#Chikasays #TravelThursday: 5 beautiful reasons Kenya is my next stop

BY CHIKA

So where is your next travel stop this year? For me, i think it might be Kenya. Why? Well i was scrolling through Twitter, when i stumbled upon some pictures of Kenyan wildlife that are totally adorable.

And now i find i might be packing my bags to Nairobi. I would like to share some of them with you here:

Ready?

1. This picture of a sea turtle with fish riding on its back was taken at Watamu beach and it made me smile.

Meanwhile, Watamu beach is near Mombasa Kenya, and not only can you spend time on really beautiful beaches, you can also watch sea creatures, if you are an avid diver.

2. Next up is, this really dope picture of a man feeding an elephant:

The picture was taken at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. According to their Twitter handle @DSWT, they are pioneers in the rescue, rehabilitation & release of orphaned baby elephants, and actively work to conserve all wildlife and wilderness areas in Kenya.

I would love to go visit and feed baby elephants too.

3. Giraffes against the beautiful brown of a safari is a beautiful sight to see.

These giraffes are at home in the Massai Mara, a large game reserve in Narok County, Kenya. The Massai Mara is quite close to the Serengeti National Park in Mara Region, Tanzania. 

I also noticed that there are several other beautiful sights in this park i really need to see.

4. Dolphins diving is another of my favorite things to watch

I will also likely visit Kenya's wildlife services, apapart from watching animals all day, i will ask them if i can take home a pet dolphin.

5. Watching the migration of wildebeest from a hot air balloon has to be on everyone's bucket list.

I can't wait to get on a hot air balloon and watch the whole of the Serengeti beneath my feet.

Who wants to come?

#ChikaSays For the love of covers: 4 of my favorite

BY CHIKA

Who remembers Banky W's "Ebute Metta", a 'Nigerianized' and catchy cover of  Rihanna's "Umbrella"? Well, here are some of my favorite song covers ever:

1. Ebute Metta by Banky W

So, i really like this song because of its catchy tune. Rihanna's version is dope and sweet, but there is something bouncier about Banky W's "Ebute Metta" that made me fall instantly in love with it.

I sometimes miss the Banky on that track, although i love how he has grown as an artiste since then.

Ready for a massive throwback? Click the video



2. Hello by Praiz

So Adele's "Hello" caught fire. That song was everything, and on many nights, i still go to bed to the soulfulness of it.

Then Praiz brought his beautiful beard and voice into the cover and i fell in love all over again. I think it had to do with the deeper timbre of his voice, but it was instant love on that cover.

Listen to this beauty here:


3. Hello by Omawunmi

I found it hard to ignore Omawunmi's cover of Hello. While i still prefer Praiz's, Omawunmi also gave her soul and a little jazz to the track. The bounciness strangely does not reduce the soul of the song. Kudos! Omawunmi.

Feel the Omawunmi magic:

4. Panda by Ycee

Panda! Panda! Panda! Desiigner went in on that track! I spent a week studying the lyrics just to show off on karaoke night. Then Ycee happened.

Ycee's cover is slower, i can almost hear ever word, i like the creativity it took for him to come up with totally different lyrics, to cover the beat properly, i respect that, so it comes in at no 4.

Click the play button:

Listened to any covers by Nigerians lately that you like? Share with me.

#WorldTeachersDay: My favourite Teachers...My Favourite subjects

Yesterday was #WorldTeachersDay, and teachers were celebrated all over the world.

It got me thinking about all the teachers, lecturers and course advisers i have had the privilege of meeting and it is no coincidence that some of my favourite subjects were taught by some of the teachers that had the biggest impact in my life- positively that is. There was that teacher who gave me twenty one strokes of the cain and no, we ain't celebrating her thank you.

My History teacher in Queens' College was a really good teacher; i liked how she taught and her knowledge of the subject.
I got some of my best scores in history.

In university, i fell in love with Intellectual Property, because i of course love the arts, but also because our lecturer was the best lecturer ever. Everything came to life when he taught and it was always a discussion not someone urging you to cram notes.

Same for Criminal Law, Law of Evidence and Family Law.

If you asked me who had the most impact in my life though, it was definitely my Literature in English teacher. One time she came to class and asked us to pick up her chairs and we went to the garden for our lesson! How awesome is that.
It wasn't just that though.

To be honest, teaching is not the easiest job. Students hate and sometimes make fun of you, you have to think of policies and rules to guide you, and your salary sucks. So thank you to those who do it, and do it well. Those who made us believe we could, and because of them, we can!


What teacher had the biggest impact on you? Share with me in the comment box.

#TravelThursday: Fond memories of travelling by Road

When i was younger we would go visit my grandmother in Ijebu-Ode. We went by road, usually in two cars with my parents, my sister and my cousins. 

I learnt the joy and restlessness that comes with travelling by road then. We always started out excited. My dad would check the car and papers to make sure everything was fine, we would pack snacks and drinks and i would worry about NOT needing a bathroom break. I hated the thought of needing to go on the road!

We usually started off singing, joking and telling stories. Then one after the other, we would fall asleep till only the person driving (i hope) was awake.

And then just as it felt like we could not take it any longer, we would see the famous turn welcoming us to Ijebu Ode.

I loved it!

In school, i once had the 'pleasure' of travelling by road with boys and girls from two other schools to Abuja. I remember bits and pieces of the journey to and fro- getting acquainted, conversations about nothing, the stops we made and the things we bought, having the soda i packed in my bag burst open and ruin my clothes, giving out awards and just loving it.

Then there was NYSC and my trips on commercial buses. First you had to get to the park early enough, then get a good seat, and then hopefully tune the world out. I loved stopover in Benin; i would browse through novels, stretch my legs and wonder again why i was doing this? Once in a while there was a fear of being waylaid or the bus breaking down but all that would go away as soon as i saw the "Welcome to..." signs and in Lagos, my daddy's smile.

I have had to go by road to a few other places and one thing i know about travelling about road is it is better experienced with friends or at least a great book!

If you can bear the cramps (which can be eased by light exercise in between), the learning to drink enough to stay hydrated but not so much that you need a million bathroom breaks (hands down the worst thing about road travel for me), and the carsickness (eased by meds or simply chewing gum), travelling by road is full of fun, awesome scenery and erm..erm... that's all i have got.

What do YOU like about travelling by road?

Rio Olympics 2016: A tribute to the Nigerian spirit

The Rio Olympics for team Nigeria has been a study in courage and loyalty. First it began with the news that the athletes could not get transport to the Olympics.

Then the news that some athletes had to go on social media and use Gofundme to raise money for transport. Eventually, the Nigerian football team got stranded in Atlanta.

Then on the day of the opening ceremony, the team came out in tracksuits because their official attires, were not finished on time.

Think we are done? No. On the day of the first Nigerian football match, the wrong anthem was played, leaving the team, confused.

All this would be enough to demoralize anyone, yet the Nigerian team has stayed strong. Segun Toriola crashed out in the second round, but not after he became the first African to make seven appearances at Olympics table tennis events.

Aruna Quadri became the first African to reach the quarterfinals of men’s singles event at Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he eventually lost to the Ma Long the number one tennis player in the world.

Chierika Ukogu a medical student  is Nigeria’s first ever rower in the Olympics to have got this far. She came fifth in the third quarterfinal of the Women’s single sculls rowing event.

The Nigerian football team with Mikel Obi as captain have stayed strong, beating Sweden to qualify for the quarterfinals.

In all it has been a wonderful outing, the Nigerian team has showed that it has the Nigerian spirit, the spirit to push hard and remain strong despite obstacles.

#TravelThursday 5 best Beaches around the world

Ever wondered why you love beaches?

Scientists claim it is because we spent a lot of our time by the water while evolving. "Eez daaaat?".

I think we love the peace, the calm, the "I'm not driving in traffic cussing anyone out" emotions. Lol.

Beaches are great places for fun and introspection too. Now, finally, on to that list:

1. Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande, Brazil

We may be more interested in Brazil now because of the Olympics but Brazil boasts one of the best beaches in the world.

Lopes Mendes is two miles of unspoiled, deserted, powder-white sand that leads to some of the world’s clearest waters. And o, noone sets up beach shacks or restuarants here so it really is just you and nature.

2. Bora Bora Islands, Tahiti

The Island of Bora Bora is just a little under a one hour flight from the island of Tahiti or Moorea. The lagoon is so beautiful you would think an artist painted it! I can't wait to be there!

3. Seychelles beaches

 

Yay!

Finally!

The only one of these five beaches i have been to o.

Anse Source d'Agent which is across the island of La Digue, is one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

4. The Hamptons, New York

Well! Turns out that contrary to what we see on E!, the Hamptons are not just nightlife and rich kids.

They are also peaceful beautiful beaches and rich kids!

5. Barnes Bay, Anguilla

There are 33 pristine beaches on pancake-flat Anguilla, but Barnes Bay seems to have the softest sand imagineable (no rocks or shells) and far fewer crowds than say Sandy Ground or Shoal Bay East. It is located in the Leeward chain of islands, east of Puerto Rico.

I am aiming to visit all the ones on this list and a few more but which beach would you love to visit?

Speech it like (Michelle) Obama

You know you gave a great speech when people still talk about you weeks after. That is exactly what Michelle Obama did when she took to the podium at the Democratic convention to drum up support for Hillary Clinton.

So, what can we learn from Michelle to help us when we give speeches?

POSTURE

A good posture is a vital part of a speech. A bad posture might muffle your voice. Slouching or slumping might give a negative impression to your audience.

Also do not be too stiff, as this might make you uncomfortable. It is usually better to aim for a relaxed posture that is also respectful to your audience.

VOCAL EXERCISES

A good voice is one awesome way to get your listeners paying attention. We often think vocal exercises are for singers but anyone who talks for a living needs to learn one or two to do regularly.

STYLE

Can you speak extemporaneously or do you require notes? You have to choose a style you are most suitable with.

Some people work with notes, using headlines to keep reminding them, others can just give a speech straight up without notes. Which of these are you?

Please remember that if you use a speech written for you by a speech writer, you need to go through it, at least once or twice, it helps your delivery. REMEMBER MELANIA TRUMP!

TONE

Ensure your tone is conversational. If you talk like you do in normal conversation, your audience will connect. But if you are preachy, they are likely to tune out.

So speak like you are talking to one person and you will have reached every person in the room.

Lastly? Drink some water, you can even take a bottle of water on stage, it is a trick most experienced speakers use.

Drink some water as a means of pausing or collecting yourself. So, who has more tips? I would love to hear from you.

#TravelThursday Olumo Rock... an experience i will never forget!

I remember being in school and going on excursions. One of the most fun excursions ever was to Olumo Rock in Abeokuta. That day, i learnt a little more about myself (like lengths i would go to to go on an excursion and that when push comes to shove, i will push myself). More on those lessons later but let us talk about Olumo Rock and how it is one of the tourist attractions we have in Nigeria.

Some things have changed since i went, and some stay the same. But why should you check Olumo Rock out!

CAVES

The caves in Olumo rock smell of history and time.. 

The rock served as a shelter for many of the survivors, who were said to have hidden in specific areas inside the caves located inside the rocks to evade attacks from enemies. Those caves still bear the stories of the people who lived in them and that is how Abeokuta got its name (Under the Rock).

THE OLD WOMEN

There are women living in and around Olumo rock, really old women, they usually take their time to explain to you the history of the rock, and how they felt growing up in its shadow. No history tracher can give you that! 

If you are lucky, you might meet the 'Iya Orisa' who will tell you the story of the civil war that hit Egbaland. Stories you won't forget easily. 

SOUVENIRS

Don't leave without buying souvenirs like wrist bands and necklaces. You get something cute to tell stories with, and the people there make a living. So thank you, in advance!

GETTING TO THE TOP

If you are scared of heights, i don't think you will make it up there, but if you do,  you will be look down at Abeokuta all spread out before you in all its awesome glory. I tend to be a scaredy cat like most last borns but for this i really pushed myself and though i almost slipped once or twice, i made it to the top. When i got there, i had like a rush of emotions going through me- like wow Tosyn, you can do anything!
It was a great feeling!

There you have it!
Now hope next time we see, you can say to be proudly, i make it under the rock!

#MondayMotivation How to get on with it! Plus, a Dj Spinall tip

Let's be honest! Some days, you can't do it. 

Or at least you think you can't.

You can't go to work
You can't go to school
You can't face people
You can't smile.

That's a lot of can'ts.

And here's one more- you can't do that.

In an ideal world, we would "take all the time you need" but as grown ups, we have to get up and go, no matter what we are dealing with and each one of us has something we do to get things going.

I chatted with Dj Spinall on my show this morning and he told me he has a go to song that he plays when he is feeling down but still has to dj at an event. I have that too. Just a set of songs that pump me up.

And that's my first tip for you-

* Have a Go-To
It could be a go to song, Bible verse or poem that leaves you pumped!

* Psych yourself
I am not averse to throwing punches like Ali when I'm in the studio feeling down. I start dancing and psyching myself up. Err, just remember to do this away from people lest they call a doctor..

* Separate the two
They say women are able to compartmentalise better. I say, we all need to learn to separate. Don't bring those emotions from personal life to the workplace, and especially not with colleagues, bosses or clients. I can't be on air crying, dj Spinall can't start playing "my heart will go on" at a wedding just cos he's heartbroken.
Lol.

Separate it!
Practise and it makes perfect.

* Deal with it
I don't want to end this post on a defeatist or 'avoidance' note.
It's important to deal with whatever it is getting you down. If it's something that can be solved, solve it. Whatever it is, deal with it.

So, how do YOU cope?

#MondayMotivation When the past comes knocking

My past came knocking this morning, and I have no idea why.

I woke up, switched my phone on and suddenly I was getting mails from the past. Not sure what's up with yahoo but it's like someone broke the 'spam' or 'delete' button because I was getting mails I'm sure I must have deleted in 2011, mails about songs that were released in 2012, and mails about shows that have since aired and stopped, and some of these from accounts i thought i had blocked.
Like wtf?!

Don't you just hate when your past comes knocking?

The annoying thing about this situation was, I had to stop what I was doing then and focus on deleting and plugging whatever hole was leaking.

And isn't that what focusing on the past does to us? We ignore how good it is now and swear it must have been 'gooder' (as my lil cousin would say) in the past. Was it really though? Better back then?
And how can you truly move forward if you keep looking back?

I look back sometimes for analysis. If something worked back then, I wonder what I did differently and if it is possible to keep doing it, I incorporate it again. If something sucked back then, I also try to find out why, to avoid. What I don't like is when I get stuck on things I did wrong in the past.
I must confess, some of the mails i got this morning were great. Like one from a former assistant who now works in management. I did smile while reading some.

We can't fix the past. Some of the people we hurt have passed on or moved on. Some of the things we lost can never be brought back.
We can let the past be a reference that brings us joy or knowledge, but if the memory you are fixated on does neither, stop.

Life is meant to be lived, today.

#TBDaily x #MondayMotivation A Day is a Day is a Day

Growing up, Mondays felt sacred. I watched people treat Monday like a mystical day. You had to 'price' the goods in the market properly, not fight with your neighbours and not give bad or stressful information because 'o saro Monday" (it was early Monday morning).
Okay.

For me, i hated Sunday evenings because they brought the week, not just Monday, but every single day i would have to wake up early, then go to school and get some homework for the next day. Till today, Sunday evenings can be scary for me.

Between university and NYSC, when i could truly let my inner gypsy shine because lectures / classes could be at anytime so Mondays were no longer as special, i fell back to loving each day for what it brought.

It was refreshing to not have Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays etc, but have 'Family Law', 'Js 3' etc. For holidays, days became blurry and Monday (and to a lesser extent, Sunday), lost its scare.

For those of us in the creative industry, or who run companies outside a 9 to 5, the same effect is there. Like i tell people, i work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays... any day that ends with day.

The best way to tackle these things really is to not attach any special or mystic importance to any day in particular. That is not to say you shouldn't chart your energy levels and know your best days, but when we have all these 'moandays' jokes et al, it just gives 24 hours power. The kind of power we give 'New Year', but without the positive side effects like resolutions.

So this little message is to say, it is all psychological. And if you conquer Monday, you can conquer the week, But remember, after all is said and done, each day is the same twenty four hours. Don't let one day ruin your week. Nor life.