Hello good people. Hope you are doing well today. 

The year may have started somehow but this is another chance. Reset your priorities and objectives and just start. 

Hi everyone. Hope you are doing well. This past week was a whirlwind of productivity and fun for me. 

I spent the majority of my time planning and creating content for my two other blogs, Ngumabi's Glam and Kaolosphere. It was so fulfilling to see my ideas come to life and to work on something that I am truly passionate about. The process of brainstorming and creating content was both challenging and rewarding, and it left me feeling motivated and inspired for the weeks to come.

I developed an appetite for chocolate and wine I didn't hold myself back. I spent some evenings sipping wine and eating chocolate as I wondered how it will affect my weight loss journey. But I enjoyed it without worrying too much. I have been cautious with eating too much lately and I've seen results though I have not exercised for weeks now.  

The weather last week was scorching hot, so the little bit of rain that we did get was a welcomed relief. It helped cool the heat and made the days a little more bearable. Despite the busy week and the hot weather, I managed to attend a meeting at Mboa Hub earlier in the week. Mboa Hub is a center that works to motivate and guide youths in taking action against climate change. It is empowering to be a part of such an important initiative and to see the impact that this organization is having on the community.

To cap off the week, I attended the one year anniversary celebration at Mboa Hub this past Sunday. The event was filled with music, food, and fun activities. Although I arrived late due to some errands I needed to run, I still had a blast celebrating with the amazing team at Mboa Hub. I was tired by the end of the day but it was well worth it to be surrounded by such positive energy and like-minded individuals.

Overall, last week was a week filled with productivity, creativity, and celebration. I am grateful for the opportunities that came my way and I am excited to see what the future holds. Here's to more planning, creating, and celebrating in the weeks to come!

In our increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate in multiple languages not only facilitates deeper connections with people from diverse backgrounds but also opens doors to new cultures and perspectives. Embracing linguistic diversity can truly enrich our lives and broaden our understanding of the world. 

   As the most spoken language globally, learning Mandarin provides a gateway to the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, history, and philosophy. It offers a profound understanding of one of the world's oldest civilizations.

   With over 400 million speakers, Spanish unlocks access to the vibrant and diverse cultures of Spain, Latin America, and Hispanic communities around the world. It is a language of passion, music, literature, and folklore.

   A language of poetry, calligraphy, and profound religious significance, Arabic provides insight into the rich heritage of the Middle East and North Africa. Learning Arabic fosters an appreciation for Islamic culture and traditions.

   Renowned for its elegance and diplomacy, French is a language of art, romance, and haute cuisine. It is the key to understanding the heritage of France, parts of Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and significant regions in Africa.

   Swahili's influence spans a vast region of East Africa, where it serves as a lingua franca. By learning Swahili, one gains an understanding of the mix of cultures and traditions in East Africa and connects with the region's diverse communities.

   From traditional tea ceremonies to modern technological innovations, the Japanese language unveils the depth of Japan's ancient traditions and contemporary pop culture. Mastery of Japanese offers a window into a society that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation.

   Learning Russian opens the door to the rich artistic, literary, and scientific traditions of Russia and neighboring Slavic countries. It provides a lens through which to explore the complexities of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

   The language of philosophers and scientists, German offers access to centuries of intellectual and cultural contributions. Understanding German allows for a deep dive into the influential history and modern achievements of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

By embracing these languages, individuals can embark on a journey of cultural enrichment, gaining insights that transcend linguistic barriers. The pursuit of language learning is not merely an act of acquiring words and grammar; it is a pathway to deeper empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the diversity that defines humanity.

Let's celebrate the beauty of linguistic diversity and commit ourselves to broadening our horizons through the acquisition of new languages. As we learn to communicate across cultures, our world becomes richer, more interconnected, and profoundly more compassionate.

Hi guys. Hope you are doing well this new week. 

Last week has been filled with new ideas, unexpected adventures, and plenty of heartwarming moments. 

I've been doing some thinking about the kind of content I create because I want it to be something people really enjoy. So, I took a step back and revisited why I started my blog in the first place - to share my experiences and knowledge with others so they don't feel alone and maybe even learn a thing or two from my stories. I'm also excited about the new types of content I'm bringing to the blog, like themes for each day. 

Monday is all about weekly recaps and lifestyle, 

Tuesday focuses on personal development, 

Wednesday is for fashion, 

Thursday shines a light on beauty, and 

Friday offers tips for being cultured. 

Then we have Saturday for food, and 

Sunday for women's issues. 

Plus, I'll sprinkle in topics like travel and events as they come up. You can expect a new blog post every single day as from now.

Hope you had a great youth day. Last week was a busy one because it was Youth Week, and my kid had their cultural day and an excursion. Getting everything ready was quite tiring, but I ended up making my daughter's cultural day dress all by myself. To top it off, I had to sew it by hand because the electricity went out just when I started. It was definitely unexpected, but I enjoyed the challenge and was eager to see how it turned out.

In the midst of everything, there was also some not-so-fun news about fuel prices going up. It's already stirring talks of potentially higher costs for things like food and other necessities. On a brighter note, I treated myself to a new nose ring that I really love, some roasted fish that I enjoyed and I whipped up some delicious banana beignets that put smiles on my kids' faces.

The weekend wrapped up with the finals of the African Cup of Nations - AFCON, and guess what? The team I was backing, Ivory Coast, clinched the victory! I was over the moon, and I've been giggling at all the fun comments online ever since.

On the long weekend, I spent most of my time creating content for the upcoming week, and I really hope you'll enjoy what's in store. With a blog post lined up for every single day, I can't wait to share these new stories and experiences with you.

Here's to a wonderful new week ahead, filled with joy, laughter, and exciting adventures. Wishing you all the best! Let's make it a great one!

Here are several topics that cultured people should be familiar with:

1. Literature: 

2. Fine Arts: 

3. Music: 

4. History and World Events: 

5. Philosophy: 

6. Science and Technology: 

7. World Religions and Belief Systems:

8. Global Cultures and Traditions:

9. Social Issues and Contemporary Debates: 

10. Etiquette and Cultural Awareness:

The past week has been a whirlwind of emotions and experiences that have left an indelible mark on me. From the surprising triumph of Ivory Coast in the AFCON to the challenges of power cuts disrupting my daily routine, to personal achievements and business endeavors, it's been an eventful seven days filled with highs and lows.

The unexpected success of Ivory Coast in the AFCON has been a source of joy for many ivorians and Cameroonians despite their 'rivalry' on social media. As the host nation, their remarkable journey to the semi-finals has been a testament to their rebirth, resilience and determination. It's a reminder of the unifying power of sports and the ability to inspire hope and pride in a nation.

However, amidst the excitement of sports, I've also been grappling with the frustration of worsening power cuts. The impact on my daily schedule and work commitments has been significant, forcing me to adapt and modify my plans constantly. It has tested my patience and resilience, but I remain determined to navigate through these challenges and find solutions to minimize their impact on my day-to-day life.

On a personal note, I found myself reflecting on my fitness journey and the realization that I didn't work out this week. While I didn't feel guilty about it, I recognize the importance of staying committed to my health and well-being. It's a gentle reminder to reevaluate my priorities and carve out time for self-care, even amidst a busy and unpredictable schedule.

Amidst all this, one of the most fulfilling aspects of the week was reigniting my passion for my business. After putting it on hold due to the demands of motherhood and relationships, I took the courageous step to rebuild and recommit to Ngumabi shop. The overwhelming uncertainty was overshadowed by the pride and excitement of reclaiming my entrepreneurial spirit. The prospect of offering essential products for women and kids at affordable rates brings me immense fulfillment and purpose.

To cap off the week, I had the pleasure of taking my kids shopping with me, turning a hectic and stressful period into a delightful family experience. Seeing them enjoy the simple pleasure of exploring the store and selecting items filled me with joy and gratitude.

In retrospect, it was a week marked by contrasts – from the challenges of power cuts to the triumphs of personal and professional milestones. Through it all, I've emerged with a renewed sense of determination, gratitude for the little joys, and a deeper appreciation for the resilience that resides within us. As I look ahead, I carry these experiences as inspiration to navigate future challenges with grace and fortitude, while celebrating the small victories along the way.

Happy new week everyone 💖😀

This past week, feels like a rollercoaster ride of emotions and events. From frustrating power cuts to unexpected upsets in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the challenges of reviving my business after its relaunch, it's safe to say that this week has been quite eventful.

The frequent power cuts throughout the week were undeniably annoying. It's incredible how something as simple as electricity can affect our daily routines and productivity. However, amidst the frustrations, I found myself appreciating the moments of calm and simplicity that came with each blackout. It's during these times that I truly learned to disconnect and find peace in the stillness.

The weekend felt long, especially since my kid didn't have school on Friday. While I cherished the extra time spent with my child, it added an element of disruption to the routine. Nevertheless, it was a great opportunity to bond and create some wonderful memories.

The AFCON matches provided both entertainment and disappointment. The competition has become increasingly tough, with no weak teams anymore. The elimination of Cameroon from the tournament this Saturday by Nigeria was a major blow. As a fan, I felt the disappointment alongside fellow supporters. We had high hopes for our team, and it's always disheartening to see them fall short. Nevertheless, we continue to support them and look forward to future competitions.

Looking at the month of January as a whole, it has certainly been tough and long. January indeed has 99 days 🤣. The challenges and obstacles have tested my resilience, but they have also served as opportunities for growth. As we approach the end of the month, I'm reminded of the importance of perseverance and optimism in the face of adversity.

Speaking of revival, I am excited to share my plans to revive my business after its relaunch this weekend. The past few days have been dedicated to refining strategies, analyzing customer feedback, and envisioning new ways to enhance the customer experience. This relaunch marks a fresh start, and I'm eager to implement innovative ideas that will propel the business forward.

In conclusion, the past week has been filled with ups and downs, but it has also been a source of valuable lessons and experiences. As I navigate through the challenges and victories, I am reminded of the resilience and adaptability that reside within me. Here's to approaching the upcoming weeks with renewed determination and a positive outlook. 🥂 Happy new week! 

It's been a few weeks since I shared any posts here and honestly I was getting bothered by that. I was so busy lately. The transition from holiday to back-to-school has been hectic but thank God it went well. I'm settling in to the changes and adapting now. 

By the time we got to the week before school started, I was wondering if school was really starting the following week because I couldn't just bring myself to accept that I have to start having very early mornings at least five times a week. I'm not an early morning person so you get my struggle. But I've been trying my best. There are days we are late and others are on time. So we thank God for that. 

I'm giving myself time to adapt to the new routine of early mornings and doing homework in the evening. It can be easy to judge or blame yourself for not doing so good at something if you don't consider that you need some time to adapt before you can be more performant or productive. 

By the way October will soon be here and that means we are three months away from the year 2024! I mean, we just said happy new year a while ago so why are we already talking about another year? This is mind-blowing I tell you. The year has gone by so fast in my opinion. 

Related post coming soon : Dear ambitious African woman, how far with your goals for 2023? 

In the meantime I'm optimistic about this new week. It's my second week of using my new skin care products I got last week. I got more sivoderm products for myself and some products for the kids. There's been some changes after I used them this first week so I'm looking forward to how it will be this week. 

I hope you have a great week too and take care of yourself. God bless you and thanks for reading. 

While in a taxi the other day I overheard a conversation between the driver and someone on the phone (and yeah the driver shouldn't even be on the phone while driving) but what they were talking about caught my attention. 

He said he just payed school registration for his child and went further to talk about the many mouths he has to feed at home (probably holiday makers). He also mentioned it is not an easy task and wondered how an aunt of his who had a fuller house managed to feed everyone three times a day. 

Their conversation reminded me of the fact that it's not easy to confront this hard economy especially during this back to school period. It's stressful. Overcoming the pressure of this hard economy needs a strong mind that can stay focused and take the right decisions. It also requires you to learn how to deal with stress related to your finances and to make a plan to turn these challenging times into opportunities for real growth and change. 

Most of all you need to calm down and relax to avoid stress related issues. I know it's not easy but you'd have to. 😉

I hope your back to school preparations are going on well and may God provide where we lack in Jesus name. 🙏🏾

This morning I read a post about someone who realized he no longer had his good friends around after he made a list of guests to invite to a party he wanted to organize. He said it was due to the exodus of most of his friends abroad for a better life and related the problem to the difficult conditions of living in the country which pushes people to leave. 

I feel touched by his post because it made me remember that I am almost is the same kind of position. My case may be a bit different because I still have some of my close friends in the country but they are in different towns. In addition, most of us have become mothers and also have careers that makes it difficult for us to see even when we are in the same town. Death has even made the distance further for some of us and the circle of friends that once used to be together is now dispersed. 

It can be hard to make new friends for some people and I'm one of them. And when I say friends I mean good quality friends like the one the author of the post I read was referring to. Good friends like the ones I had who are now far away time and distance wise. 

I have never been intentional about making friends - maybe I should. The friends I've had started from being a good classmate or a good neighbor with whom we clicked and with time they proved they were trustworthy. I still love and consider them my friends and look forward to catching up when possible. Building a life is not easy and I believe we still pray and wish each other well as we focus on our busy lives for now. 

I also guess that time where we made friends naturally is gone now. But how do you make friends intentionally? Honestly that's is a million dollar question for me. 

Do you have a circle of friends? How do you relate with them now that you are grown and busy? 

Hi guys, 

How are you doing?  

Last week was a busy week, but I managed to get some me-time. Please share with me how you unwind after a long week in the comments. 

Considering that I was too tired to go anywhere, especially with the kids, I settled for something easy and within my reach - Watching Nollywood movies on YouTube. I do this a few times a week to relax and entertain myself and it's mostly at the end of the day before I go to sleep. But this week I wanted to spend the weekend especially Saturday watching Nollywood movies. Friday was the busiest day of the week for me. I had some maintenance work going on at my apartment so I had a lot of organisation and cleaning to do. The walls in the rooms were repainted, the window/door blind holders and anti-mosquito nets were installed plus other little stuff that had to be taken care of. The workers were not able to finish on Friday and will hopefully finish it today. 

The movie I enjoyed the most was Original Husband Material with Maurice Sam and Ekamma Etim Iyang as lead actors. It's a romance movie and romance movies are my favourite.

Some images taken during the week: 

By the way it's a public holiday in Cameroon today and tomorrow as well. Sunday and Tuesday (is assumption day) are public holidays in Cameroon and a day between two public holidays is usually declared a public holiday. 

How are you spending the public holiday if you are in Cameroon? Is it also a public holiday in your country today or tomorrow? Please share in the comments. 

Ngumabi. 

Please follow me on social media:

Here are a few pictures to further describe my day: 

It was a challenge to keep avoiding the mud at every step.

Another view of the market.

I got fried chicken gizzards. They were so delicious.

Tigger nuts

Oranges

This boboloh was freshly made and it was really good.

I don't know how they call this fruit but they look like cherries and I love them. But I was a little disappointed this time because there were more soft ones in the ones I bought than usual.

We've been on holiday in Tangui, Cameroon at my mom's for a while now and it's been great so far. 

I needed a break from my usual life in Yaoundé and I'm glad I had the chance to do this at this moment. 

Currently it's the long term holiday in Cameroon so the kids and I are visiting my mom for a while. Other members of the family are here too so it's a family reunion holiday. It's been fun and memory filled do far.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been through a lot lately emotionally and I was even feeling depressive. Being here has been a good way to rest and reset my mind and body for a better life. 

Tangui is a village in the Littoral region of Cameroon 🇨🇲 and it's the source of the mineral water brand called 'Source Tangui'. It's a rural area so life here is different from that of Yaoundé which is an urban area. 

My highlights of my time spent here has been harvesting and eating groundnuts from the farm, peeling cassava, breathing fresh and clean air, going jogging on a road with lots of vegetation around it, reuniting and catching up with family. Thus area is a hot zone so it's been a challenge to manage the heat especially with the kids. I'm grateful that there's been more rain falling these days and so the weather is less hot. 

Here are a few pictures of our stay in Tangui, Cameroon.

Planning my content creation after taking a few days to rest.

This break has relieved me of lots of accumulated stress and I feel much more rejuvenated. 

I made a series of vlogs on my YouTube channel of our stay so you can visit by clicking this link to watch or search Ngumabi on YouTube to watch. Please do subscribe when you visit my channel. Thanks 👍🏾. 

Thanks for reading and share with me your thoughts or when was the last time you took such a break or went for a holiday?