Professionally Speaking

i remember when we were kids and people would ask what we wanted to be when we grew up: 'doctor! pilot! engineer!...'. More recently, you would hear professions like 'dancer, footballer!doctor (this one is constant)!...
When asked, a little boy in my church said: 'i want to be a grandfather!'
I remember how I was always saying i wanted to be an architect. I was really consistent with that one. I even got my dad to get me a private teacher to coach me on technical drawing because my school did not offer the subject.
I eventually studied mathematics in the university! Reasons being that mathematics had been my favorite subject in secondary school and i was even the popular mathematics whiz kid (yeah! thanks). The other reason was my inability to meet the JAMB cut-off mark for architecture, so i decided to take my second choice: mathematics.
During my uni years, i was shocked to discover that mathematics in the university was not all about calculations, but theories upon theories! now, that got the whiz kid into some trouble. i had to contend with stuff i did not bargain for-always trying to imagine what Pierre de Fermat (1601 - 1665) or Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768 - 1830) and the likes of them had in mind when they formulated those theories and even left some uncompleted ones for us to figure out.
I was determined to face the storm, and graduated with a BSc in mathematics - the only female in my class.
Having achieved that, i knew that i needed to explore other fields that would appeal more to me and give me career fulfilment. That was how i became a Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2000) Auditor and trainer. It has afforded me the opportunity to use my analytical and communication skills, which i have acquired over the years. No knowledge is actually wasted.
About my architecture dream? i could explore that option in my later years!! To God be the Glory.

Reading blues

i confess that i have been quite lazy for sometime now when it comes to reading. however, i just bought this book and it has got me into the reading mood again. For those who have read the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene (i am of the opinion that the tone of writing is too harsh) - i suggest you try reading The Rules of Work by Richard Templar. The book has been overlooked by me until i decided to give it a chance.

There is much gain in working smart. I sincerely look forward to being that top executive with influence. I am smiling right now!

PUNCH! PUNCH!! MORE PUNCHES!!!

here's the lyrics to one of my all time favorite song.

YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH Mary Wells - 1962

That day, I first saw you passing by

I wanted, to ask your name but I...was much too shy

But I was looking at you so hard

That you must have had a hunch.

So you came up to me and asked me my name.

You beat me to the punch

That timeYou beat me to the punch

Yes you did.

After, I had known you for what seems like a long, long time

I wanted, wanted to ask you would you please, please be mine

Whenever you came around, my heart would pound

So you must have had a hunch.

So you came up to me and asked me to be yours.

You beat me to the punch

One more time You beat me to the punch

Yes you did.

Since I loved you I thought you would be true

And love me tender

So I let my heart surrender

To you, yes I did.

But I found out Beyond a doubt

One day, boy You were a playboy

Who would go away and leave me Blue.

So I ain't gonna wait around for you to put me down

This time I'm gonna play my part

And walk away this very day.

And beat you to the punch Yes I will

I'll beat you to the punch This time.

Was on training on over the past weekend. well, it was very educative. the theme was WINNING THE NEGITIATING GAME. The facilitators did a good job. At least, i gat the basic skills i need to negotiate real good!!!

I really cannot wait to apply it.

Was also quite depressed over the weekend too. Guess i let certain issues affect my mood. i think i need to work on myself in that regard. i really should not allow things to weigh me down. But can we help it sometimes? especially when it has to do with trust. If your trust in someone is betrayed, how best can you handle it? it could really hurt. it hurts!!! worse still is when you are hurt and pretending that all is well.

have you been in my shoes before?

Life's like that

I got a text message from an old friend whom i have not communicated with for some time. She just finished her house job (she's a doctor). Well, i decided to call her to catch up on things that might have happened during the long break.Then comes the surprise:
My old friend: 'Tolu, do you know that i am married now?'
Tolu: that's great! so who is the lucky man?
My old friend: He is someone you know. Can you take a guess?
Tolu: please just help me out, i don't think i can
My old friend: Well, its Dr. Gbenga!
Tolu: (silence for 3 secs). wow! beautiful! i am very happy for you, really.
(let me spare you the details of the whole conversation)

Now to the main gist. when i was on youth service (NYSC) in the north, i met this nice doctor who was working in a state hospital. we got along quite well, though i really did not have any 'sparks' for him. Anyway, as time went on, we became what you would call good friends even though at the time i was still very dreadful of having a relationship (i never dated anybody before!! not even in school. Was too busy with personal and spiritual development, and really did not trust men: you know i have always had the thought that i am not to be toyed with by any man. I am meant to preserve myself for that special man).
To cut the long story short, i did not accept Dr. Gbenga's proposal when it came. It was like a big blow for him (someone who was too reserved and too shy to ask a lady out. took him all the courage in this life to finally ask me after i refused to 'read between the lines').
But you know, all things work together for good. He has eventually found a help meet, about five years after that experience: a good old friend. I wish them the best in life and i am sincerely happy for them.

weight loss vs weight gain

Finally tolulope is blogging!!!right now, i gat to let my feelings out: what is this eternal craze for weight loss?!i am surrounded by people who would do almost anything to lose weight, 'shed some pounds', get slim, blah!blah!blah!.i have been asked over and over again, what my secret is (for being very slim, tiny waistline of 26-27 inches, constant UK size 8!). well, the secret is: eat! eat!! eat!!!and ernestly desire to GAIN WEIGHT. the result for me is always the same - i am still slim

WOMAN GET BUSY!!!

Hey pearls! i have to speak out on an issue that has gotten on my nerves. It has to do with women who think that they are doing us a favour by 'fighting' for gender equality. what in the world is that?! I watch these women on nigerian TV, airing their views and 'claiming' that men have been unfair to the women, and that women 'should be given more opportunities to serve in government and other key positions in the society that has been dominated by men'. BLAH! BLAH!! BLAH!!!

My opinion is clear on this: we don't need nobody to 'fight' for attention. The world recognizes the person of influence, and this includes any woman who has displayed that she has got what it takes to stand out from the crowd by virtue of her composure, competence and confidence. A woman of excellence. Did Hilary Clinton, Ngozi okonjo-Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Oprah Winfrey and the likes of them 'beg' for attention?! they earned their respect and were determined to be different. That is what speaks for you, so GET BUSY.