THANKSGIVING

It’s Thanksgiving today (in the US). I decided to do some research into the origin of Thanksgiving in the US and in Canada.

Thanksgiving in the United States is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated the second Monday in October.

In a 1789 proclamation, President George Washington called on the people of the United Stated to acknowledge God (this is very important and has easily been forgotten over generation, but remembering this is quite essential) for affording them “an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness” by observing a day of thanksgiving. Devoting a day to “public thanksgiving and prayer,” as Washington called it, became a yearly tradition in many communities.

Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863. In that year, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln made his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. He asked his fellow citizens to “to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise …”

It was not until 1941 that Congress designated the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day, thus creating a federal holiday.

However official, the idea of a special day of giving thanks was not born of presidential proclamations. Native American harvest festivals has been celebrated for centuries, and colonial services dated back to the late 16^th century. Thanksgiving Day, as we know it today, began in the early 1600s when settlers in both Massachusetts and Virignia came together to give thanks for their survival, for the fertility of their fields, and for their faith. The most widely know early Thanksgiving is that of the Thanksgiving is that of the Pilgrims in Plimoth, Massachusetts, who feasted for 3 days with the Wampanoag people in 1621.

CANADIAN THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October. The first Canadian Thanksgiving Day was observed on April 15, 1872, to celebrate the recovery of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) from a serious illness.

I was so amazed at my findings. We have to be grateful in life for the things we are blessed with, for our dreams and our aspirations. Develop an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude. I saw this on my friend’s wall on Facebook and I decided to share it.

Comment below if you would embark on this wonderful activity next year (mine might not be a jar but I’m definitely doing it).

Signing out,

Xoxo

Xingyang 

WIW

Want it Wednesday!!!

It's guy's WIW today. Why not want/buy something a 'wee bit' edgy. Are you ready for it?

Giuseppe Zanotti (Men's Leather High-Top Sneaker with Golden Wings, Black)

Giuseppe Zanotti Calf-Sneaker with Golden Side Wings

Description
Giuseppe Zanotti calf leather sneaker with golden side wings (Zanotti no dey dull). It has round toes and lace-up front. A tonal logo plate at tongue and zipper details at the sides. Has leather lining and insole with a contrast rubber sole. Finally it was made in Italy. Price na ($1,250.00) approximately 250,000 naira (as a boss that you are).

You can also try a nice casual blazer (gold and black details). I know must guys hate colours but their no harm having one of these beauties in your closet.

Slim Fit Men Gold Blazers

New Luxury Brand Design Slim Fit Men Gold Blazers. It's single breasted with a full sleeve length. Made from Cotton, and Polyester. Price ($249.00) approximately 49,800 naira (only).

Hopefully I'll get to see one of my blogees rocking one of these outfit or both. Send a picture to me and I just might share it on my blog.

Yawning,
Xoxo
Xingyang

Add Value to Your Life / Reflection Sunday

Hello Bloggees. How has your Sunday been? Well mine has been amazing. Been pondering on this phrase (add value to your life) and I thought I should share with ‘yous’ (in Geordie accent lol). Think of this scenario, what if Facebook crashes and even Mark Zuckerberg can’t fix it. You happen to be the only one with the solution? Wow that is mind blowing right? Even if you live in Sahara Desert you will be sorted out to help solve the issue. That would lead to instant success, recognition and wealth.

Okay so something similar happened in Babylon several years ago (I’m not a fan of history else I would have found out the date, those interested can do the research). When a strange writing appeared on the wall and no one could interpret the writing except one man Daniel. So you can begin to apply this in life. God has deposited special gifts in each person. You are a gem waiting to be refined and finally displaced to the world. My question is what exactly are you doing with your gifts, skills and knowledge acquired from school? What are you doing with all your relationships (work, school, church, market, business, mosque, labs, family etc)? Are you adding value to what you already have?

Everyone wants to be knowledgeable and most times we do this by going through school (I mean from Kinder Garten to Post Graduate Studies). One major question you should ponder on is how much do I know about my profession? Not just the theoretical knowledge but also practical (hands-on experience). I would say adding value to your life is an investment that you have to make to get returns. Been knowledgeable would set you apart in whatever you decide to do (Business, Professional Career, Voluntary work etc). Don’t underrate yourself, you are more valuable than you think. You are a problem solver and the world is awaiting your manifestation. Don’t sit doing nothing, always invest in your personal development. Remember don’t let anyone talk your dreams down (I always say I can dream for Africa). It might sound silly but keep on adding value to yourself and work towards achieving your dreams.

I will share this story to inspire people studying a not so popular course at University. I had never heard of Biomedical Genetics until 2010 (5 years ago). I was extremely fascinated about the course so I did some reading around that area but I didn’t do much about it after my research. I met some ‘disappointment’ and couldn’t study the popular course I wanted. So I decided to try untested waters. It wasn’t easy and I never knew I would end up starting a career in genetics (even my shoe designs sometimes are influenced by genetics, gist for later). Sometimes I felt like giving up but I kept on pushing keeping the bigger picture in mind. Which is being a problem solver (that sort of solution that would move me to my next level). Never underrate your course or your skills because you never know where it would take you to.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: For a course or skills to be ‘unpopular’ means that there is so much value you can contribute to making it ‘popular’. 

NOW ACTIVITY: WELL I’M CURRENTLY LISTENING TO ONE THING REMAINS (REMIX) BY ISRAEL AND THE NEW BREED (COVERED LIVE IN ASIA). LINK IS BELOW

One thing Remains Israel and the new breed

Klizzes (In Falz the badh guy’s voice)

Xoxo

Xingyang 

Travel Dairies part 1

Evening my amazing blog readers or should I say 'bloggees'. I should be doing a WIW today as it's Wednesday but I decided that I would do that once every 2 weeks.

So I'm doing a travel dairy today.

Dear Travel Dairy, 

It's been a long time since I wrote anything on your pages. Why because I truly don't have anything to write lol. I really do love travelling especially road trips. I get to see beautiful city attractions and some random tree figures. Travelling to me is like eating Marshmallows wrapped in chocolate. Hmmm yummy right (you should try it sometime)? I had the opportunity to tour another beautiful city in Nigeria and indeed Nigeria is blessed with so much sites that most people don't even know about. That is not only the problem, these attraction sites are most times not well maintained and loose their 'attractiveness' over the years. I got to see some beautiful mountains and momentary arch-bending trees. It was just a beauty to behold. I also had a tour of an man-made lake in Nigeria (to be honest I never knew anything like that existed in Nigeria). This lake was a beauty to behold giving me instant peace and a sense of inner joy. It reminded me of the old hymn with the lyrics 'peace be still'.

A thought struck my mind. What is the difference between Dubai (and other countries) with high increase in tourism and Nigeria. I realized that Nigeria lacks a maintenance culture. We could be making so much money from tourism and various festival (that are now extinct). Just a way of diversify the economy (post comments if you agree or disagree).

So finally, I can say I have fully fulfilled the Nigerian ritual. I went to a market as big as the famous Balogun market. What more can I say it was thrilling but I sha fell my hand as I couldn't bargain (price) properly. Overall, it was I had an amazing time and I brought presents for my bloggees. Check below.

I don't know the name. Someone help me out!!!

Some random fun link I came across today. You should try it. How Ayepako are you? I'm 75% Ayepako and here I was feeling like a fake Ayebutter lol. Link below try it out and post your rating in the comment section.
Ajepako quiz


Signing out
Xoxo
Xingyang

Motivational Wednesday/ WIW

Heya my wonderful readers. How have you been? It's Wednesday and I would say that half of this week is already over? Are you still feeling as motivated as you felt on Monday? Do you already feel the frustration of work or business or school? Life is not an easy journey but you just have to push forward towards your goal. Always keep your goal in mind even when you are feeling down or you don't feel like heading off for your daily activities. Remember life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it - Charles R. Swindoll.

Something to cheer the ladies up next week would be the turn for guys. WIW (who can guess the meaning since the new trend is acronym creation)... It means Want It Wednesday. Well its always good to dream. If you can afford it go for it but if not then it is good to want it. Remember what you cannot visualize, you cannot achieve.

So today's WIW goes to a gorgeous Gianvito Rossi crystallized embellished pumps and a gorgeous Saint Laurent (YSL) Classic Monogram metallic leather clutch. I customize shoes and purses and I can say that this pump is a little quirky and unconventional. These are the black pumps that will elevate any look, whether you are looking for a bit more sparkle or looking to turn heads. The different textures and unique detailing on these pumps give a little something extra, like standout embellishments, geometric cutouts and asymmetrical detailing. The price is neck-revolving lol ($2,395 which is approximatley 480,000 naira). Style details for the YSL purse.Its simply sleek, chic and inimitably Saint Laurent. The style credentials of the clutch soar sky-high with this metallic leather beauty. Detailed with gold-tone lettering and a linear silhouette, this plus-one will become a permanently reached for piece. Price no be come chop o ($1,950 which is approximately 390,000 naira).

GIANVITO ROSSI CRYSTALLIZED EMBELLISHED PUMPS

SAINT LAURENT CLASSIC MONOGRAM METALLIC LEATHER CLUTCH

Signing out

Xoxo

Xingyang

NIGERIAN OWAMBE

What better day than a Saturday to attend a Nigerian wedding/OWAMBE? If you have never attended an OWAMBE then it should be on your must-do list. Why? Because Xingxang said so. You know that feeling you had when you were a child and it was time for the end of year party. Your parents must have bought you party clothes, shoes and bags to match. Sleeping the night before would be a problem because you dreamt of how you would showcase your new outfit and eat 'party' jollof rice. That was how I felt last night lol. I have not attended a wedding in Nigeria for almost 5 years and I was super excited. Lemme drop some picsure of my ghemghem to-match outfit.

The Ghen Ghen pose 

Operation show your shoe 

Trust some Nigerians with their lateness, me included. The wedding ceremony started by 10am but I left my house by 11.45am. How amazing? Spent 2 hours in traffic and arrived at the reception by 1.45pm. 9ja life no be beans or moi moi. 9ja traffic can make your miss your job interview or even your own wedding. We just had to divert to the reception because we were late comers and the church folast must have been saying he benediction. At least my on-fleek contouring and  make-up did not waste ooo.

Today blog was basically inspired by this quote I saw on my friends wall on Facebook.

I had to add my own colour theme 'morning fresh white'.

Another random moment that is related to the theme colour is the 'cake speech by the cake designer'. If you don't know what this is then ask your Nigerian friend. Nigeria MCs and Photographers are the highlight of a Nigerian OWAMBE. The MC for this wedding was a radio presenter who was funny and brought up some wedding games. Single folks please take note for future purpose.

Game 1: The name calling game. What name would you call your partner? Well you wouldn't believe what the man called his wife after she called him sweet heart. Please guess in 3 seconds... 1,2,3, time is up. Well he called her Brave heart no be fight we dey fight o lol

Games 2: The kiss your bride game. So you have to play the kiss your bride song and jump like a grasshopper towards your wife until she is within a kissable reach.

Games 3: The question game. I think this is a very popular game. Where the groom and the bride back each other and the MC would ask both the bride and groom questions. They will answers by raising up the appropriate shoe (male or female). For more details search google... it's my best friend.

Games 4: I left this for last because it is the best way to retrieve all the money you spent for the wedding. Na joke I dey joke o. The groom and bride or groom 1,000 naira  (approximately 3 pounds, my personal advice to Nigerians in diaspora please call a reasonable amount like 10 pounds or more lol). The person with the highest amount of money at the end of the day wins.

Final advice if you want to attend an OWAMBE you have to dress to impress. You have to show off oh if not you are on a long thing. Bring your all your phones, your tablet and snap picsure till you can snap no more lmao. Nigerian reception time has reduced. I could remember when I was 5 the reception used to last for 2-3 hours but now it's approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. I couldn't be more pleased to go home. To cap my excitement Man U won their match today. If you don't know. I'm a fake Man U. More on that topic some other time.


Good night
Xoxo
Xingyang

First Post 04/11/2015

Welcome to my blog... my personal space.

I always had plans on starting a blog but I couldn't just find the courage to start one. Quite frankly I was scared about how changeling it might be but I'm quite glad I have started.

BASIC INTRODUCTION

This is the part of the conversation in real life were I get uncomfortable. E.g. Hello meet my friend blah blah and that awkward moment where you cannot even remember you own name.

Meet me (Chuku Faith Ariwera). The latest blogger in town. I'm a graduate of Biomedical Genetics from Newcastle University. I'm xxx years old and I'm a Nigerian who loves travelling. Basically my blog would revolve round my world and people and things that influences it. I would talk about my experiences, throw in some random gists, talk about relationships, my boring fashion (and my love for shoes), post videos of shoes, post funny videos etc...

I would post every now and then and try to make it more regular but there would be a Sunday Special each month where I can interact with my blog reader.

I'm signing out and hope to talk with you lovely readers soon....

xoxo
Xìnyǎng (my chinese name)