Busy day

I have had a very busy day and now on my way to relax and have something to eat. I never knew research analysis could be such hard work. I have been giving what I thought was my best but my supervisor keeps pushing me for more. I like the way my supervisor pushes me. It means that he thinks I have got potential to do more than I am currently doing. Right now, my work just keeps changing which is quite frustrating for me. Well, maybe I just need to work harder. It is even frustrating because I just want to finish this research and move on with my life. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHH!!!!! Just need to let off steam!!!!!! Hope you all are having a lovely day?

Inspiration!!!!!

Hello everyone. I hope you are all having a lovely weekend? I just got a mail from a friend and I wanted to share such an inspirational message with all of you. Here it is:

Malachi 3:3 says; 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Wow!!!! What a wonderful message. I just needed to hear this message today. Such message makes me count it all joy when God is refining me and putting me through the fire. For I know His eyes are forever on me and He will NEVER let me carry a burden too much for me. Have a wonderful weekend!!! Love from me!!!

Being Objective

Hello Everyone. I hope you are all having a wonderful day? I have just had a very busy day but thank God I survived and it is Friday!!!! Yea bring on the weekend!!!! Did any of you watch "Welcome to Lagos" in BBC? I just love the programme. In the beginning, I was a bit sceptical on what the programme's intentions were but after watching it all, I just had to clap for all the participants that took part in the programme. I had to go to the BBC site just to have a look at what people are saying about the programme. Wow!!!! There were some angry Nigerians not happy about BBC showing the slums of Lagos. I get the point some people make when they state that Western television never shows any positive side of Africa. But, may I say that this programme brought out all that is great and positive about Nigerians. If you look past the poverty, the lives of these individuals told a story of courage, hope, and survival in the face of hopelessness. I say this because I was touched by the lives of the people that took part in the programme.

So by some Nigerians saying that BBC should not have covered the slums of Lagos is just outrageous. I think it is an insult to those brave men and women who live everyday in the slums and I feel such denial is denying these great people a chance for the world to see such courageous spirit. I was so proud of their hard work, their determination not to be beaten by life, a government that simply did not care if they lived or died. I hope the government officials watched this programme and if they did, they should hang their heads in shame. How can you live when your own brother is living such a deplorable life? Only in Africa will you see a government official unashamedly exhibiting ill gotten wealth.

Back to the point that I was making. Why are some people not happy that such courageous people were used for this programme? Are we denying that these places do not exist in Nigeria? I believe that Will Anderson did a fantastic job in showing what resilient and hardworking people Nigerians are irrespective of the fact that majority of the population live in abject poverty. In the face of abject poverty, the people still love life, live life to the fullest and are still very happy people. It shows that we are built of tougher stuff and not all succumbing to life of crime and hoplessness. l believe the programme brought out more positivity in our character than if it focused on the wealthy side of Lagos and showed us as people of no character.

Signs of the end of the world?

Hello everyone. I have just been having a conversation with a colleague of mine about the recent happenings around the world. We talked about the earthquakes around the world, volcano eruptions, other disasters taking place and the tremendous human sufferings around the world. My colleague said to me that there is something about these disasters that is sending an undertone message. My question is: Are these signs of the end? Are these warnings that something of another magnitude is on its way? Those who are religious believe these are all signs of the end. My colleague said something that made me laugh. She said something around the lines of not being ready or something in that manner. I answered that if the end comes, then there is nothing to be afraid of or worry about because there is nothing to miss since there will be absolutely nothing. I did not understand myself (lol) but she did look quite intrigued by my answer. So, are you ready for the end? I know some who would say that they want to get married, have children, finish their degrees etc (lol). Do you believe in heaven? I am interested in hearing your views. Meanwhile, have a wonderful day and just enjoy life as God intended!!!!

News

Hi everyone, did you see the programme on BBC yesterday on Lagos Nigeria? It was really an eye opener. I hope the leaders of Nigeria watched it to see how the members of their communities are living. What came out most was the contentment of these hard working individuals. Those who think that they have it rough should look at these individuals and thank God for their lives. Enough said about the programme. I just read in the papers that the 16 year old girl that was shot on Wednesday has passed away. Two black boys aged between 14-18 years are suspected of committing this hideous crime. May her soul rest in perfect peace. May God give her family the strength to bear the loss. To young black kids, please please, stop the killings!!!! It aint just worth it. Get yourself an education or a job. Find a way of helping the community. There is no future in the gang or in involving yourself in evil. There will always be pay back time. Listen and be wise!!!!

Gun crime

I was just going through the papers and came across an article that caught my attention. A girl was shot in the neck in Hackney. The first thing that came to my mind is that this must be black on black crime. Surely, when I got to the bottom of the article, it said that the shooting is being dealt with by detectives from the Met's Operation Trident - the unit which investigates gun crime in the black community. I have to be careful how I voice my opinion here but what is it with black people killing one another? I am a black lady and proud of my achievements. I am always proud to see other black people doing well for themselves. However, there are some black people especially teenagers that are just a shame to see. I can never forget the day I was violently attacked on a bus by these two black guys. They wanted to get my attention and I refused to give them any and that was how I was called all the names in the world and subsequently attacked. During the commotion, I kept my cool and was just wondering why two young guys (from Nigeria) would have nothing better to do than to fight a young innocent woman. Their mates are busy working overtime and they are busy attacking a young defenceless woman. I was so ashamed of them, I felt the people in the bus was just laughing at us black people. The shame I had was that it was a fellow black person attacking me.

I tell you that that event affected me emotionally and physically. Then, if I saw any two black male, I just started shaking. I didn't want any black male seating next to me on the bus or making conversation with me because of that event. I was so affected that the Uni made me see a counsellor. Thank God I am over that now and I must add that one of the guys saw me on the same bus they attacked me and begged me to forgive him which I did. Forgiving was all the healing I needed because once I said I forgave him, all the heaviness left.

I was just discussing this black on black crime issue with a friend and she said, black people hate black people. they cant stand one another. In Africa, they are busy killing one another for one reason or the other, the leaders have no regards for its people and people have no regards for their fellow human being. Outside Africa, the hatred continues. They kill one another with guns, knives etc. Why cant we stand one another? Why cant teenagers stay out of the gang? Why must they kill to be "THE MAN"? Why all these killings? I pray that God helps all the victims of such crime.

My next question is who do we blame for these crimes? The society that has neglected these black youth? Their parents? Black community? Or the black youths themselves?

The sun!!!

Hello everyone, I cannot believe how the weekend has flown by so fast. Here I am at Uni developing a questionnaire for the project that I am working on. The weather is good and the sun is out. Talking about the sun, we had an amazing weather in the UK last weekend. I woke up early Saturday morning, got dressed and got on the train to Southport (sea side). Why waste such a glorious day sitting at home? I walked around the sea front, went into charity shops, bookshops and just capped it up by going to a Chinese restaurant to have my lunch. I was just so happy and thankful to God for being alive and healthy. The sun really does bring out the best in people. Everyone looked so happy and cheerful. I hope the weather stays this wonderful.

When to help

I was on the bus to uni and saw an elderly white man faint. His glasses was shattered and I was in so much shock and was hoping people would help him. This happened in city centre. There were people passing him and nobody seemed to care or wanted to help him. I then saw two black men and one cautiously approached the man, said something to the man and the elderly man gave the black man his hand and was helped up. I really hope the elderly man is getting all the medical treatment he needs and is doing OK. I thank God for the good Samaritan that helped the man. I believe God put him there at that particular time for a reason.

This brings the topic about helping others to my mind. Many people have horror stories of how helping others have backfired on them. I read on a paper few weeks ago of a woman that helped a little boy off a tree. The police was called and she was questioned. I know someone with the heart of gold who would help anyone in distress and what does she get paid with? Evil!!!!There was this widow this person I know housed. This widow was housed free of charge for 5 years living in this person's house without paying any bills or any expenses. After 5 years, this person I know found another house for the widow and paid the rent for this widow. But as human beings will ever be (Very predictable), this widow went mad insulting the woman that helped her as to why she should leave (remember it is not her house). Anyway, when the widow eventually went to the house that was rented for her my this person I know, she started going everywhere bad mouthing this wonderful woman that helped her for 5 years. How wicked can some people be for goodness sake. When I heard this story and I was in shock!!!! But nothing that humans do now ever really move me that much.

Had I not been on the bus when the old man fainted, I would have helped the man. I would put myself out to help others. I asked my mum. Would all the evil you were paid for doing good ever deter you from helping others? She answered me, NEVER!!! She will keep doing good for the rest of her life. I have the same spirit as my mum and dad. I will keep doing good for the rest of my life no matter how evil some people can be, no matter if I am paid evil for the good I have done.

New hair

I had my hair done today. I finally don't have to do much styling with my hair as I had it braided. I don't know if I like the way I look now with this hairdo. I think I look too wild (lol). I dislike any form of attention and boy did I get loads today. I saw a guy on the bus literally staring at me. Gosh!!! He was also smiling at me. God knows what was going on in his head. He may just be wondering why I had such a ridiculous hair style on me (lol). I hope I can settle into this hairstyle and get on with other things. The last thing I want to bother me is worrying about my hair. That was the reason I had it done in the first place. Have you ever had your hair done and come out looking like something else? LOL!!! Share please!!!!!

Easter Break

Hello all. Hope you had a lovely break? I did have a very restful break. I needed the break and I must say I really had a swell time. I went to church over the Easter break and the sermon just reminded me how loved I am. I just look at what God did for me on the Cross of Calvary!!! Wow!!! That just throws me. Holiday is now over and I am back to my usual busy self. I've had two meetings today. I have loads to do and I pray God gives me the wisdom and knowledge to get it all done.

Happy new month

Here is wishing you all a happy new month. I pray that the month brings joy, laughter and happiness to us all. For those celebrating Easter, have a wonderful celebration having in mind what God did for us because of his love for us. I hope to have a wonderful time this holiday. I will let you all know what I have been up to (That is if I get to do some exciting stuff). Ciao from me for now!!!