Random Thoughts

1.  This was me thinking about my life when I stumbled on Sparkles Blog Facebook Page last week. I heard an audio about two friends. Women, we have too much wahala sha! These two ladies were best of friends before things went south between them and instead of them to keep their mouths shut and go separate ways. They started bad mouthing themselves, cursing themselves even exposing their secrets to the whole world. The gist just tire me. Why can't women be our sister's keepers?

2.   I bet Jennifer Aniston is somewhere laughing at Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
This world sef... I really wish they stayed married. Everyone seems to be talking about their ongoing divorce. Why don't marriages last sef?.. especially oyinbo marriages? At least, we know the number one factor [money] that causes issues in marriages isn't a problem to them. What's the cause of their divorce gan gan? I also read that Angelina wants custody of their six children! Wow... She must a #SuperWoman

3.   The inflation rate in Nigeria must be 250% now. The price of rice in Nigeria is alarming. Kilode? My mum bought a bag of rice for N26,000 last week Saturday. Wetin na? Baba God please help your people.
I'm almost certain Companies will not be giving out Rice this year's Christmas
The company I was working before use to give us 50 kg bag of rice, a cartoon of juice and 5 litres of vegetable oil. I'm so sure my ex collegues won't be getting any of that in this #BuhariTimes.

4.   Why do people feel they can just walk all over you and you won't talk? And when you talk you become their enemy all of a sudden ?

5.  Am I the only one loving Adekunle Gold and Simi's No Forget Song. I play it at least 6 times a day.

6. Can a cheat ever stop being a cheat? Please don't shoot me... I'm only asking a question!

Just thought I should share my thoughts with you guys.
Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.

xoxo.. Lush

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Lush Weekly: Talk to Lush EP 1 "Early Marriage"

Hi All,

I've started vlogging again. I will try to vlog every week from now. A new vlog will be released every Sunday/Monday.

In the vlog, I talked about a young girl who is being pressured into marriage by her older boyfriend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfSWtOoj3NY

Please watch, share your thoughts and subscribe to my channel.
See you next week on the vlog.

xoxo, Lush

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I Miss Lagos

This post is dedicated to the most intriguing people on earth: the residents of Lagos, Nigeria and the surrounding communities. Lagos is better known as Lasgidi or Eko. The residents of Lagos are proud to call themselves Awa ti Eko! We are happy, proud and 10 million people strong! That’s more than the population of some countries. Lagos is the smallest state in the country in terms of landmass but is a force to be reckoned with in the country. It is the favourite haunt of foreigners who come to Nigeria.

I was born in Lagos and I'm a proud Lagosian. I haiI from Epe Local Government. I'm a Lasgidi babe at heart and even though I no longer live in Lagos, I miss Lagos die! Here are some of the things I miss about Lagos.

Lagosians are generally honest, at least while on the bus.
In Lagos, I have experienced just how honest we can be. I often marvel at how buses without conductors still manage to operate. As in how? It’s really simple. Each person brings forward his own transport fare and pays it without a fuss. It’s a real paradox, when you consider the rate of 419 (advanced fee fraud) that goes on in Lagos.

Lagosians drive like maniacs!
If you can drive in Lagos, you can drive in any other part of the country and the world. Why do I say this? Your reflexes will be so sharp that you will be able to look after yourself on the road. Lagosians drive like maniacs! From the danfo (Toyota 911 buses) drivers to the Lebanese you see on the roads around Lagos, everyone drives like the devil himself were chasing them. I’m laughing to myself as I visualize the madness on the streets of Lagos from my verandah. If you’ve ever been on a danfo, the agberos (street urchins) banging the danfo can give you quite a shock! It’s scary and hilarious at the same time. I drive like a maniac too! Some of my friends say they are sure I’ve driven Fayawo. Even my husband can attest to this. Lol.

Roadside food.
If you’ve ever been to Eko, you will see the numerous food sellers on the streets. From roast corn to soft drinks to cooked food… whatever you wish to eat can be readily bought on the streets. I miss suya (Hausa beef kebabs) like mad! Even though it gives me typhoid fever and running stomach, I still cannot resist it whenever I see it at night. Greedy me! It’s only India that surpasses us in variety of roadside food, so I’ve heard.

The fast-paced and hectic life in Lagos.
Lagos is so hectic and fast paced! If you live in Iju and have to work on the Island, you will definitely be able to relate to what I’m talking about. You have to wake up by 4 a.m and leave your house by 5 a.m to commute to the Island so that you can be there before 8 o’clock! In other climes, the distance you traverse is not more than 30 minutes! Also the Ajah traffic to my estate of life can be maddening! The only city that surpasses us in terms of being fast paced is New York, in my opinion. That’s one thing I don’t miss about Lagos, anyway.

My favourite haunts.
I miss Cold Stone ice cream and the nice red velvet cake I buy from Cakes and Cream and eat with my friends. I have not eaten a nice red velvet cake since I left Lagos. I also miss Jevinks Isi Ewu (goat head) like crazy! Lagos is full of nice haunts.

Danceathon!
Lagosians love parties! On weekends, you can see women adorned in their iro and buba, complete with their gele hurrying to the next party venue. I miss all that.
Lagos is fun and I wish I could teleport to Lagos right now as I reminisce about it.
Eko oni baje o!

Thanks for reading,
xoxo, Lush

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Tips on how to Survive in a Harsh Economy

Nigeria is on a collision course with a recession as its destination. Its national debt is at an all-time high. People are not smiling and Terry Tha Rapman’s slogan Boys are not smiling seems to ring true in this times we are in. The question on everybody’s lips is how we can survive the economic hardship that seems to be the lot of the majority of Nigerians.

Below are a few tips on how to survive hard times. Kindly read on to know the core things you need to focus on.

• Revise your priorities.
  In the times we find ourselves, the first thing we need to do is to revise your priorities. In a harsh economy, your priorities ought to shift from luxuries to necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In our modern economy, we have become spoiled by so many modern conveniences. In a recession, some of these luxuries have to be given up. Have a cellphone? Instead of spending five thousand Naira a month on calls, load N1500 data plan on your phone and tell your contacts that you would prefer to call them via Whatsapp. It is a lot cheaper and nowadays, most mobile phone networks are providing large data bundles for as low as N1000. Take advantage of this opportunity.


• Take advantage of carpooling
  Nowadays, it is a lot easier for you to contribute with a few friends towards fueling your car than doing it alone. Have a couple of friends who work on the Island? Contribute money towards petrol and enjoy the comfort of a car taking you to work. You can rotate amongst your friends. This way you can all save money


• Buy foodstuffs in bulk.
  If you can afford to buy a bag of rice, you save approximately #1 200 on it. Look at it this way: a bag of rice costs at least N18 000. A derica of rice is N350. There are 64 dericas in a 50kg bag of rice, so you get to save N4000 on the bag of rice. The same goes for oil, bouillon cubes, beans and other common things people eat at home. Buying them in bulk helps you to save more money.


• Avoid using the POS wherever possible.
  Pay in cash as much as possible. When you go to shopping malls, avoid using your debit or credit card. This helps you avoid impulse purchases and buyer’s remorse. The best thing is to write a list of the things you wish to buy and resolve not to buy anything else that is not on the list, however tempting it may be.


• Live frugally!
  It is possible to cut back on going to weekend bars, the beach and the movies. Want to have fun? Subscribe for GoTv at N2000 a month, instead of going to the beach where you will end up spending at least twice that amount in a day! Buy a bottle of groundnuts and recline on your favorite couch. Invite friends over to watch the Olympics and enjoy their company in the comfort of your sitting room.


• Have multiple sources of income.
  It is extremely unwise to have a single source of income nowadays. Look around you for things you can do. You can venture into network marketing, beading, an online business and so on.


• Learn to save on your income.
  No matter how little you earn, make sure that you save on whatever you get in a month. You will feel more secure. Start an Esusu group amongst your friends and colleagues.


• Reduce your debt.
  Try to pay off as much debt you have because debt is the first step towards financial misfortune. If you can pay off any debt that you may have, that will do a lot towards improving your lot. It will make you better prepared for handling a job loss or financial emergency.


• Grow Nigeria
  Help grow the economy, avoiding buying imported items and buy made in Nigeria items. It will save you a lot of money.

With the steps outlined above, you can go a long way in surviving in this harsh economy and even thriving in it.

xoxo, Lush

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6 Kinda Things Many First Time Mums Have to Contend with

Nigerian mothers are a set of mothers who are much-loved for disciplinary yet loving methods at child training, however new mothers can sometimes face a really challenging time with their babies.

Every baby is different and every mother is different. A lot of people don’t understand this, so some people make it a point of duty to give new mums, whether the advice is asked for or not. Learning from the experiences of others but not taking it as gospel if you feel differently, is key.

Below are 6 kind of things many new mums have to contend with:

Babies are uncontrollable
Ever been in a commercial bus and the woman sitting near you has an active baby strapped to her back to sitting on her lap, then suddenly the child starts to play with or even pull your hair, ear ring, bag or shirt and at first its all fun and game until you start to get annoyed but can’t show it because its just a baby. Well, news flash!!! That’s what kids do and even yours will do the same, so new mums shouldn’t feel embarrassed when this happens. One day, I was in out doing some shopping and there she goes, screaming, fighting and crying she wanted to get down from her buggy and run round the store! I jejely dropped my shopping bag and left the store.

Everyone knows better than you
As long as it is your first child, you definitely going to hear different kind of things from different people on the same subject. For instance, you wrap your baby up in the sun, someone is going to say the weather is too hot, don’t wrap her up like that, you don’t wrap her up in the sun someone is going to say ‘please wrap the baby up, its sunny and the baby is too fragile for all that sun. So at the end its left to you to what you think is right for you and your baby.

Is that a boy or girl?
A lot of people ask this type of question a lot and the truth is, they do not recognize how annoying that question sounds. You see a baby in a dress and you still go on to ask if the baby is a girl or a boy. So I was at the airport and this lady ask me if my baby was a boy or a girl because she had no hair then. Note: #MyYumYum was wearing a fuchsia pink dress and a a light pink headband and she was wearing earrings! If you really can’t tell a baby’s gender, ask a question like, “How is your baby doing?” I’d will likely follow up with, “She is doing great, but she just started teething!” Find out the gender without making a us feel like she has a gender-less child.

Carrying your baby always
Most new mums have probably heard this phrase: “you’re going to spoil him by holding him so much. You should just let him cry it out. ”I heard it countless times. Even those who committed the offense in their own time make it a point of duty to remind you how you should just drop your baby and go because holding her too much would make her addicted to be held. “Hello… I just want to bond with my baby! Leave us alone” I’d scream in my head.

It only gets worse
When parents are in that newborn phase — no sleep, constant feedings, and no time for themselves — sometimes all they have to keep their sanity is the knowledge that it will get better, but some ‘know it all’ old mums make it worse by saying the work keeps getting more tedious. Please say nice things!

Your baby is big oh!
After pushing a 4kg baby out of me. I believe I should be able to take good care of that baby. A lot of people say so many stuffs! Fade, Ha! Your baby is too big o! What outfit age is she wearing now?! What are you feeding her? I think you’re feeding this baby too much! Goodness. Na my Pidkin, Go born yours oh!

I’d say, get to know your baby and know what works for the two of you!

Sharing is Caring. Please comment and Share!

xoxo,
Lush

 

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Nigerian Mothers and Marriage!!!!

Before I got married. My mum said all sorts. “Ile Obirin o kin pesu”, “You are not getting any younger”, “Se o fi owo retirement ran omo ni secondary secondary” . Yes Iya Fade is that hilarious

I remember when we went in 2012 for my grand ma’s burial in Ondo State and my mums’ friend saw me.. They all basically tortured and tormented me, asking where my husband was, When he was coming? Why didn’t we travel together? Was he tied up at Work? I remember one particular one telling my mum how she allowed city life mess up her daughter. She was ranting about how I’m busy driving my car around Lagos instead of me entering danfo and meeting my guys on the bus.

I smiled and said mummy, I drive simply because I want to drive. Why would I park my car and enter danfo all because I want to meet guys… See me see wahala o.

For those of us that haven’t met him yet and you feel pressured. Please don’t be!

1. Go out often… I mean dates with friends, colleagues. (Not just weddings)


2. Spend time reflecting … Don’t dwell on your past but think about life and things you’d love to change.


3. Marriage isn’t an institution one runs into, it takes time, devotion, patience (this is king in all relationships)


4. Have fun.. Spoil yourself, I do this often I shop for myself like every other week. My mum in-law always says “One life ..no ni ”


5. Jaiye ori e dada.. (Enjoy your life very well). Once you get married, the society expect you to start popping. Once those Kids comes …. You are now responsible for a whole human being. (Yes, the being depends on you for everything! Eat, cloth, Shelter… name it!) On Monday, I wanted someone to take #MyYumYum away two weeks …. Just kidding

6. And lastly, be Happy Always! Happiness, they say is the soul of life.

xoxo,
Lush.

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Nigeria Meets Zambia! Chansa & Osamede

My name is Chansa and I am Zambian. I got married to the love of my life Osamede, a Nigerian on Dec 19th, 2015. The Zambian Traditional, Nigerian Traditional and White wedding which all took place in Lusaka, Zambia

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