Today, I made the kids turn off the TV, and asked my son to put his phone away.
Then the 3 of us sat in the living room and played Charades (or 'Give us a Clue' as I prefer to call it!)
Such a simple game,with nothing required other than willing participants and a bit of imagination.
We had a blast and laughed SOOOOO much at and with each other.
Its amazing what spending time together as a family, doing the little things, can do for the health and happiness of that family.
I'm grateful that I have a 17 yr old who I can relate with, share a joke with, laugh with, hug, tickle (he'll hate me for saying that!!). I'm grateful that I have a 9yr old who loves spending time with her brother.
I'm grateful that there is love shared in my household. There are many things I don't have, but I wouldn't trade them for what I do have!
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Monday, 27 August 2012
Tango with me
I had the privilege of attending the UK film premiere of TANGO WITH ME on the 17th of August 2012 at the Greenwich Odeon.
I've attended a couple of other premieres and so was expecting the usual 'hustle' in order to speak to the cast and crew. Not so on this occasion. It had an informal approach which I think worked in its favour.
We settled down to watch the film (just about 30mins behind schedule) and I must say I was really impressed by what I saw. It had a simplistic approach and feel which I'm sure was not easy to achieve. The unpredictable storyline was a nice deviation from the Nollywood norm and whoever the costume designer was should be paid double whatever they're originally signed up for!
The film takes the viewer through a roller coaster of emotions and the support cast stole the show as far as I'm concerned.
The director Mahmood Alli-Balogun and lead actor Benjamin Joseph answered questions from the audience and we got a little insight into what it takes to put a production of that quality together.
I've attended a couple of other premieres and so was expecting the usual 'hustle' in order to speak to the cast and crew. Not so on this occasion. It had an informal approach which I think worked in its favour.
We settled down to watch the film (just about 30mins behind schedule) and I must say I was really impressed by what I saw. It had a simplistic approach and feel which I'm sure was not easy to achieve. The unpredictable storyline was a nice deviation from the Nollywood norm and whoever the costume designer was should be paid double whatever they're originally signed up for!
The film takes the viewer through a roller coaster of emotions and the support cast stole the show as far as I'm concerned.
 |
| Director Mahmood Alli-Balogun |
The director Mahmood Alli-Balogun and lead actor Benjamin Joseph answered questions from the audience and we got a little insight into what it takes to put a production of that quality together.
The film is now on general release in the UK. See the website for listing details
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Hey you!
When we first met we were inseparable.
We spoke late into the night and first thing in the morning. I told you everything and you shared your world with me. I wouldn't even consider another. I had everything I needed in and with you.
But then I guess I got a bogged down with life and stuff and so I stopped spending as much time with you. I started having other interests and somehow you didn't quite hit the spot with me anymore.
The late night chats and early morning ‘touching bases’ became tiresome and then irritating. So we decided to take a break. It was by mutual consent. Maybe by spending time away from each other we could somehow rekindle what we once had. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that….but the opposite happened.
I started noticing others. I realised that you were too 'full on'….I needed space and not to be smothered. Maybe because I’m getting older, I just don’t have the patience to sit through ‘stuff’ that I’m not feeling any more.
You’ll always be my first and nothing can change that! We’re not in a deep relationship anymore but I do hope we can remain friends. We’ll stay in touch and hopefully you won’t totally blot me out of your life.
I hope you understand Facebook, but I’ve left you for Twitter!!
All my love Ayo x
Friday, 30 September 2011
Its 'awa' birthday!
I swear the world is spinning so much quicker now that I'm getting older!
It seems like only a few weeks ago that there was so much noise about Naija being 50...but in reality that was a whole 12 months ago!!
I'm sure everyone has an elderly relative, who doesn't give 2 hoots about what anybody else thinks and is will to say whatever they feel without any applied tact, right? Well maybe na old age o, but I'm really starting to feel that way, and I'm not even THAT old!
As many of you know, I share my birthday with Nigeria, 1st october is my birthday.
I remember last year how enthusiastic I was about the us as a nation turning 50.
I shouted in the faces of all those who said that we had nothing to be proud of as a nation:
"Lets not be so negative, lets see what WE as a people can do to change the state of Nigeria" "Nigeria is not a president, neither is it a governmnet, Nigeria is about the people"!!
Do you remember that?
Well I did believe it at the time.....but boy!, what a difference a year can make.
So now, we have a new government but the same ol' problems, things aren't moving in the right direction. Or so it seems.
On Thinking Aloud with Ayo this week, l'm looking back at the Naija at 50 show and I'm trying to figure out why I'm not as optimistic about the possibility of change within our nation.
Abi na just old age dey do me?!
www.nigerianwebradio.com Fridays at 1700 GMT/1100US ET, repeated Saturdays 1100GMT/0600US ET
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Follow Follow Religion - Revisited
Its amazing how wonderfully and fearfully we have been made.
I was watching with awe and wonder as 2 surgeons were interviewed this week on their ability to separate con-joined twins, joined at the head.
They had created clay models of the twins and more or less project managed the entire procedure down to every last blood vessel.
That was almost a year ago, and the twins are still alive, well and separate with no known disabilities.
Absolutely amazing!!
Equally amazing are the stories of people who are told what to eat,drink, say, wear, like, dislike by other human being, as if they were not created with a brain of their own.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made.....if only we believed it. We place religious leaders on pedestals and we sit and look up at them as if they aren't human beings like us.
Why is that?
Join me this Friday (5pm) and Saturday (11am) as I ponder......if you have any answers to the questions I raise, PLEASE let me know. This one pass me o!
Thinking Aloud with Ayo on www.nigerianwebradio.com
I was watching with awe and wonder as 2 surgeons were interviewed this week on their ability to separate con-joined twins, joined at the head.
They had created clay models of the twins and more or less project managed the entire procedure down to every last blood vessel.
That was almost a year ago, and the twins are still alive, well and separate with no known disabilities.
Absolutely amazing!!
Equally amazing are the stories of people who are told what to eat,drink, say, wear, like, dislike by other human being, as if they were not created with a brain of their own.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made.....if only we believed it. We place religious leaders on pedestals and we sit and look up at them as if they aren't human beings like us.
Why is that?
Join me this Friday (5pm) and Saturday (11am) as I ponder......if you have any answers to the questions I raise, PLEASE let me know. This one pass me o!
Thinking Aloud with Ayo on www.nigerianwebradio.com
Friday, 9 September 2011
The Manual- Revisited
I was listening to a song recently by George Benson "20/20 vision", and there is a line that says
'If I knew back then what I know now..." (you should hear me sing....honestly!)
and it got me thinking about a show I did last year.
All the things I wish I had been told when I first arrived in the UK to start my 'adult' life!
Everything from finances to relationships to dealing with requests from home to staying focused and having a plan.
I had intented to put together a manual to be given to all 'JJC's as soon as they land in 'away'.
What would your entries be? What do you wish you knew back then, (whenever 'back then' was)?
Join me today as I revisit the show, as well as give you some entry suggestions made by other listeners.
Thinking Aloud with Ayo Friday 1700gmt (11am US central) http://www.nigerianwebradio.com/
'If I knew back then what I know now..." (you should hear me sing....honestly!)
and it got me thinking about a show I did last year.
All the things I wish I had been told when I first arrived in the UK to start my 'adult' life!
Everything from finances to relationships to dealing with requests from home to staying focused and having a plan.
I had intented to put together a manual to be given to all 'JJC's as soon as they land in 'away'.
What would your entries be? What do you wish you knew back then, (whenever 'back then' was)?
Join me today as I revisit the show, as well as give you some entry suggestions made by other listeners.
Thinking Aloud with Ayo Friday 1700gmt (11am US central) http://www.nigerianwebradio.com/
Friday, 2 September 2011
Intelligence - Nature or Nuture
A couple of artcles have caught my attention over the last week or so.
They both focused on the achievements of young children and their perfomances in higher level exams.
I personally know the family of one of them and know for sure that the boy in question is a balanced child i.e he doesnt spend ALL his time 'reading his book'!!
As with many who read these stories, I started questioning myself:
" why aren't my kids as clever as them?"
"Am I the one holding my kids back by not insisting that they prepare for higher exams when they are much younger"?!
And it got me thinking....Are some kids are just destined to be brainier than others? Or does the environment one is brought up in make all the difference?
Join me on Thinking Aloud with Ayo today ( and every Friday) http://www.nigerianwebradio.com/ at 17:00GMT /1100ET (repeated every Saturday 11:00GMT)
Let me know what you think.....
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23981546-a-level-boy-10-is-off-to-eton.do#.TliuTC0ZpOQ.facebook
They both focused on the achievements of young children and their perfomances in higher level exams.
I personally know the family of one of them and know for sure that the boy in question is a balanced child i.e he doesnt spend ALL his time 'reading his book'!!
As with many who read these stories, I started questioning myself:
" why aren't my kids as clever as them?"
"Am I the one holding my kids back by not insisting that they prepare for higher exams when they are much younger"?!
And it got me thinking....Are some kids are just destined to be brainier than others? Or does the environment one is brought up in make all the difference?
Join me on Thinking Aloud with Ayo today ( and every Friday) http://www.nigerianwebradio.com/ at 17:00GMT /1100ET (repeated every Saturday 11:00GMT)
Let me know what you think.....
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23981546-a-level-boy-10-is-off-to-eton.do#.TliuTC0ZpOQ.facebook
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