Picture of the day...NORTH WEST!

 

 

A few hours ago, Kim Kardashian uploaded this adorable picture of  her daughter, North West. The moment I saw this picture, my heart melted instantly!

 

 

My goodness, such perfect brows and lashes. She's extremely adorable so I'm not surprised the picture already has over a million ''likes''. Awww, bless...

 

 

FNLP

xoxo



Today, I remember a Legend, Bob Marley...

 

Bob Marley (February 6, 1945-May 11, 1981)

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”  



FNLP
xoxo

South Africa unveils gigantic statue of Nelson Mandela

 

 

Just a few hours ago, a gigantic 9 metre bronze statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. The Union Buildings is the place where Former President Nelson Mandela delivered his inaugural speech in 1994.

 

Nelson Mandela was finally laid to rest yesterday at his ancestral home in the village of Qunu, South Africa.

 

Rest in Peace Madiba! We will surely miss you.

 

 

 

FNLP

xoxo

 



 

Drunk on Beyonce...Please.Bow.Down!!!

I talked about King Bey's album release last week and of course, trust me to binge on that all weekend. All I can say is WOW!

It's a 14-song visual album and this chic keeps blowing my mind. I mean, typically when you do such a mind-blowing crazy amazing thing like erm, release a 14-song visual album, at least give us the heads up yeh? Instead, what does she do? She goes ahead and uploads pictures of Cupcakes and Cookies on Instagram, yes CUPCAKES and COOKIES! She does it like ''hey its nothing''. One word...BOSS!!!

 

 

My favourite song on the album is ''Drunk in Love'' where she features her hubby, JayZ. This track almost reminds of ''Crazy in Love'' where she also featured JayZ but its deeper and the beats are sicker! I'm a total sucker for beats; give me whack lyrics and a mad ass beat and I'm sold. The track is something different, something fresh but its totally Beyoncé. When I first heard it, in my mind I was like ''yup this is definitely Bey''. She almost sounded drunk but with her voice still controlled and on point. Crazy crazy crazy!!! Jay also did his thing. I must have played the song about 765 times now between Friday and today. lol.

Beyoncé also shows us her creepy side with the track ''Haunted''. Again, loving the beats but all I can say is don't listen to this song at 2am in the morning.

And of course the much talked about track ''Blue'' in which she features her adorable daughter Blue Ivy. The song is sweet and almost sounds like a cool lullaby at the beginning and just makes you all dreamy and stuff and then it gets better towards the end where her daughter says a few words and says ''Beyonce'' in the most beautiful way. With this track, you can almost just picture in your mind, the strong mother-daughter bond. Beautiful.

Hmmm, Beyoncé gets all bad ass and steamy in the track ''Partition'' where she tells JayZ to ''take all of me'' and there's a whole lot of x-rated stuff on this one. I'm not going to say much but just get to listen to it yourself. I have a pretty good idea it was her alter-ego Sasha Fierce on this one.

And finally, there's the track ''Flawless'' that's got us Nigerians talking because on it, Beyoncé features the famous Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie. It's got a bit of feminist undertones and in this track, King Bey tells us to ''Bow down b***hes*. And rightfully so Bey, rightfully so!

So there you have it guys. I've only touched on 5 of the songs and there's a whole lot more so run along now and download 'em. The album is phenomenal and it almost gets you asking ''Could she be human?''. In the meantime, I'll keep being drunk on King Bey...






FNLP
xoxo

Beyonce does something S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R; releases self-titled album with 17 new music videos!!!

Okay guys, just got some amazing news. The Queen herself or King Bey as I like to call her has just released an album with...yes wait for it...17 new music videos! I mean this is something that's unheard of in ''music land''. It is already available exclusively on iTunes. So hey, what are you waiting for?

Inside scoop; one of the songs titled ''Blue'' features her adorable daughter, Blue Ivy.


Words cannot express how much I love this woman.


Bring on the weekend hey!



FNLP
xoxo

Quote of the day...Thank God its Friday, happy friday y'all!

I always preach this; it's all about knowing your worth and valuing yourself. Nothing and no one can do that for you. In this case, self-help is key.




FNLP
xoxo

FRIDAY THE 13TH...what about it really???

So what exactly is it about Friday the 13th that gets some people so worked up? Historically, Friday was considered an unlucky day and the number ''13'' was considered an unlucky number and ever since, it just basically stuck.

Apparently there was this Rossini guy who took the whole Friday the 13th thing seriously i.e considered it an unlucky day and ironically he actually died on a Friday 13th. Truly, death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21)

There are a million and one theories on Friday the 13th. As far as am concerned, its just theories and nothing concrete. What baffles me is how modern day society seems to have taken it seriously. There is even a name for the fear of Friday the 13th. It is known as ''friggatriskaidekaphobia''. Lol, wait what? Furthermore, studies have shown that about 21 million people in the United States are affected by the fear of Friday the 13th to the extent that it affects their normal everyday life, wow! Generally speaking, people are known to be more careful on Friday the 13th.

Well I woke up this morning thinking ''OMG its Friday the 13th, I had better drive carefully or just not go to work at all today'' . See how so very easy it is to fall into that trap? Instead, I said a quick prayer and snapped myself out of it. I am covered with the precious Blood of The Lamb.

So guys, let's not get too carried away with such things. It's all just folklore, myths and things along those lines. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah...



FNLP
xoxo

Quote of the day...and a few words...L.O.V.E

Okay so like I said a few posts back, I've been watching a lot of SATC lately. For the newbies on here, I'm talking about the TV show ''Sex and the City''. Finished season two yesterday and I was on the episode where Carrie found out that Mr Big was engaged to this other woman. Crazy much??? and I say this because Carrie had been in a relationship with this guy for over two years and he had found it hard to commit to her or even utter those three simple words ''I love you''. And then lo and behold, he goes off to Paris and meets this other woman and within six months, dude falls in love and gets engaged. lol

I know some of us have been through similar stuff or even have friends that may have gone through the same; you date a guy for what seems like eternity, y'all break up and then he meets someone new and voila!, he is engaged and a quarter to getting married. Anyway back to the topic at hand, Carrie makes a statement in this episode and it speaks a lot to me so just thought to share;

 

 

''Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed, maybe they need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with''

 

 

 

Yep!, and just like Carrie, I believe I am not made or meant to be tamed. whoever wants to be with me would have to catch up with me, in all my 'glory', craziness and all. I shall not bring myself down to a certain level in order to be just 'okay' for somebody. I can be me, yes in all my 'glory' and craziness and all and be with someone who's willing to go on that ride with me and accept me for who I am...no?

 

A lot of this is metaphorical though but the point is, I want that crazy extraordinary kind of love, the kind that leaves you almost feeling breathless. I want passion! yes, PASSION! Who says butterflies aren't for grown ups? oh purleazzzz! I'll take the mushy mushy stuff thank you very much. Like that famous SATC quote ''I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love''.

'I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.'

Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#gJZx7lOGm8HhLe1H.99

'I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.'

Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#gJZx7lOGm8HhLe1H.99

I want the ''oh just got off the phone with my baby and I cant stop blushing'' kind of love. Am I asking for too much? I think not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FNLP

xoxo



Simplicity!, President Obama poses for a ''selfie'' at Madiba's memorial service...cute huh?

 

Okay the picture above was taken at the memorial service held for former South African President, Nelson Mandela. I believe that's Obama posing with the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron and the Danish Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt. This picture just makes me smile; the world's most powerful man appearing so down-to-earth.

The quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson comes to mind here, he said;
''nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great''.




FNLP
xoxo

Powerful Speech!, (President Barrack Obama at the memorial service held for Nelson Mandela)

“To Graça Machel and the Mandela family; to President (Jacob) Zuma and members of the government; to heads of state and government, past and present; distinguished guests – it is a singular honor to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other.

To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk of life – the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us. His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.

It is hard to eulogize any man – to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person – their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul. How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world.

Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by elders of his Thembu tribe – Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century. Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement – a movement that at its start held little prospect of success. Like King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed, and the moral necessity of racial justice. He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War. Emerging from prison, without force of arms, he would – like Lincoln – hold his country together when it threatened to break apart. Like America’s founding fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations – a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power.

Given the sweep of his life, and the adoration that he so rightly earned, it is tempting then to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, he insisted on sharing with us his doubts and fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. “I’m not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection – because he could be so full of good humor, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried – that we loved him so. He was not a bust made of marble; he was a man of flesh and blood – a son and husband, a father and a friend. That is why we learned so much from him; that is why we can learn from him still. For nothing he achieved was inevitable. In the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness; persistence and faith. He tells us what’s possible not just in the pages of dusty history books, but in our own lives as well.

Mandela showed us the power of action; of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. Perhaps Madiba was right that he inherited, “a proud rebelliousness, a stubborn sense of fairness” from his father. Certainly he shared with millions of black and colored South Africans the anger born of, “a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments…a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people.”

But like other early giants of the ANC – the Sisulus and Tambos – Madiba disciplined his anger; and channeled his desire to fight into organization, and platforms, and strategies for action, so men and women could stand-up for their dignity. Moreover, he accepted the consequences of his actions, knowing that standing up to powerful interests and injustice carries a price. “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination,” he said at his 1964 trial. “I’ve cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

 

Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas; the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those you agree with, but those who you don’t. He understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls, or extinguished by a sniper’s bullet. He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and passion, but also his training as an advocate. He used decades in prison to sharpen his arguments, but also to spread his thirst for knowledge to others in the movement. And he learned the language and customs of his oppressor so that one day he might better convey to them how their own freedom depended upon his.

Mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough; no matter how right, they must be chiseled into laws and institutions. He was practical, testing his beliefs against the hard surface of circumstance and history. On core principles he was unyielding, which is why he could rebuff offers of conditional release, reminding the Apartheid regime that, “prisoners cannot enter into contracts.” But as he showed in painstaking negotiations to transfer power and draft new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal. And because he was not only a leader of a movement, but a skillful politician, the Constitution that emerged was worthy of this multiracial democracy; true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well as majority rights, and the precious freedoms of every South African.

Finally, Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit. There is a word in South Africa- Ubuntu – that describes his greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us. We can never know how much of this was innate in him, or how much of was shaped and burnished in a dark, solitary cell. But we remember the gestures, large and small – introducing his jailors as honored guests at his inauguration; taking the pitch in a Springbok uniform; turning his family’s heartbreak into a call to confront HIV/AIDS – that revealed the depth of his empathy and understanding. He not only embodied Ubuntu; he taught millions to find that truth within themselves. It took a man like Madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailor as well; to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you; to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion, generosity and truth. He changed laws, but also hearts.

For the people of South Africa, for those he inspired around the globe – Madiba’s passing is rightly a time of mourning, and a time to celebrate his heroic life. But I believe it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection. With honesty, regardless of our station or circumstance, we must ask: how well have I applied his lessons in my own life?

It is a question I ask myself – as a man and as a President. We know that like South Africa, the United States had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation. As was true here, it took the sacrifice of countless people – known and unknown – to see the dawn of a new day. Michelle and I are the beneficiaries of that struggle. But in America and South Africa, and countries around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not done. The struggles that follow the victory of formal equality and universal franchise may not be as filled with drama and moral clarity as those that came before, but they are no less important. For around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger, and disease; run-down schools, and few prospects for the future. Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love.
We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace. There are too many of us who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people. And there are too many of us who stand on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.

The questions we face today – how to promote equality and justice; to uphold freedom and human rights; to end conflict and sectarian war – do not have easy answers. But there were no easy answers in front of that child in Qunu. Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done. South Africa shows us that is true. South Africa shows us we can change. We can choose to live in a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes. We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.

We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa, and young people around the world – you can make his life’s work your own. Over thirty years ago, while still a student, I learned of Mandela and the struggles in this land. It stirred something in me. It woke me up to my responsibilities – to others, and to myself – and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today. And while I will always fall short of Madiba’s example, he makes me want to be better. He speaks to what is best inside us. After this great liberator is laid to rest; when we have returned to our cities and villages, and rejoined our daily routines, let us search then for his strength – for his largeness of spirit – somewhere inside ourselves. And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, or our best laid plans seem beyond our reach – think of Madiba, and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of a cell:

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

What a great soul it was. We will miss him deeply. May God bless the memory of Nelson Mandela. May God bless the people of South Africa.”





Truly, we will never see the likes of him again. What a great man indeed!

FNLP
xoxo