Follow me, follow me, follow me

I've decided to make a range of African foods, once a week (or so) and try to blog about how I get on. A few weeks ago I made a okro and garden egg stew that went quite well, especially given that I hadn't made it for a while. I also made a normal chicken stew and have done some jollof rice too. So what I'll do is cook these things again as well. Today I'm doing Nigerian pepper soup for the first time.
Any suggestions of other dishes from across the continent are most welcome!

Ciao for now!

Lost in translation

Getting to grips with a new language is probably one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. I can't wait until it flows off my tongue as fluidly as English.

I'm constantly stringing sentences together in my head and storing them away for possible use! I get so nervous actually speaking though. I’m conscious that I’m thinking of every word before I say it just because I don’t want to make a mistake. Of course the best way to learn, at least with languages, is by making mistakes and just forget about embarrassing yourself. Of course it’s easier said than done, especially when instead of a reply you receive a perplexed look from your conversation partner!

Exciting times!!!

I'm super excited to be spending the summer away this year! For so many different reasons I really hope this experience will be the beginning of some positive changes to come. So here's to the summer!

Love

ELATED!!!

Is how I'm feeling right now! There are some truly wonderful people in this world...

Love

To Martinique, from London

You are a beautiful country and with your amazing heights and landscapes it easy to get lost in all your wonder. You are not typical of the Caribbean which is perhaps your blessing as well as your curse. But I truly hope you don’t lose what you have left of your soul because you reignited something in me, now I feel like the world is mine. And for this, I thank you.


Love

Nate Dogg: A Hip Hop Impresario

RIP Nate Dogg, a massive loss to the Hip Hop world! With your distinctive sound you brought another dimension to so many tracks, Regulate, Ain't No Fun and Been a Long Time, to name a few. May you continue to sing sweetly wherever you may be. You will be truly missed...

Love

PS. We had a little boogie down in your honour!

This one is for the ladies...

I come from a family with a lot of women, the majority of whom had a hand in my upbringing. Over the years I have seen them overcome life-changing accidents, the unexpected and untimely loss of family members, leave unhealthy relationships, raise their daughters and sons by themselves, hold down successful careers, look after their relatives in serious times of need and still manage to deal with the day to day rigmarole that is life. They are amazing mothers, grandmothers and aunties and I love them dearly. And also my beautiful sister, who is perhaps my truest and most honest friend. And where would a girl be without her fabulous girl friends always there to give love, laughter and support.

And now to spread the love to all the other inspirational women out there, the women that have been forgotten, downtrodden and degraded, those that have managed to fight back and those that haven't. To all the positive role models, mothers, wives, daughters and sisters, today is your day!

Happy women's day!

Love

xxxx