I do not want to sound cocky but I do not read as much as many people in my class but I still come out tops and this cannot but be attributed to God. In fact these days I know I do not read that much or write satisfactorily enough during exams except in some papers and when the result comes out I do excellently well . Don’t get me wrong, I read a lot but I am relating it to most of my friends .I am not saying that I am better than most of these people but the truth be told that there is someone up there performing miracles and smiling at me.
I love to read books but I have realised that I am not always patient enough o learn the details of everything. Whenever I read a newspaper or magazine I read only the basics and I don’t bother my head with the details and I must confess that I am not happy about this and I have tried several times to do something about it but it has been abortive. I know of someone who pays attention to every detail and it has really helped her and although I have never told her about it but I really envy her a lot because of the positive results she gets from doing so.
these days I do not read as much as I used to . Could it be because I watch the television too much or due to some other reason I am not aware of? The truth be told that I preferred my life when I used to read more to the way it is now. I am now more interested in entertainment which to me doesn’t boost one's level of intelligence at the rate at which reading does. I achieved more during those times of my life and incidentally, this is the period when I need to read more.
I know that my school is not also one that permits reading beyond one's scope of study but instead it makes you read less, in fact you cram before your exams . This attitude is not peculiar to only my school but in other schools in Nigeria as well. Many students only read to pass and not for both passing and gaining the knowledge.
there is a saying that ' work like there is no God, and pray like there is no work' , combining both always work together for good. These days I have been thinking of how to revitalize my reading habits and try as much as possible to read more and also increase the rate at which I pray to God because He has been watching over me and there is a saying that 'heaven helps those who help themselves'. My prayer is that God should continue to grant unto me retentive memory, mercy and a continual remembrance of Him at all times because my success in life can only be attributed to Him alone.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Musophobia
Although this seems like a very unusual topic but honestly, it isn't for me because I am Musophic. Wondering what it means? It is from the Latin word Mus for mouse meaning fear of mouse. There are also other words like Muriphobia or Suriphobia.
I have always been scared of rats since when I was little and it really shocking to most people who feel it is totally stupid to fear such a small creature, some even think I just fake it. I honestly can’t explain what goes on in my body whenever I sense or see one all I know is that adrenaline pumps to my brain and I cannot but start shaking, and my mouth becomes really dry and my goose bumps come out on my skin. Talking about size, there is a common western folk belief that elephants are scared of rats. So why would anyone say that I am just being stupid or something? Lol
I have tried several times to know why I have this phobia and I have come up with a couple of reasons which might not even be the real but they just might be anyway. Could it be because of their smell? I have asked myself several times, I really don’t know even if it is, it is not the main reason I guess. It might be because I have had the experience of rats climbing my legs and when I think about it afterwards I still feel the way I felt when it happened no matter the time difference. Those memories still remain evergreen in my heart. How on earth will I ever forget such an icky feeling? It might also be hereditary. Yes this is possible because my dad also dreads them, so I guess I inherited it from him then so sometimes I feel there is no cause for alarm. It has to do with my genes because experts say that it is hereditary. I am also aware that they are dangerous to the health. They carry all sorts of diseases that are harmful to man and they are extremely destructive animals. This could also be one of the reasons.
In 2007 however, I watched a computer animated film produced by Pixar and marketed by Walt Disney pictures titled Ratatouille.It was about Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and tries to achieve his goal by forming an alliance with a Parisian restaurant's garbage boy? I really enjoyed the movie with a beautiful story line. It made me view rats in a different way but I still dread them anyway. In fact, I know how they smell so before anyone else senses them in a room, I am always the first to say 'I think there is a rat around somewhere'.
Recently, I found out that rats are very symbolic to the Chinese culture .The Rat (鼠) is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese Zodiac related to the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Rat is associated with the earthly branch symbol 子. The Chinese astrological cycle begins with the year of Rat.
You wouldn’t believe the things I learnt about rat people. Rat people are expressive and can be talkative sometimes, they love to party and can be quiet at times although in rear cases. Rat people usually have more acquaintances than real friends and they revere and cherish those close to them. Once you become their real friends, they will treat you as their family. Even though they can be talkative sometimes, they never confide in anyone. With clairvoyance, intuition, perspicacity and an eye for detail, Rats are formidable problem solvers, finding workable solutions to the knottiest problems. The Rat is not romantic, but he is sensual and loving. The most interesting of all these facts is that January is the month of the Rat and I was born in January…lol. Honestly, I think I share a lot in common with rat people but still it doesn’t take the fear away. What if I am a rat? Yes very funny right? Because that thought alone sends chills down my spine.
I cannot kill a rat neither can I love them. Some people keep them as pets. I cannot even picture myself holding one not to talk of rearing one. I hope my fear goes away someday but until then I guess I have to live with it and try as much as possible to avoid them but the bottom line is this: 'rats are wonderful creatures, love or hate them'.
I have always been scared of rats since when I was little and it really shocking to most people who feel it is totally stupid to fear such a small creature, some even think I just fake it. I honestly can’t explain what goes on in my body whenever I sense or see one all I know is that adrenaline pumps to my brain and I cannot but start shaking, and my mouth becomes really dry and my goose bumps come out on my skin. Talking about size, there is a common western folk belief that elephants are scared of rats. So why would anyone say that I am just being stupid or something? Lol
I have tried several times to know why I have this phobia and I have come up with a couple of reasons which might not even be the real but they just might be anyway. Could it be because of their smell? I have asked myself several times, I really don’t know even if it is, it is not the main reason I guess. It might be because I have had the experience of rats climbing my legs and when I think about it afterwards I still feel the way I felt when it happened no matter the time difference. Those memories still remain evergreen in my heart. How on earth will I ever forget such an icky feeling? It might also be hereditary. Yes this is possible because my dad also dreads them, so I guess I inherited it from him then so sometimes I feel there is no cause for alarm. It has to do with my genes because experts say that it is hereditary. I am also aware that they are dangerous to the health. They carry all sorts of diseases that are harmful to man and they are extremely destructive animals. This could also be one of the reasons.
In 2007 however, I watched a computer animated film produced by Pixar and marketed by Walt Disney pictures titled Ratatouille.It was about Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and tries to achieve his goal by forming an alliance with a Parisian restaurant's garbage boy? I really enjoyed the movie with a beautiful story line. It made me view rats in a different way but I still dread them anyway. In fact, I know how they smell so before anyone else senses them in a room, I am always the first to say 'I think there is a rat around somewhere'.
Recently, I found out that rats are very symbolic to the Chinese culture .The Rat (鼠) is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese Zodiac related to the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Rat is associated with the earthly branch symbol 子. The Chinese astrological cycle begins with the year of Rat.
You wouldn’t believe the things I learnt about rat people. Rat people are expressive and can be talkative sometimes, they love to party and can be quiet at times although in rear cases. Rat people usually have more acquaintances than real friends and they revere and cherish those close to them. Once you become their real friends, they will treat you as their family. Even though they can be talkative sometimes, they never confide in anyone. With clairvoyance, intuition, perspicacity and an eye for detail, Rats are formidable problem solvers, finding workable solutions to the knottiest problems. The Rat is not romantic, but he is sensual and loving. The most interesting of all these facts is that January is the month of the Rat and I was born in January…lol. Honestly, I think I share a lot in common with rat people but still it doesn’t take the fear away. What if I am a rat? Yes very funny right? Because that thought alone sends chills down my spine.
I cannot kill a rat neither can I love them. Some people keep them as pets. I cannot even picture myself holding one not to talk of rearing one. I hope my fear goes away someday but until then I guess I have to live with it and try as much as possible to avoid them but the bottom line is this: 'rats are wonderful creatures, love or hate them'.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Inspiration from Muhammad Ali
For some time now I have been looking for something to motivate me to read for my CCNA( Cisco certified network assistant)exam and in fact I gave myself the deadline of the first of August to start reading but unfortunately, I haven't been able to pick up the book let alone read it. it is breaking my heart and I cannot place my finger on the reason why I haven't been able to read it and the worse part is that I am suppose to write the exam at the end of the month. Could it be because I am loosing my faith in myself and in humanity or because I am grappling with a lot of things? luckily for me I guess I found a reason to go on. I saw a documentary on Muhammad Ali. I thought about it all night and now I guess I am ready to face my fears and move on no matter what.
The title of the documentary was 'facing Ali' and it was about the men who fought against Muhammad Ali during his career as a boxer. Great boxers like Leon Spinks, ken Norton, Trevor Berbick and some others spokes about him, their fights, his career and most importantly how he librated the black men of his time. Many of them chose boxing as their career because of him and because of how it had helped to cause positive changes to the black people.
Mohammad Ali, born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on the 17th of January, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, united states to a father who painted bill boards and signposts and a mother who was a household domestic, changed his name after joining the nations of Islam in 1964. He is a former American boxer nicknamed the greatest and a three time world heavy weight champion. During his career Ali was involved in several historic matches. Out of 61 fights he won 56 and lost 5. He was indeed a great fighter. In 1984 however, he was diagnosed of Parkinson's disease and despite his disease he remained a beloved and public figure. In 1999, Ali was crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by sports illustrated and "Sports Personality of the Century" by the BBC.
Muhammad Ali to me is a legend and he used to say that 'I am the greatest' . He was the greatest in in time. it wasn’t as if he didn’t face challenges or that he didn’t have his fears too just like all other humans but today he is a celebrated hero because of the battles he fought due to his indomitable spirit. Ali was well known for his unorthodox fighting style, which he described as "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"..
According to the Ali Center website, "Since he retired from boxing, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian endeavors around the globe. He is a devout Muslim, and travels the world over, lending his name and presence to hunger and poverty relief, supporting education efforts of all kinds, promoting adoption and encouraging people to respect and better understand one another. It is estimated that he has helped to provide more than 22 million meals to feed the hungry. Ali travels, on average, more than 200 days per year."
Boxing is a very dangerous sport because boxers are susceptible to a lot of injuries ranging from head injuries, eye injuries, body damages other diseases at old age. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons say that 90% of boxers sustain a brain injury. It is not surprising that head injury is so common in boxing. It is estimated that when a boxer gets a direct blow to the head it is like being hit by a 12lb padded, wooden mallet travelling at 20mph!
Being hit on the head can cause fractures to the bone of the head and face and tissue damage in the brain. A blow can damage the surface of the brain, tear nerve networks, cause lesions, bleeding and sometimes produce large clots within the brain.
We all hear about great men whose stories change our lives forever. From Muhammad Ali's story I have come to realise that nothing ever remains the same. We all have different times when we flourish and times when we don’t but the most important thing is for us to live our lives in such a way that we would we would not regret at the end of the day.
Just like I want to meet great men like Nelson Mandela who have changed the world in their own way, I also want to meet Muhammad Ali because I see he as a hero. I am surprised about this statement myself because until now I didn’t consider these type of people as heroes instead I just see them as men who became great because of the opportunities they had. I am glad I now know the difference.
At the end of it all, I am holding a statement he made in 1942 very close to my heart which is that 'Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. I wish myself luck in my reading and I hope to pass my exams in flying colours .
The title of the documentary was 'facing Ali' and it was about the men who fought against Muhammad Ali during his career as a boxer. Great boxers like Leon Spinks, ken Norton, Trevor Berbick and some others spokes about him, their fights, his career and most importantly how he librated the black men of his time. Many of them chose boxing as their career because of him and because of how it had helped to cause positive changes to the black people.
Mohammad Ali, born as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on the 17th of January, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, united states to a father who painted bill boards and signposts and a mother who was a household domestic, changed his name after joining the nations of Islam in 1964. He is a former American boxer nicknamed the greatest and a three time world heavy weight champion. During his career Ali was involved in several historic matches. Out of 61 fights he won 56 and lost 5. He was indeed a great fighter. In 1984 however, he was diagnosed of Parkinson's disease and despite his disease he remained a beloved and public figure. In 1999, Ali was crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by sports illustrated and "Sports Personality of the Century" by the BBC.
Muhammad Ali to me is a legend and he used to say that 'I am the greatest' . He was the greatest in in time. it wasn’t as if he didn’t face challenges or that he didn’t have his fears too just like all other humans but today he is a celebrated hero because of the battles he fought due to his indomitable spirit. Ali was well known for his unorthodox fighting style, which he described as "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"..
According to the Ali Center website, "Since he retired from boxing, Ali has devoted himself to humanitarian endeavors around the globe. He is a devout Muslim, and travels the world over, lending his name and presence to hunger and poverty relief, supporting education efforts of all kinds, promoting adoption and encouraging people to respect and better understand one another. It is estimated that he has helped to provide more than 22 million meals to feed the hungry. Ali travels, on average, more than 200 days per year."
Boxing is a very dangerous sport because boxers are susceptible to a lot of injuries ranging from head injuries, eye injuries, body damages other diseases at old age. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons say that 90% of boxers sustain a brain injury. It is not surprising that head injury is so common in boxing. It is estimated that when a boxer gets a direct blow to the head it is like being hit by a 12lb padded, wooden mallet travelling at 20mph!
Being hit on the head can cause fractures to the bone of the head and face and tissue damage in the brain. A blow can damage the surface of the brain, tear nerve networks, cause lesions, bleeding and sometimes produce large clots within the brain.
We all hear about great men whose stories change our lives forever. From Muhammad Ali's story I have come to realise that nothing ever remains the same. We all have different times when we flourish and times when we don’t but the most important thing is for us to live our lives in such a way that we would we would not regret at the end of the day.
Just like I want to meet great men like Nelson Mandela who have changed the world in their own way, I also want to meet Muhammad Ali because I see he as a hero. I am surprised about this statement myself because until now I didn’t consider these type of people as heroes instead I just see them as men who became great because of the opportunities they had. I am glad I now know the difference.
At the end of it all, I am holding a statement he made in 1942 very close to my heart which is that 'Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. I wish myself luck in my reading and I hope to pass my exams in flying colours .
Monday, August 2, 2010
The beginning of a great ending
I have been trying to write for some time now but it has been to no avail. The problem is that I start and get stuck along the way. I usually never finish, i actually have a lot of unfinished write ups. unfortunately, I created this blog about two to three months ago(if I am correct) and I haven't written or done anything worth publishing or so I think because I am probably comparing what I have written to those of other people .
I think a soul search will be appropriate or would be a starting point for me to discover why writing has been impossible. I think one of my major problems is concentration. I find it really difficult concentrating on one thing when I have a lot of distractions. The television is on , my phone is ringing, someone is talking to me or I am thinking of about ten things at the same time( like I always do). Another reason might be because I have numerous contrasting Ideas in my head about what I want write and I end up writing things that do not satisfy me. It saddens me because I have my way with words, I can speak fluently and eloquently but the moment I put my pen to paper it all goes away and it seem like I don’t know what I am going to write. It is really hard and I am not happy about it. most times I think of other things I should be doing instead of writing. Like reading for my CCNA exams or some family issues I am grappling with and other stuff.I am not trying to find myself an excuse but I kind of think that I might be looking for a wonderful topic to write about.
Just like I said earlier, I get distracted easily. As I was writing I remembered a friend of mine I was suppose to send a message to which i just did. I just hope it does not interfere with my thoughts.
After coming this far, a part of me feels like I am writing rubbish while another part feels like It is a step in the right direction. I don’t know… whoever is reading this should be the judge of that.
I have dreams of becoming a great writer and I hope to accomplish it very soon. I am also a photographer although not yet a professional and I know that all I need is more practice to give me the experience and I will be where I want to be.
It is also rather surprising that I often involve personal information about myself whenever I write and I really don’t know if it is right or wrong but I guess it is because I have always been writing about myself for about three years. I have a journal I keep for myself which I call 'Zerself" a name I coined out of my name, Zainab but this time around it is about my personal self and things that happen in my day to day life.the last time i read somethings i wrote in 2008 i was completely close to tears because i had forgotten a couple of them and it just brought the memories right back.
just like photography, i see writing as an art of being creative with words. being able to create and paint a vivid picture of something using words. i love photography, i love reading and i also love to write.
Weather I am going to become a great writer in future, well, only time will tell because I am not going to stop writing even until I perfect my skills. My life remains in God's hands.
I think a soul search will be appropriate or would be a starting point for me to discover why writing has been impossible. I think one of my major problems is concentration. I find it really difficult concentrating on one thing when I have a lot of distractions. The television is on , my phone is ringing, someone is talking to me or I am thinking of about ten things at the same time( like I always do). Another reason might be because I have numerous contrasting Ideas in my head about what I want write and I end up writing things that do not satisfy me. It saddens me because I have my way with words, I can speak fluently and eloquently but the moment I put my pen to paper it all goes away and it seem like I don’t know what I am going to write. It is really hard and I am not happy about it. most times I think of other things I should be doing instead of writing. Like reading for my CCNA exams or some family issues I am grappling with and other stuff.I am not trying to find myself an excuse but I kind of think that I might be looking for a wonderful topic to write about.
Just like I said earlier, I get distracted easily. As I was writing I remembered a friend of mine I was suppose to send a message to which i just did. I just hope it does not interfere with my thoughts.
After coming this far, a part of me feels like I am writing rubbish while another part feels like It is a step in the right direction. I don’t know… whoever is reading this should be the judge of that.
I have dreams of becoming a great writer and I hope to accomplish it very soon. I am also a photographer although not yet a professional and I know that all I need is more practice to give me the experience and I will be where I want to be.
It is also rather surprising that I often involve personal information about myself whenever I write and I really don’t know if it is right or wrong but I guess it is because I have always been writing about myself for about three years. I have a journal I keep for myself which I call 'Zerself" a name I coined out of my name, Zainab but this time around it is about my personal self and things that happen in my day to day life.the last time i read somethings i wrote in 2008 i was completely close to tears because i had forgotten a couple of them and it just brought the memories right back.
just like photography, i see writing as an art of being creative with words. being able to create and paint a vivid picture of something using words. i love photography, i love reading and i also love to write.
Weather I am going to become a great writer in future, well, only time will tell because I am not going to stop writing even until I perfect my skills. My life remains in God's hands.
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