http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/368569
I met the stranger at a business seminar 3 months ago. He sat behind me during lecturers and we incidentally fell beside each other for lunch. He initiated a professional conversation which I found very bold. Probably because he’s not a Nigerian and he doesn’t know the law of “Don’t talk to a Stranger”. After the event, we exchanged contacts and promised to get in touch with each other to talk more often about business.

I am a finicky person by nature, and I do not leave chances. I went digging into information wherever I found anything about him. Lucky him, most result were in his favour, he was a brain in the marketing industry with plenty years of experience, very knowledgeable and he was married. I received a call some weeks later from him and I returned the call which was simply mutual.

For one moment, I didn’t want to throw the baby and the bath water away. If this guy was a successful business man, why don’t I just learn from him? I’m not saying there are no business teachers in Nigeria but an honest conversation with him on how he made it to the top shouldn’t hurt.

All these I told my Sweetheart and for the first time in my life I got a near negative response. I could taste the fear in his replies: “Why in the night? Why in the hotel room? I’m a guy; don’t you think I know what can be on his mind? Do you have to speak to him? I have someone else you can talk to”. At the end, he completed his response by being complacent. He said “Baby, I know you like me so much you won’t do anything to hurt me. Just re-assure me you love me and we will both be fine.

I understand Sweetie very well, it was a tough call for him to let his Angel slip into oblivion for some 2 hrs. Not that he didn’t trust me but he was only human and even though he didn’t say this, “He wasn’t ready to let go of what we had for 2 seconds, we enjoy every moment together”. On the other hand, I didn’t fuss much ‘cos I knew what I was going to do I had my limitations. He may not know much about gender behaviours but we females do have guiding rules which allows us to put our feet down in compromising situations.

May be if you stick around more, you may get to read the outcome of the controversial visit. And to my Sweetheart, my Angel, you will always be the one. Nothing can change that ‘cos I belong to you. Cheers!
]]> Fri, 09 May 2008 04:41:00 EDT http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/368569 http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/366457
I love famiy visits and I look forward to it. I find it very complimentary and I appreciate every visit from cousins, aunts, uncles e.t.c.

This particular visit was quite perculiar. I didn't realised I was living on the fast lane. Wake up in the morning without saying good morning to anyone before heading for work, skipping breakfasts, forgetting to reply messages and missed calls e.t.c.

It was close of business on one of those days my sister was around. She called my phone and asked if I'll like to have boiled yam and scrambles eggs when I get home. I instantly turned down the offer and told her not to bother cooking. Don't get me wrong, I didn't just take a spontanous move. I just felt I would be asking for too much. Why do I need to make her do the cooking simply because she's around and has free time.

I thought I was pretty smart by dashing into a popular fast food outlet and buying a packed meal for two. I was all smiles when I got home. I opened the door and asked her why she was going to stress herself instead of sending me a text to tell me what menu to bring home for her. She acted suprised and replied "I still cook everyday just like you used to do, have you forgotten? she replied.

Well, I just shrugged my shoulders and said "Maybe I'm currently under - utilising my skills". We had a long laugh and before I knew it, she served her own meal which she made for herself alone since I refused to accept her offer. I also served my pre-packed food and we sat at the table to eat and catch up on old times (or young times !)

She was having eggs while I was having chicken. Then nolstagia and the bad habit we shared when we were younger suddenly set in, we started nibbling at each others plate. in a spit of a second, we forgot my own plate while we concentrated on hers. Her's was suddeny tastier and more appetizing. I moved my chair closer and we started talked about everytihing. I tried to find out what was refreshing about the food but I could only figure out what I've missed.

We used to run around the house together, laugh together, make fun of mistakes and promise each other to move on, trust each other, tell tales to each othe, cook new menu together e.t.c

I also figured out that the most times we got closer was when we do the "bad habits" together like we just did by eating from the same plate, snugging into each other room after bedtime to discuss the day, check each other at individual classrooms even after breaktime is over to share brilliant test results, try to cover up each other when mum finds out a mistake and talk about the truth later e.t.c.

I didn't tell her what I experienced during the magical moment. For me, even after we did the dishes, I apologised to her in my heart. I think I've neglected her and so many other friends and family members as well. I've denied them of those meaningful moments they may never get from anyone else due to the "corporate world".

And I've also promised to bring the magic back in every little oppourtunity I have and keep the fire burning !]]> Mon, 05 May 2008 13:39:00 EDT http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/366457 http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/363025
Oh no, NEPA at their best again. Some times I wonder if they feel comfortable whenever we pay bills for no services. The black-outs were becoming more constant nowadays. Well, what’s in the freezer will still be chilled with residual frost before they come back to their senses so I really don’t need to worry. Ah ah. It’s back again. What exactly do they take this electricity for in their office, toy switches? Let’s see what I have to iron for the week. Now I have to iron clothes for the next 5 working days ‘cos only God knows when they’ll blackout again.

Monday 16th April

Aw! 6:30am and I’m still in bed. Gosh. I scurried into the bathroom. Dressing was just too simple. An unexciting white long sleeve shirt on a brown knee length pleated skirt. Now this is what I call boring. White on brown color. How will people accept this? Let me try silver earrings on, the small one though and the thin wired necklace. Is this jewelry not too unnoticeable? What’s wrong with me this morning? And the skirt, it’s not just falling well, looks like what ballerinas wear on stage. Time for make up; sorry no time. Its 8:00am and I resume 8:30am. Now is the time the whole world will see what I’m hiding. No Iman powder, the Estee Lauder mascara, Cover Girl lipstick and my irresistible Fashion Fair lip gloss. Hmm, God save the girl.

Tuesday 17th April

Yea, woke rather early today. This is a day to set all my wrongs right. The shower took 55mins, not so bad at least I woke up 5:30 am so there’s time on my side. Wow, this fuscia pink shirt will just do. It’s got white frills giving it a diva look. The pants, grey to black straight cut. Such cut accentuate my body and gives me this confident look. My make over session took 15mins. The eyeliner just in the right place, I used blue colored mascara today instead of black to achieve the Hollywood look, the lip shimmer came before the lip gloss and the finishing was just perfect. Steeping out of the house with confident strides, I carried this look of “I know ya all lookin at me but it aight”. I invested time in getting this look so I deserve the attention.

Wednesday 18th April

It’s mid-week and the dressing frenzy is down. The sea blue shirt will just go on the black striped pants. No drama today, the week is old. I will just enhance my look a little with the gold loop earrings and lighter make-up. Light fragrance and suede shoes to go. These will save my fashion disaster today.

4:30pm
My phone buzzed while I was preparing to close from work and a calm male voice made himself clear:
Stranger: Hello, am I speaking to Oyinade?
Myself: Yes please, this is Oyinade
Stranger: Oh good, am sorry to disturb to but I couldn’t help but place this call.
Myself: Who am I speaking with please?
Stranger: Ok…Hmm, this is Olalekan and I am an admirer.
Myself: Well, Olalekan, you are a stranger so how may I help you.
Stranger: Like I said earlier on, am sorry to bother you. I saw you on Monday morning trying to walk into your office. You were sporting a White shirt on Brown skirt, am I right?
Myself: Yea…
Stranger: You were looking really great and attractive; I couldn’t get to talk to you ‘cos I was also heading to my office.
Myself: Oh, how did you now get my number and where do you work?
Stranger: Permit me, I didn’t introduce myself properly, I work with Trans bank in the head office located on Victoria Island. I’m into corporate banking at the aviation desk. I got your number from a friend that was sitting beside me in my car. She claimed she knew you ‘cos she’s your sister’s friend. Your sister works on the island too in right?
Myself: Yea…
Stranger: I just wanted you to know to keep your style up; you looked really great cool in your outfit.
Help Me Ohh…..Monday!!! Not even Tuesday that I was dressed to kill.
]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:32:00 EDT http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/363025 http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/363021
All I want to say is for every expression you make, you infect (or is it affect?) others that come in contact with it. You can imagine if you smile to at least to 10 people a day and they in turn smile to others. We will definatey have a chain of smilling people around the world. Who knows, we may not even need the sun to brighten up our days anyonger if one persons can just smile !

]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:19:00 EDT http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/363021 http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/39119 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 09:42:00 EDT http://olajigaoyinade.tigblog.org/post/39119