Personal · The Great Book Of Lists · This Is My Life

I am currently….personal TGBOL

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For this week’s great book list, Duchess gave us something a little different. It’s a snap portraiture of who I am, what I do and what my current plans are.

She found the list idea on MAMBI website as a freebie for their Create 365 brand.

How does it work ? We should list items starting with I currently…. love, eat, drink, etc, so here goes…

a. Loving… Life and the state of my mind that keeps expanding with possibilities each day

b. Eating… Less even though I had one greasy Hardee’s burger after gamboling around the beach.

c. Drinking… Lots of water and blended fruits otherwise called smoothie these days.

d. Watching… Jumanji with the children and last night was Casino, with dear Himself.

e. Going…To start different things, a new blogging platform focusing on blogging, writing and speaking, searching more ardently for income opportunities and marketing my book.

f. ReadingA Prisoner of Birth, my bible, a host of blog posts and O’s Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose (O’s Little Books/Guides)

g. Texting… Family and friends. Just finished having a chit-chat with one of my sisters and my roomie back in University.

h. Playing…. In the sand at the beach and watching the children ride their segway. I passed on their offer to teach their mother. I don’t want to break any bones or lose my dentition.

i. Working… On my second book. I decided to focus on one at a time instead of the different manuscripts I am working on.

j. Stressing… Over marketing methods, over an ill relative and the current state of my country, Nigeria.

k. Celebrating… My blog’s one year today and one of my boys will be celebrating his birthday in four days, so he’s making a long plan for me 😉

l. Listening… To Happy by Pharell Williams and my playlist, that uplifts my spirit.

m. Thanking… God every day for his grace and mercy and friends for their presence in my life.

n. Buying… Not much. Asides from our regular grocery and books to read each month, I have been on a spending hiatus.

o. Pinning… I honestly haven’t pinned much of anything, except darning my son’s shorts, I guess that passes for pinning something 😉

p. Planning… Summer slowly in my head and hoping to be done with my second book by then. Planning not to crowd my mind with so much and focus on the important things.

q. Visiting… Ajman. We went last weekend to the nearby Emirates and it was a lovely quiet time.

r. Wondering… Where to find the energy to do all my weekend cooking, writing and tidying. I am feeling lazy.

s. Feeling… A mix of emotions. More like melancholic.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Dance to your heart’s delight my African child, until echoes of your stamping feet, beating heart; bright eyes, smiling lips; and waving hands, resonates over and over like thunder claps, reverberating throughout the Universe.

Just dance.

Blog · Personal · Writing

365 Terrific Blogging Days Later…Hurrah!!

Blogging was an unknown concept. I had no concrete idea what it meant or where to start from. All I had was the desire to write beyond journalling in my diary. FaceBook had been my medium of sharing bits of my thoughts, which was a lot, but something about FaceBook just never settled well with me, so I didn’t share as much.

Backtrack to May 5th, 2015 after a friend encouraged me yet again to start blogging, I googled the word ‘blog’ and WordPress came up. I researched further and before I could say Hey! Presto my first post was published.

I started it afraid. My doubting part told me that since I wasn’t technically on-point I probably suck at it. I didn’t know what a good or bad blog was meant to look like. I didn’t know what ‘spam bots’ were. I had never bothered my life about SEO’s, didn’t know what it was and still don’t know exactly what that Greek word ‘search engine optimization,’ means in real terms. All I had and still have is the burning desire to write and to learn.

I wondered who in their right mind would bother to read what I wrote but after my initial trepidations and decision to leave the excuses, I decided to plod along knowing that I am writing for me.

Why am I back-tracking a bit, because, sincerely speaking, it truly amazes me to think that I started this blog from zero, knowing nothing, with no idea how to blog and what it would be like, to this point where I wonder why I took forever to get started?

Am I glad that I am here? Absolutely, yes.

I have made wonderful friends on this journey. My thoughts have grown exponentially. I’ve pushed myself beyond my comfort zone over and over again and without trying to sound too smart, I look back and say to myself ‘well done, you’ve not done badly, babe.

Just a quick view of my present circumstance as they also serve as a measure of growth online…

a. Published my first poetry book.

b. Published 1,178 posts

c. I gained a partner and looking for more 🙂

d. Joined several challenges.

e. I started two blogging challenges that you can join.

f. Attended a number of BU classes.

g. Did my first Nablopomo last November.

h. Hostess to an exciting, monthly blog party 😉

i. Started earning some cents in WordAds 😉

j. Many positive offline strides that my online presence brought about.

Stats: 92,807 views, Visitors: 22,842, Friends: 7,980, Likes: 53,277, Comments: 28,706

Well, there you have the bare bones. These days, this may not seem like much to some, but in my eyes, these are giant strides for me. To another 365 days, I say, let’s go!

Thank you all for choosing to stay with me. For your supportive hands of fellowship, I remain humbled in appreciation. Have a drink and a cupcake on my behalf 🙂

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Dance to your heart’s delight my African child, until echoes of your stamping feet, beating heart; bright eyes, smiling lips; and waving hands, resonates over and over like thunder claps, reverberating throughout the Universe.

Just dance.

Personal · Photographs · The Daily Post

Beach Bums…

 

Zanzibar - Kempinski

I am not a beach bum but I love spending time by the beach side. Soaking in the lovely sea breeze that lulls you to sleep on the chair.

Running in the surf’s spray and dipping my toes in the water is particularly soothing, though the sand has a way of getting in nooks and unexpected crannies.

Coincidentally, it’s a long weekend in UAE as today is a public holiday, so we plan to spend time tomorrow morning at Jumeirah beach before the sun gets too hot.

It can be wickedly hot in this place, but for now, the rays are still kind to us.

I have a big beach bag that I plunk in all sorts of stuff, from my sunglasses to headphones, blue tooth loud speaker for music, sunscreen, water, serviettes, the large book that I am currently reading A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer. A fantastic and compulsive 600+ pages read.

Maybe I’ll do a book review after, but does Archer need a review? I doubt it.

I’ve got Summer on my mind once the children get through their exams by the end on the month. Yippeee!  🙂

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Beach, The Daily Post Prompt.


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.

 

Echos Of My Neighbourhood · Photographs · Travel

Ajman and Kempinski…Echoes Of My Neighbourhood # 17

Today’s echoes experienced an unexpected delay because I’ve been on a road trip and for some reason, my photos couldn’t load up on my pad. My apologies.

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

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

Every Thursday, share a photo of bits and pieces of wherever you are at any point in time. It could be a house, backgrounds of your neighbourhood, activities and so forth and you can tag it Echos of my Neighbourhood, add my link to your post so that I will get the ping from your post.

Every other Thursday, I will publish a post with the links of all those who participated the previous week.

This is just a fun way of getting to see more of the World around us through your eyes since we cannot all be at those places, we could, at least, see them through you.

Last weekend found us visiting Ajman which is one of the Emirates (the smallest member State) that makes up UAE which comprises of 7 Emirates.

It’s a leisurely one-hour straight drive from Dubai if there’s no traffic, so it’s easily a day trip of 2-3 hours to and fro, but to enjoy the benefits of the pristine Gulf as well as getting a feel of the Emirate, an overnight stay wouldn’t be a bad idea.

A direct opposite of Dubai’s energetic pulse, it’s calm and much slower. Good for a quiet family weekend away.

There are several beautiful hotels to choose from, though we got a deal at Kempinski by making an early booking.

Last Week Echoes took us to different neighbourhoods, hop on let’s go see and we will be glad to see some of yours.

Giggles and Tales You’ve got to love Europe’s architecture and it’s passion for cycling. I remember my awe years ago, the first time I visited Amsterdam and saw all the bikes at a bike station.

Spring is in the air  The only words to describe this is ‘gorgeous and fabulous’ 🙂

Boys come out to play Boy’s will be boys no matter how small they are 😉

Mercury Colliding Kat has a nice fairy that works very hard. I wouldn’t mind one myself.

Earnestly Debra joins us with a sea ferry, whale watching adventure that I wouldn’t mind experiencing.

Munich Lady Lee shows us spots of Munich through her lens and a sumptuous meal to go with it.

Do show us just a peek of your neighbourhood, please 🙂

Until Thursday, next week, have a good weekend.

For ease during our road trips, we use:Garmin nüvi 2597LMT 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth Vehicle GPS with Lifetime Maps and Traffic

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.

Blog · Uncategorized

The answer to the party riddle…

Thank you

I would love to thank all of you who took out time from your hectic schedules to make my monthly blog party a wonderful get-together.

For those who would have loved to come but for a reason or the other, they couldn’t make it, I attach the party link here so that you can avail yourself the opportunity and meet all the lovely friends who left their footprints all over my blogging floor 😉

We had a riddle to attempt and here it is below with the answer.

Riddle 

Question: A farmer is trying to cross a river with a bag of corn, a hen, and a fox. The farmer’s boat is only big enough to take himself and one other item per trip. The hen cannot be left alone with the corn or she will eat it. Likewise, the fox cannot be left with the hen, or the hen will be eaten. How does the farmer get all three items across the river?

Answer: The farmer takes the hen across first, and leaves her on the other bank. Next, he comes back, loads the fox onto his boat, and takes him back across the river. He drops off the fox on the opposite bank, picks up the hen, and brings her back to the original bank. He swaps the hen for the corn and returns to the far bank with the corn – leaving it with the fox. Then, he returns once more to the original bank to get the hen. Once he brings her across, all four are happy to be on the other side!

The bear that reads provided the correct answer 🙂 and here’s her comment below:

I do believe you’ve started on the right foot, you take the hen first then you go back and get the fox. Once you’ve ferried the fox over you take the hen back to the first bank, swap the hen for the corn and ferry the corn over to the bank with the fox. Drop off the corn and head back to the first bank to grab that hen and ferry it across, and that’s the last trip all three have made it to the second bank.

We also had a story thread that reads:

Story

He read the letter for the third time,  shook his head and slammed his palm on the wooden desk.

The poor old desk groaned under the force of his strength.

Someone has a question to answer,” Hunter growled.  a cooking pot and twisted tales

Hunter, holding the letter in his other hand, waved it vehemently in the air. “How did this get here tell me that! Who wrote it? It’s FULL of lies!! Innuendos! Rubbish is what it is!”

He turned his one good eye on each person in turn seated at the bar. Without exception, they all shrugged and turned their backs on him.

That aggravated him even more than the letter. Soul Gifts 

“What kind of question?” Hunters wife Maggie asked. She saw the angry scowl on her husband’s face and knew something was wrong before even muttered his thoughts aloud.

“It’s that damn neighbour again. He complained to the city.”

“Why would he do that?” Maggie asked.

“Because I can’t cut the grass. He’s upset says it brings down the value of everyone else’s property.” Hunter said sighing. Maggie put her hand on Hunter’s arm.

“It was Jerry, right? I’ll go talk to him. That stupid man doesn’t understand how hard it is to mow grass when you’ve had your legs blown off in war.” Hunter looked at Maggie gratefully. Mandibelle

The End

Do try and join in for the next one at the end of the month. It’s usually a lot of fun 🙂

Thank you, my good people. Blessed be.


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.

Uncategorized

Featured Posts 48…Let me share your post links.

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‘PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE LINKS.’ 

Today’s featured blogs are:

Working on a sequel to made for ink A lovely, encouraging read from Pamela. Especially when you are wondering what step to take with that writing. I enjoyed it and left a little print on her post:

I would go with writing that sequel while my muse is still working with me and marketing the first one as well as you can. Don’t restrict yourself and yes you might create an avalanche:-)

The perpetual campers: Can you visualize life as a perpetual camping family? A choice made not out of choice but out of the need for survival. I like her optimistic outlook towards life.

A quick drive-thru to say hello can gain you a friend.

‘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.’

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Musings · The Daily Post

Thin thread of hope

To that fragile
thin thread
of hope
do
h
o
l
d
on.

I am a die-hard hopeful-realist – if such a word exists. I believe in putting in my best in anything that I do and holding on tight to the hope that it will turn out well, even when it all looks dim.

Somehow, that little mustard seed has never failed me.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Hope, The Daily Post Prompt


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.

Everyday People · Life · Photographs

Cool!..Every day beautiful people 35

“To be noticed without striving to be noticed is what elegance is all about.”

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He looks comfortable in his own skin.


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Midnight motivation and musings · Self Help

Midnight Motivations and Musings 77

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Sometimes bad experiences hold us captive more than we even know.

They subtly dictate and become the benchmark for our future exploits and endeavours, that we inadvertently shortchange our lives with experiences which are in the past.

As life is a culmination of experiences, we shouldn’t allow the mishaps of years gone by steal into our hope for the future, that’s simply the way the known and unknown enemy operates by reminding you of all the areas in your life where you failed so that you shouldn’t expect to succeed.

Even if you failed in so many things, there’s a chance that you’ll succeed in this one, if only you stay the course and stop looking at that old syllabus that didn’t quite work.


 

Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.

Gratitude · Personal

For these one’s, I give thanks…personal

There’s always a reason to be thankful no matter how minutiae, but today I have lots of reasons to be full of gratitude.Gratitude, Grateful, Prayer, Thanks, Blessings, Open

I am 2 day’s away from clocking 365 days of non-stop blogging and it puts me in a reminiscent mood. It may not mean much to some people, but I am still chuffed over the fact that I have diligently stayed the course.

My first book also got published over the weekend and I am totally excited about it.

The exemplary gentleman/publisher who worked with me on this project David Cronin of Moyhill publishing, Sally Cronin’s husband has been so supportive to this novice, answering all my questions down to the nitty-gritty and the book is already receiving excellent reviews.

I gained a worthy and supportive partner this last week, a fellow blogger whose articles inspire me very much. Kaylaa Blackwell of Inspired Beacon, I thank you for having enough confidence in me and finding it worthwhile to partner with me. I will be writing more on this in another post.

For amazing family and friends who don’t cease to surprise me, I am thankful you are all in my life. Your encouraging words literally fuel me. I hope that there’s something that you are thankful for today.

You can join Colline’s  or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha


Below is my first 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.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.