Don't get me wrong, I love Olive Garden……………and similar family restaurants ………truly I do….or at least I did when I was in graduate school. BUT unless we are just friends, do not take me to Olive Garden. No I am not a gold digger……quite far from it. Just follow my logic as I tally up the costs from a woman's point of view: Dress: $80Shoes: $75 Cost of getting your hair done (yes, we ladies try to impress the fellas): $55 (for a wash) Accessories: $70 Pedicure/Manicure/Brow wax: $75 Total Cost of material things: $355, $355 people!!! Pleasure of my company: PRICELESS!!!! Yes fellas, we know you love showing us off………. Now, a date to the aforementioned restaurant or the like will cost the fellas: Cost of gas: $10….maybe $15 these days (You do realize he's gonna pick you up unless you detect that he has that "stalker potential.") Meal (includes appetizers…..salad, breadsticks, no need to order other appetizers): $40 Dessert: $7.00 Drinks: $5.00 (2 sodas) From a business standpoint, this transaction was a total and absolute loss particularly if the man in question fails to intrigue u…………….or if there's no romantic attraction. Can you really fault me for turning down a date to Olive Garden? I'm sorry, I'm not that desperate or bored…and I do have a great tendency to bored…..but not that bored. My personal logic: if a man cannot afford to spend more than $100 (yes ladies, I know this is a measly amount), he should not bother wasting my time or his. I'd rather curl up on the couch and read a good book or better yet, hang out with the ladies. Or ladies, what do you say!!?!! This entry was written by Chi Chi, the Chief Editor of www.fabnaija.com There's no consensus among the editors about this issue. Some of the editors might accept a date to Olive Garden if that's what the poor MOG (Man of God) can afford J. The others are on Chi chi's side. In the meantime, if you've found your MOG or WOG, please check out www.fabnaija.com to find a venue and vendors for your all important event. Responses |
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Why I will Not Go on a Date to Olive Garden
A Reflection on the Past
Making him smile………causing his laughter…..was my joy
Frequently I prayed for him……..for his success……….for his happiness
I loved him…………truly I loved him
And Gosh………………yes, yes………he broke my heart
The days following the breakup were the worst
It was like the world…….my world………ceased to exist
My heart ached…………I’d never felt so much pain
And the tears………….the tears would not stop falling………..I could not stop crying
I stopped living………..I could not function
Everything, everyone reminded me of him………of us………of our moments
The pain was seemingly unbearable……..I could feel my heart break under the weight of it
My today…..and tomorrows…………held no promise, with him gone
And then………..my tomorrow is today
There is music………laughter….fun……………….the pain long gone
The memories have faded……….his presence ceases to make my heart skip a beat
He remains a friend……….a beloved friend
But my heart…………my emotions, affections, attentions…………..belong to another
Hmmm…………the way of the world
I never thought I would get over him………….that I could stop loving him
Such characterizations now make me smile
I loved…………I lost……………I moved on………….I’ve moved on……
Responses
1.
Hmmmm! This is deep o!
•Edit Comment
By: Jumoke on August 1, 2008
at 4:46 pm
Reply
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
My Experience With Aso Ebi (“and co”) and Nigerian Tailors in the U.S.
July 15, 2008 Being a part of a wedding in the United States is not a cheap affair. On one hand, it means a lot to be asked to be part of a wedding, but when it comes down to the costs of shopping for the bridesmaids gowns, asoebi (if a Nigerian wedding), and accessories, it could be a very expensive affair. If you have to fly down to a different state from where you reside, you might as well add on another $200, and the current gas prices don't make the burden of the costs any better. A new problem that arises with taking part in a wedding is custom made gowns. This is a term that I would like to coin babanla rip off. Even if they rip you off, please tell me why this particular profession houses people that have little to no value for people's times? Very frustrating, I tell you. After purchasing quite a number of asoebis in support of my friends getting married, I became worried about how I was going to get all the materials sewn, so I asked a couple of friends for recommendations. It was so weird that 4 out of six recommenders suggested the same tailor, but I was warned that she was very expensive and never bargained on prices. So, I made the call and an appointment for a Saturday evening. Before leaving my house, I called to be sure that she would be home (my experience with tailors have not been the best…I find them to be very unreliable with time). She was, and so I set out. On arriving at her place; however, I noticed that there were several cars in the driveway. I muttered to myself that I hoped that they had guests and that these were not cars that belonged to customers.
As the door opened, I noticed that the basement had a room full of women. Her husband ushered me in and confirmed that my destination was indeed the room that housed the "beaucoup" women. Oh God! I thought to myself. She was home alright, but she was, in the true fashion of tailors, GOING TO WASTE MY TIME!!! I quickly announced my arrival and told her that I didn't have much time to spend. She nodded her understanding, but still ushered me to an adjoining room. I like to draw my own outfits from scratch so I was given a pencil and a scratch paper to draw them. After an hour, this iya had still not attended to me (mind you, I had finished drawing my outfits 30 minutes earlier o!), so in my true impatient fashion, I told her that I had to leave. Why is it that at that particular moment, she was ready for me? Like magic, she was done with her customers and it was my turn? —I still have a feeling that they were discussing other non-material related subjects at my expense—anyhow, it was finally my turn and I was excited. I was ready to see the magic that this talented tailor was going to do to bring my outfits to life! And then her daughter woke up. Please tell me why in the Lord's name this child did not wake up when it was the other customers' turn? Okay, so she woke up and wanted to eat, wanted to be carried, wanted to play! Ahn Ahn! On my time? Why o why? So, the mother had to go get food for the daughter, and back her (which took another 30 minutes). Meanwhile, I was trying to be nice because I thought that being nice and understanding would get me a good deal. Hmmmm! Boy, was I wrong. After she took my measurements, which I have to admit were very accurate, I asked for the total. I promise you, the room started spinning when she gave me the prices. I am not lying o! Hmmm! For 5 outfits, one being a very simple dress, she charged me a whopping $540. It is even hurting to type this. I did not even know when I shouted Jesus! After what seemed like an hour of arguing about how ridiculously expensive the price was, she took off a miserable $20. She did come highly recommended, so I left them with her, but I had many a sleepless nights thinking about what a rip off this experience was. Neways, to cut a long story short, I went for my fitting a week later than scheduled (cos of course she was not done with them) and the outfits were almost perfect (too short, some additions substituted for others (not as bad as Iya Ibeji's substitutions…that one was one of the worst tailors I have ever sewn with; goodness!) and the tops were actually too tight, but the woman knows her stuff o! By the time the adjustments were complete, the outfits were looking slamming). I know, I know, proper rip off, but did I have a choice? Anyhow, please if you know of any good tailors in the ATL region, abeg, let a sistah know o! I tried my hardest to pay $50 less, but for wieya? The iya no gree o! So, I have 5 gorgeous outfits, but it cost me $520. Was it worth it? I think not, but it's okay. I will make peace with it by pretending that I sowed $120 into her life. That way the 5 outfits only cost me $400; that is the only way that I can live with the decision I made. In conclusion, before you say yes to all the weddings that you are asked to be a part of, think hard about whether you really have to or want to be a part of it o! I am serious. If you decide that you want to be a part, hmmmm, you will either have to make sure your finances are in order or you will have to become an artist and make your own jewelry and sew your own clothes yourself o! I am serious! Either decision you make will be time consuming, but at least you decided to be a part of the wedding…..so it is worth it! This post was entered by Jummy, one of the editors at www.fabnaija.com Enter your comments and tell us about tailors that you know in the U.S. We will add the information to our list of vendors on www.fabnaija.com. (or you can visit the website and enter the information yourself or check out other vendors). Also tell us about your own experiences with tailors in the U.S.; the ones you'd recommend and the ones everyone should avoid. Enjoy the Wedding Season!!! Jummy Responses
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I enjoyed this article…too funny. Also if you agree to do aso ebi, do it well.
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) Why did u have to pick an ibo name? u couldn't pic anything else, especially since u have friends from all over Nigeria??? u need to represent accordingly.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Introduction...the First Post from Fairy Tale Blows
He's much older………….unmarried……..no I don't steal husbands He has kids, although he denies their existence He's well-off…..doesn't deny it………uses it to his advantage……..although he's paranoid about being taken advantage of He's seemingly complicated………although it may just be a façade Seems a bit insecure about his age Consumed with work………………and the pursuit of money His loyalty to loved ones is palpable He's been hurt………………..badly……… The scars are not visible…………poor man………but they are very much evident He's in dire need of affection………..genuine-idontneedanythingfromyou-affection I ache……….long to console him, love him, comfort him…….without bruising his ego But I think any efforts with be rebuffed How do I approach this…….what is the purpose of his presence in my life Is he even worth the effort………. Or should I walk away…………..and forget he exists??? Responses
By: alima on July 9, 2008 at 2:53 pm |
Monday, July 7, 2008
Act of Faith
Check out Act of Faith – A beautiful movie about trusting God and many controversial issues surrounding rape and abortion. A pastor and her husband have been trusting God for a child for many years. Unfortunately, they are attacked by armed robbers and the woman is raped. She decides to keep the child against everyone's wishes and in true Patience Ozokwor fashion, her mother-in-law makes her life a living hell as she continues to trust God to be faithful. Well acted and drama-filled from start to finish. You'll have much to discuss with your "co-watchers" after watching this movie. After watching, please tell us what you think about the story: Would you advise your friend to keep such a pregnancy? Do you think the wife should have made a decision to keep the pregnancy when her husband was against it? |
Dress: Already in my closet
Shoes: Also in my closet.
Cost of getting your hair done (yes, we ladies try to impress the fellas): $35 at the Dominicans with deep conditioning. $30 on mondays
Accessories: Once again in my closet
Pedicure/Manicure/Brow wax: Don't do manicures so $30
Total Cost of material things: $65, $65 people!!!
Ok I can actually go on this first date and it'll cost me $0.00 because I do these things for myself anyway. He has only seen one outfit in my closet which is what I was wearing when he asked me out. I have so many others in my closet. I think it's ridiculous to walk around like a zombie until I get a date to clean up. lol
I don't mind Olive Garden because it's nothing fancy with a nasty menu. I always say "START HOW YOU WANT TO FINISH", so if the guy is dumb enough to spend a lot of money on the first date, he either is superficial or confused. I guess am not like others also. This won't last and I don't want it to. I don't like eating out a lot anyway. I like to cook.
Those things don't impress me much. PAY MY SCHOOL LOANS AND I WILL BUY A DRESS TO IMPRESS YOU. LMAO
Cindy
at 9:59 pm
Pleasure of my company: PRICELESS!!!!
Cindy
at 10:00 pm
Speaking from someone that still needs help in the wardrobe department.
at 10:19 pm
would I be impressed?….probably not. Is it an outright NO?….probably not. But really, if you want a definite yes, you might want to try another restaurant.
Plus, I feel Chi chi on this one. If you've met Chichi (aka Princess or Damsel in Distress) and you actually ask her on date to Olive Garden, you must not be serious.
at 11:03 pm
My last visit there was probably in 2004. Just starting out, happy for any type of outing, and a lot less HM than I am now.
Didn't even pay attention to the prices, but now that I know what the prices are, which I'm assuming per this editorial are current, and have been adjusted for inflation since 2004… I now know why I thought it SUCKED!!!!
Mind you, I didn't spend all that expense to get doled up….I was way past impressing anyone at that point, but on the priceless pleasure of my company…. I will have to absolutely agree.
Still remember the look on my face when I bit into the bread….STALE!!!! I screamed, could not have been freshly baked on that day (Background, always been a sucker for freshly baked, straight out the oven warm and squishy bread….yum!)
Move on to entree….pasta. Can you really mess up pasta? Yes!!! at Olive gardens. Another scream…."PLASTIC!!!" devoid of any taste…."OMG! babe, we are out of here."
My boyfriend at the time, still trying to salvage what was turning out to be a horrible Sunday lunch experience, begged me to try dessert. I hesistated, then agreed.
O! It looked so good….all dressed up with chocolate drippings and cherry on the top. I wasn't falling for this set up, so I let him dig in first. He bit into it and then immediately holla'd for the check…end of story.
We are married now and still joke about our date at Olive gardens…never been back since.
To Editor—check this…if you're spending all this money to impress and brotha man is taking you to Olive gardens. He clearly isn't tryin to impress you, so take a hint and dress for less or switch up the brotha
at 2:42 pm
Cindy, aka Ngozi
at 12:33 am