You will go through it

Hi again,

                                                          
 Its been such a big episode so far and i have no excuse for disappearing *covers face but i could't control most of the events that have been happening. I've had great days, sad days, days I was completely broken, days I thought I can't go on any more and even days I played away the hours. But, here I am again and it feels good to be back YASS! *lol

 I promise to do at least one post a week and thank you for always understanding. *hugs. Before I forget myself with all my brouhahas, I will share a major episode of breakthrough  in my Life and how I went through it. So I hope you enjoy and learn one or two from this post.

So lets get started, 2014 has come and gone but it remains a memorable year for me. Most importantly, I lost one of the most important person in my Life, my Mother. If you've been reading my posts, you'd remember a dedicated post i did on her birthday in 2013 and if you haven't read it before please see here Maami- Special Dedication. I never realized that's going to be a sojourn to the last moments with her. The 18th of May 2014, turned to the most unexpected event of my life, it indeed have turned my life around. Truly and honestly, Maami she was the closest thing to me after God (she was my "Igi lehin Ogba- Back Bone).

I remember hopping to her room in the hospital when my brother-in-law just pulled me back to tell me, "she has gone". I asked, "gone where" thinking she has been transferred to another hospital but the guy just held me strong and told me, "maami is dead!" I screamed and shouted expecting her to just walk out of the room to tell me, "if you don't stop shouting there, tin ba gba e mu" (Translation- if i get hold of you) but no one came. (she didn't show up with that stern look that puts me in order.) It felt like life has just ended for me. Long story short, i didn't know how to move on, everything stopped and all i had left was memories and watching the time tick away.

The Breaking Point

This big episode changed my whole life completely; my relationship with God was the only solace i had. I told this short tale of my life just to show that everyone of us have a breaking point and that point decides our strength or weakness. It also determines who we are or will become at the end of the day. The following are some of the things I did and realized when I went to through my episode.

                                        

Realize you have a support system-
During my own episode, I was fortunate enough to have a good support system around me, from my family, to wonderful friends, Church and my colleagues. I can't thank God enough for them but one thing I realized was that I recognized the support i had, I could easily have ignored them and be withdrawn in my Sadness but I realized and it helped me tremendously.

                                             

Accept the Truth-
Another thing I realized at this period was to accept the truth. As a daughter, my mum also happen to be my best friend, like I earlier, she was the next after God. Though she lead me to Christ and all, I comfortably trusted her and her judgement. When she passed, at some point I would speak, have an almost realistic dream of her but then I come to question myself that, "She's really gone. Trust me, accepting the truth is very hard but you need it ASAP. Don't deny your hurt, disappointment and heart breaks , cry whenever you need to. (I remember a day I cried all the way from the office till I got home). Also, find someone you can share your thought and queries with, they might not give you the perfect solution or answer but they would listen to you and that burden will be lifted off you, like the saying that "a problem shared is half solved". That situation is not the end of your journey, a destiny is still in waiting for you to achieve.

                


Don't remain there, move on-
I don't know what the situation you might be going through or must have gone through, don't remain there. The situation must not define you, it should make you stronger and better. I remember I met some of my mum's friends at the anniversary of her passing and she was like, wow!, you even look way better than when your mum was here, we thought you wouldn't be able to move on", so i guess i shocked them all cos they all kept gazing at me *chuckles. Though very hard, you need to make a decision of what you want to take away from that episode. Tell yourself the truth and bring yourself back to reality and your reality is what you decide it would be *Capish!

Make your story a Lesson-
Yes, make your own story a lesson. I guess i wouldn't be able to share my story if i haven't learnt from it. Though i miss Maami everyday and it still feels like a dream but I've come to a realization that She's in a better place and she still expects me to keep the Torch blazing. So, have it at the back of your mind that your "story is someone's lesson" and also ask yourself, "what do I want people to learn".

                                    


Have got so much to say but lemme stop here, I wouldn't want to overwhelm you with the gory details now *lol. I'm not claiming that these are the perfect solutions to whatever issues you might be going through but these are my own lessons and I'm sharing them with you *lol.
Till next time, do enjoy the best God has given you.

I remain, Olufunke and I LOVE YOU!

Shopping Things- Tips

Hello July... Hi everyone. Wow! its July already. When did we even celebrate the new year, the election and its July already. Thank God for keeping us so far and I pray that He'll continue to sustain us for a very long time.
                                          
Its July and its all shopping galore, sales, vacations and many more sales (i love the sound of sales *big grin). You can't buy enough this season and honestly, you can also regret your purchases if you are not careful. I decided to do this post cos over my many years of shopping experiences (i'm an impulse buyer by the way *covers face), I've made many mistakes, I've had great buys and I'm still trying to get better at it. I remember when I and my older sister (my partner in shopping *chuckles) would go shopping and when we get home, it's either she complains, it doesn't fit her like she expects or something is sha wrong somewhere. Trust me, I indirectly enjoy those days cos she just toss the clothes to me with a promise that I would refund her. (which I hardly do *evil grin). Anyways, having had all those ups and downs  and my compulsive love for shopping, I've been able to come up with some few tips that have helped me get by whenever I shop and I hardly regret my purchases these days.

Here we go;

1. Understand your body, your size and how you want to portray yourself by your look

Don't force it, know your body and what works for you.

                                                 
2. Its Ok to admire something on someone but don't get to impulsive to buy such item with the aim of looking like them.
3. Browse through different on-line channels to see the latest trends and styles (try blogs, IG handles, Facebook pages etc)
4. Also look around at occasions, events, work, school etc (the point is, just watch out for trends and styles people are wearing)
5. Have a budget. (I'm seriously praying and working towards not having a budget again, just shop without checking the price tag, Amen!!! lols)
6. Window shop (it does no harm), whether on-line or even in the shops, window shop to see what they have. Thank God for IG boutiques lol, you can ask the sellers direct questions and get feedbacks (some of them are rude and proud so be careful). Windowshopping will also help you tell which store is selling the original brands, imitations and the Aba made *lol Any decision you make afterwards you're OYO ooo(on your own)
7. Look out for SALESSSSSSS (shhhh Mango store is on sale)
                                               
9. Pick a comfortable day to go for a proper purchase shopping (don't rush)
10. Go with someone whose judgement you trust, not the FRENEMIES ooo, they can help guide you before you buy (i prefer to go shop alone though)
11. When you get into the store of your choice, DO NOT RUSH!!! (you know that heavenly feeling you get when you enter a store, ehen take a chill pill and breath in and out, ok!. lol)

lols

                                                               
11. Take a walk around the store. If a store assistant walk up to you, nicely tell them, "i want to take a look, will call you when i need to, thanks"
12. Remember, your budget, your size and what works for your body.
13. When you see or find what you like, check or ask for the price; don't make a final decision yet. You can hold on to it though while you keep shopping.
14. Sometimes, when you shopping you find out that some items just match even without you thinking about it, don't rush still. You can pick the items so you can try them on (but you'd need to check with the store if they allow "try on")
15. After taking good walk round the store you can now decide on what you want to buy. (CAUTION- its not a must to buy anything in the store if you're not satisfied with what you see, don't be intimidated by those irritating store assistants, na your money you wan spend)
16. Before you decide, check the price of the item (bargain down if need be or check for discounts), also check the size, color and quality of the item (preferably try on the item carefully without damaging).
17. Also have at the back of your mind, the occasion(by occasion i don't mean Party alone ooo, it could be work, school, church, etc), event or where ever you intend to wear what you intend to buy (dress according to the occasion, look the part).
18. Stay in touch with your pocket, don't over spend.

That Face you make when You've Overspent 

                                             
19. Make sure you're satisfied with whatever you buy before you leave the store.
20. Enjoy your purchase and don't forget to take a gorg selfie to show it off *big kiss
                                

*Oh! lest i forget, I sometime hear people tell me that you need to have a lot of money to shop, that's a big fat Lie. I usually have a budget and I know where to get good quality things within my budget and if I need to go a lil outside of my budget, I save up for it.

Mind you, these are from my own personal experience over time and I hope you find it helpful. This is not all about Shopping Tips, stay tuned to my updates cos I will be posting Tips on shopping On-line next.
Till then, I LOVE YOU!

Olufunke