All the writers; all their topics: 31 days of precious 2013 moments!

You know how this idea for the #31days31writers project started? To start with I know YNaija’s done something like that in 2012, I think I wrote for that sef. I did! It was an article on babes beefing each other for no reason, and you won’t believe the gender that bashed me the most on that piece? Lol!

For this one though, I saw someone tweet in November (I swear I don’t remember their handle and I’m on a Twitter fast so I can’t go look) but he was talking about it and I thought, this might be cool for the end of the year. I didn’t act on it though till the 26th of November, and then I gave all my writers till the 28th to hand in their pieces. With benefit of hindsight, it must have a freaked a number of them out!

Anyway, so I must have asked 40 people, and out of those I got 30. And I am more than grateful that they took the time to squeeze their 2013 into 600 words, and send in the lovely pictures they did. From castration for sex offenders, to faith in the Lord, rebuilt confidence, loyalty from friends, second chances, to resolutions for the new year, homosexuality and homophobia, 2013 was different for every one of my writers, and I am so proud of them!!

Did you miss any of the articles? Well, you’re welcome, I’ve listed all of them below!

1. DAY 1: The first in the ‘a post a day’ series – Chude Jideonwo
2. “I learned that I matter” – Francine! #31days31writers
3. “I have learnt pain is a part of the process” – Emeka #31days31writers
4. “I use writing as a tool to make a difference” – Chijioke #31days31writers
5. “No more Mr Nice Guy” – Mr Mobility! #31days 31 writers
6. “I’m thankful for stability” – Saratu #31days 31writers
7. “I would shut up and let her do her mothering” – Vickie Remoe #31days31writers
8. “The internet lives” – Pa Ikhide starts the second week of my #31days31writers project!
9. “I am gradually learning to love the silence” – Dosh Mabonga! #31days31writers
10. “I have learnt that dreams can actually come true” – Bisi Alimi #31days31writers
11. “I learnt to let go and forgive” – Onaedo!! #31days31writers
12. “I have learnt that light always comes at dawn” – Alkayy!! #31days31writers
13. “Who says black men shouldn’t cry?” – My girl Francesca Uriri! #31days31writers
14. “Our human species have truly trashed the planet” – Jeremy!! #31Days31Writers
15. “2013: Of numbers, expectations and unspoken promises” – Dami #31Days31Writers
16. “I won the lottery!!” – Tolu #31days31writers
17. “I’ve learnt to let go and let God” – the delectable Nike Coker! #31Days31Writers
18. “People change and so do you” – Ewoma gives us home truths! #31days31writers
19. “Castration as an act of mercy” – My girl Zima goes hard! #31days31writers
20. “I learnt a lot about public engagement as a public servant” – Ohimai!! #31Days31Writers
21. “I live and breathe food” – Nky Iweka #31days31writers
22. “I have so much to be grateful for!” – Mac-Jordan #31Days31Writers
23. “I’m glad that I followed my intuition and took risks” – Chris!! #31Days31Writers
24. “This year taught me to represent” – Eziaha (The Fab Sister) is up today! #31days31writers
25. “Loyalty makes a friend family” – Nonso’s up for our Christmas special! #31days31writers
26. “I have come to love and accept myself” – my bestie is up! #31days31writers
27. “I don’t even remember my resolutions for 2013″ – Andy Madaki on #31days31writers
28. “I have learnt that homosexuality exists in 450 species” – Okechukwu is a shining star on #31days31writers today!
29. “I understood faith as a lifestyle this year” – Lizzie
30. “Your friend is your need answered” – a surprise appearance on the #31days31writers project!
31. “Thank you for being part of my 2013″ – Guess who? Me!!!

Thank you guys for honoring me and my blog. Best wishes for the new year!

Love, light, and God’s many blessings!

Mwah!

“I have come to love and accept myself” – my bestie is up! #31days31writers

Whoop!!!

It’s my bestie up on my blog today!! Whoop whoop! I met Wumi late in 2010 but we didn’t quite kick it off till the next year and it’s been magical ever since! I feel like I’ve known her for like forever, and she’s made up for all the childhood buddies I didn’t quite have!

Wumi is known by my family (Boo Boo loves her), and I love hers. She’s the definition of ‘what you see is what you get’; no airs, no pretence, nothing added on (except a random Peruvian extension or the other, lol)! 

Raji (as I call her, much to her chagrin – but I can’t stop, lol), is a gift from God to me, and I am more than proud that she’s my bestie. Even though she forces me to buy asoebi for people I haven’t met (I love you Bimbo), and has promised me we’ll sleep in whatever church I’ll get married in the day before the wedding so I’m not late for the service (lmao), I love her to pieces!

And I pray for her today, that all her dreams and wishes come true early in 2014, because she’s super, and I’m honored she picked up a pen to put this together.

For Boxing Day special, and the 26th day of the #31days31writers project, here’s my home girl, Miss Wumi Raji!

Life has taught me to expect the good, the bad and the ugly but also, to be hopeful at all times. My name is Omowunmi Raji, I work for Coventry University as the International Officer for West and Central Africa, a job that entails quite a bit of traveling, talking, and meeting different kinds of people. For someone who talks very quickly, stutters sometimes and was once asked if it’s a generational problem because and I quote “I don’t want grandkids that stammer”, getting the job was indeed God’s grace.

I’m thankful for His grace that has brought me this far, grateful for family and real friends (trust me I have few fake friends) and to the one who walked out on me 2 years ago after 8 years of being together just because he thought I wasn’t worth fighting for. I’m stronger, wiser, and his sudden realization that all that glitters isn’t gold but gold-plated is instructive. Life has taught me despite my numerous wants, needs, fears and anxiety, everything will come together in God’s perfect time. Therefore, I’m done worrying!

I have come to love and accept myself for who I am. I might not be there yet but the journey is less tense now especially with my confidence in the God factor which is at work for me. I rest assured in that.

For 2014, I  want to learn more, to give more without expecting anything in return. Also, I hear love is a beautiful thing. Till my Captain America finds me (and he best be getting directions from my Father in heaven and stop wasting time jor), I will keep working on myself, growing in His grace, furthering my career, and being a better daughter, sister, friend, confidant, lover, wife, and mother.

My girl, Miss Raji!!

Wumi and I in Calabar Christmas last year for the carnival! Yes we were in a band!

Us again!! Wearing shades because I had started cooking, literally from the heat! Love you babe!

That’s us in Essex sometime in 2011, waiting for our hosts at the train station. Memories! Pouts of life and destiny!