happen to my child. And this kid who had dreams of playing soccer and learning to write in Arabic and all these different things...all shattered. He can't do anything without the aid of someone anymore. It's a sad situation and I can only pray for him and his family.
What really bothers me is this child's life was ruined...a little child. People will see herbalists until who knows when, but...there is too much I could say here. I'm just saddened to be honest. Now I understand why my uncle was so mad at my siblings, cousins and myself for being out so late. He talked about people being used for rituals, but for some reason...the seriousness of it never dawned on me until now. Sucks when people have to live their life in fear.
Second and last story was another odd one. This man had become sick and went to a hospital and they gave him some treatments in the form of injections. Those injections ended up giving him a severe allergic reaction, and now he has a lot of yellow and dark puffed scars (keloids) all over his body including his face. And left the man blind. Horrible story here as well. They went to the hospital where this happened and tried to talk to the doctor. A security guard came out and started harshly talking to the camera crew. If you saw this, sorry for me telling such a horrible story. But that security guard left quite an impression on me because he only had what looked like swim trunks on...and a towel slung over his shoulder. Is this the attire of a security guard? The security guard part was a me getting sidetracked but the sad thing is that it was an unfortunate accident. I think they said the reaction was because of a syndrome he had. Still wondering if the hospital is to blame or not...
But for some better things...I'm sure you all have heard of Blogville Idols.
Well I'm competing. Vote for me!!! Even if I sing bad haha...and get voted out in the first round (serious possibility though folks!)
But even if I sing bad...my boyfriend doesn't think so. He and some of his friend do this thing where they make beats to songs and write lyrics and record them. Their own little "record label" type thing. It's really cool, and I've listened to their first CD and it really surprised me.
So he asked me if I wanted to do some collaboration with his group and sing a song on their next album. First I didn't want to because I didn't want to be intrusive on their stuff and then it would be like why does so-and-so have their girlfriend singing and etc. But apparently it wouldn't be like that. The idea of our song is a guy and girl who are friends but could be more and then at the end he pulls up the guts and asks her out. Cute isn't it? LOL But I heard the beat for it yesterday because he sent it to me...it's soo good! Okay, I'm excited for it lol. It will be like a Jessica Simpson and Nick L. song. You know the one that goes "your lips upon my lips will be the sweetest kiss?" Don't remember the song...and Nick and Jess are long gone lol.
In the spirit of this whole Idols thing...you guys. I just had to put the worst singers from Season Four up here. I stopped watching Idol after the first season though, because everything is always better the first time around lol.
Oh...and my next hairstyle will be revealed soon! Take care everyone! :-)
One story that I was watching with my parents was of a 7-year old child (I believe that was his age) that was lured into the field by some men on the pretense that he would be given sugar cane. These men instead led the child to the field where they took out both of his eyes so that they could be used in some ritual (to gain invisibility?). When I saw the kid, I was just shocked. Can you imagine how his mother feels, I can only imagine how I would feel if such would happen to my child. And this kid who had dreams of playing soccer and learning to write in Arabic and all these different things...all shattered. He can't do anything without the aid of someone anymore. It's a sad situation and I can only pray for him and his family.
What really bothers me is this child's life was ruined...a little child. People will see herbalists until who knows when, but...there is too much I could say here. I'm just saddened to be honest. Now I understand why my uncle was so mad at my siblings, cousins and myself for being out so late. He talked about people being used for rituals, but for some reason...the seriousness of it never dawned on me until now. Sucks when people have to live their life in fear.
Second and last story was another odd one. This man had become sick and went to a hospital and they gave him some treatments in the form of injections. Those injections ended up giving him a severe allergic reaction, and now he has a lot of yellow and dark puffed scars (keloids) all over his body including his face. And left the man blind. Horrible story here as well. They went to the hospital where this happened and tried to talk to the doctor. A security guard came out and started harshly talking to the camera crew. If you saw this, sorry for me telling such a horrible story. But that security guard left quite an impression on me because he only had what looked like swim trunks on...and a towel slung over his shoulder. Is this the attire of a security guard? The security guard part was a me getting sidetracked but the sad thing is that it was an unfortunate accident. I think they said the reaction was because of a syndrome he had. Still wondering if the hospital is to blame or not...
But for some better things...I'm sure you all have heard of Blogville Idols.
Well I'm competing. Vote for me!!! Even if I sing bad haha...and get voted out in the first round (serious possibility though folks!)But even if I sing bad...my boyfriend doesn't think so. He and some of his friend do this thing where they make beats to songs and write lyrics and record them. Their own little "record label" type thing. It's really cool, and I've listened to their first CD and it really surprised me.
So he asked me if I wanted to do some collaboration with his group and sing a song on their next album. First I didn't want to because I didn't want to be intrusive on their stuff and then it would be like why does so-and-so have their girlfriend singing and etc. But apparently it wouldn't be like that. The idea of our song is a guy and girl who are friends but could be more and then at the end he pulls up the guts and asks her out. Cute isn't it? LOL But I heard the beat for it yesterday because he sent it to me...it's soo good! Okay, I'm excited for it lol. It will be like a Jessica Simpson and Nick L. song. You know the one that goes "your lips upon my lips will be the sweetest kiss?" Don't remember the song...and Nick and Jess are long gone lol.In the spirit of this whole Idols thing...you guys. I just had to put the worst singers from Season Four up here. I stopped watching Idol after the first season though, because everything is always better the first time around lol.
Oh...and my next hairstyle will be revealed soon! Take care everyone! :-)
Monday, June 4, 2007
Tired....Exhausted....what other Synonym exists for Fatigued
I started class today at a local University...but all the same one that I am not adjusted to. I had to walk all over campus to find classes, and fix mix-ups that the university made. Put my name in two different accounts (one spelled correctly, one spelled incorrectly). Adding letters to my name that weren't originally there!!! As if African names are hard to spell!!!....haha, okay, let me not even go there. But yes, 3 hours in class, and then 5-6 hours running errands and correcting mistakes. People...let me tell you that I had one of the GREATEST workouts in my life that day lol. Running across campus before my parking meter ran out and I got a ticket lol.
I got up extra early so I would look really cute for class, made sure my hair was nice. I looked cute in my first class...when there was no cute guys in there. Second class...came in a bit sweaty from running all over the place, hair wasn't looking as nice as it did that morning. I was a mess lol...but I was only sweaty for about the first 10 minutes of class though. Lucky me lol. But...it was an interesting first day!
I got up extra early so I would look really cute for class, made sure my hair was nice. I looked cute in my first class...when there was no cute guys in there. Second class...came in a bit sweaty from running all over the place, hair wasn't looking as nice as it did that morning. I was a mess lol...but I was only sweaty for about the first 10 minutes of class though. Lucky me lol. But...it was an interesting first day!
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