Grandpa

Dear, Inspirations 

I write to you in this moment that I feel extremely down. As I sit right here watching my grandpa in so much pain. 

When I walked in I could see that something was wrong and I immediately felt some type of way. 

So I tried to hide the tears but now it's more evident then ever that grandpa is sick. The tears start to fall down my face...

The doctor is here and I don't know if I can take it because I'm not strong enough. 

I know these type if things come with old age and grandpa is 87. 

I listen to the stories from my cousin he use to be up and really at it. 

Him and my dad have similar features. I can't help but love a man that raised my dad to be who he is to me. 

Apart of me is sad because I didn't get to really spend a lot of time with active and at it grandpa.  

To be perfectly honest I've seen grandpa a total of three times. 

He came to see me in Houston when I was about seven. 

Two years ago I spent time with him here in Nigeria.  Last time grandpa knew who I was by my perfume so before I left I gave it to him to keep. 

And finally this time in Nigeria. 

When I arrived the first thing he said was "Welcome Welcome" 

The idea of being so far away and still being able to feel all of his love is something I can't put in words. 

My first week in Nigeria we talked about me going back to America and sending him medicine to stay young. 

It's evident that grandpa is suffering from old age he isn't responding or talking today. 

Grandma and me share so much in common she has a small head. Queen of dramatics and she has a caring and given heart. I'm here watching her be strong as if her husband isn't sick she is still able to laugh with me. 

I love him and to lose him while I'm here would be tragic. 

My prayers are that grandpa pulls through.  Oct.23.2013 7:05pm

Yours Truly 

Jasmine P. 

Dubai goodbye

Dear inspirations

During my short stay in Dubai I think I saw just enough. Here's my take on Dubai in 4 days. 

The mall of Emirate and Dubai Mall combined are 2places that I found with more than enough reasons why I don't have a credit card. We spent 16 hours in the both of them combined in two days. Now you might be wondering what did I buy? 

Well to answer that I can honestly say I bought only what my pockets would let me and everything else had to stay. 

The first day of shopping I found myself the happiest kid on the block, shopping is my thing! Then again who doesn't enjoy nice new things. 

Stores to stop in on your trip to Dubai 

Max

Splash 

H&M 

Forever 21 (this company is loaded) 

M&S 

New look 

Victoria Secret 

And of course all of your designer stores that you love

Gucci

Chanel 

Christian loubtin

Prada 

LV 

Many more! 

I was thoroughly impressed with the selection of stores Dubai had to offer! When I tell you shopping is real it is! I saw a taxi riding through the mall letting people off to shop. 

The Dubai Mall is one of if not the largest mall in the world over 1200 stores over 100 places to eat it was the definition of Mall Heaven in my book. 

I think I'm a pretty simple but complexed type of girl but when it was all said and done my feet were hurting and I was ready to Go! 

It was the shoes I was wearing and I knew better than to wear them to the mall. 

I know for a fact shopping is in my blood because my cousin is "about that life" expensive taste I might add. 

I think I was exhausted from the day before. Plus we had spent 4 hours at "The Gold Souk"

The Gold Souk is where every Arabic in Dubai sells gold. Real gold, fake gold, white gold. A wide variety of things are there as well such as fabric, linens, attire, souvenirs, shoes purses, hair, food. In fact I was tired of trying to be hustled the men would walk up to me saying.. "Gucci Chanel prada Lv handbags watches wallets, Brazillian Peruvian, hair" I was a little offended lol and at some point I said "do I look like I wear fake stuff" the guy replied no ones looks like it but everyone likes knockoffs. 

Can you believe he had the nerve? 

My cousin said its so illegal to sell that stuff and I you are caught jail time is where you will end up. I never seen Sex in the city but she referred me to that movie. 

Why were we at the Gold Souk in the first place? 

Buying a chain for my cousin Lamies Husband. After 2 days of negotiation and store browsing we found the perfect chain (we hope) for a nice amount of money. While we were there I realized how uneducated I am in gold shopping and how I never took a interest. It also confirmed that I have expensive taste and gave me a deeper appreciation for Diamonds. Yes, I saw the perfect ring. Well perfect in my mind. Tried it on and quickly envisioned me in the dress. Took it off and all of the music stopped. 

Apart from my shopping shifts I found myself missing London. 

The weather in Dubai was about 80degrees and I felt some type of way for all of the women I saw covered in black from head to toe. 

The religion calls for it but I just don't think I would be happy all covered up. 

The women wear all black and the men wear white. 

The women that weren't covered up were so beautiful there faces and eyebrows were absolutely gorgeous. 

 Burj khalifa was a beautiful sight to see. The tallest building in the world made me feel even shorter. 

Dubai is definitely a place I would love to visit again on a longer vacation! 

That's about it. 

Yours Truly 

Jasmine P. 

Negotiating Gold 

Cover up 

Burj khalifi 

The mall 

Follow the rules 

Peace

Dear, Inspirations 

Today marks exactly one week before my birthday. 

Last night I had a breakthrough but was it really? 

Confessions bring people closer but why was I hiding it in the first place. 

I didn't want one to see me and have pity for who I am. I don't want you to ever feel sorry for me. While the things that I've done have shaped and made who I am they have broke me down to nothing. 

When I think about where I am in life I know that things will only get better. 

I'll be 24 soon and 25 even sooner this year for the first time I don't want anything material  but stability. 

I'm asking God to place his hands on my life and give me financial stability, emotion stability and career stability. Most of all give my heart peace. 

I need that more than anything right now.  Complete peace but I've been better than I've ever been and for that I'm grateful.

No update on my grandpas health. 

It's Thursday night in Lagos and its Drake Birthday everything is all green. 

I'm all in. Two feet. 10 toes. 

Ovoxo

Love Jasmine P. 

Back

Dear Inspirations 

This Sunday for me is filled with reflection. I'm back in Lagos and despite the time change everything is just how I left it. 

Feels good to be back. 

The countdown to my bday has began! 

Ovoxo 

Love JasmineP

Lemonade please?

Dear, Inspirations

Just the other day I posted "when life gives you lemons you can make lemonade but I rather throw them back". Well today was a lemonade day but at some point I stopped making lemonade. Lets start from the top.

On Sunday we found out that my cousins visa to get into Dubai was not approved. Our flight to Dubai was scheduled for Monday so what do we do. It's Sallah a Muslim holiday so the embassy is closed and the visa girl didn't come through. So we had a dilemma obviously, we were praying that she could get a transit visa that's valid for 3-4 days. The only way to find that out would be to go to the airport and try our luck. Monday morning  we woke up packed our stuff and headed on this treacherous journey. It was bitter sweet leaving London because I had a really nice time there. 

My last moments I remember taking pictures, eating a muffin and riding in the cab to the airport. 

We stood in line to collect VAT tax back from the things we bought. We were in the line for a hour, people had so many receipts collecting 100's of dollars. Once that was finish we rushed over to change the ticket and attempt to get the transit visit. 

Yay it was possible to change the ticket four days in Dubai. 

"You only have three minutes to put your luggage checked in" 

Keeping calm we got the luggage weighed. Tickets printed out and on our way. 

Security check in was smooth and we even had a chance to pick up Krispy Kreme donuts. 

Boarding time, middle seat or me next to a younger lady.

There was two sets of boy twins right across from us. In my mind I was thinking "they are going to get on my nerves" so I put my headphones in and prepared myself for the 6hour flight.

I watched "Now You See Me" pretty good movie might I had never would have guessed the movie ending. 

Plane food was decent again, took a small intermission after the movie and I was tired of one of the twins waving at me. 

When I woke up one hour forty five minutes left. Easy right? 

As we all prepared for landing outside the window was the most beautiful light view from the window I had ever seen in my life. (Inserts picture) 

Let's briefly speak about Dubai's international airport. It's like nothing I haver ever seen, it's huge, water fall, clear elevator,and high ceilings. This was my second time there so again it felt like airport heaven. Everything looks so clean and shiny. The Arabians run the place and they wear the attire as uniform. Mostly men I saw working, a few women worked for Emirate which is the airline here. 

Fast forward.

Wummy: Where's my wallet? 

Me:in your purse

No it's not there 

Let me look, look in your carry on, 

It wasn't there either. (Praying to God that it was in her other suitcase and not left in London) 

After about three hours we were clear to go through to get our luggage only it wasn't on the carousel.

No biggie right? We took longer than usual they have it in the back.

"Well your luggage isn't lost we just can't locate it right now and it might be still in London"

Those were the last words we wanted to hear but that was reality really happening. 

This can't be happening and This type of bad luck can't happen to just one person.

It was happening. 

The entire time I had been feeling sick with a headache and stomach pain. 

Wifi was going on and off my messages were barely sending. 

A few tears feel from my eyes as everything came rushing on my mind at once. 

We took a cab to our hotel and the scenery outside the airport started to make me feel better. 

Our luggage was retrieved from London and my cousins wallet was found in the hotel one of her friends is going to western union her the money. 

Hours later I feel 10 times better and we had KFC for lunch they deliver! 

It was all just a test? What did we do to get all of that? Questions that formulate but let's be clear everyone has bad days. Today was just one of them. I kept complaining but I also kept thanking God for the things that were actually going good in my life. 

Today I had home sick withdrawals hence my Instagram post. I'll be home soon though so I'm okay with that. I'm also missing my first alumna homecoming. 

I'm in Dubai and even though things started off a little shaky the next three days will be life. 

It's 1:43am Wednesday, 9 hours ahead of Houston. 

Good morning and goodnight.

Life gave lemons, I didn't make lemonade or throw them back I took the lemons. 

Tomorrow I'll make Lemonade. 

Love Jasmine P. 

Dubai international airport 

The view

First pictures after the airport 

ADE 

London and Lebanese

Dear inspirations 

After a month of travel yesterday I started to feel some type of way. I'm not sure if it was from the London dreary weather or from the conversations I had. 

Traveling has its ups and downs in all honesty I knew that before I left but I was ready for this. 

Some nights are hard to sleep, some times I'm missing my independence, mixed emotions that are all apart of life. 

The trip to London has been nothing but shopping, eating, and sightseeing. 

Last night we went to a club, if you must know I think that all clubbing is the same drinking, dancing and loud music. 

We went with Mati and her business partner funny story. Stephanie was with us as well she's pretty fun. 

It was a Nigerian club called coco bar mixed crowd and they played a few American songs. Being away makes me really appreciate hearing American music.

I've found myself going in and out of the British accent well at least trying too. 

My last night in London we went to a Lebanese restaurant called Levant. I don't mind trying new things. The menu had a variety of chicken, lamb  and other things I couldn't pronounce. 

I wanted to keep it simple I got chicken skewers with rice. 

For my drink I got a mango mojito and Wummy order a drink called Rihanna. 

The food was pretty good! The belly dancers came out and showed us a nice time. 

Some man was celebrating his 60th bday. He was dancing as well with a big group of his family. 

After dinner the check came and we were trying to figure out the bill split. Can you believe it was a 4.50 cover. But for what? They don't do tip here so I was confused on why it was there. They also added a 1£ donation to a cancer donation. It wasn't optional? 

After we got back to the Hoyle I went outside for a walk along the river to enjoy my lady moments in London. 

I felt like If this is the end of my stay then I truly enjoyed it. 

London gave life. More to come in my  next blog 

Love Jasmine P. 

Food,shopping and sights

Dear Inspirations 

Day 1 in London started off amazing. 

I watch a lot of movies and I always think to myself if I was on vacation I'd never go to the gym! Well this morning I worked out for a hour and after that I took the stairs to the street just outside the hotel. 

I'm not sure what came over me if it was Drake or if it was the air hitting my fast but before I knew it I was jogging an it felt amazing! 

I would walk a little jog a little and I ended up on the Lambeth Bridge I saw a the UK flag and for a few minutes I felt lifted.

I took a moment to take it all in and just breathe then I jogged back. 

My cousin said "I think your crazy and you need help" lol I really felt amazing at that exact moment. 

I took a shower and I actuallyfound myself singing! 

 We got dressed and headed out for the days adventure. We had tea and breakfast at casa Madiera our 3 time there in 2 days. 

We walked to the underground station to buy my Oyster card and on the train we went! 

I did my normal people watching and no one was smiling no one seemed happy about life. My cousin said its because of the money here. The government takes a lot of tax and it's very expensive to live. 

Recap in a nutshell 

Everyone literally drives an Audi. The cars are so small because of the streets it's perfect. 

The mall sent me back to shoppers rehab because I hadn't been so happy shopping in months the shoes were to die for so I bought 3 pair. (Don't judge me) lol 

I also found the dress! (That's a whole blog by itself) 

Yogurt from pink berry gave life! 

Nandos was fantastic! The food was so fulfilling. 

I was stuffed to the max

Donuts from Krispy Kreme 

Riding around for about 2 hours sight seeing with Mati was memorable 

Bucking ham palace, Tottenham road, the fountain, the tower bridge. 

We went to Tinseltown for milkshakes, by then my stomach had already went into shutdown but I had to try a piece of the waffle with Icecream! 

(I had to go to the gym twice in one day because of it) 

They were all breath taking moments in history that I will cherish forever. 

"There is life and there is the reality of life"-Mati 

My first day in London taught me that "either you can let life live inside of you or you can live out life".

You can pick which ever one fits you best. 

I hope you are enjoying my blog as much as I enjoy writing it. I had so many thoughts last night that I couldn't finish this blog and post it. So I'm one day behind in thoughts. 

I love you all the way from London 

Jasmine P. 

ovoxo

The Tower  Bridge 

Bucking ham Palace 

The cookies and creme shake from Tinseltown 

Pink berry yogurt 

The shoes were magnetic on the ceiling the sales guy said they change every season and it's hard to put them up.

Mati and I 

Nandos 

NWTS

Dear, Inspirations 

What have I learned? 

So far I've learned that my heart is super happy when I travel. I've learned that there is life and then there is the reality of life. Of course as people we want to only experience "the life" but for most if us reality is what is hitting us daily. 

My love for traveling has enhanced more. I also learned that I had became a prisoner in my mind. Lost in my thoughts bottled up in so many emotions. I never want to feel like that again and I won't. 

I was ready to give up on the things I love the most and settle down with life. I'm not saying that I'm not ready to settle down with life but it all depends on what settling down with life truly means. 

I want the fast life.  I want the glam and I want to turn it on and off at any given time. 

My family has a lot of effect on my as a person and I often let them get to me even when I try to pretend that it doesn't. 

My close friend ask me before I left was I running from my problems? In all honesty I knew the answer to that question but I was afraid to answer it. 

You can't run from problems and you can't change what God has planned. 

I've spent my whole life in travel moving from place to place. I have a travel heart. I won't change that I love it. 

I learned that you can love so hard and stress so much that you lose sight of what you really wanted to do. I know what it feels like and I know that it won't happen again. 

Knowing that you love something and knowing your potential is key in life. 

This trip has gave me a chance to see things upside down. 

"Hold on I'm coming home"

I think we are driving our own buses and along the way we let people on and off. Of course there are road humps, stop signs, curves in the road, yellow lights and detours. But with your seatbelt on you can hang out the window with your tongue hanging out your mouth. You could also ride with no seatbelt enjoying the humps. 

I keep saying that you decide because your the driver. 

I'm learning how to drive all over again and this time nothing will be the same. 

Love Jasmine P.