What I love about Night at The Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb

Apart from the amazing blend of history and quirky characters, it has the elements of a good story, which is what drew me in the most.

The night guard, Larry (main character/protagonist) is on a quest to fix the golden tablet which holds the magic that brings the exhibits at the museum he works at, to life every night. He encounters obstacles along the way; from the funny guard at the British Museum, Tilly, to the Triceratops skeleton and then Lancelot who is on a quest to find his Guinevere and who when he discovers what the tablet is capable of doing and the powers it holds decides to steal it and claim from it its 'gift of life'.

Right then it seems all that could possibly go wrong has gone wrong for Larry the night guard who had just then discovered the way to solve the problem of the tablet after visiting 'Egypt'. The museum exhibits are starting to weaken. Time is running out

Soon Larry overcomes Lancelot- who now appears to be the major antagonist- with help from his museum friends and son, Nick. We easily sympathise with and understand Lancelot's reason for taking the tablet, especially as he enjoys the fact of being alive and not just being still and stared at by little children who visit the museum regularly. (Ted Roosevelt,  played by Robin Williams- of blessed memory- points out to Lancelot that it is important for education, as the children are being educated anyway).

One major theme that runs throughout the movie is 'Letting go'.
Larry's letting go of his museum friends he may never see again; his letting go of his son who has decided to explore the world for one year before applying to College (a sub-plot in the movie)

In all it's an excellent movie. Action packed, extremely funny and educative. And the fact that it is set partly in pretty London is a plus!

I came away from it wanting to actually learn more and brush up on my knowledge of a few things, historical and present.

Definitely a worthy outing.

I should watch movies more.

I should post on here more.

:)

Love, ay

When is Change Coming?

                         

"Ebin pa ara ilu....... Won ko n se ofin, won de n gbadun ni ti won"

The traffic on the road leading to Bodija market is building up. I am beginning to get really hungry. I can actually hear my stomach rumble. But for this traffic, I should be home in the next 5 to 7 minutes. We move steadily past Methodist Grammar School, towards Oju-Irin and I turn to the billboard for the umpteenth time. It always disgusts me when I see it. I don't know why. In it is this politician clad in a white jalamia and skull cap.

I remember the first time I noticed the political advert. I was driving home with my boss and he pointed it out, commenting on the politician's felicitating with Muslims on the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. He pointed out that the jalamia and skull cap were a political gimmick just to appeal to the good side of the celebrating Muslims all with the aim of garnering their votes in the upcoming elections. I remember him saying he was so sure the man is not actually a Muslim and is most likely a christian. As soon as he said that, I looked closely at the picture and spotted the RCCG wrist band on the politician's wrist, beside his wristwatch. We laughed at this. 

The wrist band is so conspicuously positioned and the politician has his hand resting on his jaw to make it more obvious. It screams ' I am a Christian that loves Muslims. Don't bother about what I plan to do. Just Vote for me, not the others".  

I twist my mouth and turn away from the billboard. We are still caught in traffic at Oju-Irin. My stomach is crying for food. I am tempted to buy a bottle of Pepsi from one of the street hawkers but hold back the urge. I am on a one-week fast from carbonated drinks. I hope I can keep it up. My ribs ache. Having to share a front passenger seat with another person in this small car is tiring. It's annoying, especially as the man I'm sharing the seat with is big boned and seems to be resting all of his weight on me. 

A convoy of vans is worming its way through traffic steadily and the man sitting beside me starts to shake his head. From the vans some people are waving hands vigorously, others are waving brooms. They are all singing and shouting. "E dibo fun APC oh", "PDP o le wole" Some are playfully chatting with other motorists and gesticulating, while others are handing out flyers.

The man beside me is still shaking his head and then he turns to the driver

"Where did they see these people?" he starts in Yoruba.

It is the driver's turn to shake his head and he turns his head to the window, observing the spectacle, just as we start to ease out of traffic slowly and approach the filling station. He looks ahead at the convoy of vans when we stop, as if in intent observation of an odd phenomenon. He sighs and turns to face the man I'm sharing my seat with.

"Where did they see this people?" the man asks again. This time sounding like he is really expecting an answer from the driver.

"Ah!" the driver starts "Ah..." His lips downturned, he shakes his head and then sighs.

"Sir, Ebin ma n pa ara ilu." He drags the words and gesticulates with his hands placed idly on the steering wheel. "People are hungry." he continues. "You cannot blame them"

The man is listening intently now, while I fidget, hoping to get a little bit of space to rest my hurting right buttock.

"You see me now, I will drive all day, from Bodija to Beere. I will have to deal with police, deal with area boys. Patapata I will finish everyday and carry just N400 home. Tell me what I will do with N400. Ee san owo ile. E o ra nnkan f'omo"

"Hmmm " the man beside me responds. "Ooto le so. You are very right"

"See, Oga. These politicians just make laws, but they are not bothered about how it affects us. They are the ones enjoying, we are the ones suffering everything. Ko easy"

We have gone past the filling station and now are moving steadily along Bodija market. I hold my breath as we drive past the waste dump just close to the vegetable sellers. I wonder how they can sit in that smell, and talk, smile and eat. I want to puke. I cringe at the thought of buying vegetables sold close to a dump and having diarrhoea for days.The convoy is moving in a jagged manner ahead of us, brooms still in the air, mouths still singing praises, as if they are doubly sure about their future. As if they are really sure of what it even means to vote and vote for the right person. I wonder how much they have been paid; N1000, N1500, or a small bag of rice? 

Soon the convoy is out of sight.The man beside me and one of the three passengers at the back seat alight at Transwonderland when we are now finally out of all that Bodija market traffic. I smile, happy that I get to enjoy the front seat by myself. We have not gone too far, before two people hail down the cab.

I am still happy at my new found comfort when I realize I will have to shift for one of our new passengers. I mutter under my breath as the second lady forces open the door while I shift towards the gear box.

I can feel the driver's eyes on me as he starts to drive.

"E ma binu" he says, as we move on towards UI.

My throat hurts. I gulp and mutter thanks. 

I'm too hungry to say more than that.

*based loosely on real events, but essentially fiction.

Love, ay.

Sometime soon...

My alarm beeped at 4:30am.

I managed to roll from one side of the bed to the other struggling with the being that seemed to hover around my eyes and exert a slight numbing force. Finally, managing to get hold of my phone on the left side of my bed I put the alarm off and placed one knee after the other on my soft carpet, my head resting on my bed.

Darkness enveloped me. I stood on a corridor, a dim light shining in a far distance. I could hear John Legend's 'all of me' playing and the soul-lifting tune resonated throughout the corridor. I turned left. Darkness. I turned right. Darkness. I looked on ahead to the dim light. Where was the song coming from?

The song stopped, then started again. The corridor seemed to vibrate with great intensity. I let out a whimpering cry.

My eyes opened, with me finding myself mumbling. Sola's picture was on my phone screen. I pressed the answer button.

"Hello sweetheart! Were you in the shower?"

I let out a deep yawn. "No jare."

"Ahn ahn. Where did you now keep your phone?"

"I was praying oh. And I slept off"  

Sola laughed. His hearty laugh that always had me feeling butterflies in my stomach, but not this time. I was upset at his amusement and ashamed at my self for sleeping off mid-prayer.  

"Babe, I just wanted to wish you a happy Valentine's day before you start to get ready for work"

"Aww..happy valentine's day to you too dear"

"Oya hurry up and go and shower. This is 5:24am."  

I gasped and got up, said "bye, talk to you later, love you".

Changing into my towel, I made to go to the bathroom, at the same time muttering inaudibly what was supposed to be prayer, committing my day into God's hands.

God would understand my need to hurry. Lagos traffic was nothing to deal with in a light manner. Not especially when commuting from the mainland to the Island.  

At 1:00pm Sola sent me a text message that made me smile. He had something planned. He picked me up after work for dinner at Exotica's.  

"You look ravishing".

He sounded like he took the line right out a movie. He looked even more excited than I was, grinning from ear to ear and laughing his butterfly inducing laugh.  

Dinner was romantic. Candle light, good music and equally good food. We ordered dessert. My cake came on an intricately designed platter and when the waiter set it on the table, I saw the words, 'will you marry me' written at the bottom in strawberry topping.

I was genuinely surprised. We had discussed marriage. I mean, I wasn't even one to date without the end goal of marriage. But I hadn't expected a proposal so soon. My love for Sola seemed to swell right at that very moment.

  

He stood up, grinning even wider. I smiled. He looked like a cute little boy excited to open a gift. He started to bend on one knee as he held out a marquise diamond ring, all of its facets gleaming temptingly. The reality of it all dawned on me. My eyes started to wet.  

Fellow diners looked towards our table and with their eyes and smiles and a few audible awws, urged me to say the magic word.

"Will you marry me, Omobonike Idowu Olayiwola?"

My dear Sola. I looked at his face and my life flashed before me. I thought about where I was in my life presently. I looked at my past and thought about all I had set out to achieve and in what sequence. I ticked things off my mental list. My mouth quivered. A tear ran down my face. Sola's smile eased a bit.

I bent on my two knees, by his side and cupped my hands around his ears.

"Baby can you give me a year. .....Or two more?" I whispered.

*****************

Did you like this story?

What worked and what didn't?

I really look forward to your comments.Thank you. :D

Love, ay.

These are a few of my favourite things.....

This year my reading has progressed at a good pace. Not very much how I want it to progress, but quite satisfactory.

I finished E.C. Osondu's 'Voice of America', Sefi Atta's 'Everything Good Will Come', Taiye Selasi's 'Ghana Must Go, reread, 'Half of a Yellow Sun and now I am currently reading 'Fine Boys' by Eghosa Imasuen.

E.C. Osondu's Voice of America is a collection of short stories. Stories about immigrants, children in refugee camps, live executions, stints at prison cells. I found it a very good and informative read, like going back in time to a period I've never lived; the 1970s and so on.

It felt good to read a wide range of stories touching on different issues and finding out things I never knew about before further made me confident about the importance of reading as a way of discovering many things and travelling to different places, back and forth, all in one sitting.



********************



Moving from 'Voice of America' to 'Everything Good Will Come', seemed like a very perfect transition. When I first heard about the book, the person who I heard about it from proclaimed that she didn't like the book and would not recommend it, but I decided I'd rather read the book and make my own conclusion.

Everything Good Will Come is a powerful feminist book and I love that I got to live in the 70s again for a quite a good part of the book. The book is set in 1970s, 1980s and 1990s Post-civil war Lagos. It is a coming of age story. A story about freedom and the path to attaining it. It states real hard truths about the stereotypical role of women in the society and also challenges it. Enitan is a fierce character who found her voice and freedom at the end of the book.

For some odd reason I was singing and dancing to Olamide's 'Eleda mi' at the end of the book. Enitan's father is released from detention and on her way to her long time friend's home to give her the good news, she stops in traffic in a sudden burst of excitement mixed with the sweet joy of freedom, to dance, much to the amazement of passers-by.

"My hands went up. I wriggled lower, and sang again......"

"..... I danced the palongo. fearing nothing for my sanity, or common sense. I added a few foreign steps to disorientate the discontented so-and-so: flamenco, can-can, Irish dancing from side to side. Nothing could take my joy away from me. The sun sent her blessings. My sweat baptised me."

Taiye Selasi's 'Ghana Must Go' is a book I just happened to 'stumble upon' and I'm glad it exists in my collection of books. It is a lovely book, by a lovely writer. Taiye Selasi is my new female writer crush.. Chimmy no go vex

One look at the eye-catching cover, the beautiful print and the reading the blurb, I couldn't wait to dig in.

The writing is good and the plot is endearing. When I first started reading the book I was quite distracted by the way events unravelled slowly and the way everything was described so lyrically you would feel sucked into the space in time and then completely forget what part of the book you are.

I found myself going back a few pages, a few times and trying to make sure the points connected and I was still in the story. This made reading the book quite hard in the beginning and the frequent flashbacks did not help. But as I moved on I started to actually enjoy the book thoroughly and smiled to myself a lot while reading it.

I discovered that Taiye Selasi has a unique style of writing which makes her work so special. So it didn't come as a shock to me when recently I came across this article that reveals that her work is actually inspired in many ways by music, hence the lyrical nature of her prose.

"....two bubbles in water that now, her lips parted, run in down her throat, where they find, being water, more water within her, her belly, below that, her thighs, dripping wet --the once-white satin nightdress soaked, wet from the inside, and outside, a second skin, now brown with sweat --and, becoming a tide, turn, return up the middle, thighs, belly, heart, higher, then burst through her chest."

"The sob is so loud that it rouses her fully"

The book is divided into three parts- 'Gone', 'Going', and 'Go', and begins with the death of Kweku Sai. 

          Kweku Sai, a Ghanaian, was married to Folashade, a Nigerian and they have four children, Olu, Taiwo, Kehinde and Sadie. In the book we find that he walked out on his family and moved back to his home country.

            

          His death brings the family back together from where they are all scattered and helps them to find healing and a closeness that they lost due to things left unsaid and pain inhabited over time

           

It's a well crafted story with beautiful characters with real life problems. You'll cry a lot more than you'll laugh. Taiye Selasi has the gift of transferring the emotion depicted in the her writing to the reader, such that the reader sort of becomes so emotional invested in the story, in the characters' lives, they just want to hug Sadie, or tell Taiwo "it will be fine."

I read Half of a Yellow Sun in 2007 for the first time. The copy I purchased quite unusually had a few missing pages, I never got to know the real details of what happened between Richard and Olanna. When I read the news that the film tie-in edition was to be released in March I prepared myself and grabbed my new copy as soon as possible.

Rereading it was a totally different experience from the first time I read it. It remains a story about war, love in the time of war. The pain of death, the cruelty of man to his neighbour. I read it through different eyes and felt even  more pain and sadness at what people suffered during that time. I don't have family members that experienced the war and the best my father could tell me about his experience then is just hearing in the news about the war, as a young boy and years later seeing Igbo boys, who looked much older and well-built being admitted into the same form with them (their juniors), after the war was over.

At a point, as I reread the book I remembered the lady that cried as she made a contribution relating to Half of a Yellow Sun at Chimamanda's book signing of Americanah last year, which held at Glendora bookshop, Ikeja City Mall. I imagined what depth of pain she must have felt as she cried and what the Biafra war meant/means to her family and how it affected them.

There's no doubt war is very terrible.

It's totally great that the movie adaptation is out and I get to see these characters I love so much on screen. I hope to see the movie tomorrow, April 25. I kept replaying the movie trailer as I read the book, fussing over little things like Miss Adebayo (Genevieve Nnaji) calling Olanna (Thandie Newton), 'illogically beautiful' when in the book Miss Adebayo says 'Illogically pretty' (Oh well, I'm sure I have nothing to fuss about. Don't mind me. Movies are different from books in many ways) , but all the same happy to see these characters on screen; catching glimpses of Aniekwena (OC Ukeje), Dr Patel e.t.c.

* Update: So apparently the movie did not show on April 25 in Nigerian Cinemas due to a delay on the side of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board. Let's hope they sort out the 'unresolved issues' soon, because me I can't wait o.

The movie will be a great one, no doubt and I'll probably cry after watching it.

I like in particular how close to the end of the book, Ugwu finds his writing voice. After a gruesome experience at the war front and his return home, he starts to scribble everywhere, on newspapers, sheets of papers e.t.c and finally goes on to write the book 'The World Was Silent When We died', dedicated to his master ("For Master, my good man"). I don't know how I missed that before, but I totally could relate to and imagine the feeling of having a story to tell and just scribbling anywhere and everywhere, making mistakes, getting frustrated and then finally achieving something certain and telling the story you've always wanted to tell, the way it should be told. That for me probably depicts a writer's journey in some or most ways.

Half of a Yellow Sun is a great book that will remain very relevant for very many years to come.

 Fine Boys is what I'm currently reading. I only just started. I've heard/read good things about the book  and hope I find it a lovely read as the other awesome books I've read so far, this year.


***************

Till next time (if I don't run away for too long)...:)

Ciao.

Randomly..........

If you think too much about doing something you just never might get it done.
I've been thinking about what to post since all these days, but I just had to stop and give it a go anyway.

***************


You hear stories about the passport office in Nigeria and then you get scared to go there and get a new passport or renew your old one. My memories of the Ikoyi passport office when I was younger were that of a sandy area, people crowded on dirty benches under a tattered canopy, uniformed men and women carrying files and walking about, 'agberos' lurking around, sweat and maybe tears and long days spent going to check back for your passport.

So imagine my fear when I realised my passport was going to expire soon and I would need to get a new one. I just got depressed instantly. Moreso as I knew I would have to do it all by myself. It was in the past that we all  (my parents and siblings) went as a family. I started making a mountain out of a molehill, worrying over how I would get a renewed passport without exchanging bribe or having to wait for days. I was really worried especially as I was not ready to do anything the illegal way. I went on google and read web page after web page about anything on getting a passport in Nigeria; people's experiences, how they got cheated, how long it took to get their passport e.t.c..

Finally, I summoned courage and went to the passport office/Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS) at Ikeja. Thanks to my friend who helped with directions. I was surprised because it looked nothing like I had seen before in their Ikoyi office. Interlocking blocks had been laid all over the compound neatly, people sat comfortably under a very good canopy and inside the office on comfortable chairs. No touts lurked around and the officers were organised and the atmosphere was very peaceful. The end of the long story is that I got my new passport in one day without sweat or tears.

Hmm.. Will it be safe to say things are getting better or am I dreaming?

***************


Totally unrelated to my story above, I've learnt one great lesson since this year started- not to talk too much about what you are doing, what you are planning to do or what's going on in your life with everyone, because;

1. Some people won't just get it and their ignorance can discourage if not anger you,
2. Some people don't really care and their disinterest could possibly make you feel bad,
3. Some people will discourage you outright with their snide comments and all, so you are better off shutting up,
4. Some people are just looking for gist and you are providing them with gist,
5. If you share too much about what's going on in your life, one day you might regret why you ever shared it.

When you know you really want something think it through very well, pray about it to God, write down plans on how to execute it and act before it's too late. That's the most important part- acting, not just dreaming.

And if you must share your dreams at all, let it be with a person or people you trust completely, whose opinion you value and who would tell you the truth without sentiment or any ill-feeling towards you.


I remember this from Tyler Perry's list- "40 at 40"

"Don't share your dreams with everyone and don't be angry with non-dreamers"

Even if it's a dream as little as doing the big chop (cutting your hair) and going natural...lol... In that case you might just hear rude comments like "you'll be very ugly". Do it anyway if that's what YOU WANT!

Anyway, I'm talking about other dreams...:)


Follow your dreams, don't be scared and you'll see how much you'll benefit and remember to pay no heed to the naysayers.

It might get tough along the way but keep keeping on and surround yourself with positive-thinking intelligent people.

If it's really what you want, go for it; but always remember to seek God's opinion.

"A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps"- Proverbs 16:9

See y'all later. I'm out.

Love, ay.

New Year. Things to be grateful for..

Happy new year everyone!!

How were the holidays? I trust you had a great time. I did.

Since entering this new year, I've had cause to look back and reflect on the past year and things I am thankful for in that year..

Firstly, I'm thankful for the gift of the family. This past Christmas, I learnt the importance of having a family and reconnecting with relatives from far and near as often as possible. I learnt that really, "a family that prays together stays together." Prayer keeps us close and helps us to be open about so many things we would never have imagined being open about. By taking turns to say prayers and by listening to each person pray we learn more about our struggles, the things that make us happy and with it all we become closer.

I'm thankful for the gift of friendship. I made new friends last year and I learnt how to be more open and share my feelings with other people.

I'm thankful for successful completion of my degree and subsequent completion of internship.

I'm thankful for the gift of writing and Blogger

I'm thankful for all those that read my blog posts last year (silent readers acknowledged :D ) and those who commented; especially those whose comments kept me grinning from ear to ear (like Toye's comment). Simply getting a notification on my phone that a new comment had been made on a blog post, is one of the things that usually made my day and kept me excited.

So much to be thankful for. I wish I could go on and on, but it would end up being a really long post.

Basically 2013 was a really awesome year. Like I said before in my last post, I grew in all spheres in 2013. Really! The best year ever! I'm hoping 2014 is even more awesome.

The year 2014 is already starting to fly by..lol. No time to waste.

Have you made new year resolutions? Most people don't like to. Put simply, is there something or are there some things you want to achieve this year? Then go for it. You can't afford to be sitting on your butt and waiting for things to be handed out to you.. Act!

Remember; "You can't make footprints in the sands of time if you're sitting on your butt. And who wants to make buttprints in the sands of time?"- Bob Moawad

See y'all later.

Love, ay.

December post

Long time, no post...

A lot of stuff have happened in my life this year. It's really been an awesome year so far. God has been so faithful. The highlight of the year for me was graduating from Pharmacy school and then starting Internship in January. A journey that seemed like it'd never end, when I started is ending this month. I've grown in all spheres and I've been happy most of the year. Though there were tears and sad moments, I came out strong. That's just life.

Source

I was given the liebster award again by Relentless and Uche. And imagine I'm just finally answering their questions. I won't be following the rules, sorry. A lot of people have been given the award already, myself inclusive. I just decided to 'come back' and answer my questions since I sorta promised to.

First, let me say, thanks Relentless and Uche for nominating me for the award.

So on to Relentless' questions and my answers;

1. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging during a period when I started taking my writing seriously and I wanted to have a platform on which I could get stuff written, get them stored (possibly for life), without worrying about my laptop crashing and my writing getting lost. I also wanted to see what it'd be like to get feedback from people on things I wrote.

2. If you could be any fruit or vegetable, what would you be?

Errm..

3. Would you ever consider becoming a vegetarian/vegan?

No, I won't

4. What was/is your favourite subject at school?

In secondary school, Biology. In Uni, Clinical Pharmacy.

5. Are you scared of the dark?

No. Infact, I love the dark. No questions..*grin*

6. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Fries and turkey. I know you asked 'one thing', but the turkey just has to come with the fries..:D

7. Favourite movie of all time?

Got so many. But would say, The Sound of Music.

8. If you could change your name to anything, what would your new name be?

Thinking........ still trying to figure out what would even make me want to change my name.

9. Are you much of an adventurer? I'm talking bungee jumping, mountain climbing and all that jazz.

No. I don't mind looking into mountain climbing though.

10. What's the greatest thing about being your nationality?

The fact that Nigerians are one of the most resilient, hard-working and ambitious people you can ever meet. In the face of all the trials and everything going on, people still remain hopeful and keep keeping on.

11. What do you do to keep fit?

Eat healthy, walk a lot, and drink enough water daily (but not with the conscious intent of keeping fit).

Uche's questions and my answers;

1. What is your idea of fun?

Being all alone at home, with food on one hand and a drink on the other hand, while watching a really good movie, reading a novel, or writing. Call me a weirdo..lol.. I'm a serious homebody. Just learning how to start having what people call 'fun' sha..lol

2. How do you think the world will end (if you do believe it will)?

I believe it will end someday, but I haven't really sat down to think it through or grasp what it means.. I dunno.

3. What did you think of the last book you read?

The last book I finished reading (I read so many books at the same time) was 'The Spider King's Daughter' by Chibundu Onuzo. When I first started reading the book I was a bit unsure about it. The characters, and the kinda watery pidgin English. But as the story climaxed I began to enjoy it thoroughly and loved the author's brilliant take on the relationship between a person high up in the society and someone who's been almost there and is now at the lower rung of the society. I like the fact that it didn't end in a too happy ending. Reflects reality. One won't expect the hawker's family to be dramatically transformed typical Nollywood style, or that Abike would suddenly become kind-hearted and refuse to continue from where her father stopped. A good book highlighting the inadequacies of the justice system in Nigeria and giving more meaning to the saying.. "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer"..

4. Who was/is your latest crush?

Chris Hemsworth of 'Thor' fame. :)

5. Are you a morning lark or night owl?

Can I be in-between..lol. I would say I shift more towards night owl.

6. Mention two personality or character flaws that you are okay with/can tolerate.

A forgetful nature and mild aggressiveness

7. What was the last gift you gave to someone? (Please do not say your heart)

 Chocolate

8. If you could take a picture of yourself as you are right this moment and send it to the person whose opinion matters the most to you in the whole wide world (and I mean a human person, not God), would you do it?

Yes, I would.

9. What would you do with your life if money suddenly became of no consequence?

I'll still carry out my work, which I'm quite passionate about and which is about improving other people's quality of life. I'll study any subject that interests me and read a lot. And I'll definitely spend much more time writing and recording my life's experiences.

10. What is the strongest temptation you have ever faced?

The urge to 'steal' my physics project (which I was quite emotionally invested in) back from my teacher's office in secondary school....lol. Actually not funny..*straight face*

11. Do you think it is possible for a human to love unconditionally?

Yes, it is possible.. you just never know.

Source

That's it..

On a random note; recently I've been coming across this quote as some people's personal message (pm) on BBM;

"If you wanna change the world, do it while single. 'Cause after marriage you can't even change a TV channel without some explanation."

I don't have anything against the people that had it as their pm, but errm...I'm confused. Since when did being married mean putting a stop to your dreams and aspirations and why should we sell the notion to ourselves that marriage is a prison of some sort, where dreams are dampened. And for some reason I just can't help but think the quote is directed at womenfolk. Please, I can't be party to such flawed thinking.

Enough said.

I hope you guys had an awesome weekend. I wish you all the very best in the coming week and as the year ends may it end on a beautiful note for all of us... :)

See ya next time..

Love, ay. 

Happily (N)ever After-The HIV Question

I love watching romance movies. Boy woos girl, she forms for him small, they fall in love, guy proposes and they get married and of course live happily ever after. I love romance stories sometimes I just want to cry ( I actually do most times). The movie industry has sold us the story of romance so well; every little girl’s fantasy is to find that one special guy that will sweep her off her feet. Fine, I mean I love love and I do believe in happily ever after stories, but what these movies don’t tell you is what happens before and after the marriage (or what should happen). Do they really live happily ever after? These movies don’t really address issues like genotype issues or maybe the contracting of STDs and HIV unless the movie is directly dedicated to bringing to light those issues. I remember watching this Tyler Perry movie (Tyler Perry is awesome by the way. I love his work), and so the guy in the movie reconnects with his old friend, this girl that is a prostitute.  He discovers his feelings for her, is there for her at a crucial stage in her life and ensures she stays off the streets. He even leaves his girlfriend after finding out what an obnoxious bitch she is, for this his old friend turned prostitute turned good girl (later on in the movie). Now the movie doesn't tell us if they get married or not, but obviously it ends well and they’re happy and we can tell they’ll probably get married (there's this other movie with a similar story, and the guy and lady actually got married at the end). I just kept wondering after watching. I mean what if this lady has a major STD or worse HIV. They didn't even check all those things before running around happily. Or what if they even have incompatible genotypes? Will their story really end so well?  She became clean, learnt about God, but fine she needs to be checked before you take her home.

I've been pondering over all these issues lately after spending some time working in a HIV clinic. In case you didn't know and you are still living in oblivion, well I'm telling you now, HIV IS REAL. Working in that clinic was a teeny weensy bit depressing but seeing the positive energy (no pun intended) some of these infected people exuded just made me happy on some days and I found myself laughing with some of them. I mean if they are happy, I should be happy too.

The large number of patients we dispensed drugs to everyday just made it more blaring to me that people, and so many at that, are living with this virus. Some just found out when they got pregnant. Some found out after marriage...etc.

I did a post once on 'The genotype question' and about how people don’t ask that question when dating and only later on face the consequences. That post earned my blog a lot of views and is still a major search term that directs people to my blog and for me it points to the fact that this is an issue that really bothers people and is just the reality of what we face. You need to read that post and some of the comments on it to see what people are going through. It can be quite depressing. I know what it is like to have to break up with the love of your life because of genotype incompatibility. The same way I wrote that post to spread the word about genotype checking is the same way I'm writing this post to spread the word that HIV is real and the HIV status question has to be asked before delving into any major relationship, even though it seems like a really hard one. 

Now I'm not saying stigmatise HIV positive people, I'm just saying ask the question when it’s important to (don’t go around thinking everyone has the virus), because millions of people are living with the virus. "According to estimates by WHO and UNAIDS, 34 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2011. That same year, some 2.5 million people became newly infected, and 1.7 million died of AIDS-related causes, including 230 000 children. More than two-thirds of new HIV infections are in sub-Saharan Africa." (link). Just working in that clinic made it so evident, what with the number of patients attended to daily and in just that clinic alone, which is one of many centres nationwide.

HIV no dey show for face. You need to see most of the patients I attended to looking all chic and fab, you’d never tell. And some are so happy it’s hard not to tap into that joy. Though sometimes I try to imagine how it must have been for them when they first discovered they had the virus.

The HIV virus in itself doesn't kill. It’s the result of the broken down immune system (which is like an army of soldiers that helps to fight off infections in the body) and susceptibility to various infections/diseases that leads to AIDS and to death.  HIV positive people can lead very good quality lives when they are consistent with their medications (which help to slow down the multiplication of the virus and hence build immunity) and pay really good attention to their health. They are just like every normal person.

We shouldn't stigmatize them. I know it’s easy to, for most people, especially when almost every HIV positive person is judged as having contracted it by sexual intercourse. When you hear of cases of people that contracted the virus through blood transfusion and needle prick injuries then maybe you’d just have a re-think and start looking at them through different eyes.  With that too, we should also protect ourselves from getting the virus. HIV is not transmitted by breathing the same air as HIV positive people. It is not transmitted by shaking hands, hugging, sharing pens, sharing utensils and sharing clothes.

Avoid sharing sharp objects such as needles, razor blades, and ensure that if you are getting injected in a hospital for whatever reason, the person injecting you is using fresh equipment, specifically for you. For guys take your own clipper to the barbing salon. Ladies use your own needles for the fixing of your weaves and if possible buy new needles very often. Nowadays hospitals are more careful about blood being donated and transfused to patients. Blood donated is usually properly screened.

And finally, I'm an advocate for no sex before marriage; as a Christian first and as a health professional. That’s what I think is ideal. But when we look at it we really don’t live in an ideal world.  I remember my post on whether birth control promotes promiscuity or not (not really related but you can check it out). Nothing is ever perfect and the reality is teenagers are having sex, guys and girls have multiple sexual partners, men are sleeping with men, and women are sleeping with women (it’s all very scary to think of, but it's reality). So I won’t just sit down and pretend I don’t know what is going on and start judging people. So with that I’d say if you must have sex please use protection. I can’t emphasize that well enough. And please get tested. Ask your partner for their HIV status and if they say they are ‘clean’, please just for clarity sake and to prevent wahala, don’t believe them (seriously) and carry them to the nearest laboratory and you guys get tested together and see the result with your koro koro eye..

HIV is real and e no dey show for face..

God help us.

Love, ay.

Never say never..

Is it true that as we grow older we get wiser?

This year 2013 has been an awesome year so far. I've laughed, I've cried, but basically I've learned a lot and made greater sense of some things.

I want to share some of what I've learned/made greater sense of with you;

1. Love God above all things, even when it doesn't make sense.

2. Strive to do the right thing at all times, even when it's unpopular.

3. Nobody is perfect or should be described as 'perfect'. We all make mistakes and are just imperfect beings.

4. The more you work hard at something, the better you get at it.

5. Every challenge is a stepping stone and a path to growth.

6. An eye for an eye will really make the world go blind. 'You do me, I do you', that's not how life works.

7. Money doesn't define happiness, doesn't define success or make anyone anyone better than the next person.

8. Keeping your eyes on the prize makes it easier to run the race.

9. It's a small world. You don't know where you'll meet me, I don't know where I'll meet you. Let's be nice to each other.

10. Being happy is not a given, it's a choice you have to make for yourself.

11. Never say never, no matter what.

12. Your 'enemy' today just might be your closest acquaintance tomorrow.

13. Be happy on your birthday. God has brought you to the beginning of another year in your life. Be thankful, laugh and take lots of pictures.

14. You can choose to cry all you want, but one day you might look back and wonder why you cried so much.

15. Fall in love once, fall in love twice and fall in love even a third time. Don't ever give up on love.



*update:
And lastly, don't forget, your health is much more important than anything. Take good care of yourself, eat right, be active and go for regular medical check-ups. 'It' could happen to you too.

:)


Ay.

Some women that inspire!

There are a lot of people I have drawn inspiration from over time, but I have three outstanding women I consider a good source of inspiration...



Bukky George. CEO Healthplus pharmacy

I can't really remember the first time I came across the name, Bukky George, but I know it was sometime during Pharmacy school and it was also during that time I became a great fan of HealthPlus Pharmacy. 

Bukky George is a woman with great passion for what she does. She set up HeathPlus pharmacy very early on in her career and has with hard work, persistence, a great drive for success and the grace of God seen it through to becoming the success it is. HealthPlus Pharmacy has a great number of outlets around the country and is undoubtedly "one of Nigeria's most successful retail chain pharmacies." 

Bukky George could as well be described as one of the pioneers of the changing face of pharmacy in Nigeria.

She's a real hard worker, an avid reader and a great mentor for those coming behind her. She enjoys speaking at conferences, seminars and basically imparting her knowledge.

Chimamanda Ngozi adichie. Award winning writer.

I think by now it's no news that I'm the number one fan of Chimamanda... lol.

I first saw Chimamanda/heard about her on Funmi Iyanda's show 'New Dawn', sometime in the early 2000s. I really don't know what drew me to her and her work by just listening to her discuss with Funmi about her first book, Purple Hibiscus. But I just remember telling my dad, "I have to get that book". I was in JSS3 and at a point in my life when I was wondering if this 'writing thing even makes sense' and here was someone, a Nigerian like me, talking about how she had just written a book and she had actually published it. My dad did get me that my first copy of Purple Hibiscus not too long after that and I was enthralled from the beginning to the end and made the decision to start taking writing seriously. I wrote so many good and not so good pieces after that. But at least I wrote more.

What I like about Chimamanda's story is how she followed her passion and decided it was writing she wanted to do. Leaving Medicine and Pharmacy behind at University of Nigeria, Nsukka she followed her passion and has become such a great success. I like the amount of research that goes into her writing, which is so evident and the way she goes on with her work with a very positive outlook and a 'no, I can't be drawn back' attitude. She is a prominent figure in the growth of contemporary Nigerian literature. She was the first encounter I had before reading other amazing contemporary Nigerian authors after her.

She is definitely a great inspiration.



Mosunmola Abudu. Talk show host, TV Producer and entrepreneur 

Mo, as she's popularly known, first made her appearance on out TV screens with her amazing show, Moments with Mo on which she addressed various topics and interviewed a great number of people, including Hilary Clinton and Ngozi-Okonjo Iweala.

Moments with Mo is a purpose-built vehicle designed to enable Africans and the rest of the world to come to an appreciation of our very rich and diverse culture and our achievements, as well as to know and understand us as a people. 

Over the years, Mo has realized that the ultimate task facing us as a continent is to build and promote world class personas and brands, as well as to “showcase” the achievements of Africans within a global setting and economy. Our challenge is to credibly debunk the tendency of the western media to constantly and relentlessly portray us as the Dark Continent that can only be defined by what can be aptly described as the“6 D’s”: Disease, Despair, Destruction, Disaster, Destitution and Deceit.

info from the site

She went on to produce other great shows such as 'The Debaters' and 'Naija Diamonds'

Then this year Mo wowed us and moved on the greater things by setting up her own Television Station, EbonyLife TV on DSTV Channel 165 which is targeted at the youth especially. The station is a month old now.

Forbes has named Mo the First woman in Africa to launch a Pan-African TV channel.

We'll just stay watching for what next Mo will do.

And like she likes to say, "If you can think it, you can do it"


:D

Observing

The bus is practically empty. I'd rather sit in place and wait till it's full. I really don't want to go on and experience a continuous tussle for public transport. The rain has just subsided. I'm sitting next to man on the third row. He looks to be in his late thirties. He looks at me through the corner of his eyes at intervals. Another man is sitting right in front of us. He looks Hausa. His head looks recently shaven and his beard too. There are three tribal marks at a corner of his eyes from where I can see. The lady in the passenger's seat in front keeps shifting in her seat to show her impatience. A lady in a pair of tight, low-waist red trousers has just entered the bus. She's about to clean the seat in the first row, when the Hausa man sitting just behind her, mumbles something to her. I imagine he has told her the seat is taken, but really I don't think he said anything audible. The lady's trousers are drawn so low and tightly so, that the top of her buttocks is showing. The whole scenario is clear to me. The lady frowns and moves further back, to the last row. I can't blame the man. Even me I'd feel uncomfortable with such a free display right in front of me. Apparently the lady is oblivious to this. I feel like telling her to draw up her trousers, but I don't for the unpleasant, unfriendly contortion of her face.

More people are entering now. It seems we would be able to leave early enough for me to get home. A short, light skinned man is standing by the entrance of the bus now, a bag strapped across his front. He has plenty goods for sale. Oh my. The pack of mint lozenges that cures any form of sore throat, for just N50; worm expeller that tastes like vitamin C; 'Sharp Sharp' insecticide that kills all insects especially mosquitoes, "you won't hear the sound of common mosquito"; and rat killer that gets rid of all rats completely, "if it doesn't kill rat, e mean say rat no dey that house."

The man beside me wants to buy the lozenges. He tells me to pass N50 to the vendor in exchange for the lozenges, because he doesn't want a certain person sitting outside the bus to know he's buying the lozenges. Weirdness. I wonder how any of that concerns me. I don't accept the money but instead gesture to the vendor to pass a pack of the lozenges.

It's quiet now, relatively. The vendor has moved to another vehicle. 4 more passengers to go.The bus smells a bit funky to me. It seems like one or more of the people that have entered recently have been chewing on kolanut and something else, because this smell reminds me a little of grandma's house. She likes to chew kolanut, that most times her home, her clothes and all smell of it. I don't quite fancy its smell. However what I'm smelling now is a worse stench.

Finally the bus is full and that's when the conductor, or should I say money collector (since, later on he doesn't go on the trip with us) decides to start collecting the transport fare, seat by seat. The man beside me claims to be 'staff' and doesn't pay his transport fare. A certain dark man outside the bus, clad in a long, white Jalamia and that looks like he works in the bus garage, gestures to the driver and in this way corroborates the man's claim. I now understand why before the man was buying the lozenges secretly. I'm trying to make sense of it actually.

The bus is about to move. I still have change to collect and so do three others. 

The conductor has given only me my change now while the others are screaming out how much they are being owed as the bus wheels out of the garage.

I'm sitting here pleased that I have collected my change. Thank God I don't have to wrangle with the driver on the way. 

I'm starting to feel sleepy and decide to sleep anyways.I still have quite a long distance ahead and I'm stopping at the last bus stop.

'Their' fault not mine.....

Source

It's very easy as humans to make a habit of always blaming others for things that happen to us or around us.

"Nothing works in this country. It' the fault of our corrupt leaders...."

"Work is really stressful. My boss hates me and hands out all the work to me...."

"These people are so incompetent. They are the ones drawing us back...."

I've been pondering lately and I observe that most times the things we tend to blame others for, we are guilty of as well. And sometimes what we complain of might just be part of our imagination. It's really a pain to sit down around someone that keeps whining and going on and on about how the world is against them and everyone else is at fault for something. These kind of people have refused make a decision to be responsible for the choices they make and how they are affected by these choices, I think.

And really no one is perfect. It's easy to blame everyone for something and not recognise you are doing the same thing. A lot of people complain about their boss being incompetent, 'wicked', and blame them for certain other things, even me. But if we sit down and analyze things we would realise that if placed in the same position, same situation most people will do worse and be even more horrible bosses.

A lot of people complain about corruption and how nothing works In this country. But when placed in charge of even the smallest tasks at work or placed in a certain position people act out exactly what they are complaining of and they make it look like it's no big deal, "afterall it's just a small thing". And so it remains a vicious circle. Corrupt employees/corrupt citizens one day become corrupt leaders. 

If something is not working right, instead of complaining and pointing fingers, quit whining, get busy and be part of a positive change. And don't say you won't carry out your own work because others aren't carrying out theirs, because that's exactly where the problem is. Do your own part, carry out your duties dilligently and try to see the good in other people first. We are all human anyways.

*** Post inspired by happenings at work.

Words on paper.....attempt at poetry

Is it pain? I Know that feeling all too well.
Is it sadness? It flows through my veins.
The many tears shed? I've shed a billion.

Life sucks, sometimes.

The choices I make , I'm responsible for them.
The hurt I feel, my choice .
I can choose to feel hurt or not by whatever fate deals me.

It's my happiness that matters most.

It seems no one cares;
No ping, no call, no text message.
Not even a hug smiley.

Happiness is a choice. Life is short.

Taking each day as it comes and revelling in the pleasantness of the little things.
Things that most people pay no attention to.
Things that hold much more value than it seems they do.

Take charge and follow my dreams or cower in fear

Source

Procastinating and giving up, two things I am trying not to get used to nowadays. There are so many things I want to do, want to achieve, so many things I want to write, but I get so overwhelmed by the thoughts of "it's not the right time", or "you're better off not doing that now".

I really want to get stuff done anyway, because time is going and I am not getting younger :). I have been wanting to apply to the Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop for some years now, but I've always had excuses of schoolwork or examinations or just wrong timing. I decided recently that I can't keep waiting for the 'right time' and will just apply anyway this year, even though I'm not sure if I'll get picked, or if I'll be given time off from work. I did a google search and looked up the calibre of writers that have gotten picked for past workshops and I'm thinking will I even be able to measure up to such quality etc.

I refuse to think like this jare.

"Fear is the dark room where all of your negatives are developed, so why not look at the brighter side of life"... Joyce Meyer, The Confident Woman.

I hadn't really planned ahead for this, so for now I'm fishing out some of my old writing and doing a bit of polishing. Submission deadline is Wednesday. I'm not going to run away from that send button..lol..I'll send that email and wait for whatever may come.

Trying to be positive...


******
I had a beautiful weekend. What about you? Work continues tomorrow ..:(

Funny photo..:D

We haven't forgotten- June 3rd 2012

This day last year, a Sunday, was the day the unfortunate incident of the Dana Airlines plane crash occured in Lagos. It was a really sad and grave occurence and I can only imagine what the families of the affected might still be going through. That day can't be forgotten in such a hurry.

I pray that the souls of all the faithful departed will continue to rest in peace and that God will continue to grant their families the heart to bear their loss..

Rest well in the bosom of the Lord, dear ones..

Source

Source

Source

"Tears are a tribute to our deceased friends. When the body is sown, it must be watered. But we must not sorrow as those that have no hope; for we have a good hope through grace both concerning them and concerning ourselves."- Matthew Henry

Peace and love. xxx

Yet another Liebster, Blog review and The past weekend....

I was tagged in the Liebster Blog Award again, by one of the Bloggers I tagged previously. Thanks Mayoress for tagging me back. I know I've done it before, but I decided to just do the tag again anyways..

The rules as usual are;

1. Thank and link back to the giver
2. Answer the giver's questions
3. Nominate other Blogs with fewer than 200 followers
4. Ask five questions for one's nominees to answer
5. Post it on your Blog.


I won't be following the rules completely though, I'll just be answering her questions since I presume most Bloggers have been tagged on this.


My answers to her questions;


1. What is your most prized possession?

    I think that would be my collection of novels that I have gathered over time

2. If you became famous for something, what would it be?

    Writing

3. If there was one thing you could change about yourself or your life or your past, what would it be?

    I can't think of one thing really, but I wish sometimes I was a more extroverted person.

4. What is your fave book and or author?

    I don't really have a favourite book per se. But basically I like reading contemporary African literature. I am most enthralled by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's work, however. My favourite author is definitely Chimamanda..

5. If the world came to an end right now, where do you think your fate will lie?

    I'm not perfect, but everyday I strive to be a better Christian, so hopefully in Heaven.

Yeah, that was nice...



Mr Afronuts of Kush Chronicles did a mini review of my blog recently, amongst three others'. I felt quite honoured by that. Thanks Afronuts. You can check it out on his blog.

Here's a portion of the review I excerpted;

"The tagline on Ay’s blog tells us she’s on a journey of self-discovery. A smart one which makes the existence of a blog very important.  She gives us points of view on life from the perspective of a upcoming pharmacist.

With a pleasant orange template and eye-friendly font, you get to read Ay’s blog with ease. I guess the colors add to the warmth."

Thanks again Sir.

This past weekend, I attended Chimamanda's book signing at Glendora bookstores in Ikeja City Mall. As usual it was a pleasure listening to her speak and garnering bits of wisdom from her on life and writing. 

First she read an excerpt from Americanah, then there was a Question and Answer session and then the book signing. It was all very interesing, especially the Question and answer session.

I hope you all had fun over the weekend.

Take care guys and thanks for stopping by...:)

".....; I wake up in the morning and I want to write a good sentence.."

April 27,2013, Chimamanda was interviewed  on Channels TV's Sunrise. I didn't get to watch the interview live, but I was able to watch it later on the internet. It was quite entertaining. 

In one clip of the interview that I watched titled, "I have fallen in love with my hair" (there's another one titled "Buy books instead of recharge cards"), something that Chimamanda said stuck in my head.

When asked what it felt like to win the Orange Prize, she said, "...........I don't wake up in the morning and remember that I won the Orange prize; I wake up in the morning and I...I want to write a good sentence" 

You can watch the interview below;

Now that statement touched me in a way I can't explain and to avoid sounding overly sentimental, I won't even attempt to. :)

But, really I think there's something we all can pick from that statement. Something that tells us a lot about Chimamanda  herself (which if it wasn't obvious before, is now) and also something that we can apply to our own lives.

She has a strong passion for writing which is so evident when she talks about it. I must say that her passion must have been quite instrumental to her present success.

Passion is everything. When you are passionate about something you love to do, you don't care if you get acknowledged or not for it or even get paid for it. You just do it. And yes, you will find that with consistence and hard work  you'll get to a point where you will get acknowledged and paid for that thing you are quite passionate about. Seems like a pretty easy arrangement...or not?

But really, it takes a lot of hard work and persistence to follow through with one's passion and for it to yield anything fruitful in the end. 

I've been thinking a lot lately about how often I've put away getting to do some things I am quite passionate about, especially writing and I realise I'm not really helping myself, frankly. 

I feel challenged to go all out and act towards achieving my dreams. One day at a time and I'll get there God-willing. 

Chimamanda is such an inspiration and I always love to listen to her speak. The most recent of her videos I watched and which I think most people have, is her TEDx talk titled 'We should all be feminists'

I've watched the video over and over and I'm still awed by how well she was able to address the topic and talk about things I've often thought about somewhere at the back of my mind, pretty much most of my life, but have never really voiced out, maybe because I didn't know how to.

She addresses the issue of gender and how it affects how we expect people to behave. 

When I was in the university, I never quite understood girls that expected their boyfriends, who were in the same level and within the same age group, to 'cater' for them. I would often hear things like ' Fola had better buy me Brazilian hair,' or oh ' Tunde did buy me Peruvian hair and is planning on buying a Blackberry for me, just because'. I'm usually an observer/eavesdropper in discussions such as these among girls and I silently feel some kind of fury at statements like this and sometimes I feel like holding the girls at their neck and forcing my opinion down their throat. Now, that's just my imagination at work. That would be too vile a thing to do and of course, I don't do it. I just keep silent and think.

These are girls that have brains, hands and legs etc. These are girls who are attending (or were attending) the university in the hope of making something of their life and earning their own money and taking care of themselves and still they expect someone to take care of them just because he's the man. To start with, the so called boyfriends are just as equally human beings with brains, hands and legs etc, Human beings that are most likely still collecting pocket money from mummy and daddy and are expected to impress and take care of their girlfriends just because they are the man.

I don't get.

You go on date with a guy  and he's expected to pay just because he's male. .....Different things I think about, but I wouldn't want to bother going on about before I sound like a disgruntled weirdo.

Recently, at my family house, we had guests over. My parents offered the guests different choices of refreshment and summoned we the children to get what the guests had requested from the fridge in the  kitchen. Myself, the only girl in my family, and one of my brothers and a cousin of mine happened to somehow all find our way to the kitchen at the same time. My cousin proceeds to get glass cups and then washes them before setting them on tray beside the water our guests had requested. In my mind, I'm glad he has taken it upon himself to do this. While I'm still standing there watching, he says to me, "why don't you carry the tray to the parlour and give our guests"

I'm curious, but I know what this is about.

"But you've already started to wash and prepare the glass cups and water, you might as well take them to the parlour yourself", I say.

"No, you have to be the one to take it there. Its only proper. It's tradition. You are the lady here"

Now, I respect my cousin and while we've had our fond times and I also appreciate the differences between us, at this point, I am infuriated by this statement of his and quite pointedly ask him if he doesn't have hands and eyes and then I leave the kitchen. In anger. I then go back, almost immediately, to the kitchen and carry the tray to the parlour, so it doesn't look like I'm disrespecting my cousin who is by the way 5 years older than me.

Looking back though, I didn't have to be that angry, as my best friend would later tell me when we discussed about the incident. My anger only showed an acceptance of what my cousin said in a way, he thinks, and didn't quite bring to my cousin's attention what the real issue was. A better approach would have been to stay calm and quite gently relay my point of view clearly.

We are having a discussion after that incident, my cousin and I, and he looks at me and says, " I noticed something about you. You believe in equality among men and women". I smile and my mind goes back to Chimamanda's talk. 

I think however what he wanted to say was "Ay, you are a feminist. He didnt just know the word to use".

:)

I'm Ay, and I'm a feminist.. :)