R.I.P. Robin Williams

It is amazing how we are constantly reminded that life is literally too short. Yesterday the world lost a star. A man who gave everyone another reason to remember that there is always a reason to live – joy, laughter, love.

I remember being about ten and sitting in front of the TV I was riddled with laughter watching this supposed scientist make a fool of himself in his laboratory. He ended up creating this little green blob, called ‘Flubber’ who caused more havoc than expected. As a teenager, dealing with boy drama and enthused by the world of romantic comedies, I saw ‘License to Wed.’ A couple needed to complete pre-wedding classes in order to get married in Mandy Moore’s family church. The priest, who was in charge of those classes, soon became a little more than the couple could handle. He concocted ways to test the couple whilst the audience laughed at the result.

Thank you Robin Williams for being an amazing talent, and whilst we celebrate the joy you gave us we all need to remember one very important lesson. Just because a person smiles and laughs with you does not mean that they are not going through some very deep and dark things. Considering that Robert suffered with depression for many years, which culminated in his apparent suicide, do not forget to be kind to whomever you may come across.

Goodbye Robin.

Genesis

Lately, I have been reading my blog posts from two years ago (back when my blog first started). I remember the day so well. I was thinking about my country Nigeria, and what I could do to help in my own little way. I thought about reaching out to people by writing about current issues that faced Nigeria, often proffering solutions hoping that it would start dialogue. With so much to talk about and so much on my mind, I began to write. Shortly after finishing my first ‘blurb’ I thought about starting a blog. It has been an amazing experience writing articles and getting my opinions out there, but most importantly hearing people talk about issues I raised. It was the dream and it has been incredibly humbling.

You might be wondering why I have decided to read my old posts. I am thinking about revamping my blog to come up with brand new concepts that can hopefully get more of you involved. I am already bursting with ideas and as a person, who moves quickly and by passion; I am quite surprised at myself.

A) That I haven’t told you everything I have planned (I’m trying hard not to) and

B) The new site wasn’t up yesterday.

I am learning to take my time; there is no real rush… I hope you are as excited as I am! In order to make sure the content I put out there is what you will enjoy, please comment below telling me what you would like to see on the blog. E.g. Lifestyle posts, interviews, vlogs etc. 

Lastly, it is amazing how much we grow and evolve as human beings. There was a time in my life when I could not write a letter without a million mistakes, using the wrong word or phrase. No letter was ever sent off without my mama cross checking everything. However, so much changed at University, and I can thank the Law for that. So when looking back at my old posts, it was a crazy feeling, because some of them I would never publish now! My writing style has changed, my opinions have changed, and at the end of the day it is testament to my growth.

P.S. Sometimes in life, you need to learn to appreciate yourself for where you are in your life now, look at how far you have gone. You have gained new skills, experience, talent or emotional strength.

I think we are sometimes our own biggest critic, learn to appreciate yourself - #selfappreciationday

Exclusive Interview #2: Ify Arinze of Eternity Bound

A little while ago, I came across a couple of photographs on my Facebook timeline. There was something about the photographs that drew me in. Maybe I was taken by the clarity of the photos, the model(s), its composition, or the fact that I felt like was staring at a reflection of myself. In each photo, I could identify with the mood conveyed, or the actions taken.

Dancers at MHC

Dancers at MHC

I wanted to know who the photographer was. I quickly realised that someone was tagged and credited as the photographer - Ifeyinwa Arinze aka Ify. I added her on Facebook instantly, hoping she would accept, as I was desperate to see more of her photographs. Very rarely do young photographers impress me, partly due to the fact that our generation in the last few years has suddenly become obsessed with being creative. Anyone who is anyone, irrespective of talent, wants to sing, dance, write, or take photographs, but Ify is not that person. Her photographs speak about her truth - her genuine passion and love for photography.

Ify Arinze

Once accepted as her friend, I looked at more and more photographs, not only on her FB page but also on her blog. When her website was launched, I knew I had to interview her!

I hope you enjoy Ify’s interview! 

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Ify was born in Lagos and spent most of her life there. For eighteen years she moved around with her family, living in Festac, Ikoyi and Ajah. However, if you were to ask her where she is from, she would say Anambra. Her new home now is in Massachusetts. She moved to America a couple of years ago to pursue her dream of being a Paediatrician stemming from her love for kids, and has only recently just graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Neuroscience. However, her professional dreams do not get in the way of one of her major passions, photography.

Portrait: Duy Tien

She explained that she got into photography in November 2010, when she bought her first camera from Amazon. However, the person that really got her photographic juices flowing was a photographer called Andre Wagner from Nebraska. She discovered him through pictures taken of a spoken word collective. Ify loves the fact the he “captures the essence of the moment.” You can sense that his work means a lot to her, because as she reminisced, she beamed from ear to ear.

Photography “is part of [her] everyday life” Ify affirms. “I am constantly editing or taking pictures. It is a means of expression for me, a very serious passion. I wake up in the morning and I have an idea in my head, then I have a model in mind, and I think of how to bring it to bring it all together.”

Ify’s story is quite interesting because when asked her about parental support, (as Nigerian parents can be difficult), she detailed, “My story is different, my situation is unique because photography is not what I want to do full time. It is an art, a passion, and I am honoured that people recognise my work and pay me to do projects for them.” She laughs just as she continues, “My mother knows that I am passionate about photography, and she has always been a big fan.” 

For Ify, it isn’t about that one shot, “It is more than a shot, it is a series of photos, and it’s based on my passion for communicating through my photos.” But if she had to choose a favourite photo it would be one from her Gele Series. “Those pictures really stand out because I cannot believe that I took those photos in my room, they came out beautifully.”

GELE: A portrait series

GELE: A portrait series

GELE: A portrait series

Ify is a genuinely sweet person and very humble. I remember how she was truly amazed at the fact that she was asked to be interviewed, evidenced in her smiles and her remarks. (She doesn't realise that she does me the favour). 

Apart from the fun fact that Ify is a very proud Queens College alumni, she playfully recounts the craziest thing that has ever happened to her. “I entered into a Bournvita competition (Nigerians should remember that fabulous chocolate drink likened to Cadbury Hot Chocolate Powder). Forty children would win a flight to Paris or London if they answered two questions, what is the vitamin responsible for dry eyesight, and what are the colours of British Airways.” Hilarious! She won! “It was ridiculous,” she states, “as we were all between the ages of 8 and 10, the trip was insane!”

FALL: A portrait series

FALL: A portrait series

After a while, I had to ask, why the name ‘Eternity Bound?’

She replied, “I didn’t want the name to be cliché. I was getting lunch one afternoon and I prayed about it. I asked God what name to use, and the name just came to me. As I am a child of God, not of this world, there is much more to look forward to. This is not the final destination,” she continues, “I am heading to a life of eternity with God, so why not Eternity Bound?” I think it’s an amazing name, what do you think?

To end, when asked about her dreams she stated that, “healthcare and health access has been on her heart for a long time. But at the same time she is a photographer, even though she might not be a professional photographer in the sense that it is not her full time job, she still sees photography being a big part of her life.”

Dancers at MHC

You can find more of her work below:

Blog: http://eternitybound.tumblr.com

Website: http://www.eternityboundphoto.com

New Year, New Beginnings

It is hilarious how there is always so much hype about the New Year. Everyone is talking about new beginnings. Social media goes nuts with messages like, ‘2014 is my year of excellence!’ This can easily be interchanged to be the ‘year of grace/blessing/overcoming/overachieving.’

There is something about all those messages that carries an element of falsity. I feel like it is almost as if people think that because it is a New Year all their problems are going to magically disappear. Yes, it is a New Year and yes, you have a new start but I have found that if you go into the New Year thinking that all the issues you had in the past are all going to just miraculously fade away, it won’t. At least it won’t just because it is a New Year. There is need for personal reflection and growth for any change to happen.

I find that people also seem to look at the previous year with disappointment thinking about what didn’t happen or with regret at what happened. All the experiences you have gone through in the last year have happened for a reason. In 2013 you cried, you laughed, you joked and loved all for a reason. Embrace that. A person once told me that he doesn't believe in regret because at the time of whatever happening, you wanted it to. Even though the consequences of your actions or your experience wasn't what you hoped, you should see it as a lesson, not regret. I love that.

In order for this New Year to be your ‘year of excellence’ you are going to have to work hard to make sure that it is. You are going to have to push yourself in all aspects: mentally, physically and spiritually. Most important of all, is that you make a conscious effort to learn from your mistakes and change your tactics to ultimately become who you want to be this year.

My prayer, is that you do accomplish all that you set out to this year. I hope that you learn from your past and focus on the future. If anything was made plain and clear last year, is that death is the only thing in this life that is certain. Life is short. As a result, push yourself, challenge yourself to achieve your fullest potential, don’t just brush it off and say, “There is always next year.”

First published on Bella Naija