Blame it on the sunshine!

It is official, summer is here! Gone are the layers upon layers of clothing, and my usual ensemble of coats and jackets while others are wearing sweaters and cardigans. I have long being the recipient of odd looks and faint reprimands disguised in innocently worded phrases like "its so warm today" or "are you cold"? Irrevocably implying that my choice of clothing is inappropriate to the weather. Dutifully do i smile and answer either in the affirmative, yes i am 'cold' or answer in feigned unconcern with 'is it'?

However you choose to view it, i refuse to put my health in jeopardy in order to appear trendy or fashionable. They are usually fast asleep and in dreamland when i remain awake battling sneezes, catarrh and cough in the middle of the night. I was prepared to continue to receive unsolicited disapproving looks, until that fateful day, wednesday the 24th of May. Dressed in my usual comfortable jeans and shirt, i set out armed with my hooded waterproof jacket, but to my surprise people were dressed in short dresses and shorts. I was baffled and a bit surprised considering the environment i was. This is not acceptable, why would students dress in very revealing and short clothes to lecture halls? This is the height of it i said to myself.

After lectures, i spent some time at  a student common lounge to interact with fellow students and witnessed more inappropriate dressing. Deciding to take a nap for an hour or two, i got a call from a friend that i left my wallet in the students common room, a development that i had not discovered myself. So i sprung out of bed in a panic to put on the first clothing items i found that was suitable to the undeniably hot weather,  which was  a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. My friend gave my wallet to me and said her friend found it and after identifying the student id card, gave it to her to give to me. I thanked her and asked her to extend my gratitude to her friend who found the wallet and thereafter left for the library to do some studying.

As i sat down to do some work at the library, i received a bb message from my friend who told me to go home because my snickers were showing beneath the leggings i wore, to say i was embarrassed is putting it mildly! Here was the most puritanic advocate for decent clothes and dressing this side of the world revealing my ample bottom and underwear to the public! But it was not my fault though, it was the heat!

Incredible!

Didier Drogba is to leave Chelsea! The club will definitely miss the most outstanding player they have had in recent times. The management of the club said they wish Drogba the best hmmm.... Chelsea fans would miss him greatly though. To a remarkable player and an achiever; all the very best in your next adventure but would have loved to have you continue to dazzle us in the Chelsea kit. All the same well done!

Something has to be done to the accommodation situation in Buckingham! It is simply appalling! Students cannot secure accommodations because of what remains an enigma! Imagine an estate agent's typical message: "No dogs, no students! Are we animals now? This attitude towards the people that have directly or indirectly contributed to the economic and social growth of the historical English town is outrageous! It is not humane and i simply do not know what to do about it!

Students need accommodation in the town to help them commute to faculties and lecture halls. However, students at the University of Buckingham have had to result to seek for accommodation in surrounding towns. Many students now live in Milten Keynes and Bletchley, a situation which costs the affected students money and the inconveniences of travelling over one hour in order to receive lectures. Woe be-tide you if you are 'lucky' to have a 9am lecture! You probably have to get out of bed at the ungodly hour of 5Am! If i get one more text or email from agents that says"no dogs, no students" i will scream!

We are human beings and should be treated as such, not like bugs or pests! If there is an issue about student/tenants behaving in an unseemly manner and or destroying properties, the best way to tackle that would be to make each tenant sign documents that would protect the owners property and enumerate the actions that would be taken if the stipulation is not adhered to. A simple and logical solution to this unacceptable reception dished out to the students from the property owners in Buckingham. If only one had money to buy one............

Adeiu Donna

Paying tribute to the powerful "Soul sisters" who have gone to be with the lord this year; Whitney 'the voice' Houston, Etta James and sadly now Donna Summer! May your souls rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ! You have blessed humanity with the wonderful talent bestowed on you by the almighty and your music will continue to live in our hearts....

SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY!

Donna Summer was reported to have passed away today at 63years of age after a long battle with cancer, it is a tragedy that  the 'MONSTER' referred to as cancer is still responsible for the death of celebrities who have enough financial resources at their disposal to fight the disease. Hopefully medical researchers would soon find a lasting cure to the scourge!

Rebekah Brooks

Empathy is the feeling felt towards this great woman of journalism who is a role model to upcoming and fellow female journalists in this country. Having achieved so much and to be made to go through this level of scrutiny is a bit disheartening and rather sad. Personally, i think enough is enough of this torture, press media practitioners have woken up to the reality that the british public and government will not entertain the invasion of their privacies to obtain information that will enable print media houses sell papers.

They get it now! The ethics of the profession must be upheld at all cost and strictly adhered to, but i cannot help but ponder if Mrs Brooks's husband is right to refer to themselves as "scapegoats"? To a certain extent surely? It will be a great surprise to many certainly, if in actuality News of the World is the only guilty party in the use of underhanded means to acquire information about famous people and celebrities. My strong inclination will be that there are plenty more involved if not all. But the fact is that NOTW got caught and must pay the price and also used as an example to other perpetrators and would be offenders. But shutting down the newspaper is enough retribution surely?

Worth it!

The Duchess of Wales has been the focus for fashion enthusiasts all through the weekend, they simply can-not get enough of the floor-length teal wonder. Personally, i love elegantly designed long dresses they tend to flatter the feminine body. Short dresses are gorgeous if you have got the legs for it, but it is expedient to always go for floor-length gowns.

 Apart from adding to the existing or non-existent feminine curves, it also hides skinny, fat or unshapely legs.Kate certainly made a lovely picture at the Royal Albert Hall's event for 'Our Great Team Rises', the pleats on the dress shimmered elegantly as the Duchess moved beside her husband the Prince.

The view from the back is not a favourite of mine though, too revealing, but the sandals are gorgeous and the overall effect is captivating. Certainly 'worth the buzz'!

The Queen's Speech

The Queen

Economics and Family are the main focus of the speech given by the Queen in an address to the parliament, and it is particularly worthy of note considering the present seemingly break in family affiliations. The break in family ties is definitely at the heart of the youth crisis in the country today and hopefully when the unit is resolved and set on the right track, parents and members of the society will be able to breathe more freely. The economics aspect will involve careful planning and administration which will evolve over a certain period.

Have to give it to the Queen though, she simply looked magnificent in her regalia and i must say i was amazed at the picture she presented! The horses, carriage, knights and ladies in waiting! Awesome view and very lovely to behold, which is undoubtably the British legacy, and the lure for tourists and business interests alike. Long live the Queen!

I Have A Dream

The famous words from Martin Luther king's speech made on August 28, 1963, around 49years ago. Yet  it echoes in our hearts and mind half a century later, such is the power vested in words. The Bible says power and death lies in the power of the tongue, in other words prophesy positive things into your life and also have a dream that is channeled towards achieving your goal. President Barack Obama is the Dream Luther King envisioned and that has reinforced the belief of dreamers like myself. Anything is possible if you believe in your dream and refuse to let go.

Severn Suzuki at 12years old addressed the United Nations and gave a moving speech about our collective destruction and pollution of the planet we live in. Adults wept and remarked about the intelligence and comportment of the 12year old who had managed to confront the world and beseeched us to be kind to the environment and show some kindness towards fellow humans as well. And i quote " we buy and throw away we buy and throw away even when we have more than enough we are afraid to share, we are afraid to let go of some of our wealth."

A profound observation from a 12year old who represented a group of 12 and 13year olds and their concerns for the environment. The question is 'what are the words in our heads and hearts'? Do i want to make the world a better place or do i want to constitute more havoc to the damage? I know the path i would choose and that is to make a positive contribution to my world in any little way i can, what about you?

Elections Elections Elections!

Francois Hollande, France's
President elect

France has elected a new president that has far reaching effects, the Euro-Zone is in turmoil and there is news that the European Share Market Index has been affected adversely by the result. But to the youth and not so old in France, Francois Hollande is the future for the country and the man to bring about the desired progress for the country. Some have speculated that Sarkozy lost out to Hollande in the personality stakes and not economics, but only time will tell whether France has made the right decision or not.

UK politics has experienced what can be viewed has a rude awakening for the ruling coalition government. The recent local elections has produced more labour representatives than it is comfortable for the Tory-Lib led incumbent government. The PM has been heard to say that his government is determined  to focus on what really matters for the economy and the people. Personally, i think what 'matters' to the people can be sometimes relative in meaning, in the sense that i am still trying to understand the government's reform for the NHS and its ramifications for the ordinary citizen of the country.

Although to be honest the NHS as it is now is not fully functional and reliable, for instance the hospital in Buckingham does not treat emergency cases and one wonders what will happen if you have an emergency medical problem, go to Milten Keynes? Or would one be required to book for an appointment at 8am to see the doctor as the custom is in Buckingham? One wonders.......
Having said that, i am probably biased either way, because as an African am used to politicians promising heaven and earth and never bringing their manifestos into fruition.

But British politicians are more honourable surely? Hmmm... In the previous elections, Boris Johnson canvassed for amnesty for illegal immigrants. And did the complete opposite for the recent election, hmmm..., one wonders if politicians here are any different from the ones in Africa or maybe unlike their African counterparts, they have applied a bit of finesse to their camouflage? May the best Man win...

A little kindness will go a long way

Felipa Fabon, 'Pagpag' Merchant

It is a terrible situation when human beings have to resort to picking left-over food from the bins of restaurants and garbages for personal consumption as well as trading purposes. I was appalled to read about Felipa Fabon and the plight of the rest of the habitants of the slums in Manila, Philippines. "Good God" in heaven were the words that came out of my mouth when i came across the story.

I am aware that some people ask the workers in the kitchens of busy restaurants and hotels for leftover food to feed their dogs, but it is a shock to me to see a gloriously and beautifully made human being go through this act of desperation. Ms Fabon is a 'Pagpag' trader which entails selling chicken (often rotten) taken from the trash. This is poverty at it's most glorious and i pray something is done about the horrible situation fast.

In the time being i believe that we as individuals can do something to eradicate hunger within our immediate locality. No right thinking human-being should be reduced to rummage through bins and garbages for food due to poverty. It is a frightening condition and a cry for help that should be responded to with utmost speed by the relevant entities. And some of the richest people in the world should view this as a challenge surely? We should be our "brother's keepers".