THR3E

I just finished reading this book by Ted Dekker called THR3E... i give him a standing ovation! i think its a book we all must read in order to fully understand ourselves and our nature. i wont spoil it for you (lol) but i will tell you a few things i have learnt from it.
it gives a very clear and precise explanation of the nature of man; we posses 3 "natures" the nature of Good, Evil and the struggle between the two. one can say that the nature of evil is in everyone since the fall of Adam and that explains why we are easily drawn to things that glorify the flesh. anything that goes against the nature of God can be considered evil because God is Perfect Good. we also have a nature of good in us and that is why sometimes we feel the need to do the right things, this is the Godly nature in us which also works as our conscience. the struggling nature might not necessarily be a nature but our effort to be either good or evil. an example can be when u hold a baby bird in your hand, our good nature would suggest we look after the bird, our evil nature might suggest we squish it! ( I've thought about it before! lol) but of course judging from which one prevails one might do either of the two.
We make mistakes because we are all human and have the evil nature in us but most times we can do something about it. when people say "I'm only human"  or "the devil made me do it" i just think it is an excuse because we have the power to overcome evil, we own our bodies, our bodies do not own us. the devil has NO CONTROL over us unless we make him.
the thing here is no one is hundred percent evil, there is something good in everyone and that's the nature of God in us that is why a serial killer or a prostitute can become a saint  if he/she kills the evil in him/her, likewise a good christian can easily become a serial killer; a serial killer through gossip! and placing judgment on people.
we should all just strive to kill the evil in us and embrace the good. it is not easy because of our human weakness and that is where God comes in. with God we can kill our evil nature and thrive in the good. with God all things are possible, so lets continue the struggle.

Without You - World Premiere Video

Im a graduate... and unemployed :-(

Before graduation most people have in mind what they want to do, where they want to work etc. most people dream of being at the top, others work towards getting there by trying to get good grades and actually getting them. some can do anything to get the grades necessary (first class, second class upper etc.) even if it means bending a few rules, defying all odds and stuff.
 i hear some people talk and they say things like " i want to work there, they pay good money", "i want anything o, any job is fine by me so far its job" " aah! I'm too smart now, i can work anywhere i want!" ( sounds like that lol). all these are all well and good but i think we are missing the point here.
we complain everyday about the massive unemployment issue we have in our country, how even people who have good grades don't have good jobs or are not employed at all, we also complain that its only the ones who have connections that go far but i strongly feel we have  a hand in it. many of us complain about what the government is not doing right, we forget we contribute to this wrong doing one way or the other. we are the ones who create unemployment for ourselves because i think its a thing of the mind!  we need to change our mindset about employment, we need to think outside the box!
we should start thinking of how to curb this nationwide plague by CREATING job opportunities for ourselves and others. people might say its impossible but i think it is very possible. first of all we should change our mindset of graduating just to work under someone. of course we need to get training and experience but working for someone should not be our end goal. we should get all the training and experience we need then create jobs for people and be our own boss. secondly one thing for certain is when you enjoy doing something you do it well meaning we should work towards our talents, things we are good at! that way we put in our best because its enjoyable and due to this  we yield the best results.
another thing we should consider is this; we should aim for excellence. once you have the opportunity to aim high, do it because this lasts till the rest of your life. work hard to get good grades, the grades which no company can turn you down because you have all what they need academically (but you also have to have other skills they need tho) and they might even be the ones begging you to work for them; that's Excellence! nevertheless if you don't get what you expected after working so hard don't give up! always remember this; YOUR GRADES DO NOT MAKE YOU, IT IS YOU WHO MAKE YOU! do not let your grades tie you down or make you feel inadequate, think of all the other things you're good at, work on them TAP YOUR POTENTIAL and i can bet you will surely make it in life!

P.S: if you need examples of successful people who just woke up and started their own thing  i would surely let you know.

Destruction

the world we live in, is filled with many needs,
it may look so beautiful,
but one can actually perceive,
the evil retrieved.
everywhere people dying,
everywhere children crying,
hatred, lust and anger,
fills the world with terror.
sad news is always heard,
many people are getting scared.
destruction is taking over,
there is nowhere to run for cover.
but we have faith, and plenty of hope too,
that our world can be born anew.
with our little strength and forces joined together,
we can make this world, a better place to live in.
we put our leaders in prayer,
to free the world from danger.
this is what we hope,
so may it be.
 (Shirley-Anne Oke in SS1)

In the Dark

It was summer and i was working part time at one of the most expensive clothing malls in the country as a sales girl. one particular day was very busy because the shop was filled with people so eager to spend on one item or the other, some just came to admire because they couldn't afford any item. i did not blame them because i too was in the same predicament.
there was this particular dress i stared at since the first day i started work, i even promised myself i would buy it with my pay if it could and that meant a whole 2 months wages or more, nothing less. that day a girl annoyed me by coming out of nowhere and picking up the dress, tried it on and paid for it on the spot! to emphasize how expensive that dress was the amount could pay my school fees for one year (as a year one Unilag student) i got jealous, envious and upset at the same time, i thought to myself " why were we not all born equal?" i watched the dress and her move towards the door in despair because there was only one type of it. then when she reached close to the door something caught her attention  and she came back into the shop and walked with the dress  in her purple shopping bag towards me, just then she did something... she dropped the shopping bag that the dress was in on the floor in front of ME!
i stared at the bag, i stared at the dress, beautiful colour, nice trimming, perfect size n fitting (I'm sure). i played wearing this dress over and over in my head and there was the owner carelessly looking at other clothes that are no better than the dress. i told myself " she doesn't deserve it!" and i picked it up. it felt like she dropped it for me. i quickly hid the dress in a safe spot. i looked at it, admired it, aah! i felt the material, my own, my precious! after a few minutes of admiring "my gift" i walked back to my post hoping the silly girl wouldn't remember buying a dress and truly she dint, she walked out of the shop with two big bags filled with clothes and at that moment i was certain the dress was meant for me.
after a few hours of work it was time to close, it was my turn to clean up and arrange the clothes. a spare key was left for me to lock up when i was about to leave. i patiently waited for the last person to walk through the door. i locked it and reached for my prize! imagine not having to save anymore what I've been longing handed to me on a silver platter!
with excitement i entered the lift in the shop to drop some clothes in the storage room still admiring the dress. i pressed the lift button and went down. all of a sudden  the lift jerked and stopped halfway then the lights went off. i pushed the lift button, it did not respond, i hit it, no use, i was stuck!
it was a sick feeling being stuck in a lift, everywhere was dark, it was like i was in a black pit. i became nervous and started sweating. i felt slimy and dirty like i was covered in soil with worms and flies all over then i became depressed because my heart grew heavy and i remembered the dress still on my left hand. to think that such a thing would cause me to do the unthinkable, to steal what someone had paid for. i felt terrible, i felt like i walked into a forest, missed my step, entered a deep ditch and no one could hear my screams because everyone had gone and i realised this is usually like what happens when you do something wrong, its like you see a beautiful cage and a curious shadow inside, you enter and then you're trapped inside realising that the curious shadow is a horrible snake or creature waiting to devour you, SIN! is what it is. i stole and my conscience probed further and i felt that was why i got stuck in the lift to think about my actions and correct my mistake. i curled up by the corner of the gloomy lift and i hoped i would last the night.
i woke up to hear banging somewhere above the lift, my heart skipped and i shouted "help, help" apparently two men were trying to open it. after what felt like hours the door above me finally opened and i was pulled out. they told me i was lucky because i would have suffocated if i stayed any longer and that it was one of the salesgirls who discovered it was stuck while she tried to use the lift. i thanked them all. i was given food to eat and water to drink. the next thing i did was call the customer who forgot her shopping bag (luckily she left her phone number to be notified for new arrivals) she told me to keep it since i was honest enough to call , i thanked her. once i hung up i went to hang the dress back on the clothes rack, i did not want it anymore.

The Secret Admirer

Her heart beats as she sees your face,

she pretends to walk in style and grace,

but its not her you really see,

someone else instead of she,

has captured your attention,

that she cant even mention,

or call out your name,

o what a shame,

she goes back to her friends,

and tries in ways, to get your heart,
but it starts to become,

an undending cycle

 Shirley-Anne Oke (in JSS3)

You're Beautiful!

Have you ever looked into the mirror wishing you had lighter skin, redder lips or bigger hips? longer hair, pointy nose or fuller eyelashes?? i can tell you if you think less of what you don't have and be thankful for what you have you will live a healthier life. 
what is true beauty?  many people might say it is being attractive, easy on the eyes, pretty etc... there are many meanings which all all deal with physical appearance. true beauty is more and i mean MUCH MORE than that.

True beauty comes from within and blossoms like a flower in spring. a person who has a beautiful soul shines far brighter than one who has a beautiful face.
Have you ever felt jealous, envious or irritated when a guy fancies a girl you think you're more attractive than? have you ever considered that she might just be a little more friendly, more down to earth, natural and easy going than you? most times that's what makes for true beauty; just being you!
everyone is truly beautiful in their own way, each person has a unique personality that makes them so.

you can apply all the make up in the world and be the most attractive of the human species but if you have a black heart you would also be the loneliest person in the world! not to say that one does not need to take care of the beautiful physical features given by God but to pay more attention to the one which lasts forever than to the one which fades with age. The heart (soul) which gives good character should be the main focus, that is why the people who care less about their physical appearance and more about their character and attitude towards life are happier than those who care more about the physical.

so tap into that inner beauty and you will realise that your charming smile makes up for the not so red lips, your smooth black skin looks better than the rough light one and your round nose is what actually makes you cute. this way you will forget about the diva next door and appreciate who you are because YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!!!

They Crack my Ribs!!!

I just got home about 20 minutes ago... people who know me well would wonder how come (dont worry i'll gist you lol) but I'm not complaining because i used my 5 thousand Naira very well at The Lords of The Ribs at Eko Hotel. the traffic to leave was quite much to tell you how many people showed up, the comedians were really good especially the host Basket Mouth (of course!), I go die, Gordons, a Namibian guy called Ndumiso and this British guy Kevin! (his pidgin is so hilariously on point! seriously) the artists of course were good especially tuface (who we waited  for hours, he was the last person to perform... hmmm... in his mind), Banky W, Durella, Whiz Kid (he's kinda cute), Ikechuckwu and some others. what made it so much fun was being with family and friends (well. friend). you cant go to such a show alone, the trips can never be the same, who wud u comment to or nudge or laugh on? (lol) and most importantly it is a very good way to bond especially on a Sunday being the only day one could actually relax, its a wonderful idea to keep family together because in the race of life and success most times the people you can trust and ONLY trust is your family, now one can love you more than they do not even your boyfriend or girlfriend! so its good and healthy to take time to get to know them, talk to them and also hang out with them. one thing we should never forget is this " a family that plays together, stays together."

P.S: happy birthday Peter, love you very much, have fun!

My Teaching Experience

 The Afara Leadership Centre organised a service project where undergraduates go to public schools to teach them basic subjects, this year’s school was Wesley Girls College in Yaba. I was one of these undergraduates and a very delighted one, as I had always wanted to teach for the fun of it and being a service project sounded like a bonus for me.

The first day was exciting but when I entered the classroom, seeing a pool of girls made me nervous especially those who left the class once I came in. I introduced myself and explained to them that I only came to help not to replace their teachers. Some of them were willing to learn others were not while others were willing only if their friends were. When I got used to the environment and observed their behaviour I understood that these girls were not as bad as they looked, they were tackling many issues at their young ages.

I noticed that when I showed more concern to their class work and put them through they became friendlier, when I praised them for a work well done they wanted to learn more and the students who left when I entered class returned. The class became less empty each day until four students had to share a tiny bench to listen to my teaching.

When our teaching week was over we must have left an impact on the students but most of all they left an impact on me.

I was upset at first with the inappropriate behaviour of the students but when I got to know them I realised that they go through a lot of things and just act out their frustrations and being in the adolescent stage they are still trying to find themselves, once one understands this it would be easier to teach them. These young girls come from less privileged backgrounds and so much is expected from them at their age. For example, a student that lives in a one room apartment with her mother (who might be a petty trader) and other siblings (especially if she’s the first child) would have so many things in her mind like how to help her mother sell, how to take care of her siblings, where the next meal is coming from etc. She would not care less about the young lady standing in front of her and asking her to pronounce a few words correctly when in a couple of minutes she has to go to help her mother hawk goods on the road. Another case can be a student who is facing psychological trauma from rape or domestic violence she would prefer to pour out her anger on the young teacher and fight with her fellow classmates to express her pain. Another case might be the student who is exposed to violence in her neighbourhood; she might have a tremendous amount of aggression and be ready to “box it out” with her classmates. Due to this I began to understand that despite the conditions these girls live in they try to struggle each day  to find a place where they can feel safe and happy, some feel happy with friends, the teachers or the wrong people and I was glad we could do something to change their view of life being ‘hopeless’. Young girls teaching them made them feel appreciated, one could see it in their eyes and their active participation in class, these girls just need to be assured that people care about them and are there for their benefit.

We can relate this situation to most public schools, the environment does not make it conducive for them to learn properly but with good teachers and people there to encourage them, they can boost their self-esteem and self worth.

A student would not learn properly if the environment was not conducive enough, seeing broken equipment everywhere would relate to broken dreams. No textbook to follow would mean lack of interest. If we cannot change the situations at home, we can make school a safe haven for them where they can learn to cope with life and find that there are also positive ways to live. This is because most of these children act the way they do because they have lost hope in the educational system and no one is willing to help them, they might not ask for it but their very actions show they do need help.

 A simple solution to this problem would be for us to join hands and help the government by providing what is lacking. I know one might say isn’t it the government’s duty? Nevertheless, we should remember that these children are the leaders of tomorrow and we can only reform our country when we reform our children and ourselves. As for the children that take good sound education for granted, I think they should visit one of these public schools it would teach them to be grateful for the life God has given them.

The Frustration!

One thing i know the University of Lagos is good at is renting floors and collecting money! every weekend there must be at least one event happening, this makes me wonder why fees still need to be increased and faculty dues still need to be paid. one thing i also know the school is good for is the Frustration! very contagious! only Unilag staff knows how to transfer this weakening bacteria, i call it bacteria because at least thank God something can be done about it. and the ways in which it is transferred is very funny and amusing!
The other day on a very hot afternoon and i mean PIPING HOT afternoon! the air was burning with anger and wasn't ready to listen to our pleas of a little less sun, why should it? it was angry! and transferred its anger to the already angry staff of the University of Lagos. i feel sorry for them sometimes and most times i don't because its how you treat people you'll be treated. anyway i unfortunately was caught in this tangled web traffic and i thought i could crawl my way through by moving to the side of the road and letting the hasty cars pass (which were of course the cause of the traffic) and all of a sudden an average sized angry man appeared out of nowhere and told me to GET OUT! really? me? how? what did i do? he kept screaming at the top of his voice so much that an observer would have thought we were fighting! at this moment i was calm but my temperature rose for two reasons; one it was startling for someone to jump by your side and start screaming and second it was highly rude. i tried to calm myself down then of course a crazy lady popped into the scene and started hitting my car (this is not Nigerian Film o!) i was really startled! both of them screaming screaming screaming! i quickly drove out before the woman vampire would decide to suck my blood as this felt like a horror movie, i later found out the woman was a lecturer and she was  neurotic! (joking!) anyhow i thought i had calmed myself once i got off that blasted road but as i was about to leave it for good i was told to stop and wait for some more cars to pass! i was boiling at this point, didn't want to catch this bacteria but it was eating through my veins... slowly slowly waiting for the right time to manifest... "madam you no go move front?" was the stupid question i got from a passerby "GET OUT!" burst out of my lips, i had been infected.
all he asked was a simple harmless question (a bit stupid as he was behind me and must have seen when the security guy stopped me) and im sure i did a good job transferring my frustration.
this might be a pointless story (lol) but i think it has a lesson we can all learn NEVER LET ANY ONE FRUSTRATE YOU! don't give them the luxury... and when you feel you are just keep quiet take a deep breath ( i have a good technique i can teach you for a good price wink!) and count to ten, it works!

ThE MiRrOr-My MiRrOr

when we look into the mirror we see many things, most times we hope to see what we want to see but end up seeing otherwise... this simply means to some people, the mirror never lies while to some it is a virtual world where they can be whoever they want to be...
my blog is called the mirror because it touches two worlds; the real world which is us; flesh and blood and the virtual world which is what the world wants us to be or the image we show to the world... its basically to compare the two worlds....
well this is just an intro, frequent posts will talk about different things, stories, articles etc. please positive criticisms are welcome... hope you never get tired of reading my posts... take care