Open Letter to Jacqueline

Dear Jacquie,

But why?

Why did you make me smile so much, my face still hurts?  I mean, there I was minding my own business, I’d just given myself a mini-pedicure. I was admiring my handwork when I thought to check my email.

Then I saw it.  You’d nominated me for the World Bloggers Award, my very first of these sort of things. I was so delighted. I mean, wasn’t it enough that you’d won over my senses and sensibilities with your remarkable blog, but to go ahead and also do this sweet thing… Honestly, really?

Thank you so much. 😀

Sisterhood

The rules of the award are:

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site;
  2. Put the award logo on your blog;
  3. Answer the ten questions sent to you;
  4. Nominate five blogs;
  5. Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer.

So, here are my answers to Jacqueline’s questions:

1) Are you a shopper or a penny pincher?

A little of both, I suppose.  I enjoy the thrill of shopping especially when there’s a big red SALE sign, but I’ve learned to curb my enthusiasm when faced with bright and shiny things by using the Need vs. Want test.

2) Do you have any hidden talents?

Yes, I can spot a clever pun from a mile off. Surely, that’s a talent!

3) Do you dream often?

Yes, I do.  There’s quite a bit that I want to achieve, the mental images leave me content for the time being.

4) Do you think romance books and fairy tales influence our choice of a partner?

I believe that one’s perception of an ideal partner will evolve as they grow older. I read Mills and Boons novels during my teenage years.  Now that I’m older, I know the reality is that not all good men are TDH (Tall, Dark and Handsome). 😉

5) Are you an emotional person?

Yes, I am the sort of person who’ll weep at the end of a good book. I reluctantly admit that I am a Melancholic. The nice side-effect is that most melancholics are creative people.  I suppose there has to be a positive outlet for all those bubbling emotions or else we’d simply erupt from holding it all in!

6) Are there any causes that you strongly believe in?

Yes two, a cause for Kindness, the smallest thoughtful gesture can go a long way, and a cause for the DIY ethic, as it encourages self-sufficiency and inspires an entrepreneurial spirit.

7) How are you feeling right now?

I am feeling rather full, I had a hearty brunch.

8) How do you make decisions?

I am an over-thinker; I write down the alternatives and weigh them carefully. The process can be sometimes painful.  I don’t always take advice when it comes to making decisions, even if I seek it, I already know what I am going to do.

But when it comes to lipstick, Ah! I’d need to read review after review, complete with swatches and pictorials before purchasing. There’s nothing crappier than lipstick that you hate 5 minutes after purchasing.

9) What is your secret desire?

The lyrics of Beyonce Knowles “I was here” perfectly describes this.

♫ I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time

Know there was something that meant something that I left behind

When I leave this world, I’ll leave no regrets

Leave something to remember, so they wont forget

♫ I was here

I lived, I loved

I was here

I did, I’ve done everything that I wanted

And it was more that I thought it would be

I will leave my mark so everyone knows

I was here ♫

10) In a short prose, describe your town.

My town is the city of hurried hustlers, really if one can survive in Lagos, they can survive anywhere. Every inch throbs with the rhythm of survival. The energy is quite infectious really, you’ll catch it like a bad cold, if you have both a mission and vision.

Oh! please forget about whether it’s a stick shift or automatic, that doesn’t count as far as Lagos driving is concerned.  The Lagos driver’s anthem is a mindful “Think for both yourself and the other drivers”. The fine art of two-way thinking.

Ah! Kindly show me a car that hasn’t been given the danfo bus or okada bike tattoo, and 9 out of 10 times, it’s a ridiculously expensive car (If I lie, make I baff nekkid).

I still remember a rather funny sight.  One evening, while drive-crawling in peak hour traffic, I looked to my right and saw a really expensive car, very much like a “white-gold yacht on wheels”, honestly, there are no other words to describe the spectacle as I watched it glide slowly along the road.

The driver of the danfo bus moving directly behind the car, gave it a very wide berth, a space almost enough to accommodate another car, it almost seemed like a funeral procession.  I chuckled; who could blame him? All the dobale-ing (prostrating) in the world would not compensate for the damage if he’d hit the car.

I like to think that Lagosians sometimes look out for each other, but some conceal their ulterior motives beneath the veil of help.  Just the other day, someone’s bumper carelessly kissed my bumper and I came down to scold him.

I honestly do not know how the small crowd appeared from nowhere, not unlike soldier ants migrating to grains of sugar. It’s almost as though they had a sixth sense for Confrontation, like they sniffed it brewing and it pulled them like a magnetic force.

Unsolicited, they started apologizing to me on his behalf.  One wiped the scratch on my car with his handkerchief, another pushed the slightly dislodged bumper back into place.  The young man actually had the grace to smile sheepishly at me.

Case closed, it was simply another day in Lagos.

Likewise, I nominate:

Lively twist– Timi, the way you twist words with careful pizzazz is really something. You inspire me to improve my prose.

Real Yvonne– You write from the heart, so refreshingly honest. You remind me to perfect the art of living my best life.

Sew loveable– Timeka, you are sew sew sweet, I love your passion for crafting.

Tendrils: Uju, you are delightfully witty, and remind me to always see the funny side.

Sharon Salu: You are a master storyteller; and inspire me to dream with words.

These are my questions for you, do follow the rules listed above:

  1. Complete this sentence, “A beautiful day is….”
  2. What are your favourite books?
  3. What are your thoughts on “New Book Smell”?
  4. How would you describe Grief?
  5. How would you describe Happiness?
  6. Why do you write?
  7. What song can be described as the official soundtrack of your childhood?
  8. Wallpaper or paint?
  9. What’s your favourite quote?
  10. How would you Caption this mental picture?  Imagine a bride on her wedding day sitting before her mirrored dressing table, adjusting her white veil. There’s a framed photograph of her late father at the corner of the table.

I look forward to reading your answers. 🙂

Warm regards,

Sign

38 comments

  1. Pingback: ….Colour Me Happy – crownmusings

  2. How lovely of J to put you forward for this award! And it was great to learn more about you, and keep on being a dreamer. Ps haha! about your M&B reference, its interesting how this was ingrained into our culture growing up back home back in the day…do those books even exist now???!! Anyhoo, have a lovely wkend! x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hey Biki,

      Awww, thank you so much for reading.

      I actually saw some M&B and Harlequin romance books in a store recently, I laughed quietly to myself when I remembered the fantastical depictions of man & woman relationships in those books. XD

      Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

      Like

      Reply

  6. Wow! I didn’t see this coming! How did you know I loved surprises? Thank you so much for this, Nedoux. Master Storyteller? You’re too much jo! Ori mi wu o, don’t lagimo though. 😉

    Your prose was packed full with imagery and so much deliciousness. Where do I start from? Okay a few faves:

    Hurried hustlers
    Throbs with the rhythm of survival
    Okada bike tattoo
    Drive crawling
    Carelessly kissed (your) bumper —-> My personal fave

    The way you weave words …. it’s a gift o. I was going to suggest writing a book but then I remembered what you said about already knowing what you’re going to do. I just hope it’s on your list sha. *fingers crossed*

    Yes, I go through the same review process for major purchases especially electronics. Why fall into a pit when others have done the analysis for you?

    I think one’s perception of an ideal partner changes because as one grows older, one understands oneself better. Aren’t there too many “ones” in this one paragraph? 😁

    Thanks again for nominating me. I really truly appreciate it. 😆

    P.S. OMg at baffing nekkid! Ah,you have taught me something new today!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hey Sharon,

      You are most welcome, you really deserve it. I sincerely appreciate what you do and how you do it so well. You truly inspire me.

      Lol @ “Why fall into a pit when others have done the analysis for you?” I agree with you. I actually imagined myself in a pit filled with unloved lipsticks XD

      Have a great week!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. I’m officially in awe of you and your writing. You made me laugh till I had tears in my eyes. Please do more of these types of posts, and please write a book on your Lagos experiences!!!!! I’ll be the first in line to purchase when you do.

    Also, you sound so much like me with the melancholic spirit, emotional tendencies, your views on entrepreneurship and self sufficiency, etc etc. I feel like I’ve found my soul sister!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hello my dear soul sister,

      Now I have a tooth-ache, and it’s all your fault. Your comment was so sweet 😀

      Thank you so much! It’s one thing to write, and it’s another thing to find an audience that appreciates what you’ve written.

      Ah! the Lagos experience is a bottomless pit of humorous stories. I’ll do my best to add snippets in new posts.

      I agree with you. From reading your blog, I can tell that we have a lot in common, it’s nice when you meet someone who actually gets you 🙂

      Have a brilliant weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. You sure have your ways with words and very funny too…Wow! Congratulations!!!!

    By the way I also nominated you for the
    Versatile Blogger Award, please do
    check it up on my blog: modhancrochet.blogspot.com

    Thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Dearest Nedoux,

    Oh dear! Oh dear ! My dearest friend, I only came to read your latest article. And to also have a look at your latest creation/design – but saw a nomination of my blog at the end of your post! Okay, let’s start again since I don’t want to be the “Kanye West” of award ceremony!

    Dear Nedoux,

    Congratulations on your award. You deserve it. As I read your answers to the questions posed to you, I smiled because you are authentic. This shows in your answers and the comments you leave at the end of my articles.

    I am very picky about the blogs I visit but I find myself drawn to yours. It is refreshing, I love fashion, it is different and I like your realness. Thank you.

    And thank you for supporting and nominating me.

    Yvonne x

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. My dear Yvonne,

      You are most welcome.

      “Kanye West of award ceremony” cracked me up XD. I am sincerely grateful for your kind and sweet words.

      You know I love your blog and your beautiful personality. Thank you for doing what you do, and for doing it the way that you do it.

      Like

      Reply

  13. Hi Nedoux!
    1) Thank you for the nomination. And I promise to do a post on it soon.
    2) Congratulations! I was so giddy when I got the Liebster award. How do you feel?
    3) Really nice questions. I look forward to answering them.
    👍 up. Once again, congratulations.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Uju,

      Thank you, I look forward to reading your response.

      Ah, giddy best describes how I felt, I suppose I should add mushy. And I might have hopped on one foot 😀

      Have a lovely weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hello Jacqueline,

      What a yummy thing to say! Thank you.

      Well, every sweet person should be entitled to a sweet tooth, it should be the natural order of things 😀

      Have a lovely weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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