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Her Version of Events

2017, 25, Her Version of Events, letters, life lessons,

12th December 2015

A Letter I Wished I Received December 2015


Dear Ore,

You feel relieved after just writing your ICAN exams but a storm is coming and the only thing that will keep you from drowning is focusing on God, so get it right in your place of worship, prayer and word study.

Live a little this year, when people invite you to events attend, because those events will be your happiest memories of the year. Work on ‘’The Over Thinker’’ because people are interested in reading what you have to write.

Don’t give your heart away carelessly, be very careful; guard it jealously. Above all, don’t let it flutter before it’s time. 

You will cross paths with a lot of amazing people, let your guard down, let them in. They have wells of knowledge to share with you and you will be better off after meeting them.

Remember the things you are passionate about, these are the things that will keep you going on your darkest days.

Lastly don’t forget to read more, laugh more, take risks, explain yourself only when needed, love more and be kind.

Ultimately trust God, don’t let fear hold you back and know you will have a great 2016!
   
December 12, 2016
Her Version of Events,

My Year In Books

I love reading, losing myself in the problems and experiences of the characters while I read and going on the beautiful journey that each book offers.

At some point this year I decided to go on a new journey of reading  African Literature, so I will be sharing the books I have read this year by African writers and books about Africa. 
The first book I read, is ”Fine Boys by Eghosa Imasuen” it is a beautiful read and it took me on a journey of the University of Benin, introduced me to the world of school strikes and the universal constant of friends choosing different paths.  
”Born On A Tuesday by Elnathan John” was given to me by my friend Derin and I am not returning it, firstly because it is an autographed copy and secondly because it is such a captivating book, it is a story that explores things that I have thought about but never had the words to express. 
”What is the What by Dave Eggers” my brother gave me this book and I cried a lot when reading it, I will finish a chapter and take a crying break then go back to the book. It open my eyes to the fact that Africans don’t have the same life experience and we are a content of different stories told by the countries we are from. 

”Everything Good Will Come by Sefi Atta” This book reminded me of all the questions I have learnt to forget. 

Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko  This is one of those books you start and don’t put down till you are finished. I had a good cry when I finished the book. My mum read the book, then my sister and we sat at our dinning table and had a long conversation about the issues raised in the book and how Yejide Kilanko took us on a realistic journey of things Nigerians will love to sweep under the carpet and are not willing to learn how to deal with. 

Sixty Percent of A True Story by Osisiye Tafa I was drawn to this book because of its title. It made me wonder about the author of this book and what he had to offer. This is an exceptional book that tells stories that every Nigerian University student/graduate can relate to. 
Sunset in Biafra by  Elechi Amadi I really enjoy reading about the Nigerian Civil War, it helps me understand the history of my country that isn’t taught in school, the only other account of the Civil War I have read is There Was A Country and reading  Elechi Amadi’s book gave me a new perspective of the war.
Blackass by A. Igoni Barrett my friend Anthony gave me this book for my last birthday and while I read it people walked up to me to ask about the title and what the book is about. So here is what I told them ”The book tells a story of Lagos that everyone can relate to and can identify with the characters in the book” The book left me wanting more and praying that Furo the main character grows a heart.  
Please leave suggestions in the comments below on books you think I should check out and I have two books to read in this category before the year ends, I will update this post once I get around to reading those books. 
Thank You AMA Psalmist For The Beautiful Photos 
November 3, 2016
24, Her Version of Events, letters,

8th July 2015

Dear Oreoluwa
You are about to get a text from ICAN that would make you feel like your world is crumbling and someone is twisting your insides. I need you to know that this isn’t the end of the world and your insides are fine.
I know your birthday is tomorrow and you want to stay in bed and wallow in self-pity. Please don’t plan a trip to the dam, Mo will take the best photos of you and Tofu would surprise you with a cake for the first time since your fifth birthday.
Cut your hair, it is long overdue don’t worry it would grow, take longer walks, have longer conversations with Aunty Kemi and Mr Mayor they have an arsenal of knowledge you would need in the coming months. Stop running to Lagos every weekend, you would miss Ilorin so much when you leave and not have the opportunity to visit.
Your holiday to Ibadan would be life changing, your inspiration for life would be renewed and you will meet and accidentally fall for someone, don’t think too much of it, just go with it. This experience would make you very happy, sad and angry, all at the same time. You can choose to avoid this all together by not having a conversation about the Civil War. This is totally up to you.
You will have another episode of depression and thoughts about dying, talk to someone about it; it isn’t bad to ask for help. Mama is trying, cut her some slack open your mouth let her know what is going on, let her know how you are feeling. Communication will make a lot of things easier to deal with in the coming months.
Don’t be Afraid; fear would keep you from a lot of adventures, go to places on the spur of the moment; the things you worry about currently wouldn’t matter in a few months.
Lastly google ‘’Bethel Music’’ and ‘’Shima Yam’’ you would thank me later
June 23, 2016
Her Version of Events, letters,

Letters 05 (Her Version of Events 2)

Dear Readers,
This is a follow up letter to Her Version of Events 1 .

Dear Friend,
I don’t think I have ever told you how much I don’t like weddings. Here is why; I don’t thrive well in a crowd but that is the selfish part. I believe weddings should be small and intimate with family and loved ones whose absence you would feel if they don’t attend. I don’t appreciate how we have turned it to a rice eating event and we have neglected the importance of the day, the milestone in a person’s life that launches them into forever.
All that said I was in a mood since my August vacation, I was rebuilding the walls around my heart and looking forward to going back to work, a familiar ground to help me gain balance and feel like me again.
But my mum had to ruin my perfect plan and drag me to a wedding, under the guise that I need to get out more. Get this, she didn’t know the bride or the groom personally. She is a friend to the aunty of the bride and she even went ahead and bought the aso ebi for both of us. She walked into my room that Friday night, with a dress already made for me and gele to match. I was perplexed.
My day dreams had carried me to beautiful place and I nodded to everything she said because I wanted her to leave.  On Saturday morning I realized what I signed up for when her personal make up person walked into my room. The conversation of the previous night played in my head, there was no getting out of this. I put on my best fighting spirit to help me through the day.
Everyone avoids the church service but it is my best part. I like reading the vows and hearing the couple recite it. Thinking about the vows took me back to one of the many conversations I had with he-would-must-not-be-named. We agreed on weddings and the special effect that reciting your own prepared vows at your wedding has, how it makes the day special. This was on day 15 of my holiday.


Now I am not sure what to believe any more.


I was lost in thoughts so I didn’t realise when we arrived at the venue. I sat at a table with my mum and her friends and my phone became my companion. I recently started a book titled the Rose Project by Simsion Graeme; the story is captivating following the journey of man with Asperger syndrome and his approach to finding love. It is funny at all the right places.
I was lost in my book when my mum taped me to tell me about a young man looking in my direction. How she notices these things is beyond me. She was urging me to go mingle. I resisted then she gave me the sad face and launched into how I don’t want her to see her grandchildren, how I push men away, she was almost in tears. I knew the routine but I caved because her friends were judging me with their eyes. I picked my purse and left the table, I stole one backwards glance at her and she was upbeat again, I really needed my own apartment; a space free from all her drama.
I moved towards the exit but the young man blocked my path, I recognized him immediately; he sang a beautiful love song for the couple during their first dance. His face stuck with me because of the texture of his voice and the fact he played the guitar. Everyone knows I am a sucker for men who play any musical instrument.


I decided to sit and talk with him; I liked his cologne and his music.


He sounded intelligent and didn’t go overboard with the compliments so I knew he was sincere, but I wasn’t attracted to him. I found myself comparing him to he-who-must-not-be-named. So I excused myself from the conversation but not before I exchanged phone numbers with him and made plans to go for a live show of an Afro Soul Musician the next weekend.


On my ride home with my mum, I looked out the window of the car and decided I needed to stop mopping around and resume living.
May 2, 2016
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