New pictures of Stockholm part 2

You may wonder, 'How can I leave it all behind if I am just coming back to it? How can I make a new beginning if I simply return to the old?' The answer lies in the return. You will not come back to the 'same old thing.' What you return to has changed because you have changed. Your perceptions will be altered. You will not incorporate into the same body, status, or world you left behind. The river has been flowing while you were gone. Now it does not look like the same river. [The Book of the Vision Quest]

- Steven Foster

Hey all,

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas filled with Love, Family, food and Presents. Here in Stockholm, our Christmas was a bit different this year, as my mom was fasting and my sister spent hers with her boyfriend and his family, so lunch was left to me. But that is part of my round up for 2010.

Yesterday (27 December 2010) my siblings and I took a boat tour around Stockholm and this is the result and afterwards I was so inspired and really just didn't want to walk up the road to our house so I decided to remain in town and take pictures.

So here are more photos of Stockholm!!!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!! First, the boat tour.

It really was Slippery on deck!!!!

The Swedish flag.

.

Icy morning

Not the boat we took, but I just loved the power and size of this one.

And Now onto Stockholm!!!!! These are just a few (very few) but I really liked what I took with my camera so I added them. Hope you like them as well.

There is only one tram line in Stockholm - No 7, so I took this shot.
I call this the PEACE Gun!!!!! I actually don't know what its called.
The Nobel building.
The spot where the Prime Minister was killed.
I love these bike's!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Santa!!!!!

Luck is believing you're lucky.

- Tennessee Williams

Hi Santa

So, this year, I was good really good. I was a little naughty but for most parts very good. I ate all my veggies,I exercised, I even fasted a few times during the year, I was kind, considerate, helpful and kept a positive attitude. So ummmmm yeah, here is my Christmas wish list..... feel free to send me everything or just a few things but please not less than 5 items. I have been really Really REALLY good and I can give you names of people who haven't, so there........I am just saying. I know people........

Firstly Nico my baby camera (which I love Dearly) needs a sibling and I really want to get him this I will even name her Niki!!!!!!!

My music player died a terrible death a few weeks ago and I want to replace it with this,

Hair Products - Everything from a denham brush, to hair milk, hair butters, Shea Butter, Henna etc.

Santa,

Sweden, need I say more.....

and some La Perla,

Some Chanel to go with the La Perla

some Mac cosmetics as well

also, some cook books,

and a White Mac laptop.

Yep, thats about it Santa. I am very sure, my previous mail was lost ( I don't know how seeing as I am now closer to you than last year when I was in Abuja) but I figured sending you an email message was the best way to go. P.s dont come down the chimney, longgggggggggg story. But I will have some 3% fat milk and chocochip with oatmeal cookies for you.

Afropean Queen,

you know, the good girl.

My Bucket list for 2011!!!!!

When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it.

- Margaret Chase Smith

Oh my, well the year is almost over, 11 days to go actually. I cant believe this year has gone so fast!!!!!!!! So will post about all I have done this year before the end of this year, but for now, its on to my Bucket list. I decided I don't want to to have resolutions, just things I want to accomplish by the end of 2011!!!!! 29 things that I will cross out!!!!!!!

1 Travel - in no particular order, these are the places I want to go to: Goa, Mumbai, New Delhi, Paris, London, Cairo, Athens, Marrakesh, Oslo, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Madrid, Seoul, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Antigua, Bahamas, Cuba, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Seychelles and Brussels.

2 Get my drivers Licence.

3 Learn Swedish, French & Spanish.

4 Learn to play the piano.

5 Learn to play the guitar.

6 Get 3 tattoos (wrist, back and ankle)

7 Get 2 piercings (nose and Belly)

8 Visit a meditation retreat.

9 Get a pet - name her Lola ( a dog would be fab)

10 Go to concerts have a few people I would like to see.....

11 Visit Italy for a whole month - May (my birthday month)

12 Fly first class

13 Go on a cruise - hopefully a Caribbean cruise.

14 Learn wine appreciation.

15 Go skiing.

16 Participate in an impromptu snowball fight.

17 Take a proper cooking class. I want to be a domestic/kitchen Goddess!!!!!!

18 Go bowling.

19 Become a Cheese connoisseur. I love LOVE cheese!!!!!!

20 Finish and Publish my first novel.

21 Be in a commercial and get paid.

22 Spend a week at a 5 star spa. Luxury!!!!!!!

23 Create a You Tube video.

24 Swim with dolfins.

25 Ride a camel.

26 Ride an elephant.

27 Get my astrological chart made.

28 Food to try - Truffles

- Cheese fondue

- Oysters

- Escargot

29 Get my portrait painted!!!!!!!!!

Yep just a few things I want to accomplish in the next 12 months. There is another special one but that one remains close to my heart............

I cant wait to start crossing things off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.

- Brian Tracy

Sorry for the delay in blogging but better late than never. So its Thanksgiving, even though I anm neither American nor Canadian (if they celebrate this day) I am Thankful, so here is what I am Thankful for.

My family, those close and extended, a friend told me long time ago, that our souls basically pick which babies we want to inhabit and which family we want to be a part of, so even though I don't always get along with my family, I guess, my soul knew what it was doing, so I am proud to be a member of my family.

My friends, old and new, they really are an extension of me and reflect my personalty and growth as a person, some people have come and gone from my life, but each and everyone left a mark in and on my heart.

My sense of self worth, this is pretty high up of this list because I haven't always felt this good about my my own worth and I had to dig deep and figure things out and now I know who I Am and what I want and expect from life, love and everything in between. I know my talents, my strengths and my weaknesses, I love my courage, my depth and my compassion, my passions, my creativity and but Most of All I am Grateful to just be Me.

My ex's, I am grateful to them because this year, I had to let go of someone I deeply loved for a long time and it got me thinking of all the men I have had the privilege to be with or date. They each have brought something into my life for which I am truly grateful for. I am a romantic and I always felt that to truly love someone is as close to God as you as ever get apart from having a child, losing someone and death. So I am grateful to have loved and know that I am capable of being in love and finding the right man for me.

My travels, I have been really lucky in that I have lived and traveled to some seriously wonderful places and I give thank that there are even more places for me to explore. I cant wait to get out there and explore. I am so happy to be a part of this world and live during these times and I just cant wait to see more of this amazing PLANET!!!!!!!

My camera, my baby Nico, I love him to bits. He is such a Diva, wont work with anyone else but me, I bought him the morning of my flight to Windhoek, just hours before I left Vienna. He will be getting a new sibling next year, because I don't want to spoil him and I think he needs a partner.

My body, wow, this is actually a hard one, but as I get older, I appreciate my body more and more. And this year, this ol girl and I went through some changes. I love my body and treat it with respect (not always as often as I should - moisturize and all dat), but I make sure to give it lots of love and tender care and I always make sure I smell good. I also give thanks for all my Perfumes (I am a total Perfume junkie).

My hair, this hair and I have been through quite a bit, shave then relax, then shave again, then cornrow then shave and then just let the hair do its own thing for a while and then put braids in. But my hair has grown so beautifully, strong and shinny and curly. It gets better and better and I just love it. I am truly grateful to have this hair that I have on my head.

I am also grateful for technology, food, shoes, music, my laptop (which was a gift from my folks), my clothes, and so much more. Much Much Much More!!!!!!!!!!!

I am truly Grateful for my Creator, I do often struggle with my faith , but I am always Grateful to be alive and be able to live the life that I do and be on my particular journey and path. I know he walks along side me and is always with me and that HE created me uniquely and for that I am eternally Grateful.

So yep, thats it, I am sure there should be more than I am Grateful more but I just cant really think right now, will leave it as is.

Peace and Love

Blessings and Light

Pictures Of Stockholm part 1

The most beautiful thing in the world is, precisely, the conjunction of learning and inspiration. Oh, the passion for research and the joy of discovery!

- Wanda Landowska

Hi all, I finally have some pictures of Stockholm and I am gonna share them with you guys. Enjoy!!!!!!!!! I will still take more pictures as the winter begins. But for now enjoy..........

Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just me playing with the Camera.
Night out in Abuja.
Black and white. Love the hair and earrings of this photo.
My hair was braided in Abuja the week for before I flew to Stockholm and I Love this hairstyle!!!!!!
I am totally at peace in this moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love my hair like this!!!!!!!!!!

Vision Boards, Prayer, Faith and Belief All Work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life.
- Oprah Winfrey


Ok, so this morning after saying my prayers I decided to log onto facebook just for a quick check and I received a notification that I was a Carol's Daughter winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had tears in my eyes, I was over the moon, I still even hours later cant believe I won. I am totally beyond happy.

So what does this great news have to do with Vision boards, Prayer, Faith and Belief, well.......I follow The Secret. I bought the book last year in November and have been using its teachings to turn my life into something magnificent and so far its worked.
- I have received money
- books
- travel
- moved locations
- love (myself and others)
- hair growth
- shoes
- weight loss
- boho black bag
and lots of stuff.

Basically, I am all about being positive and just focusing on myself and what makes me happy. Also Spiritually as a person I have grown as well.

It feels wonderful to know everything I want and need is on its way to ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings and Love

Sweden

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death.

- Robert Fulghum




Ok, sorry for the longgggggggggggg break between posts but it was so difficult trying to upload pictures and blog from Abuja, but I promise to change my ways........

I am back in Europe now, after living in Abuja for 11 months, I am now in Stockholm, Sweden and wow is it very different. I will upload pictures very soon, I actually need to first leave the house before I do that.

So whats up with me, well......
I braided my hair before I left and I intend on leaving them this way for at least 4 week.( I also need to do some product shopping here in Stockholm)
I did the Master cleanse and I did that for 18 days, I lost 8kgs and I have manage to keep that weight off. still another 10 to go.
I am still doing pilates and cardio, but I intend on continuing with my Tae Kwon Do as soon as possible and also getting into Yoga.
And I am in Love. I have always been in love with this person and I am finally just facing the fact that for now he may be the only man for me.

Ok, for now thats it, will go out and take some pictures and uplaod those from Abuja as well as my Windhoek trip.

Life is worth living, if you give it half a chance......

I am blessed, and I know this
So why did it take me so long to figure it out?

Maybe, its due to the reason, I was living it.
My life, I mean.
I was running around, not trusting myself
here, there and everywhere
apart from my soul and spirit
and most importantly, my heart.

Now, I know, life is worth living
in this moment, because thats all that counts.

I stood back, and let life show me her secrets and what she has in store for me
and all I can say is
life is worth living, if you give it half a chance.
Its worth it all.
Just need to believe and trust in all.

packing whilst I dream..

As I turn in my sleep, I begin to pack, only what is most important, do I take on my journey. Small momentos, little wisps of wisdom and my soul as my compass. The road ahead is bumpy and long, somedark and light, filled with so much that needs me to see. My camera, my books, some clothes. what will nurture me, I will find along this path. I will travel over deserts, through the rain, valleys, cities, towns,, hearts and more spirits, who are also searching................ the journey is long, and I look forward to taking the first step. However, I must continue my packing.....

Nighttime calling

Its calling again, can you hear it?!!!!

There it is,
just a whisper, so small, so soft, just for my ears......
Its telling me a secret, so sweet, so sound,
I have never heard so sincere,
am I scared? nope, its fascinating....,
secrets in the night, tales of wisdom, thoughts, long gone by, little stories
truths, lies, fantasies,
all true, all lies.
The kiss on my lips, on my neck, on my breasts.....
so on and so forth,
I cant stop, I dont it want to stop.
What do you do?, when your body commands your mind, every emotion, every sense
every smell seems forever new.
I have never felt touch that was so light,
it seems to escape my finger tips
oh they seem so light, do you feel them?
my touch, my lips, my hands,
my love.
I give it so freely,
my all.
Now what ?
as I took into your eyes, beyond you, forever and far
can you see it?
its a secret, it calls on me, while it whispers to you.
Love me, and I will show you all the secrets of life
I hold them, deep within me,
so deep
you only have to search within me, to find them.
Only the truth, can conquer, only the truth shall seek.
Only the truth shall find.

Can you hear it? Its calling again......
Take my hand, I will lead you. all the way, truth, shall set us all free.
Hear it, feel it, believe it and finally, live it.
Its not so loud, it whispers softly...
but only for your pure heart, in it, shall it, forever more and beyond.

Can you hear it? Its calling again......... whispers
close your eyes, breathe in the sounds, my hearts music
its there. For you and me.
Allways there.
Can you hear it?

Beginning

The beginning is always today - Mary Wollstonecraft

This is a bit long.

I always get excited when a new month begins, because its a chance for me to start something concrete until the last day of the month. And this time its no different. My goals for this month are easy: get my body into shape, get busy on my novel, work with my hair. Simple.

Not quite.......

My goal weight is 54 kgs, at the moment I weigh 67. So my plan of action is water, water, water, Pilates, Yoga, water, cut down on sweets, junk and big evening portions and more water. I have already quit smoking, my last cigarette was in March, my last drink was in June and the last time I hit a night club was last year, (Its been a dry season for me). Plus, I don't drink coffee, I no longer drink any fizzy, sugar laden drinks and my tea intake is quite minimal. I need to fit into a pair of size 38 jeans, only for the simple reason, that they are brand new and I am way tooooooo broke to go buy a new pair. They were bought for me last year, by my well meaning aunt. And I really really really want to wear skinny jeans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My hair, I love my hair, I really do. I shaved it 3 years ago ( my brother went to town on my head with his clippers), and I had the most amazing shower ever. It was so liberating not having to worry about what to do with my hair. Until, the first little hairs came out then I was lost. Really lost. More lost than lost. Weeks later, I was back to the relaxer. After that, I figured, if I am going to go natural, maybe I should do some research first and plan ahead. So I did. I read, read, read, Everything I could about natural hair, the styles and what products to use. Only two problems arose.

1. I was living in Austria, and there were no natural haired sisters around.

2. All the products in the shops were in German and not meant for natural hair.

So what I did, was shave off my head again and start over, only this time, once the hair grew, I would get my sister to braid it for me. (I was lucky enough, that my mom sent us tons of hair extensions, and even luckier that my hair had worked in a hair salon and could braid). I happily went along, alternating between braids and cornrows until I went back to Namibia last year in December, when I had my hair cut again. This time very short of the sides and longish on the top. After two weeks in Windhoek, I came to Abuja and let me tell you, the weather and water have been wonderful on my head.

So, for about 8 months now, my hair has been in cornrows every two weeks and it has grown. I cant tie it up yet, but its getting there. I don't do much with it, except, wash, air dry, oil, cornrow and leave for two weeks, then deep condition and repeat.

I did buy some products though, I couldn't get everything I wanted but, I am happy with what I have thus far. So will see, what will happen end of August. I am hoping that it will be long enough for me to at least tie it up in a ponytail and also if I can get some Henna, than I really want to try that.

My novel. I have been writing since I could remember. I started writing short stories and poetry as a youngin and was very Blessed to have some work published. So for the last few years, I decided that I wanted to get my story across. You know, that saying that everyone has a novel in them. Well, I kinda, like have, maybe - three or four. So for now, I am seriously starting on my first one.Again. (but that's a different story)

Thus far, I am very proud of myself. I have a theme, characters, location and name for my book. That's all. Nothing more and nothing left. The WHOLE, novel is in my head. But, I have taken action, For the next 30 days, I will write, just write and write. I will get that story out of my head and into my laptop format. I refuse for it to live in my head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't even know why it likes being in my head so much, believe me, there is nothing in there, but facts on African Politics, Psychology, childcare, Criminal Minds and recipes........really nothing much goes on in my mind than that.

Anyhow, I think, I have wasted enough writing time. So its back to my novel and trying to get it out...............maybe I should tempt it, by pretending to write about an African leader, who is a criminal mastermind, who uses Psychology with children whilst cooking from a great recipe.............

Laters

My Dance, movement, my song.

I feel it,
every time, I walk
its in the wind, it blows softly
like, my kisses

I dance to it,
everytime, the sun shines,
she smiles to me,I
enjoying my movements.

I breathe it,
everytime the rain falls
upon my window, telling me secrets only
I know

I embrace it
everytime, a women walks my way,
with a certain swagger from her hips
telling me, she is ready for the gift

I smell it,
everytime I am in a garden
and the flowers open to me
giving me the sweet scent

I enjoy it,
everytime, a man, who knows who he truely is
walks along side me

I love it
Because I know,
as long as I am alive
I am, ME.

Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by its breathtaking moments.

- Michael Vance

New Changes

'Man changes by growth, not by magic' Timberline W. Riggs

Somehow, I cant seem to log into my old blog, so I have decided to incorporate that blog and this new one. I will still continue to write poetry, but will also add some photography, some fashion, my travels, recipes and of course crossing off items of my bucket list.

Two of the biggest changes to date, is that I have moved continents again. After living in Vienna for 8 years, I moved to Abuja, last year. Have been here for almost 9 months now, but I am feeling the itchy feet again, so I could be making another move soon.

My second change, is that 2 years ago I did the Big Chop, basically that means I shaved my head. I really did, 3 times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first time, was such a shocker that after a while, I really needed (or thought I needed) a relaxer, so I went back, to my relaxer ways. The second time, my hair didnt grow back the way I wanted, so I chopped it off again. So now here I am, with a cute fro, and no products.........

Its very hard to get natural products here in Nigeria, and trust me, I have tried. Also, it seems many companies are reluctant to send anything via the postal services here, so its hard to get anything shipped to me, but I am a sister that always makes a plan.

As for now, I just wash my hair with normal shampoo, condition it and also deep condition it with hair mayonnaise ( I don't think its a natural hair product, but at this point its all I could get) and then I keep my hair cornrowed. I haven't had a hair cut since December, but thus far my hair is about to my ears. Am not sure about the type thou, I think I am somewhere between a 3c/4a, am still trying to figure that out. Or something like that.

So will definitely keep you updated about my natural hair journey as well.

Be Blessed,
Happy
give Love and be Loved
afterall, thats all
we all really want