Hmm ... the "mixed" girls are gone. I'm a little miffed at these cyber-bullies that won't let people be. Now, don't get me wrong, the "yellow pawpaws" really weren't to my taste. For one, none of them were good story tellers. They had stories ... but just didn't know how to TELL it! The words just came tumbling out. There was no mystery, no chronology and I still cannot place their ages or what (if any) they did for a living.

I know, I know they were anonymous but their stories always ended up leaving me more confused than before I read it. I kept thinking "...oh wait, so Ejector is bisexual or is Legz?" Confusion can be frustrating. And who did "I.F" stand for? Uh ... I am so not kidding, that blog was perplexing but anyways ... I'm sorry they are gone.

The thing about blogs is some of them you don't agree with. For me, its those blogs by females that dwell solely on sex. They have mind-blowing sex everyday, all the guys are tall, dark, handsome, rich, fabulous... yes oh I hear una

Sometimes, I wanna comment and say 'get a grip, please" but my conscience bothers me. I mean, what right do I have to tell anybody how to live their lives? At the same time, when is it okay to caution someone that is walking down a dangerous road? I don't know

I saw a post about someone who wanted to get into the habit of going a whole day without food. When I glanced at the comments (this was a few wks back, maybe something has changed) nobody ever said "No, don't do that! thats dangerous!" Everyone was commenting on something else.

Anorexia is a disease of the mind. Once you get to the point where you can control your mind to go several days without food ... you might not be able to shut that control off. Nicole Richie comes to my mind, she was a little chubby true but the media and co made her push herself to a place where she could go without food for thats and voila! look at what we have now, a bag of bones that has to hire nutritionists to find out why she is not gaining weight (oh, I can tell you why!)

All, these comments that always encouraging people to engage in bad behaviors make me wonder. Are these cheerleaders living the same kind they are supporting or they have the philosophy "live and let live" or are they hypocrites disgusted with the conducts but wanting to appear nice so they jejely type something encouraging?

NaijaBloggers, shine your eye oh! Be sure that you know the difference btw vacuous praise and people who really want the best for you.

Anyway, thats my spiel. I hate preaching but damn, its my blog. But sorry to see the mixed girls go. I wish them luck (anonymously)

posted by lala @ 7:45 PM 3 comments

A Taste Of Your Own Medicine

Monday, March 19, 2007

To BabyLove

You may have given me my first kiss,
but you don't own my heart
You may be the sweetest thing on this planet
but saccharine sweetness of you don't taste good to me
You may be a light
but you've only brought me darkness

I have waited for you to grow up
to feel what I felt
I always kept in touch
though we were oceans apart
I thought we were meant for each other
guess I was dead wrong

Your long periods of silence were unacceptable
Your lies were unacceptable
Your selfishness was unacceptable
Your immaturity is unacceptable

I know we made no promises
but the connection was there
I know you never cheated on me
because we have never been a couple
I know I should never have hoped
but hope I did ...that one day we would be

Now we're only a few hours apart
but we might as well be separated by lifetimes
because I don't feel you, want you or need you
Now the tables have been turned
maybe now you'll get a grip
because I don't want your calls, emails or love

Now you want me to maybe read your mind
sending emails that say everything, yet nothing
but I'm never going to say the words you want me to say
If you want me, you'll have to say it
be a man and step up to me
if not, then step off

Your words are too vague
Your hesitance too annoying
Your calls too frustrating
Your praise too generic

I'll say it if you don't
I'll be your lifelong friend
I have known you all my life
I'll never be more than a friend
I know you don't deserve me

posted by lala @ 1:04 PM 7 comments

Shopaholic Created

Sunday, March 18, 2007

I have't felt much like blogging these days. I'm not sure why but its ok. The urge to write comes and goes. Nothing much happening, my hospital wants me to stay. They want me to work the evening shift. Not a bad idea. Not quite sure what I want to do yet.

I have applied to Georgetown Hospital but I haven't heard from them. And I am still thinking of this whole NYSC thingie so lets just say ... I'm open.

Hmm, blogs, blogs, blogs. Interesting to see what has been going on in bloNGville. So many sex-themed blogs. Nothing wrong with that really but sometimes ... I wonder.

I guess the most hilarious things about the blogs are the comments! So many anonymous comments . Example "@the first anonymous before the second one, what do you mean blah, blah, blah" Nobody can even be bothered to make up a name at least so there are 16 anonymous posts, nobody is sure if there are 16 individuals or what. Its really funny.

My take, regardless of what people write in their blogs, if you can't be man/woman enough to reveal your identity (blogidentity that is), you need to stay quiet (and thats in my nicest voice)

I'm really loving the summer clothes this year, I love polka dots and the fabrics this year ....wow! I'm not really into clothes and shoes (or maybe I just didn't have the money) but this summer, I have been swiping that card quite a bit.

Well guess what, I'm worth it!

My 31st(gasp!) birthday is around the corner, I think I will get an overpriced bag for myself. Just because I can, I guess. This will be the only time I will be getting these overpriced designer stuff (clearly, I'm not a big fan).

I have definitely had a trying year this year and I overcame a lot of obstacles so I'll be celebrating in style.

How was your weekend?

posted by lala @ 5:38 PM 2 comments

Nilla's Spin: Nigeria Discussion Series

Friday, March 16, 2007

Nilla's Spin: Nigeria Discussion Series

I think we've hit rock bottom. And if we haven't, then we have only a few more years left to hit it. A nation that preys on itself in every sense. Where all manner of depravities come to roost (... okay sue me for telling it as it is)

The mere mention of values is enough to get you the backward head jerk like 'where in the world is this fool coming from?" Its all gone, there is no need to for detailed stories of how immoral our beloved country is. I'm comfortable that we all have seen, heard and lived enough stories to fill plenty of books. As the saying goes, "Been there, done that"

But wait.

Is that how our story ends? Do we crash and burn, never to rise again? Or do we get a "do-over"? Don't we get the chance to start afresh and show what we are really made of?

I think we do

But this new story starts with you and me. Its time to get serious. I have been following this discussions carefully and I have read lots of good ideas mostly business and I agree that we have to definitely to establish ourselves economically.

But the one thing that I think we have pushed to the back or failed to notice as we talk about business organizations is the fact that most of these major business entities start with a value.

For example, Sam Walton of Walmart was determined to to build a line of discount stores that would provide even more value to it's customers than their competitor - KMart. His vision was to not only build the best value discount chain ever, but to employ a "family" of employees (associates) where he would enrich their lives.

Bill Gates stated early on that his goal was to put a PC in every home; it wasn't to make billions - it was because he truly saw the potential computer applications and how they may help educate, entertain and enrich people's lives.

Walt Disney's past is filled with vision and dreams of making people happy, improving the world - making money became important ONLY out of necessity of realizing his dream of improving the world!

Other examples include Sears' commitment to trusting the customer. (From the 19th century onward, any product could be returned to the company with a money back guarantee, which engendered great trust in both directions, enabling booming sales, and, the great success for the firm that followed.)

Apple Computer's belief in the values of solving problems of society. (The company created the IPod player and ITunes online music store to overcome a conflict between those who sought to download copyrighted music for free and the music industry which sought to protect its artists and its revenues.)

Marriott's values of systemization and standardization. (The company created a standard model hotel, and then duplicated it hundreds of time around the world, enabling it to grow incredibly fast, and become the leader of its industry.)

When we examine the lives of famous people, we often see how personal values guided them, propelling them to the top of their fields.

This leads me into my message for the day.

I think for there to be a collective change in our nation we need to make some individual changes. Firstly, I think its time for us to have values.
What is a value?

A value is a belief, a mission, or a philosophy that is meaningful. Whether we are consciously aware of them or not, every individual has a core set of personal values.

Why is it important to know what your values are?
Simple. So you can make better choices.

People who don't know their values tend to wander around, bouncing from one thing to another, trying to find themselves. They're like puppets, pulled along without any clear direction.

Knowing your values helps you:
Follow a clear set of rules and guidelines for your actions. You’re less likely to take the easy way out or chase after short-term gains at the expense of your long-term goals.

Make good decisions. You quickly know what are good choices for you and what are not.

Find compatible people, places, and things that support your way of living.

Live with integrity. Integrity here doesn't mean honesty or honor. Integrity means wholeness or completeness - being a whole person.
Nothing left out. Being true to yourself

There is a saying that if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything. With values, we have a core, a reason for living. The value may be as simple as concern for others or as ambitious as world unity but we got to have something, its worth everything!

We can talk all we want about the changes we want to see take place in Nigeria but its not going to happen if we are not prepared to change ourselves. Now hear me, I said "change ourselves", not other people.

Let's NOT start with the corrupt policeman, lets start with keeping traffic rules (gasp!), doing an 8 hour job when we go to work, taking time to put our trash inside trashcans, not on the floor! Need I give more examples? Its on you and me to change our world.

We can't keep putting new wines in old vessels, its not going to work. An average Nigerian wants the Jeep, the fancy duds, plenty of throw around money, the big air conditioned office but yet, there is rarely any talk about working 16 hours a day to get all that.

We have to get our values straight. Not everyone is going to be a millionaire or close, thats why the word "poor" exists. Because it describes a state of being.

Did you say "thats not going to make a difference"? Well I beg to differ. One person CAN make a difference, can influence another person to change and lead to exponential change.

We all have to remember that NO country is devoid of corruption,immorality or negativity but the fact is countries have learnt to excel in spite of that. Because they have people that still have core values, people that will not support wrongdoing, people that will take the trouble to stand ...or even die for their beliefs

Does change sound impossible? Maybe it is, maybe not. But remember, according to Napoleon Hill, “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe - you can achieve.”

Whatever one's values, when we take them to heart and implement them in the smallest details of our lives, great accomplishment and success are sure to follow.

Interested in understanding your values
http://www.selfcounseling.com/help/personalsuccess/personalvalues.html

LET ME ASK YOU A TOUGH QUESTION
What will YOU do for your country?

posted by lala @ 9:26 AM 1 comments

Rock Bottom: Nowhere Else But Up! (Nigerian Series)

I think we've hit rock bottom. And if we haven't, then we have only a few more years left to hit it. A nation that preys on itself in every sense. Where all manner of depravities come to roost (... okay sue me for telling it as it is)

The mere mention of values is enough to get you the backward head jerk like 'where in the world is this fool coming from?" Its all gone, there is no need to for detailed stories of how immoral our beloved country is. I'm comfortable that we all have seen, heard and lived enough stories to fill plenty of books. As the saying goes, "Been there, done that"

But wait.

Is that how our story ends? Do we crash and burn, never to rise again? Or do we get a "do-over"? Don't we get the chance to start afresh and show what we are really made of?

I think we do

But this new story starts with you and me. Its time to get serious. I have been following this discussions carefully and I have read lots of good ideas mostly business and I agree that we have to definitely to establish ourselves economically.

But the one thing that I think we have pushed to the back or failed to notice as we talk about business organizations is the fact that most of these major business entities start with a value.

For example, Sam Walton of Walmart was determined to to build a line of discount stores that would provide even more value to it's customers than their competitor - KMart. His vision was to not only build the best value discount chain ever, but to employ a "family" of employees (associates) where he would enrich their lives.

Bill Gates stated early on that his goal was to put a PC in every home; it wasn't to make billions - it was because he truly saw the potential computer applications and how they may help educate, entertain and enrich people's lives.

Walt Disney's past is filled with vision and dreams of making people happy, improving the world - making money became important ONLY out of necessity of realizing his dream of improving the world!

Other examples include Sears' commitment to trusting the customer. (From the 19th century onward, any product could be returned to the company with a money back guarantee, which engendered great trust in both directions, enabling booming sales, and, the great success for the firm that followed.)

Apple Computer's belief in the values of solving problems of society. (The company created the IPod player and ITunes online music store to overcome a conflict between those who sought to download copyrighted music for free and the music industry which sought to protect its artists and its revenues.)

Marriott's values of systemization and standardization. (The company created a standard model hotel, and then duplicated it hundreds of time around the world, enabling it to grow incredibly fast, and become the leader of its industry.)

When we examine the lives of famous people, we often see how personal values guided them, propelling them to the top of their fields.

This leads me into my message for the day.

I think for there to be a collective change in our nation we need to make some individual changes. Firstly, I think its time for us to have values.

What is a value?

A value is a belief, a mission, or a philosophy that is meaningful. Whether we are consciously aware of them or not, every individual has a core set of personal values.

Why is it important to know what your values are?

Simple. So you can make better choices.

People who don't know their values tend to wander around, bouncing from one thing to another, trying to find themselves. They're like puppets, pulled along without any clear direction.

Knowing your values helps you:

Follow a clear set of rules and guidelines for your actions. You’re less likely to take the easy way out or chase after short-term gains at the expense of your long-term goals.

Make good decisions. You quickly know what are good choices for you and what are not.

Find compatible people, places, and things that support your way of living.

Live with integrity. Integrity here doesn't mean honesty or honor. Integrity means wholeness or completeness - being a whole person. Nothing left out. Being true to yourself

There is a saying that if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything. With values, we have a core, a reason for living. The value may be as simple as concern for others or as ambitious as world unity but we got to have something, its worth everything!

We can talk all we want about the changes we want to see take place in Nigeria but its not going to happen if we are not prepared to change ourselves. Now hear me, I said "change ourselves", not other people.

Let's NOT start with the corrupt policeman, lets start with keeping traffic rules (gasp!), doing an 8 hour job when we go to work, taking time to put our trash inside trashcans, not on the floor! Need I give more examples? Its on you and me to change our world.

We can't keep putting new wines in old vessels, its not going to work. An average Nigerian wants the Jeep, the fancy duds, plenty of throw around money, the big air conditioned office but yet, there is rarely any talk about working 16 hours a day to get all that.

We have to get our values straight. Not everyone is going to be a millionaire or close, thats why the word "poor" exists. Because it describes a state of being.

Did you say "thats not going to make a difference"? Well I beg to differ. One person CAN make a difference, can influence another person to change and lead to exponential change.

We all have to remember that NO country is devoid of corruption,immorality or negativity but the fact is countries have learnt to excel in spite of that. Because they have people that still have core values, people that will not support wrongdoing, people that will take the trouble to stand ...or even die for their beliefs

Does change sound impossible? Maybe it is, maybe not. But remember, according to Napoleon Hill, “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe - you can achieve.”

Whatever one's values, when we take them to heart and implement them in the smallest details of our lives, great accomplishment and success are sure to follow.

Interested in understanding your values?
http://www.selfcounseling.com/help/personalsuccess/personalvalues.html

LET ME ASK YOU A TOUGH QUESTION
What will YOU do for your country?

posted by lala @ 9:13 AM 11 comments

Friday Five:12345!

Friday, March 09, 2007

What is one thing you always have with you?
My glasses
What are two things on your night-table (or next to your bed)?
My bible, my phone
What are three things you learned in the last seven days?
1.Its all about who you know
2. Anxiolytics help for patients in pain
3.Keeping a guy at arm's leg makes him want you even more
What are four things parents always have to tell you?
1. Clean your room
2. Why do you keep losing stuff
3. Help your sisters with the chores
4. Leave that book and come and eat
What are five things you paid for in the last month?
1. Car note
2. Two pants
3. Earrings
4. Hotel room
5. Wristwatch batteries

posted by lala @ 8:48 PM 1 comments

Make Like A Balloon And Rise Above It All

Thursday, March 08, 2007

I'm the Administrator on Call this week and its Thursday and it hasn't been bad and I'm grateful. Its been a long week. "They" finally allowed me to send my project to the Review B. for approval and we have to submit it to the conference by the 14th. I'm stressed out seriously, sometimes I feel like I'm being frustrated on purpose. So many things going on, so many things going on. The real life is so different from school.

As my friend puts it, "Its not about how smart you are, or how hardworking you are, its all about how your personality meshes with the people you will be working with" How true. Some people get away with so much while others get hauled to the carpet for any little mistake.

The schedule has so many empty spots, nobody wants to work. I have been calling and asking people but nobody. I guess thats one of the disadvantage of being well paid, they don't have to work more than 40hrs to make a decent living. Lucky them!

June seems so far yet is so near. I'm ready to leave.

Its rough but I'm gonna make like a balloon and rise above it!

posted by lala @ 4:44 PM 0 comments

Breakthrough Ideas For 2007

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Wow, its been almost a week since I posted. Didn't mean to wait so long but certain things came up. I have been meaning to share this article from Harvard Business Review published in February of this year.
There were 20 ideas considered the breakthrough ideas and I found a couple of them very interesting

1. The Accidental Influentials: Even the name sounds so right! Alright, this is a theory by Malcolm Gladwell in his book "The Tipping Point" that "social epidemics" are driven in part by the actions of a tiny minority of special individuals, often called influentials, who are unusually informed, persuasive, or well connected.
Its intuitive, right? I mean think Oprah, Paris Hilton (yes, her!)and other people who can influence the popularity of certain looks, brands, or neighborhoods.
Well, Peter Dodds and Duncan Watts argue that even the most influential people can't interact with that many other people to be solely responsible for causing this global cascades (the widespread propagation of influence through networks). Instead, they believe for this two step flow communication to work, there has to be a critical mass of easily influenced people each of whom adopts for example a look or a brand after being exposed to an influential.
Is that cool or what? Alright now, all you easily influenced people, looking whats happening. Y'all are causing social epidemics.

Anyway, I really liked that.

2. Brand Magic: Harry Potter Marketings
Instead of seeking to build immortal brands that generations mature into and then out of, companies could create brands around a given cohort of customers. As these customers mature, the brand would evolve with them. The aim would be to match the needs of these cohort at any moment in time. This is called "Harry Potter marketing" after the fictional schoolboy wizard who grows older with his readers.

I'm kinda liking this concept. What y'all think?

There were a lot of ideas in this article. I liked it

posted by lala @ 10:38 PM 0 comments

About Me

Name: lala
Home: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
About Me: I'm an introvert. I love challenges and the "path less taken". I have discovered that life more of a journey than a destination so I try to enjoy each day. And if you've never failed at anything then you haven't tried anything outside your comfort zone. Right now, I have a love/hate relationship with Memphis. I love the city because the people are very friendly but careerwise, this place will be a dead end for me.
See my complete profile