Ika Adage #3: The Sun The sun portrays a prime example of persistence and consistency. It completes its journey from the East to the West without rest every single day for as long as God wants it with no complaints. Thinking about it, the sun has a huge responsibility. Do you know how many things depend on it for survival? Plants, humans, the solar system etc. It’s no surprise the sun has a huge responsibility in the existence of things known and unknown. Why? Because the sun is a star and “to whom much is given, much is expected” Imagine Earth without the sun? Or what if the sun stops halfway due to obstruction from the wind or it was “too tired” to rise. Relating this to humans, you should always strive to complete the goals you set for yourselves and whatever you do, do it with consistence despite the challenges you are/will face. Or don’t you think the sun has it’s own challenges? Clouds, thunder storms, eclipses but even with these obstacles, it always makes it to the end. I don’t think the sun has any “motivation” to keep shining or even knows how much is at stake if it decides to slack. The sun doesn’t have any shoulder to cry on when it’s having a bad day and vacation doesn’t exist in its dictionary. Talk about the pressure! But it still keeps doing its thing, consistently So the next time you set a goal and are clouded with worry and/or fear of the challenges you might face, always remind yourself of the prize, the light at the end of the tunnel. Stay consistent. Stay persistent. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you’re moving AS LONG AS you’re moving. You will weather the storm and like the sun, reach your final destination. No one ever said it’d be easy but If the sun does what it does without any support, you’re in a much better place. Find what motivates you. Hold on to God. Surround yourself with positive people and things. Get going and like the sun, shine bright no matter what.
Ika Adage #2- Stones Everything has its limits. Now, I’m not being pessimistic but while life has so much to offer, certain things will never change and too much of something (even good things) is bad. If you spill hot water on your bare skin, you will get burnt. No matter how much you try to run someone down, it won’t stop them from shining. If you eat too much sugary food, you will get sick. If you put in effort into a goal, you will see results even if it takes time. If you’re hungry, you need to eat. Smoking will never add value to your health no matter how “refined” it becomes. Night will always follow day (and vice versa) Some things in life are the way they are and cannot be changed (except through divine intervention) no matter how hard you try. It goes for good and bad things. A particular action will always yield the same result. That’s just life and this isn’t a pessimistic adage, it’s a realistic one. Do you have more examples of inevitable things in life? Let your thoughts run loose in the comments below. Always, Miss LAJA
Ika Adage #1- Porcupines A brief introduction. Adages are quotes or proverbs with hidden messages. Like words of wisdom. Here I will share with you some proverbs that are native to where I come from. I’m Ika and it’s an Igbo dialect that is native to North-Eastern Delta state, Nigeria. I will explain and give background info to the quotes but feel free to add your own interpretation and share your thoughts in the comments below. Be nice. This is a positive zone. Enjoy and I hope you learn something new about Nigerian culture. This is quite self-explanatory knowing that porcupines have spikes. This adage is similar to “Birds of the same feather flock together” and “show me your friend and I will tell you who you are”. This basically means you associate yourself with people you share similar characteristics with and it could go both ways; good or bad. Another meaning could be you are “defined” by your social circle; if your friends study all the time, you most likely do the same. If your friends party all the time, you mostly likely do the same. You get? Poor porcupine though, it must hurt to fall amongst thorns even when you’re naturally covered in spikes. I hope it landed well. Any thoughts? Let your thoughts run loose in the comments below. Always, Miss LAJA
My Yellow Ankara Jacket This ankara jacket is the sibling to my yellow ankara skirt! And no it wasn’t planned. It just happened 🙂 I absolutely adore this jacket’s intricately trimmed edges. Its just so edgy and unique! We had ‘family’ pictures at my church today for Christmas postcards and they handed out Christmas hats! Christmas is coming and I’m so excited cause it means the school session is coming to an end and I finally get to back home and see my family and friends! Yay! But till then, I’ll have to hold on plus there’s Thanksgiving! As they say quitters never win and winners never quit! 😉 Do you like my swarovski crystal earrings? They’re by Fulfill Jewelry! Check it out here! http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.6.2/jquery.min.jshttp://lookbook.nu/look/widget/5732211.js?include=hype&size=medium&style=button&align=center Always, Miss LAJA
Peplum Craze Let’s just say I’m really really really feeling the peplum trend now. I’m not really one to follow trends and I usually wear what I like but I always seem to find myself wearing something with a peplum waist… I think it’s weird cause it’s not planned but oh well… I guess I’m in love and don’t even know it! Third time lucky… Check out the other two times here and here! Ankara is a very popular type of material used to make clothings, bags, shoes etc and are usually very patterned, bright and multi-colored… I’m so in love with this ankara! God bless my tailor for getting everything right! I plan on wearing it till it falls apart! Always, Miss LAJA
When In Ghana… I visited Ghana’s capital, Accra for a night and it was my first time. Despite my short sejour, I was very excited and decided to make the best of it. I didn’t get to see much but I’ll definitely be coming back for more exploring! Some things I learnt during my stay: Banku– A sibling to solid foods Eba, Pounded Yam,Amala, Fufu and Semovita. It’s made of maize! Who knew they had such an extended family? Amazing right? Yam Balls– They look exactly as they sound dearie! Balls made of yam or yam made into balls. However you want to describe it! I don’t know if I ate it right (maybe there was a sauce/soup to accompany it) but it tasted really good alone. Initially, I mistook it for “puff puff” due to their similar looks and shape. What we Nigerians call fried plantain, they call kelewele. Machi means “Good morning” Akwaaba means “Welcome” Me da se means “Thank you” Ya fre me Miss LAJA means “My name is Miss LAJA” Welcome! Their official currency Ghanian Cedis Pretty art refelcting African culture Sneak peak of my outfit post coming soon! Stay tuned! 🙂 Always, Miss LAJA
Night Time Thinking I don’t know if it’s just me but it seems like those few minutes at night before you go to bed is when you really think about things you never thought you’d think of before. For me, I love relaxing in bed and just thinking about various things. Life, my future, boys, school, family… Ok, it sounds too serious but it’s like a refelection. You think of situations you could have handled better or those nice moments that bring smiles to your face when you remember them. We all have those. Well, I’m still trying to figure out where I’m going with this but I know that night time thinking has accelerated my food for thought… For example, I was chilling on my bed one day and was like’If I could start a blog,what would I put in it?’. Even if I couldn’t answer that instant, it was still an idea! And my ever present iPod touch was just chilling under my pillow and I just picked it up and jotted down ‘ideas for blog’ and that’s basically where I am today with Miss L.A.J.A! I also thought of things I’d like to try that I’ve never tried before like… I’ll keep that to myself! Ok I’ll tell you just one. Try yoga (or maybe two) and try Zumba! It’s possible and it’s a refreshing time after all that hard core thinking during the day. Especially if you have school or work or even both! I’m not saying you should lay on your bed one night and rack your brain to think o! It just comes.. Maybe you don’t feel like sleeping and your mind just drifts away… If you need to sleep, sleep o! It’s not by force especially if you have school the next day (your on your own for that one).. Ok, my brain is dried up now.. I think I’ll round up but you get my gist (Hopefully, you do). But yeah.. You should try it sometime… Who knows what crazy ideas or discoveries you’ll make about yourself and/or things! PS, sleep with anything that you could use to take notes in case you come up with an idea or thought you want to keep! Like I use my iPod touch or a journal I keep on my bed stool. Trust me, it works and No, saying ‘I’ll remember tomorrow morning’ doesn’t work.. I speak from experience… You won’t. Annoying but true. Always, Miss LAJA