Interview Thursday: The Awesome SolomonSydelle

She was the second blogger to leave comment on my blog when I started. I actually wondered then how she was able to find me. I later realized that she found other new bloggers too. She is dedicated. She uses her talent to do a lot of wonderful and meainingful things through her blogs. Please, welcome with me, our very Scintillating SolomonSydelle

You are named the headmistress of blogville by Naijaleta. Do you feel like it?
No not really, but it is funny. Naijaleta called me that, I believe. For one thing, I don't think I am old enough to be a headmistress. Thankfully, I liked my headmistress from primary school. She only punished me once. So, as long as that 'Headmistress' term is a positive one, I accept it and promise to not punish anyone.

You have a very wonderful blog that discusses Nigerian issues- called Nigerian CURIOSITY, what inspired this?
Well, I am a very curious person and I am always seeking to learn. There were things about Nigerian culture, politics and public branding that I wanted to learn more about. I figured that starting a blog around those issues would prove educational and entertaining. So far, so good.

How do you sources for all the relevant issues you discussed on Nigeria Curiosity?
Well, the truth is that when I started, it was difficult to find a lot of the relevant information that I needed. Now, I am lucky to have readers send me information and point me in the right direction whenever I ask for help. Oh, and I rely heavily on my legal training to do research online, as well.

How tasking is this for you as you equally have another blog that talks about your children and also seek advice for germane issues affecting other people on that particular blog?
I never thought it would be difficult, but there are times when doing both is cumbersome. I thank God that at my ...Easier... site, we are such a fun crew that by the time I read comments or visit a fellow Nigerian blog, I am inspired to share a silly story about my kids.

What is your occupation?
Well, I am a lawyer by training, but I am now the Chief Home Executive of my family. So, I stay home and care for, play with, teach, spank and love my kids. Oh and I change loads of diapers too.

I know you want to keep your identity secret as you have being doing on blogville but could you please tell us something about yourself?
Um, uh. What with the recent arrest of a Nigerian blogger that discusses politics, I no go lie, I dey fear say awon SSS boys go read this interview. Abeg, I no wan wahala oh!

You announced once that blogville sisters should be careful of wolves and you invited them to join a particular group. Can you say more on this?
I was just encouraging all bloggers and especially young female bloggers to work together and remember that ultimately, we are a family that is stronger when we look out for each other. At the time, I had discovered that a few of us were being taken advantage of and pitted against each other for no good reason. That's all.

Is the group still running as I tried to join to no avail?
Ah, the Senior Babe Network is definitely up and running oh. I could name a couple member that you know sef. What do you mean you tried to join to no avail? Haba, but your invitation was sent to you nah?

How do you attract people that approach you for advice on "talk to the easier crew"?
Talk To The Easier Crew started as a joke. I asked my kids a question about bathrooms that a friend sent in. I recorded their answer and put it up on the blog. From then on, people started sending me issues that they wanted help on. For many, I personally answer their questions and correspond with them as best my schedule allows. For others, they expressly ask that their questions be put up on the blog and so, I do so. Thank God, most of the discussions have proven helpful.

Can you share with us your most remarkable moment and why it is the most remarkable moment?
I take it you mean my most remarkable blogville related moment. I would have to say it was in May 2007 when so many of us Nigerian bloggers got together to participate in the Nigerian Proclamation. It was inspiring to see so many Nigerians work together on something so simple. I was glad that Nigerian bloggers got respect via the BBC recognition and eventually United Nations recognition of our work. That was exciting. Oh, and Ms. Catwalq's excellent project '14th & Serenity". I cannot thank her enough for including me, a non fiction writer, in that event. It was so much fun!

From your blog commitment and the issues you always raise, you appear to me a very resourceful, purposeful and concerned individual, how do you manage to achieve all these with your young children and their demands from your time?
Oh, wow, are you talking about me with all those adjectives? Well, thankfully, my kids and I always find time to do what we love doing, goofing around and having fun. My husband is also very helpful. He knows that I thoroughly enjoy blogging and forgives me when dinner is oh, 5 minutes late because I am chatting away with a fellow blogger or laughing hysterically at someone's blog.

Can you name 5 blogs you like most and why?
Gosh, I read so many blogs you would be amazed. I can't help but mention Waffy's blogs. Her take on things is always so refreshing especially when she expresses them like a true waffarian. Notjustok supplies my Naija music fix on the regular. Jaycee's blog is always a great place to start the day with some wisdom. Mootbox satisfies my business/politics fix. And, I really enjoy reading your interviews and other posts. Am I at 5 yet?

Any last word for the readers/bloggers?
First and foremost, I have to say thank you for this opportunity. I'm not sure what I did to deserve an interview but this was quite exciting! I wish everyone the best and would just like to encourage all bloggers to continue what they are doing. It is not easy, I know. Just keep doing what you enjoy doing, try to be innovative and have fun along the way. Thanks again for this Standtall. I should have my kids interview you. Now, that would be interesting.

Cats On Tuesday: MEET MY MOLLY

Letting Molly handle this posting herself will be disastrous as she is currently not in a good mood. She has not been for almost 1 week now.

Molly is never an overly friendly cat and she doesn't even get along with Standtall husband. This is now of a great concern to me as she has refused to come out of her hiding place since Standtall husband got back from his trip a few days ago. She would sneer when they come across each other and dashed off to where she hides.

She got me angry recently when she came and peed on my bed because she could not go and use her litter box which was closer to where Standtall husband was. Why all these? I just don't know why she chose not to get along with him. She keeps grudge with him for always wanting her to be good. They don't see eye to eye any more. She starves herself now because she would rather hide all day instead of looking for a way to get to her food. She hides all day as you can see in the pictures. How do I reconcile this two? I am not sure I know what to do.

Visit Gattina's blog for more on CATS on Tuesday

Interview Thursday: WELCOME VERA!

Here with me on Interview Thursday is a very important personality on blogville. She is an interesting individual. You will confirm this when you read this interview or when you visit her blogs (WORDZ of MINE and VERASTICALLY LIVING). She is to me, an ENIGMA!

Let's meet Vera

My name is Vera Ezimora, and on Sunday, Oct 19th 2008, I rededicated my life to Christ. I live in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Half of my family is here in America, and the other half is back in Nigeria. I was born in Leningrad, Russia on the 14th of January. I lived there for four years before relocating back to Nigeria where I lived in Jos, Plateau State. Lots of people wonder how on earth (or why on earth) I was born in Russia...as if no sane person gets born there, lol, and then they conclude that I must have been a mistake. Maybe my parents just got carried away one night. Maybe daddy didn't pull out on time. Maybe the condom broke. Well, let me clear the record: I was planned. My parents were married and were both in med school. If I was not planned, they (my parents) have done a pretty darn good job at hiding the truth from me. When I came back to Nigeria, I could not speak a word English; I could only speak Russian. My parents tried really hard to get me to learn English because obviously it was a little hard to communicate with the other kids. I learnt English, but sadly, I forgot Russian. My name, Vera is a Russian name, and it means 'Faithful.' I am an aspiring best-selling writer/author, but I haven't always wanted to be a writer. I've wanted to be other things, the first being a doctor, but I think that's just because my parents told me I was going to be a doctor (since they are both medical doctors too). Even though I kept winning the 'Best In English' awards in school, I never thought too much of it until I got bored, wrote an article, put it on the web, and got positive feedback. Everything has been history since then. Am I talking too much, Standtall? Sorry. I do that a lot. In case anyone is wondering, yes, my parents still speak Russian fluently.

Interesting! What personality best describes Vera?

I always describe my personality as Verastic to people. Obviously, Verastic is not an actual word - at least not yet. Oxford is still doing shakara. But from what I know of myself, and what others have said, Verastic would mean that I am playful, mischievous [sometimes], very sarcastic, funny, imaginative, creative, non-chalant, non confrontational, rarely shy, reliable (I'd like to think), realistic, and a creative romantic. I would not call myself a hopeless romantic. There is no way to say 'hopeless' and make it sound good. Wait, I just realized I didn't say anything bad about myself. Who am I kidding? There is nothing bad about me. I'm perfect!!!

 
Is Vera a normal person because your posts suggest you are not?

LOL. Standtall, nawa for this your question oh. Of course, I will say I'm normal. Now, if you were to ask a number of other people like my closest friends, Busola & Funmi, and Uju or my mom....or in fact, anyone who knows me, they will probably beg to differ, but what do they know? They don't know me! I think the better question is, 'what does "normal" mean?' In fact, who decides what normal is? And who is to say that that person or those people is/are normal? So maybe I have officially digressed, but you get my point. I am normal by my standards. Alright, fine. Honestly, sometimes, I find myself doing some strange things that even I cannot explain. Like on Saturday, I could not stop practicing how to laugh like Spongebob Squarepants. And as if that wasn't bad enough, I kept singing the Spongebob theme song over and over. Now that I think of it, maybe I'm not normal after all. Times without number, my mother has asked me what is wrong with me, and when I ask why she asked the question, she says, "I want to know when "it" starts." It, being madness.

Hmmm who is normal anyway? There is always a very strong sense of humour in all your post, how do you sustain that?

I'm not quite sure how I do that. I just know that I find myself laughing hysterically at lots of things. Today, I spent almost half an hour laughing at a friend's wedding picture because one of her groomsmen was so short that he looked like a junior groomsman (or maybe the ring bearer even), and his tuxedo looked like a gown on him. I laughed till my stomach hurt, and now, my voice is cracked. That being said, there is a very strong sense of humor in every member of my family. Sometimes, it's even very disturbing. When my father's cousin died, he went to the village for the funeral and "offered" to watch over the meat. That's like letting a dog to watch bones. Of course, he ate & ate & ate, not minding that it was for a funeral. It was later something to laugh about at the dinner table. So basically, the thing that makes me want to blog about something in the first place is the fact that I find it funny.

What do you like most about blogging?

I love the people the most. Secondly, I love being able to express myself in the best way that I know how to. The things that I write about, I share them with virtual friends, people I have never met, and then I love receiving your comments in return. I hardly remember that I have not met these people I communicate with online. I feel like we are friends. I feel like I know them inside out. Like you, for example. I have never met you, but I know not to ever, ever EVER buy you cat fried rice from the Chinese restaurant (not that I'm implying they eat cat, of course.) lol

I will sue this Chinese restaurant! What do you hate most about blogging?

Hate? I wouldn't say I hate anything, but my least favorite thing is the amount of time it consumes. Blogging is fun, but it is a full time job, plus over time. If I don't read blogs it two days, I'll be in big trouble. It'll take me hours to go through everyone's blogs, read them, and comment on them. By the time I'm through, the day is over.

Yes, you are right about that. Mention two favourite blogs you visit and why they are your favourites?

Favorite blogs? Hmmm. I really like Naapali's blog. He's very smart and it shows. And I like smart people, which explains my attraction to Obama. Seriously, when was the last time I was attracted to a president? No offense to OBJ & his successor. I love Temite. Before she started blogging, I used to blog juat once a week, but now I blog at least twice. She makes me wanna do better. I'd really love to meet her some day. I really like Aloofar too. He's another very smart guy. Quite nerdy too. Jaycee, Life of a Stranger, & Rita are very inspirational. They make me wanna live better, and thank God, I am currently living better, but the narrow road is not the easiest one as you know. And you, Standtall, how can I not mention you? You were even the first person to contact me when I made my number public. You rock, gal!! Oh wait, you said two blogs, right? Well, sorry. Too many blogs.

Ah, thanks for the sentiment. What does Vera like most about being a Nigerian?

I love all the funny dramatic things that come with being Nigeria. For example, it's only in Nigeria or amongst Nigerians that you can have a nightmare where someone is chasing you, and then the next day, you can deem it fit to walk up to the person and accuse him/her of being a witch. Honestly, this actually happened....right here in Maryland. I also love the suya and the fura de nono (not together, of course).

Hmmm try and buy indomie Suya flavour when next you come home. When last did Vera visit Nigeria?

I have not visited Nigeria since I left in 2000. Maybe this year?? Depends on God.

What are the 2 things you wish will change about Nigeria?

I wish Nigeria will actually become a democratic country in action, not just in words and on paper. I wish people will not be jailed for speaking their minds, and elections will not be bought by the richest party, etc. I wish jobs will be provided for our young, hardworking youth, so they can stop seeking 'alternative' ways of making money.

What makes Vera thick, warm, hard, soft or nasty (too much questions in one, yeah I know)

Standtall, this your question get K leg oh. Okay, I was initially confused by this question, but after you explained it... I'll say this much: I think I'm pretty easy to deal with. I don't ask for too much (I think). I'm quite slow to anger, but not as slow as God obviously. I'm quite patient too; I try to understand everyone and deal with them accordingly, but I'm not perfect. I get very pissed off when people try to play with my intelligence. I don't like it when people try to play mind games. It's quite immature in my opinion. But I'm human; I'll be lying if I said I have never succumed to such pettiness. But the way you asked me about what makes me hard....hmmmm! Standtall, I don't like what you're insinuating. I'm a girl oo! I am anatomically incapable of getting hard.

I see. Who do you think will win the forthcoming US election?

The smart, intelligent man, Obama, of course!! He should better win.

I hope you are right about who wins he US election.

I have put in my prayer requests to God. I want one of two things to happen on election day: either all the McCain voters mysteriously oversleep till the election centers are closed, or something enters them, and they vote for Obama instead. I'll prefer the latter to happen.

I hope for that too. Any question you wish I ask, that I didn't ask?

Frankly, I was wishing you'd ask me for a date or something. I am not quite used to people being all about business without trying to get a little pleasure in between. C'mon Standtall.... do you really not want me.... at least just a wee little bit?

I would really love to hang out with you. Perhaps when I come to US or when next you are in Nigeria.

Thanks for always being you and thanks for granting this interview?

You know it's my pleasure doing this for you. In fact, if you want, I'll gladly be your guest next Thursday and the next Thursday and all the Thursdays after. Why do your readers need to read about another blogger anyway? Once they read about me, they should be good to go. And once you post this, make sure you don't update till my birthday, January 14th 2009. Bye, darling.

That’s why I love our Vera. Very entertaining!

Cat on Tuesday: Introducing Garfield

Yeah, I am Garfield, the best hunter, the best baby momma (if you compare me with my sister Molly), the best behaved feline kid of Standtall- if the early morning whining and purring I engage in are not brought to book. But for sure, no cat uses the litter box better than I do. Standtall Husband thought me how to use the box in the cruelest way existing. I was always messing up the floor and when I didn’t listen to his warnings he started kicking the hell out of me with his foot! I could not bear this for long so I learnt to use the litter box.

Momma Standtall could testify, I would rather hold my bowel till the place is changed or I will use it like that by managing the edge in case she wasn’t in to change it. We have run out of sand for our box and Momma Standtall could not get litter in all the super mall/markets she has visited. Somebody should please start supplying this in Nigeria or else. So, she brought a good news that Poeticallytinted (that name is long guys) promised to give us some whenever she gets her supply from abroad. Thank you Adorable- Standtall said we can call you that. How is Siggy my nephew doing? I breastfed him you know?

I do love kittens, I want to have more but I am due to be neutered soon. I took care of all my sister’s kittens as she was an uncaring mother and I looked forward to having more to care for. But Momma Standtall and her friend Grahamn Kracker would not let me be. This is so unfair!

Something new happened in our lives; we relocated to a new place. This place is more conducive as no heavy noise due to passage of vehicles could disturb us no more.  The place is finer and all that but I was not quick to notice, my sister Molly too. Only our brother Scofield took in everything, the serenity of the new place and all. We were to dumbstruck and afraid to explore. Off we went to hide under the bed for a couple of days. We still hide if we see visitors. We come out only when Standtall alone is around. Don’t blame me and my sister, it’s better to be annoyingly save than sorry. I pity my curious bother, he will land himself in trouble one of these days.


This was supposed to be shocking but thank goodness for the turn in the event; Momma Standtall, was going to get me neutered and give me away to a Canadian woman that wants cat! Why me? She said I was well behaved and somewhat independent (so was that a problem?) and I would not give this woman any problem. I really did not want to meet this new person. I am happy here. As it happened, the woman’s daughter does not like a cat. I won! The vet is giving us a new date, may be I will get a neighbouring cat to get me pregnant before the vet is ready. I wanna win this too. Am really praying for some miracle here.

Nice meeting ya all on this page. I shall be back after my sister; Molly. Don’t want to say a thing about her because I don’t want anyone to get angry at me for saying the truth… She can be complicated at times.

And he is gone...

I am sorry if I have not being so forthcoming in responding to Chioma's interview comments. I have being so blue lately. Being so unhappy about so many things and the king of it all came a few days ago. I lost someone. He's being gone since June 6, 2008 and I was not told till last week!

I found out by accident, as someone called to tell me about the passing of my step mother which I already knew ( mama was old) then she asked if I knew about the other death too. The other death? This took me by surprise. How? When? Why him? Yes, I know we will all die. Time and age are of no essence in so many cases but this death was as shocking to me as the passing of Pastor Bimbo Odukoya. A lot of people even believers asked God why He let pastor Bimbo Odukayo, a very viable vessel in His vineyard die untimely.

Now I have being asking why? I don't know who I am asking in particular or why I am asking. I am just in a state that word cannot describe. Yes, I called the family and when I finally got through to them, they said they did not tell me because I have being falling sick off and on for a while and they didn't not want to upset me. I am so sad, still very sad.

They are (were) twins. So identical, inseparably so. They did everything together. Before I got to know them deeply, I always wonder how to tell them apart. They grew to love God. They started a ministry that has blessed me. Though they are in my home town, I still send my tithe down. When my mother took ill before she passed away, they were there, interceeding on her behalf. They are/were so full of life. They have got purpose to lift His name above any other name. They could get a very lucrative job but they prefer serving God. They turned 40 last February. I visited home a few days before their birthday. I still saw them in thier togetherness. Dressing alike, laughing alike, loving people under thier care. I was so happy to see them.

From June up till the time I knew about his demise, I have being calling them and my other pastor that works with them. They always assure me that everyone was fine. I have being speaking with one of the twins but I never knew the other was gone! Gone! Left! Dead! Why?

He could at least stay to be 70! God could do that! But why did Evangelist Taye Ajiboye have to go so soon? How will his twin ever cope? Yes, he is coping still loving God. But I am sure his heart is bleeding. My heart is bleeding. It will continue to bleed for a long time to come.

REST IN PEACE EVANGELIST TAYE AJIBOYE. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE GONE. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU HAVE TO GO... WHY OH WHY?!

Interview Thursday: Featuring our own Chioma of Celebrate Africa

A young lady that is making a difference, along side her sister Oluchi are currently travelling around African continent by road. Chioma has so much to share about her trip. If this interview doesn't cover all you need to know, do not hesistate to visit her blog for more questions which I am sure she will answer gladly.... And also you will get day to day account of thier trip in each of the country they have visited via her blog


 
Standtall: Let's meet you?

Chioma: I never know how to answer this question. My name is Chioma Ogwuegbu, I am female. My current occupation is travelling. I am travelling around Africa by road with my sister, Oluchi Ogwuegbu. We plan to visit 30 countries in Africa and we’re currently in our 5^th country, The Gambia.

Standtall: What inspired this your decision to see Africa by road?

Chioma: It’s a mix of many things, my love for travelling, my desire to see Africa and my friend who is doing a similar trip around the world.

 
Standtall: How many months will this trip last for?

Chioma: The plan is to travel for 12 months, but from the look of things it might be a bit longer. We have visited 5 countries in 3 months, so if you do the maths, you’ll see that we need more than a year to do the trip.

The left image is from Burkina/ the right is from Senegal

Standtall: What have you learnt so far?

Chioma: This sounds like a cliché but it’s true, Africa’s greatest asset is her people.
 

Standtall: Any challenges?

Chioma: The main challenge has been crossing the borders; those immigrations officials have been trying to drive me crazy. If you’re going to do this trip, that’s one thing you have to be aware of but once you get past them, the whole adventure becomes worthwhile.

Standtall: How do you get funding for this trip

Chioma: The main funds have come from our savings, the rest has come from friends who believe in the dream and have been moved to donate. We have tried to show that it’s possible for young people to do this trip without having to rob the bank. Still, we welcome any donations and would like to have some kind of sponsorship.

Standtall: What's next after this trip?

Chioma: Another trip, this time with more people and all of them working with different media, i.e. film, photography, painting etc with the same message, Celebrate Africa. It’s going to be bigger than this one. We are also planning to start an African Travellers Network, where Africans interested in travelling can connect and support one another by providing basics like accommodation and a contact when you travel anywhere in Africa.

                        Image from Mali
  
Standtall: Can you share your ideology about life with us?

Chioma: Well I don’t know it’s really an ideology but I do believe that I am responsible for whatever happens to me and that I can create the life that I want. If I have a dream then I am going to do everything possible to live that dream. Nothing is impossible, just believe it and work towards it, it will be true for you. I also think that life is meant to be joyous and filledif with love and laughter, life is not hard.

Standtall: Where will you like to be in the next 5 yrs?

Chioma: Still travelling, still celebrating and still living life to the full.

Standtall: What’s your opinion about gender equality and women empowerment as part of MDGs goals?

Chioma: You know I worked in women’s development for 5 years so I am very partial to issues of gender equality. I believe that everybody has a right to be treated equally and that there should be an equal access to opportunities. I don’t even know why it’s an MDG, because you would think that everybody would just get it.

Standtall: Is Nigeria doing enough to attain this goal?

Chioma: Honestly, if you look at the efforts of civil society in Nigeria, and even the efforts of some individuals, you would say Nigeria is doing a lot. Then someone like Senator Ekaette comes along with her nudity bill and you begin to wonder if we’re still in the Iron Age. Our work is not done yet, everyone of us has a responsibility as Nigerians to ensure that women’s human rights are protected.

Standtall: Any last word?

Chioma: Thank you so much, Standtall for all your support and love, I am grateful to you and to many other people who have shown us so much support. When we decided to do this trip, it was just some silly girls dreaming but the overwhelming support has shown that we are on the right path. Thank you, thank you, thank you…

Standtall: You are welcome Chioma, you are a role model and an inspiration to us all.

Standtall is Back

Hey my people, I really felt like I have gone for a year! Howdie? I have missed a lot I know, and I am back to try as much as I can to catch up.

Calabar was great. The training was fabulous. We now have about 26 young feminists/ transformative leaders ready to take women's human rights issues and Nigeria to the next level. All thanks to Baobab for Women's Human Rights, the organiser of Young Women Leadership Institute.

                                                   SOME PARTICIPANTS AT THE INSTITUTE

I am going to make a post on "Interview Thursday" by this Thursday. I am featuring Chioma of Celebrate Africa. The young woman that is taking a tour around Africa by road with her sister- Oluchi. These brave women are worthy to be celebrated. You will hear how it's like touring Africa from the horse's mouth. Till then, I am making my blog rounds as much as I can...