Meet the 'Powerful' housemates

So, things have started gearing up in the 'power house'- knowing one another the more and getting ready for new tasks.  Please meet the housemates... 

                                                      NAME: Vanessa Teye
                                                      AGE: 26
                                                      ORIGIN: Ada, Ghana
                                                      LABEL: B'venaj

                                                        NAME: Doreen Lartey
                                                        AGE: 25
                                                        ORIGIN: Prampram, Ghana
                                                        LABEL: Naadu Costumiers

                                                       NAME: Kennedy Ansah Frimpong
                                                       AGE: 26
                                                       ORIGIN: Ejisu, Ashanti Region, Ghana
                                                       LABEL: Afri-ken
                                                     

                                                         NAME: Chineze Araka
                                                         AGE: 30
                                                         ORIGIN: Anambra, Nigeria
                                                         LABEL: Ethnic Fusion

                                                        NAME: Abiodun Oreagba
                                                        AGE: 28
                                                        ORIGIN: Ogun, Nigeria
                                                        LABEL: Hadassah

                                                    NAME: Leslie Wiredu
                                                    AGE: 26
                                                    ORIGIN: Kwahu, Ghana
                                                    LABEL: Chapter One
                                                   

                                                           NAME: Rachael Ogbonna
                                                           AGE: 28
                                                           ORIGIN: Ebonyi, Nigeria
                                                           LABEL: Rahila Green

                                                       NAME: Evelyn Dirisu
                                                       AGE: 32
                                                       ORIGIN: Anambra, Nigeria
                                                       LABEL: St Eve Ella

                                                       NAME: Nnamdi Bryan Daniel
                                                       AGE: 25
                                                       ORIGIN: Enugu, Nigeria
                                                       LABEL: Nari

                                                         NAME: Rowena Adjivon
                                                         AGE: 25
                                                         ORIGIN: Ghana                                                       
                                                         LABEL: RowVon
                                                       

                                                       NAME: Nicholai Asamoah
                                                       AGE: 21
                                                       ORIGIN: Kumasi, Ghana
                                                       LABEL: Nicoline

                                                       
                                                        NAME: Foluso George
                                                        AGE: 28
                                                        ORIGIN: Lagos, Nigeria
                                                        LABEL: Ma'am

With Love From The 'Power House'

‘Akwaaba!”  That’s ‘welcome’ in the Ghanaian language ‘twi’, the other common language is ‘Ga’ and they are to Accra as Yoruba is to Lagos. I had a warm welcome and in my over one week stay I’ve had the opportunity to take a walk around, been to ‘Tawala’ beach ,went to the forex bureau to change money to the Ghanaian Cedis and I find that they still spend coins( Pesewas).

'

Some of the things I find interesting so far are the food and the language, especially the pronunciation of specific English words. This reminds me of being an…(please pardon my Ghanaian accent) ‘asher’ (usher) in my ‘cherch’ and the chief-asher  who grew ‘ap’ in Ghana would ask another  ‘asher’ to summon me and he’d say  “call me Miss Gehrge, tell ‘hair’ to ‘cam’ right now”, and she’d relay the message in that same accent and we’d have a good laugh! In the same way, we the Nigerians here are having a good  time imitating and exaggerating the accent and learning to eat the Ghanaian way, for example ‘wache’ is rice and beans cooked together ‘bat’ not in the ‘naija’ way. The rice is cooked with the beans water so that it ‘terns’ brown and is mixed together with the beans and eaten with plantain, spaghetti, garri, fried yam…is somebody’s eyes popping out? Hold on, that’s not all… coleslaw, boiled egg,fish and ‘shito’ (black sauce), ok now let your  eyes roll on the floor, as that’s what as a Yoruba girl I’d call ‘ijekuje’! Then there’s  ‘kenke’  which is the cornmeal eaten with the black sauce, fried fish, raw onions and tomatoes. I also had boiled yam with vegetable soup- at least that feels normal ‘bat’ I didn’t  ‘anderstand’ why there had to be boiled egg in the soup, now that’s some ‘fart-food’! I  ate it anyway!


Being in the ‘power house’ with my fellow Nigerians and our neighbouring friends has also been quite interesting- getting to know one 'anather', their ‘fasheen’ history and ‘ather’ stuff.  We haven’t started ‘wek’ yet, we’re still at ‘orientasheen’ stage .  Meanwhile I’m ‘brashing’  ‘ap’ my ‘azonto’ dance skills and ‘amanda’ as well, so ‘Charle’ (friend), I'd keep you posted! 'etsiree' (bye-bye)! 

Road to 'Fabulous-City'

We ask ourselves ''Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who am I not to be? I'm a child of God, I'm playing small does not serve the world. I was born to make manifest the glory of God that is within me. It isn't just in some of us, it is in everyone- Nelson Mandela

It was on the night before the eve of my birthday, I had received text message earlier which I ignored, a call came through at about 10.30, ''...This is Don flexy...". He wanted to know if I got the message inviting me for an audition the following day. After he went off, Miss Eina Mynde AKA 'Inner Mind' wouldn't let me be...

ME: I'm not going for that audition!
EINA: oh yes you will!
ME: Oh no, I won't!
EINA: OK, why not?
ME: It's too impromptu, besides I've got tomorrow planned up- you know I have to go to church in the    morning after which I'd wait for my cake to be delivered, then I have to conclude with the photographer for the birthday shoot...oh then I have to finish my dress, then I have to...
EINA: excuses ma'am!
Me: Call it whatever, I'm goin to bed- goodni...
EINA: Heey! why don't you look up the website in the message first?
ME: Oooooh! It's way past my bedtime and I need my beauty sleep.
EINA: it won't take too long
ME: OK!
...

EINA: So...?
ME: looks good, but...
EINA: Now what?
ME: I'm not ready for this sort of thing
EINA: You don't really have to be, you have to leave your comfort zone my lady
ME: hmmmmm!
EINA: sleep on it
ME: Goodnight!
...

EINA: Goodmorning beautiful!
ME: A goodmorning it sure is- I have a date with God
EINA: yes but you will call Don flexy first
ME: Why?
EINA: More info about the auditon today
ME: but it's all in the...
EINA: Don't argue, just do it!
ME: OKAAAAAAAAY!
...

ME: You made me wake him up!
EINA: Did he complain?
ME: actually no, he asked me to call the number in the message... she says I should come with my portfolio
EINA:So you'd go wi...
ME: I don't have any portfolio
EINA: but you do! all you need to do is take the photos off the system
ME: Pls, I'm not in the mood! this is too sudden. Now leave me alone, I'm going to church!
EINA: Yes Ma'am!
...

EINA: That was a spirit moving service, wasn't it?
ME:  Oh sure it was.
EINA: so does that move you to go for the audition?
ME: Oh well...
EINA: switch on your phone now
ME: yes!
...

ME: A message from Don flexy
EINA: so why are you rolling your eyes?
ME: because I'm wonderimg why he's so keen on me- am I the only one who's been invited?
EINA: No, you're not. He just wanted to know if you got the info you needed from the lady
ME: and I'm going to reply '' thank you, I got the info, but I'm still trying to make up my mind"
EINA: and that's me- I'm made up! you're going!
ME: Pls mind your business!
EINA: That's exactly what I'm doing- 'MINDING my business'! This is the same attitude you put up for the MTN competition
ME: I wasn't ready!
EINA: And 'ARISE'? Just to work backstage?
ME: I was busy.
EINA: You coulda made out time if you really wanted
ME; Whatever!
EINA: I'm not letting you be this time, you're going for the audition
ME: I see you're out to embarass me on national T.V! I'm not good enough!
EINA: I know you're a little afraid, but it's better to try and fail than not to have tried at all 'cos then you'd never know
ME: Ok, ok. I'd do it. let's get home first!
...

EINA: Ma'am?
ME: Yeeees?
EINA: the photos....?
ME: can't you see there's no light?
EINA: but you can put on the generator!
ME: there's no fu...
EINA: THERE IS FUEL!
ME: Aaaaargh!
...

EINA: Ma'am?
ME: Whaaaaaaat?!!!
EINA: You're dilly-dallying, it's almost 12pm
ME: I'm trying to compile the best
EINA: call Flexy to know what's going on
ME: Yes ma!
...

ME: He says they havn't started, you see you're just worrying
EINA: but you need to hurry
ME: I'm on it!
...

EINA: Oh finally, here we are
ME: Yes at past 3!
EINA: I hope we're not late
ME: doesn't look so. I've Just been given number '014'

EINA: Hmmmm fourteen! I'd put a meaning to that- tomorrow's your birthday, the 28th. 28 divided by 2 is 14 or 14 plus 14 is 28!
ME: So?
EINA: That's a lucky number!
ME: Hahahahah I'm going in!
...

ME: I can see a couple of people I know, but I was expecting a crowd
EINA: oh well makes it easier for the judges and increases your chances
ME: YEAH right!

Inner: oh finally here we are
Me: yes at past 3!
Inner: I hope we're not late
Me: doesn't look so. I've just been given number '014'
Inner: hmmm! Fourteen! I'd put a meaning to that- tmr's ur birthday d 28th. 28 div by 2 is 14 or 14+14 is 28!
Me:so?
Inner: that's a lucky number!
Me:hahahaha. I'm going in!
...
Me: I've seen a couple of pple I know
Inner:oh cool
Me: but I was expecting a crowd
Inner: oh well, increases ur chances n makes it easier for the judges
Me: yeah right!
...
Me: the audition is about to start m shakin
Inner: just b calm
Me: I'm afraid of cameras
Inner: cos uve laughed at other pple on tv now its ur turn
Me:God help me!
...
Me: its my turn
Inner: I'm with u *sign of the cross*
...
Inner: that wasn't so bad
Me: oh well... I think I slipped a little
Inner:don't worry, grace would cover ur errors n colour ur efforts.
Me: Einaaaaaa!
...
Me:they re callin us all
Inner: the verdict!
Me: O God pls help me...o Lord Jesus my saviour
Inner: are u prayin?
Me:my father in heaven, I knw u brought me here for a purpose...
Inner:Ma'am?
Me:Lord God pls put ur daughter amongst d lucky 6, don't let me come in vain!
Inner:ur praying! I thot u weren't interested?
Me: heeeey! Be quiet! They r about to call the last number not making it...
...
Me: I'm iiiiiin!
Inner: yeah yeah
Me:thank God!!!
Inner: we're goin to ghanaaaa *dancing azonto*
...
Me:I hrd one of the ladies tellin Don flexy how glad she is for he encouraged her to come. I'm doin the same too
Inner: u see, he's just a nice guy!
Me: yeah yeah!
...
Me: I've just been informed I leave on d 10th. Yeeeee!
Eina: yaaaaay!
Me: I'm wonderin hw I'd finish d jobs I av b4 den n ur happy
Eina: *silence*
Me: I'm not ready, I'm gettin scared...
Eina: *silence*
Me: Eina?
Eina: yo!
Me: ure not sayin anything
Eina: well ma'am, dis is the time u need to let me Rest- I need to b sound in ghana, ur just worryin u'd be fine.
Me:uh?
Eina: wake me up wen we get to ghana! Muah!
...

So that's it, the birthday present now told- I got a place in the 'fashion Power' house.  Checkout www.fashionpowerafrica.com
All I'd b needing are ur prayers as there would b no voting.

My bags r packed now... "I'm leaving on a jet plane, I don't know wen I'd b back again..." *in Aerosmith's voice*... The journey begins now, See you sometime. So long!

NB. Pls pardon my spelling.

Cakes by Marqhavens

 ''Marqhavens is your unique one stop shop for the finest and most exotic catering, cakes, confectioneries and events decoration solutions. No matter the reason or season, our promise is to leave a remarkable impression on your occasion"
Marqhavens...Imagination to reality!

If you liked my birthday cake and you Love 'creative cakes', then this post is for you. take a look...

This is what I actually wanted for my birthday. '' I'd like a sewing machine cake with sewing things and fabric..." and I was sent this picture, My imagination was already a reality- it had been made before! but then, I couldn't afford it... well you'd have to call Marqhavens to find out its worth.

 For the Lawyers in the house...

...And the paparazzi...

 Drummer boy

...trust me, the roses are all edible!

girly...

Necklace n earrings...

 Engagement things

fruit basket

 dolly

 Now, this is somebody's logo

 and this is for his birthday... 'Happy Birthday Boo"

and the Marqhavens touch- do you see the Cds?

Its another festive season...add 'Marqhavens' to your celebrations!   You are the reason for the season- HAPPY EASTER!

www.marqhavens.com
Tel: 08034055087, 08024240476, 01-7376049

28! 28!

There are a few things I may decide not to easily tell about myself, age isn't one of them. Some people hide their age for different reasons but I wouldn't hide mine for any reason at all, maybe because I don't look as old and even though I'm not at the top of the ladder yet but I'm certainly on my way.

The special thing about this birthday is that I turned the same age as my birth date. I'm 28 on the 28th of march- It only happens once! What's more, it falls on a wednesday, the exact day I was born 28 years ago- now that's awesome!

I've heard the tale of my birth umpteen times. Mum says it's got a lot to do with my girly attitude now. She had fallen into labour and it was as though she was going to have me in the car on the way to the hospital, but on getting there it suddenly stopped... '' You went back to pack more make-up, shoes, clothes and whatever...'' she says. LOL. Then when I was taking too long 'packing', the doctor had told the nurses to prepare her for CS, I sure heard that and didn't want my dear mother to go under the knife so started my journey out once again...

For me, birthdays don't just come and go, there must be something even just as little to mark the day and like 'K', a birthday dress is always constant. This time around, I've come to realise even more the real essence... to be thankful- its all I can be, its all I should be.

So, it is indeed with a grateful heart I say to the one up above who guides and keeps me...THANK YOU God for everything that I am, for everything You have given... Thank You for mercy and for grace- ever suffecient, for deliverance and faithfulness- new every morning, for peace n joy- like a river... Thank You for love- which surpasses all things, for salvation and hope- which holds tomorrow... *that moment of overwhelming joy so much that I can't contain myself and I feel like rolling on the floor*

PS. This one goes to the special people with whom I share this birthday... Rasheedah- a very good friend, Temitope- a family friend, Ronke- a university classmate, Deborah- a little darling and defininitely not the least, Prince Akanni- a fashion principal in time... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to us!

 This is the birthday dress I didn't wear.... I suddenly lost my party mood on the eve because  some things came up and for other reasons I cannot explain here, but  the cake had been ordered...

I wanted something to depict what I do and this is what I got...very creative indeed and I specifically asked that it was made in black and white polka dot, to match my dress.... hahahaha.

and what thrilled me more about the cake was the dresses inscribed round the base...Do you see it?

and  coincidentally, the tape measure was made in the exact blue colour of the special one I own! its 'special' because it used to be Dad's( don't worry he wasn't a tailor) and its a lot thicker than the ones you'd find around.

 the taste of the cake is in its eating- really nice, trust me!

ok so I had random shots, so I'd remember how I  looked exactly at 28

I look like 'Mickey' ...lol

 I LOVE cards! and I did get a couple!

 Mum thinks I'm fabulous and one-of-a-kind!

 I love this prayer... and the sweet thing is Mum is not around but the cards bear her handwriting, meaning she wrote it long before

 from loving brothers

 and these, from that very special person...

...with these worthy gifts. I've gotten all manner of gifts in the past but not books...and these topics are three important areas of one's life. I've started reading the one on finances and it says basically 'give and it shall b given unto you', pay your tithes religiously.

All other gifts were monetary- God bless the pockets from which they came. Oh! there was one more...I'd tell you later! *winks*