Mon Petite Niche: Virtual Town Crier

Google Valentine's Day Doodle

2012-02-13T22:01:00.000-08:00

I love Google's doodles...they are always so cute and creative! Can you imagine working in their doodle department? always trying to come up with creative ways to celebrate the significance of every single day of the year...and also the doodles are unique to geographical regions and countries since every country has its own special holidays...I feel it my civic duty to share this with those of you who have never been adventurous enough to click on the images above the Google search bar....you are missing out!

Google 2012Valentine's Day Doodles

2009

2008

2001

2004

and many more HERE

ZAMBIA: 2012 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS CHAMPIONS!

2012-02-13T21:33:00.000-08:00

The Chipolopolo have done it! Even though I was rooting for Ivory Coast, I have to give credit where its due. Haven followed the tournament from the very first game, I was very impressed with the Zambia Team.

This victory is very significant not just for people who love football but for the entire country and am sure also for the people of Gabon. They say God's time is the best and I believe it in this case. This was the perfect time, year and opportunity for the Zambia team to honor the lives of all the 30 players and game officials lost in the 1993 tragedy in Libreville . I do not believe in coincidences. For Zambia to win in the same country, city, and in this tournament is nothing short of a miracle.
In the above pictures, the 2012 Zambia team pay respects to the 1993 fallen players

Nevertheless, the above observation is not meant to disregard or ignore their handwork and efforts as a team. Compared to other teams represented in the tournament such as Ghana and Ivory Coast, the Zambian players are all members of their nation's local football clubs. None of them belong to major league football clubs in Europe such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U (who i hate with a passion ^_^), Manchester City and etc. Therefor, they were not the favourite to win. Ironically, Ghana whom I was looking forward to seeing in the finals had a very disappointing overall performance. I hope they don't intend to mimic the bad behaviors that kept the Cameroon, South African,Nigerian and Egyptian teams from qualifying in this tournament.

Drogba misses PK. Original pic from Here

I also most applaud all the teams for their overall good sportsmanship behavior, especially the final match between Zambia and Ivory Coast. To see them both show signs of brotherly affection even during a competition was very refreshing.

And finally, I liked the idea of having Gabon and Guinea co-host the Tournament. I think they did an amazing job as host from all the pictures i have seen online about the whole event. Here is a YouTube video of what I believe is a cultural ceremony to welcome all the teams and fans to the tournament.

So now that they have conquered the African continent...I look forward to seeing them and the others in...

Dr. Gabriel Kengn

2012-02-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

Dr. Gabriel Kengn is a Cameroonian educator from Maryland who was one of the 12 National Board Certified Educators invited to the White House.You can read more about it in English HERE or en francaise ICI...

Picture from Bulletin MCPS..He is the 3rd from the left..lol well the only black man in this picture.

This come in light as Obama continues his election promoting the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND and RACE TO THE TOP projects.

Felicitation monsieur

Child Trafficking: The case of Vanessa Tchatchou

2012-02-11T14:53:00.001-08:00

Child and human trafficking in Africa has taking a turn for the worst as some people are willing to do anything to leave the continent. I remember watching the news in 2010 about a New Jersey man from Togo who enslaved 25 girls to work 24/7 in his beauty salons as braiders. These girls had been entrusted to him by their parents and relatives with promises of a better life in America.

Today not only are the desperate preyed upon but the new trend is the theft of babies from hospitals!

Vanessa Tchatchou is a 17yrs old girl who gave birth to a baby in a public Hospital(Ngousso) in Yaounde’, Cameroon. The date of birth was August 11th 2011. However, Vanessa has yet to lay eyes on her baby. According to news report, she has been camped out in her hospital room, waiting for the hospital staff to bring her baby! The Cameroon police and government has not been helpful in launching an investigation in regards to her allegations. Apparently this is not the first time a newborn child birthed by a homeless mother has gone missing in Cameroon's hospitals!. The conspiracy theory circulating around is that these hospitals have become the new breeding ground for child/baby trafficking.

Who will listen and sympathize with a homeless woman over the words of respectable hospital staffs?

Its been more than 6 months and Now the Cameroon government has announced that the baby in question is dead?!!Read more about it HERE in french…

As far as my research has been able to find out..dead or alive, no “body” has been reproduce as being Vanessa's baby.

Listen to Vanessa’s message in the Video Below. It is is FRENCH

To help Vanessa financially so she can hire and launch a proper investigation on the disappearance of her baby, please contact:

PLACE JEAN LORRAIN 75016 PARIS, METRO 9 MICHEL-ANGE AUTEUIL 10 H

TELEPHONE DU COLLECTIF POUR VANESSA: + 337 51 25 83 97

Also Radio Cameroon’s Voice’s perspective on the issue and aninterview from Vanessa’s mum.

Nigerian Minister Disgraced in New York

2012-02-09T00:02:00.000-08:00

I wish as a country, as a people. Cameroonians where as mad* and had the guts of Nigerians...we are more laid back and compliant

The highlight for me was when they started singing the soccer chant "ole ole ole ole"...wtf? LMAO

Then someone starts singing..."We shall over come" and someone replies " We are not over coming anything today!"

Mon dieu. C'est n'importe quoi!

This Video made my night.

God Save Us

U.S.A Cameroon Embassy Eviction Notice

2012-02-08T23:31:00.000-08:00

According to Fox News, Harvard who is the landlord of the Cameroon Embassy wants them evicted because they have an outstanding balance in over due rent.

You can read more about this debacle HERE

This I believe is the embassy on "embassy quatier" in DC

This is the one they've been renting from Harvard while the other is supposedly other timeless construction and renovation.

What an embarrassment. Its bad enough Cameroon's government leaders are squandering off the state's money and enabling their families to enjoy lavish lifestyles all over Europe. But to be so greedy as not to care about the state of their embassies abroad? Come on now. I've had the pleasure of meeting the ambassador. B C Foe Atangana on more than one occasion. He seems to be a reasonable diplomat. I wonder what the break down in communication is. Perhaps language? Seeing as most Cameroon government officials are francophones who don't speak a lick of English and we are suppose to be a Bilingual country. I can't even remember the last time President Biya gave a speech in English if nothing more but to show solidarity with the Anglo-Cameroonians. Are they unaware of this debt or just turning a blind eye to it.. or as as usual, have squandered the money originally allocated to take care of this bill?

Bienvenue monsieur et mademoiselle, to doing business with irresponsible Africans. LOL.C'est pire qu'un cauchemar

Artiste: Irman

2012-02-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

I came across this artist on a late night prowl on Google + and immediately fell in love with this soft spoken native of Yaounde, Cameroon. She was discovered through YouTube and her music is now well known in Europe. She is another example of the mantra...don't sit down and wait for things to happen in your life...CHASE-WALK-RUN-CRAWL after your dreams and they will come to life if you put in the effort. She was able to jump start her music career with funds donated by her fans and people who believed in her music. I never get tired of reading these types of success stories. They are my inspirations to never give up. Not everyone grows up with opportunities served on a golden platter and some of us have to create those opportunities for ourselves.

Regardless of the circumstances of your birth, you get to decide how you want the story of your life to end.

Mount Cameroon Activity

2012-02-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

The Cameroon state radio announced that Mount Cameroon had a small explosion in which 2 guides where injured on Monday Feb 6th 2012.
I remember a school excursion to the Mountain in 1999 after its last massive explosion. My boarding school is in Limbe, a town not far from Buea where the mountain resides. We went a couple of days after the incident. To see the lava still flowing down was kinda cool but at the same time the destruction left behind was very painful to watch. I hope there isn't another volcanic explosion in the near future...

Between this active volcano and the Lake Nyos disaster which emitted poisonous gas that killed 1,746 people we have a lot to deal with from a geological standpoint.

Mt Cameroon April 1999

Show me the CFAs

2012-02-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

I have read numerous reports on this issue and still no one seems to be able to answer my question.

Where is the money seized from African dictators by the west?

-The cars

-hundreds of Bank Accounts with money all over Europe frozen

- The mansions…

At some point I believe all these asserts have to be converted into liquids be it through auctions and what not…

BUT

WHAT ORGANISATION/PROGRAM ensures that these MONNIES make it back to the coffers of the countries from which the corrupt dictators stole? There seem to be no transparency and as far as I am concern. French politicians are a bunch of thieves..kettles calling the pot black. They enable and allowed these presidents to put money in their bank systems and now seize them in the name of what? preventing corruption? gimme a break.

what a bunch of B.S

FRANÇAIS CONTRE CHINOIS

2012-02-07T01:27:00.000-08:00

This video is from CAMER.B and its about the Chinese presence in Cameroon. I was left with very mixed feelings at the end of the video. However, after over 30 years of France's influence in Cameroon, there is nothing to show in terms of how Cameroon benefited from that union. France has done nothing but reap us of raw and valuable resources to fuel their own economies while leaving us in ruins. But I cant blame them alone for this, our failed leaders did not protect the interest of its citizens during that marriage.

Nothing is free when it comes to business, economics and politics. Yes, we may complain about the Chinese presence in Africa but in the short time they have been here, we have seen the construction of roads, hospitals and other infrastructures that those other WOLVES IN SHEEP clothing, feigning their intention to HELP have been unable to accomplish. Why have the chinese succeeded where others seems to have voluntary failed?

In the video they say in a couple of years there will be no french Europeans in Cameroon anymore. Well good riddance! Its not like they contributed anything of value to us. For now i second the marriage between Cameroon and China...whether is it a fair union or not..at least we see both parties getting something out of it...FOR NOW....However our government should have protocols in place for the slow transition over time of the Chinese out of the country at the end of this marriage...

I said i concur with the marriage, no one said anything about till death do us part...besides we will just be keeping up with the trend of the state of the sanctity of marriage in the world right now. According to the entertainment industry the best time to divorce a famous athlete/actor and etc is 10 years after the marriage. At the speed with which they are moving...i cant begin to imagine what the Chinese would accomplish in Africa in terms of real estates and development..if these union continues to be a peaceful one

The Year of The African Engineers

2012-02-06T19:34:00.001-08:00

All the rumors and gossips about the trans-sahara rail road project in Cameroon are finally coming to life with press releases of construction plans by the Ministry of Economics Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi

Africa Review writes that Cameroon is finally getting involved with the project with a plan to create about 600,000 jobs! to handle the $30 billion rail project!
All my Cameroonian engineering graduates and etc abroad and…..If there was ever a better time to find yourself a job in Cameroon, this is the time! Please go home and get these contracts!
The trans-Sahara rail road project plans to connect Nigeria, Cameroon, Angola, Chad, DRC, Afrique Centrale, Guinea Ecuatorial and Gabon. According to Africa Review, the Economic Minister of Cameroon predicts the project’s time frame to be 2012-2020. If you look at the map above, Cameroon is one of the major connecting points with 4 different highways going through the Far-North, South, East and West provinces. This is a great economic opportunity for the country. With all our geographical advantage as a country we should have been a more successful economic force in Africa than what we are today. President Biya, this is your legacy. A failed economic system because not just are the leaders corrupt and greedy but the government does nothing to support private business who are trying to stimulate the economy
With the balant display of corruption across Africa by its elected and not so elected leaders…I pray and hope to God that for ONCE in their life time, they put the interest of all Africans across all borders and spend the money on this rail road project! If anything…this is their chance to have 1 positive legacy of their presidency!
2020…Hmmm will I live to see this train dream become a reality? will I, in 2030 when am 45 years old …be able to catch a train from Yaoundé my home town in Cameroon to Tripoli in Libya with my children, to show them and tell them about the rise and fall of one of Africa’s most controversial leaders Muhammad Muammar Gaddafi?

May the almighty God and the spirits of our ancestors help us.

Musique de jour: Né gros et Beau

2012-02-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

Cameroon artist Idy Oulo sings about being neither big nor handsome :). This is actually an old song from his first album in 2007. He also has a YouTube account where you can hear more of his songs and public appearances. And he also has a myspace account: idyoulomana where you can download some of his sings.

Here is an except from his official website: http://www.idyoulo.com/

....IDY OULO (Mana Ibrahima Idrissou de son vrai nom) est né vers 1977, au sein des ethnies Falie et Peule, à Mayo-Oulo, au nord du Cameroun.

Rien ne le prédestinait à devenir musicien. C’est en découvrant les rythmes traditionnels de la savane joués par les griots et bergers de son village, qu’Idy Oulo a compris quelle était sa vocation. Son père, employé de la société cotonnière de la région, ne le voyait pourtant pas de cet oeil. Il imaginait pour son fils une destinée un peu moins artistique. C’est sa mère qui lui a permis d’entretenir ses rêves. Lorsqu’il l’accompagnait dans les mariages ou les baptêmes, il n’entendait que la musique.

Et, c’est chez sa grand-mère, dans un village très reculé, qu’il touchera pour la première fois un instrument : la Garaya (sorte de Ngoni à deux cordes). De retour chez ses parents, il ne fera plus machine arrière et fabriquera, avec des morceaux de bois et des câbles de frein recyclés, sa première guitare.

La suite de son histoire est une succession progressive de succès à force de convictions et d’acharnement ...."

And here is a link to his downloadable music on Myspace....I have to say I love the whole playlist. I played it while working on this post. And my favourite songs on it are "Afriki mon afrique larmoyante", " La Heine religieuses wagnaWa" and ofcourse the one listed above "Né gros et Beau"

Cameroon 2012 Youth Week Feb 7–11

2012-02-06T11:19:00.001-08:00

In celebration of Cameroon’s Youth week, Harambe-Cameroon & TV237 ( Logo designed by Jean Luc Nta) have come up with a concept called “Am I doing Something”?
The purpose of this concept is to engage young Cameroonians to ask themselves if and how they are contributing to the development of our country be it in the private or public sectors. I think it is a great idea and a medium for people to talk about the different opportunities available for those who want to be engaged with the Cameroon community. One of the reasons I started this blog was to serve as a mouth piece for all the different organizations out there who’s purpose is to promote, educate and help develop Cameroon. It is important that their stories are told and celebrated so others can be inspired to join the movement and keep passing on the baton of progress.

Are you Doing Something? Do you know of someone Doing something?
Send them an email! ( IamDoingSomething2012@gmail.com ) your 3-minutes-video, before February 8th, 2012. Tell us (Who, Where, Why, How, & What) you are doing for Cameroon. This will be showcased on Youtube, Podcast, and on National medias.

Some notable under 30 Cameroonians who have been asked to participate in this project include;

Hervie Djia , Creator of Mobile Application
Bruce Tabeth, Executtive Secretary of United to Develop Africa
Jean Paul Brice Affana, Coordinator at Rio+20 Global Youth Music Contest, Environment world-reknown expert and pundit
Leslie Tita , Co-founder UsePulse, Revolutionizing Education in Cameroon
Laura Eboa Songue - Co-Founder & Managing Director at FASHIZBLACK
Sophy Aiida - Actress, Entertainer
Tito Valery - young Cameroonian, entertainer and Journalist on STV
Stephanie E Mbida - the young Cameroonian Prodigy who has written to 25 world heads of states
Luc Mbah A Moute - young Cameroonian world-reknown Basket baller
Tony Smith - young Cameroonian, creator of the first Cameroonian Tablette - Limitless
You can read more about this concept and watch some of the video responses viewed on their Facebook page: Am I doing Something

Book Signing Event in Dallas - Texas

2012-02-06T10:13:00.001-08:00

The Cameroon Professional Society is proud to announced a book signing event for the release of Dr. Martin Ayong Ayim’s new book titled “Communicable Diseases for Schools and Community Health Promotion”
Date and Time of the event : February 19, 2012, 5:00 pm Sunday
Location:- Aggies African Restaurant
9205 Skillman Street.#134.
Dallas, Texas 75243
Phone:(214)-221-7476
If you are going to be in Dallas during that time. please stop by and participate in this community discuss about public health care. You can also read more about this event and others at the Cameroon Professional Society’s website.
About the Author

Martin Ayong Ayim Ph.D., MPH, MCHES endowed Professor of Health Education (Dr. Eddie Robinson Snr Foundation) Grambling State University, Louisiana.
Martin Ayong Ayim, was born in Ngwenjin village in the Azem Clan of Widikum in Cameroon. He studied at Federal Bilingual Grammar School Yaounde and Nursing School Bamenda. He was admitted into Indiana University Bloomington in 1984 where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health Administration in 1987, and a Masters of Public Health with emphasis in Community Health Education in 1989. Thereafter, he was admitted into Texas A & M University for the doctoral program where he graduated in 1993 with a Ph. D. in Health education. He is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) in the USA.
About the Book
Infectious diseases account for about 17 million of the 52 million deaths per year in the world (WHO, 1996,). From the average yearly total of 11 million deaths among children under age 5 in developing countries, about 9 million are attributed to infectious diseases. Most of these deaths, if not all, can be prevented through immunization programs and health education about the modes of transmission, and methods of prevention and control. I have written this book out of total motivation and challenge, that I had as a Student Nurse on Community rotation in Bamenda, Cameroon. The challenge was that, during a health talk in Bambui community in 1979, the villagers believed firmly that intestinal parasites (worms) were part of the human body and that humans cannot survive without worms. I took this as a personal challenge to pursue education to be a professional health educator and to do something about the prevention of communicable diseases.
This textbook, "Communicable Diseases for School and Community Health Promotion", is a dream come true, and focuses on both school and community and is intended to provide health students and professionals, especially health educators and epidemiologists the necessary information to be able to educate people about the transmission and control of infectious diseases….
For more information about this book send all inquiries to Ayimm@gram.edu or contact the Author at (318)-344-8955. You can also purchase the book at Amazon.com or at Barnes & Noble book store.

PSA of the day: When a Man Loves a Woman

2012-02-05T18:33:00.000-08:00

I needed some extra strength to get through my relationship crisis especially with valentine's day looming around the corner. After searching online for words of wisdom, encouragement and perseverance, I came across these words. I have read this somewhere else before and may have even posted part of it on my blog. Nevertheless, today, I needed to Read this and remind myself that I am worthy.

IF a man wants you, nothing can make him go.
If he doesn’t want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that’s not meant to be.
Slower is better.

Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you, as you deserve

Then heck no, you can’t “be friends.”
A friend wouldn’t mistreat a friend.

Don’t settle.

If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
Don’t stay because you think, “it will get better.”

You’ll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.
The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.

If something bothers you, speak up.
Never let a man know everything.

He will use it against you later.
You cannot change a man’s behavior, change comes from within.
Don’t EVER make him feel he is more important than you are… even if he has more education or is in a better job.
Do not make him into a quasi-god.
He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
Never let a man define who you are.
Never borrow someone else’s man.
If he cheated with you, he’ll cheat on you.
A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
All men are NOT dogs.
You should not be the one doing all the bending…compromise is a two way street.
You need time to heal between relationships… there is nothing cute about baggage

Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.
You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you…

A relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals…

Look for someone complimentary…not supplementary.
Dating is fun…even if he doesn’t turn out to be Mr. Right.
Make him miss you sometimes…

When a man always knows where you are and you’re always readily available to him

He takes it for granted.
Don’t fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
Keep him in your radar but get to know others.
Share this with other ladies…..

You’ll make someone SMILE, another RETHINKS his/her choices, and
another man/woman PREPARE.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them!

Debra Debs Whuman

2012-02-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

I recently got my Debra Debs Whuman cd in the mail and I am happy to announce that it was NOT a disappointment. With the premature recent rise in people interested in becoming musicians and fashion clothing's and accessories designers, consumers like myself have become apprehensive in trying out the young and upcoming talents. This reluctance stems from the fact that most of these individuals either do not have the credentials ( did not go to arts school or have previous experience working in the industry) or have in the past presented very sloppy and incomplete products.

But this WHUMAN cd was definitely not the case. I loved all 4 tracks and have had it in the car on repeat everyday on my commute to work and back. Being a Ex-Sakereth ^_^, I am not surprised at how polish the album was. We have that reputation of excelling in all that we do.

A little bit on the artist from her website:

Cameroon-born, London-based soul singer song-writer Debra Debsrecently released an EP entitled "WHUMAN" in November 2011 which precedes a full-length album due for release in early 2012.

With sounds firmly grounded in Neosoul and 90's Soulful RnB, and influences ranging from Jill Scott, Mary J Blige, Toni Braxton, Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Maxwell and Musiq Soulchild, "WHUMAN" issprinkled with socio-conscious, love vs pain, melodic story-telling drawn from the heart & soul and guaranteed to have listeners relating to it in every which way possible.

Speaking of Saker Girls, I had the pleasure of hanging out with an old friend who was in the US for the holidays. As a girl with 4 brothers and no sisters, my female friends relationships are very dear to me because they are the closest things i have to having a sister. We met up at Au Bon Pain in Cambridge to catch up on each other's life....much needed free therapy billed in blue berry scones and croissants currencies.Being a starbucks fanatic, I don't really frequent other cafe' establishments. This was my first time at the restaurant. The dessert menu was great but the coffee was slightly undesirable. Maybe its because am use to quality cafe' service and therefore held extra ordinary high standards. Nevertheless, I had a wonderful time catching up with a friend I had not seen in a year.

Nadia being the world traveler that she is also met up with me last January 2011 about this same time but in atlanta, Ga. I was going through a should i cut my hair shorter or twist it or let it be like the followers of jah "moment"

January 2011 with Nadia in Georgia

Later that same evening, my brother and I attended an open mic Sunday event at the Cambridge Commons.

My limited experience with open mic poetry slams is based on the events I attended while living in Atlanta, Ga. Most of these events where pregnant with racial motifs and elements of gross hyperbole to shock the audience. Needless to say; I wasn't impressed. So when my brother invited me to this Cambridge event, i was a little bit reluctant to attend. The space is located in the basement of Cambridge Commons and is designed with a very seductive and intimate atmosphere. I did not take any pictures because I felt like i will be violating the intimacy and privacy of the clientele. As for the poetry, I was BLOWN AWAY and left the night a fan vowing to come back for more brain worthy food.

It was exactly what I was looking for in a poetry slam! Poems that made you think. You knew the poets had put some thought into their words. Any black person can get on a mic and cry out about racial segregation. Even the ones who grew up in middle class and upper class families. But to be able to articulate the downfall of our economic system by using an old abandoned house as the star of your poem was refreshing!This poetry slam was diverse not just in the range of topics covered but also the poets. Maybe that is what is lacking in the southern poetry slams I attended. Diversity.

Or maybe its the Cambridge factors. There are a lot of excellent schools in Boston which attracts brilliant minds to the city and state. So maybe this and the many other wonderful academic qualities of the city is a reflection on the quality of education in that community.

Thrift score #02845

2012-02-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

I found this little red bag while on a thrifting lunch break from work. I saw it waaaaaaay across the room and literary had to restrain myself from running through the store aisle to it before some other fashionista on a budget grabbed it. It reminded me so much of this Chanel bag which funny enough I have been eye-ing the past couple of days, wondering if i could justify spending so much on a petite bag.

Here is the Chanel bag above

And here below in red is my$5.00 thrifted brand new bag by Talbots which am so excited to be wearing to a fashion event next week.

The Front

The lock

The back

The inside

As I mentioned, I will be attending a fashion event next week. The event is called The Red Shoe Soiree and patrons are encouraged to come wearing a pair of red shoes. The event will also include a fashion show by Boston based designer Avni Fashion. I'm pretty excited since this will be my 1st Boston fashion event....lemme go see what this northerners are all about.

Since I do not own a pair of red shoes and have not found one so far ( I need something comfy and yet chic for this winter weather), going with a red statement purse is my back up plan.....but until then,the search continues.....

Dont get it Twisted

2012-02-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

I got this nice aka recruiting-esq-ish kind of message about islam. Now am officially curious as to what I may have said to implore someone to think am sitting "on the fence" in matters pertaining religion.

The mesaage reads:

I want you to read the following and be honest
with your self at the end and decide in a moment of truth with oneself.......... Allah (The Creator of the Heaven and the earth) the one to be worshiped with perfect love and perfect submission created
us for a great purpose and that is to worship Him alone, to turn to Him alone, to pray to Him alone...He sent Messengers from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Jacob, etc ....till the final Messenger Muhammad Peace be upon all of them. They all came with the same message and that is " No one is worthy of worship except Allah" .....all the creation of Allah submitted itself to the Creator willingly or unwillingly as Allah The Most High says in the Quran " Do they seek other than the religion of Allah (the true Islamic Monotheism worshiping none but Allah Alone), while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned" ( 3:83)

We were born without being asked, when we were in the womb of our mothers, who took care of us there? when we came out to this earth who took care of us then? who is the one that put the love in the hearts of every mother to take care of her child? who is the one that provides for us food, water, etc. we breath the air that He created for us.....for what reason? He is the Most WIse and the Most Merciful........all of that is to worship Him alone and not to set rivals with Him.

A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and honor them they are the best of all the humanbeings, what was the message of Abraham? did he worship Jesus (Peace be upon him)? what was the Religion of Abraham? was it Christianity or Judaism? it didn't exist then....it was ISLAM......submitting to Allah the Most High......"

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim (meaning in the state of submission to Allah) Hanifa (someone that would stay away from associating partners with Allah) and he was not of Al-Mushrikun (Polytheists)" (3: 67)

If you believe in the Creator of the heavens and the earth, that He is the creator, sustainer etc.....if you believe that He is the only one worthy of worship not any of His creation not a Prophet from Adam till Muhammed Peace be unto all of them and including Jesus Peace be upon him.....if you believe in that say now with your tongue "I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO ONE WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH.....AND I BEAR WITNESS THAT PROPHET MUHAMMED IS THE FINAL MESSENGER OF ALLAH"

This is the Shahada but you have to say it in Arabic also, so read out loud the following translation......"ASH HADU ALLA ILLAHA ILLA ALLAH.....WA ASH HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASOOL UL ALLAH"

That's it as simple as that...and then take the time to learn step by step the beauty of this religion, you don't need to learn everything first to say the shahada because if you beleive in what is written above just say it and then take the time to learn.....

May Allah The Most High guide us all to the truth.
___________________________________

My Response? ....Hmmmm Interesting.

quoi? quoi-cou

2012-01-31T21:37:00.000-08:00

"There is no secret, the only secret is work..So get your act together. And also a decent life... don't drink, don't smoke, don't take drugs...all that helps. One survives better. It also depends on how much you want to do what you want to do. If you think your life is more important than your work.. then there may be a problem. But don't complain, don't think you're a victim of the system.... I don't believe in that. If the pressure is too big.... do something else"

_Karl Largerfeld

Saker Baptisit College Golden Jubilee _

2012-01-30T21:27:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

50 YEARS AGO...on January 29th 1962, my alma matta opened its doors to 36 girls and today is the top ranking all girl's boarding school in the Republc of Cameroon. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Be it in academics, the arts or athletics, Saker girls have a reputation in excelling in all that we do. This same spirit of discipline, sisterhood, self reliance and hardwork ethics has followed must of us into our lives post-Saker.

My two favourite principals ever! My Hardy :) & BoBo who had the task of serving as daddy to hundreds of emotional girls

Going to Boarding school is an experience that leaves a lifetime impact on you. You are forced to confront your worst enemy :thyself

You quickly learn things about yourself you never knew; your weaknesses, strengths and that you have the resilience to stick it through the hard times. I think that it is the best way to prepare teens and young adults to face the jungle (the real world).I will forever be grateful to my parents for giving me this gift: the opportunity to become a SAKER GIRL :) and I hope sometime in the future I can show and giveback to the school that has given so much to all of us who have walked through its gates.

Saker Anthem

1.Beyond the Buea mountain
From westcoast earthquake strand
Where Cam’roon’s solid fountain
Laid down their golden sand.
... Along Victora’s Ambas Bay
Is found the Saker College
Where girls who seek for knowledge
Are all striving to reach.

2. On the 29th of January in 1962
36 Cam’roon youngsters
Were led to Saker Hill.
Their nervous trepidation
Became a joyful thrill
In the hearts of those first-comers
A joy that warms them still.

3. The Baptist Girls’ Secondary School
Was the first name for our school.
The West Cam’roon Christian College
Was the name that followed next.
Today Saker Baptist College
Is the name our college bears
For God’s Word to our Cameroon
Alfred Saker strove to bear.

4. Geography and math’matics are subjects we employ
Domestic science and physics are others we enjoy
English Language and History
Music to praise the Lord;
Literature, Bible, Chemistry, French Language from abroad.

5. With the help of God’s almighty hand
We’ll strive to face the world
For unity and sisterhood
We Saker students strive
Be we coastland, midland, upland
We Saker girls are one.
With the help of tutors through we’ll strive
And the battle will be won.

Salvation! Oh, Salvation!
SBC girls proclaim
For in our jubilation
All tribal rites disdain.

Some of my CLASS OF 1996 mates:) in limbe,cameroon for the jubilee celebration

G96-UK edition represented and celebrated from abroad

Awww class of 2011..the freshmeat . So young so much to be learned down the road

Gangsters aka my elders. They started while i was just getting pooped out by ma mama

You cannot talk about SAKER without mentioning our ABLE & CAPABLE Mr Francis (cook), Mr Fawoh (handyman) & Mr Ekema (bursar)

And I?....was chez moi with an emo-meter oscillating from West to East celebrating solo, thinking its been 10 yrs since i left the school and stalking facebook for pictures on the 3 day weekend celebration wishing i was in cameroon in warm summer weather and not Boston. There is NO PLACE LIKE HOME amongst your people

Disclaimer:Clearly am in Boston not Limbe so ALL of the pics except for the last one...duh...where taken from friends' facebook pictures

¿Hablas español?

2012-01-25T19:45:00.000-08:00

The drama in america about Spanish being the unofficial language of the country is getting heated especially with;
- the elections coming up
- Arizona immigration laws
- US-Mexico borders Immigration laws

English is the official language of the United States of America. Just as French is the official language in some countries, and Chinese in china and Japanese in japan and Russian in Russia and German in Germany and so forth

I do not condone or support the racial implications/insults some people attach to this debate like Newt Gingrich calling Spanish "the language of growing up in a ghetto".

HOWEVER, i do believe that immigrants from Spanish speaking countries should make the same effort other non-speaking foreigners...example...those from the continent of Asia/Africa/Europe....to LEARN ENGLISH.
I maybe wrong but from my observations....I feel like some not all but SOME Spanish speaking immigrants make no effort to learn English. They feel entitled that the american government should instead spend our tax payers money to teach people Spanish so we can communicate with them.
Americans should not be penalized whether as a business or a worker looking for a job because they cannot speak Spanish or do not have documents/signs interpreted to accommodate Spanish speaking individuals. That is ridiculous.

Secondly, I agree that Spanish should be offered in schools as a foreign language. However priority should not be given to Spanish over learning Latin, German, Chinese or whatever other languages there are out there.
I have seen many foreigners take additional English classes or hire tutors or studied on their own just to improve their English and unfortunately as a group i do not see the same effort from Spanish speaking foreigners.

Given that there are plenty Africans in America, maybe we too should start asking the government to provide translators and resources in our different African languages. Wait I wont even go that far, as a french speaking African, maybe we should get the government to put more resources to accommodate french speaking Americans.

When you travel to a foreign land, you buy a dictionary so you can learn to communicate with the people of that land. You do not go up to them and demand they speak your language.

Plus I feel sorry for other immigrants who had to learn English to intergrate into the american system. Now they with the rest of the america has to learn Spanish. I wonder if they have any resentment on this...Even though am an immigrant, I grew u speaking English, french and Arabic so i didn't have to learn english coming here but now i gotta learn Spanish in other to be competitive in the business and health care industries. Sigh

It's no longer a choice. I need to learn spanish

Next thing you know i'll be typing this blog in espano l ^_^

Reflecting on my Birthday

2012-01-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

I love the fact that my birthday is in the beginning of the new year. Because not just am i reflecting on the new year but I am also reflecting on being another year older :/ and as usual, going through my goals to see if i achieved them all.

As much as I place emphasis on setting goals for myself...i never do them with reference to my age. Instead I make goals based on what i have going on at the moment and what I would love to do in the future. So this birthday actually felt weird for me. I didnt know what to make of it. It's the beginning of the new year. I had achieved all but one of last year's goals and have already set the ones for this year. However, again, not of them where age related.

While in Atlanta for a relative's traditional wedding I started wondering......should i set age related goals? such as....
-when to have a baby?
-try to maintain a serious relationship?
-marriage ?
- dress more age appropriate?
- je ne sais quoi....

But then it hit me.

I shy away from things are out of my control and most of the above require the participation of another person in order for them to be successful. I cant force anyone to love me and I cant be in a loveless relationship because of a "biological ticking time bomb" and i definitely cannot blackmail anyone into marrying me.

Yes I will love to have all those things but unlike my career ambitions which can be achieved buy certain fixed calculated formulas such as hard work + networking +etc....affairs of love and relationships have no mathematical formula.

So this year, I celebrated my birthday, not by thinking about what needed to be achieved or even how far I have come but by simply being thankful that I have lived to see not just another year but another day, giving me the opportunity to go after my dreams. Last year between my community, family and friends, we lost too many young adults. Through accidents and sickness. Individuals in their early and mid twenties. Many of whom just graduated or where about to graduate and finally start on the path to living the life they had worked so hard to achieve.Thinking about them and how like me, they were really just now beginning their lives as newly married, new parents,new homeowners, and etc put things into perspective. Irrespective of what i have done or not done so far in my life....at least i have been given another chance while many have not.

Therefor my birthday wish for this year is to take advantage of this gift of life and not to waste it doing things that are not productive or do not add value or quality to my life and that of my friends and family.

Assalaam Alaikum

Graduation by Vitamin C

2012-01-15T14:38:00.000-08:00

.. because I am PMS-ing and reflecting
This song makes me sappy every fucking time...in a good way. 10+ years and i have to say I have manged to kep in touch with some of my Saker classmates and friends. Thanks to the internet coz these girls have migrated to all parts of the world!

Question of the Day 1/12/2012

2012-01-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

How come there is not alot of literature out there from MEN to other MEN about treating their women right? Yet so many women feel entitled to "educate" other women about how to treat a man...

This attitude is typically from the lady with the "new" bf or newly wed and etc.

All of a sudden they feel the need to pass on wisdom that their new relationships have miraculously endowed on them. I hate the perception that a man's character whether good or bad is never a reflection of him alone but is always attributed to how the women in his life treat him. They are not animals with no sense of directions. They can think for themselves. They do have...and make the choice to either act like a gentleman or not.

Irrespective of gender, some people are just jerks despite all the love and "respect" you show them.

My Front Yard's Back Yard

2012-01-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite pass times is going to the park across the street from my home and getting lost in the beauty and scenery. Every visit is a new and unique experience. A lake tucked away in the middle of now where, hills for my suicide sprints work outs, a soccer + football + softball + baseball + lacrosse fields hidden behind the ever green and running trails for those days I just want to get lost in my thoughts.

Recently I decided to show my brother one of my newly found treasures at the park. A hill with the view of Boston! From the ground point one could never imagine the existence of this hill. Surrounded by graveyards, ball parks and lanky trees, you could never imagine that this huge hill exists in this park. But as I said before, parks always have little treasured tucked away for the inquisitive nature lover to find.

After over half an hour of climbing with my brother cursing and regretting his decision to follow this old hag who seemed to have forgotten the trails, we finally made it to the top!

And may I say, he was pleasantly surprised that having lived here for over 5 years, he was not aware of this location.

Later on, I ran across a post on http://afrosays.wordpress.com/ ...which made me think about the times I spent at the park.

Green Nation I

Spring was here. We the children seeds all felt it. Locked beneath the soil surface for the cold months of winter, we each had plotted our strategies and revenge for the next cycle of life. There was no total victory in the struggle in each round, just winners and losers, honor and disgrace. And the result of each cycle fight depended massively on time, chance, and how wily each plant species could be. I was regarded as the rightful king, but that meant nothing to my scheming cousins. In fact, being the king just meant you were the one everyone tried to topple. A most tiresome occupation but what could I do? This was my destiny. Thrust upon me by millions of years of natural selection, pushed onto me from multiple thousands of my predecessors before me. I was the acorn, the oak-apparent.

There could not be any waiting for the soil to soften. We broke ground at the first possible chance, little saplings reaching for the sun in the immortal race for survival. As the acorn I grew among the fastest, interlinking roots with my siblings for strength and playing my politics well with the other creatures of our habitat. The insects found me welcoming as usual. I was the prime choice for raising their eggs to larvae, then pupae then adult butterflies, moths, roaches, grasshoppers and all what not. Did they know I inflicted a weak poison to keep them from their intended plan for world domination in the next thousand millennia? I think not. If they did, they might take their young elsewhere. But I needed them here. To attract the birds who would pick off majority of the infant worms for food and give me the chance to spread my seed far and wide in their feathers. All this while, I reached for the forest top, not looking back, establishing myself once more as king of the English forest in record time. This was already taken for granted by everyone and thus was no new source of pride. The crucial battles of pride lay just ahead.

The rattan sneered at my straight, unwavering growth toward the heavens. He preferred a more twisted path and waited for me to establish my domain and water and food supply network. He did not take me on directly, but went first for my immediate younger sibling a safe distance away. (Though we were all royal, I was given respect among my siblings as the one to have the last say on decisions affecting our survival as a species). I watched in pain as my brother ignored Rattan’s first feeble attempts to wrap his arms around his sturdy stem. Did he realize that those half-hearted attempts were just reconnaissance missions to develop antidotes against the poisons we oaks were feared for? I think not, for I observed the youthful arrogance with which he brushed off Lord Rattan’s wily advances. But when the time came, the wry thorny tendril-hands of Rily Rattan wrapped round the young arrogant oak’s trunk and held fast, adding a climbing loop each month as my brother fought back in futility with all the toxins known to the oak family.

Rattan formed no leaves in the early stage of his conquest, drawing solely from the resources of the supple oak. However, near the crest of the forest treeline he put out his wicked leaves as triumphant sign that the days of dependence on his host were numbered. I knew this was true and mourned my brother’s young foolishness. The memories locked in my subconscious by my preceding king oaks were the reason I was king and not he. Still it was painful to watch as my brother’s stem was strangled, mangled and ruthlessly dispatched by the wiles of the grasping climber-pretender. Within decades, the oak was dead, and Rattan’s hollow, circular profile was the sole negative evidence of the greatness that was once an oak. But Rattan would not stop there. He set his sights on another fair oak to maintain his greedy appetite, which he could not sustain on his own – my sister Laila.

I chose not to stand by this time. My subjects would be manipulated to fight for me, for the oaks. I summoned the fungi from my root network to work their damage from below while the slave orchids would float their misty seeds up to the vulnerable tendrils of the Rattan usurper. I hoped when they got to the destination of their errand they would not be diverted by the superior sweetness of my sister instead of suffocating the enemy. Well, I had my backup plans if that scenario presented itself. I was king after all. But Rattan would grow stronger if he kept falling over from one strangled oak to the next, and when his confidence was great enough he would come for me. Then it would be up to me to defend the last shreds of our dignity. It was the king’s burden.

The battle was on for my sister’s existence already. The wild orchids displayed angry patterns of bloom right at the tips of Lord Rattan’s budding shoots. He allowed them grow unhindered but diverted supplies of water from their growth spouts. They sprang up in premature glee and soon learned the bitter lessons of biting the scrawny shoots that fed them. Exposed to the harsh summer sun, they withered even faster than they had grown. For the poisonous fungi, Rattan deployed his anti-cellulose poisons. The fool didn’t care that these little subversionists were neither plant nor animal and would not be affected by such mean weapons. The final victim was my sister ironically. She fell to these poisonous toxins intended for the fungi at her root base and began to die faster than Rattan could have killed her. To all appearances, she looked healthy right up to the end of the second year after the attack, when she suddenly came to an end, suddenly succumbing to a disease for which she had no answer. So it happened that by sending my minions against Lord Rattan, I had only sped up the death of the sister I sought to protect. These marks on my conscience were silently recorded for posterity, to be added to the annals of wisdom for the next oak king. Yes, I was already thinking of the time after my demise. It was the king’s burden.

The swift death of Laila worked in my favor in an unexpected way. Rattan’s confidence was now cocky and careless as he turned his sights on me, seeking to topple me as king of the English forest. This was premature because his short stay on Laila had not allowed him gather the necessary resources to put up a good fight. I wasn’t planning to win this fight in any obvious way. The results of my strategy would come to light in the next generation, where they would be praised after my passing to the glorious annals of the oakdom.

While Rattan extended his taunting tendrils to my branches I silently began the massive acorn shedding that would ensure the dominance of the next generation of oaks. I would be bowing out without a fight but winning in the biggest possible way. The war, not the battle, was important. My friend the Mountain Ash was cooperative. Having grown side by side (tens of metres apart in human measurements) since we were young aspirants for stardom, we had retained our bond over the centuries. He was always the faster grower, caring nothing for stability and honor as I did, fighting no one along the way, and reaching greater heights faster than I did. When I eventually caught up, he had already begun tiring of sustaining his massive height with his hastily but poorly developed root base and was ready for the thrill of the next life cycle. Rather than topple and fall in disgrace, he subscribed to my plan for a new world. The plan was not new to me (the memories of my fathers had served me well) but to him it was a novelty. His loss of memory with each generation made this ancient, time-tested strategy an exciting new adventure for him. And so my plan was perfected.

The flammable oils were stored in Ash’s bark and stem for the next twenty years. He became the standing incendiary waiting for the slightest spark to trigger the massive forest fire that would wipe out the entire kingdom, save the new children seeds that would begin the new life world after the next autumn – winter – spring cycle. Of course Rattan was gloriously unaware of this plot, thinking I had surrendered when I allowed him wrap his thorny arms around my trunk and branches, without fighting back with my oak poisons. And so he grew and squeezed tighter, not bothering to invest in seeding, thinking he would reign supreme after the oaks had been put under total humiliation and subjection. Pfft! The oaks did not get through millennia of dominance by such wilted reasoning.

The bright autumn day finally presented itself. The dried undergrowth and leaves at the forest floor were ready and waiting for the spark that would cause the meltdown of life as we knew it. The shattered bottle piece to concentrate the sun rays at the point of ignition had been adequately positioned for this very moment. The Mountain Ash was ready to supply the fuel to blaze through the entire forest and leave no trace of plant life. We would not die. We would be reborn as seeds, only without Rattan’s evil spawn. When the fire spark began, he was the most troubled of all the forest inhabitants. His impending win was being cancelled by this ultimate referee that cared not for distinction or name in its mindless destruction. Of course, I was the reason behind this madness but he would know only at the last possible second. While all the plants and trees cried in anguish I remained silent and resolute. I had saved the last acorn for now. As the new oak-apparent, he had to have as many memories from this life as possible, up to the very last possible moment. It was only when I let him drop that Rattan finally realized what had been going on for the last twenty years. Nay, hundreds of years, if the thoughts in my mind were included. The fires engulfed our entwined bodies as we writhed in pain from the heat of the flames. It felt strange to burn to death. It was calming, torturing, welcoming. As for Rattan, having no previous life memories made this the worst possible torture he had ever experienced. He writhed all the way down to the bitter end. His last wry smile of acknowledgement of my wisdom and the greatness of my clan species was all I needed to be satisfied that this fight for the rulership of the English forest had been totally worth it.

The End.

____________________________________________________________________

I haven't been able to go recently because of the cold weather and ice. However, I do know that the next time I visit, I will have these words in my heart for they have completely transformed the way i view trees.

Facebook Q & A #72150

2012-01-05T17:41:00.000-08:00

Q: Nana Mr.Kingdoms Poku: Africa ask yourself this…What happens when the resources are finished?

Ma reponse: my biggest fear is that once USA and europe is saturated..which

they seem to be heading that way...africa is the new market...and my biggest

fear is that..in the future..africa will become developed but too expensive for

africans themselves due to treaties and contracts conducted by our selfish

presidents that are not in favour of the commoners...

I see an increase in immigrations out of the

continent while the wealthy westerners flock in , running away from their

polluted and destroyed economies....

things are fine...we already see it now...atleast in cameroon I see it and in

jamaica...when i visited...all the good places and neighborhoods have more

foreigners than locals living in those areas...while the people continue to

suffer...how can so much wealth and poverty coexist?

Just Dance

2012-01-05T10:44:00.001-08:00

The new craze sweeping through west Africa and the world

picture from GhanaRising

Eya Times are hard

2012-01-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

The niajah fuel subsidy chronicles

Car Cholesterol

Asking the lord to change water in ~~petrol~~

Maybe this is the motivation all those innovative and "outside the box" thinkers need to get it cracking on inventing a car that runs on water. The downside i guess is..petrol companies will loose a huge market. That is probably why they are not heavily invested in finding that solution.

Upgraded security for the gas tank

Once again men thinking the solution is in the phallic*

Pictures courtesy of BellaNiaja

Presidential Swag: Be Inspired

2012-01-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em"

___Malvolio, William Shakespeare; Twelfth Night, or What You Will.

pics from http://mrs-o.com

Unsung Hero

2012-01-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

Everyone Wants to be CEO & PRESIDENT but someone has to clean the toilet you sh*t on.

#Team Un-Sung Hero

Republican Party hoop-lah

2012-01-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

Politics in this country (USA) is not boring at all. It's like these

republican candidates forgot their speeches and remarks are

on tape and video. On the condom thing..i do agree..i think

pple are using the excuse of condom to have rampant

premarital sex. Just like how people are abusing the use of

plastic surgery now.

Mood: Perplexed + n'importe quoit

2012-01-03T00:38:00.000-08:00

I went out to "Play"

2011-12-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

The sun came out in Boston and you know this child of Africa had to getoutofthehouse and go get a hug. As if am not "dark"enough.

#That moment you realize you should have gotten off the previous exit to avoid being stuck in a traffic stand still#

I later drove by the reason for the traffic...some one's car was on fire in the tunnel in the middle of the high way. I hope no one died :/

View from bridge while on standstill traffic. I was stuck on the bridge for a long time because it didn't occur to me that rush hour occurs everyday around 4-sih...blame the holidays. All that eating has left me dull. But then again, bad sense of timing is a reoccurring theme in my life.

. I took advantage of the "cool" weather to wear my all time favourite flats and gallavant around town thrifting. This was suppose to be a household items aka groceries shopping trip but that is a story for another day.
I got them from Pay-less as a summer shoe and after over 3 years we are still going strong and steady.

And what a good day it was. With $50.00 I got a brand new leather belt, a brand new pair of wedge sandals, 2 pencil skits in green and blue, Ralph Lauren pants, Gap jeans and much more......ah la vie est belle je vous dit.

A time to Cleanse

2011-12-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

Every year, from Thanksgiving holidays to the winter Christmas/New Year celebrations, I eat like a pig.No joke. My mouth does not discriminate. Living or dead. Healthy or unhealthy. My greed for food over the holidays is a seasonal weakness i have yet to master.

Therefor to restore everything back to balance, I do a cleanse to get rid of all those impurities. My only rule is to complete the minimum of 5 days fast before my birthday, January 18th. This year's challenge is the GMC 7 day diet of fruits and vegetables. I'm not going to go into the details as it is a very popular fast and if anything..you can Google it.

Today is day # 1. Mangoes, cherries, grapes and tons of water + lemons have been consumed in extremely LARGE quantities....I think am indirectly trying to challenge their instructions that eating as much fruits as you want is okay. Much business have I brought to my local Stop & Shop's fruit/farmer's market who by the way i believe have ridiculously pricey fruits.. This is some healthy food 419 conspiracy for real. Body wise, I can definitely already feel the food demons fighting back from within aka that "anonymous thanksgiving meat" used to make that party favorite meatball*Every time I take a sip of my water + lemon drink...I feel a tingly sensation from my digestive system all the way down to my toes.

Let the hysteria begin.

For anyone starting a FAST, don't be an idiot like me and start it at the end of your holidays just when you are about to go back to work. If possible, do it while on vacation because some side effects include weakness and dizziness and this can be dangerous for individual's who's jobs include working with machines or require a high level of concentration.

A dose of African News from SAHARATV

2011-12-28T23:39:00.001-08:00

Christmas 2011 in Douala, Cameroon

2011-12-27T23:46:00.000-08:00

The city of Douala hosted a Christmas family event to officially mark the holidays. The city's Christmas tree was decorated and decked out with gift boxes. More about this event can be found on the city's official webpage. And here are some pictures of the tree i downloaded from their website.

p.s...Being in Boston aka COLDASFREAK city....i am officially hating on those enjoying a sunny and warm holiday.

Lionnes Indomptables win CAF Women’s National team of the Year Awards

2011-12-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

L'Equipe Nationale Féminine de Football du Cameroun walked away as winner of the CAF, (Confederation Of African Football) Women's National Team of the Year.

As a Cameroonian female soccer player, I'm soooooo proud of my girls!!!

This year the event was hosted in Accra, Ghana and the complete list of the winners for the night are;

African Player of the Year 2011

Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Cote d’Ivoire)

African Player of the Year 2011 (Based in Africa)

Oussama Darragi (Esperance Sportive de Tunis and Tunisia)

National Team of the Year

Botswana

Women’s National Team of the Year

Cameroon

Club of the Year

Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)

Most Promising Talent of the Year

Souleymane Coulibaly (Tottenham Hotspurs and Cote d’Ivoire)

Coach of the Year

Harouna Doula (Niger)

Women’s Footballer of the Year

Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria)

Referee of the Year

Noumandiez Doue (Cote d’Ivoire)

Legend Award

Mustapha Hadji (Morocco)

Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha (Nigeria)

Fair Play Award

Libya

Platinum Award

John Evans Atta Mills (President of Ghana)

For all the ~~losers~~, work harder next year okay?

In the spirit of celebrating this victorious moment for my country i decided to post pictures of my college soccer glory days.....

Guess who I am in this pic

Yup #9 like my boo Eto :)

Alumni Team

New Cellulaire Company par Cherie Coco de moi

2011-12-27T21:15:00.000-08:00

Samuel Eto is launching a new Communication/Telephone Network in Cameroon-Cameroon-Kamerun and its called Set' Mobile.

This will be the new company competing against the likes of ORANGE & MTN for customers. Rumor has it a lot of people are already ready to jump ship and join him. Bravo! because I know many are tired with the lack of quality phone services by both MTN and ORANGE. They can't loose by trying something new.

I am all for anything that brings business to Cameroon and increases investors's interests in the nation.

And then you have people like me..who regardless how good or bad..lol the product is..I am sold and would jump ship and risk even drowning because of......

With that FACE & BODY, he could sell dog poop and people will still buy it!

Disclaimer: the pictures above are from cameroononline.org, vanity fair and puma ad campaigns and all copyrights belong to them.

Cleaning out My Closet

2011-12-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

For those who where wondering....

"what happened to your posts?!!!!"

I decided to delete them. If you remember a couple of months ago, I lost my post/blog pictures thanks to Google + . Initially i was too depressed to delete my 2 years worth of blogs BUT going back and re-reading them, it just looked weird and in appropriate without the accompanied pictures.

So Yes, I decided to do the BIG CHOP. *Sad Face* : /

But life goes on abi?

Hello 2012. Lets try and bi more TECH-SAVY so this does not repeat it self

Recession INDEED

2011-12-27T17:52:00.000-08:00

Clearly I am on a jobless winter-Christmas vacation/break......but on a serious note..I really will like to know the answer to this very important question...

Picture via Here

Beauty Pains Scene #27 Take 40

2011-12-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

via here

Movie: Dorian Gray

2011-12-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching this creepy movie about a man that never ages.

It is an adaption of the famous Oscar Wild's only published novel.

Lesson learned from the movie? = Do not be so quick to be envious of what others have. You never know what they "sacrificed" to achieve that desired* attribute.

Reflections of 2011

2011-12-27T02:20:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about maintaining a journal is the ability to look back at my life and access any growth or lack off.... ¯\(°_o)/¯ ...[hey, I never claimed to be perfect].....over the years

Since 2001 I have successfully maintained journals and planners. Yes, 10 years of my deepest secrets, pains, and wishfullthinkings.. ...Or maybe its because i have delusions of grandeur, dreams of one day being so famous, my diaries will become a collector's expensive item upon my death. Or Even better, a national treasure.....Or better yet, I hope that someday in the future, they will be able to tell my story, when I am not present to do so. Whether it be to my siblings, parents, children, grandchildren, spouse, friends or strangers. They are the most authentic biography of my life since stepping foot in this country and my most priced possessions.

Sometimes I take out the planners to trace back what I did on the same day but 4 years ago. The results are always interesting. According to my entries, I have lived quite an adventurous life and I can't wait...as usual..to see what 2012 has in store for me.

On a side note....the journal entries of my teenage years are "horrible" memories i want to forget. The teenage angst motif and melodramas gives Shakespeare's tragedies a run for their money. So much insecurity and struggle to understand my place in the world. A young African girl who wants to intergrate into the american school system but at the same hold on to her African traditional values. I cannot help but cry every time I reread my high school entries about being bullied in school for my accent. Standing on a partially full school bus because no one wanted to sit with me and placed book bags on the empty sits next to them. Eating my lunch in the bathroom because i had no place in the cafeteria. Befriending the lonely white girl who cut herself because we were birds of the same feather and subsequently engaging in the behavior myself.

As much as we all know that movies have an element of fiction, some of the high school motifs you see such as the jocks, the popular kids, the bullies and those being bullied are real and present in american schools.

I HAVE COME A LONG WAY

How much I have grown and become successful, not just in personal growth, but emotionally and career wise.

Last year, in my "Happy New Year 2011" blog post, I wrote about achieving the following in 2011

" graduate with my master’s degree…..4classes left!

- get a kick-ass better paying job….not that I am not grateful for the current one.

- meet my prince charming?

- travel to Cameroon"

Am happy and grateful to say the first 2 where successfully accomplished! One of my other goals was to move to Boston and I did ^_^

I did meet prince charming in 2010 but I guess once a frog always a frog cause am back to being sleeping beauty

My solo trip to Cameroon was postponed when my family decided on a group trip back home to honor the memory of my late grandmother. So I am going to Cameroon but instead of alone, I will be going with my mother and brothers! This is a huge celebration that takes time and planning but I hope by 2012 i would have bought my ticket for the trip.

For my 2012 LOOK BOOK

- Start the process of relocating out of the country. I already know what country i want to move to and i have been talking to job agencies and recruiters. I have always wanted to work outside the U.S and i hope i will be able to finalize all paper works ..work visa....vaccines... background checks...and other job related requirements by the end of 2012..this country has some serious bureaucratic B.Ss if I've ever hear of one....

- Travel to South America and St Kitts to visit friends

- Treat myself to a spa retreat @ Martha's Vineyard.Hint* Hint* My birthday is coming up.

-Invest into my career development by joining professional organisations and attending more sports medicine conferences for learning and networking purposes.

- Lastly...which is a lifetime goal..Keep working on my relationship with God. This is one relationship I cannot afford to mess up.

So with that said.....BooooNNEE AaaaaaNNNeeeeeee!!!!

Gratitude Journal

2011-12-20T19:26:00.000-08:00

In one of my recent midnight insomania online adventures, I ran across a post about gratitude journals and their importance. The idea is that we are too focused on To do Lists, Short and Long term goals of things to be accomplished that we sometimes forget to stop and be thankful of the positive elements around us.

Be thankful of the baby progress you have made. Be thankful of your accomplishments no matter how small. Be thankful of that near miss accident you walked away from. Be thankful of still having a job despite your lil "human" blunders. Be thankful of having a family or friends or a significant other...point is, be thankful there is someone out there who will call you out of concern if they go 24 hrs without hearing from you. Some people have to pay for some love and affection.

So, instead of keeping a journal full of "woe is me" epic adventures of you juggling different life crises while maintainining your sanity and blood pressure, start a gratitude journal. You will be surprised by how many amazing and wonderful things have been happening in your lives, which you have let gone unrecognized.

New anti-Gay Bill in Nigeria

2011-12-20T19:04:00.001-08:00

Separation of Church and State

I thought the whole purpose of this idea was to serve as a check and balance between the rights of the people and freedom of religion.

From www.Care2Care.com

“The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill that would make it a punishable offense of up to 14 years in prison for anybody to go to a gay bar, to work for or be involved with LGBT organizations, or to be in an openly gay relationship.

Anyone who doesn’t report men or women living together — a ‘gay marriage’ in this bill — would also be punished. The bill (read a copy) appears to punish anyone supporting LGBT human rights, or even writing about gay people.”
Marriage is a religious act and from my understand, even when one marries in a church you still have to “sign” the legal documents to validate the union so the state can “recognize” you as a couple. I am against same sex marriages from a Christian (Bible) perspective but in support of same sex civil unions. Civil unions have more to do with state laws, rights and benefits and everyone, regardless of their sexualities should be entitled to those.

So I do not understand why some people believe same sex couples should not be entitled to these rights. It makes NO SENSE.

Even worst is the amount of persecution and brutality same sex couples face especially from religious fanatics. Let’s not forget a sin is a sin. The sin of homosexuality is no different from stealing, premarital sex, converting your neighbor's wife, drunkenness, murder, lying and the list goes on and on. As Christians, it is not our place to pick and choose which sins to highlight. There are more sins out there, borne out of hatred that we should be focusing our attentions on instead of homosexuality

Reports are that the US government responded with threats to withhold aid funds to Nigeria if the bill is not changed. I have mixed feelings about this tactic. On one side, it is exactly this same behavior that makes many hate western policies….the whole…”I will not help you unless you march to the beat of my drum” kind of attitude. On the other hand, how does one “pressure” the Nigerian government to end this form of discrimination?

As for those in favor of these atrocities in the name of upholding tradition and culture. To you I have this to say. There was a time not to long ago when women did not have rights but where treated as properties to be traded among men. The women did not have the right to vote, to go to school or hold any public office. This was and in some places continues to be " the African Culture”. I love my African heritage BUT I AM AGAINST any practices in violation of human rights such as;

- Child brides and Forced marriages

- Human Sacrifices

- Breast Ironing

- Genital Mutilation

- Religious persecutions….muslims vs.christains v.jew.vs etc

- Human Trafficking

- Sex with virgins because of the “belief” that it will cure one of HIV

- Any form of DISCRIMINATION be it race, gender or religion

and the list goes on and on……of atrocities that still go on today in the name of TRADITION & CULTURE.

Given that I am not currently on location in Nigeria, most of my knowledge about what is going on is base on reading news outlets such as Sahara Reporters, Reuters, BBC and CNN.

Blog Share #13789 - We Still have each other

2011-12-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

I just had to share this blog post from...'It's Delta's Blog"

After a sleepless and restless night, I got online to see what kind of trouble i could get into ^_^ and what do you know....i ran into this particular blog and it was so touching I spent all night reflecting on the message.

Here is an except from the post but i really encourage you to go read the whole thing.

"
And I remember the irritation I would feel when in the middle of a discussion about some latest catastrophe that had befallen us (Cholera outbreak or what-not) someone from the diaspora would butt in to air their views and have the ‘nerve’ to sound more upset than we were!
What right did they have, I thought at the time, what right did they have to care about what was going down in the country they had chosen to flee?
......

They are angry because they made huge personal sacrifices that have forever altered the course of their lives.

They are angry because they live in countries where they are treated as second class citizens, stripped of their dignity and forced to forget their glowing transcripts and dust-covered degrees and certificates to become lowly menial labourers.

They are angry because they have lost loved ones and not had the chance to say good bye or to bury them.

They are angry because they have fallen sick and gotten better without a single relative to nurse them back to health, because they have been hurt and they had no one to call out to in an alien land.

They are angry because they suffered too.

And they are angry because deep in their hearts they know that their suffering was needless; that the downward spiral our country took was avoidable and they are angry because they were forced to swallow their pride and work under the most appalling conditions; live under the most harsh terms and watch their lives hang in suspension for years as they apply and wait for papers and permits and residence statuses and indefinite leave to stay!

They are angry because they are now a disenfranchised group, because they have borne children here and because their lives are uprooted from where they come from.

They are angry because their identity has been threatened with the refusal to grant dual or multiple citizenship.

They are angry because they have worked shift-upon-shift and sent money back home to spouses, children, relatives or friends who took advantage and squandered what they sweated so painfully to earn......."

Tis the season

2011-12-04T11:48:00.001-08:00

For Style’s Sake( akintaylor01@gmail.com) is running a Christmas contest in which you are encouraged to submit pictures showcasing how you incorporate holiday colors into your style. You can read more about the contest at their blog. Since I had recently taken some pictures, I decided to participate in the contest. Plus….I NEVER WIN ANYTHING. Maybe this time around I will win something.
Here are my submissions based on holiday parties I have attended so far.

Speaking of parties…..I recently went to an African “end of year” meeting. A discussion about education, career and marriage took an unpredicted turn when someone told me that if I pursued a Doctorate degree, my chances of finding a husband and getting married will be greatly diminished.
Of course this statement came from an African Man. However, instead of unleashing my “wrath” and school him on the Women’s Liberation movement and etc.….I realized I was speaking a some one who was “fresh off the boat”. So I smiled and preceded to change the topic. When will such ignorance and issues surrounding gender inequality stop? This is exactly why when it comes to dating and marriage, I have decided to set my eyes so far away from people of African descent who are immersed in cultural traditions that insist and encourage a meek and subordinate role for the African woman. My prayer for that gentleman is that over time, with exposure to a new culture and way of thinking, some of those discriminatory perceptions will depart from him!

Mon proposes, God disposses

2011-11-27T15:39:00.000-08:00

Today I lost a very dear friend. Ours was one of the first few trustworthy bonds I developed after moving to the U.S. And this bond continued up until now. Many will be surprised to learn of this friendship. It was like night and day. Oil and water. With seemingly nothing in common but the mere fact that we were both Cameroonians. However that was not the case. He had the same dreams and desires like every one of us. To acquire the American dream and become a financial support pillar for his family. Unfortunately, as with many friendships, we went about achieving these dreams in separate ways. But despite those differences we stayed true to our friendship.

I always accused him of having a split personality. This was the root of the misplaced perception others seem to have about him. But as we all know, to every story there are 2 sides. The man I knew was a kind hearted gentleman. Whom I couldn’t take serious or keep a straight face around. A cheerful giver of his time and resources to those in need around him. He was full of advice even though He never put any of them to practice himself. A man who like all of us had his doubts, fears and concerns but did a good job masking all of it from the rest of the world. I always wished others had the same privilege to experience this different side of his personality.

Christmas holiday plans where made. So many unfinished 2004 conversations to be hashed out into the New Year. Ours was a never ending debate in which we both disagreed to disagree. This is definitely the biggest rude awakening of my lifetime. And yet so many lessons to be learned from this tragedy. I guess man proposes and God disposes.

Rest In Peace "Daddy Cappo". I will miss you dearly.
________________________________________________________

A fight in a parking lot near Cumberland Mall turned deadly Saturday night.

Cobb Police said George B. Tabetando, 29, of Powder Springs died of gunshot wounds after getting into a fight with another man around 7 p.m. Saturday in a parking lot of the Macy's department store, near the Cobb Community Transit bus station on Cumberland Boulevard.

Cobb Police Spokesman Sgt. Dana Pierce said in a news release Sunday morning that witnesses saw the male suspect flee the scene in a brown, charcoal or gray BMW.

Pierce said the suspect is a black male with dreadlocks, and was last seen wearing dark clothing and in possession of a handgun. He also said police think the BMW may have been driven by a black female.

Pierce said after the two men began fighting, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot a man later identified as Tabetando several times, chasing him into a roadway.

http://eastcobb.patch.com/articles/man-killed-in-cumberland-mall-shooting

___________________________________________________________________________________

Happy Thanks Giving 2011

2011-11-26T20:44:00.001-08:00

Its Saturday night and am still eating. Its terrible because am not hungry. Just plain Greedy!
So greedy I was too full and having food separation anxiety that I did not go out shopping on black Friday and Saturday. Plans where made, lists where jotted down, stores to attack where sketched out and yet I was left on the couch, eating rice and peas with a side of pumpkin pound cake. #Confessionsofafatgirlwithaneatingdisorder
The workout routine is definitely kicking into high gear next week. Instead of my regular 10 miles per day I will be averaging 15 so help me gawd!
.My brother setting up the table
22lbs Turkey…..defeated 7 gurbble gurbble warriors despite our best attacks
My dad. Thank You Lord! for the gift of a father in my life.
I had to stand, stretch and move my body around to make more room for dessert and coffee
lost the chucky XX jumper after dinner. That turkey attack left me hot and sweaty.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Next year I hope to instead participate in some kind of community service during this time instead of staying at home and pigging out. I really feel guilty about my behavior this time.
This year I am thankful for;
1. Graduating from school
2. Moving to Boston and getting a good job immediately….in this recession
3. My dad defeating Cancer and Hep B. I know of so many stories like his that did not end on a good note. A cure for this disease is imperative!

Thank you Lord!

Miss Africa USA 2011 Recap

2011-11-26T20:09:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I travelled to Silver Springs, MD for the Miss Africa USA pageant final competitions. It was an amazing experience and another great opportunity to network with individuals interested in everything AFRICA. I should have made an attempt to blog my experiences and adventures every day because right now, thinking about the whole trip feels pretty overwhelming.
Some events where a repeat of my previous travels to DC.I ran into an acquaintance from the summer LA trip I take every year to California for the African Vibes magazine I WEAR AFRICA fashion show. It was so exciting and fun to see her again. I also went to a “maquis” which I had previously visited 4 years ago when I went to DC for my birthday and President Barack Obama’s inauguration ^_^ ! We had your typical Cameroon delicacies……Soya! and poisson brissee…..The fish looked so yummy I ate it, even though I typical do not eat fish. And of course the following day, I had an upset stomach.
There was a banquet formal night, an evening at the famous Abyssinia Ethiopian restaurant , a night out at Phassion Lounge and dinner hosted by Mrs Hope Sullivan Masters. I really liked the décor of the lounge and the vibe was great. The Dj (FLY)was on point but maybe my opinion is baised because he is a good friend from Atlanta who flew in to cover the pageant events. Mrs Hope was a wonderful host and I look forward to working with her foundation in the future.
All in all…it was a great trip and I am happy about the decision to go because the break away from Boston was HIGHLY NEEDED and over due.

…..working the check in table on the night of the formal Banquette. I have to say, we have a long way to go as a community when it comes to proper code of conducts at a formal event. Rules are Rules people.
…..taking a break from rehearsals. I had to layer coz it was cold! in silver spring.
Ethiopian cultural dancers. They were so entertaining!
….Shopping with some girl friends for last minute formal attires. You know how we women are, you gotta have options!
..Limo ride to Dinner Hosted by Mrs. Hope Suillivan Masters
The 16 beautiful contestants
AND THE WINNER IS…………****MISS CAMEROON!!!!!!!!!!*****

I WAS SOOOOOOO PROUD OF HER. 1st time a Cameroonian has won.

Miss Africa Usa 2011

2011-11-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

Time flies by so fast!

Its already been another year. Wow! And what has yours truely accomplished? Atleast I finally graduated from school and have fully emancipated into the work force. My parents have been thanking God daily :)

As with last year...which i would have happily linked you to the post with pictures [ damn you google for losing my albums! : / ] I will be travelling to D.C for the Miss Africa USA pageant. I love working for the organisation because it is so refreshing to see so many talent ladies in one room.

Here are the 2011 Miss Africa USA 2011 Delegates

It is an inspiration and definitely speaks against the stereotype of african women as helpless and uneducated. Every single participant has excelled both in the fields of academia, career and comunity service.

My favourite parts of the competiton continues to be the culture attires. It encourages the girls to become creative with their cultural "ashuabis" and colors. You can find out more information about this fun and family friendly event at http://www.missafricaunitedstates.com/index.php

A new and exciting component of the pageant is the introduction of the Aretha Makia Scholarship Fund for the winner. This is very important since most of the participants are college students. Dr Makia is a former Miss Cameroon and was responsible for asking last year's participants their final questions. This definitely increases the raison d'être for participating in the competiton! Read more about this fund and other updates at http://missafricablogazine.com/

Here is last year's winner, Miss Fifi Soumah from the Republic of Guinea. I believe she did an amazing job as the queen and I look forward to hearing more about her works in other publications. She is definitely a force to be reckon.

Happy Election Day 2012

2011-11-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

2009 saw a turning point in American politics and history with many young adults engaging and participating in the presidential election process. I'm pretty sure this is one of several reason President Barack Obama won :). Now we have an "Occupy Wall Street" movement sweeping across the nation. Regardless of your political ideologies, they will remain nothing but ideas if you do not participate in both your local and national elections. How else will the rights or reforms you want come into existence if you do not vote.

So go out and register to VOTE!!!

Snow Tease

2011-10-28T22:14:00.001-07:00

Boston weather teasing us with some snow. Oh Lord please let this not be a long winter. I’m already anxious of my winter commute to work seeing as am not use to driving in snow :/

In other cheery news….We are moving to a bigger place!!! YES!!!! FINALLY.SPACE! such a luxury in Boston.

. I will never take for granted all the empty parking lots and spacious homes and apartments in Georgia with backyards and playgrounds. I’m so excited am spending all night packing. My current living situation has nothing to be desired especially when it comes to SPACE.

The ONLY downsize, which I am definitely willing to compromise on is that my new bathroom is PINK. I'm still trying to mentally accept that this is my new reality. I’m the girl with the pink everything bathroom. What where they thinking?!!!!

Traditions

2011-10-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

I read an article today on Urban Christians that had me thinking about traditions. It was titled;

More Evangelicals Converting to Catholicism

Granted it was written over a year ago in July 2010, am not sure if this school of thought still applies today. These days, ONE YEAR is a long time for change to happen. With twitter and Facebook, we are learning about events as they unfold through videos and live commentators like twitter.

This is not a post about religion and faith. Nor is it about who is a "better" christian. I brought this article up because it uses the same reason for why some Catholics left the church and others are converting to Catholicism. Tradition. Unlike other denominations that have unique forms of worships, Catholics all over the world worship the same way. The scriptures, fellowship, praying of the rosary and etc have withstood the test of time in this new generation where the motto is "Go Big + Loud or go home". Don't get me wrong as a christian, I will worship in any church that believes in God and professes that His Son Jesus Christ came down to save us from sin. But I like being part of the catholic church because of its history, its practice of liturgy in the same manner the first Christians and apostles did hundreds of years ago. We as a church, have always had our share of controversy. Whether is the issue of birth control, abortion or child molestations. Those have always been part of the church's "cross to bare". In thesame light, recently there has been an increasing rise in men of God in popular evangelical churches, "disappointing" their congregations by "sinning". Maybe there lies a reason for the conversion to Catholicism. I don't know. What I do know is not to put my faith and trust in man but in God. These men/women are human. And Like all of us, struggle with certain demons in their lives. Putting them on a pedestal is the mistake most members of evangelical churches do. I've never been surprised by any of the controversies surrounding religious leaders in the past and nor will I be in the future.

As for traditions, there's something unique about values that are handed down from generations to generations. Whether it is a family recipe, a once a year get together, family reunions or celebrating a special holiday. It speaks volumes about the bond the people who partake in these traditions share with each other. Especially when it continues long after the individual who started it has passed.

As a child, my family moved around ALOT. I was constantly learning a new language, trying to fit in into a new school or understand a culture that was different from the one I had previously inhabited. Don't get me wrong. There were good perks. Starting over. Discovering a new place that many would loved to visit but did not have the opportunity. In some places, it was even cool to be the new kid because you brought something different to the homogeneity that existed.Yet, I yearned for traditions, routines that were unique to my family, as I saw in other families. Now that I have more control of my life, I try to instill rituals and traditions in all my relationships.

Alliance against Violence part 2

2011-10-26T20:16:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately I can’t post pictures and videos from the event due to lack of consent. Plus this was a family event with lots of little ones running around.
The turn out was wonderful. Over three hundred people showed up for the walk around the community. It kicked off with family members and friends speaking and lighting a candle for victims from last year up until 4 weeks ago.
It was so heartbreaking. I heard ages as young as 2yrs old!….High school aged kids and senior citizens. Some were killed on valentine’s day! by the same people who claimed to love them.
What really puzzled me was the young victims killed by their age mates.
Where those so much hate come from?
I understand someone older who has lived a life of bad experiences and all those events “brewing” in their mind. But for the young ones, who have barely lived….where does the murderous rage come from?
And the couple, who could not agree to disagree. Who couldn’t walk away. I wonder that the argument was about? What could you possibly be arguing about that you decide gunning down your partner is the solution?!
These are very strange times that we live in.

Alliance Against Violence Walk

2011-10-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow or better yet later on today since it past midnight...I will be doing a 2 mile-ish walk for the Melrose Alliance against Violence organisation. So if you are looking for some community service to do on this fine sunday afternoon, come on out and show some love!

I'll also be working the registration table and etc so stop by and say HI!!!

You can find more information about the walk here but am going to post it below anyways.

St. Mary's Parish supports alternatives to bullying and violence and we are happy to support the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) by participating in this event!

Join us on October 23, 2011 for the 16th Annual Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) Walk! The walk starts at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School and registration begins there at 3:30 pm. For full walk information, please click on the text above that reads "Walk Details."

How you can help:

1.) We are looking for people interested in participating in the team, as well as people interested in the organizing & student leadership committees. Are you interested in walking, organizing, outreach or fundraising? Please contact us at info@stmarysparishteam.org for more information and to become involved!

2.) Support us by donating online! Please visit our firstgiving fundraising page at the following link:
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/stmarys/16th-annual-walk-for-maav-

3.) Let us know if there are individuals or groups you would like us to reach out to! We are especially interested in reaching students from Catholic High Schools who may like to participate, but may not have programming from MAAV currently available in their schools. If you are a student and you are interested in becoming involved or if you know of students who may be interested, please let us know.

4.) Please contact us with questions or suggestions for this team effort.
We are happy to leverage Catholic social justice teachings in support of alternatives to bullying and violence and in support of MAAV's work and this annual walk!

Alternatives to bullying and violence can include compassion, empathy and understanding - approaches emphasized in Catholic teachings.

To learn more about Catholic social justice teachings, please visit the website for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at www.usccb.org