Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Life as a Journey & Impact as a Factor of Immersion

2009 will remain a memorable summer for me; the joys of nature, the geniality of family and friends, the triviality of adventures all come together into a truly amazing piece of self discovery. As the summer gives away to Fall, I have been pondering (may be way too much), the essence of life's journey. 6.8 billion people we are told: differing aspirations, sometimes even conflicting energy levels: yet same apparent goal! i.e. success.

Life's journey confounds the simple, and amazes the complex. One thing I have discovered though is that the friendships, and companionship we make along the way on this road determines the mileage we get out of the trip. This summer, friendships have been made or marred. Those that held back, have given away. Those that blossomed have been all the way confounding. It has been a productive one however. My life journey has been resoundingly re-focused. I have truly for the first time ever defined what truly makes me happy. Granted that I might have toyed with the idea, but it all comes together now more than ever. My passion for starting things have not gone away. I sold a company, and started three new ones. I re-entered the stock market, and made some resounding life decisions. I cleared my head, and reconnected the missing dots. Such are the blessings of this life's journey and perhaps my favorite season of all.

As I turn to Fall, I am reminded of how how environment impacts us: by Osmosis or by Immersion. This reminds me of one of that little remembered affiliations I have had in the past. It was to this Bible Study movement while I was on the campus of PVAMU. It was called Impact Movement. One of the most enriching college experience for me. There we had young adults meet once a week to share the struggles of college life, as Christians with some real pressures in college. More than a form of therapy, it gave me profound insight as an immigrant to the window of the American society as none other interaction as- and for which I am still deeply grateful. Countless dinners, couple of walks and important such road trips introduced me to America the Beautiful (Land and People) that I still capriciously consume to this day.

Some friendships I made there have in wonderful ways endured to this day. I remembered visiting DC for the first time, and traveling any where in the US for the first due to an Impact conference held at the Hilton Hotel in DC. During that trip, I was opportune to visit the White House grounds courtesy of a Secret Service agent that obliged me on that cold wintry December evening. The profound influence of that generosity still draws me to DC as magnet draws pure iron.

To those who make an impact on lives they will never know how much it means to, I say you do such a magnificent work that the world will most definitely stop spinning if you don't get going. To those who do a horrible job at it, what are you waiting on? I am personally convinced that life's journey however starts with self introspection- a lonely life journey, perhaps an experience that only you can recount but which you transmit by osmosis or DISpersion as you mount that sometimes lonely campaign to pave the journey road of life for those coming after you...

Book Review: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins was my summer favorite. Half way through its cousin written by Renowned Linguist and Father of Modern Linguistics and Anarchist Movement, Noam Chomsky i.e. Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance. These books on International Global power Play lays a good ground work for my fall book list that will be dominated by History readings on Nigeria, and her peoples..may be add two books each on Africa and Human Civilization Issues. Got 2 recommendations on such exploration of collective Human civilization...I am considering that..full list shortly. And yeah..someone just made me discover audio book..shout out!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Seven Wonders of Nigeria



It think Lady T asked an interesting question on UpNaira what we considered the 7 wonders of Nigeria...the natural wonders of our beautiful country. Good question at an important juncture in our nation where strife, distress seem to be pulling us apart. We seem to forget what beautiful country we are blessed with irrespective of our differences and the bankrupt leadership we seem to logger around our necks as we take tentative steps forward towards true development..well, here is my list:

I have been to some..but have heard of others...

1. Ikogosi Warms Springs, Ekiti: Yes I am biased, but you have to feel it to believe it.

2. Obudu Cattle Ranch & Cable Rail cum Presidential retreat: You should not die without seeing this paradise. Visit Tinapa also if you can

3. Erin Ijesha Water Fall..may be not as panoramic as Niagara or Lake Victoria, but found in the jungle without any seeming source of great river; this is a sight to behold

4. Badagry Beach and Slave Resorts- These strings of beach (not one) is a refreshingly familiar at least until you reach the grim end of no return where slaves departed the coast of Lagos

5. Nigeria Conservation Foundation Lekki Conservatory and adjacent Alpha and Lekki Beach..if you have time also go to Lagos Marina..go at night, get a jet ski..surf..the best thing ever.

6. Yankari Game Reserve...So I heard..the rare collection of wild life makes this a place to go..the decaying infrastructure is a contrast to Obudu however. Also houses a Presidential Retreat..

7. Mambilla Plateau..I will skip any other high ground for this..



Of course, I have included a video of the Architectural Wonder in the little sleepy town of Ilupeju Ekiti..in Ekiti State Nigeria..enjoy

Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Whirlwind Summer Tour...In Toronto, CA




I guess I am coming to the end of a journeylicous summer, but it is far from over. Sitting right now in the hotel room in downtown Toronto. The Weather couldn't be more perfect for the Caribana (Carribean Festival) festivities that will resume in few hours. The flight from Houston to Bufallo went well, even though my buddy who sat at the wing section of the plane said otherwise. I got a good sit with legroom in from on the Southewest Airlines. The immigration protocol at the border at Niagara Falls went well; I look forward to taking Niagara Falls pics on our way back..from the Canadian side. Hopefully in good time to catch our flight back.

We hit a upscale lounge yesterday..gorgeous board walk here. I still think Vancouver is more beautiful, but Toronto got soul it seems. Will be headed to do some MBA Grad School ground work at University of Toronto and York University today, and perhaps visit Toronto Island. A Jet Skii ride is not a bad idea...we do have a rental drop top- perfect for this weather. I have been able to do quite a few work, even though those of my surbodinates calling me from work will find it funny I am sending them a flurry of tasks via mail but won't pick my phone..thanks to Rogers roaming..sorry dad. Toronto is a change from Texoma and East Texas (Cooper) that I was out working last two weekends. Not so fast since Nebraska and South Dakota are slowly creepingon my as this project escalates.

But I am determined to enjoy this. I enjoyed London, Aberdeen, New York and yes now Toronto. Lest I forget DC, San Antonio and Vancouver. Couldn't have been a more whirlwind Summer unh?

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