#MondayDrama – An Interesting Conversation

“It looks like this filling station will soon start selling fuel.”

“For where?! Dem no get fuel. Fuel only dey for that filling station for express.”

“NorthWest?”

“Yes, I hear say the woman get mouth.”

And I’m wondering “everyone has a mouth on their face” (technically, except in rare medical conditions). But you see, this is Nigeria and when someone is referred to as one with ‘Mouth’ or ‘Leg’, this means that you have CONNECTION and by ‘connection’ I mean, you can get away with anything or you have influence (in a manner of speaking). Now, I will have to agree to an extent with the fellow and his reasoning, as I’m wondering why a gas station would take 92% of the road and prevent other road users from moving freely to their destination, even when we know that moving freely in Ajah axis of Lekki means driving really slow – a step at a time! But to be so hindered that many people couldn’t reach the other part of Lagos yesterday (is something else), and nobody said anything about it, the woman obviously has connection.

Now, ‘we’ have blamed the woman aka owner of the fuel station. But I’m not done, how about you – the motorist?

She had cordoned off a section of the road to cater for her ever-increasing line of gasoline buyers. One line for the long stretch of cars, but motorist/ area-boys/ fuel touts/ enforcement agents in their all-knowing wisdom moved the rope and cone a bit for one car and another and yet another and soon we had four lines of parked cars attempting to enter the station through multiple access with no regard for other road users. Some others came from the opposite side of the road (drove against traffic apparently) and parked on that end in their own multiple queue to buy fuel. Many people didn’t go to church yesterday o! You do well.

I saw a funny write-up thanking the no-light/no-fuel situation for how it has encouraged family times and bonding, as the men can’t go hang out with the boys, children get to read more and one said that even God was happy as churches were full yesterday because a lot of people went there to charge their phones (that have been dead for days) and if I must add enjoy the cooling atmosphere from the air-conditioning units. LOL.

That analysis would work for those that were able to make it to church. For those that didn’t, you don’t want to know what they said in their hearts to everyone connected to this avoidable situation that prevented them from doing so. I went to church o and yes I had to charge the phones very well. But after that, what next? What is the solution to the fuel crisis that we are experiencing? I’m not even sure what is wrong or who to blame, I can only ask that what needs to be done should be done fast before…. I leave the conclusion to you.

By the way, transportation skyrocketed today by 100% increase and I’m wondering if any company did salary increase over the weekend in anticipation of this transport hike. Another thing is that despite all the filling stations maintaining that they are not selling in jerry cans, right beside each station is a trail of boys, men and women with different litres of fuel (from the ones they can carry to the over-sized container) selling black-market at ridiculous prices. Who sold this fuel to them? Just thinking out aloud.

Picture Source: http://www.nextgreencar.com/mpg/

©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved

Celebrating Sunshine!

Some weeks back, maybe a month, I was thankful for Sunshine  and did an article on her.

Well, it was Sunshine’s birthday on the 24th and she’s 14! I’ve been there with her from birth and watch her grow delightfully. She’s been one of my inspirations for writing. Actually, my first journal was on her titled ‘Through Veda’s Eyes‘, by the time you get to read this journal, you will get to understand why I named her “Sunshine”.

Sunshine and her family

Love those eyes

Last White Christmas

Some years back, can’t remember how old she was

Sunshine

With Miranda

and some of her aunties plus Mum

 

She’s a breath of fresh air

With dark curly lovely hair

Her quest to know more is one each blessed child portrays

Understanding early commitment, she queried as we played

“Now you have worn another ring, what will Uncle Kelvin says?“

She helped, as we struggled to release my finger, Oh, the pain!

When we succeeded, “don’t do that again“ the reprimand came

From my little, sometimes mischievous but brilliant dame

She knows what she wants and how to get it from me

I would love to say no, but for this one, I’m stuck, no free!

Happy Birthday my baby

If you forget anything, always remember I yob you so much, so much!

©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved

Flashback

Reminiscing on the gain/pain of relationships

In the story called “My Life”, written as each day unfolds. I’ve met other lives and been part of their story. Most started well and some didn’t…. But for every life I came across, I always made it one filled with a bit of me in my entirety. Not just the loving sweet me, but also the passionate fiery me! Some could handle that – but others melted under the heat my fire brewed.

As I wove my way through their winding path, earnestly trying to play my part, my heart connected and danced to their rhythm. Yet when the end came and they went off the stage…my stage, our stage…to continue elsewhere, the pain of separation was more than only I could bear. Some memories hurt at the thought of them…at times I wonder, must I walk this path?!

It’s been years, and a lot of tears.

But now I can look back and be grateful for every life I played a part. For then I thought I should have acted differently…how wrong I was, as they’ve returned somehow to thank me for allowing them into mine and though it hurt back then, for these gains, I’ll “gladly” go through the pains again.

Happy New Month to you, may it be truly fruitful! ❤

© 2006. imanikingblog.com. All rights reserved

Lyrical Monday

We have people around us for different reasons. As you read, decide for yourself if you have someone who can be these to you and hold on to them and if you don’t, God is your BEST bet!

© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved

Thankful Thursday

You keep surrounding me with people that build a part of my life so in the end the final picture is just beautiful! Thankful to You Lord!

© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved

Landscape: Found Poetry & Enumeratio

Day 9: It’s about any Lanscape, exploring it and how you interact with it, using Found Poetry and Enumeratio. I didn’t do the Found Poetry thingy but attempted to initiate Enumeratio into the poem.

University of IFE

Land of Greens, Green trees, grasses, lush vegetation and flowers
Of bright colours and freshness.
With an expanse unending sprawled across lands, stark beauty for even the blind
The landscape looking like home for wild animals, undiscovered flowers and plenty reptiles
With dashes of dark zinc poking through bending trees and streets that lead to another in a maze so winding you become displeased!
Surrounded by hills that seem small from a distance and within arm’s reach.
Your innate beauty is untainted by civilization and too much technology.
I’m revived with each visit and lungful of fresh breeze, scenic pleasure amongst others.

© 2015. imanikingblog. All rights reserved

Photography 101 – Double

This sounds juicy and like my son would say “gorgeous”.

I’ve thought of many ‘crazy’ ideas, but just so I remain within the limits of sanity…but truly there should be no limits when it comes to photography, writing and dreaming…I came up with these! One just needs to explore the vast universe around them. I tried to capture some doubles. I hope you like them.

Two of a Kind

One of my Val gifts…our connection

The patterns on the rug

Lights and more reflections

Two head rest for two persons

© 2014. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved

1G1V

I’m wondering what answers a lot of you would have come up with if I threw a general question enquiring to know your interpretation of 1G1V. Don’t crack your head about it too much, you will soon know what I’m all about this evening.

Like a seed, a desire to offer a thousand burnt offering in gratitude to God for all He has done and continues to do (whether we are aware or not) grew in his heart. He thought of how best to carry out this plan and also if he will communicate the passion he feels to the magnitude that the people will understand the vision and run with it. Beyond the dream, the meetings and seeming fear about its success, the 1st Edition held and it was mind blowing.

You would think that God had taken us there, but that was just the beginning and like I mentioned earlier it was a seed and if you know anything about seeds, then you will agree with me that when its harvest time, what you sow ain’t what you get honey, YOU GET MORE! With this appetite unleashed for more, we welcome you to The Experience 2014 converging at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

This will be the 9th Edition. In Obstetrics, we are told a pregnant woman usually would give birth in the 9th month; so we are expectant in this years’ Experience as we connect our faith with our praise in anticipation and gratitude to God for what eyes have not seen nor ear heard. I don’t know about you, but I know that come 5th December 2014, people of every nation, tribe and tongue will gather, lifting holy hands and hearts in one accord regardless of societal status or political affiliation to One God in One Voice. By the way, that’s the meaning of 1G1V 🙂

So Lagos, Nigeria, the world…are you ready!?

Lifting Holy Hands in Unity

Different Interpretations of 1G1V

• Photo Credits: Courtesy of theexperiencelagos.com

Photography 101 – Connect

Yippee…

I like this theme… all the interpretation running through my mind is out of this world. But for the sake of sanity wink I’ll stick to normal ones…LOL

I see Connect or Connection all around me. Like the knowing arms of a father that guides his children in the right path, away from harm’s way – they connect.

Family outing at Ibom Le’ Meridian

On the Ikoyi bridge, this structure seems to arise as you drive along, connecting one side of the bridge to the other…it is basically for aesthetics and sure lightens up when it’s Christmas.

The Ikoyi Bridge, Lagos

Each strand of noodle connects to the other. And even when it is broken and cooked, it is difficult picking one up without another tagging along. I ❤ this connection

A plate of yummy noodles *wink*

Beyond the hug that is obvious, we are connected by love, blood and God. The green white green dots on our faces show our love for our country which further connects us as one.

From one sister to another – a hug

Lyrical Monday

Different notes abound in the world of music. I am not a maestro, though my King knows a thing or two about it and the instruments. But this I know, that several instruments (having their purposes) come together to make a great sound and this is my

…SYMPHONY

Photo credits: http://www.ihdwal.com/