Thank God: It's Saturday, although I don’t work on Saturday, but my boss called me to the office to do some job stuff for him. I Hope to have another great weekend like last weekend. The week has been so hectic for me. I am really looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Who knows, I will try make something different at home, maybe cook a nice delicious meal, or even bake a cake or rather still, prepare barbecue fish and chips with ketchup to go with it. uhmmmmmmmmmmm that sounds better, maybe I will give it a try. I love fish a lot. Let me stop dreaming about food and get on with today business.

My last post was titled "obstacles to relationship 1" and I got good comments which I passed on to the victim in question. Well, she was grateful for the advice, but she is still bent on carrying out her parents wish. Like the saying goes You can only lead a Camel to the river, but you can force it to drink water" also our elders use to say a word is enough for the wise, I wish her best of luck.

Like I said in my last post, I was also a victim of a failed relationship. Then I was much younger, I was twenty three then, Mohammed was actually my first love. We met in my mum shop, my mum had a restaurant. So whenever am on holidays from school, I normally go there to help her with the cooking and to serve customers. One faithful day, Mohammed came to my mum restaurant to get something to eat and drink, and when he saw me, after about three visits to our shops, he tried to win my friendship, but at first, I refused to succumb, because I was scared of being hurt and also I didn’t want any distractions from my studies, so I refused to honour any of his lunch date. He kept on trying, he never gave up. Eventually, I agreed to go for a swim date with him. He was excited and he treated me like a queen. We got talking, I found that, he is an interesting guy to be with, he is smart, young, and he is also an engineer by profession. During our conversation, he revealed to me, that he was from a Muslim home, at first when I heard it, I was disturbed, because I am from a Christian home. Anyway, I still went on to date him, thinking that somehow, I will convert him to my own religion. But I was wrong because we had conflicts, whenever I want to watch a Christian programme, he will switch the Television off. Whenever I want to go to church, he doesn’t like the idea. We continued like that for about a year, he then proposed, we were so much in love, even with the difference in our religion, I decided to marry him, then the big problem we had was our parents. My parents refused out rightly, his parents also refused.

Because of the love I had for him I was ready to marry him even without my parents consent. But he told me, for me to marry him I have to denounce my religion, I told him I cannot , that he should keep his religion, while I keep mine. He said over his dead body, he now made a statement that jolted me back to reality. These were his words “ I will not live to see my children going to church and becoming Christians, you can keep your religion mind you, but my children will be muslims”. On hearing his statement, I knew if I went ahead marrying him, then we will have problems in future. So we decided to call it quit.

So this is my story. Tell me. Please be honest, if you were in my shoes what would you have done? Also, do you think religion matters in marriage? Another thing, are parents always right about their consent for whom their daughter or son wants to marry?, do you have any experience to share concerning this problems? Then do so, your comments will be highly appreciated.

Have a lovely weekend.

It ‘s been raining Cat and Dog in my city where I live, at times it is like that. Funny enough, I love it when it rains, but at times it gets so bad, that most houses get flooded and the people living inside are left homeless. Anyway, that's by the way side. Today, I will be writing about what I tag, " OBSTACLES TO RELATIONSHIP". I found out, that there are a lot of obstacles to relationships that will eventually led to marriage. So many relationships and destiny has been destroyed because of these obstacles. Religion is number one obstacle that destroys relationship. I have seen and also I myself I am a victim of a failed relationship because of religion.

I met a young lady of about 28 when I went for shopping yesterday. After shopping, I decided to quickly grab a cup of Coffee and snacks in a nearby cafeteria. After getting my coffee, I settled down, enjoying the taste of the coffee. I notice this young lady, looking for a vacant sit, so I called her to come share my table with me. She noticed my engagement ring on my finger and she asked me when I was getting married and also congratulated me. We got along so well, I now asked her, about her own relationship and she opened up to me, telling me her woes.

Hear her story!!!

I'm 27 years old, from a Moslem home and my father has said that he would never bless any marriage that is not his religion. I've had two relationships with Christian guys and broke up. The first was unfaithful and the second was very selfish!

Moreover, I met Jakky the love of my Life, but he is also a Christian, I accepted his proposal at first but later had second thoughts because I knew my parents would never give their consents. So I broke out of that relationship. Since then, I have never fall in love with any other guy. I miss him so much, and I am still very much in love with him but I have decided to marry whom my parents approve of, even if I love the person or not.

Six Months ago, I met this guy, a Moslem. He is head over heels in love with me and everyone around us know that we are going out . My parents approved of him. But my worry, is: "Ejiro she said" I don't love him and not just that he is 10 years older than me. What should I do? should I marry him? will I be happy in future? Should I please my parents and displease myself? I looked at her with pity, right there I decided to publish this today. Please send your advice.

Do you know, you and I have a responsibility? I know you will be wondering, what is Ejiro talking about i? Yes! we have a responsibilty of making the world a better place to live in.

There is this story about a man , who decided that though he is not yet rich, he would affect his generation. He began by paying compliments to everyone he saw, including Taxi-drivers, House helps. Hear his reason: " If I am nice to a driver, he's likely to be nice to his next twenty passengers to minium. If they are in turn nice to his shopkeepers, waitresses and their families, then, that my one gesture of goodwill might infleunce at least a thousand people. If only three people that i met today have a happier day because of what I say to them, I might indirectly influence the attitude of 3000 people." No wonder Helen Keller said: " I sm only one, but still, Iam one. I cannot do everything, but still i can do something and because i cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that i can do."

I am using this write up to tell you today, that love and faithfullness, makes the world go round, through Love a relationship is made secured. Are you one of those people who discriminate? are you a racist? do you treat people who are not as wealthy as you as dirt? do you maltreat your househelp? If you indulge in such acts, please stop it from today and be nice to the people you meet in life.

WE HAVE TO PUT OUR HANDS TOGTHER AND INDEED MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, the conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you ," mean it

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson !

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

It was Sir James Barrie that wrote” Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” It is true that thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle. Consider the story of the amazing success of philanthropist extraordinary and queen of the tube Oprah Winfrey. This is a woman who was raised in the segregated State of Mississippi with her grandmother. She enjoyed neither water nor electricity as a young girl . Currently 49 years she has no children of her own and was considering adopting, until December 2006 when she visited South Africa. Hear her! “ There is so much sadness in the world and I want to be able to do something. I want to be used to bring joy to children who would not have had a day of joy. I won’t adopt children anymore. I don’t think that’s for me. I feel I have a calling. Through television, I want to be a voice for those children who don’t have a voice worldwide. I plan to spread the word about the AIDS crisis threatening African children. You have 11 million children in sub Saharan African now suffering as AIDS ORPHANS. I must do something about that.”

Do you know that after spending $40million, she opened an ultra modern all female school in South Africa recently? It is named Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy For Girls”. And the most interesting thing about the school admission requirement is that the student must be above average and must come from a poor background. Colour is a dead issue!

Oprah, is somebody I love and respect a lot, I admire her courage, I sincerely love to be like her. She has touched so many lives all over the world. From her story lets learn to bring out the very best from us, let see how we can affect the people around us especially orphans, the poor, and the less privileged. I have an assignment for you, go out into the world , visit orphanage home around your vicinity, visit prisons, hospitals you will one way or the other or if you won’t have the time to that just log on to www.linkachild.com and send your email to info@linkachild.org

I have been so busy lately with pressures from my job and also setting up a new blog and this is causing a delay in my postings, also I am busy preparing for my exams, and also preparing for my wedding, yes wedding!! I AM GETTING MARRIED, in a couple of months. Sorry I didn't mention before but I just did!!!. Can I hear someone saying "EJIRO HAS FOUND LOVE AT LAST"? the answer is "YES SHE HAS" With so much on my plate to do, I will still continue my posting even though it is going to be irregular. I sincerely apologize for my inconsistency.

Today, I will be writing on what I Tag the two boxes of God"

" I have in my hand two boxes, which God gave me to hold, He said 'Put all your sorrows in the black box and all your joys in the Gold' I heeded his words, and in the two boxes, both my joy and sorrows i stored. But though the Gold became heavier each day, the black was as light as before. With curiosity, I opened the black box because I wanted to find out why, and I saw in the base of the box, a hole though which my sorrow has fallen out by, I showed the hole to God, and mused, " I wonder where my sorrow could be!" He smiled a gentle smile and said , " My child, they are all here with me," I asked God why he gave me the boxes- why the Gold and the black with the hole? And quickly came the reply: " My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, the black is for you to let go".

From this story, the lesson is no matter what you are going through in life, it could be depression, poverty, lost of a loved one, betrayal of a close friend, sickness, whatever saddening situation you are in, !ALWAYS REMEBER TO COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. There is always something to thank God for! If you can't thank God for what you have then thank him for the things you don't have. Lots of people died last night, but you are alive today, is enough reason to be happy and to thank God.

The world indeed is a beautiful place, i saw this i couldn't help posting it for others to view and admire the beautiful world we are in. God is wonderful, he is the creator of the universe and he has a eye for beauty, just looking at this picture shows how wonderful and how creative our creator is, he made all things beautiful for all of us to benefit from, not just that GOD IS LOVE. So say a word of praise to God as you view this pics. Indeed God is the omni science, he is superior above all other gods. The Good part of this whole story is that we are created in his own image and likeness, we are like God, that's why we have the same creative features in us, so dear readers at all time be creative and also practice LOVE.

Peace!!!

I haven't been too regular with my postings because of pressure at work, at times is like that, anyway, I promise to make up for it.

The last posting I made was about sharing your love experience. I had so many responses to me email box that I don't even know which of the story to post. In one of the mails sent to me in respect to that posting I made, a young lady of about 16years said she needs help. She?s been dating a man old enough to be her father.

Hear her story:

It all started when Dad introduce Derek to me as his old school mate. From the first day I set my eyes on him, I felt this thrilling excitement in my groin. I remembered vividly that day what happened. I was trying to do my assignments when my dad's voice echoed from the sitting room. Jasmine! Jasmine! where are you? Am in my room dad I answered him, "Please come right here and meet my friend I have been telling you about". I walked briskly into the city room, immediately I set my eyes on him, I knew I was in for it. I found him very handsome and very attractive, I couldn't help staring, even at his age, he is about a year or two younger than my dad, my day is 50yrs old, while he is 48 yrs old.

Derek stretched forth his hands to my direction, immediately I took his hand for an handshake, I felt a strange warm wetness in my pants. I withdrew my hand immediately, and I excused myself and ran back to my room. I couldn't concentrate on my assignments anymore, I just couldn't believe that me a 16 yrs old girl will fall for a 48yrs old man, In all my life I have always wanted to fall in love with a guy of my age, I have always dreamt about how I will be disvirgin by a guy I love, but I never thought in my widest imagination, that I will fall in love with a man old enough to be my father. After that day, I scolded myself and I tried to forget him, but i just couldn't. I keep dreaming of being in his arms night after night.

About two weeks later, my Dad told me Derek is moving from Scotland to England and not just that, he got an apartment close to ours and we are going to be neighbors. My heart skipped immediately, I now asked my Dad if he is coming with his wife and kids, my dad shook his head sadly and said, Derek is divorced and his ex-wife went away with his kids and most of his possession and that was part of the reason he is changing location so as to start life afresh. I felt so sorry for him, but I was happy that he is single. Derek moved into our neighbor hood and he became a regular visitor to our home. My mum has never liked him, for one reason or the other, I asked her why? she told me it is woman instincts and she warned me not to get friendly with him. But I couldn't stop dreaming of him. Then one faithful day, my dreams became a reality.

That day, it was raining profusely, I was soaked on my way back from school, when I got to the house my parents wasn't home, and I forgot to carry my spare keys to our apartment so I was trapped outside the house. As I was wondering what to do, Derek saw me from his window and now invited me in to his house, I had always dreaded being alone with him, but there was no escape for me that day. So I got into his house and he asked me to change my cloths into something warm and dry. I went into his bathroom, to change my clothes to the ones he gave me. Immediately I took off my clothes, I found Derek already inside the bathroom, he was all over me with kisses and he was telling me how he had always wanted to do this, he said he has seen the green lights from my eyes, but he has been waiting for the special moment to do it, at this time, I was already lost to his passion andddddddddddd it finallyyyyyyyyyy happened, we made love.

We continued our relationship secretly after that day. But now I am pregnant for him, and I don't want to carry out an abortion, but the big problem is, he wants me to go for an abortion, and he is not willing to tell my parents about our relationship, I just can't believe he doesn't love me, he had told me several times in the past that he loves me, I find it hard to believe him, I am confused, I don't know what to do, am three months pregnant for him, I can't tell my parents the news without Derek's support, dear readers what should I do? do you think this guy loves me? am I being used by him? Am I in love or infatuated by him? Please i need your advice.