For routine dulls the edge of originality

Cathy and I are at the stage where we are getting our ears wet trying to pave the pathways to success. To put it in common terms, we have rounded up our university applications and are working towards our exams in the summer. Naturally we both want to get into the very best of British universities (WE DESERVE TO!). The thing is that at times like this I begin to question the definition of success and what it means to be accomplished in the eyes of others. Surely, Mark Zuckerberg would not have had the inspiration to invent a lucrative social network such as Facebook, if he had not taken time from life to sit back and be creative....to dream. This is  in much the same way Einstein became the father of modern physics (having established the general Theory of Relativity and developed Newtonian mechanics) after battling with ninth grade algebra. The definition of success is broader than the criteria is judged by and even when we fall short the chances are that we can still achieve so much more.


I have never actually believed that any one person can determine  intelligence or potential using even the most accurate of measurements....but when you see someone who is destined to be unique it always shines through. We live in a world where people get so lost in the need to meet the requirements of society that ironically they fail to achieve as much as they can. And sometimes I fear that in all the efforts, the late nights, the extensive reading and the chasing of perfect grades, I might forget who I am an what I set out to do. Life is a marathon in much the same way, academic qualifications are simply a means to an end and that is something we should never forget. What really matters are the dreams that keep us awake.....the goals we want so much to achieve that the mere thought of failure makes us edgy....and sometimes even the changes we need to make in society to ensure that  our smiles would one day be complete.

These are really the reasons I want to become a human rights lawyer; The 14 year old Pakistani activist ( Malala Yousafzai) who was shot by the Taliban for protesting against their atrocities, the Bangladeshi family that lost all their money to government fraud, the working class woman in America who should have been raised to the position of company director 5 years ago but wont....simply because she is a woman, and here in Nigeria the millions of poor people in the Niger delta that suffer everyday with little or no means of survival  because their needs have been ignored by the state.

It is true that even a strict education can dull the sharpness of our creativity and render the strength  of our imagination void. And with time and experience you would find that it takes a lot more than good brains to get ahead in the world but a striking personality, a stubborn determination and an even sturdier heart.

Duby

What it means to be a Princess

Bonjour mes beaux gens!

I know once again, it  has been months since I  wrote you all. Too much work= too little time and inspiration.

However, I've been reading in a lot of articles lately, and hearing from some friends too, how a lot of guys are tired of girls who act like princess, and expect guys to treat them that way. They criticize children's fairy tales  and Disney princess's for giving women the wrong attitudes.

So here's my take on things. To start  off, I believe there is a huge misconception of what it means to act 'like a princess'.

For me being a princess, isn't about having a sense of entitlement, being perfect, or expecting the perfect guy to come up out of no where and sweep you off your feet.
Rather, what I've learnt from princess movies and magical fairy tales, is more than that. I've learnt that being a princess means seeing the good in all people you meet, and treating everyone with the utmost importance. It means carrying yourself with grace and a sense that you are special and a gift to everyone you meet. Everyone gets a gracious smile- friend or foe. It's having the beauty within shine through and complement the beauty without.


In terms of love, a true princess doesn't have some presumption about who that person is. Think Cinderella, Bella, Sleeping beauty, and snow white- their princes came unexpectedly, and they loved them freely 'following their heart'. A true princess won't mess with the guy she meets, and because she genuinely treats all people well, everyone has a chance. But the truth is, in the end she knows that the right one will show through. And that doesn't necessarily mean some alpha male. It means the guy who sees through her- sees her soul- ,wants to see the world through her unique eyes. Someone who truly loves her- because she knows what she's worth.

Being a princess is speaking kind words, living with ease and seeing situations with optimism. It's about having hope, and  feeling at peace with yourself, God, and others around you. Feeling free and light.

Fairy tales were apart of my past, and I still listen to some of my favourite soundtracks for inspiration and as a reminder of the princess I am, the princess we can all be. When I get older, I'll read these fairy tales to my children- teach them to see the world with magic and fantasy, as well as with reality.

 

I'll raise them to be princes and princesses- to be the best version of themselves always.

Cathy

sunrise and writers ; the classics

So im listening to romeo and juliet act 1 and i think to myself 'surely Shakespeare is the wisest man that ever walked the earth!' What strikes me again and again is Romeo's words when he describes the hurt he feels because he loves Rosaline and she does not love him back.

1. Romeo

   Alas, that Love, whose view is muffled still, (165)
   Should without eyes see pathways to his will!
   Where shall we dine? O me! What fray was here?
   Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.
   Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love.
   Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate, (170)
   O anything of nothing first create!
   O heavy lightness, serious vanity,
   Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
   Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health,
   Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! (175)
   This love feel I, that feel no love in this.
   Dost thou not laugh?

   Romeo

   Why, such is love’s transgression.
   Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, (180)
   Which thou wilt propagate to have it pressed
   With more of thine. This love that thou hast shown
   Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.
   Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs:
   Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; (185)
   Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.
   What is it else? A madness most discreet,
   A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.Farewell, my coz.

   
   

   To be, or not to be, that is the question:
   Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
   The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,
   Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
   And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep
   No more;

   
   

   literature is beautiful!!

   
   

   duby

It's almost ready!

Two words: Cathy's Anthology

Two words: Order Now!

Two words: Thank You!

Of Monsters and Men- the coolest band from Iceland!

How can you listen to this song, and not be exited about finding your significant other?

Cathy

Dear Little Cathy

Hi Guys!

It's been a while, huh. Gosh- I've been really swamped with work and stuff....but who cares?

Anyway, so today I saw this picture and it really struck me: What would I tell Little Cathy if I could go back in time. Well I'm still trying to get back into the blogging form...so bear with me as I list some things I'd like little me to know:

1) Don't get so stressed out over little things: Like seriously Cathy- you're actually smart, kind, and pretty- you don't need to beat yourself over every piece of homework set, or every test you fail. I know it's hard for you to ignore other people's feelings but try not to let their bad moods bring you down. And stop second- guessing you're looks- it's obvious you'll turn out ok( that is, after you pass that awkward stage around 10-12 when your ears and nose are really big- just givin' you a heads up!)

2) Fruit- Get into the habit of eating fruit, because it really pays off when you get older. Now you have 3 rotting apples on your desk from attempting to force yourself to eat them- congratulations.

3) Don't feel bad about the teasing of you're height or dance skills- you actually ended up being pretty good at it- boo yah, sister and family who made fun of you! And as for you're height- well, it's a blessing and a curse.

4) Force your parents to have taught you the essentials by the age of 10:
- your native language
- a foreign language
- to play a musical instrument- preferably piano or guitar.
Because if not, you are going to end up feeling pretty inadequate when you get into an international school for geniuses, with 7year-old 'grade 8' pianists and friends who have mastered 4 different languages.

5) Ballet!: You really should tone-down the tom-boy thing you'll have going for most of your childhood- it will be so much fun if  you join your sister in ballet, and a lot cooler than what you're doing now- which is prancing around the house on you're tip-toes like a prat.

6) Quick one here: In the summer of '09 you will be trusted with an envelope containing a certain sum of money in a foreign currency- DO NOT, i repeat, NOT, leave it on your lap in the car, fall asleep, then wake up and jump out of the car without looking.

7) Keep in touch: You live a life where you're constantly travelling, experencing new cultures, meeting new people and leaving old ones behind. Take full advantage of this, and also stay in contact with those awesome friends- some of them are the best people you'll ever meet!

8) Filming: Get into the habit of taking videos, and get a videocam early too- you're going to be obsessing a lot over the cool ideas you'd like to bring to life, but just don't know how.

9) Guys: Hmmm....sorry Cathy- I guess I'm still just no good at them, eh? Which is probably where I should start from: get a guy best friend or rather keep the guy best friend that you will meet on the first day of kindergarten in a certain East-African country. That would probably really solve alot of the dilemmas you currently face in understanding the cold, dangerous darklands of the teenage-boy psyche. It may also lead to you guys....well- I'll just let you find out that one ;)

10) Popularity: Just want you to know that you did the right thing by staying true to yourself. It may not always look the most appealing side to take, but it's totally worth it in the end.

11) Family: Hold on to your family like nothing else. I mean it! You love them now, and always will, but remembering just how much you love them when your constantly bickering with them, at that young age little kids do, would really save a lot of potential hurt. Also you must stick with your siblings like 'stickyglue' and defend them no matter who or what tries to blur your vision.
Remember, like 'Brother's Garcias' ( you love that show ps It'll be taken off air soon so don't get too attached) ' Doro para familia'  (or something like that).

Everything for the family.

Cathy

living lemonade 101: Day 22- Sparkling nail polish

Ahh....nothing says summer like candy-coloured school-girl glittery nail polish!

Especially now that summer's slowly passing, and fading to an end.

Let's fight off any prospective winter blue, with candy floss and star bright hues!

'Cos nothing says I'm lovin' it
like living life lemonade!

Cathy