“That’s just not my thing”

“Love is not easy, not comfortable but love is more beautiful when it undergoes changes”. – Nse Ikpe-Etim

I believe that one of the things that make a marriage or relationship to last long is, knowing who your partner is and not expecting or assuming you’ll make him/her change.

Jack and Rose have been together for 3 years and on all special occasions, whether Jack was in town or not, Rose never got any gifts or cards. The most she’d ever gotten was a love note, and at the time, they were having a mini fight.

To be fair, Rose had known that birthdays, and other “special days” didn’t mean anything to Jack. Most of his family members didn’t even remember their own birthdays. Others had to check their birth certificate when asked. So yes, she had a clue.

But why did she feel so sad this time around. Jack called to say “Happy Valentine’s” , but that was it. They met up later in the day and spoke for some time. A few hours later, Rose said, “I’m going home”. Jack asked for a goodbye kiss or hug, but Rose shrugged and walked away.

Rose had reminded Jack of Valentine’s Day everyday for the past 2 weeks. She wasn’t expecting much. All she wanted to see was effort. Nothing expensive, something simple, basic, it didn’t matter.

Jack called a million times later that night, which meant he knew Rose wasn’t happy, but he didn’t ask. Rose answered each time he called and they talked of random things. The next morning, Jack called and asked, “Were you angry cause I didn’t get you anything for Valentines?” Rose said “No”. Then he blurted, “ I’m sorry, but you know that’s just not my thing”.

Charity begins at home

As far back as I can remember,the one prayer point I never fail to say each day is,…“Father Lord, bless me and bless the people around me. Also, bless me so that I can be a blessing to everyone around me”. I say this like an anthem, subconsciously.

I school in the University of Nigeria and every now and then, actually everyday, blind, deaf, dumb, epileptic, critically ill, basically people with different kinds of illnesses walk into our classrooms to solicit for financial aid. It isn’t uncommon to us. We have gotten accustomed to it.

For me, I’ve been on this campus since 2012 and I believe I’ve become familiar with a couple of faces.

Being on campus for this long, I’ve come across some of these people whom I’ve seen before, perhaps in 2015 and they come in and repeat the same stories, atimes with the same photographs (in cases like victims who were set ablaze). This made me wonder if they were making these stories up.

For some time I decided I wouldn’t help the familiar ones and other times I gave reluctantly. I was really skeptical about the whole situation.

Fast forward to a few months ago, I was in deep thought, wondering when God would bless me financially to be able to help others and then a thought was laid in my heart. “Everyday you have more than enough money in your purse to last you the whole day, that extra 500 or 1000naira can put a huge smile on someone’s face”.

It isn’t our duty to decipher if someone is telling us the truth or not. If you are in a position to help, give freely. Give with a cheerful heart.

You want 1 million? Who have you helped with the 1000 you have? Charity, they say, begins at home.

P.S. Home in this context means your immediate surrounding,

Love and light,

Pinkhy

 

Life lately

Hi everyone !!!

The official story regarding my absence is as a result of work-related issues but that’s a lie.  The unofficial story is..I started a new chapter of my life (more like..same chapter, different path) and 2018 took me by surprise, even after all the prep.

I got so swamped with so many things that took priority and my attention but I’m so happy to be writing this post.

I hope you guys are well. Let me know in the comment section. Tell me how you’re doing, what you’ve been up to… I’d really love to know.

I really can’t believe the first half of the year is almost up. How time flies!

Lately I’ve been,

Eating for breakfast: Smoothie bowls with groundnuts only because it’s the only thing I can take by 6am.

Inspired by: literally everything I set my eyes on. Human beings, my environment, movies, everything!!!

Wearing on repeat: my white uniform,duh…I really don’t have a choice here. Issa must.

Reading: Downsize this by Michael Moore. Actually re-reading it for the 3rd time. That book is golden!

Eyeing up: Ouidah, Benin. Recently fashion blogger, Cassie daves and a few friends stayed at a lake house in Ouidah.Check it out here. I’m literally so obssessed.

Adjusting to: my new crazy 6:30am to 5pm schedule. How am I still alive???

Trying to: make new friends. For some weird reason, it hasn’t been easy but I’m honestly not bothered.

Loving: watching movies for the sole purpose of learning camera angles.

Finally,…thanks for reading and waiting on me!!!

Hope you have a lovely weekend. Cheers!!!

My Time Management Hack

 Hey guys!!! How’s November been so far? I hope its been good. This month makes me feel all kinds of good(if you know, you know)

Anyways, till this very day, i haven’t figured out why i wasn’t appointed the time prefect in high school. Timing is my thing. I am always on time and if i’m late its only cause the occasion isn’t really important to me. I don’t know why but i’m always thinking of what i’m going to do next. I like being organized. Even on those days when you wake up really late, when you remember that you have your schedule ready, you don’t feel too overwhelmed. There’s this feeling of relief. So i have a few easy tips on how i’m always prepared(like a boyscout) for every second of my day.

Create a daily plan: Honestly, this is the ultimate hack. I usually always have a pile of sticky notes or a little book  with me. During the day, once i remember something that i have to do, i write it down but i noticed that a few times i forget to go through my bag and sometimes i might forget to perform a task so i started using my phone. I use the samsung planner app on my phone. I type in everything i need to do and because i’m always on my phone, i’m always on schedule. It doesn’t have to be at night, you can plan at any time tat suits you but having an static time helps. It becomes more like a routine and routines are golden. If you don’t have a planner on your phone, you could download a planner app or even use your calendar.

Time box: It doesn’t just stop at making a to-do list. Add a time limit for each task. When you set time limits to your tasks, you tend to achieve more. Most times when i’m setting my time limit, i usually add an additional 15 minutes, just to tighten all loose ends. So instead of putting wake up at 6am, make it 6-6:15am. Its more efficient.

Act smart: Lets say you have two courses you want to study. One is easy and the other, hard. Don’t start with the hard one because the possibilities are, you may end up not being able to complete the hard one and also not being able to go through the easier one. Its a lose-lose situation. Act smarter. Start with the easier one.

Most people say that waking up early helps but i feel like it depends on when your day starts. If your typical day starts at 2pm, why would you rush to wake up by 6am? Know yourself, trust your plan and be focused. I really really hope you apply these tips.

Do you have any plan you follow thats been helping you? I’d really love to know.