Creative Writing · Inspiration - Motivation · Writing

Most Times, it’s Fun to Reminisce…

jacquelineobyikocha82 Comments

Digging

Today’s assignment sent me down a nice spin and put a big smile on this face of mine.

I dug into my Facebook past which I started in 2008 and saw a whole load of stuff that I had written and forgotten.

Keeping a journal has always been my primary way of putting down my thoughts, then, I gradually started sharing snippets of my thoughts on Facebook, before I eventually summoned the courage to start blogging on May 6th, 2015.

I mined my past as today’s assignment required and dug up some stuff and I would like to share this little bits with you today.

Nothing has been edited in it. I just copied and pasted from my Facebook timeline and it is an exercise that I would probably repeat now and again, because I love the way that it made me feel.

The articles I share below, were written between 2009 – 2013.

I unearthed some photos too 🙂

There was a fun exercise that I also did sometime in the past and you might find it interesting as well. I hope the link still works.

For the fun exercise click on the link below.

What career were you actually meant for?

Wow! My hobby has been nailed straight on the head. Facebook seems to know me well enough. SPOOKY!! This was written in 2011.

Bitecharge.com’s response:You have an unmatched skill for creating vast worlds both through facts and pure imagination. Your mind is full of creativity, artistry, and expression. You heart gracefully guides your hands as you work to bring what is truly your spirit to life. You were truly meant to be a writer.

I must tell you, that response tickled and pleased me to no ends 🙂

Here are some of my quotes that I dug up 🙂

Most time’s, achieving greatness and living your life to the fullness of its capacity, requires pushing boundaries, adamantly refusing to fit the round holes created by limitations of other people’s expectations and simply remaining a square, but happy peg.

Your happiness lies deep within you and not in the hands of someone else or your bank balance. Seek it diligently, grasp it greedily and guard it faithfully. All the best in your quest.

Don’t sit on a moral high-horse in judgment of anyone! After all, when last did you take a peek at your own eyes? You just might see a large chunky cataract of defaults!

The article below was written for a 7 days gratitude challenge back in 2013:

DAY 2:

Sitting here this lovely Texas evening; and Yes! The weather is not sweltering, and I am surrounded by my brood doing school work.

The questions are coming at me from every which way; Language Arts, Geography, Maths, Science, World Culture and what have you.

And Yes! I have grown another pair of ears to hear and answer questions asked from 3 different sources all at the same time.

And Yes! I have developed a dynamic and faster central processing unit for a brain which appreciates subjects that I dodged with style back in my Secondary school days.

Mummy this; Mummy that; Who made me mummy; Is the question I ask? These awesome trio of mine

Gifts undeserving from God you are;
My rays of sunshine in human form;
Drops full of joy you bring to my life;
It’s all to God, who brought y’all into my heart

Nnamdi, my first born child, almost as tall if not taller than mummy. You are my source of laughter and Joy, my smart boy who competes with mummy in the kitchen. My capable young man with an easy nature and can do attitude, I take pride in calling you my son. Dalu, Chi Ukwu gozie gi. Lord, for this child I am very grateful.

Nnenna Adaobi, Nwa Ada mu nwanyi, my gentle spirited and kind child. Your good nature will never fail you. A little preemie of not so many moons ago, blossoming into a downright responsible young lady. I look at you each day in amazement and my heart glorifies the Lord. Oga adiri gi mma; Let the Lord be exalted.

My little Thunderbolt, Ikenna nwa m, mummy’s sugar gah, I bless the Lord each day for you. My intelligent, feisty yet gentle child, you bring sparkles to my eyes. The dozens of kisses, hugs and I love you that I receive each day from you, enriches me beyond measure. You are destined for greatness and To God be the Glory.

My soul magnifies the Lord, great things he has done. With all my breath and all that I have, I give you praise. I will sing of your enduring mercy to the ends of the Earth. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Going through this exercise has made me realize that my writing voice hasn’t changed much, but has matured more.

Thank you for your time 🙂

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

In fulfillment to Writing 101 – Day 17 Assignment: Mine Your Own Material

Quick glossary for native words:

Nnamdi: A native Igbo name which means “My Lord or My Father lives.”

Nnenna:  “her fathers mother.”

Adaobi:  ”The daughter of the King.”

Ikenna: “The Lord’s strength.”

Dalu, Chi Ukwu gozie gi: Thank you and may God bless you.

Nwa Ada mu nwanyi: My dearest daughter.

Oga adiri gi mma: It will be well with you.

Ikenna nwa m: Ikenna my son

Life · Love · The Daily Post

Its a Hardworking Love….

jacquelineobyikocha39 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Yin to My Yang.”

Good relationships

There are no perfect relationships! They all require some modicum of work!

Some relationships are fantastic, some are marginally okay whilst some are an absolute lesson in “who not to be with” and probably meant to be tossed into the garbage can.

The term soul mate is a misleading concept that hints at perfectionism, which is not a word that can be ascribed to any human.

We all are works-in-progress, who spend a better part of our lives trying to figure out who we are and this process cascades down to everything that concerns our lives. ”There is always room for improvement.”

That said, The Yin and The Yang of soul-mating, are those parts in our relationships that keep chipping at each other, until their rough surfaces are smooth enough for the jigsaw puzzle of our characters to blend in seamlessly, or, alternatively, they chaff at each others bits until the edges are so jagged and worn out that ”would be” Soul mates become Stab mates.

It’s a reciprocated effort.

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Hope · Life · Poetry/Poems

How Do You Heal A Heartsick Heart?…….HELP me!

jacquelineobyikocha70 Comments

sad-black-woman

I know all that I want to say;

There are drafts, lots of them;

The words are not lacking at all;

The ideas are bounteous and overflowing;

Yet I have no words to say anything;

Because I am heartsick!

How do you heal a sick heart?

How do I get my happy again?

I know the words in my treasured Bible;

I know that they comfort me;

I ask for a silver lining in this dark cloud;

But I see nothing; not yet at least;

Is it under my bed?

Maybe I should take a look!

Is it in a bottle?

I have no head for such!

Is it in prayers?

A heavy heart, all I do is sigh!

In the pages of a book?

My drifting mind goes here and there!

Where is it?

But still my heart sickens within me;

I feel empty like a hollow drum;

And I hate to feel this way;

Or to have a pity party;

It is said that time heals;

I think time just covers the sores;

Of oozing wounds;

But the scar tissues are left behind;

To remind us of the battles behind;

I try all the positive pick me ups;

I do hate to be in the doldrums;

I stuff myself with sugary bites;

Hoping to find some delight;

Yet nothing seems to work!

At least I can try to write the pain away!

How do you heal a heartsick heart?

Does anyone know?

Because this struggle is real!

I am human not machine;

I feel things like every other like me;

Despite the upbeat state of mind;

That I choose to maintain;

Sometimes, the pain is so real

It consumes your entire being;

You cannot seem to think of anything else;

The laughter is forced;

The companionship is wanted and not wanted;

The placation placates and annoys;

Your feelings are all twisted and upside down;

Sometimes, I wish that it is easy to stop feeling;

To become an Island and create a buffer around your heart;

That way you loose no one and you feel nothing;

But that would be a sad waste wouldn’t it?

The struggle is real!

Some may think it is a show of weakness;

To wail and to seek for help;

But I know that I don’t have all the answers;

Neither do I care for toughies who know it all!

Tell me; how do you heal a heartsick heart?

P.S. When the grim reaper deals a blow; Someone must be left grappling with the wicked show!

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Devotions · Family · Inspiration - Motivation · Life · The Daily Post

That Thing That Niggles Me…

jacquelineobyikocha39 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Must Not Fail.”

Not failingThe fear of failure when it comes to the aspects of life’s material wants has ceased to bother me, because I have really come to realize that we can exist on far less than we tend to surround ourselves with.

I literately and completely believe in the word of God in Ezekiel 34 v 26: that says: I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send showers in season; showers of blessing.

I have seen this proven true time and time again in my life even when I neither earned it nor deserved it.

I know that as long as life exists that hope exists. That faith and perseverance will sustain me.

It is always wise to keep in mind that failure is only a setback and not the end of the street. It is an invitation to learn from, to grow from and an opportunity to start again.

However, as a mother blessed with lovely children, there is a fear that niggles my heart each day and that is the fear in my ability to do a good job in raising my children.

With the amount of corrosive erosion in human ethics and values, I am concerned and wonder if I am doing enough to raise upright children who will be blessings to their generation. Therefore, I must continue to try.

On a personal note, I live with the fear of failing as a Christian in the true sense of the word. Not the picture of me that the World sees through the acts of Earthly Godliness but the intrinsic me that no one else is privy to.

I however remind myself that it is only by the Grace of God that I am redeemed and not by the arm of my flesh.

These two thoughts drive me everyday and if I do not fail in these two things, then I must count myself as extremely successful.

Let us not fail to remember that success is relative. What count’s as success for me, may be viewed as idiosyncratic nonsense to another.

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Family · Life · Musings · Poetry/Poems

Tormented Heart….

jacquelineobyikocha22 Comments

Grieving

In the doldrums lies my Soul;
Cast in the deep shadows of melancholic sadness;
Adrift with the lack of sense of it all;

I remember your fair sparkle;
Your gentle modulated tones of speech;
Your laughter that tinkles like little bells;
and your eyes that dance in merriment.

No preceding warning;
Not anything at all!
You were here;
Now you are gone;

Like a wisp of wind, floating…floating away;
You have sailed away;
Never to be seen again.

Your dancing eyes sleep, dimmed in forever;
Your gentle ways a resounding loss;
Your sense of humanity gone…so gone…

Oh! My Soul grieves at the pain of it all;
For the young ones that you have left behind;
Their shocked bewilderment and despair;
Staggering at the blow that fate just dealt;

My eyes are dry and tear ducts sealed;
I am in open-mouthed disbelief;
Yet, I remind myself of the transience of life;
That it shouldn’t come as a surprise;
That Souls journey often to another realm;

Yet, it does surprise and it hurts;
I am as sore as an angry bear!
Shall I say goodbye?
I have no idea how…….

Best friendJacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Short story

A sleepless night.. a short story

jacquelineobyikochaLeave a comment

Source: A sleepless night..

Inspiration - Motivation · The Daily Post

Keep it Moving Forward…

jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Pay It Forward.”

pay-it-forward2

Splendid prompt! Splendid timing!

I like this prompt because paying it forward just happened to me today, out of the blues. Whilst going through posts on my reader, a little note popped up and I saw this comment:

Congratulations to JACQUELINE who is the Giveaway Friday winner!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀

With the most comments on alocovivavoce.com, Jacqueline has emerged the winner of Giveaway Friday for the month of September 2015. Congratulations Jacqueline!

As a special prize, Jacqueline gets one of the following:

A 2000 (two thousand) naira recharge card of any network of your choice.

Or

A promotion of anything of your choice on alocovivavoce.com. Whether a product, service, idea or writeup, just let me know whatever you choose to promote and I would be at your service.

So once again, congratulations Jacqueline for being the top commenter for September 2015.

Sincerely speaking, I was quite surprised. I thought it was spam. Then I saw the name of the blog that it came from, so I gingerly clicked on it, reminding myself that April fools day had come and gone.

Anyways, I decided to play along and Viola! It is real. Now that certainly put a very big smile on my face 🙂

My initial thought was to ask her to promote my blog, but a little voice whispered to me: “you have received some pleasure and delight from this warm gesture, so why not put a smile on the face of another unsuspecting person” and I decided to go with the voice, so I responded to A Loco Viva Voce:

Goodness gracious me! This is a very pleasant and warming surprise. Not expected in the least and that is what makes it extremely lovely and appreciated.

My dear lady, thank you from the depth of me. This is such a heartwarming gesture. How I wish I could claim the recharge card, but since I am not in Nigeria it’s okay.

Better still, I can pay it forward and bless someone else over there with the recharge card.

Please let me know what you think and once again, thank you. God Bless

She came back with the response that it’s fine to send the gift of the recharge card forward to another recipient 🙂

So there you have it! Easily done and all in a days job 🙂

act of kindness

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Uncategorized

Congratulations JACQUELINE OBY IKOCHA!!!

jacquelineobyikocha18 Comments

Goodness gracious me! This is a very pleasant and warming surprise. Not expected in the least and that is what makes it extremely lovely and appreciated.

My dear lady, thank you from the depth of me. This is such a heartwarming gesture. How I wish I could claim the recharge card, but since I am not in Nigeria it’s okay.

Better still, I can pay it forward and bless someone else over there with the recharge card.

Please let me know what you think and once again, thank you. God Bless

A Loco Viva Voce's avatarA Loco Viva Voce

Screenshot_2015-08-25-13-20-38

Congratulations to JACQUELINE who is the Giveaway Friday winner!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀

With the most comments on alocovivavoce.com, Jacqueline has emerged the winner of Giveaway Friday for the month of September 2015. Congratulations Jacqueline!

As a special prize, Jacqueline gets one of the following:

A 2000 (two thousand) naira recharge card of any network of your choice.

Or

A promotion of anything of your choice on alocovivavoce.com. Whether a product, service, idea or writeup, just let me know whatever you choose to promote and I would be at your service.

So once again, congratulations Jacqueline for being the top commenter for September 2015.

Finally, I would like to show appreciation to the other top commenters:

Lydia,

Ibiela,

Emmanuella/Mama Naeto (thenaijateacher.com),

Deze,

Vivien,

Tumi,

Stephanie,

Coco,

Naija Carrot (naijacarrot.wordpress.com),

Eddie,

Kike,

and all other readers who have commented on alocovivavoce.com. I really do appreciate you for making…

View original post 54 more words

Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories · Writing

To Have and To Hold…. a short story.

jacquelineobyikocha25 Comments

wedding gownI am not sure of what I am doing, but it feels right and beautiful. I am scared that I would fail and things would not work out well, but I choose to face my fear and brave it. After all, I love Will and I feel that our love is enough.

Twirling before the ornate looking glass at the Wedding bells store – the only one that could be found for miles around in our small town, I am pleased with the image that stares back at me.

The dress is delicately gorgeous. I love the way it clings to all the right parts and accentuates my hour glass shape. It is even amplified around the upper chambers. The cleavage is cut in such a way that it creates a mirage of more bosomness, where that is non-existent.

I lack Joleen’s and Ma’s capacious specifications. It flows down , hitting the floor in a soft frilly fall of French lace. I know that this is the dress for me.

Ma’s nose is red from crying and blowing it. The fitting lady thinks that her tears are from mere joy of seeing her daughter try on wedding gowns for forthcoming nuptials. In Ma’s own way, I know that she is very happy to see me getting married to Will; Will is a fine and well-mannered lad. Not that scapegrace Jake who broke my heart and only rekindled his interest when he saw that I was getting along with Will.

For a moment, I was almost fooled and persuaded to take him back. He gave me a wicked thrill but treated me with such disrespect that I knew that the thrill would lose its appeal in the long run and problem drag me down a long winding road of regret. He was like a bad habit that was difficult to break.

Catching him making out with Lucinda was the jolt that I needed to get my head straightened out, even though he blamed it on the drink, I was done!

I know Ma’s tears partially stems from her feeling that she is losing an ally. I stand as a buffer between her and my father’s punches. Why she has stayed and taken it all, is an answer that I have never figured out? I keep hoping that one day, he won’t get so deep into his cups and kill her, more especially since no one would be around to support Ma.

My sister Joleen ran off at seventeen with a trucker who had more brawn than sense. She has passed through husband number 2 and on the prowl for number 3. She is in town for my wedding shindig, even though she has spent most of her stay getting up to no good. She couldn’t even come to the wedding store with us – bleary eyed and sleeping off her last nights carousel.

Kev O’Reilly’s wife Maybelle is on a war-path. Joleen has been blinking her baby blue eyes and extra long lashes; with some tips of fakes, at Kev. Giving him an insiders view of her ample bosom. I see his Adam’s apple bob up and down in a quick swallow and the glazed look that appears in his eyes whenever Joleen is around and flirting with him.

The O’Reilly’s have wealth to their name and Joleen is hell bent on the fact that husband number 3 would have a well lined deep pocket and some class too. She was tired of traipsing around the big ole country with a truck for a home.

Joleen is very pretty and Maybelle – Kev’s wife is not! She is…homely! Yes! That is the word.

I sigh over these thoughts as I hear alarm bells tinkle in my mind. I feel disaster coming along!

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

In fulfillment of Writing 101 – Day 15 Assignment: Take a Cue From Your Readers. In the opinion poll that I placed, most of the vote were cast in favour of fiction, so I wrote this!

Thank you for reading and kind regards.

Image credit: Weddingideas.com

Inspiration - Motivation · Life · The Daily Post

When its Over, its Done With…

jacquelineobyikocha27 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Out of Reach.”

The past

Frankly speaking, as the days go by; which by the way is turning out to be one of my favourite statements, I have no regrets about Ex’s that have been left behind!

They came into my life at the point in time that they should have and we moved on at the juncture when the show was over and their time was up to move on. Not all relationships are meant to last forever even when they were absolutely delicious. Nothing in life has permanence!

In my opinion, no place is out of reach to travel to if you want to and set your mind to. It is all in one’s perspective! One place that I visited and stayed for a while and wanted to stay longer than I was entitled to was Geneva – Switzerland. I fell in love with that city; its mix of ancient and modern. No Swiss gentleman was forthcoming to sweep me off my feet and other things in life were beckoning to me, so I had to journey forth 🙂

I don’t believe in dwelling on a past that is out of reach and done with. Thus, I don’t bother looking back at things that are not in my ability to resolve. Minor skirmishes with loved ones, where I need to apologize and make amends, I do that as swiftly as possible and try to mend fences.

I would rather continue my transformation by expending positive energy in creating better moments in the NOW. Moments that would translate to a better tomorrow when it arrives!

Yesterday is gone!

Today is now!

Tomorrow does not lie in my hands and will take care of itself!

Live within the moment and live it in full!

The future

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha