City Walk – Echoes of my neighbourhood 27

July 14, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha18 Comments

On Thursday’s, I share pictures about ‘Echos of my Neighbourhood.

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple and you can find out more about it through this link.

The sweltering heat and blinding Sun keeps one from venturing out much during the day right now, but the great thing is that Dubai’s lifestyle is a bit different in that the city really comes alive at nights till the wee hours of the morning when the weather is just a tad cooler.

There’s living to be done and being cooped up indoors inside air-conditioned facilities doesn’t cut it always. I took a walk around City walk with the children, took them to Hub Zero to play a bit and having an ice-cream to cool off certainly helps 😉

City walk houses lots of haute couture boutiques, a promenade, cinema, restaurants, indoor theme games and lots more. A lovely place with quiet spots where you can sit, enjoy the ambience and watch passersby.

Seeing the Berlin wall expose through Lady Lee’s eyes is an education. How much do you know about this divisive structure of the past and how the citizens lived through such perilous times? This is worth a visit. Pamela took us to downtown Jacksonville, Florida with its budding art scene. This is just my kind of place to wander happily 🙂

So, when do we get to visit you? Now, don’t be shy and invite us over

Jacqueline

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

“Beautiful Poetry of Life and Love.” Amanda

Featured Blogs

Featured Posts 99 – Share your posts.

July 14, 2016March 11, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha

1456149614808[1]

‘PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE LINKS.’

Today’s featured blogs posts are:

Do step in and show some love.

Blue Spider Woman: a beautiful, strong woman comfortable in her own skin and finds delight in the simple things.

Survivor, not a victim: when a relationship goes bad the collateral damages can be enormous. Joan’s short story tells it.

Are you present or can today wait: how much of a procrastinator are you? I think this should be kept where the eyes can fall on it each morning.

Simplest ways to attain peace: Taming the mind to find inner peace can be a challenge. However, it’s doable.

Goodbye my mango: are you able to paint delightful pictures in the mind with your words? Bellybytes did a beautiful job painting the brief Summer and Monsoon season in my head. I can visualise that lady rushing down the street with her umbrella turned upside down by the blowing winds.

‘Do you want more eyes on your words?’

Well then, add your LINK INTO THIS LOOP.

P.S. Comments are disabled here to keep the loop tidy. Any comments or link you want to send can be added through the link in the post.

Thank you for your understanding and regards.

‘We create a cohesive community when we come together.’

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Everyday People

Lady in red – Everyday beautiful people 87

July 14, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha8 Comments

When you raise a woman, you raise a village – African proverb

Women are the real architects of society – Anon

I saw her from afar

She certainly stood apart

Like a beautiful Rose

Caught in a family of bramble.

ℜ

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Writer's Quote Wednesday

I never forget – Writers Quote Wednesday Challenge

July 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha15 Comments

“Memories are intricate webs of souvenirs and thoughts left behind. They are woven around our hearts and minds, and journey with us wherever we go.” Jacqueline

Thoughts of you follow me everywhere
that some days I wake with the desperate desire
to see you just one more time.

The strength of my feeling
evokes your peaceful voice
and I hear you speak in my head.

Memories of you clutch my heart
and cling to my soul
your fists hold firm with unforgettable love.

The time spent here with you
and the memories you etched upon my life
as sure as genes passed from generation to generation.

They stay with me
their echoes whisper in the gentle wind,
in my heart and in my mind.

My memories of you keep you alive
as I see your dark handsome face
filled with wisdom and gentle kindness.

As it expands in my mind’s eye,
bittersweet memories they can be
bringing tears to my eyes
and a lump in my throat.

…But these memories of you
I will never let go
for I love you even more
with the passage of time.

I never forget.

I write this poem above with thoughts of my dad. I doubt if there’s a day that passes by without thoughts of my loved ones who have passed on floating through my mind.

Some memories leave indelible marks on the recipient that they become invisible fabrics that we wear on our person. Some memories are bittersweet, poignant, sweet, dark, happy, hurt and so many other emotions attached to it.

There are memories that dig deep holes inside us and in a way molds us into who we become. I have memories like everyone else; some are full of dark misery, joyful memories, sweet ones, light ones, poignant ones. Some memories were handed by life as a gift that I didn’t choose and some were created by deliberate interactions.
Life will still continue to hand out memories that it chooses for us, but it’s up to you to continue striving in creating memories of light and joy, therefore it’s up to you to turn those memories of dark misery into an enlightening experience.

In my writing, my memories serve as a compass for me when I draw into myself and allow my senses to feel everything that I felt at the moment when that memory was created. Sometimes, I am able to catch them in words and sometimes, I am unable to translate what I feel in concrete terms.

Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge – Memories

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Gratitude

Just Because… personal

July 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha32 Comments

I woke up this morning with a heart filled with gladness and gratitude. I have no particular reason for feeling this full, but simply ‘Just Because.’

Thankful just because that’s the best way to feel. I haven’t forgotten the things that are wrong, need to be fixed and all that, but my philosophy is that those things I can’t change in the immediate, I offer them up to God and for those I can deal with, I worry about them and seek solutions for them during my appointed/scheduled worry time early in the morning and thereby freeing my heart to enjoy the joy of living in the present.

I am thankful just because the children are on holiday after a rigorous school session. Yes there are lots of squabble time on their hands but there’s also a lot of laughter, fun and love caught in-between.

I am thankful just because of this medium of expression that I have. A medium that offers me the opportunity to interact with great and beautiful souls who enrich my thoughts every day.

I am thankful just because I am alive to live a new day, to write a new story, to make a difference in my own little way and just to be me.

I am thankful Just Because you are there and the thought of you makes me glad. Be Happy ♥

P.S: There are several gratitude/thankful platforms in the blogosphere that you can tune into and get your ithankful going on. I can’t express in words the enormity of Joy and fulfillment that comes from having a heart of gratitude. Please check out Maria’s blog, Colline’s blog and Bernadette’s for thankful/gratitude challenges.

InLinkz

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Wordless Wednesday

The Blinging Skull – Wordless Wednesday

July 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha13 Comments

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Featured Blogs

Featured Posts 98 – Share Your Posts

July 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha

1456149614808[1]

‘PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE LINKS.’

Today’s featured blogs posts are:

Do step in and show some love.

Come out of the darkness: beautiful, uplifting and inspiring post. Brief and picks you up 🙂

A paradox in the enchanted forest: What an interesting perspective. Just in case you are close by, could you please tell them to get on with the kiss already 😉

Father you are wonderful: I think we should all wake up with this kind of thoughts on our minds and prayer on our lips. Sublime

Welcome to the evolution of Dynishell garden: Some vibrant eye candy to make you smile and take a picture 🙂

Be strong – courageous: How can I express how much I believe in these words. Not just because they are Christian words, but also because they work.

‘Do you want more eyes on your words?’

Well then, add your LINK INTO THIS LOOP.

P.S. Comments are disabled here to keep the loop tidy. Any comments or link you want to send can be added through the link in the post.

Thank you for your understanding and regards.

‘We create a cohesive community when we come together.’

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Everyday People

The Sweet Man – Everyday beautiful people 86

July 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha28 Comments

“Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

“Except you open your eyes and explore the corners around you, you will walk past every beautiful thing on your path, failing to see the Orchids hidden among the Roses.” Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

In my wandering through some backstreets of Deira over the weekend, I stumbled upon the sweet shop and like a sugar ant I was drawn in 🙂

The shop owner was quite gracious as I took photos and had a brief chat with him. He’s from Bangladesh and has been living in Dubai for 22 years. He also has sweet tooth.

When I asked him how much of the sweets he eats in a day, he shook his head from side to side and said not so much again, because he can’t afford to lick all his profits. That gave me a good chuckle.

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Stars, Five Stars, Logo, Icon, Symbol, Five, Rating

Jacqueline writes from her heart on passion, pain, suffering, loss and LIFE. I have been incredibly moved by her poetry and I know I will return to “Out of the Silent Breath” again and again.

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

My Thinking Corner

Tuesdays Trickles – My thinking corner.

July 13, 2016September 27, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

Every Tuesday, I share snippets of thoughts that I call ‘My Thinking Corner.’

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple. You can check this link for more details.

♦ Your creativity can be a catalyst to your happiness, don’t undermine it.

♦ Be your own best friend and encourage yourself even when no one else is doing so, because most times everyone else is trying to get a grip on their lives.

The satisfaction that you derive from doing those things that you are passionate about is priceless. It increases your sense of well-being, self-worth, and inner peace. Sometimes, in pursuance of our creative passion, we may not be opportune to have cheerleaders and we must then be our own cheerleaders and encourage ourselves even when we are feeling low in spirit and think we are unable to carry on. The tide always ebbs and flows and the low feeling passes soon enough with self-driving encouragement.

Find more snippets of wisdom from awesome bloggers below and do take a moment to read.

Words of wisdom: are your words measured? Is your communication clear and unambiguous? This brief and dramatic dialogue said enough.

Equilibrium in life: these words speak to everyone of us. Honest, short and true wisdom.

Today’s nuggets: oodles of lovely nuggets of wisdom tucked in here. Indeed, as a man thinks…

Magical layers of flowers and five quotes for your creative soul: Petra’s words tells us to take away your protective layers and open your heart to reveal your beautiful soul… and it’s until you remove all those layers that you find you.

I hope that you find these little drops useful now and again and it would be lovely if you can share your thoughts with us.

Thanks and blessed be.

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Wonderful, evocative poetry by a talented writer. Left me hungry for more. Jacqueline can write! Linda Bethea

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee

Rononvan's Weekly Haiku Challenge

Magical Time – Ronovan writers weekly haiku challenge.

July 12, 2016November 8, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

Once I saw the prompt for Ronovan’s weekly haiku challenge ‘time and grow,’ my thought went to my children who are galloping up so fast before my eye’s that sometimes it gives me mixed feelings to watch them become more independent each day, knowing that soon they will be full-fledged adults and fly my coop.

Ah! I love these blessings of mine with every breath that I have.

Indeed time does create magic,

each day I watch you grow up,

my heart fills with gratitude.

∼

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Wonderful, evocative poetry by a talented writer. Left me hungry for more. Jacqueline can write! Linda Bethea

If you enjoy my works and would like to do so, you can fuel my creativity with a slice of cake or coffee