Along my trail

A long and silent wail

With emotions so weak and frail

I seek a comforting sail

But I surface with no avail

 

Tears silently escape

From lids that sadly drape

To cover my eyes like a cape

And seal my sorrow with a tape

 

My pain is tender and quail

But my pride will always prevail

To keep balance to my quivering rail

And conceal my sadness without any fail

 

Feelings lodged within me like a grape

Confusing me providing no escape

Questions sink to the back of my nape

And answers whizzing by like a slape

 

I drift back to a comforting trail

Following through my anointed grail

Engulfed with strength from The One we hail

Marked by clarity beyond any fail.

Lessons I learn and teach myself.

During my education in the University, when the going got hard, a fleeting moment would come upon me where I would question what I was doing and ask myself if it was worth all the hard work. With an adamant yes, I would push that moment of weakness far back and strive ahead.

Now I’m in the real world. Facing the real facts of life. No cushions to fall on, no trampoline to bounce back up with, no marshmallow clouds and vanilla moons, no sweet lemon crusted sun or bubble gum blue sky. It’s the real thing where whatever I say is taken for what it is and beyond, where my actions are the only cutlasses paving my future.

I still get those fleeting moments of confusion where I get the urge to recline and hide like an ostrich. And then a little voice within me reminds me that reclining would not make the world stop moving and that reclining would not make people and events around me evaporate. It would only throw me into quick sand where I will not have help because I would be sinking alone, voluntarily. And by alone, not only will the people around me not be able to help me, but even I would not be able to help myself.

It’s during these moments of weakness that I realise what it means for me to be the mature individual that I have grown to become and the woman that everyone sees me as. I realise that shutting out “my world” would not make things easier, it would only show how weak I am with my inability to push forward while maintaining my ground and still accepting everyone around me. And then I realise what it really means to be strong. The ability to stand my ground, suck the negativity with a cushion, reshape that cushion and throw it back out.

I have learned different ways of coping and adjusting, sometimes it’s by the support of someone close and other times it’s by simply doing something that allows me a mental corridor where I leave the negativity behind. No one has the ability to set back those moments if I do not accept to let go.

With all that’s said, the core of what ultimately makes me more confident again about my moment of weakness towards the thoughts of reclining is faith. Having the ultimate faith that Allah will make things better for me. Entrusting him to take care of things. That always brings peace to my heart and mind. I’m learning how simple it is to do that now. It involves pausing the racing thoughts in my mind and just pushing matters towards Him. It brings amazing peace to my heart.

Spice

Coke’s secret recipe unveiled?

We have all grown up to the shiny red logo of Coca Cola. In the midst of a hot day or a happy gathering we always opt for this sweetly addictive beverage. On Feruary 11, 2011, a famous American radio show, This American Life, revealed the original recipe of coke in glee! The recipe was found in an article from a local newspaper in Atlanta dating back to 1979. Coca Cola, however, was quick to deny the authenticity of the reveled recipe a couple of days later.

Where there is a revelation, there is some sort of truth and where there is smoke there is fire. The recipe might not be 100% authentic but there is some level of authenticity to it. Why this issue has taken my attention is because one of the revealed ingredients is alcohol. Alcohol is forbidden to Muslims as the Quránic verse states: ”They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: “In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.” Qurán (2:219)

I am not sure whether there really is alcohol in Coca Cola but I don’t think I can ignore this piece of information for it might be true and then again it might not be true. What do you know?

Spice

Coffins with style from Ghana

For the Ga tribe in coastal Ghana, funerals are a time of mourning, but also of celebration. The Ga people believe that when their loved ones die, they move on into another life — and the Ga make sure they do so in style. They honor their dead with brightly colored coffins that celebrate the way they lived.

 

To see more artistic coffins. Click Here!

(Sources: Ghana Web, Damn Cool Pics)

Knight and Day OR Day and Knight?

This is a picture of a pharmacy in Adbaraka, Ghana.  The pharmacy is quite old but they really wanted to put their pharmaceutical  skills out there with their name “Day and Knight Pharmacy”.

 

And here’s a movie poster for the movie “Knight and Day” starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaze that was released in July 2010.

Any copyright infringements?

 

Spice

copyright

Happy Birthday Hossun

23 years ago the universe received a beautiful gift named Hossun. Though she greeted it with a cry,

 

 

 

 

 

 

the universe knew it was a beautiful voice of a special person that was going to make a difference in it one way or another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With each day that passed, Hossun preciously grew just like a rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little by little she blossomed into a precious angel with a treasurable personality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this special day, I’d like to wish my best friend a joyous and memorable birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It warms my heart and brightens my life to have you as my best friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing you an exhilarating birthday and a jubilant life.

Tears…

Tears are the purest description and expression of our deepest emotions and inner most feelings. Tears are the sincerest manifestation of our emotions that are allowed to surface for our mental comprehension. They sometimes flow in what seems like abundance whereas there are times when they refuse to release in despair from the intricate and deep feelings going on in one’s heart, mind and overall emotions.

Tears need to be let out in times of despair, in times of hurt and even in times of happiness. Tears need to be let out so as to accept a new beginning or an ending whether desired or not. There are times when a person needs to give up some tears and let it out of his heart so as to be able to stand up again and move on.

And to end with a beautiful quote: “If I were a tear in your eye I would roll down your lips to kiss you, and if you were a tear in my eye I would never cry to never ever lose you…”

Spice

We were mugged!

One time, we skipped a discussion class to go for an exciting and leisurely walk. (We would like to assure you right from the beginning of this post that we did in fact have an exciting walk.) So while enjoying our serene surroundings and beautiful day, we were suddenly greeted with a cutlass by two charmingly mean looking muggers. With a silent invitation to hand over our stuff by gesturing with their cutlass, we cordially handed over all our belongings. Frightened to silence and immobility we could not think of screaming or searching for help. Riding on a scooter as slow as a turtle they run off.  All this felt surreal until we hit reality and realized that we actually had a voice that could be used to scream for help.

Being such diligent students, we screamed “PLEASE we only want our school books back!!! You can have the bags!

Muggers thinking: “WTH is wrong with these girls? They just got mugged by our scary selves and they want their books?”

Unfortunately 3 cell phones, 1 laptop, 3 bags, Spice’s pink pencil case and Sugar’s Mickey Mouse key holder were stolen.

However, on a more serious note, it was indeed a scary experience. We advise you all to have some sort of protection with you at all times and be alert from anyone who approaches you.

Stay Safe.

Sugar and Spice

Why don’t you comment on blog posts?

This is a direct question posed to every curious individual who visits this blog and several other blogs, reading through numerous posts without leaving trails of comments behind.

It’s quite overwhelming finding people taking time to read your thoughts. Meanwhile most of them don’t comment or respond. So whats the point and how would we know how good / bad the post was. A blog isn’t a blog without comments.

Writing a response to what bloggers post is important to both the blogger himself/herself and subsequent viewers on the blog.

Some deliberately choose not to comment while others show concern and may have nothing to add but make it a point to respond simply with nicely said, good job etc.

Its not about racing up for many and just any comment. Rather its about knowing the results of sharing your thoughts and ideas with others.

We can all try to make a point and respond to blog posts, you’re not obliged to discuss and analyse. It could be time consuming to read thoroughly and respond but the success of a blog is built by viewers.

When posts are read only without commenting the blog seems to be completely one-sided which defies the fact of having one.

Sugar.

Why we need etiquette.

Many of my followers have asked the reason behind my continuous etiquette tweets in the past few days. So I decided to have a short and precise post that’ll explain my reasons behind and of course chip in a few etiquette tips

I strongly believe in this quote: “Now, more than ever, people need to live graciously,” says Dinyon. “Having good manners is always in style.”

Etiquette I believe isn’t about being picky on stuff and acting too much of a lady or a gentleman. It is simply a code of personal conduct in society. I keep hearing this comment: “What’s the point, I want to behave just the way I am. I can’t pretend to be someone else.”

This is wrong! We always carry ourselves in a certain manner around and as humans we surely don’t want to be criticized for an unaccepted behavior. We might feel inclined to say: Oh well! I don’t care what others think of me. I am who I am”. Sorry to crush it but you do care! And you know it.

Etiquette is not only about how men should hold the door open for women or how gentle a lady should eat at a dinner. It’s about basic things we do every single day which even our parents at home teach us no to do. Such us not talking while chewing food in your mouth, making sure you close your mouth when eating; the girls are often advised not to speak aloud to distinguish themselves from the guys and many more.

This code of personal conduct cuts across many areas, mainly in communication, business, when eating, social events etc. What could be better than being courteous?! J

I said at the beginning that this post will be short and precise and without going anymore further I’ll end it here with a few etiquette tips J

Etiquette Tips:

#1 Hold the door — whether male or female, hold open a door you have just passed through for the person behind you.

#2 When out for dinner, the person who extended the invitation (regardless of gender) is responsible for paying the bill.

#3 A woman should excuse herself and apply lipstick in a private area such as a restroom and not on the table after a meal.

#4 It is good manners to wait until you have finished chewing and have swallowed your food before taking a sip of your beverage.

#5 The person who reaches the elevator first or is closest to the door, regardless of gender, enters or exits an elevator first.

#6 After an engagement, regardless of who calls off the relationship, the ring should be returned to the giver.

#7 When someone says something positive about you, don’t deny it. Instead, thank them for the compliment and enjoy their praise.

#8 When you are disconnected, the individual who initiated the call is responsible for calling back the other party.

#9 When you comb your locks and fix your coif, always check for stray hair that may have fallen. Wipe up fallen loose hair.

#10 Say please and thank you — to waiters, flight attendants, store clerks, cab drivers — the little things go a long way.

Sugar.