Authenticity and purpose
I had a nightmare last night. In it, strong hands were around my slim neck. A hard slap caused my teeth to break the skin of my inner right cheek. A forceful shove and I was face down kissing the earth. Except when I now put a hand on my face, I know it wasn’t … Continue reading My whole world
‘Ha!’, Nkoli exclaims and scratches her scalp under her newly installed weave covered protectively in a large bonnet. Her thick thighs open and close rapidly to the beat of her racing heart. She’s seated on the edge of her bed facing the closed door. She’s waiting. She’s been waiting for the knob of the door … Continue reading Over a pot of stew
On January 28, 2021, I got the Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) laser eye surgery. A year later, I look back with ZERO regrets that I went ahead with the procedure. For a bit of fun facts, my previous PRK post was posted online on April 7, 2021. On April 17, 2021, I found out I was … Continue reading Update: One year after PRK laser eye surgery
It was the year 2003. The 14 year old me waited impatiently to hear the closing bell and head to Mr. Biggs, a then-famous-Nigerian restaurant, with my friend to buy what had become our favourite pastry. At the sound of the bell, we began the 12 minutes trek from our school to Mr. Biggs. As … Continue reading Always so close
starting over in your 30s and 40s. It is okay to begin again and again and AGAIN. empathizing with the many women and men dealing with fertility issues. Learn to read the room and not hurt people with prying questions and unsolicited comments. denouncing and destroying the societal burden on women to make marriages work … Continue reading Let’s normalize…
There are many reasons why I chose to begin exercising. Aside the pleasing aesthetics of sculpted muscles (to some) and the evident health benefits of a fit lifestyle, in 2018 when I first started, it was mostly important for me to see what my once underweight, skinny and frail body was capable of. I was … Continue reading Strength
I just finished watching the Netflix documentary titled 'Skin' by Beverly Naya, a fellow female Nigerian. Aside from the nostalgia I now sorely feel viewing parts of my home country on screen, this documentary is a harsh reminder of the colourism that exists in Nigeria (I can't speak for every African country). Luckily, I never … Continue reading Beautiful, black skin
Daily, we are bombarded with lots of imagery via social media platforms. This new-age of sharing is so different from what I, personally, am used to. More than ever before, you are somewhat granted access to people you'd not ordinarily meet. With such access comes a lot of advantages and also a lot of disadvantages. More … Continue reading Weigh your words
My mom claims she knew I'd be born with a lot of hair because throughout her 2nd and 3rd trimester, her belly button and the area around it hurt. A few hours after my birth, my father ran off to market to get an Afro comb for new born me. Hair I do have. Lots … Continue reading Hair!
I can't remember the first book I read but I remember how it felt...oh what a thrill it was! Thankfully, I have parents that invested in my childhood interests. They bought me many books, made available pen and paper and at the age of 12, bought me a manual typewriter to encourage my love of … Continue reading Living severally
It's Fifi 