“Wow Houston has too many lanes on their highway! Jumoke, I promise I can drive. I know I just got my license like three months ago, but I don’t feel like we should take another break for you to rest. Mama Jama and Nadia keep barking at each other. They are also sick of being in this car. We have been driving for over 20 hours.”
Actually, this is nothing new, we always evacuate for hurricanes. We were just in Houston last year and we stayed here for two days. This year, two days passed, two weeks, two months, and now over 2 years with only two shirts. All because two days after the ordeal, the levees broke. Overnight, I became a refugee, beggar, homeless and misplaced.
With all this came the nauseous nostalgic feeling of void. I miss my red beans and rice, crawfish, shrimp and jambalaya. Festivities such as Mardi Gras, Crawfish Festival, Essence Festival and Jazz Fest. I definitely can’t forget fleur de lies, bounce music, wife beaters in the summer, Manchu Chicken, and Easter on the lake.
Then it was deemed safe enough for residents to only visit to see the state of their property. The glorious thought of going home filled my brain. This was interrupted by plots with gates and only brownish gray grass occupying the space where the houses used to be. A dusty gloom was downcast on the whole city. Gone were the birds chirping, second lines and random backyard crawfish broils. Instead, I saw rows of unoccupied homes with interesting signs on them. Every single home, after home, after home, after house, after building. Spray painted signs indicating no one was in the house. Signs screaming that someone needed to be rescued in the house. Signs whispering that someone was dead in the house. Signs eulogizing about the tombs of dead pets in the house. Signs inviting families back to the house. Signs announcing that the house had to be demolished due to water damage and mold infestation.
And then I finally got to my house. I was welcomed by a single pair of green and black Pumas sitting on my drive way. “How did it get here?” I thought. I remember putting it in the coat closet right before evacuation. The overgrown bush of dead grass snatched my attention. What happened to the lawn I used to be so proud of, with all its array of colors that appealed to all my senses. I stood outside confused, scared, sad, nervous, uncertain and trying to build up courage to go inside. To my surprise my door was unlocked. It was later told that rescuers went through my house to make sure no one was there.
As I walked in, I had to readjust my eyes to the gloominess of the interior. The stench was breathtaking. It smelled like if I stayed there any longer, I would have contracted an incurable disease. So I stepped back out and got some protective gear my home was unrecognizable to me, it was too blurry. Blurry from my unstoppable tears, blurry from the feeling of pure and raw pain, blurry from my confusion, blurry from disbelief, blurry from my lack of acceptance, blurry from my realization that this foreign place was not home.
So we returned to our rented pseudo-home and realized that permanent plans had to be made in the space city to help us regain the sense of normalcy. We purchased a house that will do, but is still not home. Open wounds have stopped us from furnishing and decorating. Pure pleasure is derived from opening my door and seeing the ray of light in the house. Light has a whole new meaning to us and has instilled in us a new ritual: opening up all the blinds in the house every morning everyday.
Next month will make the three year anniversary of my new life, and I have seen the twinkle of light in my beloved jazz city. The light reflects in the eyes of a little boy with his Native American costume on. The intricate beading and the red, yellow, blue, green and orange feathers stirred up something in me. And it suddenly struck me, I am home. Can you see the light?
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
HELPPP..was i wrong?
Help me out people..
Before I go into my dilemma, I would like to thank you all for the support thus far.
Since, my unexpected termination, I have been going through a financial test/ struggle etc. I don’t know, but I think there was some kind of domino effect..Because I have gone through some kind of self clinic. I have a stronger sense of self and I am aware of what my purpose on this great earth is. I have grown closer to my Lord and Savior and I can confidently say that I have a growing and healthy relationship with my lord and much more...
Now to my dilemma
Well I was at Bible Study last Tuesday and I noticed a couple that walked in kind of late but they went to sit in the first row. All I thought was, wow, how impressive...Cause I would have just snuck in the back row trying not to disturb the service and trying to avoid questioning and judging eyes. (By the way we should not have those types of eyes in church OR anywhere really, but we all know we do, and sometimes, it happens to be our eyes).
I had seen the couple at church a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I could tell that they were homeless. Well towards the end of the service, I got an inclination to go and talk to the lady after church. I went over to them and introduced myself and they were excited. The lady appeared really timid and she had on a cap. Since I braid hair, I offered to braid her hair for her on Friday and she got really excited. They confirmed to me that they were homeless so I gave them my number. She (let’s just call her Blessed) appeared very timid and dependent on the guy she was with. I asked her what kind of hair style she liked, and she looked at the guy like she was unable to speak for herself.
I told my sister, that I would be picking Blessed up and doing her hair, she was like “you just cant bring random people here, what if she steals form us,,,i mean that is dangerous." I got scared for a second, which was quickly replaced by my feeling of purpose and will. I felt like it was an opportunity to witness and share the word of God. Besides God led me to them on that faithful evening.
Well I got a call on Thursday and I picked Blessed up on Friday at our scheduled meeting area. As soon as she got in my car, she could not stop talking. This kind of threw me for a loop; because she had made a complete 180 from the person I met at church a couple of days ago. She was replaying past dialogs that she had had with other people, and she really seemed to be enjoying herself. At this point, I had to say a prayer because I was starting to feel some uncertainty.
The short time I was with Blessed, I learned so much about her life, like the fact that she had her first child at 13. She is now 18 and has also has a 6 month old baby. She was shot in the head at 16 because she "did not want to give this man some." Due to the stitches on her head, she had some stunted hair growth, (don’t laugh) so I can’t say that I was proud of the outcome of her hair. She started smoking weed at age 9, she has been locked in a car trunk for over 3 hours before by a pimp and many more details. I felt like I was watching a movie...And I am not talking about any Nollywood type stuff.
I also noticed that she was very restless, I started out doing the two strand twist( would take about 5 hrs) for her but she was so restless, she said she just wanted her hair braided to the back( just over an hour). I kind of was relieved that she wanted the fast easy hair style. She was making me nervous..She kept getting up and asking for cigarette breaks, she kept touching her hair and stuff... I also kind of got nervous when she said that the man I saw her with her church was her boyfriend, she had only known him for two weeks and he was 55 years old. Did I mention that she is 18 and she appeared to be paralyzed when she was around him.
Well I dropped her off at the Bus Transit Center a couple of hours after I picked her up. She was really excited about her hair and kept looking at the mirror and saying "oooo i look so pretty." That kind of made me feel good, I also was excited because I kind of shared a little about God's promise and love for her. I wish we talked more about the word, but I am sure everything happened according to Gods plan. I also had one of my Christian cd's playing when I picked her up (no guys it was not planned to try and set the ambiance, I be jamming it on a regular)and she kept telling me to replay the song..:)
Well here is where things get a lil interesting....I was pulling into my garage this afternoon and I got call. Well, it was Blessed's boyfriend and he was asking if she was still with me. I was kind shocked and I was like umm no, I dropped her off like 2-3 hours after I picked her up. He said she had not been seen since, I picked her up.
See me see wahala!
So I am just confused, was I wrong for even getting into this? Is she ok? I would hate for anything bad to happen to her due to the fact that I offered to do her hair...
Please say a prayer for Blessed! Thanks
Before I go into my dilemma, I would like to thank you all for the support thus far.
Since, my unexpected termination, I have been going through a financial test/ struggle etc. I don’t know, but I think there was some kind of domino effect..Because I have gone through some kind of self clinic. I have a stronger sense of self and I am aware of what my purpose on this great earth is. I have grown closer to my Lord and Savior and I can confidently say that I have a growing and healthy relationship with my lord and much more...
Now to my dilemma
Well I was at Bible Study last Tuesday and I noticed a couple that walked in kind of late but they went to sit in the first row. All I thought was, wow, how impressive...Cause I would have just snuck in the back row trying not to disturb the service and trying to avoid questioning and judging eyes. (By the way we should not have those types of eyes in church OR anywhere really, but we all know we do, and sometimes, it happens to be our eyes).
I had seen the couple at church a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I could tell that they were homeless. Well towards the end of the service, I got an inclination to go and talk to the lady after church. I went over to them and introduced myself and they were excited. The lady appeared really timid and she had on a cap. Since I braid hair, I offered to braid her hair for her on Friday and she got really excited. They confirmed to me that they were homeless so I gave them my number. She (let’s just call her Blessed) appeared very timid and dependent on the guy she was with. I asked her what kind of hair style she liked, and she looked at the guy like she was unable to speak for herself.
I told my sister, that I would be picking Blessed up and doing her hair, she was like “you just cant bring random people here, what if she steals form us,,,i mean that is dangerous." I got scared for a second, which was quickly replaced by my feeling of purpose and will. I felt like it was an opportunity to witness and share the word of God. Besides God led me to them on that faithful evening.
Well I got a call on Thursday and I picked Blessed up on Friday at our scheduled meeting area. As soon as she got in my car, she could not stop talking. This kind of threw me for a loop; because she had made a complete 180 from the person I met at church a couple of days ago. She was replaying past dialogs that she had had with other people, and she really seemed to be enjoying herself. At this point, I had to say a prayer because I was starting to feel some uncertainty.
The short time I was with Blessed, I learned so much about her life, like the fact that she had her first child at 13. She is now 18 and has also has a 6 month old baby. She was shot in the head at 16 because she "did not want to give this man some." Due to the stitches on her head, she had some stunted hair growth, (don’t laugh) so I can’t say that I was proud of the outcome of her hair. She started smoking weed at age 9, she has been locked in a car trunk for over 3 hours before by a pimp and many more details. I felt like I was watching a movie...And I am not talking about any Nollywood type stuff.
I also noticed that she was very restless, I started out doing the two strand twist( would take about 5 hrs) for her but she was so restless, she said she just wanted her hair braided to the back( just over an hour). I kind of was relieved that she wanted the fast easy hair style. She was making me nervous..She kept getting up and asking for cigarette breaks, she kept touching her hair and stuff... I also kind of got nervous when she said that the man I saw her with her church was her boyfriend, she had only known him for two weeks and he was 55 years old. Did I mention that she is 18 and she appeared to be paralyzed when she was around him.
Well I dropped her off at the Bus Transit Center a couple of hours after I picked her up. She was really excited about her hair and kept looking at the mirror and saying "oooo i look so pretty." That kind of made me feel good, I also was excited because I kind of shared a little about God's promise and love for her. I wish we talked more about the word, but I am sure everything happened according to Gods plan. I also had one of my Christian cd's playing when I picked her up (no guys it was not planned to try and set the ambiance, I be jamming it on a regular)and she kept telling me to replay the song..:)
Well here is where things get a lil interesting....I was pulling into my garage this afternoon and I got call. Well, it was Blessed's boyfriend and he was asking if she was still with me. I was kind shocked and I was like umm no, I dropped her off like 2-3 hours after I picked her up. He said she had not been seen since, I picked her up.
See me see wahala!
So I am just confused, was I wrong for even getting into this? Is she ok? I would hate for anything bad to happen to her due to the fact that I offered to do her hair...
Please say a prayer for Blessed! Thanks
Friday, June 27, 2008
100 years and strong
Ok so a lot has been happening to me in the last week. Yesterday, I was at my summer job..and all I know is that they asked us to grab all our stuff and we were all FIRED...LOL...I am still in shock!
Id like to give a shout out to the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, we will be celebrating our 100th. Its going to be a week long conference in DC next week. Unfortunately since AKA does not pay my bills and will not buy my ticket to the conference, I shalnt be in attendance.
Talking about Sororities, it is really unfortunate that half of the people that are in them have turned it into some kind of status thing. It actually has become some kind of idol to most people. My people's will wear pink n green everyday, key chain, license plates, U NAME IT.. people now expect some kind of special treatment cause they are part of Greek organizations.. and my question to them is when was the last time that you went out to community service????
During my undergrad years, I met people that would sell their souls just to become part of a Greek org. Its so interesting that people see me and say that I don't act like an AKA...all I think is so how is an AKA supposed to act HABA? AKA has played a very instrumental role in my life, I participated in great workshops and traveled all over yankee all in the name of AKA...I served as the president of my chapter till I graduated from UH. I learned a lot, how to write and give speeches, running an org, people skills, conflict management, budget, and dealing with females (REAL CHALLENGE).....etc....
I guess I view my organization as a tool to help me provide service to a greater mass of people...it helps form connections with lots of people and its pretty cool that every where you go, there will be someone that is in the same org as you.
for example: when I was looking for a job as a teacher, I had two rules,..(1) I am going to work at BJ elementary school cause its a minute from my house ..(2) I am not going to any job fairs, I just don't do them!
So interviewed with the world's best school district and I was asked what campus I would like to work at and I told them BJE and they called the principal immediately and i got on the phone with her(that was a run on sentence by the way ppl). she asked for my resume.... Ne ways I got a call about 20 mins after my resume was submitted and the first question i got was ..Did you pledge AKA at UH?,...needless to stay i got the job the next day after an interview and the principal is an AKA....(don't get me wrong i was more that qualified for the job..teaching is my number 1 passion..I will have to blog about how people look at me crazy every time i tell them i am a teacher.. especially Nigerians, like my papa is crazy to pay for my education to become something as irrelevant as a teacher)
Ne ways..what do u think about Greek Organizations?
Thanks Zena, for da shoutout..thx to everyone that blessed my page...I feel special..:)
Ok so I love this outfit my SororitY sISTER ;) Jada has on...this was at Mandela's 90th bday
Remember, He does not Slumber nor Sleep..be blessed!
Id like to give a shout out to the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, we will be celebrating our 100th. Its going to be a week long conference in DC next week. Unfortunately since AKA does not pay my bills and will not buy my ticket to the conference, I shalnt be in attendance.
Talking about Sororities, it is really unfortunate that half of the people that are in them have turned it into some kind of status thing. It actually has become some kind of idol to most people. My people's will wear pink n green everyday, key chain, license plates, U NAME IT.. people now expect some kind of special treatment cause they are part of Greek organizations.. and my question to them is when was the last time that you went out to community service????
During my undergrad years, I met people that would sell their souls just to become part of a Greek org. Its so interesting that people see me and say that I don't act like an AKA...all I think is so how is an AKA supposed to act HABA? AKA has played a very instrumental role in my life, I participated in great workshops and traveled all over yankee all in the name of AKA...I served as the president of my chapter till I graduated from UH. I learned a lot, how to write and give speeches, running an org, people skills, conflict management, budget, and dealing with females (REAL CHALLENGE).....etc....
I guess I view my organization as a tool to help me provide service to a greater mass of people...it helps form connections with lots of people and its pretty cool that every where you go, there will be someone that is in the same org as you.
for example: when I was looking for a job as a teacher, I had two rules,..(1) I am going to work at BJ elementary school cause its a minute from my house ..(2) I am not going to any job fairs, I just don't do them!
So interviewed with the world's best school district and I was asked what campus I would like to work at and I told them BJE and they called the principal immediately and i got on the phone with her(that was a run on sentence by the way ppl). she asked for my resume.... Ne ways I got a call about 20 mins after my resume was submitted and the first question i got was ..Did you pledge AKA at UH?,...needless to stay i got the job the next day after an interview and the principal is an AKA....(don't get me wrong i was more that qualified for the job..teaching is my number 1 passion..I will have to blog about how people look at me crazy every time i tell them i am a teacher.. especially Nigerians, like my papa is crazy to pay for my education to become something as irrelevant as a teacher)
Ne ways..what do u think about Greek Organizations?
Thanks Zena, for da shoutout..thx to everyone that blessed my page...I feel special..:)
Ok so I love this outfit my SororitY sISTER ;) Jada has on...this was at Mandela's 90th bday
Remember, He does not Slumber nor Sleep..be blessed!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
I was a LITTLE DIFFERENT...(well i still dont do what the bad girls do)
Sister Solange...
ok, so i am actually shocked that i like this new song from solange.."I decided"
it makes me just want to get up and shout hallelujah holla back...
But, i do think that a lot of people were hating on her because of her sister. I think we all need to really look into this chick. I did notice that she is playing off the fact that she was married and has a child. While she was on 106 n Wack a couple of days ago, she was asked why her album will be worth listening to,,,,and she goes into this shpill about being married and divorced before age 22, and the fact that she has a child...she even mentioned that she went to idaho to live with her husband because he was in college blah blah blah
At first they were being hush hush, now it clearly is a marketing tool...You go daddy Matthew...
Ne ways i do like the video and song, so check it out on yo-tube
and lemme know what u think
By the way check out this lil chick's dancing skills.....too cute!
ok, so i am actually shocked that i like this new song from solange.."I decided"
it makes me just want to get up and shout hallelujah holla back...
But, i do think that a lot of people were hating on her because of her sister. I think we all need to really look into this chick. I did notice that she is playing off the fact that she was married and has a child. While she was on 106 n Wack a couple of days ago, she was asked why her album will be worth listening to,,,,and she goes into this shpill about being married and divorced before age 22, and the fact that she has a child...she even mentioned that she went to idaho to live with her husband because he was in college blah blah blah
At first they were being hush hush, now it clearly is a marketing tool...You go daddy Matthew...
Ne ways i do like the video and song, so check it out on yo-tube
and lemme know what u think
By the way check out this lil chick's dancing skills.....too cute!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tom Ford has Shocked me Like Shock Absorber
So, Niyi sent me this this Link, and all i could think was "Father Forgive"
Disclaimer: Maybe i am just fashion illiterate, but something deep down in the bottom of my soul is troubled . Please continue at your own discretion.
Here is Tom Ford's New Ad..
Here is a lil preview...if you would like to get the full menu..check out the link.
http://artschoolvets.com/news/2008/06/06/terry-richardson-tom-ford-ss-08-kampagne/
Disclaimer: Maybe i am just fashion illiterate, but something deep down in the bottom of my soul is troubled . Please continue at your own discretion.
Here is Tom Ford's New Ad..
Here is a lil preview...if you would like to get the full menu..check out the link.
http://artschoolvets.com/news/2008/06/06/terry-richardson-tom-ford-ss-08-kampagne/
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
If i am a reflection of him...THEN I MUST BE FLY!
ok....SO if u know me then you must know Niyi or know of him...since i am just super proud of him, i figure i would share some of his beautiful design and more...
p.s.no room for haters...please hate on by...
Hallelujah...hollas back!
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