Should we be scared of the future?
***Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”***__Corrie ten Boom https://quotecatalog.com/quote/corrie-ten-boom-never-be-afraid-KpYwo31
Yes! The future is uncertain, nobody knows tomorrow, we can only plan and think about tomorrow but we don't know what's going to happen.
Annie Spratt https://unsplash.com/photos/H582qBzGmHQ
Last week, I prepared the t-fare I was going to use for the next 2 weeks, the plan was to keep it strictly for my transportation fare, but what happened?
On getting to the office on Monday, after the aerobics exercise class I had taken, I went to get spray paint for the company because a few machines needed to be sprayed.
Unfortunately, as I walked down to the vendor's store, I noticed that my sneakers were making me feel uncomfortable as I walked, so I had to check them.
The sneakers were double-soled, I noticed that the second layer had gone off so I went to buy glue to fix it.
From all I had planned this week, I never planned to buy glue to fix my shoes, but I had no choice when it happened because I couldn't have gone around with bad sneakers.
This is what I call the unknowns of the future. We can make plans but we don't know what tomorrow will be like, we can only hope for the best, keeping in mind that anything can happen, whether good or bad.
One thing I have learned about the serenity prayer is that we as humans need to learn to live a moment at a time. From my understanding, it means that whatever you may be doing at the moment is what you should focus on. I will share my experience with you.
A few weeks ago, while I was at the office, I was less busy and didn't know when I went into deep thought, *it was an unconscious thing though*.
I was thinking about the plans I have as regards renting a self-contained apartment. Earlier that week, I had discussed it with a friend because I need help in searching. (*I'm in searching mode*). She told me that the price for a self-contained one when she moved in was around #70,000 Naira. Ever since she told me that, I had it registered in my mind that I would be able to find an apartment like that at that price.
That very day, my mind started wandering around a lot of things and one was about the annual amount for the rent.
In my mind, I thought about how I was going to renew the rent when it expires, to be honest, the thought of it made my heart feel like it was going to jump out of my chest.
This is what fear of the future can cause and that's why I initially mentioned **Mother Bp and Aunty Depression**.
If care is not taken, we can bring this deadly illness upon ourselves for nothing.
Good thing, I had someone who was like a counselor close by, so I discussed everything with her.
She made me understand that I have to always set my mind to living one day at a time because even the scriptures made it known that tomorrow will always take care of itself.
I had to bring myself to see things positively and not negatively. I'm currently working and in a year, we have 12 months, so if my rent is #70,000 naira and I save #10,000 every month, within 7 months, my rent is ready so why should I let fear be in control?
God has given us power over everything, and fear is part of it.
There is no doubt that the thought about the future sometimes makes us scared because we feel we may not make it or something bad may happen etc.
In all these things, I've discovered that staying positive does the magic.
It is good to make plans for the future but we shouldn't let fear and worry come in during that process. If only we can trust Hod after doing our best and know that everything would be fine.
First published here.
Signs you may be a victim of Gaslighting.
***"Gaslighting is a subtle form of emotional manipulation that often results in the recipient doubting their perception of reality and their sanity. In addition, gaslighting is a method of manipulation by toxic people to gain power over you. The worst part about gaslighting is that it undermines your self-worth to the point where you’re second-guessing everything.”__*** ***Dana Arcuri*** https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.scarymommy.com/gaslighting-quotes/amp
Image source and edited with canvas https://pixabay.com/es/photos/triste-mujer-tristeza-3187671/
When you see or hear the word **GASLIGHTING**, what comes to your mind? The usual gas you're familiar with? Or lighting as in lighting?
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you say a word and it ends up being misinterpreted and twisted to the extent that no matter how you try to let the intention of the word known, you end up looking like an insane person?
This is a word only a few people may understand and some may be experiencing. The funny part is that most people who are being gaslighted do not know that they are being gaslit probably because of a lack of knowledge about what gaslighting means and this is how harmful this psychological abuse which is called **GASLIGHTING** can be. Most times, making it o difficult for victims to escape from the abuse.
Gaslight makes a victim question their sanity, it makes them anxious and confused in such a way that something happened that you experienced but you are unable to trust your version of the event.
When you are gaslighted, you question your reality and lose confidence in yourself and it makes the level of your self-esteem drop.
This psychological event as harmless as it may seem from the surface is a very serious psychological abuse that if left unexamined can have a long-lasting damaging effect on the victim. The action of a gaslighter may initially feel harmless but over time, their behavior will cause the victim to be anxious and depressed.
How do you know you are been gaslighted?
You always feel like you're the one at fault and feel the need to apologize all the time.
Your feelings are always dismissed. The abuser tells you how you're supposed to feel.
You are always double-guessing yourself.
Your reality version of the event is questioned even though there is proof.
You walk on an eggshell around them.
You just don't feel like yourself anymore
You feel isolated from your former life.
Gaslighting is often practiced by a narcissist. A narcissist is someone who blames others for their wrongdoing, instead of taking responsibility for their actions.
I read a story about a lady who thought she had found the dream guy for herself. It started with a chat on tinder, and they were enjoying each other's company. During the periods they had conversed, the guy would always tell her things about his old marriage because he was divorced. He continued like so that it seemed like he was being very transparent to her. One of the things he said was that while he was still with his wife, he had cheated on her but it was only because his parents forced him to get married at a young age because of their religious beliefs. Normally, anyone who hears this would understand the situation he was in.
Unfortunately, this dream guy of hers turned out to be a serial cheat, she suspected it but couldn't conclude because she had no proof of the affair.
A few years into the relationship, it got bad that he'd openly flirt with other women in her presence and give some fake information and excuses about it. As soon as she'd voice out to express how she felt about all that was happening, he would convince her that she is not mentally well, he would make her feel like she doesn't know what she was saying, also making her feel like she's just being jealous and illogical. The way he made her feel like she was just feeling insecure, was so convincing to her that she had to go see a therapist to help rebuild her. She felt she had self-esteem issues, she felt she was the problem, and she felt like she was the crazy one and the one who needed help.
Fortunately, she was finally able to confront him and break off the relationship when a close friend of hers showed her proof of his cheating.
There are several situations like that which I've experienced, I never knew I had been gaslit. My instinct would always make me feel that something wasn't right. There were times I got a brain fog while trying to recollect some of what had happened.
Almost anyone can be gaslit and it can happen in any form and thus making the signs hard to recognize.
**Do Gaslighters know that they are lying?**
According to my research, some gaslighters do not know that they are gaslighters and this makes it hard for them to realize how their actions are affecting the other person.
While some other gaslighters are well aware that they are gaslighting and do it with no remorse.
In a relationship, Gaslighting is something a gaslighter can always work on but it isn't up to their partner to help them address this. When gaslighting is very serious in a relationship, it is ideal for the partner to leave instead of trying to reform the gaslighter. The most important thing is for the victims to recover from it by practicing self-care, focusing on themselves, learning to trust their instinct again, and reclaiming their identity.
First Published here.
What's cooking?
**Hello food lovers!**
Is there anyone here who would say that they don't love good food? One I always have at the back of my mind when I am hungry is to think of a nice dish that would be satisfying and would have lots of health benefits for my body.
**On Wednesday last week,**
I prepare Spaghetti and egg sauce for dinner, it tasted nice and made me want more.
I woke up this morning, made a list of all I needed to get to prepare the food, this time it wasn't egg sauce and spaghetti, it was rice and egg sauce.
**The ingredients I used in preparing the rice and egg sauce were;**
*Rice*
*Fresh tomato and pepper*
*Onions*
*Oil*
*Salt*
*Maggi*
*.*
On the left side, the images shown are the onions, raw rice, fresh tomato & pepper, and eggs.
On the right side, the first image you see is the picture of the whisked eggs, followed by manually blended tomatoes&pepper, palm oil, and the last image showed is the washed rice in the pot.
Preparing the rice is simple,
all I had to do was to pour some quantity of water that would be enough for the rice into the pot and heat it till it was hot enough, then I washed the rice clean and poured it into the pot. I left it for some minute till the rice became soft enough and the water dried.
**Preparing the sauce,**
I used this manual blender to blend the fresh tomatoes and pepper.
I placed another neat pot on the cooker for about 5secs before pouring in the oil and the blended tomatoes and pepper. I let it stay in the cooker till the water from the fresh tomatoes git dried.
***The pictures above show before and after the water got dried***.
____________________________
**After the water got dried,**
I added salt and Maggie and stirred it well so that the tomatoes would have a taste. After doing that, I poured the whisked eggs into the pot and left it a while to cook. By the time I checked back, the egg was already caking itself in the pot, so I scattered it and mixed everything
***This was what it looked like***.
**Tip:** There is a popular saying which is, in all we do, moderately is key. It's very easy to use these ingredients wrongly like oil, salt, and Maggie. These mentioned ingredients needs to be accurately added, they shouldn't be too much, if it is excess, you may just end up hating the food, so be sure to be careful when adding these ingredients so you don't put in too much.
____________________________
***The white rice and egg sauce are ready to be eaten***.
**This is a very nutritious meal,**
...rice is a carbohydrate, eggs are rich in protein while the oil and fresh tomatoes are rich in vitamins.
**I'm sure many of us here have our style if preparing a particular food, please feel free to share your thoughts on this one.**
**Thanks for reading.**
First published on read.cash
What are your thoughts about a house husband?
I'm not sure about how I feel about a househusband or better yet, I can't describe what I feel about it.
Women are generally known to be the caretaker of the home, they do chores like taking care of the children and the home, doing the laundry, preparing the dishes, mostly 99% of the chores at home are done by women.
Some men have a mindset
that there are chores exclusively meant for women. To be honest, such a mentality disgusts me. We all know that the man is the head of the family as ordained by God so there is nothing that can ever change it except God of course.
In this part of the world where I live, if a man who has a wife is seen doing chores that have been tagged exclusively for women, they go ahead to conclude that the man's head has been used, it's another way of saying that a fetish substance has been used to wash the man's brain, can you imagine that?
I mentioned earlier that God has ordained a man to be the head and nothing can change that, not even if he decides to assist his wife with the chores at home, it doesn't take "MANLINESS" away from him. (*If the word exists*)
Mohamed Hassan https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/limpieza-interna-limpieza-2977056/
Speaking of a househusband,
it's an entirely different thing, and to be very honest with my thoughts, if roles were changed, well, to be honest, the thought of it feels awkward.
**Will the man knows how to take care of the kids and chores at home🤔?**
No one should doubt it when it is said that women are stronger than men. We see women who run their businesses or go to work and still return home to take care of the kids and things at home. A man only goes to work, returns, eats, sleeps, etc. But most men fail to realize that what they've tagged as **women's jobs only** can also be done by them too, ego and laziness won't allow them to see it that way.
Okay, how would I feel if the roles of I and my partner were changed and he becomes a househusband?
**Uhmmmm...**
I would have no problem with it if it means that I would be making more money to support our family and he would be taking care of the household, the kids and would take the time to focus on his creative pursuit. The point is, so long we are both happy with it, then it's fine but if we can't agree on some important things, it might just be a no-no for me.
To be honest,
......the thought of a househusband just gives me this feeling that I can't describe, a feeling of not being okay with it, however, if roles were changed and I get to have a job that pays so well and I love the job with the whole of my heart and my partner sticks to beings a very good house husband, then it's fine.
New yam festival
Several festivals are held in my country and are unique only to our people. To be honest, I'm not a fan of festivals and I can't tell you what I hate or love about it. But I will be sharing one which is celebrated by Igbos.
According to Igbo tradition, yams are among the first set of crops to be planted at the beginning of the planting season in between April and August. Yam festival is an annual culture festival by the Igbo people that is held at the end of the rainy season in early August. It is a celebration that explores the prominence (importance) of yam in the social-cultural life of the Igbo people.
**During the process,**
... all old yams (from the previous crops) must be consumed or discarded on the Eve of the new yam festival. The festival normally includes a variety of entertainment like performances of rites by the Igwe(king) or the eldest man in the community, cultural dances by Igbo men, women, and their children, masquerade dances, fashion parades, etc. Then the next day only dishes of yam are served at the feast, as the festival is a symbol of the abundance of the produce, the festival can last for like a week or more in some communities...
**Did you know**
that Yam is a great source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins? Yam has a lot of wonderful benefits and when prepared well, it always hits the right spot. Yam can be eaten as a swallow with any soup of your choice. Have you tried preparing egg sauce and trying it out with boiled yam?
Or have you tried yam porridge?
….there are lots of wonderful dishes one can prepare using yam and it is always very satisfying.
Yeah, speaking of "**satisfaction**", having pounded yam with any soup of my choice is one type of food that is always satisfying, however, I've been wondering if I'm the only one who experiences this. After eating my pounded yam, a few minutes later, I become very hungry again like I hadn't had anything to eat all day.
Thinking about it now, I feel the reason could be because yam digests fast in the body.
still on the new yam festival
…which is the reason for this topic. Just like every other type of celebration, the traditional ruler of the land usually opens the ceremony with prayers of Thanksgiving to nature for providing them with good yams.
One of the reasons why this new yam festival is celebrated is to honor the earth goddess for a good harvest. Another thing this new yam festival signifies in the community is the beginning and end of a farming season and it is always seen as a great achievement in the community.
Write a new post in My Blog
**GIF**
Short preview description: **0/120** characters used.
hl-exclusive
hl-w2e1
hl-blog
ocdb
proofofbrain
culture
festivals
dreemer
neoxian
Topics-Tags to classify your post: 9/10Recently used: **WEEKEND-ENGAGEMENT**, **WEEKEND**, **POSTINGTOPICS**, **COMMUNITY**, **PROOFOFBRAIN**, **OCDB**, **DREEMER**
**SAVED**
**PUBLISH**
PreviewLink preview: **https://peakd.com/hl-exclusive/@jessicaossom/...**
**4 MIN READ631 WORDS**
Several festivals are held in my country and are unique only to our people. To be honest, I'm not a fan of festivals and I can't tell you what I hate or love about it. But I will be sharing one which is celebrated by Igbos.
According to Igbo tradition, yams are among the first set of crops to be planted at the beginning of the planting season in between April and August. Yam festival is an annual culture festival by the Igbo people that is held at the end of the rainy season in early August. It is a celebration that explores the prominence (importance) of yam in the social-cultural life of the Igbo people.
**During the process,**
... all old yams (from the previous crops) must be consumed or discarded on the Eve of the new yam festival. The festival normally includes a variety of entertainment like performances of rites by the Igwe(king) or the eldest man in the community, cultural dances by Igbo men, women, and their children, masquerade dances, fashion parades, etc. Then the next day only dishes of yam are served at the feast, as the festival is a symbol of the abundance of the produce, the festival can last for like a week or more in some communities...
Joy Anne Pura
https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photography-of-person-wearing-multicolored-costume-1186116/
**Did you know**
that Yam is a great source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins? Yam has a lot of wonderful benefits and when prepared well, it always hits the right spot. Yam can be eaten as a swallow with any soup of your choice. Have you tried preparing egg sauce and trying it out with boiled yam?
Or have you tried yam porridge?
….there are lots of wonderful dishes one can prepare using yam and it is always very satisfying.
Yeah, speaking of "**satisfaction**", having pounded yam with any soup of my choice is one type of food that is always satisfying, however, I've been wondering if I'm the only one who experiences this. After eating my pounded yam, a few minutes later, I become very hungry again like I hadn't had anything to eat all day.
Thinking about it now, I feel the reason could be because yam digests fast in the body.
still on the new yam festival
…which is the reason for this topic. Just like every other type of celebration, the traditional ruler of the land usually opens the ceremony with prayers of Thanksgiving to nature for providing them with good yams.
One of the reasons why this new yam festival is celebrated is to honor the earth goddess for a good harvest. Another thing this new yam festival signifies in the community is the beginning and end of a farming season and it is always seen as a great achievement in the community.
**What I hate and why.**
As much as I haven't attended one before, from my findings, and in my perspective, I feel that this kind of festival isn't one a Christian(believer) should care to attend because of the fetish things that are done. Some rituals are done that are known as the tradition of the land. We all know that these are things our forefathers have been doing before Christianity and the knowledge about the death of Jesus Christ and the redemption of man was shared with us.
**What I love about the festival**.
I love this festival because of the joy of achievement that comes with it. No farmer would be happy to plant crops and have nothing to show it.
I also love this festival because it creates a bond between the people of the community.
That's all I can share with you all on this topic, thanks for taking the time to read.
All images which aren't sourced are screenshots from a video.
**First Published here.**
"President for a day" - The first three things I would do for my country.
If I became president for a day, at first I will feel so excited about it and may feel confused about what to do because I've never been a president before. However, from my perspective of who a president is, he ought to love his citizens, care for them, and have the best interest of the nation as a priority.
Geralt. https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/liderazgo-regla-triunfo-presidente-2045290/
**In my country, this is far from it,**
it seems like the leaders lie to the citizens and give fake promises only to get to that position and once they are there, they forget about the main reason why they got to that position.
If I am given the power of a president to rule the nation for a day, I will stay focused and fight the temptation of being selfish. The first change will be is to reorganize those in the leadership position.
It's confusing how they say we are the leaders of tomorrow but leave a bunch of old people in power who only care about themselves and their children. Due to the poor economy of the country, nothing seems to be working, everything just seems like a waste of time. If anything is working today, then that's all thanks to those who are passion-filled. The children of those in power do not school here, they send their children out of the country to further their education while they let the education sector here turn to rubbish to the extent that people now say *"school is a scam".*
When they need medical attention,
they fly out of the country to be attended to, then I wonder, is it that we don't have good hospitals here in our country Nigeria?
This is what those selfish people have turned the nation into.
That's the reason why I would focus on wiping out all those old men who think they are godfathers and can do whatever they like in the country.
I would make sure to get a good adviser who has wisdom and the fear of God.
**If a man doesn't fear God,**
he will keep doing whatever he likes thinking that no one can stop him. However, those who fear God have wisdom and are principled.
I think that the one change that can make this country recover from its illness is if bad leaders were all removed from their position.
No wonder they say that the love of money is the root of all evil, they've all become evil because of money.
ReaxionLab https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/pol%c3%adtico-conferencia-rueda-de-prensa-1704547/
By the time good leaders are installed in the leadership position, I'm sure things would start working, like in the educational sector, there would be job opportunities, bad roads will be repaired, this will be the way they ought to be.
**The second thing I would do**
is to look into pending projects which were stopped because of selfishness, I will have a reasonable budget made for the project and make sure it is executed immediately.
**The third thing** - I would do is to make sure that there are good job opportunities available for people of all kinds, so they would be able to work and fend for themselves.
**First Published here on readcash.**
That one wish would come through.
The topic goes thus;
**If you had one wish to make and that wish would come true, what would it be?**
My wish.
I would wish that God reverses the curse he placed on Adam & Eve.
In my own words, I will quote what the Bible says about those who would not work. *"Let those who won't go out to work not eat".*
Initially, I would have wished that humans should be able to have an abundance of money even though they don't work, but I thought about it that money may be used anyhow and we probably may not know the value of money and God may not feel pleased with it. So I remembered that the reason why men have to suffer today before they have what to eat is because of the curse God placed on them and every woman has to go through the pain of labor to birth a child.
Darksouls1 https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/g%c3%b3tico-fantas%c3%ada-oscuro-mujer-joven-2910057/
Humorously, I was saying that God should have told Adam & Eve that they should kneel or do some other physical punishment then forgive them later and probably erase their memories so they won't remember what they had done and finally, get rid of the serpent so it won't come to deceive them again.
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if Adam & Eve were not cursed?
Probably if the serpent had been destroyed with their memories erased then everything goes back to the way it was, God would just decide to permit them to have sexual intercourse so that the earth would be replenished just like it is today, the only difference would be that man won't have to toil the ground before he eats and women would not go through so much pain in order to birth a child.
Have you ever imagined this?
I'm sure you must have been curious to know why that was my wish and I believe that with what you've read so far, you understand to an extent.
Let's assume that we are currently living in a world where Adam & Eve were never cursed and the serpent was destroyed, I think life would be much easier to live and there would be no evil on earth.
Ron Lac https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-sitting-on-white-bed-among-clouds-8262600/
Why I think evil is present on earth today.
Do you know that a lot of people are still being deceived by that same devil that deceived Eve back then?
The devil was once called Lucifer, the bright morning star who was a beautiful angel and had a melodious voice in heaven. He became boastful about what he possessed and started envying the throne of God. He wanted to bring God down forgetting that he is the alpha and omega. He wanted to be God, so he deceived other angels who followed him. When God saw this, I'm sure there must have been a battle in heaven, and to show his supremacy, he cast Lucifer down to the earth and took away all that made him a beautiful angel in heaven. Lucifer has become the devil today and other angels who fell with him are the demons.
I understand that we can't question God, no one can and some mysteries are better left the way they are. However, have you ever asked yourself why God didn't just destroy Lucifer and the angels that fell with him so that they stop existing instead of making them wander freely on the earth?
I've come to understand that anywhere the devil is, there would be a disaster. Imagine you're in the midst of a group of people and one person's thought has been poisoned by the devil, it takes God's grace to let the thought of others not get poisoned and that is why it is known that the devil is here to kill, steal and destroy. A lot of the bad things happening today are because of the devil who has corrupted the hearts of many. Only those who guard the fear of God in their hearts are safe and they are the only ones with wisdom because the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Still on the topic of my **One Wish.**
If God reverses the curse, man may not need to suffer again like we are now and women won't go through pain to give birth and that automatically means that the devil will be destroyed.
If the devil is destroyed, the hearts of man would be free of deception and man would live a happy and good life that would be pleasing to God.
Although it seems like God wants every man to be judged after rapture before the earth is destroyed then a new one begins without the devil just like the one I'm wishing for.
Don't you think so too?
First Published here.
15/03/22.
Near-Death Experience.
Death is simple, life is hard, just like some people would say. I've tried imagining the scenario. Imagine a woman who goes into labor for a few hours, and tries all her best to push. You would hear the doctor saying "push, push" but each push seems not to bring the baby forth. If not for Eve, perhaps women may not need to go through the pain of labor before birthing a child. I know that science has made things much easier today. When a woman in labor starts to feel painful contractions, she gets injected with the injection that stops the pain.
Life of pix https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-under-the-water-9786/
I remember the day I was in the labor room. I got to the hospital on Thursday, because the cervix wasn't fully dilated, I was placed on drugs that would either help stop the contraction pain if it were a false labor or intensity the contraction if it was real labor.
After taking the drugs, I had to stay at the hospital till the next day. The contraction did not stop, it kept coming. At that moment, I thought I was already experiencing labor pain not knowing that the main thing had not started.
The time came for me to push the baby, the doctor advised, knowing it was my first time. She said, *" when you feel the pain, push your baby with pain".* Oh my God. I don't know how to explain what the pain feels like but trust me, I'm not trying to scare you though, but the truth is that the pain is out of this world.
I pushed and pushed until I couldn't bear the pain. Instead of giving up, I thought about how much I wanted to see my baby, then I braced myself and got ready for the next contraction that came with serious pain. Instead of focusing on the pain, I focused on the thought of seeing my baby. I held my legs and pushed with all the power I had as I felt the contraction and that was how I delivered my son.
But something happened
Roughly an hour and 30 minutes after my son was delivered, something happened to me which caused me to bleed. According to my mom, it was something she had never seen in her life before.
If you're curious to know,
I will briefly explain.
The vagina and the vulva are two different parts of the body. One is the outer part while the other is the inner part. I don't know what caused it because I was fine after having the baby. A side of the vulva, kind of like the lip of the VJ got swollen and it was damn painful. When the doctor saw it, she seemed shocked too, perhaps she had never seen it before too. Immediately, she got some injections, in the process of injecting me, we all heard a popping sound.
In my mind, I felt that the injections were already doing their job. When the swollen area popped, I felt a bit relieved. Little did I know that I was dying.
Kasuma https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photo-of-man-walking-in-hole-172738/
When it burst, I started bleeding seriously, the bleeding was so heavy that several of the foam I was sleeping on had to be changed.
As I bled, I felt so light. I looked at the faces of everyone in the room with me and saw fear like they were losing me. I looked at my hubby, my mom, the doctor, and the nurses that were there, I told them I was fine, thinking they would have faith and make me feel strengthened by it. However, the fear did not leave their faces so I turned to myself and God with the faith that I would be fine no matter what was happening.
They tried lifting me to change the foam because it was already soaked with blood.
As they did that, thinking I was still conscious because of how I was talking, I fell.
**I felt like I was about to have a good sleep**
I never knew that I was on my way to the afterlife. It felt like I was about to have a good sleep after having a stressful day. I felt so relaxed, it was so peaceful until I heard my name.
In that sleep, I heard my name like it was called from a far distance. I also recognized that it was hubby's voice but it felt like I was being disturbed from a nice sleep. I continued falling deep into that sleep, and yes, I remember seeing white light even though my eyes were shut. I heard my name again, this time it was louder. I woke up, with my eyes wide open, the first thing I remembered saying was "who called me".
In that sleep, I felt angry when I woke up because, in my mind, I felt I was having a peaceful and relaxing sleep but someone kept disturbing me from sleep.
**I realized what was happening**
After I became conscious. Life was restored.
I had to deal with the pain from the injury I had sustained from the swollen place.
***"believe that the greatest truths of the universe don't lie outside, in the study of the stars and the planets. They lie deep within us, in the magnificence of our heart, mind, and soul. Until we understand what is within, we can't understand what is without".*** ***Anita Moorjani*** https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/near-death-experience
First Published here.
14/3/22
The inevitable things of life.
All humans will one day be faced with the inevitable things of life.
***"Nothing is permanent. The only thing any of us have in common is inevitable".*** Colleen Hoover https://www.inspiringquotes.us/quotes/Mshj_tcBMQOCU
Change will happen
No matter how we try to avoid this, it will still happen because it is one constant thing. Those boobs that look perky and firm now would one day fall unless you decide to go for surgery, it's just like the law of gravity, what goes up must come down.
You'll have disagreements and even conflict.
I use to feel that being a nice and calm person would be you wouldn't have to a thing like a disagreement and conflicts. One day you would bring something to the table only to end up being misunderstood, One day you will try to get people to understand your opinion and there will be disagreement and conflict because someone somewhere may feel that there is a suitable person to bring an idea.
You will fail
You will be faced with that moment when you think you've done it well only to realize that a little error has ruined every. You will try and try but keep failing. Then, you would think giving up is the perfect decision.
People will surprise you.
In other to save themselves, they will lie against you, make sure you look like a fool, make you look like the worst person on earth, may you feel inferior. You wouldn't believe your eyes and ears, you would want to understand the situation but will not, you will she'd tear because of it. As long as they are satisfied with what they've done, that's all. The hypocrites.
You'll make mistakes.
You devote your time and commit yourself to all of it but still can't get it right no matter how hard you try. You get the logic but one thing keeps confusing you.
Source https://pixabay.com/es/photos/vela-alumbrado-de-la-vela-fuego-luz-2651278/
We shall all turn to dust one day.
We only live once so whatever we find ourselves doing, it should be done well. I am a believer and I believe that there is heaven, it's Important to live right to judgment from God won't be against you. Let the body suffer so the soul can have eternal life in Paradise.
While you live, make every moment count, be good to yourself.
Please try to rest often as you do your daily jobs, no work is worth dying for. I just lost a healthy friend who needed to rest, he saw the signals but still went to work, he fell and died while working.
Only God understands, however, death is inevitable but we pray against untimely death.
In all these things which we shall sure experience, there is certainly a good side to it which is the fact that we learn, and because stronger.
First Published on read.cash
**9/3/22**
My favorite childhood Tv show.
The topic for this week makes me remember how I always feel like a child whenever my favorite childhood Tv show pops up on the screen of tv.
***Meet Dipsy***
I remember how I would scream the names of my siblings, telling them to come so we can sit together to watch the show.
As a child, I had lots of favorite childhood shows, it's almost hard to choose one as a favorite because all of the shows bring about this feeling of happiness in my heart whenever I watch them. However, there is one I would term my favorite Childhood Tv show now.
***Meet Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po***
Teletubbies is one show I know that every child would love to watch all the time. The reason why I was attracted to the Teletubbies show is probably because of how it was designed to be. It's colorful and also has things that attract children.
Back then, I and my siblings would give ourselves the name of the Teletubbies. I would say I'm Tinky-winky, my other sibling would say she's Dipsy, same with the next, I'm Laalaa, and the last of us which was my cousin, I'm Po. We always had fun doing that, and whenever we sit to watch, we were always so serious, never wanting to miss a part of it.
Teletubbies is a show for children which shows how the Teletubbies play around, laugh, dance, and sing as they go about their days in a scenic Teletubbyland while a baby-faced sun interacts with them in a fun way.
***Meet Baby-faced sun***
Videos of different children talking about themselves, parents, school, or general lifestyle usually appear on the white square-shaped cloth on the tummy of each Teletubbies. The way the Teletubbies plays would make you want to join them and see the baby sun laugh would make you want to laugh all day long as you keep watching the show.
***Meet the Teletubbies dancing***
Some months ago, I was scrolling through children's videos on YouTube, trying to find one which my son would find interesting and one of the children's shows I was able to think back to remember was the Teletubbies show, which just shows that I enjoyed watching the show during my time and now I'm passing it on to my son hoping that he would like it as much as his mom did.
***Meet Po***
I doubt if the show is still being shown on tv, but if you're an adult who hasn't lost the love for children's shows, then you can easily go to youtube and have interesting episodes of the Teletubbies downloaded on your device.
***Meet Tinky-Winky having fun while playing***
The show is safe for children of all ages to watch so long they show interest, it is an educative show. You get to watch little children speak so well and speak confidently, that's how we want our children to be right? Yeah.
What was your favorite childhood show?
Did you ever get to watch this one I shared, Teletubbies? Please feel free to share with me what you think about Teletubbies if you were able to watch it back in the day.
It's bye for now.
That's all for now.
All images are screenshots from the Teletubbies video on my device.
First published here on readcash.
7/3/22🙂
The hospital calls...Time to stop self-medication.
All through the night, I've been awake soaking a small towel in a bowl of water and placing it on my son's forehead because of his high temperature.
I noticed he started running temperature on Saturday evening, however, I assumed that it was just something minor that will go away in no time. Just like I assumed, he was fine all through Saturday till Sunday afternoon when we got back from church. Although he could still play and talk as usual, however, I noticed that he wasn't eating as much as he use to and that was when I started worrying. Despite all I tried to get him to eat a little, it didn't work, he still didn't eat, he just kept saying that he isn't hungry. I wonder how a boy who hasn't eaten for a long period would say that he isn't hungry.
Later that Sunday, he started running temperature again and this time, it was more intense. Immediately, I had to get him a drug (paracetamol) that would make his body calm again.
Cottonbro https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-boy-lying-on-the-couch-5858741/
***Could he be having malaria again?*** I thought to myself, knowing that he has already treated malaria thrice within 2 months which doesn't seem right. I was told that malaria is meant to be treated at least once every three months so what could be the problem now?
After giving him paracetamol on Sunday evening, expecting that he would be better the next morning, and would be able to go to school, which is today, the reverse seems to be the case now. He still running temperature and also complaining of stomach upset.
I had to go to the nurse near us to explain the situation to her, she advised that I take him to do a test so that we would know the actual medicine to buy and not waste money on self-medication.
This is the reason why it is said that, while you're saving, always include savings for emergency issues like health issues. According to the nurse, I may need to spend up to $20 to pay the bills for the test and the drugs.
After explaining the state of my son's health, I went ahead to explain mine. I don't know why I keep having recurrent infections, maybe it's yeast. In January, I spent about $12 to get malaria drugs for my son and some antibiotics for myself to treat the recurrent yeast infection. The pharmacist assured me that after using the drug she prescribed the reoccurrence would stop, I can't recall what the name of the drug is.
True to her words, all the symptoms I was experiencing stopped (the excess discharge and unpleasant smell)and I felt fresh and healthy again.
About two weeks ago, I noticed that the amount of discharge changed and odor changed again, I keep wondering what could be causing it. I would have assumed that it was the birth control method I was on but it expired already.
All these health issues that arise when you least expect them can be frustrating especially when there is no budget for them, and they can't be ignored. I can't ignore my current health issues because it's making me uncomfortable and I can't ignore my son's health because it's causing me to worry, so I just need to find a way.
I've had to trade some hive for cash to go run the test first, and I'm hoping that business would go well for hubby today.so I can purchase the drugs that would be prescribed.
The only way to find out what's going on in my son's system is to go run the test and get the result, the same applies to me. Self-medication isn't an option. I forgot to mention that my son's high temperature is accompanied by sneezing. I can't just conclude that it's malaria again.
My son who jumps and disturbs is just in the room laying calm on the bed and can't go to school.
I know I always complain about how he disturbs and won't stay one place, that's why it is said that; ***"one won't know what they have till they lose it"***. All I want is for him to jump around, disturb me and eat well, I won't complain. I hope that he gets well as soon as possible.
First Published here on read.cash.
7/3/22🙂
What are you looking forward to this week?
***"The more easily you get your wealth, the sooner you will lose it. The harder it is to earn, the more you will have."*** **Proverbs 13:11.**
It rained quite heavily today and I'm supposed to feel happy about it because the weather has been very hot. I'm lucky to not be among the people who developed a skin rash as a result of the hot weather. The weather is calm now and I've been able to have a good rest too. The only reason why I do not like it when it rains is that everywhere becomes muddy and dirty. The dirt and mud around make me feel very uncomfortable and wish that it didn't rain. It rained already and I don't have the power to undo it so, I'm just going to live and deal with it.
Natasha Fernandez https://www.pexels.com/photo/love-your-life-clipboard-decor-811575/
How is your Sunday coming? Did you attend church service?
Earlier at church today, my pastor preached about newness in Christ.
Do we have a lot of people who say that they are saved but are they truly? Yes, We do not have the power to judge anyone because judgment is of the lord but whoever thinks they are deceiving man by concealing their sin well should know that the Lord sees all and he can't be deceived. Besides if you're saved, it's not for anyone but yourself.
As a believer who is born again, a new being should be seen in you and the old being crucified. We can't say we are saved and still naturally live in sin. Being saved doesn't mean that automatically we won't sin again, there are times we fall but when that happens, at that moment we don't like ourselves until we have reconciled with him. (God)
An example of a person who lives naturally in sin; a person who steals, yet feels no remorse about it, they feel less concerned about their action, they just don't care about what happens or the consequences. Apart from stealing, other sins are committed, as a believer, if after doing something wrong, you don't get that feeling in you that you have done something bad and you don't feel remorse, then your salvation is in doubt.
I don't plan to bore you with this topic.
We have entered a new week already and the weekend has ended today, till next weekend again. Work starts from tomorrow and I believe that we have all prepared a positive mind to face the week. We can't predict if the week will go exactly how we want it to, we may experience set back in our plans but if we stay positive-minded no matter what, we would be able to scale through.
I found the quote which is at the beginning of my post in the scriptures. I have been doing my best to work smart and diligent here on the blockchain and in every other place I work. Like every human, we always need a kind of encouragement to keep us going efficiently, although we sometimes don't get it the way we want. The quote at the top of the post should be like encouragement to us all, in all we find ourselves doing, we may not find ourselves earning that which we have assumed we would be able to earn but we should always remember and stay encouraged with this word which says "***The more easily you get your wealth, the sooner you will lose it. The harder it is to earn, the more you will have".***
In conclusion, the harder it is to earn, the more we will have because the time and energy spent in earning the money would be valuable and it would be impossible to spend that which has been earned anyhow. Finally, in all that we set our mind to do this week, we should be intentional about it.
Thanks for reading
6/3/22🙂
Sex and prayers.
One of the needs of a man is Sex!! Yes, you heard me sex!!
So if you are married, please my ladies never deny your husband sex because the same way you feel when your husband doesn't call or give you the attention that's how a man feels when you deny him sex!!
Cottonbro https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-lying-on-bed-4980314/
I was meditating, reading the Bible when I came across a chapter that I can't remember now. In that verse of the Bible, it is written that when a man or woman is on fast, they shouldn't engage in sexual activities. I also read in that verse that couples must take permission from their spouse, so their spouse knows that he/ she is on fast and won't be able to engage in sexual activities till the fast is over...
As believers, we are meant to always follow that which the Lord has said. However, I've noticed that a lot of people still have their opinions concerning this.
1 Corinthians 7:5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+7%3A5&version=ESV
***Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.***
As a married couple, it's a sin and it's wrong to deprive your spouse of sex. Even though marriage isn't about sex alone, the role of sex in marriage remains very important because when that aspect of marriage isn't functioning well, there tend to be problems in the home.
There is something I find quite funny about the male and female gender. As a woman, we can stay for days, months if possible years without wanting to engage in sexual activities but it's difficult for a man to stay that long. It's probably due to the way our body and hormones are. Unlike men, women attach emotions to sex, they don't just see it as fun or just pleasure, it's a thing of the heart for women.
98% of women crave attention, it's just something they need to feel good and feel loved. The same way women love attention is the same way men love sex, it is what makes them feel good and loved too.
It is written that ***except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer;***
In my own opinion, I feel that the scripture is trying to make us understand that the only time a married couple can abstain from sex is when they need to devote themselves to prayer. That's the reason why I said earlier that getting permission from your spouse and being in agreement before going into fast and prayers is important. If there is no agreement, and you decide not to meet with your spouse, it's more like a sin.
This is linked to my other point where I said that marriage isn't about sex alone. There are times in the family when couples need to understand that it's time for them to be devoted to prayers, there is a need to be understanding and a need for agreement in everything.
I was listening to the message of a pastor who is late now. He said that sex does not spoil fasting, in fact, it boosts it and gives it power. So he told his wife that as long as he is in the house, praying and fasting, and the holy ghost comes upon her (that is she feel the urge), she shouldn't hesitate to call him. He said he will take permission from the lord because the lord knows that he is married and he is the one that gave him a wife. His point was, even if you're on a 21 day fast, it's not an excuse to deprive your spouse of sex.
It's either you both have agreed to not meet for some time until prayer is over or if the self-control isn't strong enough, that is, to avoid temptations from satan because of the same lack of self-control, then you can come together.
These are my opinions, feel free to share yours.
First Published here on read.cash
4/3/22🙂
What food is unique to your tribe? Here's mine.
Yeah, we all have that one particular dish that is unique to our tribe. Once the name of the dish is mentioned anywhere, at any point in time, you already know the tribe.
Have you heard of these dishes; Afang, Edikang Ikong, Ekpang nkukwo, Atama, and many more?
You would be able to tell by now that these dishes are unique to the Akwa-Ibomites. There is no party of a typical Akwwa-Ibomites that you wouldn't see these dishes, if not all, at least one must be there.
All of these dishes are highly nutritional because of the combination of the vegetables, meat, fish and used in preparing them. They are rich in minerals and vitamins too.
During my sister's wedding, even though she was getting married to a man from another tribe, we still made sure that our traditional dish was available to be served. She got married to a Yoruba man. On the day of the wedding, we saw that her husband's people came along with their traditional dish too. As the food was served, we noticed that a full cooler of Afang soup and fufu had already finished. It turned out that all the guests at the party couldn't resist the taste of the Afang soup, even those from the other tribe, they kept asking for more, good thing they had enough to eat until the cooler became empty. This is just to make you understand how delicious this dish is.
In other to prepare afang soup, also known as Okazi in some other tribes, a few ingredients need to be ready and available to use.
Afang soup recipe
**Ingredients for Afang Soup**
Sliced Okazi/Afang leaves
Water leaves
Red palm oil
Beef, Kanda, stockfish, and dry fish
Ground crayfish
Pepper and salt (to taste)
Stock cubes.
Periwinkle
I would have really loved to share step-by-step pictures because that's what I love doing as you all would be able to understand it all. I apologize for that, however, I'm going to try to make it as easy as possible. ***(Let's scratch this)***
Prep time.
What I do after making sure that the afang leave is sliced is to pound or ground it. It makes the leaves smooth in the soup after it is prepared.
For the waterleaf, the good ones are selected from the ones that aren't needed, then it is sliced.
The tail end of the periwinkle is usually cut off from the rest of the body, this would make the process of sucking it out easy.
It is important to make sure that all these things are properly washed so you won't end up having sand in your soup, it's very important. There is a special way I know that periwinkle is usually washed in other to get rid of the dirt completely. After cutting the tail end, pour it into a bowl that has a lid, pour a little bit of water inside the bowl. Shake it in an up and down motion continuously. When you open the lid to check the periwinkle, you would see a lot of dirt in the water. Change the water then repeat the process until you see that the water you've changed is clean enough. I hope you understood that.
Cooking Direction.
For about 10-12minutes, you will bring to boil till it's is done the meat,(beef), Kanda, stockfish with some diced onions, salt, pepper, Maggie, and a little quantity of water. When the meat is done, you go ahead to put in the dry fish. I wait for the meat to be done because the dry fish doesn't need to stay as long as the before it gets soft.
I don't always bother taking out the meat but I do remove the fish because I don't want it to get scattered in the soup.
With the meat and stockfish still in the pot, Pour in some palm oil, pepper, and crayfish, and make sure to taste it to confirm that it has your desired taste. Add those ingredients moderately then bring it to boil.
When it starts to boil, pour in the Afang leaves, waterleaf, the dry fish, and periwinkle. Leave to cook for a few minutes till the afang leave becomes soft and the water is almost dried. Finally, let it simmer for 5 minutes. The Afang soup is finally ready and can be eaten with any swallow of your choice. (Pounded yam, fufu, eba, etc.
Would you like to try preparing this? If you are a Nigerian living in Nigeria, you know where you can always get the items to prepare it, it's easy. If you're not a Nigerian and you don't live in Nigeria, I don't know, I'm sorry. But you can look it up on google, it may be sold in your place too but may be called something different. Hehe
I mentioned earlier that I do not have a picture of Afang soup to upload.
I have been on the internet searching for free images of afang soup but still couldn't find any. All the ones I saw had watermarks. I just had to call her on phone and I wasn't disappointed.
All thanks to my sister @Treasureawesome
The credit for these Afang soup images goes to her.
That's all for now, thanks for reading.
This post is first published here on read.cash.
3/03/22🙂
Just get the logic.
I've been laying on the couch in the living room ever since I woke up and have finished my morning routine and chores. I have had several post titles coming to my mind for me to write on yesterday.
Emre Keshavarz https://www.pexels.com/photo/concentrated-ethnic-woman-playing-chess-with-male-partner-7207268/
I don't know if I'm the only one who experiences this, I may be watching tv, doing the laundry, washing plates, cooking,g or tidying the house and in between those moments, my brain would bring a title to me, telling me to write something about it. I would question and rack my brain to see if I can bring out something sensible from that title my brain has brought to me. Many times I have been able to come up with something sensible but before I finish that which I was doing at that moment my brain had brought the title, I realise that they've all gone, I've forgotten it.
How does this happen?
Believe me, I don't know, I really don't know how it happens and why it happens. I would have been rejoicing in my heart that my brain seems to be in support of my writing business and wants to keep me motivated and encouraged by bringing titles and what to write to my mind. The feeling is more like, I can write about anything I want, everything around is something to write about, what I think of is something to write about, what I did wrong is something to write about, I can write about anything.
Kampus production https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-blue-denim-jacket-playing-chess-7799553/
What then has been stopping me from realizing that??
Maybe I'm too busy, maybe too lazy to get my brain together and think, maybe I was too blind to see it, maybe I just don't know anything, (like I'm a dunce). Maybe! Maybe!! Maybe not!!....
Last night,
as I was meditating, a title came to my mind. I knew that if I ignored it `then`, I may not remember it again so I quickly took a book and a pen to note it down so I would be able to remember it later.
Just get the logic.
That was the title that came to my mind yesterday evening. Speaking about logic, what does the word mean?
According to Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic#:~:text=Logic%20is%20the%20study%20of,inferences%20or%20of%20logical%20truths.
`Logic is the study of correct reasoning or good arguments. It is often defined in a more narrow sense as the science of deductively valid inferences or logical truths.`
To further simplify this, what does the phrase correct reasoning mean? It is simply a process of concluding facts. It is important because, in every area of our lives, it helps us to make decisions efficiently.
As I looked into this title, I turned to the back cover of the notebook I was holding, I looked at the one which had a multiplication table on it.
I remembered my son trying to recite multiplication table 2. Even though he wasn't pronouncing the word "*multiplication*" correctly and wasn't correctly reciting it, I just watched him with a smile on my face, seeing that he is learning. It was the first time he recited the multiplication table, then I understood that his teacher in school had probably just introduced the multiplication table to his class (pre-nursery 2).
This made me recall my days in primary school when we would be asked to recite the multiplication table from table two to ten (2 - 10). While reciting them those days, it always seems like a hard task because I had not understood the logic of the multiplication table.
For example, one is asked to recite the multiplication table 6, in other to get it right and not make mistake, the logic is to simply add 6 to every answer you get. 6×1 =6, 6×2=12, 6×3=18, then you go ahead adding 6 to get the rest of the answers, 6×4=24 + 6=30, +6=36, +6=42, +6=48, and on like that.
This is also applicable to our lives generally, if we can try understanding the logic, then a lot of things won't be hectic for us.
Or, don't you think so too?
This article is First Published here on read.cash.
2/3/22🙂
How would you react to this??
There are many times in the lives of every human, we are faced with challenges that try to get the best of us. Sometimes, it gets the best of us while other times we find a way to deal with it. At this point, I believe that every human understands that challenges are what makeup live. It's just like playing a video game that requires you to finish a level before moving to the next one. Each level usually has its tasks and the higher the level, the more challenging the game becomes. If one is unlucky and is unable to complete that level, they have to replay. One good thing about replaying or successfully moving to the next level is that you gain experience and with time, become a master player.
Rawpixel https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/illustration-light-bulb-ideas_3139696.htm#query=Attitude&position=2&from_view=search
Somewhere in one of my previous posts, I mentioned something about being separated from my partner and that was due to a very disturbing issue, I just had to choose 'SEPERATION'. We got separated for almost a year. I felt disappointed at the way my partner's family handled the issue but I just had to accept it that way and just let it be like that.
Some months after being separated, my partner decided that he couldn't continue living like that, he wants his family back. I had to make him follow a process before I finally return. (This is by the way though, I am now with my family).
A few months ago, January precisely, hubby told me that his cousin's sister sent him a message about her introduction. This cousin is someone who I was once close to but during the period I had issues with my partner, I discovered that even if she's hubby's cousin, she's not the type of person I should be that close to.
Even though hubby and I had already settled our differences, I kept wondering why she continued acting like I was no longer part of the family. She never chatted me up telling me about the introduction, I got the information from hubby so I decided to just send her a congratulations message, in other to not make it look awkward, I decided to do her makeup for her for free on her introduction day.
Everyone was excited on the introduction day, I joined in helping out with a few things till she was ready to do her makeup. After doing the makeup, she thanked me, smiling at the mirror, looking at how her face had been beautifully transformed. The purpose of the introduction was for her family and her fiancee's family to get acquainted with each other, to asked for the marriage list so that preparations would be made and the wedding date would be fixed.
Good thing, she and her fiancee were able to get things rolling quickly. A few weeks ago, hubby told me that they had fixed a date and his cousin said that it's on the 26th March. Ever since hubby mentioned it to me, I was looking to see if she was going to buzz me with the goodness to but till now, I got nothing. It isn't like I'm trying to feel special or something. Once in a while, we chat on WhatsApp, so I'm just wondering what the big deal is in just buzzing me. I was going through hubby's chat with her and I felt disappointed at what I saw.
***"Should I bring the cloth for your Jess and Nat?"***
Wait! You want to do your wedding, is it that you don't want me to attend? Why ask if you should bring the wedding clothes or not.
Before that question, I saw previous chats about the clothes and colors they are choosing and other things.
Hubby mentioned to me on Sunday that his uncle who is his cousin's dad called him and all through the period he was there, there were talking about the preparation for the wedding. He mentioned that in-between as they discussed, he told his cousin to let her friends and the fiancee's people know that there is a makeup artist around and that even for herself, she should remember that they have a makeup artist in the house. His point was that he went to hustle for like a marketer.
Looking at the whole thing, I feel I am irrelevant to her and her preparations because if I wasn't, I would have been personally informed and all that.
So unlike what I did during the introduction, volunteering to do her makeup for free and even helping out with the introduction preparations, for the wedding, I would be minding my business, I would bother texting this time to say congratulations or be a busy body volunteering to help out with her makeup or any other preparation they might have in mind.
I'm just going to sleep or do whatever I have to do at my house on that day, wait till the actual time of the wedding, (not before the wedding) attend then go back to my house after the wedding....and life goes on.
What would your reaction be to a scenario like?
Do you think I'm being too much?
First published here on read.cash
1/3/22🙂
Stop war in Ukraine
It was only yesterday I got to see the news about the Russian war in Ukraine. To be honest, when I first saw the news I overlooked it because at first, I didn't understand what it was about.
Someone posted a joke on WhatsApp status saying that no one is talking or posting things about the Russian war in Ukraine but if it's gossip about celebrities, the news would be flying around. I also noticed that I wasn't seeing many posts about it, so I guessed that they probably may not understand what is going on just like me.
I joined the conversation on the Hive Naija community and I got to understand a few things there. One of which is that something like this has been on for about 8 years, according to @Jaydr https://peakd.com/@jaydr
*the smell of war has been felt by those Ukrainians long enough, that's why even the civilians are not minding the cost, they are joining to fight at the call of their president*.
Another thing I got to understand is that this whole crisis that is happening which isn't necessary is more of a show of strength.
**A question was asked in the community.**
Do you think we have enough resources to stay safe if world war 3 begins?
I don't know what a world war looks and I sincerely don't want to know because it doesn't look like something everyone should excited look forward to. From the word **World war3**, it seems one and two had happened before. I do not pray to experience it.
In my country, there have been lots of things happening that the government and those at the top couldn't handle, so if world war should start now, where are we going to run to? The truth is, we don't have enough resources.
I have watched movies describing and I've seen how bad it can be talkless of experiencing it in reality.
A user here on hive has been giving live updates, there's seems to be unrest and her husband has just gone to join the defense force.ly don't know what the issue is with the Russians, a lot of lives have been claimed and it's just so sad.
I pray for peace in Ukraine and every othpartrts of the world.
To all citizens of Ukraine, please stay safe and keep trusting God. Everything will be okay again.
If you wish to read the live update of what is going on, go to @zirochka blog. https://peakd.com/@zirochka
LIVE UPDATE https://peakd.com/staywithukraine/@zirochka/russian-war-in-ukraine-update-from-kyiv
26-02-22✅
First Published here on read.cash.
One of the best weekend ever...wait! Will I have the strength for all of it?
A week ago, I had to visit a place on Victoria Island. On my way going, as usual, we crossed the third mainland bridge. As the bus moved, I watched the ocean, imagining how wide it is, I wondered if it has an end. Hubby noticed how I was seriously watching the ocean, then he called out to me. I turned to him and told him that I love the view and would love to go into the water. I said that knowing full well that it's not a kind of water one can enter, there could be lots of wild aquatic animals inside.
Alice Castro https://www.pexels.com/photo/body-of-water-1820041/
*"I would love to go to the beach and have a nice time there",* I said. He replied, asking me how I can go to the beach when it isn't a festive period, I laughed and asked him where he learned that one can only go to the beach during the festive period, then I assumed that he may have said that because he feels that there might be no one there at the beach making it lively and fulfilled.
After the talk, he finally said, *"don't worry, we will go to the beach on a good day when there is money"*. I ended that conversation with ***"it's alright."***
Let's pretend that I have $1000 right now which I can spend on anything I like over one weekend. Knowing well that it's for entertainment purposes only and I can't give it away, invest it or save it - The money must be spent, here is how I'm gonna enjoy my life.
Mikhali Nilov https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-playing-a-virtual-reality-game-7887259/
The weekend starts on Friday and that's the reason why everyone loves to say TGIF, a short form for 'thank God it's Friday.
$1000 in my currency should be about NGN415,960.00. This is a lot of money really and I can't believe I'm about to spend this much money only on entertainment hehe. Okay, here is how it's going to go, or here is how I would want it to be.
*"Hello hubby, how is everything going over there, are you done with work? I just finished all that I told you I was doing the other time and I've taken Nathaniel to be with his cousins for the weekend. How much longer will it take for you to get home? We have until 7 p.m to get to the cinema so please hurry up".*
That would probably be my conversation on phone with hubby, telling him to come home so we can get prepared and head over to the cinema. However, I don't think I would love to go to the cinema anymore. I don't always go out so I don't know places, sincerely. It's always from the house to work, back to the house, then to church, and back to the house again. If I'm to take myself out with some other person, I would need to ask for good recommendations on where I can go have fun with friends, siblings, or hubby, and my son.
So, back to the $1000, since I can't invest it or save it, I would go shopping with my siblings. I would call the three of them and have them go shopping with me. We would buy quality clothes, bags, shoes and hair for ourselves. Keeping in mind that I have about N415,960.00 to spend. All that we would spend on shopping for bags, shoes, hair, and clothes would be up to N250,000.00, that's about $600.
Borevina https://pixabay.com/es/photos/gente-hermosa-belleza-pelo-rubio-3954533/
On Saturday, I would take myself, my hubby and my son to somewhere we can treat ourselves. The first place we would go to would be a nice, clean, lively beach. I've been wanting to go to the beach, now that there's some money available for entertainment, I would make that happen. From the previous shopping spree I went for with my siblings, I would have made sure to get beachwear for myself, my son, and my hubby.
Peggy Marco https://pixabay.com/es/photos/selfie-playa-familia-ni%c3%b1o-madre-5219202/
So before we leave the beach, we would make sure to have lots of fun. Once we've left the beach, we would go to an exquisite restaurant, there I would make sure to order foods that I've been craving but I've been unable to have.
I would order for a barbecue, pizza, cold stone, I know that hubby would order for the things he craves too, food and drinks and I would get a hamburger for my son and whatever he says he life so long it is healthy for him, I know he would love it.
Geraud pfeiffer https://www.pexels.com/photo/delicious-burgers-with-beef-and-veggies-served-on-table-6605781/
Once we leave the restaurant, we would also visit a spa. There, I and hubby would go for manicure and pedicure services and other skincare services which we find to be good. The amount we would spend on all these activities would be about N102,000. That's about $245. I would be left with $155 which is approximate N65,000
Rodnae https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-getting-her-toenails-done-7755549/
Finally, on Sunday, I would organize a party at my house for friends, family, and friends of friends. The rest of the money would be used in preparing foods, desserts, and drinks. A DJ would be called to keep the house lively with cool music, and from the money that is left over, the DJ's bill would be settled.
Cottonbro https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-toasting-wine-glasses-3171837/
So that's what I'm probably going to do if I have $1000 to use for entertainment for a weekend. It would be one of the most amazing weekends I would ever experience.
Thanks for reading
**24-02-22✅**
First Published here on readcash.
All of us are dead
Never has this ever happened to me, It got me feeling so emotional that I shed a tear, it has never happened before hehe.
Whoever is the brain behind this is a genius with an incredible imagination.
I stayed up all night watching a suspense-filled, scary, humorous, emotional, and interesting movie. I don't know if I should call it a tragi-comedy. As at now that I write, I am done watching the movie but I'm close to the end. The movie is filled with so much suspense.
I'm trying to find the right word to use in narrating the movie **'All of us are dead'.**
It's all started with the scene of a group of students who were bullying a fellow student and in the process, he turned into something in other to fight back.
The scientist's son had always been bullied by his friends at school, he got to know when his son tried to commit suicide. It was too late to do anything, however, the man thought that he could still fix it. He reported the case to the school management but the bullies were not punished, nothing was done to instill fear in them so much won't repeat itself, they were only told to apologize.
The scientists decided to transfer his son to another place thinking that the bullies would let him be. For some reason, those bullies kept going after him and harassing him yet the son just couldn't fight back, He later realized that they live in a system of assault where nobody like them can't change the system. So he decided to change his son, he wasn't sure what he was doing but he just hoped that his son doesn't die and doesn't try to commit suicide again.
He created a monster because of how desperate he was to save his son, he wanted his son to survive as a monster rather than die human, now the monster is killing everyone.
A virus that infects a person once they've been bitten, got spread all through the school from the school nurse who tried to save a student that got bitten by an infected rat.
If you haven't watched the movie, trust me you really should because it has lots of things going on in it. A lot of lives were lost due to the spread of the infection in the community. In the midst of all that was happening, some students tried to survive, while many were only.
I will be going back now to watch the rest of the movies. Even though they tried to add some humor to the movie which made it even more interesting, I would still tag the movie as a tragedy but it's an awesome movie.
I wish I could paste the link to download the movie but I can't because I don't want to have it, the complete episode was sent to me by my sister. It's so funny that I stayed up all night watching the movie and found it hard to wake up this morning until 9 am when I was supposed to take my son to school as early as 7:30 am.
So, go check the movie, it's titled
**'All of us are dead'**
All images are screenshots from the video.
Thanks for reading.
**22-02-22**✅
This article is first published here on read cash.
Take a pause and think.
There's something I feel almost everyone would be able to relate with. When you're angry, your body probably senses danger and produces a hormone called adrenaline which prepares you to attack immediately there is a need to. The same has to do with the mind. This is one reason I always say this, as humans, before we make any decision, we should always try to bring our mind back to its default state which is a state of calmness.
When you're overly excited, sad, or angry, you tend to make mistakes with any decision you make at that moment.
Freepik https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/man-thinking-concept-illustration_20824308.htm#query=Think&position=47&from_view=search
On Friday, 18th of February 2022, I tried transferring all the money I had on my UBA account to my wema bank account.
Before that day, I had been experiencing transaction issues with the UBA bank. Whenever I go to a pos agent, I always have to spend more than 30 minutes there trying to withdraw money. I withdraw by transferring the money to the agent's account because I do not have my atm card with me.
On Friday, I received some money in my UBA account from my hubby. He texted an account to me and asked that I transfer some amount to the account.
Again, for several minutes, I kept trying to transfer the money to that account. Each time I tried, I kept getting replies that the transaction failed and was receiving a debit alert and a credit reversal alert. I got so frustrated and decided to move all the money to my other account. A microfinance bank account that doesn't charge for any transaction made to any bank.
Freepik https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-uses-smartphone-browses-web-pages-chats-with-followers-own-wrbsite-uses-application-mobile-phone-communicates-reads-news-poses-outdoors-against-urban-buildings_20744361.htm#query=texting&position=48&from_view=search
After getting the last reversal from the previously failed transaction, I typed in another account number which was the microfinance bank account, I wrote down the amount and proceeded to transfer all the money in the uba account to the other one.
I was already glad that I was about to be free from the frustration of the UBA bank, unfortunately, I got this response.
***Your request is taking longer than usual due to a delayed response from the switch (NIBSS), please try again after a few moments. For further information, please contact our 24/7 customer fulfillment center at cfc@ubagroup.com.***
Right after getting that response, I received a debit alert. I patiently waited, hoping to get an immediate reversal like the other ones I've been getting, unfortunately, nothing came in.
I had to call hubby to explain what had happened, he didn't feel good about it, from the way he sounded, it seemed like that was the only money that was going to come into the house for that day.
After speaking with him, I contacted the customer care of the bank and made a complaint, I was told that it takes 24hours to get an automatic reversal and if I don't get it, the complaint would be logged in and it would take three working days for the money to be manually reversed.
I wasn't pleased with that response because the money wasn't mine and I needed to get it as soon as possible yet the bank kept telling me what I didn't want to hear.
Ever since that Saturday till this morning, I sensed that hubby still wasn't cheerful, he had been acting like someone upset. I tried speaking with him on Sunday to find out if there was something else bothering him that I didn't know about, all to no avail, he wasn't ready to communicate, so I just had to let him be. I let him know that when he is ready and feels like talking, he should let me know and I will be ready to listen.
It went on like that till this morning, I still had not gotten a reversal. I called the customer care again and the lady who answered explained that if Saturday was a working day, I would have gotten a reversal but Saturday wasn't a working day, so it wasn't counted, which means that Monday (which is today) completes the 24 hours for automatic reversal. I tried explaining to them that the money is needed for urgent use and I have tried to be patient for 3 days. When I was speaking with her, the 24hrs wait time was already complete.
The lady responded saying that they are sorry about the inconvenience, she went ahead to say that she has lodged a complaint and I will get the reversal within three working days.
Already, I was receiving chats from hubby which were getting me upset. I understood that he was probably having a bad day but I wasn't pleased with the fact that he was attacking me via chats. He kept blaming himself for sending the money to my account and saying that I should have informed him before trying to move all the money to the other account instead of going ahead with it without him being informed. I kept explaining the reason why I had to do so hoping that he would understand and calm himself down. I was trying to do something good, unfortunately, it turned out bad wasn't my fault.
Liza Summer https://www.pexels.com/photo/concerned-woman-browsing-smartphone-in-room-6383268/
After arguing for some minutes, I got so upset, I didn't have any personal money that I could use in replacing his money that had not been reversed, so, for a moment, I thought about opening the loan app on my phone to borrow the amount and send it to him.
This thought came to my mind because the situation was already getting me upset and if one should analyze it well, it would be seen that it wasn't my fault in the first place but the fault of that bank.
Thank God for the good spirit that ministered to me and made me calm, I would have borrowed the amount that I needed to use in replacing the money, however, it would have come with a huge interest that would be on me to pay back.
The good spirit made me pause and think things through and because of that, I didn't act in anger.
When I was calm, I decided to send a mail to the bank and then I called again. This time it took forever for them to pick up. What helped me was the bonus airtime my network service provider had given me. Someone finally answered so I went over again explaining all about the transaction. I was asked for my account details and some other information. I answered and gave the lady the details she needed.
She responded saying that the money had already been reversed. I wasn't sure if I should be excited yet because I had not received any credit message.
I replied and told the lady that I had been checking my balance and had not seen any alert. She answered and just said check again ma, the money has been reversed.
I went ahead to check my balance, at last, it was reversed.
Immediately, I called hubby to tell him that the money has been reversed, when he replied, I could hear the excitement in his voice, he seemed to not be upset anymore.
The whole point of this story is to encourage everyone to be in control of their feelings. Make sure that you are in a default state of mind which is a state of calmness before making that decision. If I had taken that loan at that moment when I was angry and had given it to hubby to end the argument, not knowing that the bank had already reversed the money soon, the stress of paying back the interest on the loan would have been only on me. As I was about to go ahead with that decision, I was able to pause and think about the consequences. It was something I was going to regret, however, I'm grateful that I was able to calm myself when I was upset, exercised a bit of patience and in the end, everything was good.
There are other scenarios you may find yourself in, try to take a pause and think, don't be moved to make that decision because the situation is pushing you to do so. Be in control.
This article is First published here on read.cash
22-02-22✅
Humans are naturally impatient.
I thought about contacting my counselor to discuss certain issues that are trying to make me lose my peace. I need to see her tomorrow, however, she has other clients she must have given an appointment for the new week and I may not even have access to her till next month because she may have already scheduled herself for various appointments till the month ends.
I think it's safe to say that humans are naturally impatient, we can't help it, don't you think so too?
Andrea Piacquadio https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-pink-dress-shirt-3777568/
I've noticed that no one was born with the ability to be patient, everyone just tries to develop it in them, I can say that almost 90% of the time when humans try to be patient, they often find it difficult.
Speaking about patience, after church service today, I had to quickly do a little girl's hair, her mom had told me the previous day, so I didn't want to disappoint even though I had another client who was already waiting for me, I just made sure I was fast with the twists I was doing for her. I sat in the children's church and was busy doing the twists with the little girl's hair when my elder sister came in to breastfeed her baby. She wore a dress that had a zip at the back and in other for her to be able to breastfeed the baby, she needed to unzip the dress, that was the reason why she had to come to the children's church.
When she was done breastfeeding the baby, she stood and asked me to help her zip up the dress, unfortunately, at that moment, she asked, I couldn't drop the twist I was holding, I had to tell her to hold on a bit for me. I was almost at the tip of the twist I was doing and was about to drop it to zip up her dress. When I turned towards her, I saw that she had zipped it up herself and was already leaving. On seeing that, I returned to the hair I was doing.
***This is a part of impatience.***
I was so in a hurry, I didn't want to keep the other client waiting for too long, the frustrating part about it all was that the little girl wasn't cooperating, she wanted her mom to get her sweet and biscuits before she agrees to stay, however, her mom was nowhere around so I had to find a way to make her stay.
After an hour, I was done with the hair, immediately I took my things and left the church.
I was walking as fast as I could trying to catch up with any public transportation I could find, unfortunately, the one's I saw kept demanding a fee which was higher than the usual fee, I just had to let them go and kept walking till I got to the next bus stop, "*maybe the t-fare would be cheaper*", I said to myself.
As I was going, I saw a choir member of my church seated at the back seat of her dad's car, when they drove past me, I noticed that there is a space at the back seat. "*An opportunity to not see, and any t-fare to where I was headed*," I said again to myself.
Immediately, I brought out my phone and called her. When she picked up, I quickly told her to help me tell her dad to hold on a bit for me to come to meet them where they were. I explained to her that they drove past me and I can see their car. Already the car was far ahead. She replied and said okay.
When she said that, I had to start running to catch up with them. I ran and ran, finally I was able to see the car again as I was getting close to it.
I kept running and running to catch up, finally, I was almost close enough. I was already feeling excited that I was able to run that
fast, however, the excitement disappeared as I watched the car drive off.
Ed_davad https://pixabay.com/photos/toy-miniature-waiting-bus-stop-368750/
***Could it be that they didn't see me? But I was already close to them, or did they get tired of waiting?***
Those were the questions that came to my mind as I was trying to understand the reason why they drove off. At the end of it all, I still entered public transportation and paid the money I was trying to preserve, *such is life.*
***This is another typical example of impatience.***
In August 2018, I and hubby decided to take go for family planning so we would be able to have the gap we want before having another child. I decided to go for the Implanon implant which is effective for just 3years according to the nurse who attended to me. 3 years after, it got expired, unfortunately, I and hubby were not on good terms, and because of that I had to go renew it, however, I went for a different birth control method which is effective for only three months.
The three months got expired on the 17th of December 2021. During that period, I and hubby had already settled the issues that made us go our separate ways earlier in the year.
MarCuesBo https://pixabay.com/vectors/time-impatience-hands-body-language-3218127/
Ever since it got expired, we've been trying to make a baby which hasn't been successful yet. Now he keeps blaming me and getting angry because I haven't told him that I'm pregnant and he hasn't seen me talking about my monthly flow.
I'm enjoying this moment of not going through the stress of monthly flow and pregnancy, I'm enjoying the moment while it lasts however, hubby now sees me as a bad person because of that. Hehe
I've had to sit him down severally, lecturing him to make him understand that there is nothing wrong with me, the birth control method was the type that alters the hormones in the body and all we have to do is to give the process enough time, my hormones would regulate back to the normal way it was, Yeah it may take a while for the effect of the birth control effect to wear off completely but if we keep trying, and keep waiting for God's time, we may just be lucky to get two big fast positives sooner than we except.
The lecturing has not been successful, he keeps blaming me for opting for birth control in the first place and keeps fuming in anger all the time. He isn't exercising patience.
Why can't humans exercise patience?
This article is first published on read.cash.
Follow me on hive https://peakd.com/@jessicaossom
20-02-22✅
I was used, now I dread it.
All I am about writing is how it is laid in my heart, I've discovered that it's easier to write down all you have inside just the way it comes to my mind. A question was asked by the ladies of the hive community.
***We all have chores or tasks that we abhor doing! If you're like most folks, you will put off that dreaded job as long as possible. What is the absolute most dreaded chore/task that you must do? Sum up your reaction to that task with a selfie that expresses your dread of it.***
Speaking about tasks, I will get right to it now, and say something about chores probably later in this post or not. Hehe
Andrea Ayrton https://www.pexels.com/photo/exhausted-young-woman-on-exercise-machine-6551405/
A few years ago, I remember being so stranded and needing to get a job. Fortunately, a friend connected me to someone who later got back to me and said that the only available position at that time was the post of an attendant in a school. I said okay, I was later given a date to resume.
I happily resumed the following week. The tasks I was told I would be doing were to follow the school bus in the morning and the afternoon to ensure the safety of the pupils and students on the bus.
I was enjoying the job for a while, the only challenge I was faced with was waking up very early in the morning to meet up with the school bus as early as 5:30 am as it was something I wasn't used to, however, I encouraged myself to do the job, by saying that it's the money I'm working for even if it is not a convenient job, It's not like I was expecting to be given free money.
I continued working and was doing my best in every given task. The salary I was earning was about $42.
It got to a point, a month into the job, new tasks were introduced which we were not told about when our CV and application was submitted, if we had been told that, we probably may not have accepted to do the job. The new tasks included all attendants going to the girls and boys' boarding houses to clean them up, and assisting cleaners in cleaning the school environment before leaving. All the attendants were suddenly given a rooster, more like a timetable for the days we would go clean the big boarding house. We were not informed about all that before we agreed to do the work.
Anyway, still, because I had to save up money for important use, I had to continue working, three times every week, we would all go with one of the school buses to the hostel. We start with sweeping the entire place as big as it was, then mop each room in the hostel, clean the ceiling fans, wash the toilets, windows, doors and finally pack all the trash in a trash bag.
This continued for months and I kept working and enduring the stress that came with it, the painful part was that the salary wasn't increased, tasks increased greatly but the salary didn't.
One of the days we went to the hostel, I was given my part as usual, after sweeping and mopping the rooms in the hostels, I became so tired that I had to find a place that was convenient for me to sit which was the stairs.
I was so tired and stressed thinking about my life and the kind of stress I was going through for a payment that wasn't even worth it. An attendant job suddenly changed to the job of a cleaner.
As I sat on the staircase, I took this selfie of my tired face so I would be able to look at it later in the future, it would serve as a memory I can always look back on.
The hardest part was that there was no way I could go confront the school management to complain because the response I would get is that if I can't do the job I should just leave, even though the salary I was paid wasn't worth the stress, I still needed it, I had a target I had planned to hit while I was working there and because I had not hit the target, I just had to keep struggling with the work.
This automatically has become a dreaded job for me, no matter the situation I find myself in, I will never agree to be used in such a manner.
Speaking of chores in the house, I have discovered that almost every person who doesn't have a washing machine like me dreads doing the laundry. There are times I would wash and wash till my skin starts peeling off, it's always very painful and this is the reason why I have decided not to let the clothes get piled up before I wash them, at least after every two days, I make sure to wash the dirty clothes available so they don't become dreadful for me because for as long as I don't have a washing machine, I have to keep doing the laundry with my hands, I can't go around with dirty clothes on.
Thanks for reading
**19-02-22✅**
`First Published here on read.cash`
I satisfied my cravings partially with this...
Marlene Leppanen https://www.pexels.com/photo/faceless-person-cutting-sausage-while-preparing-lunch-in-kitchen-4393361/
I decided to write from my kitchen, to be honest, though, I am not in my kitchen right now hehe.
For 2 days now, I've been craving a particular food, white boiled yam, separately soft boiled beans, and palm-oil stew. However, I've not been able to satisfy the craving, I came up with an idea this morning that would help satisfy the craving partially.
I was able to sleep to my satisfaction this morning as there was no need to wake up so early to get my son prepared for school, he is already observing the midterm break, I saw that he also enjoyed the sleep because we didn't wake up until it was past 10 am. He woke up and the first thing he said to me was *"Mummy I want to eat".*
Still thinking about what I would prepare for breakfast and how I was going to satisfy my craving, I decided to peel the leftover yam I had in the house so I would boil it with some salt and have my white boiled yam ready.
I mentioned earlier that I can up with an idea that would satisfy my craving partially. I used the word partially because there were no beans in the house. All I had available were yam, fresh tomatoes, and pepper, sachet tomato paste, smoked fish red oil, onion, Maggie, salt. There were no beans so what I did was to prepare yam and palm-oil stew.
I brought out the yam
I peeled the skin of the yam and made sure it was thoroughly clean ready to be boiled. After peeling off the skin, I went ahead to cut the yam into smaller shapes so it would sit well in the pot.
In this picture, I had completely peeled off the yam skin and was fetching water into the pot that I would use in boiling the yam.
This right here is the fresh tomatoes and pepper. I had to blend this because it was the main ingredient for the stew I prepared.
This is what the fresh tomato and pepper look like after it has been blended. If you look closely, you'll see that I didn't blend it to be perfectly smooth, I just love this consistency for any stew I prepare.
The rest of the ingredients are tomato paste, palm oil, Maggie, salt, onion, smoked fish.
Some minutes after putting the yam on fire, it became ready. The next thing I did after putting down the pot of yam, I took another smaller pot, turned the heat of the cooker to the lowest. I poured the palm oil into the pot after heating it for 2mins. After that, I immediately put in the chopped onions and the blended fresh tomatoes and pepper. Still, on low heat, I let that cook for about 10-15 minutes while stirring occasionally.
One needs to be careful with the volume of the heat and the time spent on the process of cooking the blended with fresh tomatoes and pepper. If the volume of the heat is too much, the mixture will get burnt before it is week cooked, and if one spends more than the necessary time, it could also make the stew get burned and that's not what we want.
When 10-15 minutes was over, I put in the tomato paste, stirred, and left it for about 3-5 minutes.
When the time was up, I poured a little quantity of water, added the salt and Maggi to taste, then I washed the smoked fish, shared it into smaller pieces, and poured it all in the pot. I left it to boil out for another 5 minutes then I brought it down. Finally, it was ready, white yam and stew.
I satisfied the craving partially, I and my son has that for breakfast and It was delicious. The stew tastes so good too, I may just enjoy a nice boiled pasta with it tomorrow.
Thanks for reading.
This article is first published here, same with my previous articles and it would be shared on my blog on hive. https://peakd.com/@jessicaossom
17-02-2022✅
Why I love gardens.
***Do you know that there are things you feel that you know, you also feel confident about the fact that you know this thing but when you take the time to ask yourself, you find out that you don't know it. Can you relate?***
I've been faced with some challenges which have held me back from participating in this #GroVid22 challenge.
The last time I joined the PyPt Thursday show, @bluefinstudio made it was known that one doesn't need to have a garden before they can participate in the challenge. That should have encouraged me to join but I still couldn't join because I felt that there is a need for me to post pictures of a garden while I write.
For this week's challenge, I have decided to come up with something, it has been a while since I join the dreemport challenge.
Funny to me, before I started writing this post, I had to ask my, colleague, what the difference between a farm and a garden is so I don't go writing about something else. She explained it to me, so now I know what I want to write. This is the reason for my quote in the first paragraph.
I've never had a garden of my own before, however, I've always wished to have one because of the benefits of it especially when the process has been successful.
Zen Chung] https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-woman-harvesting-ripe-apples-in-green-garden-5529541/
Unlike farming which is a large-scale production for a large number of people, a garden is a small-scale production mainly for growing fresh produce for personal use.
I'm my area, I've seen the gardens of some neighbors. One thing I love about gardening is that one can plant varieties of fresh produce for personal consumption, for example, pepper, fluted pumpkin, (a dark green leafy vegetable) waterleaf is also known as Ceylon spinach, bitter leaf, yam, cassava, cocoyam, okra, and many more like that.
Like I mentioned earlier, I never own a garden, however, I simply love gardens because of the wonderful silent scientific processes going on all around them. I also love the fact that everything about gardens comes with a long-lasting positive effect.
Apart from the obvious fact that one goes under the sun, digging in the soil, getting their hands dirty trying to grow something healthy, an added benefit to it all is that an activity like that helps to improve the overall mental and physical well-being.
Greta Hoffman https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-planting-on-the-garden-7728869/
I watched a movie some weeks ago where a man brought a watermelon to the kitchen when it was divided into two parts everyone felt happy because the fruit looked very healthy and juicy, the man was so happy that he was able to grow something like that. There is a sense of accomplishment that comes with growing something successfully.
One day, if I'm privileged to own a garden, I would make sure I have different vegetables planted. If I have vegetables like scent leaf or curry leaf, I could easily go out to my garden on a good day, pluck out some fresh curry leaves to prepare delicious curry ricer scent leaf stew. The good thing I love about gardens is that whatever you get from there is always fresh and healthy and preferable to the ones that one would get from the market.
**Will I be growing anything this year?**
To be honest, I don't know what I will be growing this year yet but if anything comes to my mind after publishing this article, I will make sure to write an update about it. I might consider growing a nice flower that has a lovely fragrance.
Photographer Pixabay https://www.pexels.com/photo/background-beautiful-bloom-blooming-414667/
There are different beautiful flowers, but the challenge is that I don't know them. I would appreciate it so much if my fellow gardeners here in this community can give me ideas on what flowers to grow before the end of the year, it would be something I would use for a start as a new gardener.
If you would love to join this challenge, just click here to find out more about it. https://www.proofofbrain.blog/hive-140635/@bluefinstudios/grovid22-challenge-2-for-hive%20garden-with-dreemport-why-we-love-gardens
**Thanks for reading.**
First Published here on reading.
Follow me on Hive https://peakd.com/@jessicaossom
**16-02-22✅**
Don't want a boring conversation? Try this.
Cottonbro https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-red-long-sleeve-shirt-sitting-on-chair-4778622/
I'm the kind of person who sucks at gisting or having a conversation with people. That may probably be one reason I don't bother keeping friends. One may think that I don't want to talk to them or something of that nature whereas the main thing is that I don't have anything to talk about, because of this, I dread having visitors in my home. When they visit, I give them something to refresh themselves with then go turn on the tv so we can both watch something interesting, that way I avoid gisting. However, the atmosphere is usually very awkward when there's no light, I suck at being a good company talk less of being a gist partner. This doesn't happen only with friends, my family members also experience this with me, I'm just not a good gist partner.
There are times my sister would want a gist she feels I know about, when she comes around to meet to gist her, at first I usually start like I would be able to tell it all but after spitting out 5 words, I just get tired of talking as if I pay a million dollars for everyone sounds in each word I say, yes, it's that bad. But that's me and I can't help it.
I came across a link that could help make an interesting conversation. It's a list of 80 random questions. You can find the source of the random questions here. So if you're like me, you don't want to get bored during a conversation with someone, these random questions could help.
RANDOM QUESTIONS https://www.brightful.me/blog/random-questions-to-ask-start-a-conversation/#om
Let's pretend I am with a friend and we are already having this conversation.
**If You Had Three Wishes, What Would You Wish For?**
*If I had three wishes that after wishing, they would come through immediately, it would be to be financially buoyant, to be able to have enough rest at every point in time when I need the rest, and to have powers to control anything I want. These days, I've not been feeling very encouraged to write because I've been getting no reward for it, it's frustrating, however, I'm still pushing, still trying to do my best, and not reduce my effort. When it comes to rest, right now I need that rest but I can't rest because of the work at hand. Speaking of power, power is power. I doubt that power has an alternative. Power will always be power. So if I have the power to do things I want, trust me, I would make the world a better place.*
**What Would You Rather Throw Away: Love Or Money?**
*Do I seriously need to throw any of these away? Why do I have to throw one away?? We all need love in life and we all need money. Imagine a relationship where a strong love abides in and there is no money. Yeah, love conquers all things but in reality, love cannot put food on the table or purchase anything from the market. Now imagine a relationship where there is enough money but no love, that is just one terrible experience. People who find themselves in a relationship like this would wish that they have love and no money, this is one reason why they say 'life is not balanced'. I will be sincere with myself, I don't want to throw either of them away, please I need both in my life, thank you.*
**If Your Food Is Bad At A Restaurant, Would You Say Something?**
*I would say something if I haven't paid the bill and request that the food is changed. Even if I've paid, I would still make it known to them at the restaurant that the food is bad, and I will just go with whatever happens afterward.*
**If You Were To Play A Song You Love Right Now, What Would It Be?**
It would be a song by Phil Thompson, Titled 'My Worship'. I love that particular gospel song because of the message and the rhythm. It's one of the good music ones can worship God with.
**What Would You Do With 10 Million Dollars?**
*10* million dollars! How much is that in naira?
**4,157,600,000.00 Nigerian Naira.**
*Four billion, one hundred and fifty-seven million, six hundred thousand nairas.*
*This is a huge amount of money that would change my life and the life of my next generation.*
***What would I do with it?*** *If* *I have such money in my account right now, the First thing I would do is to take out some amount and settle all my bills. After doing that, I will use some amount that is needed to speed up the process of getting a studio for my hairstyling and make up the business.*
*There is more, I would get the necessary equipment that is needed to be in my house that I currently don't have, however, before doing that, I will discuss with hubby about moving to another place to get an apartment, somewhere close to his workplace so he won't need to spend so much t-fare going to work, that would also mean that my son would change his school which is still cool, he is in pre-nursery 2. When that is sorted, I would buy land on a very good site and start building on it. See when there is money, things are achieved and done easily by God's grace. Once I am settled, I will a tangible amount to my parent so they can help themselves, I would take out one-tenth to pay tithe in church.*
*I would find a very good coin to invest in, and I'm going to make sure that the amount I spend on investing is an amount I can afford to lose.*
*Let me just have the money, life would be sweet sincerely.*
Is there anybody that doesn't like the money? Especially when you can meet up with basic needs without so much struggle. I'm writing here because I want to earn legit money, I'm working offline too so I can earn money to take care of myself, my son, hubby, my parent, and my siblings in the little way I can to even help people around me. Let me stop here for now. May God prosper all that we do in Jesus' name and may we not work in vain.
Thanks for reading
16-02-2022✅
The Wedding Bell is ringing 💍 🔔
Where do I start from sharing this goodness?
I should start with appreciating God for the life of a fellow blogger, a friend, a sister, a role model, a loving person, a beautiful lady, a genius, a very good writer, an intelligent lady, there are many more attributes believe me.
I didn't know this lady until the year 2020 during the pandemic period. At that time, everyone was observing the stay-at-home rules in other to curb the spread of the virus.
We all remember that everyone was forced to stay at home, leaving the majority of people to manage what they have at home in other to take care of them. For those who depended on going out daily to be able to fend for themselves, it was tougher for them. During that period, I knew nothing about any crypto blogging platform. Luckily while I was surfing the internet to find a site that would be paying me during those tough times, I came across a post from Nairaland.com, where a guy wrote something about earning through writing.
I clicked on the link, signed up, and voila! I was there. I was completely new to a system like that, I was new to a crypto blogging site. As time went on, I was able to find my way around the site and that was when I got to know her. Anyone privileged to join that blogging site known as UPTRENND before it got closed down would know the QUEEN @Zizymena.
Uptrennd made me know her and uptrennd university made me even closer to her. I mentioned that she is a role model, she is such a good writer that whenever I come across her post, I ways wish to be as good as that, have you read any of her posts? If you have, you will understand what I'm trying to say.
I pray for success on your big day even as it approaches and a blissful journey in your new home. Your desires and expectations shall not be cut short.
Even God said that it is not good for a man to be alone and that was why he gave eve to Adam and they become one and had dominion over the things on earth. As you've been found, all martial blessings shall not be withheld from you in Jesus' name.
Please and please, you have stressed yourself enough with lots of work and other things. Your big day is around the corner so make sure you have enough beauty sleep. I'm so happy for you sis and I wish so much that I can be there for the wedding, however, the day is blessed already. I will be there in spirit.
Congratulations are in order sis. Your new home is blessed already.
Valentine's day
Anna Tarazevich https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-red-long-sleeve-shirt-holding-red-paper-bag-5740547/
Guess what I'm doing right now????
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned that a day called valentine didn't even occur to me, it just came and went, I seriously wasn't in the right state of mind to think about anything especially love.
Things are different this year though, I am in the right state of mind to wish everyone a happy valentine's day. I would also like to state that we all shouldn't misunderstand the concept of valentine's day. Valentine's Day isn't meant to be celebrated by people in a relationship alone, it's a celebration of love for all.
The world has changed, I noticed that. While I was still in high school, we never for once went on break or had a party in school on Valentine's day. The proprietor of my school would ask us what we want to celebrate, which goes down to what I initially said about the main concept of valentine's day not being misunderstood.
There is a primary school close to my house, good thing they students and pupils are in school but the music I've been hearing tells me that they all went to a party today, no learning and they are all dressed in multi.
Well, I don't have any issues with the fact that they decided to have a Valentine party today, I'm only having issues with the music there being played. This music has lots of bad words in it which normally children should be warned against listening to such talk more of singing.
Well, that's that for that.
I'm currently in the house, and I'm hoping that hubby comes home with a Valentine surprising package. He hasn't missed surprising me apart from last year when we reached a roadblock, thank God we are out of it.
**Valentine and dates**
I've never had a bad date on Valentine's day before. My hubby is the only man I've had a date with on Valentine's day.
What I don't like about a day like this is the fact that a lot of people misunderstand it and do what they are not supposed to do. Someone mentioned earlier that real love isn't found on February 14, rather it can be found in the scriptures John 3:16, I'm sure we are familiar with that verse in the Bible.
The management of my son's school sent a message earlier last week informing parents that they should get a gift which isn't edible for their wards and their dress code should be a touch of red and white, I guess that's their way of celebrating the specific day, that way children get to understand what Valentine means modestly.
Still, in the spirit of Valentine, I came across a man who was asked if he was single, he said *NO*
He was asked again if he is dating, he said *NO.* I got confused then.
Are you in a relationship? He was asked again, he replied and said NO! as if he was being disturbed.
Again, he was asked, are you married?
He replied with another NO!!
Frustratingly, the person asking the question said, then what are you??
The man replied this time saying "ehehem, I - I..... I am -am.. am not buying valentine's gift for anybody.
Then he left.
Thanks for reading
**14-02-2022✅**
Effective communication in marriage.
I have discovered that many marriages today gets dissolved due to reason that can be ironed out when there is effective communication.
Earlier today, I attended a program for couples. While I was there listening to everyone that was asking and answering questions, I discovered that truly, no home is perfect, and almost every marriage experience the same problem.
There are challenges I experience in my home which make me feel bad and unhappy and sometimes regret that I got married. I got to understand that other families experience the same thing too. When I'm experiencing challenges, I always feel like it only happening in my home, whereas, it is not.
Alex Green https://www.pexels.com/photo/african-american-couple-arguing-at-home-5699715/
A question was asked during the program. Before the question was asked, some women had already complained about the fact that ever since they officially got married to their spouse, the level of communication dropped.
The man who stood up to ask a question went ahead to say that, he has done several pluses and minuses in other to understand the reason why that ability disappears when a marriage has been appropriated.
I know that a lot of couples here would be able to relate to this. When couples are still courting, the love at that time is still on fire. During that period, you make sure to call your partner every minute, you just want to hear the voice of your partner, you create time to discuss things with each other, you always want to be in touch as possible as you can however when you are married, those things stops.
Cottonbro https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-dress-shirt-sitting-beside-woman-in-white-long-sleeve-shirt-4098219/
**Why does it happen that way?**
I feel that this happens because the couple now live together and they see each other all the time and that's why it looks like there is nothing to look forward to. During the courting period, you weren't living together with your spouse and that was why it almost seemed as if you can't do without speaking with your spouse.
Communication in any relationship, in general, is very important because it is what will sustain the relationship. For instance, a user gets onboarded on the platform and had been doing his/her best to make to gain visibility and engagements on the platform. However, after some time, the user notices that he/she isn't getting any feedback on articles that they may have published and isn't getting anything as a means of encouragement, with time, you will notice that the person will become inactive because they feel that their presence isn't valued. However, if the opposite is the case, you will notice that the person will be motivated to publish more interesting articles that make sense.
In summary about the topic on communication, it is understandable that couples may not be able to chat and call each other like the courting period because they now live together. One thing that can't be ruled out is that couples must always create time to communicate when there is a need to. If we are to ask alike, how many hours in a day is the right hour for couples to communicate, the answer would be that there is no specific number of hours but couples need to make sure that when there is a need to communicate, they create the time to do so.
Cottonbro https://www.pexels.com/photo/couple-sitting-at-the-table-3171204/
**What kills communication in a relationship?**
**Assumption**.
Here is an example, a man closed from his place of work and on his way going home, he remembered that Valentine is around the corner so he decided to surprise his wife. What he planned was to call the wife to know if she was out of the office already so he would let her know where she is to come to meet him. His plan all along was to take her out to a place she can enjoy herself and have fun also to get a feel of valentine with her spouse.
Unfortunately, when he called her and asked her where she was, she replied angrily asking her husband why he is monitoring her, and with a loud angry voice, told him to go home and not wait for her anywhere.
The woman assumed that her husband was monitoring her, she assumed something else when her husband only meant well, he only wanted to surprise her but unfortunately, that happened and the mood for the surprise got ruined.
There are many examples of this and the only way one can deal with this is to always give a benefit of the doubt because you may be wrong.
When a home lacks good communication, there tends to be trouble all-time in that home, peace would be nowhere to be found.
**Manner of approach.**
Speaking about this, I will give an example with the word '*please'.*
Imagine that you need a pen from some close to where you're sitting, then you go to the person and calmly say "*please lend me your pen".* Now that's *a* good approach. The person would gladly lend you the pen. Imagine another scenario where you just walk up to the place and with an ill-mannered approach, you say to the person " *PLEASE LEND ME YOUR PEN".*
you ask in such a manner, the person will look at you disgustingly and would wonder what gave you the effrontery to speak to him/her like that. If you noticed, the same word PLEASE was used, one was used appropriately and the other inappropriately.
Someone complained about their spouse being completely engrossed with their phone during the period they were trying to have a serious conversation. Now the wife was already getting furious because her husband wasn't paying attention.
Two things are likely to happen in a scenario like that. It's either the wife angrily saying something like *"what is the meaning of this, I've been trying to have a conversation with you but you won't pay attention, you are just engrossed with your phone".* The moment the woman sounds like this, it will not only make the man feel insulted, he would also lose interest in whatever the conversation was about and this, in turn, chased peace away from the house.
The other thing that can happen in a situation like that is when the wife calmly moves closer to her husband and probably wrap her arms around him then politely and romantically tell her husband to drop his phone so they can have an important discussion. By doing this, a man in his right mind would listen and postponed that which he might have been doing on his phone so he can listen to his wife. By doing this, there would be peace.
Andrea Piacquadio https://www.pexels.com/photo/delighted-couple-lying-on-bed-in-cozy-bedroom-and-cuddling-3756452/
A man who has been married for 2years suddenly feels like he made a mistake getting married to his wife.
Here's what happened; this man works from home, which means he is always at home and the wife always sees him in the house.
According to the man he is the kind of person who puts his earphones on while he is working just to avoid distractions and all, he is also the type of person who doesn't like to talk much but believes in action. His wife however love to have mixed words with action, even though it means repeating one thing a hundred times, she just wants to make sure that she is getting that attention from her husband, the fact that they newly got married and are not behaving like newly wedded couples makes the wife feel frustrated. In a simple sentence, the man is used to his bachelor lifestyle of having his space when he is working at home, while the wife who understands that her husband works from home still needs his attention.
In a situation like this, the best way to make peace reign is by striking a balance. The man has to shift and the woman has to shift to make sure that they can accommodate each other's needs.
The goal of every couple is to be able to enjoy peace in their home and this can be achieved by maintaining effective communication.
Thanks for reading.
**13-02-2022 ✅**
#ValentineDayChallenge2022: a contest for love!
Artem Beliaikin https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-orange-wooden-heart-dream-quote-decor-lot-1036842/
To the LOML
Dear Hubby,
The father of my son and t he unborn babies to come,
Here is another special day, it's not just special because the theme color is red and white or because they call it the season of love or because it is known as Valentine's day. It is special to my heart because I have you here with me.
You know that I loved you before, I love you now and will always love you come rain and sun.
The best thing that has happened to me so far is you and my bundle of Joy that God blessed us with.
There are days we would have misunderstandings and fight like it's the end of the road for us, usually, it makes me wonder if I have rushed things with you, it makes me wonder if this whole thing is too soon and that's why we are unable to understand each other and make things work at all cost.
I remember how many times we have fought and had to get separated, last year for instance. By this time last year, I wasn't even following up with anything going on around me because I was filled with anger and depression due to all that happened, I didn't remember that there is a day called Valentine's day, a season to show love. I was all alone with our son where I was then, only focused on my work and my son. I'm just realizing that a day like this didn't come to my mind at all last year.
I couldn't even celebrate it with family or friends, I just disregarded it because it seemed meaningless to me.
Ever since the beginning of February, I've seen a lot of posts about Val's day, several people have been hyping Val saying what they would and would not do, I just realized that I missed all of this all through last year unconsciously. I'm using the word unconsciously because it seems like my brain understood the state I was in and automatically erased all that may look like Val's day from my mind.
Though Before the incident last year, I remember how you would surprise me with flowers. I can't forget that day. You got back from work, I didn't even know you also see Val's day as a special day to show love to your partner. You got back from work, made me close my eyes and with a kiss on my lips you gave me the beautiful flower. I felt so happy that I could feel myself blushing.
You did it again the following year, got me a beautiful dress, and took me out. I had so much fun.
Despite all, I just want to let you know that I love you. Our good days and bad days are what have made us stronger. Even when we decided to get separated, we still found a way to mend things and return together.
What again do they say about true love?
No doubt, our love is immeasurable, deep, and life without you is meaningless and unthinkable. We have an unwavering and unbreakable fondness for each other.
Life has made me realize that there is no perfect home. Everyone at some point in their life will experience the test of time which we've been going through. I'm glad that we've been able to learn from previous mistakes and are sticking together.
This season isn't just special because it's Val's day, rather it is so special to my heart because I have you here with me and we are living in peace, harmony, and love.
I've realized that I rushed nothing with you, we have been destined to be together now, every day we learn from each other, and love each other even more.
Whether or not you have a surprise for me this year, I would make sure to make you feel like you're the only man in the world who deserves all the love he can get.
You've been a good companion, you are caring, loving, loyal, romantic, handsome, what more would a lady like me ask for?
I know that sometimes when we fight I say otherwise hehe. However, the fact remains and I can't help but love you more because of that.
My whole existence makes a lot more sense with you in it.
I may not be able to fully express myself by writing to you but I shall express it more through my actions, that way you feel all the message I'm trying to pass to you from my heart.
I love you now and always.
Yours forever😍
Heart image by Monstera and edited. https://www.pexels.com/photo/love-inscription-on-biscuits-for-valentines-day-5874595/
#ValentineDayChallenge2022 https://read.cash/search?q=%23ValentinDayChallenge2022
@PVMihalache @Infinity @Jane
Thanks for the initiative and this post is my entry to the contest.
Thank you for reading
12-02-2022✅
Call the number
Before I begin this post, I would like to write this first. You know, in every family, each child is known for one thing which everyone recognizes him as. In my family, I'm the one who is known to always have airtime to call anyone at any point in time and for as long as the call is needed to be on, all thanks to my network service provider, whenever I make a recharge, I'm always given bonus airtime to call all network. One reason why I have to recharge almost all the time is because of the need to subscribe to data. For some reason, these days, my data barely last. However, I am grateful that I am sorted when the need comes.
Tholaal Mohamed https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-talking-on-telephone-on-street-7832590/
At the rising of the sun, I had woken up, the first thing I did was to say a prayer, most importantly because of the bad dream I had. After praying, I took my phone to check if there were new notifications, hubby had woken up earlier and was already getting prepared to leave for work.
I remembered that I needed to go to a POS agent close to our house so I could deposit some money into my account to enable settle some bills. So I decided to walk with hubby.
On our way, I received a missed call. Hubby asked,*" who was that"?* *That was my sister, I should call her* back, I replied.
I called her back and we exchanged greetings. She went ahead to tell me that she received a call from our dad the previous night and he was trying to say something which she didn't understand and now she wants to call him back. I replied and said okay.
The next thing she said was, *"pLease call daddy's number"*
I replied again and said okay, I think the number is 0-9-0-3--3-2-2-1-1-0-0
After calling the number out, I couldn't hear anything from her end, I had to ask to know if she could hear me.
She replied and said yes.
I said *"okay"*, then I called the number again, hoping she would hear me this time. 0-9-0-3--3-2-2-....
As I was about to complete the number, I heard her complete it, saying 1-1-0-0.
When she said that, I felt that she probably had been able to correctly jot the number down on a notebook or anything she must have been using.
So I just replied and said, *"yes, that is the number"*.
She replied too with yes.
Then I said to her, you can daily the number, I've called it out.
She replied again and said, *"no! I meant that you should daily daddy's number for me and make it a conference call, not calling out the number"*.
I laughed out loud before I could find words to put together.
Okay! I never knew that you were trying to tell me to daily daddy's number, you just said *"call daddy's number"* and I assumed that you meant *"call out his number*?"*.
We laughed together then I went ahead to make the conference call which lasted for about hours. Before then, hubby and I had already parted ways, I had gotten to the place I was to deposit money and he had already got on the bike and had left for work.
Thank you for reading
11-02-2022✅
@JessicaOssom
