How much of yourself do you bring?

How much of yourself do you bring with you when you read a book?
How does who you are, your values and experience, affect the way you experience a book?
How you be "totally objective" when reading a book

These were some of the thoughts that raced through my mind as I read Chimamanda's latest book and the reviews. This post isn't about what a great book (or not) "Americanah" is, but I do want to say I really enjoyed it and even before I read it I knew I would.

Hair, Race, Love via social commentary- it was like an early Christmas present for me but I couldn't help but wonder though how a person who hadn't had the same experiences would view it. A lot of the experiences and blog posts on being Black in America were things I had experienced firsthand and there's nothing quite like seeing "you" in a book. That being said though I did enjoy the book even in parts I couldn't relate with.

I think who you are definitely shapes your understanding of a book and the closer the subject matter is to you the harder it is to remain objective about the ideas presented.

One of the reasons I prefer books to film, is that books allow you to bring much more of yourself to the experience. They allow you to create images, expressions, extension of characters and even projections ( A lot of people say Americanah was rushed at the end or ended badly- whether or not this is the case, I do like being allowed to wonder or decide what happened finally). It's not to say films are bland, I just think they leave only a little to imagine.

Have you ever revisited a book you read before? I had a professor who would say "Just like you can't stand in the same river twice (water is always flowing), you can't read the same book twice)" I love and held on to that quote because it rang so true for me. We are constantly learning and changing and that affects the way we see the world in general and that surely affects our reading. I read "Things fall apart" 3 separate times within 5 years and always found something new or understood something better or differently, it's amazing. I do it for especially hard books or books I didn't enjoy on my first read, you should try it.

So what do you think? answers to the first questions?
Contributions are welcome.

PS- I've missed this space, which includes you reading, glad to be blogging again.

Love Always,
Sab.

"Fine Boys", an excerpt and a blurb

"Fine Boys" by Eghosa Imasuen is my most recent read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's set in Warri and Benin, (places I've never visited) and it gave many glimpses into what life in those cities was like. I also love the political backdrop of the novel. 

This isn't a review so I'm not going to get into the novel too much. I highly recommend it - there that's my review! There were a couple of interesting relationships in the book that made me think, here are some excerpts-

"This was pleasant. It was not painful, not like with Tseye; there was nothing tugging at my chest. Nothing that made me feel like I was being gutted by the devil when I did not see Amide. She exuded confidence, and it was contagious. She was comfortable with her feelings for me. She had already had already said she was not sure it was love. But she was happy with whatever we called it, and so was I."

 Above is the main character talking  about his relationship with his girlfriend

. 

 "Mom reached to him and patted his hand. He looked at her. At that moment, I understood. They loved each other. Their love was like the cigarettes I smoked. They were bad for you; they caused you pain. But you could not live without them."

 The main character  talking about his parent's abusive relationship

These excerpts jumped out me because they both imply that sometimes love is painful. I don't know how I feel about that but I don't think love should hurt (I get that it can hurt sometimes, but it shouldn't be regular no?).

The other thing I noticed was in the first excerpt, would you call that love? I think it's OK for a relationship to be easy, it doesn't have to be the "fire burning passionate" type love right?

Don't want to say too much...

So over to you, what do you feel about the above excerpts? Agree? Disagree? Why?

Love always,

Sabirah

Afropolitan Vibes

Last week Friday was just my kind of Friday. Good people, Live music and serious dancing. Everyone knows I'm an Afrobeat girl, so when I heard that Ade Bantu was going to be at freedom park I knew I had to be there. And I did not regret it. I was lucky to be in the company of two wonderful ladies; Tobi and Francesca and we danced the night away. Hopefully you can get a sense of our evening from the pictures.

Ade Bantu is an amazing performer and he knows how to get the party started, I loved the energy that night at freedom park and I'll definitely be going to more concerts in the park.

Love and Afrobeat,
Sabirah

Food : Breakfast wrap

Most Saturdays I want to eat a big breakfast mostly because I have the time to enjoy cooking it, and eating it slowly like I like to eat my food. This Saturday though I had waited too long and I was starving but I still wanted something delicious. So I looked to the fridge for inspiration.

Egg, cheese and bell pepper wrap (Serves 2)
You will need :
4 pieces of lavash (lebanese flat bread)
3 eggs
1 red bell pepper,sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
half of a small onion, chopped
A handful of good shredded cheese, I used gouda
salt and pepper to taste

Warm your lavash either in an oven or a pan and set aside. In a small pan heat up a teaspoon of a light oil and cook your onions till they are soft and fragrant. Add the sliced peppers and stir fry for about three minutes and set aside.

In a small bowl whisk the three eggs together and pour into the pan, scramble until they are set, scoop onto the wrap and immediately top with the shredded cheese, add the pepper and onions and carefully wrap the bread. I used two pieces for each wrap








Wrap the bottom of the wrap in foil to avoid and spills and enjoy with some fresh juice.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Love always,
Sabirah.

March!

February just ran! I mean it was a busy month but I wasn't quite ready for it to be over.

It's been a whirlwind

Teaching isn't easy

I mean I knew that, but this is the real deal, sure I close work early and get long vacations but they are more than deserved. It is draining. Let no one lie to you, it's not the easy way out.

2 weeks ago I fell apart in class, I was frustrated, no one was listening to me and I just flipped. It scared my students for a bit, but guess what? By the next week they were back to the usual. It's hard to be motivated when the people you're trying to help are working against you.

Don't get me wrong; my students are intelligent, creative, funny and honest among other things but they are children and they just want to play. Sometimes they want to learn and I enjoy them, sometimes we play games but they never quite know when to stop. They are children, I am an adult, I can handle this. Repeat 10 times.

It's not easy but I think it's worth it, I think I can not only do it, but I can be great at it. I believe, I just need to be ready to WORK. To do more than is expected, to go above and beyond. It's difficult. But I'm trying.

Meanwhile It's so weird seeing some of the parents of children in the baby class, I mean their mom's are like hot and young and making it. I'm like what about me? they my age range... Everyone's time is different I guess but it makes me wonder how different life can be for people of the same age based on the choices they've made..

Have a great week, make "good" choices

Love always,

Sabirah

D.I.Y Valentine

It's no secret that I love Valentines day, I mean what's not to love. I usually give my friends and family small gifts (usually chocolate)  and last year I made my partner and I a three course candle-lit dinner and got him a really nice watch (Hey it was our first Valentines, had to pull out the big guns).

This year though, I'm going the DIY route. I have been collecting ideas and supplies but it really doesn't take much to make a thoughtful heartfelt present, all you need is a little inspiration and here I am, click the links for tutorials and more info

1. Glitter Jars for your candy and whatever you please...

2. A Love map

3. His and Hers mugs, write a quote that means something to both of you

4. Cupcakes! with Raspberry filling

5. DIY Valentines card

6. Maybe you already bought something, DIY wrapping paper!

7. Candle in a bottle

8. Love Notes book (you can also do a scrapbook)

9.  And for the very best, a hug, a kiss, a smile or a few kind words

Most of these projects are inexpensive and just take a little time, remember that this is inspiration, if you don't have all the materials needed just work with what you have. Give a friend, a relative, a lover or even yourself! Have a great valentine.

I'm doing a combination of about three of these, can you guess which?

Happy DIYing

Love always,

Sabirah

Thursday tidbits

1. I've fully integrated into my new workplace, I mean I've been wearing like beach sandals for the past two days
2. Also had my hair in pinned up jumbo twists for three days... love me, love my hair.
3. Today I did a fifties inspired hairstyle, I think it was lost on my students; "Miss Sabirah you look like wolverine" "hmm where did you do your hair, it's funny" womp, I liked it.
4. It's one week till Valentines day! whoop!
5. I just came back from open mic Night at bogobiri, wasn't as fun as usual but every outing is an event when I'm with my sister friend Funlola :)
6. My Partner deserves a major shout out cos he's all shades of awesome.
7. I have three large avocados, what to make? (pls don't be obvious and say guac :p)
8. I'm happy and content
9. I think I no longer want to teach 11yr olds, I want to go to the babiiiies!

Have an awesome weekend!

Love always, 

Sabirah