Serenity, History and Adventure

Remember when I mentioned how I lost all the pictures I took during my Easter trip? Praise Jesus, I was able to recover most of them!

I doubt I will ever forget how MUCH my sister insisted that I embarked on this trip. It involved a 'minor' financial sacrifice, but that all paved the way for a much better outcome in the end.

To be honest, work swamped me so much this week, my mind is so blank right now. So I will just give you the pleasure of viewing the moments (and monuments) I captured.

First Stop: Togo #Serenity

If you ever want to take some time out and relax and unwind on a very tight budget, give Togo a try.

Next Stop: Benin Republic #History

La Serpentine Modella

(For those who have no idea how I look like...nope, that's not me.)

Fun fact: Majority of the people of Ouidah, Benin Republic practice dual religion (for lack of a better term).

The first ever cathedral in West Africa is directly opposite the Temple of Pythons making it easy for them to shuffle between temples to worship both God and the pythons.

Yep. Crazy stuff.

Benin Republic was a bitter sweet experience. We had a tour guide take us to key history places with monuments and tell us about the history of their slavery and how much it affected them.

The Point of No Return- where slaves where shipped away into slavery, never to return to their land again. *sigh*

Last Stop: Ghana #Adventure!

Akwaaba...finally! I was so looking forward to this country because it was going to give me an opportunity to strike something off my bucket list *big grin* We had so many other fun experiences, but this by far was THE best of them all (and the food of course!)

Yep, that's right!

 Zip Liniiiiing!!! Woo-Hoo!

Daily Buffet Breakfast at the SunLodge Hotel. Yuh-Mmy!

So there you have it, until money enters our pocket to embark on another adventure...

The #rePlay Series: ePisode 10

Helloooo thou loyal ones! Behold, it's thy lucky month!

So, something fantastic happened to me this week and it could ONLY have been God that did it (the Dude keeps amazing me more than I deserve to be) And because I am in such a giddy mood, y'all are in for not one, not two, but THREE posts this month!

Can I hear an 'Amen'? 

*my handful of dedicated readers chorus* 'AMEN!!!'

Now let's get down to it shall we? 

This jam has been my lullaby for some days now. And it kinda surprised me cause I am not an avid fan of the singer. Reason not only being that I wish I could understand his lyrics, cause he frequently sings in Yoruba, but just...because. *shrug* I have never really been able to put a finger to it to be honest.

Yep. For those who might have guessed right, I am referring to Adekunle Gold.

I had heard this track in passing on the radio a couple of times and the chorus always stuck with me.
But, about three nights ago, I was in bed and had some little extra mobile data (that's a luxury in this part of the world, in case you didn't know) and decided to stream the latest hits on iTunes and this was one of the tracks on the playlist.

And then I listened to the first line - "I know you need a holiday. Let's go away for six months, twice in a year..."

Like, HELLO??? Yes pleaseeeee!!! Can someone just swoop me off my feet and take me around the world forever?

If you haven't, you should give it a listen here, even though I am probably the last Nigerian that connected with the song, seeing as everybody in this country appears to be crazy about his music.
But, oh well...perhaps I have jumped on that bandwagon, no?

SapioSexuality

Aloha ma amigos! (Yep. I'm a linguist now. Don't hate.)
It's been too loooong yo! But your girl is back (I've always been around anyway. Not like I took a sabbatical to travel around the world in search of my true purpose in life. I wish).
But I digress...

This post was initially supposed to be about my Easter trip to three West African countries, one of which I had never been to before - Ghana.
But as those technological enemies who don't want me to be great decided to cause my fingers to delete ALL the pictures I took during the trip from my phone, I had no other choice but to postpone the post till further notice.
I am steady working on retrieving those images as soon as I can (so help me God).

However, while I was having a conversation with a friend earlier today, we brushed a bit on the sapiosexual trait in well, both of us.
And then a light bulb went on in my head - "Oooh...that could be a perfect topic for my blog!"
So here we are.

For those who don't know, a sapiosexual is someone that is sexually and mentally turned on by smart people. In simpler terms- 'aroused by intelligence' (I like that definition better).

I have always been a sucker for tall, dark, good-looking, fit guys (who isn't?) But that is to me, just the icing on a cake.
Another friend of mine always says I am very picky (I do not disagree completely. I mean, everyone has a preference, no?). But the truth is, if I meet a guy who checks all the physical boxes but has nothing to offer on an intellectual level, all the fireworks turn to dust and I'm out. BuhBye!
Like, how can I enjoy a yummy looking slice of cake if all I can eat out of it is the icing and the cake itself is all bland and boring? Err...pass.

When I say 'intellectual level' I don't mean you have to have a vast knowledge in science and stocks or philosophy per say. I mean being witty and smart or intelligent (not necessarily in the 'I-am-a-first-class-graduate' bookworm type of way. Even though THAT could be a super hot add on. Yes, I'm weird, You should be used to that by now.) and also able to hold a conversation about any and everything.

Let's have deep conversations and bounce facts, ideas, opinions and views off each other. You could even teach me about the intricacies of soccer formations and I will tell you a thing or two about the lyrics of a rock song.
Say things to me that 'make my mind curl before my toes do.'

So go ahead,

*wink*

Dear Future Beau,

Are you taking notes? Cause you should.

1. Food is my krypronite. Even Mama-Put is a score cause it kinda shows how 'real' we can be with each other.
Like 'wrap-that-pounded-yam-up-in-our-palms-dunk-it-in-a-chunky-meaty-bowl-of-egusi-soup-swallow-then-wash-it-down-with-a-cold-bottle-of-water' realness.
Sigh. The good life.

But then, if you make the extra effort to wine-and-dine-me-fancy? Honey, now that's a winner.

2. You don't have to try so hard. For me, it's the 'little' things that count.
Like creating a playlist of my (our) favourite tracks, witty conversations, sending me flowers just because (nope, I won't get upset and ask you what I'm meant to do with them), evening walks, holding my hand while you drive, randomly sending me lunch at work (yep, food always finds it's way back to my list), coming by or sending me oddly funny messages to cheer me up, especially when I'm in a bad mood.

3. Communication cannot be overemphasized. It's always been and always will be key for me.
If you're going to be late, if you have to cancel, if you're upset with me, if you're feeling down, if you need some 'You Time', call me, text me, email me, DM me, WhatsApp me. Bottom line, just TELL me. That's all I ask.

4. Oh, sure I do love gifts and surprises too. Those are pretty much just extra chocolate chips on a delicious muffin.
But hey, if you insist, here's a list 😁
- Shoes

- Flowers (again, I won't sarcastically ask you if I'm meant to use them to cook soup.)
- Perfumes (If I could steal every perfume sample flap in every fashion magazine I so would.)
- Accessories (tarnish-free is my lowest limit and FYI, that's pretty affordable.)
- Shoes...again. (because, #BigFeetProblems) 

- Occasional 'unconventional' gifts (my interests are super weird)
and that's about it!

Easy peasy, I know.

PS: 'Complimentary' gifts will very much be appreciated too...if you get my drift 😉

5. Heads-up: I could be a Sensitive Sally some (most) times. So when I whine about say, some human that got on my nerves, in that moment, just 'agree' with every word I say (and I mean, every word) even if I'm wrong, and allow me to cool off.
Then much later (I'll say an hour 30 mins should do the trick), you can drink up the truth serum, be honest, and give it to me straight up. Scold me (lovingly) if you have to.
I promise I'll be so chill by then, I won't (mightn't) bite your head off.

6. I'm a private person, but I love public displays of affection. A kiss on my forehead, a peck on the cheek, bear hugs, tickles, cuddles...I'm all about that life, even though I could also be shy at the same time.
But when it gets overwhelming, I tend to want you to back up juuust a little bit, cause sometimes, a girl just needs her space.
I know right? So many ironies! Don't worry, you'll catch up.

7. Getting to meet your friends and family and those important to you means something - that you are proud to 'show me off' as I will be proud to do so with you too.

8. I love quality time. We could just stay indoors bingeing on movies and series with lots of nibbles (of course) and I'll be fine with that. Content, even.

9. Another heads-up: Your girl loves to plan hangouts way ahead of time - the venue, the entertainment, the means of transportation...except you decide to surprise me and take the reins, then that's an extra bonus point for you.

10. I've been 'sorting' myself out for as long as I can remember. So much so that it's become a part of me and I could appear a tad bit too independent, which sometimes shows up with how I handle my emotions.
I'm used to it. I like that I don't have to 'lean' on any man for support. But the fact is, I'm still human, I'm still a woman, and I do want to be helped sometimes...if not most times.
So when I get all tough and distant and act like I need no-one, don't just leave me be. Offer to support me. Offer to be there. Offer to carry my bags. Offer to open the door. Offer to let me cry on your shoulder. Offer, and then make the effort to actually do what you've offered.
Be THAT gentleman.
Chivalry might be dead, but it would be nice to know that it still is very much alive in you.

So there you have it. Go run with it...beau. (because I still can't stand the word 'bae').

xoxo,
Your Future Belle (Urgh. Why does that sound so corny?)

#rePlayLyrics MashUp: I Like That

The first time I heard this track, I thought it was all about sexuality and yada yada yada which, more often than not, makes me zone out on a song if that's where the lyrics tend towards.
But I liked the chorus, and that was pretty much all I looked forward to anytime the song came on. I mean, it's Janelle Monae guys.

But then, one random day, while it was playing, I realized the bridge had nothing to do with sex per say. So I got curious, googled the lyrics and BAM! I got addicted.
Apparently, it more or less sounds like the story of my life.

Excuse her French by the way, even though sometimes it's needed to pass a point across #JustSayin'

New Wha'? Who Dis?

I am at my desk at work (of course) and the Red Robot has come visiting...steady 'cramping' my style.
So yes, I am in a bit of a mood (beware), restless and bored shitless all at once. What better time to post on here? None!

To be completely honest, I have absolutely nothing to say...or rather type in this case (I'm sure you figured that out already).
It's a few days to Valentine's Day and there's nothing (or should I say 'no-one') new in my life (per say). Oh nawwww...this isn't a mopy 'Oh-My-God-I'm-So-Lonely-And-Valentineless' kinda post. Nuh uh. Trust me.

Right now, the only thing on my mind is my bed, my pillow and my sheets. And a week from today when I'll be off work for 48 hours.
Sigh. Feels like paradise already.

And that's about it. Thank you for allowing me lean on your shoulders for comfort.

Now back to the real world...urgh!

Blogiversary: Season 3 Finale

Oh wow. I have been at this for three years? Feels good to know I still have a tenacious bone in my body to have kept up with this 'project'. Again, all thanks to the sis for literally forcing me to begin.

Yes, I do agree that I have been in a bit of a writer's block type of situation for a couple of weeks now  (three months to be precise).

Urgh. Who am I kidding? Let me start off the year with honesty. I have been too LAZY to post for three months cause I was feeling like a bum for no exact reason. So I have got three months worth of content to post on here between today and the end of the month. Sigh.

I will kick that off with my 're-trip' to Dubai during the Christmas holidays. (A 're-trip' because the first time was NOT a vacation that I hoped nor planned for. Story for a whole other day, my friends.)

Seeing as I still do feel like a bum, I'll let the visuals do the talking...or in this case, the typing.

And of course, we start off with...FOOD. :)

Breakfast...Every. Single. Day.

Meet Sir Benedict. *licks lips*

On Christmas Day...

First serving...

Second serving...

And of course, dessert.

To cap it up, here's my first (and last) attempt at eating sushi. *tueh*

Yaaaay! Santa! :D

#ChristmasLunchAtTheMarriot

And the view from the top of the hotel?

Clear skies and elegant buildings.

Simply beautiful.

Refuel meal...cause the waka wey we waka ehn...

                                                                                                                                                                   

 

                                                                    

   I just HAD to get me some! 

#MidnightSnack 

On to the 'adventures' *rubs palms together*

First off, Dubai Parks and Resorts.

LEG(G)O!!! 

So darn creative! #TheLEGODubaiFountain

And a little souvenir :)

Next stop! #Motiongate

(Disclaimer: That wasn't me singing in the background. I promise)

OMG. This ride??? Let's just say I almost peed my pants. 

*sigh* I could live here FOREVER.

This was soooo much fun! I felt like such a kid! #KungFuPanda

The World's LARGEST indoor theme park??? Yes please! 

#IMGWorldsOfAdventure

Pictures cannot do justice to what we experienced in there. 

But this video should...

Yeup...we did THAT! #Thor

But of COURSE! #SplishSplash! :D

Unfortunately, we couldn't (or rather wouldn't) take pictures with our phones because even though they are water resistant, we still have trust issues. 

Dear Samsung and Apple, it's not you. It's us. Trust me.

Tourist mode...

The Infamous Ibn Battuta Mall 

All shades of magnificent #IBM

The Dubai tourist ritual. Cause you can't visit the Dubai Mall and not take a picture (or better still a video) of this work of art. 

#TheDubaiMallWaterfall

#TheDubaiCreekBoatCruise

All of the LIGHTS! #BurjKhalifa #CountdownToNewYear'sEve

Just relaaaax...

...and chill

Been a minute! 

 Happy feet :) 

#iLoveMeSomeWhiteNailPolish

The #ThreeMusketeers #TravelBuddies

In other newssss...

Who do we have here?! 

#FAMBAM! *wide grin*

#TheSister #TheBrotherInLaw and #TheNiblings came thruuuuu!!!!

That's pretty much it folks!

Next post coming up in...(to be honest, I have NO clue)