Recent Snaps - Selfies Galore!

Buongiorno, amici miei!

These are just a few selfies I've taken and put together over the past few weeks. They range from Brides Day Out (of which, I'm not really supposed to post my own pics of the event, but they're taking quite a bit of time in posting their pictures, and I can't resist sharing), to random mornings at work, to food, etc.

Just a casual Friday at work

Brides Day Out

Berry and Chef Fregz at the recent Chef Fregz Special

I got to work and felt kissy :-|

Can you believe I'm not on Instagram...yet?!

I'm getting on there VERY VERY SOON! I have the most random urges to make short videos and stuff, so... wait, does Instagram do videos too?

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What I'm Listening to Now - Wedding Music!

Yooooooooooooo!

What's up errbawdy? It's Monday, the skies are grey, there's a lil bit of a drizzle and I just got to work. On my drive though, I looked for a radio station playing soft or gospel music. I'm not sure if I'm a morning person, but I like things to be quiet during that time. If I was still in Atlanta, I'd most likely listen to NPR (or The Bert Show if I want to hear somn silly). Anyways, I found a station, can't remember which one, and the most prettiest song came on, from Fantasia Burrino's new album called End of Me. I think it's too pretty to not share, so here you go.

Isn't it just HAWT?! Doesn't it make you want to go look for somebody to love? I'm 100% sure I want this as a wedding song. Speaking of weddings, do you know that Cakes and I don't even have a song? You know, like couples have a special song that symbolizes their love for each other. If anyone asks what song we want to use as our first dance, we'd probably give blank stares and go round in circles trying to decide. He sha said there won't be any Flavour played at the wedding. ENH?!?!?!?! You people should help me to beg him o. "Nna, nkem, sweetie'm, Cake'm maka why? Biko, nyem Fulehvor."

I jest. I was at a wedding last weekend - Cakes made their cake (I should really show off some of his work here), and one of the favors was a compilation of love songs. Another pretty song I'd never heard before is Love Song by Candice Glover. Imma share it with you too :)


These songs just make me smile :)

What are your favorite love/wedding songs?

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Longest overduest Goals Check In

Remember how I started the year with Berry Dakara's 2013 Goals. My previous progress report can be found here - March Goals Check In Time!

Let's just say that I slacked off BIG TIME. I'm probably doing well and keeping on track with only 2 out of 13 goals. *le sigh*

Goal	Steps	Progress
1. Live independently by the second half of the year (new apartment, new car)	i. Determine cost of housing in desired area. ii. Work out necessary saving plan.	i. My car's name is JET!!!!! ii. Since Cakes and I are engaged, the apartment hunt is for 2 of us. I still want to live by myself for a month or so though.
2. Get married by the end of the year	i. Ask God for direction. ii. Continue working on relationship with Cakes, and bridging our families. iii. Start wedding planning in earnest. Timelines, lists, vendors, fall in line!	i. You already know that Cakes proposed. ii. Pre-marital counseling classes have been completed. Speaking of which, I think there should be Pre-engagement classes. I've been seeing more of them crop up in the US. iii. I still want to hyphenate my married name.
3. Try out Nollywood	i. ON HOLD	i. ON HOLD
4. Lose 13 pounds by my birthday and keep it off all year!	i. Check weight everyday. ii. Do the 10lbs Slimdown series which means going to bed and waking up early! iii. Do the Max Capactiy Training app on BB Playbook iv. Eat proper, balanced meals v. Drink more water	i. I think I'm giving up :( It just seems like I don't have enough willpower to curb bad eating habits, and I haven't been exercising properly or with purpose. ii. New goal - Lose 13 pounds by my wedding. In Jesus' name, Amen!
5. Read at least 13 books (Bible included) by the end of the year	i. One book or more per month and ii. One Year Bible	i. I've read 4 books so far. 3 books behind. I'll catch up within the next month or 2. ii. I even joined a Book Club and have never gone to a meeting - DISASTER much?! ii. I'm restarting the 90-Day Bible Plan. *hides face*
6. Put on my makeup before I leave the house daily	i. Wake up 5 minutes earlier. ii. Have makeup palette laid out for easy access.	i. Still doing my makeup in my car :-|
7. Make one beaded accessory monthly	i. Plan ahead - necklace, ear rings, rings... decide beforehand. ii. Look up DIY blogs and Etsy for creative ideas.	i. The last thing I made was in March or April. I think I should sit at home on Sunday and just face this goal.
9. Find and volunteer once a month at a charity	i. List interests and things-that-touch-my-heart. ii. Start researching online and via church. iii. Ask parents if/how I can help with their philanthropy.	i. I never went back to the Orphanage near my house :( ii. We kinda completed a community project at church. I should share pictures. iii. Since my mum already does charity work, my siblings and I have decided to donate financially
10. Go to England and Greece or Ghana	i. Decipher when the next potential work break is. ii. Start scouting tickets for that period on various airlines. iii. Start contacting friends/family for accommodation purposes. iv. SAVE FOR AND PLAN HOLIDAY TRIP AND SPENDING!	i. Neither of these is feasible anymore. Unless maybe Ghana. Somebody please tell Cakes that we should go before the year runs out.
11. Read my Bible, pray every day, and fast more often	i. Wake up early!!! ii. Utilize YouVersion bible/devotional plans. iii. Praying is TALKING to God, so just TALK!	i. Confession: I do well for a few days or weeks, and then stop for a whiiiiiiiiiile. And the cycle continues. At this point, I should be VERY VERY strong spiritually, but it seems so out of reach. And I know I have to make the effort myself, because God's near and always with me, and waiting for me to come to him.
12. Follow Nigerian news weekly – not just entertainment news, and not just on Bella Naija	i. Ask around and research Nigerian news outlets. ii. Select and subscribe to 1 or 2 - email deliveries?	i. Do Facebook, Twitter and text updates count as news outlets? ii. I listen to the morning news on radio, maybe 3 days a week. That's better than nothing.
13. Get a fulfilling/rewarding job	i. Write down skills, hobbies, interests. ii. Update resume. iii. Subscribe to job websites and keep an active lookout.	i. Someone please explain to me how having an MBA is a deterrent to hiring me?!?! I'm too qualified/old to be a recent graduate, but too underqualified to be an experienced hire. I'm tired jo

You might have noticed that I took one goal off this updated table. I was told that it might not be the best, most secure idea to write about my personal money goals and progress here. I quite agree, so let's just say that Goal 8 is to have an Emergency Savings Account, and the progress is this: I'm saving some money, but in June/July, I allowed myself to slack a little and not worry about being on a very stringent budget. What's the point of having money if you never get to enjoy it, right?

Have a pretty, berryful weekend! What I've got lined up are Jet-skiing, rehearsals, and a comedy show at This Present House on Sunday. Y'all should come!

Tim Godfrey and Frank Edwards are amazing performers! Akpororo is on a different level of funny!

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I'm getting that itch again...

Eww, not THAT itch! And not an insect-bite itch either.

The I-WANNA-GO-SHOPPING itch!!!

Source - I'm not even lying though

If you ask my father, he'll tell you that I'm a shopaholic. I don't agree. I just like new things every now and again. He also thinks I have too many shoes. Again, I don't agree. I haven't even bought shoes this year!

Dancing Twirlzonto!!!

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

*breathes*

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Sawry, it's been a million and one years since I posted. At least, it seems like that in my world. I miss you oh-so-very much! Well let's catch up, shall we?

Erm, last week I worked late every single day of the week! Hmm, I bet you're going, "O....k... is that the gist?"

Let's try again.

I went to the Naturals in the City meetup in Lagos, the other week! Me and my hurrs made were captured in the photos (see below), and I was one of the many who were interviewed by a TV program. I'd like to see the footage, but at the same time, I cringe whenever I see myself onscreen, so what's the point? :-|

Mmm, what else? AH, the reason why I'm twirlzontoing (I really should make a video and post it, shouldn't I?). Wait for it, wait for it...

I WAS SELECTED as one of 10 lucky brides for BRIDES DAY OUT by The Wedding Guru Nigeria!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY ME!!! Imagine this. They'd posted on Bella Naija about the event in May/June, and I liked their Facebook page and silently began stalking them. One week passed, 2, then three, and at a point, I completely forgot all about it. They announced the Abuja winners eventually, and said to keep an eye out for Lagos winners. Well, let's just say another few weeks later, the thought popped into my head, "Wait o! Did they announce Lagos winners yet?" I went to their page again, and NOTHING (apart from the Abuja winning brides, having fun on their day out).

And then this past Monday comes around. I wasn't feeling well, and went straight to bed when I got home (6pm). At 12:38am, I stir in my bed and decide to go on Facebook. What do I see? "Announcing our Lagos winners..." The stalking restarts. For the next hour, I refresh and fresh my window, hoping to see my name. I got tired after seeing that they stopped at the 7th winner and would announce the remaining 3 on Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, I get to work, and continue stalking their Facebook page, wishing and hoping and thinking and praying for my name to be announced as a winner. In the afternoon, Cakes calls and says "Berry, some lady just called me now, saying that you won something and they've been trying to call you and emailed you on Monday. Here's her number."

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! Am I a dummy or what? I hadn't checked my email since the previous week. I'd seen the missed calls, but have become like Nigerians that don't call unknown numbers back. So for 24 hours, while I'd been stalking The Wedding Guru, they'd been looking for moi!

Anyways, I spoke to them, sent in my picture and they finally announced me as a winner! We get to go around to different vendors, sipping champagne, riding pretty in a limo, and it might even be televised! *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeals!*

I have butterflies in my tummy now, because I can't go there looking raggedy. Nehls, eyebronx and hurrs need to be did! Hopefully I'm allowed to take pics and share afterwards.

Dance with me! *twirl  zonto, twirl zonto, twirl zonto, now join me and twirl zonto, twirl zonto....*

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