Essential Pre-Marriage Tests: The Nigerian-American Edition | Featured: Ada Ehi

Essential Pre-Marriage Tests: The Nigerian-American Edition | Featured: Ada Ehi

Regardless of where you are relationship-wise (single, double, dating, in a relationship, engaged), before you decide to tie the knot, there are serious issues to consider.  The way you resolve these issues might mean the difference between saying "I do" or "Deuces" to your partner.  Now, to resolve these "issues" people typically take tests.  To see what type of tests I have in mind, read on.

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NIGERIA

I noticed that in Nigeria, the following tests are emphasized not just for the sake of the couple, but also because they have to do with the health of their future children.  These tests include (in no particular order):

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BOOK RELEASE: Okechukwu Ofili's "How Laziness Saved My Life" + Bonus Giveaway (Blackberry, Kindle Fire, etc)

BOOK RELEASE: Okechukwu Ofili's "How Laziness Saved My Life" + Bonus Giveaway (Blackberry, Kindle Fire, etc)

*grabs mic and starts testing*

"Mic check, One, Two, One, Two! Hey, Is this thing even on?"

Don't worry, I was NOT about to sing a number.  Neither was Ofili.  Don't know who Ofili is?  Let me help you out:

Ofili is an award winning ninja, motivational speaker, author, success coach and

mind reader entrepreneur who blogs about life, success and entrepreneurial excellence [Source].

Ofili / Ofili Speaks

Now, Okechukwu Ofili's second book, "How Laziness Saved My Life" has been released officially.  If you did not read the first book (How Stupidity saved my life), here is your chance to mend your ways.  Grab a copy of this new book (details below) and your life will not be a weist.  Before I hand over the microphone to Ofili, I would like to direct your attention to three important details relating to this book release:

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ANNOUNCING: Winner of Ofili "Laziness" Book Giveaway + NEST Writing Competition

ANNOUNCING: Winner of Ofili "Laziness" Book Giveaway + NEST Writing Competition

First of all, I want to say a Big "Thank You" to every single person who participated and supported the May Giveaway of Ofili's 2nd book, How Laziness saved my life.  I will announce the June Giveaway and instructions next week, and I will be giving away 3 different items (Colander, soap dish, dust pan ... Just kidding!)  Stay tuned.

And now, let's see who the winner is.

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*drum roll, please*

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The Day After Tomorrow - STOP Procrastinating | Featured Artiste: Olufunmi

The Day After Tomorrow - STOP Procrastinating | Featured Artiste: Olufunmi

One question you should never stop asking yourself is this: What do I want to be when I grow up? You thought writing a whole composition (essay) to answer this question in primary school was the end? Oh no, Chuks! I am assuming that if you are reading this, you no longer watch Sesame Street (at least, not as much as you used to) and you know Santa Claus does not exist.  The issue here though is not the 'growing up' part.  It's the "What I want to be" part that I want to focus on today.

Regardless of where you are today, you can take that one step towards fulfilling your dreams.  Granted, you will need to take more than one step, but that first step is the most crucial.  The problem is that many of us keep sitting down, waiting and hoping for a sign from heaven, waiting for all the ducks to line up in a row, waiting for the perfect timing, before we take that step.

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Unfortunately, time waits for no man.  While you were busy giving excuses as to why you should not do that "thing" right now (e.g. start writing that book, write that song, learn that sport, start cloning racoons) others got up, did it, and now you're admiring their work on Facebook and wondering how they became so skilled overnight.  The answer is staring you in the face: they took the first important step.  And they kept working towards their goals.  You nko? What are you waiting for?

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TAGGED: 11 Questions for Relentless

TAGGED: 11 Questions for Relentless

I was tagged by two lovely bloggers: Okeoghene and Toinlicious.  Thank you ladies! I troway salute.  Oh, sorry, I meant to say "Thank you ma'am" to each of you, and then curtsie *smiles*

*Rubbing hands together* Let's get started, shall we?

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First off, here are the Rules:

1.  Post rules
2.  Post 11 random things about yourself
3.  Answer questions posted by the person who tagged you
4.  Create 11 questions and tag 11 people to answer your questions
5.  Notify those tagged of the game
6.  Notify the person who tagged you after you have answered the questions
7.  No tag backs

# 1 is out of the way.  Now, on to the others.

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GIVEAWAY: Ofili's second book - How Laziness Saved My Life

GIVEAWAY: Ofili's second book - How Laziness Saved My Life

Thank you ALL so much for all the congratulatory messages on the move to "our" new address. I truly appreciate it.  May God make you bigger? Yes, may God make you bigger! Make yourself right at home. No, you cannot put your feet up on the coffee table *glares at offending visitor*

As promised, today I am giving away Okechukwu Ofili's second (and latest) book, "How Laziness Saved My Life." Just in case you do not know who Ofili is, here is some brief information on him in his own words: "Ofili is an award winning coffee drinker motivational speaker, author, success coach and spy entrepreneur who blogs about life, success and entrepreneurial excellence." [Source] His words, not mine. Yes, even the words with the strike through across them are his words. The word "Source" is not.

[Image Source: Ofili Speaks]

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Guess what? We have moved to TheRelentlessBuilder.com

Guess what? We have moved to TheRelentlessBuilder.com

It is indeed true! What you heard by the water cooler, from the grapevine, and while fetching water in the stream with your calabash, is quite true. We (Me, myself and I) have moved to a new address: www.therelentlessbuilder.com.

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Even if you visit the old address, it should automatically redirect you to this new one.  If you are having trouble at all with this new address, please send me an e-mail at Relentless@therelentlessbuilder.com (A mouthful, I know!)

I actually wanted to have a housewarming parry (for my mind sha) for these reasons:

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Big Grammar and the Mis-Educated Nigerian | Featured Artiste: Olufunmi

Big Grammar and the Mis-Educated Nigerian | Featured Artiste: Olufunmi

When people do comedy skits of educated people in Nigeria, especially if the subject of the joke is a lawyer (or aspiring lawyer), the comedians usually feature the said subject mis-using big words.  Unfortunately, this is not limited to skits;  it plays out very often in real life.  During my short stint at UNILAG, it irritated me to no end to see my fellow classmates on the "wig-and-gown" track using big big grammar to make points they could make just as easily with simple words.  But, are they to blame? 

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No speaking of vernacular in my class | Featured Artiste: Jimmy D Psalmist

No speaking of vernacular in my class | Featured Artiste: Jimmy D Psalmist

Ver.nac.u.lar (noun) - using a language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language (Source).

That was one of the definitions I got from Merriam-Webster. However, 'vernacular' as I remember that term used in Nigeria referred to speaking any other language apart from English.  That included Pidgin English and every other Nigerian language.  And it was banned in some schools altogether.  Not that I cared to speak anything other than English in class, but the freedom of choice was what I questioned.  I don't recall having teachers explicitly give standing orders on this in my school.  But then, I attended a Federal Government Girls College, so maybe it was not an issue.  However, for students who attended Public schools, a.k.a Jakande schools, like we used to call them, it was an issue.

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Speaking vernacular in class was taken seriously and enforced accordingly.  The class captain for each class, had among his or her duties, to look out for students who inadvertently made the mistake of speaking vernacular in class.  The unfortunate student's name was written down by the class captain and promptly reported to the teacher for swift punishment.

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