TAKE A CHILL PILL & ENJOY LIFE PT 2 (a.k.a THE VACATION)

Thursday, November 14, 2013

While I was still on vacation, a friend asked on Instagram when I was going to blog about my trip and I said as soon as I get back. I was really excited about the trip that I thought I would have posted it ASAP but I was mistaken. I had the most annoying flight with the strangest turbulence ever. Imagine how everyone in the aircraft felt when the pilot announced, "I'm really sorry I have to tell you this but I have just received an instruction from London to make a diversion to Shannon in Ireland due to....the story is long but in summary, a 7 hours flight became 10 hours. I was so knackered, jet-lagged & sleepy that I still couldn't get up from the bed the next day till 12 noon; but the eagle has awoken...and here is the vacation post. Before you continue, you'll need to read the Part 1 of this article HERE to understand my story.

Being a first child I always felt this responsibility to carry everybody on my shoulder; it's even worse that I sometimes go beyond family and take on more responsibilities than this my small petite body (with a very large heart) can carry. When I say I'm busy, it's really difficult for some people to understand cos they don't know the things I got myself involved in. Most of them I chose to do but others were designated to me because "Lynda, I just couldn't find any other person to trust to handle this better than you"...those words meant you're trustworthy; you're reliable and you deliver (I'm good like that...oya business partners show up ASAP, loll). Saying NO sometimes is not wrong but I feel I will be letting the person down so I just say YES and take that responsibility "happily". I handle everything so well that no one (including me) ever notices if there's anything wrong with me or not. One day, I found myself in the hospital and after so many tests the doctor had no diagnosis but he had one question for me - what do you do for a living? I took a deep breath and wondered which one I should tell him... before I could mutter a word he said "you need to take some time off work and REST". Now that sunk into my head (workaholics pls take a chill pill and rest). During this period, a friend called me after he heard I was indisposed and the first thing he said was "You think you're super woman abi?" I still didn't understand him, he said "you think you can do everything all by yourself? You need to chill out sometimes and take care of yourself or else your body will break down." Ohhhh... I understood him now. I kinda wish I was really super woman *winks* at least I will be faster with the tasks and fly to different countries to chill out when I need to. So that's what I did... I took a chill pill and decided to enjoy a vacation in the States. I went to Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia and North Carolina. I had so much fun, it was a great experience cos I saw amazing people who I had not seen for almost 8 years. I was too excited I didn't even remember to take pictures (sounds funny right)... but believe me we chatted, laughed, ate, drank that I literally forgot to capture some of the moments. One thing I couldn't help but notice was the wide roads compared to the tiny lanes we have in London; also the houses are more spacious than the cubicles in London. Anyways, to cut the long story short - I rested veryyyy well; there's nothing like waking up on a Monday morning and not think about work or any alarm disturbing your sweet dreams. #enjoyment.... I had a good time and hope to return soon.

These are the few pictures I managed to take... a big shout out to Ola (ma ride or die, sister-of-life, omalicha nwa, tomato jos, baby oku). We went everywhere together, this vacation would not have been fun without her. Love u muchos.

Before stepping out for the movies

Waiting for movie to start - had some thai food (was realllllllyyyy nice...yummy)

Streets of Silver Spring, movies at IMAX. Watched Gravity - you should see it.

Pls what am I searching for in my bag in front of white house?

CNN Building Washington DC

White House Down

Happy Ola, always radiant and joyful...streets of DC

I just loved this view (the shape of the building) and decided to capture it

Taking a chill pill...

Founders Library - Howard University, Washington DC

Safeway Building - Maryland

Road Trip to North Carolina

Pentagon Shopping Mall - Virginia

Say cheese...Night out with Kendough (this is the day I forgot to take pix of my friends)

Another eventful day...

Ola pumpin...pweety in pink

Say Cheese...

First day in Maryland

The day I dreaded...don't like saying goodbye. 

Coincidentally, I also ran into a friend I had not seen since NYSC in 2008, I was so shocked when she tapped me as we landed in London. It was really good to see her again even though she was on transit to Nigeria cos I don't know when next I'll see her again. 

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TAKE A CHILL PILL AND ENJOY LIFE...

Thursday, June 6, 2013

My bus ride to work takes approximately 20 mins; some people wonder why I take the bus instead of the train cos the train is faster and takes less time. One good reason is because it's kinda cheaper to go by bus, I save more and still get to work before most people who take the train. The second reason is because when you're in the bus, you get to enjoy the view of the city. I've been in London approximately 3 years but it seems like I know most streets and shortcuts around the city; especially central London. My university was in Central London. and all the places I've worked are also in Central London. London gets so busy that when you get into the train, it's swamped and packed like sardines with people looking tired, weary and angry (lol) riding in dark train tunnels while I enjoy the view of the city on my bus ride. Likewise, we get caught up in the nitty-gritty of life with all the hustling and bustling, working 9am to 5pm (or like Lagosians working 7am to 10pm) and forget that in the journey of life you need to take a "chill-pill" and ENJOY YOUR LIFE. While I was studying, my journey was from Stratford station to Baker street station; once I go underground at Stratford, the next sight of the blue sky will be at Baker street station. I was on the speed lane, I never even knew Madame Tussauds was right opposite me. I never saw the beauty of the city till I started taking the bus. Some of us are in life's speed lane, we are too busy to notice the beautiful things & people that God has placed in our path for us to live a happy life. You see a busy couple who seldom notice each other cos they're always in a hurry to leave the house to work & come back too tired to bond...slowly they loose track of each other and we wonder why some marriages end even before they started. We miss out on happy moments cos we're too focused on the speed lane....pls SLOW DOWN A LIL' BIT. 

As at 11:27pm, KB was just leaving his office in Victoria Island to go home on the mainland. KB is a dedicated auditor who works with one of the Big 4 multinational companies in Nigeria. As wonderful as my dear friend is, he is one of such employees you give a task to do and be sure it will be done 101%. Some weekends, he is also at work...he travels round the country to audit at client sites and has less time for himself. Oh, did I mention he is also studying for a professional exam together with his tight schedule at work. In his words, "the result for a good job in my company is more work". He gets home some minutes before or after midnight, sleeps late and wakes up before 6am to beat the morning traffic so he doesn't get to work late (as per "employee of the year"). As much as we want to achieve set goals and make all the money in the world; it would make no sense if you achieve all of these and not able to enjoy it. We get too busy that we sometimes become a shadow of ourselves, we skip meals, less rest, less prayer times, less family times and more work time with more headaches & body aches. To function effectively for the company, you need to take proper care of yourself if not you'll break down one day and it won't take the company much time to find a replacement for you cos life goes on. ENJOY YOUR LIFE...don't get overwhelmed by life that you forget to live it to the fullest. John 10:10 says "...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)". I bet you never thought the word "enjoy" was in the bible but hey...God wants you to enjoy life, not just small enjoyment but to the full till it OVERFLOWS. hehehee

This is not just for workaholics but for people who constantly beat themselves up because you have not achieved a set goal. You are 30 going on 31 and still single; you wanted to work in a very big company but you're still stuck in the small one; you graduated 3 years ago and haven't found a job yet; you've been in the same level at work and didn't get the promotion you wanted. I had the same feeling with you few weeks ago cos I really

wanted to achieve a goal I set but it didn't quite happen the way I expected, but hey...take a good look around you, count how many good things that have happened to you since January. Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his/her stature or change the situation? Don't let it get to you...look yourself in the mirror, call your name and say it is time you enjoyed your life.So I can't wait for Saturday, me and ma friend from who's coming from Scotland are gonna have madddd fun!!!! As in, I've decided to bring out ma summer florals and shorts, it's time to have fun. I'm looking forward to a vacation as well, Paris or Atlanta...errmm I'll make up my mind soon cos I have to live up to the reason Jesus died for me. I can't be sulking about one thing when I can be happy and enjoy life knowing he is working out everything for my good. Think about it, He never sleeps nor slumbers so why should I not sleep (that means two of us will be doing the work..nahh, He's more than able). So in life, there is no button for REWIND, PAUSE or FAST-FORWARD...as the journey goes on, just take a chill-pill and learn how to enjoy your life cos you only live once. Don't let life pass you by, live it and enjoy it till it overflows.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not for you to be lazy @ work. Be efficient & hardworking but don't kill yourself while trying to do so.

Have a Fantastic weekend

Luv y'all

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NEVER GONNA BE A DULL FLIGHT MOMENT

Sunday, June 10, 2012

WHOOP! WHOOP!! I literally threw my hands in the air at the end of the rap.

Mehhhnnn.... there's never gonna be a dull flight moment with this kinda cool and bubbly flight announcement. Y'all know how boring flight announcements can be that you may even sleep off before the flight takes off. Yeah we get the drill and know you're trying to tutor us on safety while on board but for crying out loud we've heard this over n over n over again. Add some spice/flavour to make it less boring. I can imagine how many people will queue up to buy SouthWest tickets after seeing this video. It's all about CUSTOMER SERVICE, do something different than the ordinary and create a differential advantage. I like the ending part of the rap..."This is SouthWest Airlines, you're welcome aboard". I can imagine every other announcement on that flight coming with some vibes. I think I want want to fly with SouthWest Airlines (loll).

PS: Please can we get more David Holmes kinda flight attendants in Naija??? 

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I'CENT NEWTON STUDIOS...Turning happy moments to memories of a life time through images

Saturday, June 9, 2012

I'CENT...The man behind the camera

Are you thinking of keeping those happy moments and sweet memories for a lifetime? Why not put them into images, that is the best way to create a portfolio of cherished events that should never be forgotten.

I’cent Newton studios (Media) is an image making and Design Services outfit with a unique style and a passion to express beauty through the power of a still image. I’cent believes great pictures are not made but created.

With his imagination running a mile a minute, he makes poetry of pictures with HDR photography with the aim of not just taking good pictures; but to mix the art of photography with creativity to produce cutting edge imagery that will take your breath away and forever remain in memory lane. The studio produces different genres of photography which include: portraiture, couture weddings, modelling portfolios, events  and design services.

See his creative images below:

Very lovely and creative images…I’ll be posting my I’cent pictures soon, I’ll like you to patronise this gifted hands. Visit I’cent Newton Studios @ http://www.icentnewton.com/ for a gallery of exquisite pictures and how to contact him.

Have a splendid weekend J

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