A Thought

Imagine this:

You come to the library like any other day, mind set on getting through the inhuman volumes of required reading and essay-writing. As you set down your book bag, you can't help releasing a mini sigh of relief, now that the sharp pain in your shoulders has begun to fade. Like many others, you try to fight back the increasing worry you feel as you rumble through your stuff for two essential library items: your laptop charger, and (of course) your headphones. You secretly high-five yourself on remembering to bring both.

As you lift your laptop screen, it flashes with a subtle buzz to life. Fingers braced, you watch it with angst, waiting for the second the mute button is ready to respond (you're a master at this by now). You're satisfied at having evaded any potentially life-scarring music explosions, even though you're pretty certain you had nothing playing before you left home. Excited to play an amazing song you recently discovered, you quickly plug in your headphones and open up YouTube. You set the volume soft and low, aware that no headphones are perfect.  

As it plays, it carries you away with it, and amidst the fully-packed desks, you are truly alone and free. Each second that passes transforms the building into a hearth of solace, and only a small part of you still spatially aware could feel sorry for the others around you suffering the silence. It is so good, you decide then and there to get through the entire recommended playlist.

Three hours later, you're ready to go. You lift your headphones off your ears, only to realise that all along they had never been fully plugged in.

And all around you are the soft sounds of Soko's 'We Might Be Dead Tomorrow'. They fill the void, teasing ears that- willingly or unwillingly-would hear.

Yet no one complained.

Cathy

Catherine becomes an accredited writer just in time for her adult beginning

Catherine!!! Cathy!!!! Gosh, where to start?? You are 18, you released an anthology, you're famous, you're about to begin your undergrad in medicine, and you're my best friend! It just does not get any better does it?


But seriously Catherine I love you. We have been through so much together and whilst it has not always been easy sustaining our friendship, it has also not been tasking at all! To be honest, not much has changed since the beginning...think about it. for example, I still don't get when you think my dress is short (cause it is!) and you still don't get why i wont at least learn how to play ONE sport ( I've tried soccer remember?). We both don't like to act mushy when we're actually together but then when you leave you ping me and say something sweet (loser behavior). lmao and we both don't get why NIGERIANS use such funny expressions like, 'smiling in perspective' (really?) and till date i don't know where all my 16th birthday plans went to...likeeee all our dreams. Sha, we've lived the most part of the past seven or eight  years(depends on when you start counting) building a future around one another, dreaming about prince charming a loooooot, planning our dream wedding, laughing at funny people like mutant chike, and fantasizing about the posh life not to mention all the famous people we plan to meet and places we said we would visit together. It has not always worked out and we were meant to explore Europe together this summer *sigh*. Anyway below are a few tips I would like you to keep in mind as we both climb that age ladder to keep you fresh and wise:

1) Maintain your uniqueness: Believe it or not it is hard to accomplish. We live in a world where everyone follows a set formula for almost everything and only few of us question why we do things and create OUR own formula for living-Remember that this was precisely a major reason for why we clicked as friends. Be different Cathy, find your own meaning of life like Buddha did and abide by it.

2) forget about too much logic; You have never been one to completely let go even though this is something you advise me to do and which i have ALWAYS believed you should do more often. Logic is good don't get me wrong, but sometimes things would not make sense on the surface and yet they could end up being some of the best memories just because they were UNCONVENTIONAL. Remember last summer? :)

3) Try to aim for personal contact with your friends that are far away....it keeps things in momentum: For example, if you end up going to Ireland for uni we would need to still meet as much as possible. And look how Tweej is not here with us, we need to try to reunite with our sleepover girls every now and again.I don't know how but we will see. You know old friends are always the most refreshing for they hold the most memories of our past and we will share the future together :)

4) Never stop being charitable; I was very happy when you told me about your charity, it is something that has always been linked to your personality. Our happiest times are usually when we help that can never pay us back for it...it is the mystery of generosity. And still those who give the most always seem to have more. Is God not brilliant?

5) Do not bother following the crowd; i know this is linked to my first point but what i mean in this case is that you should remember YOUR/OUR values. you know something i realized is that because we refused to do those supposedly 'little' things like grinding in ljc....i mean yes they stroked us for it but what it did is that it made me very resilient so that even now I would still frown at something I don't feel comfortable with...And imagine how impressed prince charming would be to find out that we are not just gorgeous but also virgins? Yaaay!

6) Try to be childlike; I know i'm copying your advice but seriously when you look at the world the same way despite the reality of things, you truly never age. And it glows from without...you can even spot when an adult is youthful...it is in the things they say and how they act. Youth is our elixir.

7) Get your first kiss!; Yess you know this is the point that I have been waiting to make hahahahaha. In the grand scheme of things first kiss doesn't have to equate to first boyfriend. There are reasons why we must not put a name on everything. But he would always be someone you never forget.

8) Get into the dating scene; Dating is exciting- cause they don't have to be your boyfriends but they would take you on adventures that would mold into a true princess. Just imagine fine dining in fancy restaurants, wine tasting, and flowers being delivered by the post man with hidden love notes. That is what you deserve to happen to you because you're beautiful and it will...and he will be exactly how you want him to be. Someone shout amen! lmao

9) Keep your family at the veryyyy top of the list; God made us share the same last name with a bunch of people for a reason. it wasn't luck but destiny- This is something I have not always done cause you know how I am...wanting to be self dependent and all that. But they would always be right behind you do not let go  of their love and companionship :D

10) Ignore the critics; Many times we would come up with grand plans would of course have flaws. People would use their cynicism to shoot them down...then they would say it is just cause they are 'wise'. ALL LIES dear one, remember the wright brothers?...When you believe in yourself there is no limit to what you can achieve, so shut out the voices!

11) learn about the sages; You know how all these famous authors, Presidents, Nobel prize winners, etc always seem to refer to some old quotations in their speeches-it is cause of what those sayings actually do to your mind. Believe or not the old philosophers knew so much about life and its significance.....there is soooo much wisdom to be gotten from what they said. And not just cause of the pretentiousness of being able to quote them but the depth in their meanings.

12) listen to more music and go for as many concert as you can; only because these are things that we both love and have always wanted to do- once in a while buy yourself a ticket to a show and go along with a friend....enjoy life. Plus music is really soul food.

13) Read a looooot of books; old books, new books, all of them! trust me the elite can always tell the difference between someone who is well versed and he who isn't....It just rings from the things you say, how you think, the knowledge you have. It is also very attractive in a lady- personal experience speaking here.

14) Do not be afraid to get wild when you deserve it; Try to live a prudent life but every now and again go out with your girlies for a night out, get wasted just a little, and chill out in hotel rooms drinking vintage wine labels....I will be there to make sure nothing drastic happens/gets photographed. that reminds me of Holly's 30th lol.

15) Keep it till the wedding night; As we are getting older it is making more sense to us why we should keep waiting. Yeah so stick to it (I know you will). But like not just cause it is a sin, it is also a dishonor to yourself to give to someone more than they deserve :)

16) Try to call on birthdays; I'm starting to cultivate the habit as well- twitter/facebook messages are not enough so yeah...ring us up..your homies and send a chocolate box or sth.

17) Keep your faith alive through active religiousity; Abeg what im just saying is continue going to church...it is good and it is very helpful for you and for others who wish to emulate you.....sounding like Sr. Lilian right now but sha you get warram saying.

18) Never Forget US!- Yup me and you, you and I, Cathy and Duby, the adventures of bubbles and frosty remember? cathy and duby greatest, our hausa jokes, our late night convos, our dreams, our past, our present, the awaiting future....remember it ALL and try to write down some of the things...these are memories we would one day share with our kids....you will be their aunty/god mother and all that. :D

Forever loving and adoring and disturbing you,

Duby...Yadubi (get it?)

Scorned

I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. My neighbours were black, my teachers were black, my friends were black, the President was black, everyone was black. I am black. And yet of significance is the fact that because everyone was black, no one was black. Having dark skin was synonymous with having two eyes, or a nose, or a liver or a lung. It was one of several, several characteristics of being human. It didn't matter. It was inconsequential. I grew up believing this.

Fast forward to 2009, and I was a 17 year old girl entering the United States for the first time. There were several things I was naive about; race was one of them. I was quickly buffeted with information and opinions and a whole history that I had been previously mostly unaware of. Films and books and television had talked about racism, but it had always remained a distant, far-removed concept, one as foreign to me as -3 degrees weather and nasal accents I had difficulty understanding. But it was important that I understand, and that I inform myself quickly about the history of the United States. Because I now live in America, along with all the brilliant things about being in this country, the realization that I am black is of consequence. It means that, for some illogical reason, I am different, something more, or less, than was meant when I was home. It is a realization that shocked me then, and that I continue to grapple with always.

Since 2009, I've had several conversations about race. I've taken classes and read journals, I've written responses and listened to lectures; I've worked hard to educate myself. Yet I do not think that I've fully understood what racism is, what it feels like, until today. I have never felt as personally attacked or aggrieved, as entirely victimized and hurt as I do today. An individual, or group of individuals, has targeted another group of individuals over something they have not done, that they have no control over, that should not matter, something that has been entirely constructed over and over again by people who were ignorant or prejudiced or hateful. This is a reality that we must live with. It is infuriating, it is terrifying and it is hurtful. It makes me wonder about the country I now reside in.

More importantly, however, this incidence makes me realize that educating oneself on issues of race is not enough. I have spent the last three years at Oberlin silently paying attention to occurrences on campus, but never getting involved. I have sat idly by. I have listened. Listening is not enough. Action and solidarity are important. We must speak out against all hate, we must revolt against those who try to fragment our community, we must work hard for our happiness. I stand in solidarity with all who feel victimized by the occurrences on campus. I stand against all individuals who target me and people like me because we are a minority. I stand with the rest of Oberlin as we defend the principles this college represents.

Enough is enough.
Written by: Olive Nwosu

Creative Corner: Magic Realism

Bonjour tout le monde!

 So I am currently obsessed with a unique literary style I recently learnt about called 'Magic Realism'. Basically, it is pushing the bounds of our human reality in the most realistic, logical and probable way possible. No hint of how absurd the concept may be. You can find out more about it online.

Anyway, I am so fascinated by this style because of its uniqueness and freedom of form- it basically embodies all I find cool about literature and living. Murakami's 'The Dancing Dwarf' was the first piece I read, and it inspired me a lot. With magic realism, it is as logical to be sipping tea mid-air while conversing with the president, as it is doing so on the ground- you just have to make it seem so. And the characters are detached and largely aware of the absurdity of this- so cool.

Therefore, my creative advice today is to have a go at Magic Realism. Don't stress about it a lot- just have a go and have fun with it. All your wildest dreams as expected and logical as water boiling.

The perfect background track for inspiration: Ra Ra Riot's cover- Suspended in Gaffa

Have fun writing, and 'Be Creative!'.

Cathy

P.S Here's my first attempt - a short intro to a story I might develop. What do you think- weird enough for you? ;)

‘Just beyond there’, the young elephant pointed at me, jerking his trunk for emphasis. His trunk was a peculiar shade of green today, much different from the sterling grey coat he must have dyed it last week- it was obvious he had a cold. 

‘Thank you- and by the way, a stronger dye would hide the colour easily’, I whispered before leaving.

The elephant blushed, but still mustered a polite smile. It made me feel a bit bad. Pehaps, I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I mean, it was a well-known fact that all elephants dyed their skin grey, but one of those things that no one really talked about- as distasteful as talks of apartheid or the holocaust. But I had thought this young chap may not have minded, since his trunk wasn’t actually the original pink at all- but a sickly green.

‘Well... goodbye then’, I murmered, shifting my feet awkwardly.

 I was halfway there, I spun round for one last glance at the kind young elephant- now thinking I should’ve apologised for crossing the line. But of course, the elephant had already left. Honestly, sometimes I don’t get it. If I had pink skin like the elephants' I’d parade it everywhere- so pretty. And why they thought grey was a much more enviable hue- I do not know. I guess that’s elephants for you- always obsessed with looking the ‘part’- whatever that is.

Advice for a brand-new Adult( on her 18th birthday!)

Dear friend,
(With a fitting cliched beginning:)
It seems like only yesterday I saw your first birthday (which was in fact your 12th as we'd only met at the beginning of secondary school). But oh how you've not really grown at all! You still argue when you know you're wrong, still do that weird twisty thing with your hair when you're tensed( which will invariably lead to aloepecia), and still love and embrace life with all the gusto and all the innocence of a new-born rock star!


Therefore,  with all the wisdom of a best-friend who is at least a year younger than you, I have composed this list:


1) Be Spontaneous: No better time than now to remind you of the best piece of advice, which just happens to be first given me by you. Now that you're getting old and greying, make sure to keep that in mind. No matter how bogged down you get with the drudgery of life- randomly stop and smell the roses, kiss that passing stranger(not really), and burst out in song when you feel like it. I'll try to be there to fill the awkward silence when you do so...


2)Go to Ireland: Galway girl can't wait forever! There really is something magical about there be it Northern Ireland or the 'real deal'. Maybe you can finally live that Holly-Gerry moment, huh?


3) Don't 'DO IT'- 
You know what I mean. Not that I question your chastity or anything, but in a world where values are changing fast, and even the rest of our friends are giving in- try to remember it's best to save it for your 'one and only'...

4) On that note Do 'Get a Boyfriend':
I'd say it's about time now, don't ya think? And I know, I know- it's not really your active choice not to have one. But try opening your eyes to those you least expect - without compromising standards.

5) Take more pictures, make more videos: Honestly there is nothing better than documenting your life, really? Even when there's absolutely nothing special to document. It will come in handy when you're bored one day.


6) Stop any remnant  'childishness': Now I am NOT calling you out or anything, before you kill me! I 'm just saying if ever you get the temptation to be mean to someone, complain ridiculously or get overly-jealous about something trivial- NIP IT IN THE BUD!

7) Keep the 'child-likeness': Be free, Be trusting, Be trustworthy. Enjoy sweets and gum drops, wear that bright pink whatever- you know......

8) Get back to the Classics: What happened to those old Hamlet quotes you'd recite each day? Any you haven't read, get to reading and impress/annoy me again :) 

9) Once you do get a Boyfriend- DON'T be boy-crazy: Please, please don't 'cos guess whose gonna have to deal with the annoying worries, pleasantries, and post-break up 'Oh-My-God-I-Thought-He-Was-Perfect tears'....

10) Start working on that 'Bucket  list'- Not in the sense that you're getting old/nearing death, but in the fact that these our things you've always wanted to do. Remember how we started drawing them up last summer?

11) But remember- life is a marathon, not a race- So the process of getting there, is just as important as the achievement itself. Take time to relish the daily routines...

12) Never forget to have the occassional 'I'm gonna stay in my pajamas today', 'I'm gonna have a lie-in' days- they are essential

13) Try to make a mark on the world or at least, in someone else's life: Do something- write a book, get to painting, get to charity- have something you'll be remembered for.

14) Listen more: More knowledge is gained from taking in, than spitting out.

15) Travel- You know that's one of the top things you said you have to do. No matter where you work or what you do, make sure you go somewhere exotic...

16) But when you do, keep in touch, ok? And not just with me, or your family, but with the friends I know you're already letting go of. Call them up sometime

17) Believe in Fairytales, and Magic: I do not know who this slightly cynical personna I am starting to see more of is, but i advise  you to screw her and her over-realism. What would the world be without ideals- whether they pan out or not? You are not Miss Harry Potter-Movie Watcher-Extraordinaire for nothing! I know you will find him- I'm sure you will- and you'll have that life you dreamed of so long.

18) Be true to You and to Him- And this time I don't mean a guy- I mean God. Don't forget who you are- a Christian African child. That come with so many implications and responsibilities to others, yourself and God. Don't let anyone make you feel less; don't be pressurized into anything- and keep hope, faith, and love alive.


I love you now; I'll love you always. I'll be here to make sure you follow through.

Your bestie;
Cathy.

TO AN AWSOME FRIEND AT THE DAWN OF HER 18TH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!1
BONNE ANNIVERSAIRE!!!11

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY DEAR FRIEND AND CO-BLOGGER!
Even though I can't be there with you :(

All of you readers send her some love and blog advice. I will attempt to come up with a proper birthday post for Duby- our co-blogger!

Love you always DUBY!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Cathy

On Helping People

Ola Friends!
Ok so this will be a very short post as there TONNES to read on the site I'll be redirecting you to- so hold on to your keyboards peeps!

So there's this charity I am apart of called Living Stories Foundation- and it is involved with the publishing of short stories of children living in harder conditions of life- poverty, abuse, trafficking etc. And here's the catch: the stories are ALL written by the children themselves!

The charity was founded and is run by high-school students themselves, which is just MIND-BLOWING!

It seeks to empower the children it helps. To not speak on behalf of the children it serves, as most children charities to do. Rather, to enable their own voices be heard. All funds generated from the sales of these short stories collections go back to helping the children themselves, and reaching out and aiding others in conditions similar to them.

However, it is a relatively new charity- and needs all our help to get it off the ground.

That's where you all can help:

1) Share this post with all your friends, family, and associates. Raising Awareness is one of the major goals of Living Stories Foundation (ie through its publications). They need all the publicity they can get!

2) Visit their site @ http://livingstoriesfoundation.blogspot.co.uk/ for more information on how to take an active part in realising their project.

3) Or contact them directly at:  livingstoriesfoundation@gmail.com to show your support for what they do, and for the effort the KIDS themselves put into writing those stories- it can't be easy.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!!

Love always,
CATHY.