Hate to see you go, Love to watch you leave (Repost)

So today marks the end of the year 2016 at exactly 00:00 hours; count down's begun and it's time to close our books and usher in the new year.

Yo! Hands up in the air if you're excited to see 2016 end. I pretty much am. 

Share with us, how was your 2016? Did you meet all of your goals? Like, all of 'em? Did you? Did you not? Did you lose the weight? Save more money? Laughed more? Lived more? Well whatever your response is, you did fine and that you're alive to see year's end is proof. In my previous post, I borrowed a movie line about not ticking your last tock and tocking your last tick. Well, it's true. Go on ticking until you run out of ticks. Oops, didn't mean to sound dreary.

Don't have much to say but as a family here at AsC, we say thank you for being there, for reading, for your feedback and above all, for sticking with us on this journey. We love you.

Before I sign out, here are a few highlights of 2016 in adniLs cornerville in case you missed them:

• Here we're introduced to Ztembe and her workers' tale in Monday Moaners' Club
• Here's Ana in Journal of a Missionary Wife
• And in pieces of me, we have the Frank Friday entries
• And our first ever debut guest post. Yaay, pretty much pumped about that one and lemme use the opportunity to encourage anyone that might have a write up to share with us. We'd love to feature you on here, feel free to contact us at adnils.corner@gmail.com

So that's that, there are much more but I said 'highlights' so stick around and search out this treasure land for yourselves.
Happy new year's eve friends.

Peace.

Photo Credt: A friend

Frank Friday: Alice Through the Looking Glass

Hello there, how's the holidays been? 
As for myself, I've been indoors reuniting with my movie self where I stumbled upon 'Alice through the looking glass' and upon the phrase; 'you have not ticked your last tock and tocked your last tick' *insertmentalgiggleshere*. For some reason I find it very funny but there's a valid message there. 

So, lemme give you the low down of what I've been up to;

• At last minute, I decided to go down to the family home to spend the Christmas break. I had initially thought I was...well, let's forget that since it didn't happen.

• Christmas came calling, answered the door unlike this young lady here👇

• Then spent the rest of the day and the days that followed indoors eating and watching movies amongst other things (I'd rather not say) until a friend dragged me out.

Well, I just made this post to say that you have not ticked your last tock nor tocked your last tick. 😁😂😁😂
Peace out.

Photo Credit: boredpanda.com

Who am I? - Annie

😟

I've had 'Annie's' 'Who am I?' on repeat all day and it's doing a lot. It's put me in a sober mood basically that I don't feel like talking or doing anything other than think.

I'm enjoying this weather BTW sans the dust. It's nights like this I miss my hot blankie. Yeah, I once had a blankie that was electrically powered. I miss it.

I love this song.
Make every second count.

P.S: I actually came across a news item that's put me in this mood. I really need to keep away from the news but what's going on really?
*sigh*
God help us all.

Photo Credit: pxleyes.com

To the lady in the long skirt...

To the lady in the long skirt

I see you daily
You in your flowing long skirts
Not minding that such's practically gone extinct
Yet you carry on
Like your flowing locks of hair

To the lady in the long skirt
I like your attire
Clothed in modesty's best
I'd like to be you
I'm glad I'm you

Your flowing long skirts to me
Represent unconformity
Defiance
They speak to me
They tell me that I don't need to cater to society's standards of beautification or adornment

They tell deep things

They tell me that I don't need to be naked
To feel loved
That I don't need to go unclad
To be admired

You young lady are brave
You are strong
And I admire you

To the lady in the long skirt
Despite the ridicule
And the laughter
And the name calling
Keep being you

To the lady in the long skirt
You're the girl after my heart
Rock on girl
Don't believe the lie that you're outdated
And old-fashioned
And out of touch
And not fashion forward
Rock on girl
With your long flowing skirts

This is to that lady in the long flowing skirt...

Sunday Special: Journal of a Missionary Wife V

Hi there journal,

it's moi Ana, sure you know that. Well, here I am checking in. Today's sermon was really something and no, I'm not being biased.  Geoff looked so dashing seated at that altar today. I know I'm yet to mention how he got there (the wheelchair i.e) and I'm not so certain I'd be telling anytime soon. It still hurts that's why and I'm not so sure I'd like to revisit those memories, no.

Looking at him today, you wouldn't believe what he's had to go through. My Geoff's always been much stronger than I. Always has. God's been good to us I must confess. So, kids or no kids, I am dedicated to serving Him all the days of my life.

So journal, here's saying bye to all of my griping about starting a family. I sometimes ask myself what sort of life they'd have considering all of our non-stop movement. Well, over to You master of mine, Thou knowest best.

Bye journal.

Oh, I've got exciting news, I'm embarking on a new project. Geoff's feeling much better now and is beginning to get irritated by my constant hovering. He no longer needs me obviously and I no longer need him too (two can play that game lol). So! Get readyyy project of mine...

Take charge Lord.

Photo Credit: Source

Frank Friday: I Gotta Feeling (November 6th)

Geez, hi guys. This inconsistency bug that keeps getting into me is just darn too strong, I need deliverance I tell you. Hopefully, I'll join the new wave of bloggers that'll make a new year resolution to keep the contents rolling in on a daily basis (each to his/her own).

So, how've we been? How's been the daily grind and hustle? I've been riding on cloud nine ever since November came knocking. Why because, it'll be my birthday in two - really short - days' time and I'm keeping real calm (ice queen things). It's a lie, can't keep calm else I won't be talking writing about it *biggrin*

I just came on here to tell ya'll that it's Friday and that it's time to unwind. Yeah, forget about the trials of the week, forget about the friend that failed to fulfill a promise, forget about the economy, forget about the bills to pay, forget about the peanuts you call salary. Yeah, fogerrit all and just focus on today, on now, on this very moment.

I'm learning the art of mindfulness, that is, being present and I tell you, it isn't easy. The very little success I've managed to achieve so far, I'm so celebrating it cos if that weren't so, I'd probably be worrying about the fact that I can't celebrate this year's birthday but who celebration don epp? So, back to the forgetting, fogerrit all broda, sista.

On being mindful, it didn't turn out the way I'd thought it would not that I'm not making progress cos I so am but it wasn't as easy as I'd thought it'd be. I mean, how difficult can it be to focus on the present right? Well, what I failed to do was factor in my errant, wander lust of a mind. 

My mind's prone to daydreaming and creating up myriad of fantasies so I tend to wander off along side it most times and it's almost always fun in there. It sometimes seems like it's got a mind of its own, you know, another mind of hers minding her (now I'm confused). Well, it just keeps racing on and on (always without me cos I don't race, I stroll) without nary a pause, whew.

It's really trying keeping it in check. No wonder I'm almost always exhausted, cos I'm always running after a naughty mind that won't be still. Well, since we're stuck with each other, I guess it wouldn't hurt to practice mindfulness every now and then. Aiite, I'm done here, you have a swell weekend and...

...nice talking to ya'll.
Peace and cakes.
Back to my 'ohms'.
SOTD (Song of the day) - 'I gotta feeling'...

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

MMC: Gripes

This is what happens when you have a shitty weekend, Ztembe fumed. Too short a weekend was the response she gave to all who bothered to ask how her weekend had been. Why can't there be a day between Sunday and Monday, why?

The Phone rings cutting her off from her mental diatribe.
"Yes?" she barks into the phone.
"Zee darling, I see your phone-tiquette has not much improved as your bedside manner," the voice drawls from the other end.

Ztembe's face undergoes an instant transformation, "Oh hi darling, I apologise. I've just been so caught up with work. It's like Monday's my personal demon sent to torment me."

There's laughter from the other end of the phone, "oh you! You've always had it in for Monday, free the lady jare."
"Lady ke? It's a man noni. Monday's so a man or what are you trying to say?" her voice tilts dangerously low as she asks the question.
"Abeg, I didn't call you to have a discourse on feminism or any of your other 'isms'. What time you closing from work?"
"Hmm, it's Monday o, let's consider that."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning I'm not so certain myself when I'd leave, but I'd give you a call when I'm about leaving. Is that ok?" she asks.
"That'll be fine." the voice confirms. "You didn't even ask me why I want to know," it continues.
"Jay, I know why you're calling, leave matter for Martha. Thanks for checking up on me, got something to look forward to now."
The voice laughs again, "you're welcome dear. So, I'd be expecting your call. Try not to kill someone today eh?"

Ztembe laughs off the comment and proceeds to end the call. Where art thou Monday? I'm ready for you.

Kool Kat

Sunday Special: Journal of a Missionary Wife 𐌠V

*Earlier in the day*

"When peace like a river

Attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows..."

Ana belts out the beautifully worded song while carefully digging out the weeds that threatened to choke her plants. She stops to wipe her face and picks up with her singing.

"...Whatever my lot

Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul."

This is followed by a heavy sigh. The years have not been kind to her one could see. Her once lovely face carried lines of care that told their own stories. It has been two years since we last saw her and like the proverbial water that's passed under a bridge, a lot had happened.

"For me be it Christ

Be it Christ hence to live..."

The last line's broken by a sob, she seems visibly weighed down by whatever it is troubling her. She's jerked out of her thoughts when a voice calls out.

"Ana, Ana." The voice calls.

She quickly rises and makes a move to wipe her face while hurrying to answer the call. The whole environment has an abandoned feel to it. Like something that once was but was no more.

Quickly wearing a smile, as she enters a small wooden shed, she comments, "I see someone's up." she makes to kiss Geoff.

"I didn't want to disturb you but I needed to make use of the toilet." A pause, then "what's wrong?"

Putting on another face, a quizzical one this time "How do you mean?" Ana responds.

A warning bell goes off in Geoff's head. His wife was not given to answering questions with questions. Ana only ever answered a question with another question when she was trying to evade the question or giving the real answer or...another bell goes off.

"You don't look like yourself," he manages to say giving her a tight smile.

"I'm alright darling. Really." She adds seeing as he's set to fire another question. "So, let's get you moving."

With an ease that shows they've been through this routine plenty of times, she scoops him out from the bed and into the wheelchair placed conspicuously beside the bed.

9pm

Geoff's finally managed to sleep. I worry for him. A lot happened after the last meeting Geoff had with the elders and It brought with it a lot of change both good and bad.

It's been two years Lord; two years since our life was turned upside down. Two years of pain and hardship. Two years of tears and fears. Lord, two years.

When you asked me to trust you I had no idea what you had in mind but I do know that you're good always. I do know that you're going through this with us. I feel consoled when I imagine you going hungry too, it brings a smile to my face like now. Yes, you do certainly know how it feels to be homeless and hungry almost always.

I wonder if things would've turned out differently had I taken Numi's dream seriously? What if I had told Geoff and not kept it to myself? What if I had probed Numi deeper? What if-

*sigh* enough with the 'ifs' Ana dear, it's happened. A lot has indeed happened and my dream of starting a family seems more farther away than ever. Why won't Geoff talk about it? I mean, I can't be the only one aching to hold my child in my arms am I?

Oh, how I wish-

Wishes won't help now, I shouldn't feel this way about Geoff considering all he's had to go through. Father forgive me, I feel so petty and selfish sometimes.

It's a good thing no one knows of this journal. I bet they'd pass out should they ever come to know how weak I really am, how poorly equipped I am to be their teacher.

*sigh*

Your strength's made perfect in my weakness Lord, take charge.

Photo Credit: Source

The Independent Life

Yay, happy independence day Nigeria (nah, it ain't too late). There's this small voice telling me that I'm being double faced, that I know what I'm doing. I chose to ignore that voice, my greeting still stands good citizens of Nigeria. We're how old again? Since the emancipation that is.

Answer that in your head, but shey you know we're getting old?

Well, it was a saturday over here and I did spend it at a wedding. Sending out hoozahs, howzit going? So, still on the independence matter, I'll be sharing a lil bit about the pains joys of growing up and growing old. Uhm, growing up and growing old? Ok, I'm correct. Today, I have a guest post (yaaaaay). This piece is as a result of a dare and surprisingly, it yielded result. *feeling like a proud teacher*. So here goes.

***

I woke up today and realised I was no longer the fresh, cute, handsome Uniport* guy I once was; it suddenly dawned on me that I no longer receive calls and messages (both the necessary and unnecessary ones) again...

I no longer receive the "send me your account number" messages again. Instead people send their account numbers to me...

I no longer have 1000+ number of friends again and at least 5 visits a day from some....

I no longer carry food stuffs from home like I used to when resuming new school sessions. Instead, I now go to the market by myself to buy rice, beans, Garri, palm oil, groundnut oil, crayfish, salt, provisions etc.

I no longer come home and just enter the kitchen and find something to eat; now, I come home and begin to think of what to eat or not....

I no longer get upkeep money instead I now pay for light bill, LAWMA* bill, security bill, compound dues....

I began to ask myself what happened?.. Answer: MATURITY!! Like me, many of you out there must have asked this same question at one point or the other.

Things are happening so fast and you are confused...You are hoping things will get better... My dear, you don dey old....Nothing will change if you just sit down and do nothing...Before you know it, grey hairs will start showing up and you haven't achieved anything.

You are 30 years and still confused like disco light (Chai)! You are 40 years and still not sure of what to do with yourself (who do you this thing)? Me, I'm 25 years and I haven't achieved one-quarter of all I planned to achieve by now...Mba nu, Irò.... Something has to be done... We can't continue like this.

I encourage everyone who understands what I'm saying; who are in this with me to take a stand and make that change...Take that step... Make that move....

Even God wants you to grow, expand and increase.... You have dwelt too long in one spot... Receive grace for speedy acceleration...

As for me, I'm reviewing and reevaluating my goals...
From a nominal Christian to a world changer.
From thousandnaire to millionaire.

***

So! You've heard read from my guest author. Time stands still for no man you know. It's time to buckle up and hit the ground running especially now one’s got the advantage of youth. I mean, if you do not chase your dreams in your youth, when will you start?
No one said growing up would be easy but it's so worth it. See what I mean here.

Thank you guest author, I must say, I've learnt something.

*University of Portharcourt
*Lagos Waste Management

Photo Credit: 123rf.com

Lil. Ms. Poochie

 

It was a gloomy day with dark clouds, a blistering wind and an even darker mood. I had refused every offer of warmth and obstinately set out in quest of my dog, little Ms. Poochie. Lil Ms. had never stayed out this long and I was beginning to worry. In spite of the cold and cough that wracked my tiny frame, I was determined to find her. You see, my lil Ms. had once saved me and now it was my turn to save her.

I was a lonely child, sad and bitter and angry with the world. I was the one to always get into trouble and always the one to bring home bad news. My tanta says I'm the harbinger of evil. Even at birth, I killed my own mother. How evil could I get?

Thus branded, I was careful to not do anything to draw attention to myself; I kept to myself and endeavoured to always be on my best behaviour but trouble always seemed to follow me around confirming tanta's opinion of me. I was desolate and devised several means to write off my life but I was too cowardly to follow through. And then one day, lil Ms. hobbled into my life. I took to her instantly. 

Like me, she had been battered and looked half starved. Her ear was torn and bleeding, I presumed she had been involved in a dog fight. You see, dogs like humans share a lot in common even though I sometimes think they're smarter, the big dogs pick on the smaller and weaker dogs. Now I know why they call it a dog-eat-dog world, that statement had always puzzled me.

Lil Ms. was my saviour in many ways, I learnt to know what it meant to be loved and to love, I learnt to laugh and to play (lil Ms. says I ought to play all day, that it's my right). Above all, I learnt to forgive.

One day, my tanta had beaten me for no good reason and banished me from her presence. I was forbidden to cry before her and so poured it all on poor lil Ms. I kicked at her and bawled out my eyes, I could tell that she was hurt with the way she looked at me just as she hobbled off.

I was sorry to see her go but was too mad to care. After I had calmed down, I went looking for her in all her favourite places; at the pond where she liked to bark at the ducks, at the flower bed where she pretended to be a pretty flower and at the churchyard where she liked to lie and gaze up at the sky, but she wasn't there.

Now I was worried, it would rain soon and I had yet to find lil Ms. My lil Ms. never liked rainstorms, they drove her crazy. I remember her restless pacing, how she used to whimper and howl, I must find her before the storm broke. I'm sorry lil Ms. Please come back.

Now I'm crying, the tears mingling with the rain. I was sorry I'd shouted at her and kicked her. I was sorry I had thrown stones at her. I was sorry I had treated her as my tanta had treated me. I was sorry for it all. I was even more sorry cos she didn't deserve it, she who had loved me with dog-like devotion, I'm sorry lil Ms.

*In loving memory of Cornell.

Photo Credits: Pentaxuser, Flickr.

The Myth of Happiness

When did being happy become an obsession?

From another's POV:

Happiness comes at a price.

Happiness is overrated.  

Happiness isn't meant for everyone.

It's impossible to always be happy.

Should I go on?

Well, I'll leave you to that.

For some, being happy does not come easy. They have to work at it and plan for it and try to pull it off in a flawless execution. Why because the happiness gurus say happiness is a way of life. You have to have a zing at all times and constantly walk on cloud nine at all times. You don't want to be seen amoody or acrying or asniffling for even a nano of a second. 

No, no, no, that won't do for the perfect little box they wanna place you in. Ridiculous if you ask me (but you aren't) and so you actively do and practice all that the gurus preach; happiness is in you; happiness is you; happiness is your neighbour; look inside of you; and if that doesn't succeed, you hear;

-Happiness is a purchase away;

-Get this new product and you'll be happy for life.

-Change your wardrobe and your whole life would change for the better.

-Upgrade your phone and you're on your way to been happy.

-Secure this contract and you're set for a happy life.

-Get this bigger house.

-Drive that bigger car.

Get more and more and more and do they succeed? A resounding no, rather, it takes you farther than you've ever gotten to in the doldrumming of life and lower than your lowest of lows because it took so much effort  to try to attain that zen. Or you did attain it but at a steep price or you didn’t because you just don’t know how to be happy.

It’s OK, no judgment here, but the desperate in heart would do anything.

Some have lost quite a lot in the pursuit of happiness. They were probably OK just trudging along living fine and dandy and then someone comes along and slaps a tag on some obscure word and before you know it, it has become some chic trendy go lucky slogan, tada!-be happy. 

Yeah, right.

If that's the kind of happy you're tryna sell to me; I shall be wanting no part of it.

Dear someone, rather than just come up with a gimmicky kinda word it’s better to allow your people to be their real selves, happy or not. I know of naturally moody people.

As an aside, can someone be so kind as to define happiness?

I know it’s strange, but try to understand that sometimes it's OK to be sad. It's OK to actually be down in the dumps. To whine and to groan and to snivel in the pity party you organised for yourself in your sad sorry state.

For a set of some, they don't bother as happiness has simply eluded them. Mayhaps, they did something in their past lives?

For yet another set of others, they've mastered the art of been happy come rain or sunshine. Don't you just envy them and won't you just like to know how they do it?

No? Ah, I see that hubris won't let you see, won't let you perceive, won't...oh well, those of you who have captured the quintessence of happiness and have perfected its art right down to a T, kudos to you. I'm highfiving myself on your behalf. Good for you. Now can you please come show the other others the kumbaya of your happy world?

Not that I envy you, nah, I don't envy Earthlings.

***

Uhm, while it was kinda funny writing this, in actuality, it isn't. There's a lot of sadness and bitterness out there and while it's quite understandable to say "don't worry, be happy" after all, a cheerful heart doeth good like medicine right? Lets also try to be realistic with our expectations. It's kinda sad to see what that beautiful word has been reduced to. It has been made out to be some happy go lucky charm (and I use that loosely). 

Oh well, what's my own? BTW, I dunno what literary style I adopted for this write up. It's all sort of weird to me. It is isn't it? Please do lemme know. I'm sorta experimenting with different writing styles. Lemme know what you think of this particular style and probably we'll come up with a name for it yeah? Would experimental project suffice? lol. I love to experiment and no, I'm no scientist. Go figure.  

MMC: New Beginnings

Ztembe absent-mindedly chewed on  her pen, her mind miles away. She was still trying to process the rude shock that had welcomed her when she walked into the office this morning.

What is wrong with Ochuko she asked yet again and with no small measure of anger. Why does he seem so set against me? Is it something I've done? Or haven't done?

Her meeting with Ochuko had been doomed from the very beginning. It had become obvious that like oil and water, so was it to be with She and Ochuko. Time seemed to fade and Ztembe saw herself just as she'd been when she'd first resumed work.

***

She'd been running late and knew it wasn't going to make for a good first impression for her first day at work. It was bad enough that she'd barely made it through the interview process as someone had snottily confided to her that she'd been thought to be too forward.

Too forward ke? What did that even mean? She remembered thinking, but she wanted so bad to make a good first impression with her colleagues especially now that quasi management already had her pegged. And so with that in mind, she hurried into the building only to run headlong into a brick wall (or so she thought).

***

A sigh escapes her lips. Ztembe, all these thinking will get you nowhere she chides herself but she can't shake herself loose from memory's clutch.

***

"Are you blind?" Ochuko angrily asks.
Ztembe still caught off balance and trying to recover from her near fall was momentarily speechlesss. Not at the question but at his manners.
"Oh, I see you're dumb as well", he continued still glowering at her.
"I...er...I'm sorry, I didn't-", Ztembe managed to stutter before she was rudely cut off.
"Be sorry for yourself". He shot her another look and stalked off.

Now wearing an identical look, she wondered what had gotten stuck in his craw. She'd always heard how Monday made even the most nicest of people irritable but now she wasn't so sure. Hearing was different from seeing and she didn't like this baptism of fire.

***

If only I knew what I know now she thought, I'd have antagonised him less. Whatever she might have thought about Ochuko, one thing was certain, she wouldn't underestimate him.

Frank Friday: Ramblings, Mutterings and What Nots

Gosh, I feel so fagged out. I laughed long and loud in my head at that expression. The last time I used that was in my secondary school days. Oh those were the days. We had a variety of slangs at our disposal that our speech never lost its flavoured touch.

There was never a boring gist. Whose gist would be boring when one had such an arsenal of northern spiced slangs to choose from? Now I'm "irin feeling tech" lol (only my school mates will relate with this).

All of my life, I've stayed in the north and though I don't speak the language, I'm much more northerner than southerner (is that correct? My head's kinda fuddled right now).

It's been a tedious week and I'm undergoing a spell of laziness with this blog. No, I don't think it's laziness, I don't just have enough energy to expend on it right now I think. Will be back with a bounce I promise. Once I'm done figuring out my life that is. I'm always having to figure out my life I don't understand again o, shuo. Am I alone in this? Anyways, just promise you'll wait for me? *batseyelashes* tashakor.

Cheers...

Photo Credit: Nil

(Of course it'd be nil. Did you see any photo there?) Lol

Sunday Special: Journal of a Missionary Wife 𐌠𐌠𐌠

Breathe in, breathe out, yes, that's it Ana. It's been one hectic day, haven't had a breather since my 4 am abrupt jerk out of sleep.

Geoff had been the first to hear it, the screams. He'd been going over his sermon when he thought he'd heard screaming, it was muffled at first but then intensified and that was when I woke up.

You won't believe this, but I felt anger first cos I was having a lovely dream. I dreamt that I was at a Park playing with a lil' girl. Could this be a sign Lord? Sometimes though, like this morning, I feel I'm too selfish, Lord only knows why he called me to be a Missionary's wife. I feel so unworthy, I find myself falling short too many times. He qualifies the called I know...but it's so hard.

So, it turns out the screaming was a laughing hyena, can You believe it? After the anguish it made me pass through? No wonder the locals weren't to be bothered when the screaming first broke out. I'd never have associated that scream with laughter, all the more reason to get out of here soonest.

They say every once in a while, they (hyenas) scream that way to attract persons to kill. It had happened before and some unsuspecting person would rush out, thinking someone was in distress only to fall victim to these rabid vile creatures.

One can't be too careful these days. I wonder if I should tell Geoff of my conversation with Numi? No, he has enough on his plate right now. My sweet looks more and more drawn these days, Lord help him. Who'd have thought there was more to been a missionary than teaching the Word? Laughs.

I'm so tired diary, so tired but in a good way.

Take charge Lord.

Photo Credit: Source

MMC: A Surprise

What to do when you don't feel like working but you have to? Dump the workload on your sub Ztembe thought.

plotting her next move

Her week had started out splendidly well and she wasn't so surprised as it had cost her an arm and leg to make it so. She had spent the previous weekend at a spiritual-spa-yoga-meditation-relaxation centre.

She wasn't so sure what to call it, hence the funny connections. Should you happen to ask her what it was, she'd go, "it's kinda like a spa but not a spa where we try to connect with our inner selves right after we do the whole zen thing and perform the yoga thingy." In a nutshell, she had no idea what the establishment was about only that it had come highly recommended from a friend.

This funny establishment was where our dear Ztembe had spent the weekend in an almost semi concious relaxed haze.

As she had been taught that the first work day set the tone for the rest of the week, she was determined to take things easy.

If I should encounter Ochuko, make that when, I'd smile and keep it moving. Easy does it Ztembe, easy does it.

With a bright smile on her face and sugar coated nothings on the tip of her tongue, she waltzes into the office and comes to a halt...
Monday had its own plans after all. What do you think it was?

                                                 ***

MMC shall be taking a short break and upon its return, the surprise shall be unveiled.

Have a great week ya'll.=)

Photo Credit: Google 

Frank Friday: Update

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the feedback. Tashakor. I didn't know I was making sense but why oh why would you not drop them here? Feedback that is. I don't get it. Isn't it much easier? Okay, I'm done ranting. I appreciate that ya'll take the time to actually visit, I'm humbled.

So, certain someones have prompted my doing an update on this post. I've needed to clarify a few things. Not everyone can do what I did (I'm not even asking anyone to do anything) cos we're not all in the same circumstance(s) neither are we cut from the same cloth. I've had some people say I made it sound so easy. Seriously? Did you read that post at all? There was nothing easy about that decision. Heck, I was terribly terrified (see? Terribly terrified). It was no mean feat I pulled back then, uhuh. Especially in this clime of ours where we've been fed the half bread's better than none and a Bird in hand's worth...yada, yada, yada advice one time too many.

Manage, the common man's anthem (that's actually a post on its own). So, no it wasn't easy but was it worth it? In Les Brown's voice, it was worth it alright?

So, here goes nothing. Yup, nothing 'cos I don't really know what I'm doing. I'm literally flying by the seat of my pants (go figure).

For anyone that wants to try this (again, I don't even advise you to, double standard much?) be absolutely, unconfoundedly sure 'cos my dear, you ain't going to enjoy the experience unless you're a sloth. I hear they don't do much. I was at the end of my tether so to speak, when I made that decision.

Secondly, make sure you have a plan B in case things don't go quite so well. If possible have a plan in all the alphabets, you don't want to be stranded like this little man:

Thirdly, don't let anyone guilt trip you into thinking you made a mistake (unless you did indeed make a mistake). It's not their happiness or health or advancement or career growth or whatever it is that's making you leave, at stake. I think I should insert here that you should clearly evaluate your reason(s) for leaving. Is it something that can actually be corrected, modified, addressed? You get my drift. We don't want you running off and then two weeks down you suffer from the had-i-known syndrome, nope, that wouldn't do. So assess, assess, assess your reason(s) & option(s).

Also, it's advisable to have some pocket money tucked away somewhere. It should be enough to see you through the wait. You'd have to cut down on your budget, a lot of things would have to go and you & the ones around you would or might feel the pinch. Depends on the wait.

For me, the first thing to go was impulse buying. I'm big at that. If it wasn't absolutely necessary, no deal. I'm learning the hard way. Yes, learning 'cos it's still WIP (Work In Progress).

Basically, that's it. Be sure it's not the evil forces in your villa that are pushing your buttons before you leap. Have your options staked out from A-Z if need be. Avoid those guilt trippers biko 'cos that's exactly what they are. They send you off on guilt trips all by yourself and they almost all don't turn out well. Make sure to have a lil' something (cash) that'll hold till the tide washes over (no brainer there).

So, did I miss anything?

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

P.S: If you don't look anything like the smiling guy in the first image, then, you're probably making a mistake. Think it through.