TWayne...

It's FINALLY over!!!

2009-11-24T21:24:00.003+02:00

Yes yes... I know it's quite shameful that I haven't been here in like FOREVER and no I do not have any major excuse apart from the fact that my laptop has been "ill" for a while and had to go to the doctor's BUT no let's not dwell on the past but look to the future. AND what's this future???

I AM FINALLY A QUALIFIED FASHION DESIGNER!!!!!

Yup! I am. It's over! I have my BA Degree in Fashion Design from FEDISA AND my Advanced Diploma in Management from the Australian Business and Retail Academy, (ABRA) Australia.

Yes it's been 3 loooooooong years but well worth it.

And the best part is... I've just been sleeeeeeping. Yes it feels good to sleep and I better do all the sleeping I have to do now before the real work begins.

Over the next few days / weeks, I'll be taking a trip down memory lane sharing the last few months of the program and how much I've grown as a designer since then.

So sit back, relax and join me on this trip.

Cheers!

PS. Can you spot me anywhere in that picture??? Somehow my hat got stuck behind that lamp there... dunno how that happened... :-)

Happy Birthday to a wonderful Mother & Obama's Trip to Ghana - An Inspirational Speech to All Africans

2009-07-11T17:39:00.017+02:00

First, let me start my wishing my fabulous mother a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! She's ^£ (figure that out) today and I want to wish her God's blessings today and alwayz!

NOW on to my article for today!

I have spent a substantial part of this weekend discussing Obama's trip to Ghana on Facebook. (Quite apt that it also occurred on my mother's birthday, 11 July so I can never forget the day.) It really wasn't a big deal to me when I heard about this trip and would not have given it a second thought until I heard some people questioning why he chose to visit Ghana instead of Nigeria and how some Nigerians considered the trip as an insult to the "giant of Africa". Just like the Oprah show that caused a bit of controversy in Nigeria, I knew I had to follow the details of this trip. Initially, I thought to myself "Nigerians really should get over themselves" but this quickly turned into renewed respect for Ghana when I realised why Obama chose to visit Ghana.

And why did he choose Ghana over Nigeria? Simple. Because they practised democracy.

After reading his speech on www.saharareporters.com, I knew I wanted to refer to it time and time again and decided to to post the whole speech here, highlighting the portions that really made an impact on me. It is quite long but well worth the read.

"Good morning. It is an honor for me to be in Accra, and to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. I am deeply grateful for the welcome that I've received, as are Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama. Ghana's history is rich, the ties between our two countries are strong, and I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the United States.

I am speaking to you at the end of a long trip. I began in Russia, for a Summit between two great powers. I traveled to Italy, for a meeting of the world's leading economies. And I have come here, to Ghana, for a simple reason: the 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well.

This is the simple truth of a time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections. Your prosperity can expand America's. Your health and security can contribute to the world's. And the strength of your democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere.

So I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world — as partners with America on behalf of the future that we want for all our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility, and that is what I want to speak with you about today.

We must start from the simple premise that Africa's future is up to Africans.

I say this knowing full well the tragic past that has sometimes haunted this part of the world. I have the blood of Africa within me, and my family's own story encompasses both the tragedies and triumphs of the larger African story.

My grandfather was a cook for the British in Kenya, and though he was a respected elder in his village, his employers called him "boy" for much of his life. He was on the periphery of Kenya's liberation struggles, but he was still imprisoned briefly during repressive times. In his life, colonialism wasn't simply the creation of unnatural borders or unfair terms of trade — it was something experienced personally, day after day, year after year.

My father grew up herding goats in a tiny village, an impossible distance away from the American universities where he would come to get an education. He came of age at an extraordinary moment of promise for Africa. The struggles of his own father's generation were giving birth to new nations, beginning right here in Ghana. Africans were educating and asserting themselves in new ways. History was on the move.

But despite the progress that has been made — and there has been considerable progress in parts of Africa — we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled. Countries like Kenya, which had a per capita economy larger than South Korea's when I was born, have been badly outpaced. Disease and conflict have ravaged parts of the African continent. In many places, the hope of my father's generation gave way to cynicism, even despair.

It is easy to point fingers, and to pin the blame for these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense bred conflict, and the West has often approached Africa as a patron, rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is a daily fact of life for far too many.

Of course, we also know that is not the whole story. Here in Ghana, you show us a face of Africa that is too often overlooked by a world that sees only tragedy or the need for charity. The people of Ghana have worked hard to put democracy on a firmer footing, with peaceful transfers of power even in the wake of closely contested elections. And with improved governance and an emerging civil society, Ghana's economy has shown impressive rates of growth.

This progress may lack the drama of the 20th century's liberation struggles, but make no mistake: it will ultimately be more significant. For just as it is important to emerge from the control of another nation, it is even more important to build one's own.

So I believe that this moment is just as promising for Ghana — and for Africa — as the moment when my father came of age and new nations were being born. This is a new moment of promise. Only this time, we have learned that it will not be giants like Nkrumah and Kenyatta who will determine Africa's future. Instead, it will be you — the men and women in Ghana's Parliament, and the people you represent. Above all, it will be the young people — brimming with talent and energy and hope — who can claim the future that so many in my father's generation never found.

To realize that promise, we must first recognize a fundamental truth that you have given life to in Ghana: development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.

As for America and the West, our commitment must be measured by more than just the dollars we spend. I have pledged substantial increases in our foreign assistance, which is in Africa's interest and America's. But the true sign of success is not whether we are a source of aid that helps people scrape by — it is whether we are partners in building the capacity for transformational change.

This mutual responsibility must be the foundation of our partnership. And today, I will focus on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa and the entire developing world: democracy; opportunity; health; and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

First, we must support strong and sustainable democratic governments.

As I said in Cairo, each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, and in line with its own traditions. But history offers a clear verdict: governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable and more successful than governments that do not.

This is about more than holding elections — it's also about what happens between them. Repression takes many forms, and too many nations are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top, or the head of the port authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end.

In the 21st century, capable, reliable and transparent institutions are the key to success — strong parliaments and honest police forces; independent judges and journalists; a vibrant private sector and civil society. Those are the things that give life to democracy, because that is what matters in peoples' lives.

Time and again, Ghanaians have chosen Constitutional rule over autocracy, and shown a democratic spirit that allows the energy of your people to break through. We see that in leaders who accept defeat graciously, and victors who resist calls to wield power against the opposition. We see that spirit in courageous journalists like Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who risked his life to report the truth. We see it in police like Patience Quaye, who helped prosecute the first human trafficker in Ghana. We see it in the young people who are speaking up against patronage and participating in the political process.

Across Africa, we have seen countless examples of people taking control of their destiny and making change from the bottom up. We saw it in Kenya, where civil society and business came together to help stop postelection violence. We saw it in South Africa, where over three quarters of the country voted in the recent election — the fourth since the end of apartheid. We saw it in Zimbabwe, where the Election Support Network braved brutal repression to stand up for the principle that a person's vote is their sacred right.

Make no mistake: history is on the side of these brave Africans and not with those who use coups or change Constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.

America will not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation — the essential truth of democracy is that each nation determines its own destiny. What we will do is increase assistance for responsible individuals and institutions, with a focus on supporting good governance — on parliaments, which check abuses of power and ensure that opposition voices are heard; on the rule of law, which ensures the equal administration of justice; on civic participation, so that young people get involved; and on concrete solutions to corruption like forensic accounting, automating services, strengthening hot lines and protecting whistle-blowers to advance transparency and accountability.

As we provide this support, I have directed my administration to give greater attention to corruption in our human rights report. People everywhere should have the right to start a business or get an education without paying a bribe. We have a responsibility to support those who act responsibly and to isolate those who don't, and that is exactly what America will do.

This leads directly to our second area of partnership — supporting development that provides opportunity for more people.

With better governance, I have no doubt that Africa holds the promise of a broader base for prosperity. The continent is rich in natural resources. And from cell phone entrepreneurs to small farmers, Africans have shown the capacity and commitment to create their own opportunities. But old habits must also be broken. Dependence on commodities — or on a single export — concentrates wealth in the hands of the few and leaves people too vulnerable to downturns.

In Ghana, for instance, oil brings great opportunities, and you have been responsible in preparing for new revenue. But as so many Ghanaians know, oil cannot simply become the new cocoa. From South Korea to Singapore, history shows that countries thrive when they invest in their people and infrastructure; when they promote multiple export industries, develop a skilled work force and create space for small and medium-sized businesses that create jobs.

As Africans reach for this promise, America will be more responsible in extending our hand. By cutting costs that go to Western consultants and administration, we will put more resources in the hands of those who need it, while training people to do more for themselves. That is why our $3.5 billion food security initiative is focused on new methods and technologies for farmers — not simply sending American producers or goods to Africa. Aid is not an end in itself. The purpose of foreign assistance must be creating the conditions where it is no longer needed.

America can also do more to promote trade and investment. Wealthy nations must open our doors to goods and services from Africa in a meaningful way. And where there is good governance, we can broaden prosperity through public-private partnerships that invest in better roads and electricity; capacity-building that trains people to grow a business; and financial services that reach poor and rural areas. This is also in our own interest — for if people are lifted out of poverty and wealth is created in Africa, new markets will open for our own goods.

One area that holds out both undeniable peril and extraordinary promise is energy. Africa gives off less greenhouse gas than any other part of the world, but it is the most threatened by climate change. A warming planet will spread disease, shrink water resources and deplete crops, creating conditions that produce more famine and conflict. All of us — particularly the developed world — have a responsibility to slow these trends — through mitigation, and by changing the way that we use energy. But we can also work with Africans to turn this crisis into opportunity.

Together, we can partner on behalf of our planet and prosperity and help countries increase access to power while skipping the dirtier phase of development. Across Africa, there is bountiful wind and solar power; geothermal energy and bio-fuels. From the Rift Valley to the North African deserts; from the Western coast to South Africa's crops — Africa's boundless natural gifts can generate its own power, while exporting profitable, clean energy abroad.

These steps are about more than growth numbers on a balance sheet. They're about whether a young person with an education can get a job that supports a family; a farmer can transfer their goods to the market; or an entrepreneur with a good idea can start a business. It's about the dignity of work. Its about the opportunity that must exist for Africans in the 21st century.

Just as governance is vital to opportunity, it is also critical to the third area that I will talk about — strengthening public health.

In recent years, enormous progress has been made in parts of Africa. Far more people are living productively with HIV/AIDS, and getting the drugs they need. But too many still die from diseases that shouldn't kill them. When children are being killed because of a mosquito bite, and mothers are dying in childbirth, then we know that more progress must be made.

Yet because of incentives — often provided by donor nations — many African doctors and nurses understandably go overseas, or work for programs that focus on a single disease. This creates gaps in primary care and basic prevention. Meanwhile, individual Africans also have to make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease, while promoting public health in their communities and countries.

Across Africa, we see examples of people tackling these problems. In Nigeria, an interfaith effort of Christians and Muslims has set an example of cooperation to confront malaria. Here in Ghana and across Africa, we see innovative ideas for filling gaps in care — for instance, through E-Health initiatives that allow doctors in big cities to support those in small towns.

America will support these efforts through a comprehensive, global health strategy. Because in the 21st century, we are called to act by our conscience and our common interest. When a child dies of a preventable illness in Accra, that diminishes us everywhere. And when disease goes unchecked in any corner of the world, we know that it can spread across oceans and continents.

That is why my administration has committed $63 billion to meet these challenges. Building on the strong efforts of President Bush, we will carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will pursue the goal of ending deaths from malaria and tuberculosis, and eradicating polio. We will fight neglected tropical disease. And we won't confront illnesses in isolation — we will invest in public health systems that promote wellness and focus on the health of mothers and children.

As we partner on behalf of a healthier future, we must also stop the destruction that comes not from illness, but from human beings — and so the final area that I will address is conflict.

Now let me be clear: Africa is not the crude caricature of a continent at war. But for far too many Africans, conflict is a part of life, as constant as the sun. There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes.

These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck. We all have many identities — of tribe and ethnicity; of religion and nationality. But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe, or who worships a different prophet, has no place in the 21st century. Africa's diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division. We are all God's children. We all share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to access education and opportunity; to love our families, our communities, and our faith. That is our common humanity.

That is why we must stand up to inhumanity in our midst. It is never justifiable to target innocents in the name of ideology. It is the death sentence of a society to force children to kill in wars. It is the ultimate mark of criminality and cowardice to condemn women to relentless and systematic rape. We must bear witness to the value of every child in Darfur and the dignity of every woman in Congo. No faith or culture should condone the outrages against them. All of us must strive for the peace and security necessary for progress.

Africans are standing up for this future. Here, too, Ghana is helping to point the way forward. Ghanaians should take pride in your contributions to peacekeeping from Congo to Liberia to Lebanon, and in your efforts to resist the scourge of the drug trade. We welcome the steps that are being taken by organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS to better resolve conflicts, keep the peace, and support those in need. And we encourage the vision of a strong, regional security architecture that can bring effective, transnational force to bear when needed.

America has a responsibility to advance this vision, not just with words, but with support that strengthens African capacity. When there is genocide in Darfur or terrorists in Somalia, these are not simply African problems — they are global security challenges, and they demand a global response. That is why we stand ready to partner through diplomacy, technical assistance, and logistical support, and will stand behind efforts to hold war criminals accountable. And let me be clear: our Africa Command is focused not on establishing a foothold in the continent, but on confronting these common challenges to advance the security of America, Africa and the world.

In Moscow, I spoke of the need for an international system where the universal rights of human beings are respected, and violations of those rights are opposed. That must include a commitment to support those who resolve conflicts peacefully, to sanction and stop those who don't, and to help those who have suffered. But ultimately, it will be vibrant democracies like Botswana and Ghana which roll back the causes of conflict, and advance the frontiers of peace and prosperity.

As I said earlier, Africa's future is up to Africans.

The people of Africa are ready to claim that future. In my country, African-Americans — including so many recent immigrants — have thrived in every sector of society. We have done so despite a difficult past, and we have drawn strength from our African heritage. With strong institutions and a strong will, I know that Africans can live their dreams in Nairobi and Lagos; in Kigali and Kinshasa; in Harare and right here in Accra.

Fifty-two years ago, the eyes of the world were on Ghana. And a young preacher named Martin Luther King traveled here, to Accra, to watch the Union Jack come down and the Ghanaian flag go up. This was before the march on Washington or the success of the civil rights movement in my country. Dr. King was asked how he felt while watching the birth of a nation. And he said: "It renews my conviction in the ultimate triumph of justice."

Now, that triumph must be won once more, and it must be won by you. And I am particularly speaking to the young people. In places like Ghana, you make up over half of the population. Here is what you must know: the world will be what you make of it.

You have the power to hold your leaders accountable and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, end conflicts and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can. Because in this moment, history is on the move.

But these things can only be done if you take responsibility for your future. It won't be easy. It will take time and effort. There will be suffering and setbacks. But I can promise you this: America will be with you. As a partner. As a friend. Opportunity won't come from any other place, though — it must come from the decisions that you make, the things that you do, and the hope that you hold in your hearts.

Freedom is your inheritance. Now, it is your responsibility to build upon freedom's foundation. And if you do, we will look back years from now to places like Accra and say that this was the time when the promise was realized — this was the moment when prosperity was forged; pain was overcome; and a new era of progress began. This can be the time when we witness the triumph of justice once more. Thank you."

Nigeria PLEASE learn from this!

Tribute to a Legend - Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)

2009-07-07T23:42:00.014+02:00

(29 August 1958 - 25 June 2009)

Memorial Service: 7 July 2009

Yes yes... I know... but hey... I just had to write about the music icon Michael Jackson. I mean I expected a lot from him, after all, the press made lots of money telling tales about him but I definitely didn't expect this!

Lame as this may sound, I "remember the time"-s, countless times actually, I sat down next to a deck, pen and paper in hand trying to get the lyrics to many of his songs; Dirty Diana, Man In The Mirror, Smooth Criminal, Give In To Me, etc... you name it, I tried it. I didn't succeed then because for some strange reason, I just never got the lyrics, particularly Smooth Criminal, and I ended up mouthing words that sounded just like the lyrics.

Goodness - only about 2 months ago, while working on Outfits 3 to 5 of my final collection, I got this sudden urge to listen to the Dangerous album and I did. Day in, day out, I listened to the album, repeating my favourite songs such as Who Is It, Give In To Me, Keep The Faith and Keep It In The Closet over and over again for no reason, his voice keeping me company all night, amidst the pain from the pin pricks. Little did I know the world would be mourning him today...

The world has said a lot, just check out Facebook and like a cousin said:

"Even in death, he still stole our hearts. Talk about a Smooth Criminal".

How true! I actually thought his body would be embalmed and preserved for at least a year or so. I'm sure the world wouldn't mind at all.

But sad as his personal life may have been, I am actually thankful that God gave him to us to help make a difference in our lives and I am certain he will be remembered for decades to come.

Here are just a few Facebook updates about this Icon:

"When the earth takes great men, the world looks for a successor. But none will come, and none will ever come. For they were men distinguished only with themselves... There'd never be another Michael Jackson...RestInPeace!"

"You were God's gift to us."

"MJ : Special tribute to the KING OF POP! MAN This guy made history sorry he is history and he changed history!"

"...RIP Micheal Jackson.You will be dearly missed and would forever be a hero."

"Yes indeed, the world did stand still for a moment to pay a fitting tribute to Michael Jackson. Keep looking at that Man In the Mirror."

"Your musical presence has left a mark on us, you healed the world thru ur music and transcended race, tribe and it's time for us to look at the man in the mirror celebrate our......"

"...there's a choice we'r making...Micheal I will truly miss you. It is sad we never got to meet, but thanks a lot for giving, showing us a piece of your heart and making d world a betterplace with your talent. Thank you God!"

"Imagine they are going to pass a bill or rather debate a bill in yankee in memory of M.J saying he his an American legend. The guy is too much jo!!!"

"...let's remember the man wasn't just a performer/icon, he was a dad as well...adieu Michael, RIP n may God keep those u left behind"

"The plan for this tribute is truly to make the whole world cry. I cant watch it again but i want to watch it."

"his was the best memorial in the history of the Earth..WOW!!!"

"This is the first time i would actually cry for another man, just cause I truly listened to the words attentively on HEAL THE WORLD... I mean this guy really meant well with MUSIC. Thank you MICHEAL."

"MJ, I will learn from your life and legacy... I will enjoy regaling my children with stories about you. I am smiling through the tears. RIP."

"even in death he pulled it off... Well done MJ... See you on the other side some time..."

"There are but few men that can stand alive and look at the history they have created and the legacy they have left behind. There is only one word to describe a legend, be he alive or dead. Inspiration and strength live on forever in the reality of greatness. i am totally moved by the respect of the industry for a man that no man can be ! the one, the only, a true legend MJ. Respect ! achievement of greatness no doubt"

"why do good people have to die?....Micheal Jackson was a good man.....i know God has prepared a better place for him....Love you MJ....."

"he outsang his critics,out danced the cynics,put us on mtv and taught the world to love our music.the hits keep ringing on,the show will never stop.everytime some1 pulls his pants up and attempts a moon walk,we'll remember!"

"Long live the KING OF POP. RIP MICHAEL JACKSON. God Bless U"

"its not ur duration but ur donation to life that counts. A life well lived... RIP Wacko Jacko."

"WOW Michael Jackson was too much!!! Thanks for all the songs from my childhood...I almost forgot!!!"

"They called him the greatest entertainer that ever lived. You wanna dispute that?..."

" R.I.P Michael. we will never forget you, your words and your music. thank you."

"Loves the song 'Will you be there' & Jennifer Hudson's rendition. What a memorial ! Very well deserved. RIP MICHAEL. I'll alwz love you !"

"I cried, not so much for the memories, but for being one of his critics. Marlon made us see how much MJ longed for a 'normal' life. Before you poke fun at a person, try walking a mile in his shoes..."

"I knew that MJ was great but the comments tonight have been incredible! I wonder why such a supposedly "loved man" did not feel loved and understood.."

Need I say more??? Yes... I definitely need to. Though he was misunderstood and haunted by the tabloids (even after his death) we all agree that he is/was...

"Undeniably the greatest performer of all time! You know it, I know it, the world knows it. RIP MJ! You'll always be in our hearts... and on our ipods/MP3 players... :-)" [My FB Status]

RIP Michael Jackson!!! We love you!!! You blessed us with your music and it's time to rest. God bless you!!!

THE INTRO...

2009-04-18T20:00:00.015+02:00

Paragraphs 1&2 taken from a poem somewhat inspired by Lara Cameron from the book “Stars will Shine Down” by Sidney Sheldon

Paragraph 2 culled from Black Leopard ( Panther ) on www.allpoetry.com

Image taken from www.shutterstock.com

What's this about? Well you'll find out soon enough [ha ha ha ha ha... somewhat scary laughter... :-)] I sure hope you can read what it says though... Let me know if you can't.

Cheers!

How it all Changed for the Better...

2009-04-13T23:03:00.006+02:00

Happy Easter y'all!!! It's interesting that I am concluding my 3-part reflection mini-series on Easter Monday, the day that reminds us all of the hope we have in Christ. And yup, y'all know where there's life, there's hope.

Ok... so where was I? Oh yeah, I was telling you how my luck suddenly changed after I paid my tithes.

It's interesting how people take the Bible literally and think that once you pay your tithes you suddenly become rich from nowhere. Whilst this may be true for some people, from my personal experience, I realise that no matter how bad my financial situation may seem, I always manage to get by somehow. Last year when I needed to furnish my place, the perfect recruitment job came along at just the right time in the perfect organization in a perfect location, with the perfect work hours and work load and the more-than-perfect pay. This year, it came in the form of an unexplainable though logical increase in my disposable income.

Ok, lemme explain.

I paid my tithes right and it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I suddenly felt lighter and suddenly things became clearer! I now had a definite plan on how to execute my final collection. No more panic buying! Outfit 1, Trial 4 and Outfit 2 had to be made with the perfect fabrics because I really didn't have the time, money, energy to re-do any outfit. Besides, it was a waste of resources and definitely not an efficient way of doing business in the real world.

So the following weekend, I went round to fabric stores to look for fabrics and came across (in my opinion) this STUNNING embossed tafetta fabric! I didn't buy much, like I would normally do. I bought 10cm and took it to my teacher to confirm the appropriateness of the fabric for my look. I got a thumbs-up! Sigh.... a step in the right direction!

2 days later, I went to my favourite fabric store in Woodstock to source for more fabrics, particularly one I had my eye on. Why is Studio 47 my favourite store? Simple. Apart from buying amazing fabrics at half the price and still getting a discount on the already cheap fabrics, I have such an excellent relationship with the store owner and the staff that I took them cupcakes on my birthday and have dropped some of the staff off at the train station a few times. Well people, my perfect relationship with them paid off!

I was told I could return ALL the fabrics I had already bought if I didn't like them and exchange the value for anything else I wanted in the store. I was ecstatic! Like WOW!!! This has NEVER happened in any other store. In fact all stores have the sign "no returns or refunds on cut fabric" or something along that line and here I was told I could return fabrics I had bought almost a month earlier. And I didn't even ask them, THEY suggested it because I was such an excellent customer. See people, paying my 10% paid off!

So I returned all the fabrics I had previously wasted hundreds of rands on and replaced them with the perfect fabrics and other materials I would use for my collection. The implication of this? I didn't have to spend more money! The effect? An increase in my disposable income!

Well though things did not immediately change as a result of the "butterfly effect", i.e. the ripple effects of previous actions, Outfit 1, Trial 4 and Outift 2 were a success and were handed in on time. I wish I could say the same for Outfit 2's pattern though and I ended the module with a frown. But hey, it could have been much worse though. Funny... that was another disappointment that turned into a blessing... but that's another story for another day...

Well people, the new module starts on Wednesday and I would be lying if I told you I was looking forward to it. I'm not scared of hard work but I am quite worried about the huge workload and the short deadlines. But hey, I rested well this Easter so I'm more positive I'll cope better.

Oh... by the way, one positive thing amidst all the stress and turmoil was buying my car! THAT people is the best investment I ever made this year. That is another testimony of mine that I won't get into now... or ever... but hey God has been faithful and I'm thankful!

Ok... lemme round off now by saying I'm certain you enjoyed your Easter holiday. I know I did because I pretty much partied all weekend and met some pretty interesting people. Shame all good things have to come to an end... too soon if you ask me... :-)

BUT now it's time to get back to work! The sooner the better I guess. No use prolonging the inevitable right? Do keep your fingers crossed for me y'all!

Have a great week! :-)

Come 2009...

2009-04-07T11:37:00.004+02:00

.... and the year started off with me under pressure!!!

A wise person once told me the way one started off the year was a reflection of how the rest of the year was going to be. How true!!! 1 January 2009 00.00 am found me in front of a sewing machine instead of in church thanking God for seeing me through the previous year and asking Him to see me through the New Year. People... you need to put your priorities in order!!!

I was trying to round off on the garments I was making for a client over the holiday period. What a nightmare!!! Anyone doing business in Lagos can appreciate how much of a mission it is actually working in an environment that is constantly plagued with power failures. My goodness!!! There was NEVER any electricity!!! Thank God for inverters!!! That is a major worry I have.... working in an environment where you have to generate everything for yourself, electricity, water, you name it, we do it. It's quite sad.

ANYWAYZ..... I managed to do as much of the work as I could do and I was quite pleased with the reaction I got from the client. Phew!!! Though I worked till the day I left for the airport! Not good I tell you. I had to balance work with socializing.... well sort of since there were weddings and other events I had to go for.

Anywayz, come 19th January, I'm at the airport wishing I didn't have to leave but having no choice... but looking forward to my one-week stop-over in Johannesburg. YAYE!!! I returned to Cape Town a week before school started. I must confess I wasn't happy to be back because frankly Cape Town really isn't my kinda place BUT I was pleased that at least it was for the final stretch (even though the final stretch would be for 1 FULL YEAR because of the compulsory internship in June).

And then the major challenges began.

It started with the search from deep within for the perfect collection for my final year range.

I knew what I wanted to do from Day 1 - FORMAL WEAR but not the normal boring kind. It had to have a twist, either chic and sophisticated or very "severe" (if you catch my drift). I was so confused!!! Needless to say my first 3 drafts were rejected because and I quote "my sleeves were an insult to New York". I mean like "excuse you???!!!" But I took the criticism with a light heart surprisingly enough :-)

ANYWAYZ I decided on the final collection and then the search for the perfect fabrics began. I bought so many fabric swatches, I could sew a quilt for a king-size bed! Paisley, damask, brocade, leather, leatherette, chiffon, you name it, I bought it. People... you don't even want to know how crazy that was. Anywayz... hundreds of rands later I found the seemingly perfect fabrics... or so I thought till....

- I burnt the first lot of fabrics AFTER sewing the complicated panel pieces. I mean the initial tests showed they could withstand heat but what was I thinking steaming leatherette!!! So Outfit 1, Trial 1 went down the drain!

- I decided on some fantastic fabric manipulation because my collection required very STIFF FABRIC but the fabric I found with the closest look to leather was this beautiful metallic chiffon. I mean CHIFFON... like hello... how could I even consider using Chiffon to make a jacket!!! I did a fantastic job of the manipulation and the results were very impressive but unfortunately, the fabric was TOO STIFF!!! So Outfit 1, Trial 2 also went down the drain!!!

- I thought I figured what went wrong with Outfit 1, Trial 2 so I tried something different still using the same fabric. You would think I would have learnt my lesson right? WORSE! I thought I could finish it over the weekend! HA!!! What a joke. Well I did finish the outfit (not sleeping a wink all through that weekend) but it was nasty!!! People... never work under duress!!! I mean the finishing was horrific!!! As I finished the outfit, I knew I couldn't put it on the runway and Outfit 1, Trial 3 also went down the drain!!!

By now I was upset!!! I decided I was going to redo the outfit in my own time but my teachers felt for me (and indeed the other students who had issues with their first outfits) and instructed us to complete the first outfits again... but with a stricter deadline. We now had only 2 weeks to complete Outfits 1 & 2. Needless to say I spent the whole week sleeping off the effects of my sleepless weekend. Let's not forget the storyboards and the other work we had to hand in for History and Visual Studies!!! But that's a completely different story!

I used to pride myself on my ability to multi-task, create techinically strong garments and meet my deadlines. THAT was one thing I learnt from working. But I was running into trouble... I was constantly tired, constantly in a bad mood because I was trying to come up with fantastic designs within unreasonable deadlines, I was wasting too much money on the collection buying yards of fabric I realised I couldn't use, and worst of all, I was not meeting my deadlines!!! So I began to ask myself and God why things weren't going right in my FINAL YEAR!!! Deep down I knew what the problem was and knew what I had to do to sort it out... I needed to pay my tithes!

YES People, I am a firm believer in tithing! The King James version of Malachi 3:10 says:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of host, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall be room enough to receive it..."

This is pretty much the only verse in the Bible where God asks you to test Him... and I already knew this. So what did I do? I begged God for forgiveness, calculated what my 10% should be and raced to church [which is actually right next door :-)] to pay it because hey... my life pretty much depended on it if I didn't want to get chucked from school.

And THAT, people, was when my luck changed...

Ok... I'M BACK!!! I think...

2009-04-04T15:30:00.002+02:00

Hello PEOPLE!!!! Have y'all missed me??? No no don't lie. If you didn't y'all wouldn't be asking me why I haven't updated my blog in a while. Good to know I have readers though. I actually didn't know I had that many. But how come y'all don't leave comments huh? You need to encourage a sistah you know... Anywayz, thanx a bunch!

So what has been happening you ask? Well... a lot has happened since what... November 5th? Oh yes definitely a lot has happened. Not sure I can remember all though but will try. Of course y'all know 26 Feb was my birthday and though I wish I could tell you I had a blast and rocked the town, I'd be lying. Wanna know why? FEDISA that's why! I had like who knows how many storyboards to hand in the next day and it was just not the bomb! Ok... don't even get me going about that school and how heck-bent it is on taking my last bit of sanity away in this final year [lest my Academic Director decides to chuck me seeing he's one of my readers :-) Thanks A.L... you know I "luh" you... a-hem (clearing my throat)]. But that's another story for another day. The 27th was cool though... I think.... can't recall what I did though but whatever it was, it wasn't bad at all. :-)

ANYWAYZ....

Lemme begin this post by doing what I always do... Reflecting on the past year...

A lot happened in 2008. Happy moments, sad moments, scary moments. I have highlighted my most memorable... at least what I can remember... and not in any order of importance...

- My friend's trip. We both had a blast... both feeling like tourists... well she was actually. She was visiting from the UK. But nothing could beat Pastor Paul of HOTR's birthday in Constantia, the Madame Zingara trip and the visit to the townships. A classic I tell you. That was when I really became good friends with Neliswa, a South African diplomat and one of the best Capetonians I've ever met.

- House-hunting. 3 times in 1 year. Gosh... what an unpleasant experience! Please let's not even dwell on it.

- My Crystal gala outfit getting chosen for the show. Shame the show was cancelled this year. The 2nd year's came up with some STUNNING outfits this year, much nicer than ours if I must admit... but then they had a better theme so.... Maybe I'll take pictures and post.

- TENADES... a dark memory I wish I could forget but can't even if I tried. Her death was the lowest point in Cape Town and in my life.... I cried till I had no more tears to cry. I still think about her everyday... wondering what exactly happened. Only God knows. Sigh...

- The xenophobic attacks.... coming so soon after Tenadess death, people thought she was a victim. NO she wasn't please. They were unrelated incidents.

- Meeting the Nigerian Consul General to South Africa... now the Nigerian Ambassador to Israel... a very nice man who is now a very good friend of mine.

- My President's trip to Cape Town. Hey... it's not everyday a normal chic like me gets to meet the President!

- Almost getting burgled... we escaped it just by God's grace. THAT is a testimony for another day!

- My sister's wedding and making her engagement outfit. Shame I can't post a picture. She'll lynch me!

- Getting kicked out from my flat for no sensible reason. Left a very unpleasant taste in my mouth... not to talk about the bites on my skin from the bed-bug infested flat. What a disappointment that turned into a blessing! Thank God I found a place in 2 days... but sorry the police had to get involved after she locked me out of the place before the month ended. Guess she felt very smart.... Funny... do you know she's still looking for a flatmate??? HA! I laugh whenever I see her ad on Gumtree. Still saw one like 2 wks ago or so...

- Moving into and furnishing my living space :-) the lounge turned room. It's not the conventional living space but I love the space, the location and my flatie!

- Losing another friend and a cousin... Hmmnnn... By then I must've run out of tears, I became blank...

- Getting a lovely HR job in a fantastic company... though I had to stop when my contract ended but it was cool while it lasted... and it helped pay for my brand new orthopaedic-like mattress...

- My 3 outfits getting into the 2008 FEDISA Graduate Show. A great show that ended all too quickly... But I'm sure you've read all about the show already...

- OBAMA becoming US President!!!

- Going home and working on a mini contract I got to make office wear and getting help from my 3 adorable nieces visiting from Canada who I hadn't seen in years!!! I tell you, the best thing I could ever have done was learning a skill. I thank God for that.

- Clubbing in Lagos at the newest joints. But getting stuck in traffic at 2am in the morning all because I wanted to catch my fun in Lagos on the last Friday of the year was not fun at all! Let's not even talk about that night!

- Networking in Lagos during the December holidays.

Actually if I had to write everything, I'll probably be here till next week [which starts tomorrow actually :-)] but I think I'm tired now so I'll just round up. I dunno why my pictures are not uploading though :-( Will try and upload again. This is like the 2nd or 3rd time I've tried.

Well my greatest regret actually was ending off the year in front of my sewing machine when I should have been at church. And 2009 has been a bit of a challenge and I think this is the reason. But one thing I do know and I'm thankful for is how God brought me through 2008 in one piece. I couldn't have done it without Him and y'all... even those I didn't have pleasant experiences with because y'all know what they say... "what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger". And I am definitely stronger!

Y'all have a great weekend! MWAH!!!

"Yes We Can! We Can Do Anything If We Try..... But We Gotta Try..."

2008-11-05T21:06:00.005+02:00

I kept playing this song by Donnie McClurklin on my MP3 player and singing it repeatedly throughout today the minute I heard on the 6am news that Barrack Obama won the US Presidential Elections. I thought to myself 1st Mandela, Now Obama... Wow... things are happening!!! Martin Luther King's dream has finally become a reality!

I almost cried!!! My sleepless night was worth it. True, I did not follow the US presidential elections as religiously as a lot of people did, but I screamed the loudest when I heard Obama won.

Today, 5th November 2008, really is a historic day. I wish I was in America right now. There's no better feeling than having a massive smile on your face when your President walks in or you see him on TV!!! The whole world backed this man and I'm glad he won. Hey, it could have gone both ways but somehow it didn't! Too many people had faith and the huge turnout at the polls proved it. His success cannot be contested.

Martin Luther King is probably smiling down on us now. I mean despite adversity, assassination attempts and public criticism by his opponent and even his Vice President, he remained humble and stood firm. He is a man we can identify with, not an imposing figure but an ordinary man who despite being very humble holds the most powerful position and is highly respected worldwide! I am beaming so much it hurts and I actually feel like crying! It really is a good day!

I'm not sure people actually understand the implications of this man being President but I do! He is not a 10 generation African but a true African... I mean his DAD not his great great great great great (to infinity) grandfather was African. He really represents a message of hope for us all that YES WE CAN and it can be done!!! AND he has plansssss..........

How I want to sing loudly at the top of my voice "Oh Happy Day..." It really is overwhelming...

Congratulations my brothers!!! Well Done Obama!!!

God bless you!!! Please do us proud!!!

I've started my gallery of great black Presidents in controversial societies. Please let's add more to this list!

Cheers People!!!

@ the 2008 FEDISA Graduate Collection Show (25/10/2008)

2008-10-26T16:49:00.013+02:00

Wow!!! What a day!!! All I can say is that Allen pulled it off once again! You thought last year was good??? This year was great!!! Simply fantastic! True "fashiontainment" at its best!!!

So what exactly made the day so great???

The venue??? The Rooftop Marquee, above the Aston Martin store at the Waterfront, Cape Town. Need I say more...

The lights??? The Chandelier and lovely vintage lamps.

The TV screens??? Oh my goodness, gold plated antique screens and about a hundred garments on display.

The models??? A classic.

My 3 outfits that made the show... One "Time Shift" Garment, the dramatic outfit and 2 Denim Streetwear Garments following the theme "Volume & Suppression)

The guests??? Over 800... and counting. Tickets were all sold out and there were at least 100 people scrambling for tickets.

The goodie bags??? Elle magazines and vodka.

Need I go on??? Sadly, my flatie took pictures so she felt there was no need to take pictures of the other models. Sigh... so yeah, the pics you'll see are the pics of us and my models. And to get a feel of the show, though you won't see the real graduate collection, the reason for the event, you'll have a feel of the Time Shift outfits that were created my my classmates, most of which made the show...

So... here goes...

Before the show:

Yes we did the make up ourselves... No professionals.

...refabricated the shoes...

and amended garments just before the show...

Tozama sewing the flowers onto her Grim Reaper outfit, her interpretation of "Time Shift"...

Especially me, seeing 1 of my models cancelled on the morning of the show... but that's another story for another day.

Backstage during model rehearsals:

The Show:

My "Time Shift" model on the runway...

Garments by other designers

Tozama accepting her R20,000 Richard Bloom Award from Craig Port

Yours truly, during the finale, right behind one of my Denim models...

Backstage after the show:

My Time Shift Model

One of my 2 Demin Street Wear Designs...

The 2nd denim Street Wear Design... That was initially plain dark blue denim. It was refabricated using Silver and Yellow Spray Paint and Rhinestones. Not bad eh?

Tozama's Grim Reaper model for her Time Shift garment.

The Richard Bloom Award winner & her model...

Back home after the show at our private after party:

I'm trying to upload the other Time Shift garments that some of my other classmates made without much success. Will post those pics later.

Have a great week y'all! MWAH!!!

Cheers!

Last Year's (2007) Graduate Show...

2008-10-25T02:11:00.010+02:00

Time sure des fly! Barely a year ago, we were preparing for my college's very 1st graduate show and it was quite hectic. Last year's show was at the Whale Well in the Isiko Natural History Museum. I had no clue how it would turn out but it was stunning. I was a worker, helping to set up the venue, and an usher. What an experience!!! And y'all know how I love before and after stories.

The venue was transformed from this:

and this:

to this:

The food:

And drinks:

Anywayz, without dwelling too much on the past, lemme show you some of the outfits at the show. Sadly, I didn't get a good view of some of the pictures but managed to get these:

The first 5 or so were some designs from my class (then the 1st years), some outfits from the Midsummer Night's Dream show we had and the rest were from the graduate collection.

3rd Year Collection:

There are actually more pictures but uploading them is taking forever and I need to get some sleep!

So

This year's graduate show promises to be the bomb. Not only because of the location, the Rooftop Marquee at Waterfront, above the Aston Martin Showroom, and the hype that's been going on about it but also the fact that ALL 3 OUTFITS OF MINE GOT INTO THE SHOW!!! And I intend to take LOTS of pictures (unlike last year where I didn't take 1 picture!)!!! I literally worked like a dog and my efforts paid off so yes I'm pleased. Tickets are sold out and people are still placing orders for tickets which are not and which will not be available.

This year's show will be the bomb so watch this space peeps... and wish me luck!!!

Welcome to TWayne's World... You wanted to see the pics... Well here they are...

2008-10-22T09:46:00.016+02:00

Well... you'll be glad to know that I feel sooo much better today. I usually do once I've slept.

I was going to write on something else today but thought since I had such a chilled day at school today, I'll spend time posting the pictures of my room like I promised so I don't waste my data bundles on it later today. Besides, I know myself. If I don't do it now, I probably never will... at least not in the near future...

Well, you know the story of my place. Well this was how it looked before when I just moved in. I had little or no furniture and slept on ooooolllldddd mattress on the floor when it was veryyyy cold..... Gosh... I cannot wait to write my biography. It is guaranteed to be a bestseller.

Well my cold never went... till now... and I had to buy an electric blanket just to keep warm.
Sigh... anywayz.... lemme get on with this...

The BEFORE and AFTER syndrome...

This is what the space looked like before I transformed it into my mini bachelor flat. Excuse the mess. This was what it looked like when I moved in. I had toooo much stuff and no wardrobes...

Notice the TV on my suitcase??? People... no condition is permanent.

Well this is the AFTER... what my room/living space looks like now...

DRUMROLL please......

Entering my living space...

My mini-bedroom. See how amazing the sun rays through the curtains are...

My mini-study in my mini-bedroom. Please ignore the fact that it's sideways. I got tired of flipping it around. It never did save for some strange reason.

Entering the mini-study from the mini-lounge....

... and onto the balcony from the bedroom / study:

View from my bedroom into the lounge when the curtains are down...

Perfect right? You see absolutely nothing!

My lounge:

These are my make-shift wardrobes from Ackermans (Thank God I didn't have to buy proper wardrobes). Saved me a whole lotta money and stress. And yes yes I know the Ghana Must Go bags kinda spoil the effect but ... hey... there's really no where else to put them...

Leaving my room:

Not bad right??? I think I did quite well even if I do say so myself. Re-furnishing the room cost me a lot but it was worth it! I put the curtains up myself... took me 2 days... so yes I really really appreciate it! Everything in there as DIY!!!... Well not really... I made some of the curtains and bought some from Ackermans. I have at least 10 curtains (and this excludes the one I made myself) and 2 door frills in there.

So see why I'm reluctant to move now? After all that effort, I hope I have no more house drama till I leave Cape Town...

Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

MWAH!!!

I only wish I was resting after my loooong break!

2008-10-20T10:10:00.003+02:00

Yes, yes, I'm back after my very long but deliberate break from blogging. I had to stay away from the internet because I had crazy deadlines which were being affected by my internet addiction.

So the last time you heard from me, I was having that huuuuuge issue with my ex land-lady.... an episode I hope I'll never go through again. BUT 2 months down the line (2 months???!!! Gosh... how time flies), I am convinced kicking me out was the best thing she ever did to me. It turns out you never know how much of a crappy time you're having in a particular place until you leave. This is YET another testimony of the silver lining behind the initial grey cloud.

How did I resolve the housing situation? Well let's just say I didn't find being locked out of the flat I called home for about 5 months (on 31 August) very funny. I hate the idea of being exploited by people simply because they think they can. For Pete's sake, I had paid the rent till 31 August no.... 15 September. So what did I do? I went to the authorities who accompanied me back to the flat. Well though I didn't get my full deposit, I proved my point that I wasn't just some stupid student who didn't know her rights.

People asked me to take it further by going to the small claims court but frankly I just felt it would be a waste of my time (even if not money since the legal services would be for free). Seeing she obviously needed the money more than I did, I decided it'd be best to sow a seed into her life :-). She didn't know this, however, and quickly revised the advert lest she got caught trying to exploit me. HA! You know what, I doubt that she found someone to take the room before the 15th because the advert was constantly updated till around the 15th. Needless to say she confirmed that no-one wanted the room. I wonder why.

My flatie was great, sticking by me every step of the way. Till tomorrow, she wonders how I could have stayed there for so long. Well I dunno. Now that I look back, I really wasn't living in an ideal situation. But anywayz, Big Daddy up there fought my battle for me and I am thankful! Despite all, I still sent her an sms saying I enjoyed my time there and it was a shame things ended the way they did. I hate leaving a place with bad vibes.

So the sms ended that chapter and my flatie and I went for sushi and Chinese to celebrate!

I have having a blast since I moved. Though not a typical bedroom but a lounge like I said, I have made the best use of my large living space. I have converted it into a small bachelor flat consisting of a mini bedroom, mini study and mini lounge. It is amazing what a few curtains and the right colour coordination can do for a previously stark space. I have a lovely 4 poster bed and my room is a burst of colours with lime green, peach, green, white, red and fuschia curtains. The sunshine through the colourful curtains gives the most divine glow to the room.

Ok, let's ignore the fact that in trying to cut costs, I was sleeping on a "kak" mattress placed on a futon which I had pulled apart. This totally messed up my back and had to buy an orthopaedic-like mattress to reset my spine. Sigh..... What an experience. Furnishing the space cost me an arm, a leg and a few ribs but it was worth it. People who visit are amazed at what I did to the room. It is really cool and I smile whenever I walk into my room. I guess being a design student also helped. I wish I could do more but I really have to save funds seeing I'm pretty broke now. I think I'll post pictures for you to see.

Ahh... you know what??? It worked out for the best! My flatie is simply amazing (the kind of flatie I have always wanted to live with), I have an amazing view of the sea from my bed, a LARGE living space to do my work in a fantastic location. The block is a friendly block and people are always willing to help no matter what.

The implication of this? I will definitely be there for much longer than 2 months. Recall that my initial plan was to stay here temporarily till the guy's lease was up. Well, I've scrapped that now. As long as there's no more drama, I'm cool. To be honest, I think I'm sick of moving house. My priority now is to get a car! I really really need one now!

So yeah... like Droopy the Dog (without the droopy face) "I'm happy"!

Before I sign off, I'd like to offer my deepest sympathy to my cousin who lost his son last month. It was really traumatising for the family and I was quite depressed.... so upset that I didn't move from my couch the day after I heard the news. I was stuck in the same spot for about 10 hours and cannot even recall eating. It was such a huge blow and great loss BUT all I can say is God knows best! RIP DA!!!

Y'all are probaby wondering where I've been right?

2008-09-25T18:20:00.003+02:00

Yes yes I know... I've been away but I'm cool. Enough gist to catch up on but right now I'm slaving away at my machine preparing for the fashion show in October. And I'm FARRRR from finished, trust me. I don't even have a model. I'm making the clothes and praying to God they fit the model, when I find her. Theme? Time Shift. AND this is like another competition because I'm not sure if I'll be in the show. It's like a Crsytal Gala all over again.

I just thought I should buzz. Should be able to breathe by Wednesday.... for a while.... And then I'll fill all y'all in on all that you've missed.

Enjoy your week all!

I've just about HAD IT!

2008-08-27T22:58:00.004+02:00

Can you just imagine this lady has refused to give me a full refund of my deposit??? She claims I'm still liable to pay her for the portion of the one-month notice period I am not staying at the flat. In other words, she's taking half of my deposit!

She tells me I cannot move out of the flat because she's already posted an advert stating the room will be available from the middle of September. Like .. hello... can an advert not be modified??? So as a friend said, "she wants me out, but wants me to move only when she's ready". She claims the room will be unoccupied during that period which I know is a lie! For Pete's sake, she was telling the prospective tenants that the room will be available from 1 September in my presence. And I KNOW she will not give me my full refund even if the room is occupied from the 1st of the month. Meaning she benefits both ways. How greedy can one get??? Can you just imagine?! I am sooooo PISSED!!! Is it legal to do this???

I have checked the South African laws and there's no provision regarding this peculiar situation. And people, it's not about the money but the principle. I hate being cheated and people taking advantage of situations simply because they can. It appears extorting money from international students appears to be the in thing these days. I am aware this lady witheld money from the 2 previous tenants as well. I know this because she told me. The sad thing is she'll get away with it. That's what really irks me! To be honest, I cannot be bothered to seek legal representation on this. I mean, the law says I'm entitled to a written notice (which she didn't give me) and the interest accrued on the deposit (which I bet she won't give me).

But you know what? It's not worth the time, effort or money (though sometimes it may be worth it just for the principle). That and the fact that most times, we'd rather stay safe than fight for our rights. But I've always regarded money as a secondary issue, for my sanity and no matter what, I know I'll always get money because I pay my tithes religiously. So things always just work out for me.

Well people have asked me to leave it to God so I will. But I am out of here tomorrow by God's grace. After all, there's no reason to stay anymore. In fact, I cannot bear to be in this environment any longer. The sad thing is I've already paid for the new place, so I've lost a substantial sum of money, which right now could come very handy since the year has ended and I'm "very rich".

Thing about situations like these, money obtained through inappropriate means never lasts and like my mother says in literal translation from Yoruba, "you cannot buy a product that will make you smile from taking money that has made someone else cry". I know one thing for sure... my God is up there and He sure will look out for me like He always has!

I am very pained people. I am pained! But hey, what's a few rands right? Much MUCH more will come my way by God's grace when I become rich and famous! And t-h-e-n she can eat from the crumbs that fall from my plate! Amen!

Romans 8: 28

2008-08-23T12:02:00.004+02:00

I'm not very good at quoting Bible verses. I usually remember the text but not the exact location. But there is one that ALWAYS comes to my mind when I'm either going through a challenge or something has just worked out through God's divine intervention:

Romans 8: 28 "All things work together for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose".

I know the italicised portion by heart but googled it to confirm its exact location in the Bible. A search for this verse brought me to this quote on The Jesus's Blog, a sort of mini-sermon on this passage:

"It is a powerful scripture. The power lies in the fact that this is a scripture that explains so much of what goes wrong in our lives. The loss of a job, a betrayal, a death, going bankrupt. It all seems so negative at the time. Nevertheless, God is working out an eternal purpose to bring His plans to pass."

How true this is. You all have read about my latest challenge in my last 2 posts. It is SIMPLY amazing how things have worked out and I thank God for it.

Ok where do I begin...

Househunt yes. Well after this episode, I decided it was time to get my own place. Apart from the costs, I'm not too keen on living alone. As my sister said "sometimes, living with someone gives a sense of security, even if the person is never there". SO I placed an ad looking for someone who is in the same position and who I could sign a lease with.

Well this South African guy responds and we start chatting about our situation and how we could hook up to see if we are compatible. During our conversation, it turns out he's been around quite a few Nigerians... and better still, knows one of my buddies back home!!! I was tooo tripped! I mean, what are the odds of meeting a total stranger, a South African who knows one of your personal peeps back home??? Turns out they met at a training in Paris.

Anywayz, by then I was like... "ok you have no choice, we DEFINITELY are moving in together". The only BUT here is that his lease expires in October... meaning he'll only require a new place in November. Oops! And I have to find a place by 1 September (though I have till 15th to move, I'd rather leave sooner than later). So anywayz, we agreed that I should perhaps find temporary accommodation till his lease expires.

Well I am pleased to say that I have discussed with the chic who owns the flat I said I found 2 days after I got the notice and she says it's ok for me to move in temporarily till I'm ready to move on, provided I give her one month's notice. Further, she's happy to extend the lease if I find that I like it at her place and has not only offered to help me move but said I could move in before the end of the month at no extra cost to me.

So people... all's well that ends well. At times like this, I am speechless at how things work out for me. One minute you feel like you're drowning, and before you know it, you realize that you're just taking a dip in fresh spring water simply because you're thirsty and you need a gulp of water. It's not because I'm too good but it is simply by His mercy and grace.

People! I have just TOO many testimonies, I don't even know where to begin. But one thing I know is no matter how bleak a situation may seem, there's ALWAYS light at the end of the tunnel. Trust me, I'm living proof of His grace!

Always think to yourself, "It is well. This is just for a short while..." Believe it and it will come to pass.

Enjoy your weekend all!

The Truth Revealed.....

2008-08-19T14:57:00.004+02:00

PEOPLE!!!!! I had to RUN HOME to give you the latest gist on my accommodation situation. LOL!!!! My goodness... this is incredible!!!

I'm minding my business, browsing through gumtree for accommodation when I stumbled upon this ad obviously posted by my landlady:

"Furnished room in Sea Point apartment available for short term let from mid-September or 1st October.

Will suit mature person (male or female) who is clean, tidy and considerate. Must be animal lover - I have a dog and 2 cats, and must not be an anti smoking campaigner!

Rent includes electricity and maid.

The apartment is situated a stone's throw from the beach front promenade and has stunning sea and mountain views. Close to all amenities and transport."

Now after reading the 1st paragraph, I start to think.... "oh ok... she needs the room seeing she's looking for a short term let. But why didn't she just say so and give me enough notice instead of taking the route she took???"

These were my thoughts until I saw the 2nd paragraph about the "anti-smoking campaigner"... and I'm thinking "WHAT?!!!"

OK.. let's go back to when I first viewed the flat. YES she did tell me she was a smoker. YES I still moved in anyway. YES after the 1 month trial period, I said "Sure, I can live with the smoke" because she doesn't smoke that much anyway. Besides, the place is really airy and she burns candles to absorb the smell (which I thought was really cool.... and yes she told me this when I asked why she had so many candles around the house).

SO the cigarette smell doesn't really get into my room. The only time I really smell the smoke is when I come out into the hallway and when she smokes in her room which she rarely ever does anyway. For Pete's sake, I watch Project Runway with her when she's smoking and I have NEVER complained. Of course, like someone who has an allergy to smoke, I cough when I first smell it until my system adjusts. But then, I also cough when I spray insecticide, cook or when my throat is clogged from stress or cold.

SO I'm starting to think "why on earth would she think I'm an anti-smoking campaigner???"

And then suddenly it clicks! Hold up for JUST ONE SECOND! No no no.... SURELY she cannot be kicking me out because I spray air freshener all the time???!!!!!

OK people, anyone who knows me would tell you I'm addicted to lovely smells, hence my addiction to perfumes (designer perfumes by the way wink wink) and air fresheners. I love to smell nice. In fact, I told her about this when we went to Checkers once and I was looking for the "Glade Strawberries and Cream fragrance" for my wall.

If you look at my room people, I have air freshener EVERYWHERE!!! I love the fresh smell in my clothes... the so-called "janded smell" we all love so much back home. I have 3 in the cupboard I hang my clothes (2 hanging from the rail and 1 on the floor), 1 on every shelf in the wardrobe, 2 in my shoe cupboard, 1 hanging from the ceiling, 1 hanging from the door, 1 stuck on the wall, a can in the bathroom and a can in my room and extra cans and units just so I never run out.

AND I always spray the cans of air freshener. I spray after I finish cooking for the smell (since we don't open the windows in case Minky runs away again), I spray air freshener when I'm done in the loo in case it gets into the hallway, I spray in my room because I eat in my room and hate the smell of stale food, I spray when I take off my boots just in case there's an umpleasant smell (no my feet do not stink people), I spray my shoe cupboard even though I have the hanging units, I spray when the smell of her dog gets a bit strong, yes I spray when the smell of the smoke gets into my room, I spray after I have treated my bed with insecticide (which is usually at night since bed bugs are nocturnal creatures) and sometimes I spray just for the heck of it, usually when I think to myself... hey I can't smell any air freshener.

SO tell me... why on earth would she think I spray air freshner only because of her cigarettes?????? How different is it from having a plug-in unit that sprays automatically every 10 or 15 minutes?

You know what it is??? Paranoia. NOPE! I refuse to believe it's the air freshener. Surely there must be some other reason. ANd if she had a problem with it, why not just tell me? If she thinks it quite ridiculous, then she could make up some story about how the smell of air freshener mixed with cigarette smoke can be quite nauseating or some other story.... except she thinks, "Hey I can't caution someone for spraying air freshener all the time so I think the best way out of it is to throw her out!"

So see people... my phone calls were obviously not the problem. That was just an excuse which didn't really hold water anyway. The main issue was "freshening the air" with my air fresheners.

HOW LUDICROUS!

Sleeping with the Enemy...

2008-08-16T20:37:00.005+02:00

PEOPLE! I need to write a best seller on my experiences here. You cannot believe I am house-hunting.... AGAIN!!!!! Really, I think I deserve a medal for this or what do you guys think??? I mean REALLY I thought the search was over. I was soooooo comfortable here and had already started buying little furniture and all...

UNTIL... my landlady comes home Thursday evening and tells me just out of the blue "I'm sorry but this just is not working" and gave me a month's notice. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I have NEVER had cause to think I had issues with the lady. I mean, of course there was the bedbug issue which I thought had been resolved.

Oh yes.... the bedbug issue.... lemme quickly gist you about that. But first, don't think I live in filth. Bedbugs are attracted to human blood not waste or filth.

Anywayz, when I moved in here I had issues sleeping at night because I always woke up with itchy insect bites - and I still have the scars to prove it. Really strange since I never even saw a cockroach in the flat I moved out of in February. I complained to her but she claimed she never had such problems... UNTIL... the bugs got into her room!

And the complaints began, accusing me of bringing bedbugs into her flat. Imagine that! Of course I felt bad so I coughed up 700 bucks to get the place fumigated. After 2 treatments, the bugs still didn't leave because the treatments obviously don't work on the eggs. But hey, they no longer disturbed me since I treated my bed every night with insecticide. In fact I slept soundly! But she kept on complaining that she couldn't live her life spraying insecticides all the time.

But the whining continued every morning till I just got fed up and called the guy who stayed here before I moved in. Imagine my relief when he told me that that was the reason he moved out! Meaning the problem was there BEFORE I moved in. Of course I told my landlady what the guy said and she denied it, claimed the guy only complained about mosquitoes. HA! The guy told me he thought the insects were fleas from the pets.

We never spoke about it again and she never complained about the bugs to me again and things went back to normal before I left... or so I thought. This episode obviously marked the beginning of the end of my stay here!

I got back from Lagos and noticed she was acting strange. I told my mum and my sister about it but they advised I just act normal that maybe she was going through some issues. But despite her attitude I still spoke to her (though not as much as before) and just last week I was telling my mother that things were back to normal... until that fateful Thursday!

I asked her why she was kicking me out and initially she said nothing. Then to my surprise, she said it was because I was always on the phone. WHAT?! BULLCRAP!!! Complaining about me being on MY CELL PHONE??? I mean this is a lady who's in front of the TV till like 12am and I'm always in my room. There is NO WAY she can hear me above the noise of the TV. In fact, I should be the one complaining about the noise from the TV. I told her surely this could not be the reason. She said, "well and lots of other things". I asked which other things but she couldn't give me an answer. I asked why she never told me about these "lots of other things", still silence.... and then "you have a month to find somewhere else". How cold!

BUT seeing that God loves me sooo much, I have found a place already!!!!!! In 2 days I found a place! I mean it's not my usual style but hey I am eager to get out of here! The chic seems nice but hey, after what I've been through in CPT, I'm pretty much prepared for anything now. Only problem is I have to buy furniture which I'm not too happy with, so I'm still searching. In fact I had promised myself I would not stay with the owner of a flat ever again but to be honest, I'm not keen on staying by myself either. Not in this society that has the "it's all about ME" mentality.

I really do not understand these people. It beats me how someone can be so old (yes she's 20 years older than I am) yet be so immature. How can you live with someone you have issues with and not discuss it with them. For Pete's sake, you sleep in the next room every night! I bet her office peeps convinced her that asking me to leave was the best way because I'm sure she would have discussed it with them, after all they were instrumental in her dealings with the previous tenant.

I pride myself on being the perfect tenant, and my ex estate agent can confirm this. I am extremely clean (and yes I do say so myself), I don't drink, don't smoke, don't have wild parties, respect other people's privacy and pay my rent on time, sometimes even before the due dates. I make an effort to talk to my flatmate, always concerned about them and always offering to help when I can. For Pete's sake, I tried to sell this lady's fur coats for her, placed ads on gumtree for her advertising her make-up skills, bought her pets food with MY money and lots of other things I don't need to tell you.

YET she stabs me in the back all the while smiling at me and speaking sweetly. For Pete's sake, just 2 weeks ago, she moved a large piece of furniture from my room without my asking her to and got the place ready for my reading table. So really I cannot fathom how such a sweet person (because she really is one... let me rephrase... seems like one) could do such a thing. I had praised her so much, my school wanted to put her on their list for future students. Goodness, what a strange person!

I tell you, right now, I CANNOT WAIT to be out of here... in fact no need to take up the full month's notice. I'll be out in 2 weeks by God's grace. I wish Tenades was still here. We viewed the place together. She will be stunned!

But hey people... what can I say, I feel like a nomad. Gosh the stress of packing, moving, settling down again... groan.... I am sooooo not looking forward to it! But I know God will continue to watch out for me as He has done in the past because He loves me!

Enjoy your weekend!

Errrrrrr..........

2008-08-09T21:01:00.005+02:00

Could it be that I am back to my disgraceful ways??? Not updating my blog??? Come on! It's funny, I've come online to post an article enough times in the past week but for some strange reason, I just never posted the articles. They seemed too bland. They lacked a certain something. And of course, seeing I don't want to give you anything but my usual posts which y'all love (psyches), I decided to delete my post for today and post something else later.

SO

I haven't forgotten you guys. And I don't want you to think I'm lazy. SO... I'll leave you with my veryyyyy best wishes for a wonderful weekend! :-)

Amazing Tips...

2008-07-29T17:17:00.004+02:00

Hello People,

FIRST let me say a massive HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to 2 important people in my life... my mother July 11) and my big sister (today). Well My sister's ... years old today (thought I'd keep that a secret lest she lynches me)... Here's wishing you lots of lots of fun and God's blessings today and always.

Sadly I couldn't post birthday wishes on July 11th because we were just soooooo busy preparing for my sister's (yes.. this same one's) wedding the next day. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mummy. Love you loads!

So here are 2 amazing cakes for 2 AMAZING people...

Ok...

NOW for the amazing tips I've been itching to share...

I just learnt 2 things and thought I should share. You know what they say... there's love in sharing. One's really cool... for females and one's just gross (is that how to spell it???) but you'll thank me for it. So which should I tell you first?

Ok... let's start with the cool one first.

I have an extremely oily face! It's so oily you can fry an egg on my face. I have... or should I say had tried everything. You name it, I had used it and I finally gave up. Until... Rae Rae introduced me to this amazing product by Estee Lauder....

Estee Lauder Sparkling Clean Purifying Mud Foam Cleanser

But this product is simply amazing! My face actually looks fresh all day! And it wasn't ridiculously expensive... though yeah maybe it cost 1 or 2 ribs sha. But it is a worthy investment. And thing is, depending on how you use it, it should last you for a year because it comes in a 125ml tube. And it smells great! Cool eh? Just remember to use it with a nice water-based moisturiser for a nice effect. I use it with Johnson's PH 5.5 Oil-Free Shine Control Cream (which was not too effective when I used it on its own. In fact my face was even more oily when I used the Johnson's on its own)

Check out the reviews on:

http://www.epinions.com/reviews/Estee_Lauder_Sparkling_Clean_Purifying_Mud_Foam_Cleanser_42385213

Ok... the other errr.... tip is for those with strange bowel movements. I mean, going to the loo is not a favourite activity of mine. Actually I can't stand it... couldn't stand it since secondary school. So over time, my system just got used to storing crap. So yup.. you guessed right, I became a constantly constipated. So constipated that i had to use laxatives to purge myself of the toxins that have built up over time. I could actually feel.... ok... you guys get the picture.

Well until I discovered.... drum roll pleaseeeee....

Yup... Kellogg's All-Bran Flakes.

What did you expect, some major drug I can't spell???

VERYYY affordable and works wonders! In fact... I have been smiling all the way to the errr...... ok... let's not complete that now... Just remember not to use it on a day you can't get a clean loo to use. Nope you will not run. Far from it... which beats using laxatives that not only give you a stomach ache but make you run as well.... but when you gotta go, you gotta go...!!!

So yes people. Both are tried, tested and trusted tips which I thought I should share. And that's my good deed completed for the day!

Have a nice week y'all!!!

Urban Transportation... WHAT???!!!

2008-07-22T19:07:00.005+02:00

How on EARTH do you translate such a theme into a fashion project?

That's the latest assignment we've been given. I have 40 pages to fill with ideas. Guess how many pages I've done? None! ZILCH!!! In fact I have NO CLUE where to begin!

As strange as the theme may seem however, I've been able to adopt it in the latest garment I'm making, a men's shirt (is that correct???). The pins on the shirt seams are like rail tracks... still don't know how I'll pull it off though. But will DEFINITELY post a pic.

SO... as usual, I have like 3 or 4 projects due in the next 2 wks.... in fact 1 due on Friday, and I haven't a clue how to go about it. For Friday, the question is, how do I go about making a window display without a mannequin??? We'll see. I guess stranger things have happened...

B for Babes... Rest In Peace B.A....

2008-07-21T22:15:00.003+02:00

Surely it must be too soon to write yet another tribute... so soon after Tenades... in fact back to back.

What is happening???? Just when I thought I was finally starting to put the last 6 months behind me... 6 months of sadness, 6 months of tears, now this happens in the 7th month.

Why Lord? Why???

I have cried so much in the past 6 months, … in fact more than 6 months... since last November to be precise after losing AA … that I am now numb. I had had enough depressive episodes and thought I was starting to pull myself together and now this. In fact I was so in shock after the news today, I had to watch a movie just to get my mind off it... what a temporary measure. The pain is still there.

Babes.... you were SUCH a treasure.... A pleasure to everyone who knew you. That smile.... that picture in the mag.... smile.... yes I can only smile....

That day!!! That event!!!! The event that made us meet. The event , like Adora said, which initially seemed like a waste of money but was worth every penny because we met you. YOU made that event bearable.

I still cannot believe it... but I remember the bubble dress and the hair.... I thought you had a lot of attitude.... the attitude needed to pull it off.

THEN your smile.... My goodness... that smile....

BABES.... though we didn't see much of each other, I can NEVER forget you! This reminds me of that chain mail that tells us to cherish everyone and never let our busy lives get the better of us. This is the 2nd time now.... after you even jokingly harrassed me for not contacting you. I still have your FB wall post. But if I recall correctly, I tried to reach you.... without success.... but obviously I didn't try hard enough because it seems so vague...

Anywayz...

I take solace in the fact that you are up there with God smiling down on us, telling us "it is well".

God Bless You Babes. Rest In Peace!!! We will meet again!

A Tribute to Tenades - "Desire Fulfilled"

2008-07-17T23:20:00.007+02:00

It's been 2 whole months since I last blogged.

2 months filled with a lot of different emotions.... tears, hurt, pain, anguish, desperation, fear, remorse, happiness, sadness, you name it, I felt it.

But though I like to think of happy times, I cannot really move on till I've paid a special tribute to my special friend, Tena Desiree.

Actually, I have avoided posting an article on this great loss because it seemed that I would finally confront what I have desperately tried not to believe. I have asked myself several times what happened, cried till my eyes were dry, and no day has passed that I have not thought about you.

Words elude me at this point. But I will forever remember what a mutual friend said:

"God comes and picks His best flowers during His Harvest".

That is how I like to think of your departure.

You were.... ARE an angel and will NEVER be forgotten.

We had plans. Lots of plans but you left too early. But not to worry, God will help us make the plans a reality to ensure your legacy lives on and your "Desire Fulfilled".

It hurts.... it really hurts...... But God knows best.

Rest in Peace, Tenades.

PS. Did I tell you I met your mum? Amazing woman!

Birthday wishes to a VERY SPECIAL SISTER...

2008-05-18T22:32:00.003+02:00

It's been almost a month since I've posted an article. Sigh....

I was going to postpone blogging till next week for a reason

BUT

It's TEAL's bday today and yes you guessed right, TEAL's my sister, the baby of the family though she's anything but...

18 May... though I was very young then, I still remember the day like it was yesterday. A Saturday morning.... staring at that big bright pink baby in that cot... hmmnnn... And I remember the day she opened her eyes...

Anywayz, sorry to go down memory lane

BUT it's today and I cannot but wish her a very happy birthday. She's always been there for me.... especially in the past month.... checking up on me twice a day till she got broke I guess...lol...

This is just my way of saying THANK YOU and wishing you God's guidance and blessings today and alwayz....

Lots of love...

My piece of advice for today...

And don't forget what I said about my cake...

OR ELSE...

5FM & Akon Live in Cape Town: 12.04.08

2008-04-20T00:36:00.005+02:00

I have just 1 word for his performance... BRILLIANT!!!!! All those who didn't go for his show... YOU MISSED!!!

I danced so much, screamed so much and danced so much! He was actually in the crowd!!! And he told those with the normal tickets (like me) to cross over to the "Gold Side"... i.e. those with the gold tickets. I didn't though.... for fear of being crushed.

I had no clue I was THAT MUCH of an Akon fan... well now I know. He was brilliant. That near strip-tease.... even I had to hold my breath and scream NO THANK YOU! The crowd went WILD!!!

I've been singing his songs ever since. Shame I didn't take my camera for fear of being mugged. But all that was BULL!!! I have no idea why people just overhype the crime in SA. I mean yes there is crime but haba... as long as you're cautious, don't walk alone at night or do silly things tourists do like hang cameras on their necks and pray hard, you have nothing to fear.

People warned me against going alone. The area is dodgy, blah, blah, blah. Well I tried to find someone without success but I damn well going going to sit at home wishing I had gone... so I did.... after all it wasn't the first time I was going for a concert alone. Best move ever. not sure I would have loosened up that much if I was with someone. I think I'll start going for concerts alone. that way I have my "no holds barred" fun.

Fat Joe was there as well... but I'm not much of a rap/hip-hop fan but he was good and Black Violin....

Sadly... I have no pictures... BUT I have the memories... That definitely counts.

Well done 5FM. The advert with the model walking her giant pet tarantula was brilliant! It truly was a good show!

Thumbs Up to 5FM, the Urban Music Festival, AKON's DJ (he was really good... his work, his hair and his skirt )... and of course AKON!!!!

The Cape Town Crystal Gala

2008-04-13T11:31:00.005+02:00

Every project begins with a brief…. and then an explanation of the brief. But THIS was a little different.

IT began with a mini-lecture, a certain expectation by the Academic Director of what was expected of us as 2nd year students…. And we thinking… “ohhhh-k-a-y-y-y… where is he going with this?”

IT then advanced into a glowing review of what a certain gala represented and an address by a representative of the producers of the certain gala. A show, the 1st of its kind in Cape Town with the best of jazz music and a runway showcasing work from international and local designers, 12 evening gowns (and 6 male outfits) from the 2nd (and 3rd) year students at FEDISA.

Errrr….. REEEE---W-I-N-D…..!!! Only 12? But we’re over 20 in all...

SO…

…what was meant to be yet another task for the module, “corseted evening gowns” turned out to be a mini-competition for the launch of the Crystal Gala ball in Cape Town, part of an annual event alongside the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

And FEDISA’s interpretation of Crystal Gala? An array of “shimmering” corseted evening gowns in shades of only white and silver and LOTS OF BLING!!!!

Only THEN did we get the brief!

And boy… did our classroom turn into FEDISA’s version of Project Runway!

Patterns, fabric, tools, threads, you name it EVERYWHERE!!!

Fittings, accessories and yelps and screams of pain from damaged fingers caused by rotary cutters, pin pricks and sewing machines all over the place.

I was one of the last to finish (what else is new) but I was undeterred; bothered by finished garments from colleagues...

...but not discouraged.... never discouraged because I knew it wasn't over till the deadline for submission.

Funny…. We all thought our creations would look like wedding gowns but HA! FAR from it!

Well... apart from this one because this was an actual wedding gown for her sister...

Yah the chic trying on the outfit made the outfit. Shame you can't see the crystals on the outfit. Stunning work I tell you...

ANYWAYZ...

THIS was my initial sketch and my ORIGINAL concept.

It took me all of....what.... 10/15 minutes to sketch. Lucky for me, this first sketch was immediately approved which, though was surprising, was a huge relief. Some peeps... actually enough peeps had to work on theirs again or improve on their existing sketches.

WELL...

52 pattern pieces (I pride myself on this), 2 days of couture beading (including accessories), a few modifications here and there and approximately 3 weeks later (not my fault as I had to start again because I bought the wrong fabric colour), this was what my concept turned out to be…..

DRUMROLL PLEASE……….

Yah I know you can’t see much of it but there are crystals down the front and back of the outfit.

YUP! You guessed right! I was one of the CHOSEN 12!!!!!!!!!!!

We all took chances, making garments without seeing the models.

BUT I was lucky. Mine was a perfect fit! And I have God to thank for that.

I never got to see it on the runway but I do have this picture of the final result. AND it truly is a good feeling.

Honestly? In a class filled with such talent, I never thought I’d be part of the final 12… or 14 I think the final figure was. Perhaps I underestimate myself.

I still think my garment was simple in comparison with what my mates did but I have been told it is brilliant. Hey… I got chosen didn’t I? I guess I really am too hard on myself.

Lesson learnt? Always believe in yourself… no matter what!

And you know what? It gets better…

I already have orders for the garment…… or better still…. my work…

SO

There is HOPE… and ASSURANCE… that I will indeed, by God’s grace, succeed in my chosen career path.

Check out http://www.fedisa.co.za/eventdiary/?p=154 to see the outfits that made the Crystal Gala runway.

AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!

2008-04-08T21:27:00.002+02:00

OK... the pet hairs are REALLY starting to get on my nerves now!

They are EVERYWHERE!!! In my face, on my clothes, in my food... I FEEL LIKE SCREAMING! And Snuffles now has this annoying habit of waking me up at 6am.

BUT...

At least I don't have to pack pet poop all day. They're clean like that. And though the hair is annoying, they are still adorable!

Meet the Pets...

2008-04-06T20:16:00.004+02:00

Hello People,

You'll be pleased to know I've moved house! YAYE!!!! I tell you, God loves me! The place is so nice it's not even funny! It is simply brilliant! Just check out the view from the balcony....

Amazing right?

Well.... remember those pets I told y'all about? Here they are!

MEET... (drumroll please.....)

Buddy

my new football mate.

He's always harrassing me to play football with him which I enjoy doing. I'm sure if I play 30 mins everyday with him, I'd lose weight in no time!

Snuffles

The wise old cat. Quiet, quite mature.... well as mature as cats can be, very friendly, very finicky about food, loves to be stroked (which cat doesn't), doesn't like milk and sleeps all day!

and Minky!

The mischievious feline! Very playful, eats everything, always hungry, LOVES to eat, LOVES milk and loves to explore.

She ran away the other day, jumped right out the bathroom window! I almost had a fit! How do I tell the owner that I lost her cat in less than 1 wk of moving in. And imagine how stupid I felt walking up and down the block with a bowl of milk shouting Minky.

I finally found her in the dark stairwell! And I almost smacked her. Now she runs away when she sees me. But she's just so adorable, i've forgiven her.

I've always loved dogs though I'm scared of those I don't know. It's funny, just recently I was seriously aching for a dog..... and now I have not only a dog but 2 cats! After only 1 wk of living with them, I wonder how pple can live without pets. And the cats???... why get a teddy bear when you can get a cat!

Oh.... and the owner Michelle? A truly lovely person. Very good-looking. She's so much older than I am but looks amazing for her age. She'd give me a run for my money any day.

And the smoking is not an issue at all! She only smokes when I'm not there and burns candles to absorb the smell. We get on great!

So people, now I can see the silver lining behind the cloud. Trust me when I tell you everything happens for a reason. Ever since moving to Cape Town, I have had many testimonies and now I truly believe that every disappointment is a blessing!

Have a great week y'all! I know I will... I'm on a one-week break! HA!

House-Hunting in Cape Town... Would NEVER wish it on my enemy!

2008-03-28T20:31:00.010+02:00

This is Beach Road, Sea Point. This is where I live. Beautiful isn't it? My flat is somewhere amongst those flats on the right.

Going for walks by the Beach every Sunday after church always had a soothing effect on me. But living where I am right now has had anything but a calming effect on me.

I'll tell you why.

I've lived in the same house since I was 2 years old. I always thought it'd be cool to move house. Well since I came to Cape Town, I've moved almost 10 times... from hotels, to flatshares, to flats... and don't forget I've been here for only a year.

I recently moved from my flat, 3 days after my Bday, because the unreasonable owner sold the flat before my flatie and I got back from the Christmas holidays. So I moved, without my flatmate for various reasons, into a nice FULLY FURNISHED 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment.

I had all I could wish for. A fully furnished flat right next to the beach and my church, my own en-suite bedroom, 2 parking bays, my peace, proximity to everything.... I mean what more can a gurl ask for. All I needed to do was find a flatmate... how hard could that be right?

HA! WRONG!!!

Well... the 1st person I interviewed was into some serious scary stuff like soul-searching/getting in touch with your inner spirit or some shiz nit like that.

The 2nd person changed his mind the day he was supposed to move in and decided to get his own place.

The 3rd person decided to get a flat with some guy she met at a Backpackers.

The 4th person confessed to smoking ONLY weed!

My goodness.... by then I was thinking... would I ever get a suitable flatmate?

BUT how many of y'all know that things always happen for a reason. Of course, I never saw the silver lining behind the grey cloud until....

...a portion of the ceiling decking fell!

And THAT, my friends, was the beginning of my nightmare!

That's the ceiling... ...and part of it on the floor

There was.... IS a leak somewhere in the building!

The leak is so bad that the roof decking is soaked and falling off....

See the water spreading across the ceiling...

... and water's coming out of the switches in this health and safety hazard of an apartment!

water from the switches...

As if that wasn't bad enough, the geezer was so bad, it had to be replaced. SO guess who was without water for a while and who had to have her bath with cold water with her tiny CUP of a bucket!!!

And of course the smart plumber left the board covering the geezer in the shower...

And the SMELL!!! Gosh.... you always have to brace yourself for the smell!

Who would believe, something as horrid as this existed in the lovely apartment. I live everyday in morbid fear of a fire or electrocution. But I know God loves me so nothing dey happen! But imagine if someone had moved in? I'd have been in a deep RUT!

I dare not open the windows not only because I'm on the ground floor but people you should see the RATS around here! As massive as the VW Bug cars. Those creatures will literally eat you alive! And for the first time since I got to Cape Town, my lovely smooth body has been battered by the mutant mosquitoes. And BOY do the bites ITCH!

And y'all don't even want to know how much I paid for the flat! An expense I bore on my own since no one in their right mind would share this flat with the obvious defects.

So why did I move in you ask? Well.... when I came to view the flat, it was NOTHING like this. Kofo can confirm this 'cos we viewed the place together. She was SHOCKED when I told her about these issues.

Obviously, the peeps staying here cleaned up the mess before we arrived. I should report to the authorities!

Anywayz, I decided to look for another flat! Meaning I had to move by March 31st.

My goodness... you literally have to clear your bank account to get a decent flat here.

Seeing time was runnning out, I decided on a flatshare.

The first place had 2 MASSIVE scary dogs who kept hitting me with their tails. It was quite painful but I dared not scream lest they decide to "fetch" my leg.

The second place had a room smaller than a Smart Car.

The third place was so far from the Main Road I felt I was crossing the Sahara Desert.

The 4th place, though nice, had an owner with an attitude.

SO I place an ad on Gumtree asking for like minded people who were interested in leasing a place together to contact me. That didn't work out.

SO I reexplored the flatshare option.

Well... people... you'll be pleased to know that I FINALLY found a lovely flatshare, with a balcony larger than my previous flat RIGHT NEXT TO THE SEA and the Main Road!!!!!!

BUT.... the owner has a HUMONGOUS (if there's such a word) German Sherpherd Dog (as big as a horse), 2 sinister-looking cats and she smokes!

BUT I'm moving there anyway. The friendly dog kept bugging me to play with his ball (BALL people BALL not balls...) Dunno about the cats though...

It will be a temporary arrangement till I either find my own place or feel I can cope with the pets and the nicotine!

God help me!!! I know He will. He always does because He loves me!

Is Expensive Necessarily Good Quality?

2008-03-10T00:48:00.005+02:00

Remember this picture? The Halle Berry look I told y'all about last year. The cut that my top notch highly expensive salon told me was a piece of cake to achieve. I mean.... how hard can this cut be right? Hmmmnn...

Like every girl I could spend any amount to get the perfect look. I have always believed that a brilliant hairdresser and make-up artist were all that was needed to achieve "that" look. My business teacher once told us, you wear your hair everyday so any amount spent on it would be fully utilised. One could always get away with a pair of jeans, a tee-shirt and a pair of flip flops. Besides, you can't wear them everyday of the week, unlike your hair and "face". This is probably why people charge an arm, a leg and 3 ribs right for both services and the accompanying products.

However, many of us suffer from the misconception that the more expensive a product or service is, the better the product or service is. Well my experience this past weekend proved otherwise.

Check this out:

In the quest for that famous Halle Berry crop, I went to my top-notch salon because I assumed they were good. The decor, the smiles, the cappuchino, HECK you feel they definitely must know what they're about. So imagine my shock when, even with a picture, I got an absolutely horrid haircut! And then I was charged R430 for the nonsense!!!! People, the hair was SO nasty, I fixed a weave the very next week!

Well..... 6.5 months down the line, I risk another haircut after seeing this really amazing creation on a friend. It was simply gorgeous. BUT.... to get the haircut, I had to go to a salon in the "township"!!! My goodness! The township is not where anyone wants to go. I would have a fit if I heard my sister went to the township. BUT a week later, I decided to go to the salon in the township simply because I could not get over the hair cut.

SO.... yesterday, I went to the township, looking as plain as ever, without jewelry, to ensure I came back in 1 piece. After enduring 2 agonising hours on the bus, I arrive at the salon. Hmmmnnnnn... ok let's fast forward to the good bit!

PEOPLE.... R170 and 5 hrs later, I look like a million bucks! I could not believe it! Y'all should see me now. DARN I look good even if I do say so myself! I mean though it was stressful, it was really worth it. And I am going back next week to add colour to my hair! Ok... I may go back...

BUT really people, a lot of us know deep down we're actually paying for the facilities rather than the service. A lot of us (me inclusive) need to change our mind-set that the more expensive a service is, the better the service. Cheap does not necessarily mean low quality.

I leave you with this text message my sister sent me after her trip last year:

"It is quite interesting to note that your so-called cheap clothes which you dissed me for buying do not shrink, fade or stretch after several washes. I have worn them several times and they're still as good as new. I wonder if it is just a bias..."

I have thought about this ever since she sent it to me and after my experience, I think she might be right.

Shame I didn't have this cut before my TV show last week...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

2008-02-26T23:43:00.005+02:00

Okay... it's 11.44pm... at least that's what my clock tells me and I know that my day will not be complete without, not only sending a bday shout-out to me but also to thank you ALL for your wonderful messages.

This time last year, I was a newcomer in a city who started school on her bday. Surely you could have imagined how lonely it was not getting calls because people back home did not have your phone number yet and the people around you had no clue who you were. I mean, I doubt it would have been cool telling people on your 1st day it was your bday.... even though, vain sucker that I am, I did and got just a few polite Happy BDays.

But 1 year down the line, I THANK GOD not only for making the past years a testimony, but also letting me realise how truly cherished I am. I mean, though I am really far away, I have never felt so close to... I can't say home because calls and messages have been coming in from all over the world!

Imagine how good it felt receiving calls 2 days before your bday just because everyone wanted to be the first to wish you a wonderful day! WOW!

OK... let me quickly post it before the day runs out. This MUST be posted 26 February 2008!

Do you really need to study Fashion Design to succeed in the Fashion Industry?

2008-02-24T23:34:00.012+02:00

Concepts and Story Boards, Life and Figure Drawing,

Draping,

Garment Construction, Pattern Making, Textile Studies,

History of Fashion,

Textile Studies, Technical Drawing, etc.

These are the all too familiar courses fashion design students d.r.e.a.d... and love to hate... but have no choice really if they want to get their certificates.

But REALLY do you have to endure 3 years of an undergraduate degree or diploma to become a Fashion Professional? I use the words Fashion Professional because obviously not everyone who studies Fashion Design wants to or will become a designer.

The fashion industry is so diverse. I mean you can become a Fashion Buyer / Merchandiser, a Retailer, an Illustrator, a Stylist, an Image Consultant, a Clothes Manufacturer, a Fashion Journalist... really the possibilities are endless.

SO

Why on earth must I study Fashion Design if I do not want to become a dress maker or fashion designer...???

YES YES we know, some of the world's famous designers, John Galliano, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, etc all studied Fashion Design. But do you all know that the billionaire designer, Ralph Lauren, dropped out of his Business course at the City College of New York and NEVER went to Fashion School????

I know what y'all are thinking? Does she think she made a mistake by studying a BA in Fashion Design? Nope. In fact FAR FROM IT!

BUT

I cannot help but wonder why a lot of us feel we need to go back to school to study a course if it is not absolutely necessary. I mean if one wants to be a Fashion Stylist, for example, why does she need to study a course in fashion design? Is this borne out of the necessity to add another credential to her already long list of credentials or is it because she truly believes she needs the requisite skills to excel in her chosen field? I personally believe the latter. To be the very best in what you want to be in, you NEED to learn the basics. But then, this is my personal conviction and the major reason why I chose to study the course..... or maybe I was brainwashed into thinking this way... Hmmnnn...

Truth is that a lot of us have different aspirations. I recall recently, a friend of mine who was so frustrated with the area she was studying the course in that wanted to quit in less than a month. In fact, I BEGGED her to stay.

Now this got me thinking. She wants to have a label and be a reknowned designer.

BUT

Can't she simply just employ dressmakers and illustrators and tell them what she wants and get the clothes produced while she concentrates on the management and business arm of the conglomerate she wants to set up? Surely there are a lot of designers who send clothes to Asia and get perfect results every time. And I know she definitely does not see herself behind a sewing machine for long. And frankly, neither do I... see myself behind a sewing machine that is. I mean, one would just collapse if she chooses to make all the clothes herself.

BUT despite my personal belief, as Pennylicious said...

"Is school necessary for success? These self-made billionaires seem to suggest that talent, attitude, hard work and lots of luck seem to be the vital ingredients for success not college or even high school degrees. Bill Gates, Sheldon Adelson, Larry Ellison, Li Ka-Shing, Roman Abramovich, Paul Allen, Michael Dell, Amancio Ortega, Carl Ichan, Kirk Kerkorian, Donald Newhouse, Francois Pinault, Stanley Ho, Jack Taylor, Y C Wang, David Geffen, Steve Jobs, David Murdock, Henry Fok, Ralph Lauren"..... and of course... the very famous Sir obsessed with playing with words and suggestive book titles like "Losing my Virginity" and "Screw it, Let's Do It".... "Sir Richard Branson".

Food for thought right?

For a summary on these billionaires, go to http://www.pennylicious.com/2006/10/09/billionaire-dropouts/

Reflections (2)

2008-02-10T01:15:00.001+02:00

I've been racking my brain for the past 2 weeks thinking of what to write about in the "Reflections" series and decided to tell y'all about a research my classmate and I did last year for our Business Studies Project. Initially, when I did the research, I was so freaked out because I thought I suffered from it till some friends told me I must be silly.

OK... enough of the prologue. Can y'all guess what I'm about to talk about?

Yup.... DEPRESSION!

Before I begin, people... this is not plagiarism ok. I have given honour to whom honour is due in the presentation! Send me a mail if you want the references.

Simply put, depression is a feeling of severe unhappiness and dejection. There are 3 types:

• Reactive Depression which is simply an extension of the normal upset feeling caused by an unhappy event in a person’s life such as death, marriage, etc.

• Unipolar or Endogenous Depression: primarily a biological or inherited condition usually provoked by a form of disappointment.

• Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depressive Illness: Now this is the scary one. It is similar to Unipolar Depression EXCEPT the person also experiences episodes of elation or mania (severe highs), with which the depression (severe lows) alternates.

Although feelings of elation, such as bursts of energy and enthusiasm may seem pleasurable in the short-term, it often has devastating effects in the long-term.

Unipolar and Bipolar Depression are usually called Clinical Depression.
The common symptoms of depressive / manic episodes (of Bipolar Depression) are usually described with the acronym FESTIVAL:

•Feeling – sad, depressed, anxious or bored / elated, enthusiastic, excited, angry, irritable.

•Energy – fatigued, slow movements, everything is an effort / great energy, “never felt as well”, over-talkative or over-active.

•Sleep – waking up during the night, insomnia or over-sleeping / reduced need for sleep and marked difficulty in getting off to sleep.

•Thinking – slow thinking, poor concentration, forgetful or indecisive / racing thoughts, pressure in the head, indecisive, jumping from one topic to another, poor concentration.

•Interest – loss of interest in food, work, sex and life seems dull / increased interest in pleasurable activities, new adventures, sex, alcohol, street drugs, religion, art or music.

•Value – reduced sense of self worth, low self esteem or guilt / excessive and unrealistic belief in one’s ability or having grandiose plans.

•Aches – headaches, chest or other pains without a physical basis / never tiring, being unaware of the physical symptoms of illness such as asthma, having muscle tension at the back of the head or round the shoulders.

•Live – not wanting to live, suicidal thoughts or thoughts of death / thinking that one can live forever, taking reckless risks or, if angry or distressed, feeling suicidal.

Scary eh? If 5 or more of the symptoms depressive and/or manic episodes are present for more than 2 weeks, PLEASE seek professional medical attention!

DID YOU KNOW THAT:

- women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed and treated for major depression. I wonder why?

- depression worsens with age, i.e. the older you become, the more likely you are to get depressed.

- costs of depression is higher than that of hypertension and back problems and comparable to that of heart disease. In fact, people with depression have more sick days than people suffering from other conditions.

- it is a high risk factor for heart disease, high blood cholesterol level, high blood pressure, chronically elevated levels of stress hormones, stroke and low levels of day-to-day functioning.

We all know what can cause depression so I'll just skip that. BUT why do people not seek treatment? Simple. People are either in denial, are ashamed to admit it or are scared of the stigma employees feel may be associated with the diagnosis and the fear of the effect it will have on their jobs and concerns about confidentiality. It is important for employers and colleagues to be smart about depression by recognizing it as an illness and not a personality flaw.

What can we all do to manage depression and help sufferers?

Learn how to recognize the disease by paying attention to morale, absenteeism, dramatic mood swings and low productivity AND reach out to sufferers by having private talks and empathizing with them.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take threats seriously by being vigilant to an employee’s cry for help, e.g. comments like “I want to die” may be more serious than you think.

PEOPLE Depression is a silent killer.

Sufferes resort to vices such as cigarette, alcohol, drug and sex abuse to help cope with the disease. Others resort to suicide! Remember Kurt Cobain of Nirvana? And many other celebrities who slash their wrists?
What we can do to help fight this disease?

• Encourage sufferers to seek professional medical treatment and help them through the treatment.
• Smile at people, even strangers. Remember that a smile not only helps keep you younger, but can also help save a life.
• Offer a helping hand, even when it’s not needed. Do y'all recall:

- an internet chain letter about a 9-year old boy who was on his way home to commit suicide but changed his mind when a boy from school offered to help carry his books;
- the movie “What Women Want” about the “invisible” suicidal office girl who was finally appreciated by her boss.

• Be friendly to people. It doesn’t hurt to have a 5 minute conversation with people.
• Encourage sufferers to mix with people and invite them to socialize with you as most depressive states are compounded in periods of isolation.

Personally, I think the most important treatment of all is a hand of friendship….

Reflections (1)

2008-01-25T01:32:00.000+02:00

Yes o!!! I'm back in CPT!!!! Wanna guess what I'm doing right now ... (like DUH! apart from updating my blog...lol...)... ??? Nadda! Zilch! I am just lounging with my friend, Kofo, who's visiting from London. And I tell you.... this is the LIFE! I am havin a real blast before school starts next week.... (groan.... no p-l-e-a-s-e... don't remind me :-( ! ....) The storyboards, the projects.... no puh-lease STOP before I get a headache.

But to be honest, last year wasn't so bad... after all I made a lotta progress. I mean looking back now, I have learnt a whole LAWT!

When I first started school, it was scary to see what I was up against...

NOPE!!!! This is NOT my work.... though I wish it was. This is MJ's work... the best guy in my class...... and yah.... he is an inspiration. I mean the guy can draw..... He is so talented... in fact it must be a crime to be THAT talented!

Let me show you my mediocre work.... at least in the beginning...

My 1st storyboards...

Just check out those AWFUL technical drawings... No wonder I got such a horrid mark! But not bad for my first attempt eh?

My 1st draping exercise...

Yah I used staple pins for that effect.....

Pretty lame work eh? Yup... even if I thought it was the best work, my marks told me otherwise.

BUT I was really proud of myself, after all, I taught myself how to draw.

Ahhh... but you know what they say about practice.... The more I practised, the better I became...

I still think these storyboards and concept board were my best work so far...

Can you spot the difference in the 2 pictures...??? (lol...)

Yah I know... not quite like the original picture but hey this painting took me like 5 days... and I still got a crap mark for it because it wasn't mounted! -10%!!!!!! I almost cried!

The draping exercise...

And THEN I became a guru.... well... in my own way...

These were actually for a competition...

I actually made the dress on the left (though it came out like the maternity wear version...lol... it was like 3 sizes too big...lol...not quite what I planned) and draped the one on the right (look below)...

Draping...

My History project (mine's on the right, Dinny's on the left)...

(Mine's on the right, Dinny's on the left...) Believe it or not, that mannequin has on about 11 items of clothing from the Rococo period) It took me 4EVA to complete the outfit!

Well I don't have all my work here. Trust me, this is not even a fifth of the work I did last year! There's still the fashion show outfit... the actual pictures of the show which I may never get (but I think I have a picture somewhere of me modelling it), my hat for the competition, the waistcoat I made, my technical drawings, the belt I made for Business Studies, etc, etc, etc. I could go on posting and posting but I better wrap this up now before I run out of data bundles. Besides, the last set of pics took 4EVA to upload. I'm beat! Maybe I'll post it next time.

Looking back... I sure know it was by God's grace and determination I got through the 1st year because it was frustrating!

BUT guess what, 1 year down, 2 more to go! And Monday's just round the corner. Let's see what this year brings...

Happy 2008!!!

2008-01-11T02:55:00.001+02:00

Let me start by wishing y'all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Yes this is my first post for 2008!

Yup.... there was a reason I chose to post on 11 Jan. I'm hoping y'all will see only one "1" instead of 2 and think I posted it on the 1st instead of 11th. HA! Wishful thinking eh?

Sad to know I've already broken one of my New Year resolutions and the month's not even half way yet.

BUT...

Bet y'all are glad 2007 is over and enough of you have made New Year resolutions right? I know... For me, I made ONLY 1 resolution!

TO GET MY ACT TOGETHER!

In more ways than one. Now this 1 resolution, when broken down, results in like 50 other resolutions BUT I am pleased to say I think I have made some progress so far.

Well.... My holiday's almost over. I should return to Cape Town next Friday (18 Jan) by God's grace.

After meeting with some bloggers on the 6th, I decided I should work more on this blog as well as write more articles related to the reason I started this blog in the 1st place, as a "Fashion Resource site" in addition to just writing about myself. After all a blogger asked me who my audience was and I really had no clue.

So y'all will hear from me, either on this page or on the S&S blog site http://www.fashionmagng.blogspot.com/

Anywayz, I don't wanna say much yet but y'all will definitely see more work on this site by God's grace.

Have a brilliant 2008 y'all!!!!

Y'all have missed a whole LAWT!!!

2007-12-26T00:27:00.001+02:00

Really People, I have no clue why I haven't updated this blog since... (wait lemme check)... November 17???!!! What is wrong with me?! Actually, there's a story but I'm not gonna bore you with the details...

First, I am pleased to say I am writing from Lagos!!!! Yayeeeeee!!!! Coming home was a HECTIC journey which I will tell you about shortly and shame to say I’ve been ill since I got home. But I tell you, it’s GREAT to be home!!!

Wait... sorry.... have I wished y'all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS???!!!!!! Hope y'all had a better day than I did. Not that mine was awful, in fact it was great! All that FOOD!!! But guess I would've enjoyed it more if I didn't have a drip stuck in my left hand!

No don't panic! It's nothing to lose sleep over.

BUT I managed to pick up some illness that required the treatment to be administered intravenously and since the doctor felt it wouldn't be too nice drilling holes in my hand all in the sake of finding a vein for all 4 doses, he decided to leave the (well dunno what that plastic thingy the drip is attached to is called but I'll call it...) "thingy" in my hand till I finished the dose.

So yah, now I look like a junkie with the thingy sticking outta my hand! BUT at least I was able to spend Xmas with my family as I was totally REFUSED to be admitted. Right now the thingy hurts really bad bc I think it's kinda sticking out and it's a bit swollen.

BUT I thought I'd stop procrastinating and work on this blog tonight. SO I'm struggling to type with my right hand only and it's flipping uncomfortable. So please just ignore my typos!

Well.....

A LAWT has happened in like…. what…. a month since I was last online. What have y’all missed since you last heard from me? A WHOLE LAWT! Let’s see if I can recall all I have to fill you in on before the year runs out. Yah… yah…. yah… yah… oh and yah.. lol… how can I forget… yah…, yah…., yah… lol….. yah and ok YAH! OK let’s start with my horrid trip back home!

I missed my flight!

I was supposed to travel on the 13th but eventually left on the 14th. Will give you a run-through of what happened. Quite a long story....

To be honest, it was kinda like my fault I missed the flight. And guess why? VAT Refund! But wait before y'all judge me, you know the famous sayings "everything happens for a reason" and "every disappointment is a blessing"? Well, I must tell you my whole life is a testimony, especially this past year. The way things worked out for me is just amazing! I must tell you GOD IS GOOD!!!

OK will start the gist from Day 1 when deDuke (let's call him dD) came to CPT. Yah... he was around!!!! Was really happy he came and thank God he did. Not sure he really had a good time though (well not sure he should be having fun really since he was here to write some professional exams) but I was really in a sour mood as I heard I had just lost a very dear friend (RIP AA) the day he arrived. I was quite depressed throughout his trip. But hey dD, you really must visit again. I promise I'll be better behaved!

Anyway, we planned his trip so we could fly back together and though I won't dwell much on the "I told you so"s, we decided to fly a popular Nigerian airline so we could save costs. OK, let's not even talk about how this airline almost made dD miss his exams because they were overbooked and he had to keep going to the airport for 3 days before he finally got a seat! But if it's any consolation, enough people had enough horror stories to tell this December about their trips to Nigeria. Even a Doctor friend of mine had to return to Glasgow because his domestic flight to London was cancelled 3 times and he missed his connecting flight to Lagos. And even then, he was told he had to wait for like 3 days before he could fly. This was after he had already wasted 3 days already loafing around the streets of London!

Anywayz, where was I before I deviated?... Oh yah... my trip back home!

SO I got up really early Thursday 13th morning (well not sure that's really true because I spent all night packing so I didn't actualy sleep but let's not talk about why I chose to pack the night before my trip lest my peeps start to go on and on about how I like to leave things till the last minute) and left my place at 4am (with some fruits, biscuits, yoghurt and juice) so I could check in 2 hrs before my 6.15am flight to Joburg.

Did I get to the airport early? YES I did!

Did I check in early enough? YES I did! In fact all my luggage (and I say "all" because I had excess even after student allowance of 40kg) was checked through straight to Lagos so I didn't have to pick up my luggage at the domestic airport and recheck it in again in Joburg. Nice eh? HA! What a joke! You'll see why later.

Did I catch the flight? YES I did!

Did I arrive in Joburg early enough? YES I did!

So how on earth did I miss my 10.30am flight to Lagos when all I had to do was pick up my boarding pass in Joburg you ask me? I'll tell you!

dD was on another domestic flight and seeing that flight had too many passengers, he was still on the queue trying to check in when his plane left. So he had to take the next flight (6.20am). Well, he also made the flight and made the 2hr flight to Joburg with just enough time to spare since check in closed at 9.15am... or so we thought. So what happened? Part of his luggage, which was technically my luggage (my adjustable mannequin) was missing. So he spent enough time searching for it. When he eventually found it, he came to the international section of the airport. This was say 8.50am or so.

NOW seeing we were both bent on getting our VAT Refund, we went to Customs instead of going straight to check in! Afterall we thought we had what like 20 minutes to spare. HA! What a laugh! When we noticed the Customs official was determined to check every item on the receipt of the people before us, we decided to bust the Refund and check in. And that was when the Airline Manager closed the check-in and claimed check-in closed at 9am and not 9.15.

Hmmmmmnnnnnnn....... boy did we BEG! We begged and begged and begged but the guy said no way that we should rebook our flight for the next day at no cost. Hmmn... like joke o. The guy was just too rude. AND NASTY!!! Bordering on personal! And I was even more upset because he allowed other people check in AFTER our incident. That was when I realised we were going nowhere! Even the people at the check in counter could not understand why he refused to allow us check in dD's luggage and pick up our boarding passes.

Thoughts raced through my head! My goodness! What were we going to do? We had no money, we were literally STRANDED in Joburg and I didn't know anyone in Joburg. And even if I did, how on earth were we going to get into and out of town?

Wait, why was I even thinking that far ahead?! How on earth was I going to get my luggage that had been checked straight through to Lagos.

SO... we went to the customer services counter and spoke to the lady who obviously had no clue that her job mandated her to be nice and courteous to customers. I don't think she had any training whatsoever! My goodness! She was so rude and had such an attitude that if I had anything to do with it, I'd have made sure she was fired! BUT y'all know I'm a nice person who 'd never hurt a fly. So we rebooked for the next morning.

At this point, dD made a comment about every cloud having a silver lining but heck! I definitely could not see anything with the way things were. All I saw were dark grey skies looming!

1st things 1st. How do I get my luggage? The international airline told me to return to the domestic airline since they didn't have my luggage. The domestic airline said the luggage had been sent to the international airline and it was most likely still with them. However, the lady with excellent customer service skills was willing to help trace it. I would, however, only get feedback at 1pm since the responsible staff were in the basement. This was at 10.30am. OK. No issues. I could use the time to inform my folks I would be arriving the next day and see how I could get money. I definitely had no plans of spending the night at the airport!

Guess who came through for me?! Yup you guessed right! BeeKay!!! So I got a loan from him sent to me via 10-minute Moneygram. Phew. Though I had already booked a hotel with my card, I could at least pay for it with cash and get to and from the airport. At this point, I was hungry. Now at least I know why God made me pack the biscuits and yoghurt.

1pm. I went back to the domestic airline and guess what I discovered. My luggage could not be found! OK now I started to panic! Was told I had to wait for another 2 hours so the man who gave me the news could go and check it himself. He'll call us, he said.

But I wasn't going to wait. I went to the international airline planning to give them a piece of my mind! Where the HECK was my luggage?! The counter was closed for the day! Shucks! Not good. I went up to their offices on the 3rd floor, it was closed! Saw the nasty Manager earlier on the corridor who told me to speak with their luggage handlers. The handlers asked for the tag and told me to wait. After 1 hour or so, my luggage could not be found. In fact, they suggested since I had landed really early, it was possible my luggage was on its way to Lagos! Oh no! I had to wait for another say 30 minutes just to reconfirm that was not the case. By now I was hysterical!

Of course, like it happens in the movies, peeps kept coming in asking about missing luggages. In fact, the guy sitting next to us said his luggage was sent to Dubai by mistake. Oh no! And the stories got worse! No matter now much I tried not to listen to these stories, they just filtered their way into my ears.

Anyway, after like 45 mins, some other guy checked the system and confirmed my luggage was not on its way to Lagos. Apparently, they didn't handle it at all. Phew! At least my luggage was in Joburg. But WHERE WAS IT?! They had no clue!

Anyway to cut the long story short, what happened was that the very "smart" girl who checked me in at CPT entered only the domestic airline baggage tag on the system and not the international tag. Imagine! So the handlers' system automatically rejected the tag so my luggage was dumped somewhere.

The implication? If I had actually made the flight to Lagos, my luggage would NOT have arrived in Lagos but would have been in Joburg! Imagine? At this point, I was ecstatic!!! I knew God loved me. It all made sense!!! NOW I knew why I missed my flight! I almost hugged the guy when I realised this! NOW I saw the silver lining. God does work in mysterious ways!!!!!! By now, I was beaming!

OK wait a minute...I really shouldn't be so happy though I couldn't help it. So where was my luggage? They had no clue! Well I wasn't so sad. At least it was in Joburg! I could live with that! I was asked to come back the next day. But I had also heard rumours about peeps in Joburg stealing/looting people's luggages but I had no choice.

dD suggested I stop by the domestic airline again. We were knackered, after all it wasn't easy trekking from the domestic to the international sections of the airport pushing a trolley full of dD's luggage. But at least we were hopeful! Well we went to the desk and we had to wait. Eventually about 4.30 or 5pm or so, the guy came out wheeling my 2 pieces of bruised luggage!!!!!!!!!!! People!!!! It was the best feeling I had ever experienced!!!!!!!!! I thanked and thanked and thanked and even went back to the international section to tell the handlers I had found my luggage!!!!!

We finally went to the hotel and I S-L-E-P-T!!!!!

Wakey! Wakey! Rise and shine! We were at the airport by 7.45am. We didn't want any more stories! Got there, saw the nasty Manager and the nasty lady, confirmed our flights. Still queued at Customs so our luggage could be inspected for the VAT Refund! Rearranged our luggage so we wouldn't pay for excess luggage since I had lost my receipt, checked in and got our boarding passes. At least now, NOTHING could go wrong! HA! Was that a joke!

It so happened, almost all of dD's hand luggage and half of mine was to be confiscated bc of the liquids and aerosols! My GOODNESS!!!!!! My perfumes????!!! NO WAY!!!! I was definitely NOT going to throw away my bottles of designer perfumes (sorry peeps but these were the latest fragrances and they were EXPENSIVE! Plus I am a perfume FREAK!!!) So we decided to GO BACK to check in the liquids and aerosols. And guess who the last people to check in YET again were?! Yup?! PLUS we had to pay for excess luggage with the last R700 we had on us. Good thing we didn't go clubbing the previous night like we had planned.

AND we were warned to go straight to the plane bc we were already late. We were specifically told NOT to queue for the VAT Refund. But guess the 1st thing we did when we went past immigration?! QUEUED FOR OUR VAT REFUND till we were chased from the queue!!!!

Know what the saddest thing about this story is?

After all we went through, we never got our VAT Refund! What a waste!

Cape Town......

2007-11-17T18:29:00.000+02:00

I know…. I have absolutely no excuse!!! Oct 31st was the last time I updated this blog! I should be flogged. It has been very busy here but like I said it’s no excuse!!! Guess I have to work better at multi-tasking and my time management skills.

I still do not have the pictures from my fashion show yet…. and may never actually get them now that I think about it… but hopefully I should get at least 1 shot of my model in my costume.

Right…. The past few days have been a blast. It’s funny how people who live in a city never appreciate the city the way tourists do. I used to wonder why people came from all over the world, enduring 11 hours in the air, to visit Cape Town. I never fully understood until I had the opportunity to be a tourist last week.

My friend, Beekay, remember him from my birthday shout out in September? Well I harassed him into coming to visit because I was bored. Yah Cape Town can be very boring when you don’t know many people. Anywayz, being the darling that he is, he decided to put a gurl out of her misery by visiting for 10 days. Luckily, he met another German tourist on the plane, Wolfgang, who was visiting Cape Town and who happened to be living about 2 blocks away. (which reminds me, I have to call him before he leaves…). Those guys make a formidable team! They’ve been to more places in 10 days than I have been in my 10 months of living in Cape Town.

So armed with only a map, we went on a road trip to Paarl, Franchoek and went whale-watching in Hermanus. We drove in the mountains, by the sea, took pictures, and spent about 9 hours on the road. I tell you, I had a blast!

I rest my case here. Check out the pictures. Most of the credit… like 95% of the credit, goes to Wolfgang who took the pictures.

OK I’d have uploaded more but I got tired. These 2 took like forever not to talk of it beefing my data bundles!

Anywayz….. I look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town. You can always give me a shout when you come.

Yup... the much talked about Fashion Show has come and gone...

2007-10-31T13:57:00.000+02:00

People!!!

The fashion show was the bomb!!! I know I promised to upload the pictures. Don't worry, they should be up shortly; emphasis on "should". I didn't have a digicam so a friend's dad took pictures and I'm waiting for them.

I am still woozy from the success of the show. I yelled so much my throat was sore.

Everything that could go wrong went wrong on that day but I know I must have done something before that God was really pleased with because I keep getting out of scrapes...

All was going well! Days before the show, I was ready with my costume, accessories, wig, et all. While others panicked about this and that, I was just relaxing and waiting for the event. Don't get me wrong, I did not sleep at all! I had more than a fair share of stress but thank God I met the deadline! No use spending all that time and money to get a mark LESS 25% or worse... get kicked off the show!

... UNTIL.....

My model cancelled on me.... 11pm the night before the show! Can you imagine????!!! So I was stuck with trying to find another model before the show, hoping and praying that the outfit the outfit would whoever I found. Lucky me I was able to get a model 15 minutes later.... God bless Dinny!

Anywayz, we all had to get to Canal Walk at 4.45 pm otherwise we'd be off the show. Anyone who knows my Academic Director would tell you he is a man of his word. Fantastic person... but definitely someone to be feared.

SO I called a friend of a friend who owns a cab company and booked a cab for 3.45pm to avoid rush hour traffic and get to Canal Walk.... max... in 20 minutes. 3.45 the guy doesn't show up. 4, 4.10, 4.15... I start to panic. I still had to pick my model up and get to Canal Walk plus I was out of airtime. SO I ask my neighbours in the sweetest way possible if I could use their phone to call a cab. After calls to 2 cab companies, I was weak! There were no cabs! It's now 4.30!

Finally I was able to get a cab... at 4.45. Where's the first cab guy you ask me? I have no clue and he hasn't called yet. Anywayz, he calls me at 5.30 to tell me he would be unable to pick me up. At 5.30???!!! Anywayz, being the proactive person that I am...lol... I was already in a cab stuck in rush hour traffic... bumper to bumper stand-still traffic. In Cape Town???!!! There's NEVER any traffic in CPT.

Where's my model you ask... since I was supposed to pick her up? Her mother was lovely enough to bring her to Canal Walk! Phew! So we finally met up and reported to the AD at 6.15pm. Luckily he was already aware of the situation so I was still on the show.

But moi, being the vain child that I am, rather than rush to get my model sorted still had to look for a top to wear for the show. I should've been smacked right? So I drag my model into Truworths and spent another say 20 minutes or so looking for a top.

Finally I get her backstage and start to dress her up. Just managed to do something with her make-up. I knew what I wanted but didn't really dwell on it since my previous model was a make-up artist. But guess putting all my eggs in one basket was like the greatest mistake ever.....!!!!!

BUT.... as they say.... all's well that ends well! The show was a success!!! After a third of my Long Island Iced Tea, I was tipsy (yah... I have a very low alcohol tolerance level so sue me)... I get home... tired and happy... but instead of sleeping still spent the next 3 or so hours chatting to a friend... whilst my other classmates went clubbing to celebrate the success of the show.

It's weird though.... About a month's work was up in about 20 seconds. But hey I got my own 20 seconds of fame! And it's a good feeling I tell you!

Oh..... check this out...

During my research on Clothing and Accessories for any active sport of my choice (in my case basketball), I came across this amazing picture.....

LOL..... Now THAT is a dawg with attitude!

This is one of the best pictures I have seen in a while. I think I'll make it my profile picture.....lol... I really can't get over it!

Must I really have a title? 'Cos I don't have one!

2007-10-20T14:18:00.000+02:00

Hello People!!!

No I haven't forgotten to update my blog. I have been "hecticly" busy and this is just a short one to let you know I'm still here....alive and kicking. Thank God.

Here's a quick update on my to-do list:

I'm done with my dress and wig! And the fashion show's on Thursday. If you're in CPT and want to come, let me know and I'll order your tickets. It's at Canal Walk.

I'm done with my 18th century costume. Thank God.

My hat's almost complete for the competition.

And I'm about to start with my storyboards for the Old Mutual competition.

I haven't slept in days and though I'm at my best when I'm under pressure, it's really telling on me. I need to stop it!

I'll post the pictures of my work when I'm done with them.

THEN I can start working on my blog based on your suggestions.

Oh.. by the way... I saw the Oprah show about scams and Nigerians et all. Really sad...and upsetting. BUT I really do not understand why Nigerians are enraged. I did not hear the comment y'all are enraged about.

Apparently, word is that she said "All Nigerians, irrespective of their level of education are corrupt". Well.... I heard no such comment. In fact, at the end of the show she stated that she is aware this is just a handful of Nigerians and not all Nigerians are corrupt. Furthermore, one of the guests confirmed that these crimes were not only committed by Nigerians but also Eastern Europeans as well.

Though I didn't start the show from the beginning, I am certain I saw about 90% of it. Well.... except she said it in the first...like 5 or 10 minutes... which I doubt...

Anywayz...

It's 32 degrees today.... perfect day eh? SO I'm talking a walk by the beach. Perks of living in the Mother City and staying right next to the Ocean.

Have a great weekend all!

www.stitchesandseams.com

2007-10-04T03:00:00.000+02:00

First let me begin by wishing my lovely nieces, Dupryno (Sept 29) and Lumi (Oct 1), a Happy BDay. Happy BDay you 2!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure you both had a fantastic day......

AND NOW....... www.stitchesandseams.com

Don’t you just believe it when I tell you we young Nigerians are very busy individuals?! We are the greatest hustlers of all time (please let’s not talk about the bad eggs okay…) and we are just determined to make a success of ourselves.

One of such successes in the making is a friend of mine, name withheld for good reason, is the soul behind the very first and only 100% “Undeniably Nigerian” (about time someone coined something other than “Proudly Nigerian”. I sometimes wonder why Nigerians have to copy other countries’ slogans) online fashion catalogue / magazine!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.stitchesandseams.com/ is an online resource centre aimed at promoting the Nigerian Fashion, Beauty and Style industry both at home and abroad. So you literally see various designers and their concepts online and you can place orders!!!!!

PLUS, and I quote” as time goes on, the site will introduce you to the featured designers and players in the Nigerian FBS industry, provide information on where you can get the best yet affordable products and services for your events, provide information on hosted events, and have access to our style consultants who are able to proffer feasible solutions to your style concerns……and this is just the tip of the iceberg”……

Fantastic, don’t you think…

And guess who has been invited to write for the S&S blog page??? YUP you guessed it! YOURS TRULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!! To be honest, after the invitation, I also hustled to get on the site as well. I mean, you have to keep at it so he doesn’t find someone else. And hey…..I also want to be part of the success story.

I’ll tell you more about the site as time goes on…..

Check out a snapshot of Lanre Da Silva's page; one of the many featured designers...

Now I didn't choose this page for any particular reason.... so if you are one of the designers on the site, please do not take it personal. Seeing I'm so "IT literate", it took me forever to upload this page. My printer's probably out of ink now.....

SO.....

Do check out the site and dare to make it your welcome page!

Oh....... here's wishing all Nigerians a Happy Independence Day!!! Better late than never they say...

BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUTS

2007-09-24T12:17:00.000+02:00

September used to be an eventless month for me. It was one of the most boring months…..unlike May….where almost every family, mine included, had at least one person born in May. So May was the best time for me to be in seclusion and conveniently be sooooo busy just so I wouldn’t run bankrupt! Birthdays literally started on 1 May….in fact, it starts with 2 people born 1 May, then 2nd, and 3rd…..and it goes on like that. Of course we all know bdays come with cards and gifts!

So yah….at least September was a good month to recuperate from all the February, March, April, May, June, July and August expenses.

But THAT was THEN!

NOW 3 of the best people I have ever met on this earth, and who I never really appreciated till I came to CPT, happen to be born in September. So yah, I have added September to my list of eventful months. These three have kept me company right from when I met them, through the toughest times and have stayed by me all through, especially since I came to CPT. I am ashamed to admit that we are still friends today, not by my effort but God’s and theirs. Because everyone knows how horrible I am when it comes to keeping in touch. But my friends, all guys, have realised this shortcoming, accepted me for it and kept in touch!

SO please let me use this opportunity to wish 3 of my “bestest” pallies a very very Happy BDay!!! And of course drop a tiny gift.... (no I'm not a cheapo!)

(....hmmnnnn.....sorry it looks squashed...)

One thing I was addicted to when I was much younger….and I’m talking about early university days, was Internet Chat rooms. I would be online ALL NITE chatting to absolute strangers. The beauty about it though was unlike other people, I actually met a lot of these people…..in person. And these internet pals are 2 of the 3 I have been raving about!

BeeKay started out as just an internet pally till I met him….when…I cannot remember….when he came to Lagos. One of the first, he turned…..no I’m not telling …. on the 12th. He lives in the UK and I talk to him every day,….well almost everyday….He talks to me like I’m next door. And if you know me, you’ll know one of my hobbies is gisting! And boy…..can I talk on the phone!!! One of the greatest complaints I have from friends is the huge phone bills they get. If I had a cent for every text, every compliment, every word of encouragement and every laugh I get from BeeKay, the World Bank would be envious!

Anywayz, Beekay is an absolute blessing!!! I thank God every day that I met him. He really is a darling, a treasure to have!!!!!!!!!

Mukaila…..(actually his name is Michael) turned…..I’m sure you know by now I won’t tell…..on the 17th. He also lives in the UK. This is one guy who…..till tomorrow….it is amazing we are still friends. That guy disses me so much it’s not even funny…..lol… And he forever reminds me of how I lied to him the first time we met online. Really we had been talking for at least 2 hours and I really had to get offline…not because I was tired of talking to him but because I just needed to leave the PC then. Of course seeing that I’m NICE like that, I didn’t want him to feel bad so I told him the rice I was cooking was burning and I had to leave. Original eh?! Truth was……my mom had just come in and being online, that early in the morning, meant my arse was toast! And yah Michael, that is the truth!

Michael is absolutely fantastic!!!! You will laugh so much your sides will ache when you talk to him. I also speak to him really often. He is just amazing!!!

deDuke………(yah…..that's how it's spelt)..... Now what can I say about this guy…..Actually question should be what can I NOT say about this guy??????? First he was never an internet pally. We used to work together. Then he became a friend….and then a confidante. If I start now, I probably would go on and on. He turned……..on the 22nd. He lives and works in Lagos and when I don’t talk to him, which is like almost never, I get a text message…, which come when they are most appreciated. It is kinda freaky because when I think…..”hmmmnnnn……odd! I haven’t heard from this guy”, I get a text message like 2 seconds later!!! Scary eh?

deDuke is simply a fantastic person, with a brilliant sense of humour. His texts are different, some funny, some inspiring and some prayers. He never ceases to disgrace me because he always sends a shout-out before I ever get to do the same. Shame on me eh?

Now the best thing about these guys gurls is that they are all SINGLE!!!!! Wait…no Michael isn’t anymore. Shame! BUT….I’ll keep you posted if anything happens…

So yah….. BeeKay and deDuke are single and (though they wouldn’t admit it and would probably murder me for this), are SEARCHING!!! So if you’re interested, I can hook you up. TRUST me, you can never go wrong with any of them.

Why not take one of them you ask me? Truth is it’d be a battle deciding who to go for. Besides you know what they say about not wrecking true friendship……

SO………….1st bidding starts at.......???

You 3 have a wonderful year ahead and I’m wishing you lots of God’s guidance and blessings alwayz……

Halle Berry Look-alike.......or NOT???!!! That is the Question!

2007-09-20T19:37:00.000+02:00

OK!

I had my hair-cut!

YES it did cost me an arm and a leg! (I'm still very sober.....)

NO it looks nothing like Halle's hair cut!

YES I'm very broke!!!

NO, you will NOT get to see the new me with the new hair cut!!!

BUT YES!!!!!!!!! I look like Halle Berry's very distant cousin!!!

LOL!!!

HALF TERM!!!

2007-09-19T20:17:00.000+02:00

It’s half term people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Know what that means???

· No school for 2 weeks;
· No waking up early and rushing to school to beat the 9am roll call attendance for 2 weeks;
· No patterns to cut for 2 weeks;
· No tops to destroy….meaning no Mavrou (our name for our Senior Sewing Mistress/Lecturer which means "my friend" in Afrikaans…. though I don’t think that’s how it’s spelt) or Miss A (Mavrou’s assistant) telling me to “unpick” a stitch (how I dread that word)…. Or the words…. “Where’s your quick unpick?”
· No storyboards or figure drawing for 2 weeks; and
· I can sleep non-stop for 2 weeks (and sleeping is one thing I do best….but not better than my flat mate. She literally sleeps all day!)

So why am I not happier than I am now? Because I have a HECK of a lotta homework that’s why!

I have 3 major projects:

· a fashion show coming up in October;
· a history project where I have to make a costume depicting either the 16th or 17th century….or is it the 17th or 18th century??? I need to re-read the brief; and
· a “Hat – Making (Millinery) ”competition which we are all mandated to enter as part of our course marks; the only reason I am entering the competition.

The first thing we had to make as part of the costume for the fashion show was a WIG from scratch. My Academic Director, seeing he’s cool like that, decided his theme for the fashion show would be Shakespeare’s “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream”. Of course, seeing this project was due during my “phase”, I was so not in the mood. And of course, everyone knows a crap mood only produces crap work. So my wig was crap I have to admit. WORSE, I had to explain how I came up with a concept I never came up with. So NOT only did I waste a lot of money making the crap wig, I also wasted a lot of time and got crap marks because…..yah you guessed it, I have to re-do the wig because I got below 70%. SO whilst others who came up with such fantastic creations, I was weak, and who of course got above 70%, I have to add more baggage to my already excess baggage by re-doing my wig! Sigh……………

YAH…..so I have the wig, the costume, I have to look for a volunteer model, make the shoes, sort out the make-up, ensure the wig fits, and do all the running around for the show coming up late October. PLUS I have to start thinking of making my summer dress, using the 3D fabric I made, which is the end of term project, due mid-November or so.

Then the History Project, due the Friday before the Fashion show. We usually have 1 history project every module and everyone in my class would tell you our history projects are the most demanding projects ever. I don’t even need to tell you much about the project….just look at the title…..”Costumes from the 16th and 17th….” you know I’m not sure which it is….16th and 17th….or 17th and 18th….will recheck and get back to you. And my History lecturer is absolutely marvellous! He is a mountain of knowledge…… so you know you can’t give him crap work!

And then the competition…… I don’t even want to think about that. I mean I just made a hat in school and it was just hideous. But hey…..I take solace in the fact that I can make a hat! But you can’t submit a horrid hat for a competition can you?

So yah…that’s a snapshot of my half-term.

BUT NONETHELESS…….

I am so excited!!!!!!!! I’m about to have a hair cut! I get excited whenever I’m about to get a new hair style. BUT it is going to cost me an arm and a leg. Anyone in Cape Town would tell you that the beauty and hair industry (sorry for the unconventional term) is the most expensive industry here in Cape Town. You literally have to ask for a bank loan to get a decent hair style in this city…..or any other city outside Nigeria for that matter!

BUT….like I said earlier….with spring comes hope. And with hope comes a new outlook…..and…,you will agree with me, a new outlook deserves a new look. And what better way to get a new look than a new hair style!

Need less to say I have had the same hair style for 2 months now, I can pull out the corn-rowed-weave by tugging on it. And NO it doesn’t smell because I clean and condition my scalp regularly thank YOU!

And guess what style I decided on? The famous Halle Berry crop:

And I know it will suit me. Hey!....I’m allowed to be vain ain’t I?

The Truth……

2007-09-17T10:41:00.000+02:00

Well the truth (which, as they say, will set you free) …..and the honest truth (like there’s any such thing as a dishonest truth) ….is that I was going through a phase…..an all-time low…..and if I had blogged, you would have felt it through the blog. And I didn’t want that…. SO I decided to stay away till I felt better. Needless to say that THE WORK was absolutely “hectic”….lol….that’s a new slang I learnt here. Hectic is the safest word to use when you can’t quantify/qualify anything … or have run out of words or the situation/product/service/etc. is just simply literally hectic! lol…

So yah…(another slang I learnt)…..I stayed away…. And now I’m back!

A lot has happened in what … a month ….. (WHAT??? 1 month) …since I have been away. Oh… lest I forget, thank you for the e-mails I received from people asking where I have been. Believe me, those e-mails went a really long way I tell you.

So yah where was I? The lot that had happened eh (and yet another slang)…? To be honest, I can’t really recall much of it. BUT one thing I do remember is the fact that I had the unhealthiest of meals during this period!!! I was just eating and eating it wasn’t even funny (lol…. and here’s a slang/phrase I learnt as well….) ….You name it, I had it….bangers, greasy chips, pizza, fizzy drinks, burgers, hot dogs …..goodness….. I should be smacked! Thank God, I walk a lot….. and ... yah ... I do walk a lot around here… seeing there’s no car!

So yah….lucky for me….I snapped out of my phase. Can’t really tell what it was but a lot had to do with the fact that I was bored….. and life was a home-school, the occasional movie/drinks/clubbing routine. People who know me would tell you I am an “all over the place” kinda person. I guess…that’s what you get for going to a place where you know absolutely no one! Sometimes I wonder why I came to Cape Town… but I guess it’s best to go to places where you don’t really know people…..that way you can really discover who you are without “influence”.

PLUS not only did I totally wreck my brand new 3-week old Nokia N76 (and NO I wasn’t drunk) but worst of all, I found out, by accident, that my neighbour had a set of keys to my flat!

How did this happen? Well…I’ll tell you.

I rushed out one morning without my phone and my assignment due that morning. Of course, there’s nothing worse than working all night on a project and then handing it in late…because that meant -25%.....or ZERO after 24 hours! My sister was around on holidays so she was with the keys to the flat, in the flat. I yelled and yelled, banged and banged and generally created a scene. But whilst every other person in the block heard my yelling and banging, I cannot for the life of me understand how my sister did not hear it. My knuckles are still sore from the banging! She claims it was the music I left on! Ludicrous I tell you, because I never turn the music on loud for fear of my neighbours. I was warned when I moved in about some guy who stayed above me and how he complains about the noise.

ANYWAYZ, this concerned neighbour comes out and asks if there was anything she could do. I told her I didn’t think so but explained I was trying to get in anyway. She comes out with this bunch of old keys she said she had and said maybe one could help open the door. I was still arguing when she tried the 2nd key and voila! The door swings open! My jaw LITERALLY hit the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now what could I do? I reported her to my agent who told me she’d sort it out. That was over a month ago! BUT how do I challenge the woman, who did me a favour that morning by asking for the keys back without making her feel bad?

I’m still stuck on what to do because I don’t want her to think I’m accusing her of anything. BUT I tell you I am really worried. NOW I sleep with my keys in the lock, whilst hoping no-one goes into my flat in my absence!

THIS… coupled with other matters just made me want to go back home! Wait….. could it be that I was actually home-sick? You know it never occurred to me that that could be the reason until NOW! One thing I do know is that I MISS not working … I mean I have been working even before I left university so being stuck as a full-time student is not easy for me.

But thankfully, phone calls and friends got me by. I still have a concern though… no I'm not telling on this one... but I’m working on getting it sorted.

BUT HEY!!!! It’s Spring now (though Cape Town is colder and wetter than ever)!!! I mean Jo’burg is in the late 20s and early 30 degrees with fire alerts but the lovely Mother City is still around 16 degrees, struggling unsuccessfully to get to 18 degrees.

BUT with Spring comes beauty and hope! So yah….I’m hopeful…..(reminds me of my alarm tone which I absolutely love but everyone is absolutely sick of….Twister and Faith Evans). PLUS I went for a church conference “Dare You To Move” or "Dare You NOT To Move" as rephrased by one of the speakers! I had a blast I tell you. What better way to start the season.

Before I call it a day, I’d like to wish all Moslems a “Happy Ramadan”. Eat for 2 whilst breaking your fast!

Y’all have a wonderful week ahead!

BACK!……..After a long break…………

2007-09-17T10:28:00.000+02:00

Yes…yes….I know…….I have been incommunicado for a while. WOW! I just looked at the date! It's been over 1 month!!! How time flies......

Anyway....yah...I've been away. But for good reason, okay…. Why? Well… do you want the truth or something else…..?

It Continues...

2007-08-14T00:28:00.000+02:00

I am inspired!!!! I actually have comments on my blog. I was so excited to read the first one, I had to send the person an e-mail. And yes, I loved the buzz I got from the first comment! Thanks a bil!!! I see I’m going to enjoy this!

Back to blogging!

It’s amazing how throughout my life, the things I hated the most were the things I ended up doing. Check these out:

I always hated Mathematics but I ended up studying Economics in university (which I loved by the way;
I hated Business Studies in secondary school (because my balance sheet could never balance in Junior High) and I worked in an accounting firm. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I had to write the professional accounting exams (ICAN) …and my balance sheets still did not balance;
I could not stand Clothing and Textiles in school. I chose Food and Nutrition instead and HEY!... look at me now… I’m studying Fashion Design.

Need I continue?

But one thing I knew for certain was that I loved consulting! As far back as I can remember, I had always wanted to be a consultant. I recall being the first point of call when people had issues (and no I’m not psyching myself). And I thank God, I have been lucky! Since I left school, I have worked in consulting firms. And to me…. Going into fashion is still some form of consulting.

Leaving my office was a tough one! I loved my job!!! I loved my office!!! I loved the people I worked with!!! But I knew I had to do this. I didn’t want to go through life, living with the “what if I had” syndrome. What’s the worst that could happen??? I go back to accounting she?...if my dream goes up in smoke which it won’t by the grace of God.

So I packed my bags and left for Cape Town, about a month late for classes. I had to wrap up on certain jobs in the office and yah… I was a Valentine’s Day consultant as well. Despite spending my Easter holidays in school, I never caught up…till now. Don’t even let me tell you what I went through in the first month. Errr…. Actually let me give you just a little of what I faced:

My bank draft took 10 days to clear;
I stayed in hotels for the first 2 weeks, changing hotels 3 times. Cape Town is a tourist city. February is right in the middle of summer. The weather was excruciatingly hot! There was a design exhibition in Cape Town and all hotels were fully booked!!! So I had to change hotels 3 times lugging my excess baggage (about an excess of 20kg including 30kg of my mother’s baggage allowance – YES I came with my mother and NO I am not spoilt!) all over the place.

Needless to say the first Sunday, there was a power outage. Yes o, they took light in SA! Thank God I was not stuck in the shoe-box of a lift.
Accommodation was something else. I finally found somewhere to stay but I had to leave ASAP. Spent only a month. I mean the rules were just too much! I had only 20 minutes in the bathroom!!! Moi? Female??? 20 minutes??? I thought it was ludicrous. Don’t let me even start with the rules.

ETC. ETC. ETC.

Of course being a Nigerian didn’t help too much because trust…. people were wary of Nigerians and frankly our reputation here is not fantastic.

School was something else. I came right in the middle of classes and had to sew my first skirt which of course I messed up since I couldn’t even thread my machine. And I had story boards to complete. Storyboards??? What on earth are those??? Oh did I mention the 15 apples I had to draw, the figures I had to sketch, the 5 9-head fashion figures, draping with calico….. blah, blah, blah.

Please don’t even let me continue. I’ll give the gist in bits.

Enough of the past for now.

Last week was Cape Town fashion week. Yup! I had a very long weekend!!! Thursday (Women's Day) through to Sunday. I spent the whole weekend sleeping (which of course is one of my hobbies I must admit)! I did not do a thing!!! Ah.. well yes I did. I watched the movie "Vacancy". I feel so sorry for myself. But hey I deserved the sleep! I hadn't slept for days! I mean I was up for several nights, not sleeping a wink, working on my belt for Business Studies, my 3D fabric refabrication, my storyboards, my technical drawings, etc. Then I'd go to school and be wasted throughout the day! Those of you who went to Ife know what I'm talking about. Jacking all night, going straight to the exam hall and pouring it all out. Thank God we do not have exams here.

Yah as I was saying, Cape Town fashion week. Guess who was here. Our very own Deola Sagoe!!!! I was tripped!!!!!! Sadly though, I did not see any of her designs because I was misinformed about the times for the shows. I got there after her show. But just seeing her name on the schedule was good enough for me.

The show I saw, however, was really inspiring!!! My goodness those models are S-K-I-N-N-Y!!!!!! It must be illegal to be that skinny! I mean one model kept adjusting the bodice of her dress! Now being a budding designer, I’m not sure if I should blame her for being unprofessional on the catwalk or the designer for showing off ill-fitting clothes.

BUT all in all, it was a pleasant experience!!!!!!

Seeing that I may go on all night, I have to stop here and continue with my assignments. Business Studies for tomorrow and Technical Drawing for Thursday. Y'all don't want me to lose 25% for late hand-in or ZERO for hand-in after 24 hrs do you? Yup stringent rules eh? Now I'm back to burning the late night wax, trying to keep up with school work. To top it all up, I have the flu. It has refused to stop raining here!

Y’all have a wonderful evening!

The Beginning...

2007-08-12T01:17:00.000+02:00

Why am I blogging, you ask? I dunno. I've been on other blogs and found them quite interesting, entertaining and my current link to Naija since I'm away from home.... for now. So I thought to myself, why not start something yourself?! To be honest, I always wanted to do some freelance writing and this is my chance to do so. So here I am.... doing what I always wanted to do... and hoping someone out there reads it with encouraging comments - which will definitely urge me to write more. Don't worry, I'll spice up the page with pictures and stuff shortly.

So where do I begin? A bit about myself I guess. Ok.... here goes...

I'm a graduate of Economics from OAU, Ile-Ife. I worked in 2 consultancy outfits for a total of about 5 years before I got this brainwave and decided to change my field to Fashion! Yup... Fashion!

How did it all start, you ask me? Well I’ll tell you. It all started when my tailor wrecked my clothes. I was furious! How can a tailor who has been sewing my clothes for all of 2 years (… and counting…) wreck my clothes? She has my measurements and I have gained a maximum of (…what…) 5 kilos since the 1st set of clothing.

And an idea began to form in my head. I thought to myself…. “Wait!…. I can make these things myself. After all, I know what I want and can picture it in my head.” All I need to do is learn how to sew. And that’s how it all started.

It wasn't easy, I tell you. I can neither draw nor sew. Believe me, even a straight line without a ruler seemed an impossible task. I tried to go to a sewing school here in Lagos but it didn’t quite work out so I decided to look offshore and decided on South Africa. I bought myself a book “Drawing for Dummies” (the last copy at Nu Metro, Silverbird) and "Figure Sketching for Fashion Design.

Now, here I am, almost 2 years after conceiving my idea in a cold environment (it's winter here) studying a 3-year undergraduate degree in Fashion Design in a place I know absolutely NO ONE!!!!

Some people look at me and think I’m crazy. “How can you…” (they ask me) “leave that promising career (yah I worked in one of the Big Four accounting firms and had only about 3 more stages of the ICAN exams left), decide on Fashion. Fashion!!!” My supervisor in University sent me a text message saying… and I quote “I feel so worried about this your choice of career. How did you arrive at it?” {Come to think of it, I have not responded to his text message. I had better do so sometime this year!}

To be fair though, I have received only encouragement from people. A few laughs here and there, a few harmless cynical comments and a few wide-eyed stares. But hey… life is all about risks and I took my first major one, armed with lots of faith in God. And the 1st year is almost over with me still in 1 piece!!!!

It has not been easy I tell you! The sleepless nights (literally), the assignments, the challenges, etc. One thing I know... it has been an eventful year for me. I'll tell you more as time goes on.

And so my story begins... with a name. My name is Tope (or Temitope as they call me here). But y'all can call me TWayne! ... (the TW in block capitals)