Old Post I always look back with nostalgia to my teen years back in the 90s. Nikky Christmas was fun on another level back then especially because it was a time for eating delicious delicacies, wearing your Christmas cloth, enjoying a bottle of drink alone instead of sharing it with others, watching masquerades and dance troupes to exhibit their skills. My big dream was to join a masquerade group and get to be the masquerade. So i was excited when some boys in my class who also lived on my street decided to form a masquerade group and asked me to join them. My dream was coming true and I gladly became a member. We turned into designers and picked rafia from the bush, colored, sewed them together to make a garment for our masquerade. 

Happy Pic story..🥰

Hello Nikky, I love the pictures you have been sharing with us this season. But I just want to share this my first experience Of White Christmas with you and everyone. As a teenager, I always loved watching or seeing Hollywood Christmas movies especially on Hallmark movies Channel. Its something I looked forward to every Christmas. The best part was always the part they play in the snow, build snow men or when I hear stuff like; "its white Christmas!" I remember I used to wish we had snow during Christmas in Naija. I would have given anything to convince God to change our yeye harmattan to winter.

We are now in the second week of December and I'm guessing that you are already screaming; where are the days rushing to?" I understand that feeling. Infact, I recall when I used to wonder if December was indeed 31days because it always ended before you were even ready for the month to begin.  Once schools close for the holiday, everything starts spiraling out of control and down hill. Items become annoyingly pricey especially at a time when your pocket is tight and you need to buy new decorations for the house, gifts for everyone and fuel the car for your trip. Even airplane tickets skyrocket, leaving you wondering who we offended in this country. 

Repost Due To Popular Request **** I remember my first night at Camp...hmm. I arrived late and like other late comers, I had to sleep outside without a mattress, on the chilly fine sand of Adamawa with my bag for a pillow. That night was a nightmare.  I was depressed, disillusioned, heartbroken, alone and lost. Even the glittering stars dancing in the night sky could not obliterate the discomfort I felt from the stones piercing my skin, the soundtrack of the mosquitoes and the cold that seeped into my bones all night. I don't even know how I managed to sleep. I just know that I woke up with sand in my mouth and hair. Those were the days. Read On  

Christmas is in the air!  Hello NIB family. As you all know, we usually run exciting Christmas stories, documentaries and articles from the first week of December every year. You can check out our Seasons greetings label for all the Christmas selection. The good news is; this year we will be celebrating Christmas in a special way! Oh Yes! So, don't forget to get into the Christmas spirit with us this year and we promise to make it worth your time ❤️💕 ******************************************* The  Advent Season Reflection For an in-depth reflection on the Advent season,  Read More

NB: there is a scene of violence against a woman towards the end but don't worry, nobody was harmed. Kindly skip if you will be emotionally affected.  ********* “ Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” –  Babe Ruth FLASHBACK “Dad please, don’t start with that, I will be back before you know it. Besides, Alex said that he would assist with my redeployment after the camp.” I rolled my eyes as the words escaped my lips, suddenly wishing camp could be extended. I was dressed and ready to embark on my trip to the neighboring state where, all thanks to my meddling brother, I was posted for the compulsory national youth service. Growing up with a brother like him was a cross too heavy for my tender shoulders. It was like having a steady, overbearing bodyguard entrusted on you without your consent and our parents would always wave off my complaints.  As we got older, he became less overbearing but more protective. I had thought having a career or ...

“We count our miseries carefully, and accept our blessings without much thought.”  Chinese Proverb _____________ I cut the call on him and walked back to the house. At the door I stopped to take calming breathes because I didn’t want to get my mother more upset. She was saying her rosary when I walked in so I headed for the study; my dad's former home office and the hidden vault he had shown me before he passed on.  Maneuvering the books to the side I keyed in the codes known only to me and pulled out the gun I had concealed in it; t here was no way I was going out naked.   The vault was where dad kept extra cash and private items which were sold or pawned at some point during his ailment. Since I took over the study, it had become a safe place for my toys. I knew my Mom would be displeased if she found any weapon inside the house so I always kept them in the vault whenever I came visiting and of course there was another reason: Dapper...the girl had a skill of discoverin...

We are each of us angels with only one wing and we can only fly by embracing one another.  - Luciano De Crescenzo _____________________ I noticed the kids playing around stopped laughing when they saw me headed in that direction and a man standing way off continued staring at me as if I was insane but I ignored them and took the turn into the dreaded route. I remember it was a moonless night and the route was darker than I had anticipated. Refusing to be bothered by the stillness and eerie shadows of the giant grasses swaying to the gentle breeze, I pulled out my phone from my denim pocket and turned on the flashlight to make out the fading foot path. Memories of my brother and I running home from school along that path filled my mind with nostalgia.  Alex and I had great moments as kids. He was my only brother, best friend and bodyguard. It was hard for him to leave the community when he had to take over the family business and make other changes he preferred to keep to himse...

" Weeping  may  endure  the  night  but joy comes in the morning.”  -Psalm 30:5. -------- I dropped my chop sticks and pushed away from the table. Somehow, I didn’t want to engage in that conversation. An overpowering desire to run far away from Brad suddenly rushed over me. "You don't owe me any explanation,  Brad. It's none of my business." I pointed out with a slight frown creasing my brow. “I'm sorry." He cleared his throat and sat back. "No need." I said shrugging my shoulders, "Actually, I really must head home now. About the bill. How much is this ..." “Bill is on me Dapper." He interjected with a grin. "Can I give you a ride home?” I shook my head and got up as my stomach began to emit a strange and new rhythm. I gently tapped it to quieten it; “Thank you, but I can find my way home and I'm guessing you don’t need me for the costume affair?"

“A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.” ―  Frank Zappa ___________________ Brad ignored me and grabbing my hand, he pulled me towards a vacant table. Pulling out a chair he mouthed "please" at me.  I was furious. Scratch that, livid is a better word; "I asked you a question. What are we doing here?"  Just then a waitress dashed over with a thick menu and welcoming smile.  Brad waved her off with a quick “Just a moment, thanks,” before turning to me. She hurriedly placed the menu on the table and walked away without a word.

" Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness"  James Thurber ****** Who could have told Brad about my love for fashion designs? Something was definitely off. “Do you like Chinese?” Chinese? I snapped out of my thoughts and tried to figure out what the man was talking about. What has my feelings for the Chinese got to do with anything? "Does it matter?" He laughed lightly and turned on the Ac of his car before driving off. The cool air calmed my rattled  and skeptical nerves but my stomach was beginning to hurt from the self imposed fast. “You mentioned you were hungry so I was thinking we could get some Chinese food before going to pick up the costumes.” My frown deepened as I re-arranged my backpack at my feet. Mr. Brad had obviously fallen under the category of people who presumed that I was a naïve teenager or a dumb girl.  I used to blame my petite looks or blank face for that misconception but I was no longer petite as was confi...