This is not monkey business

I came out to hang the mop I was using to mop the house. I looked up at the fence where I usually hang it and our eyes met. The brown small eyes stared at me as if asking a question. I was confused initially but I stood there deciding not to be intimidated by his looks. Then he started going back and stopped to look back at me. The fence has some sharp ends to it, so he could not climb them. I now understood why he was staring at me, He wants my permission, so I bent down pretending to wring the mop, and with the corner of my eyes, I saw him walk past me.
That was a monkey I have started sharing my fence with, since this year he passes through my fence as if that is his route to a place. I have asked questions on where the monkey comes from, some say the bushy area behind my estate is their habitat, if that is so, please the government should not allow them to sell more lands to people in that area, so that we don't chase them away from their home.
On a normal day, when I see a monkey on my fence, I would shout blood of Jesus; But I didn't. In my mind, I ask myself what if am the alien here, maybe I am the one in their community not the other way round.
Well I will continue to look out for my monkey friend to know if it is the same monkey or different ones, from there I will make my inquiry to find out if we are disturbing their community.
Since I have been looking for a way to help endangered animals(How are they endangered you may ask, with the recent display of bush meat on my way to the market, I am skeptical.  Well if I cannot protect them I can write about them until someone comes to their help.
Today I am into monkey, Tomorrow I might look into fish, it is high time someone start talking about the  unrepentant way we destroy our ecosystem here in Nigeria.
This not a monkey business!
Adanna

Stretching Natural Hair.

Growing up, we use to call the stretch method by banding (Mgbeke hair style) nobody likes the hair style especially when our parents always plait it their old fashion style.  In fact our parents are always creative at it, They plait it in such a way that it sits at the top of your head. We disliked it, so we opt for a weave. Little did we know that stretching the hair by banding it with wool or thread, helps oil travel from the root to the tip, hence keeping the hair moisturize and at the same time reduce tangle; So that one ends up retaining more length. For a long time, I have been trying to do this banding method in such a way that I can wear it out to wherever I wish to go.
I did this hairstyle today and it looks so good and am going to share with you.

It took me about  30minutes because I needed to de tangle and moisturize my hair. Hope you try it out

Patronizing Nigerian made products

 With the present global economy situation, many countries are looking for ways to strengthen their economy. The Federal Government is appealing to us to patronize Nigerian made goods. As a true Nigerian, who wants her country to move forward,  I agree with the Federal Government but the problem is we have little products to choose from, and there is no adequate infrastructure and financial support given to those who want to produce, so they end up cutting corners here and there.  If there is a way to encourage producers financially, and ensure basic infrastructures are provided, more products will be produced. Using my own field as an example, whenever I want to shoot a film, I will start looking for a noiseless location, which is very hard to get because every house has a generator. At the end of a shoot ,you spend more money working on the audio of your film. For others,  the materials for their work are not readily available? for example in my village, the number of palm oil press station is limited that villagers will decide to do it their own way. I do not want to dwell much on what we don't have but on what we have and how we can help our economy.

The question is what do we have? I am going to dwell on hair care products because a lot of women spend thousands on imported hair product as long as the label reads "HAIR GROW FAST". I  have decided to start using the raw Shea butter instead of foreign products that contain Shea butter. And the truth is this "Ori" as it is widely known here in Nigeria is very good for the skin and hair. also I decided to save money in purchase of coconut oil when I can prepare enough for me and my girls in my kitchen. For shampoo and conditioner, I don't think I have seen a shampoo labelled made in Nigeria, but we have the local soaps, I remember when my mum used to buy those local soaps for us to bath with and Stella pomade as body cream.  Those local soaps has the ability to eliminate ringworm and eczema from the body than this anti-fungal creams.
I know we still have more products just look around you.

My next question is how can we help our economy?
We need to improve on the quality products, for example, no matter how much I try, the smell of Damatol hair cream does not encourage me to use it. If the fragrance could be improved, am sure people will go for it more. Damatol is good for skin and hair care.
Many people say that Shea butter darkens the skin, well if we can find a way of adding lime to it, those of us who want to be lighter in color will see the awesome power of lime.
Marketing is another thing, If you are proud of your product make noise about it, please do not use mega phone and attach it to your car and contribute to the generator noise.
For people like my mum who are unknown Entrepreneurs, The Local Government should think of a way to help them.
Again we also need encouragement, when you want to buy a product in the market and you realize that it is made in Aba, do not expect them to sell below cost price, because at the long run they will cut corners to meet up.

How do you think we can strengthen our economy?
Keep pondering!
Adanna.

Having fun

When you have little kids in the house, the fun never cease. Yesterday  I decide to let them play until they are tired; Guess what they did, they came down stairs dressed up, I could not help laughing; see for yourself.

Well I added my own,they where to look funny on camera, please tell me who is the funniest among them.

cheers
Adanna

Water only washing and Onion hair treatment

A lot has been going on at the natural hair community. Water only washing of hair is now been talked about.
Since I started my natural hair journey, I usually treat my hair every two weeks with onion juice and honey before shampooing and conditioning; But in November 2015 I decided to try water only washing but I did not want to leave my onion juice and honey treatment.
I started using onion juice because I wanted to combat dandruff. And I can say that, now I do not experience dandruff anymore.
I wash my hair every week sometimes two times a week depending on my schedule and hair style.
Since I started washing with only water, I find detangling my hair easier to do. I noticed that when I use only raw Shea butter as hair product, I can get a defined twist out. I clarify my hair with baking soda and use apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.
This is about three months into this water only washing regimen, so I do not have adequate information on sebum coverage considering the fact that I have very dry hair; Also the weather condition in Nigeria is very harsh on the hair. I will keep you updated on my experiences as the months roll by.

This is how I stretch my hair after every wash

My stretched hair, (I used Shea butter and a little coconut oil)

Experiments with truth

An autobiography of MAHATMA K GANDHI is a motivational book. This book is divided into five parts and each part has a lot to teach.An autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, explain how anyone seeking for truth, should be determined to go against all odd to achieve it. Also he taught in this book, that ones fight could be won without violence.
In  page 338-342 he explained, how ones behaviour around youths can help them develop themselves. One can not impact what he/she does not have; And in other to be a good teacher or guardian, you must touch the hearts of your students, share their joys and sorrows and also help them solve the problems facing them.
 I bought this book with my money and I felt like given my honest opinion of this book and will also recommend it to anyone who is interested in developing themselves both spiritually, mentally and physically.

Fro hawk hairstyle

Frohawk hairstyle

I did a fro hawk hairstyle using raw Shea butter as the only hair product, on a freshly washed hair; And I love the look.

Quick natural hair bun

Quick natural hair bun

Today, I want to do a very easy hair style, that could be use for work, that is not going to take up to 5 minutes. Hope you try it out.

BREAKFAST ON MY IDLE SATURDAY

I woke up this morning feeling very lazy, in fact I felt like not leaving the bed; But there is a lot to do. After praying, I and my kids swept and dusted the house. When everyone had taken their bath, I was still feeling lazy and was thinking of how to make breakfast(making breakfast seem so difficult this morning). My daughter met me in the kitchen and suggested making breakfast with me. On a good day, I will tell her to watch, me but today I needed every help I could get. I mixed the batter for pancake and fried on a pan. Her job was to turn them, and bring them out when they color changes to light brown. Now every other person want to assist. My youngest child made tea to go with the pancake.  I decided to supervise and see what each person can do, and they did not disappoint me.

There is nothing tasty, like munching a Bournvita

Oh yes, Enjoy your meal. Some of them will eat it, until it looks like a human shape. I don't mind just eat and I am going back to bed.
Adanna

House of Badmus Season 1 Episode 13

House of Badmus is  a household name on Nigeria television stations. Please watch, like and share.

My bother's teacher