The Gist in our 237th Blog Post
Hurry, what's the gist?
Pages by Ike will be One next month! Weee! One whole year! And so... we will be taking the month of September off! Not-Wee. I know.
I encourage my friends who are small-business owners to take holidays and I see them hesitate and struggle with making that decision. I never really understood the hesitation and drama; now that I have to do it, it feels like I'm leaving my child at a boarding school, in a remote wilderness with tumbleweed and desert vermin as company.
Why do we have to go on holiday? *pout*
One word. Evaluation. I'm in that step-back-and-evaluate-those-goals-girl phase of things. During my time away, one of the most important things I will be reviewing as a writer, blogger, individual, wife, friend is my vision. It's crucial to have the right vision. It's not just OK to have "a vision", but actually having "the right" vision, is the key.
I will be stepping back and evaluating the execution of my goals in a systemic manner. I realize I sound a little intense but I have to be, to ensure the best quality of service to you and my community and my Ed!
When will PGI be back? *breath held*
We will be back on the first day of October.
Are you trying to stop blogging? *skeptical glance*
No, I'm not trying to stop blogging. I have come to see that I am unable to stop, in fact. Many nights I wake up at 2AM, my phone in hand and my blog app open. Suddenly I freak out like, O no! I think I've published an incomplete post with 'fghhhhhhhhhjjhh" typed in. Lol. Falling asleep while blogging is too much fun to give up. Don't you think?
Don't worry one month will swish by fast, it'll be like we never stopped...only that we did for a while and...went on holiday...but never did...but we did...you get my point.
So, what do we do now that PGI is on holiday? *crickets*
Catch up! If you are new, welcome! 10-posts-a-day and you'll be up to date. Fun!
Also, while we are on this short break, you could check out other blogs, yum! www.allthingsbeingamal.com;
[If you write a blog, please comment below! We would love to check your space out during our holiday].
I will miss you guys severely, but we'll be back soon! Thank you for swinging by all the time; for hanging with me, over the last year, 300+ days and 200+ blog posts!
We aren't quite done yet though. The holiday doesn't start until the end of August, so keep swinging! New blog post up soon!
It's surreal but this is our 237th blog post! Weeee! Thank you for being here and there for PGI all the way. Also please thank the Holy Spirit who helps me out like his life depends on it. He works so hard! My star-guy! Muah!
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Make This Week 100% Spicier With These...
I know the week is over, practically, but that's not a valid reason not to have a magnificent Thursday and Friday, huh? These guys below have helped me along this busy, blessed week. Here they are my spice-factors:
I. Spice up your soul with Mali Music
I discovered Mali Music in 2009 with his song "Yahweh". Recently, my speakers have been rocking songs like Digital and Ready Aim but I didn't know he was the artist behind them! His transformation and growth have been whao-ish! If you love hip-hop and God, you'll love this guy's music! The song below is the ultimate "you-can't-shoot-me-down" song with very powerful lyrics*goosebumps*. Check out his other songs: Digital, Beautiful, Fight for you! The guy is just super!
II. Spice up your mind by wondering how Oscarine became like this (lol)
If you don't know Oscarine, prepare to join me in wondering how she became this way. I have many questions for her. Actually, I'd like to have her over for dinner. First, does she live by herself? Do people walk in on her when she does these skits? How does she crack us up with a straight face?! She's just hilarious.
III. Spice up your taste buds with a watermelon cooler or make one, virgin or non-virgin
Watermelon coolers were made for parched throats, ok, they were made for all throats...no throat gets left behind on this one. All you need are some watermelons(naturally), ice, sugar, lime juice and mint leaves (optional)
IV. Spice up your dreams with this Nigerian guy we all love!
Credit: Getty Images
Most people know Oduduru Divine for creating the famous "I never esperredit" and "Die on the line" slangs in 2014. Great job, man! Divine was second at the Olympics during the Heat 9 race at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and guess who was first? Usain Bolt. His dream was to compete with Mr. Usain and that dream came true! He bit me with the inspiration bug!
V. Spice up your weird Imagination
Am I weird for hoping Divine Oduduru and Simone Biles fall in love?
What are your thoughts? Would these help your week? Don't you just love the idea of sipping an ice-cold watermelon cooler while laughing at Oscarine-memes and hoping that Divine and Simone meet...Mali music blasting from your headphones! Bom-bom-kqish.
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That Time Dad "Exceeded" my Gift Expectations
At the arrival section of the airport, I'd stand on tiptoes waiting for my dad to come out into the hall and when he did, I'd run and hug him. The delight of holding your dad after his exotic business trip to Hanoi or Kathmandu! He must have stories from his adventure, or even better, he must have something(s) in that bag for me *initiate x-ray vision*; some silk scarves, precious stones, Saris with elaborate embroidery. There had to be something, right? Ok, if he forgot, he'd have gotten something from Duty Free, a little Victor&Rolf fragrance or something from Ms. Coco. Bless you, Duty Free. Ok, if he skipped Duty Free, he definitely would have bought something on the plane. Straight face, no excuses.
Getting home, I wouldn't leave his side. I'd stalk him all over the house, stand by the bathroom door, follow him into the kitchen, living room, until he says, 'Ike, bring my carry-on. I have somethings for you.' Bam! Hallelujah! Plural, just the way I like it.
At the speed of light, I'd be back with the bag. I'd unzip it and wait patiently.
Dad would unpack all his stuff and then buried beneath his clothes in a very orderly pile, sometimes wrapped in a duty free bag would be papers. Yes, I mean newspapers.
'This is for you, baby!'
It would be all there; the Economist, Times, Newsweek, Bloomberg, NY times, Financial times, papers in German.
It couldn't be. Was it April? Was this a prank?
I failed to believe it. I think I must have passed out in my head. Lol. If it was April and was a prank, every trip he made since then has been followed by this prank and every month has been April. He has done this unfailingly every time since then. I didn't get it at first, why would he buy these papers for me? If he had to buy magazines, how did his fingers miss Glamour, Vogue and Cosmo? Um, where were the silk scarves and jewels?
'You should know what's going on in the world',He'd say.
He was right, i should know what was going on in the world; and yes, I should read these papers......... while wearing the pearls and scarves!
Anyway, i'd read these magazines and soon grew to love them and they became progressively easier to read (at first it took me a month to read 5 articles). Also in Business School, we were required to read the Economist and FT everyday, so that came easily to me. He planted an invaluable seed in me with all those magazines and business articles, he'll never even understand the impact of these "gifts" of his.
Of course, he also bought the silk scarves and Saris sometimes but those papers were pretty constant. I began to look forward to the magazines and less to the other gifts. On occasion, i'd wear his gift from Swarovski and wrap huge scarves around my neck while sitting on the floor surrounded by these words printed on glossy paper. Invaluable, i tell you. It's one of the best gifts you can give to a child, this habit of reading and acquiring knowledge until it becomes part of his or her daily habits. Reading is slowly becoming extinct, guys. Build good habits for your kids!
What's the best gift you could give a child (physical or non-physical)? Any habits learnt from parents? Please share below!