Dilemma!: Mamuje needs help!

I need help and not ashamed to use this medium. Remember my aso-ebi post? Well, the wedding is next week... and its not in this country. The tailor abi na designer made the outfit to absolute perfection. He 'coutured' it in fact. I looked gorgeous about 3 weeks ago. Well...after the enjoyment of the last 2 weeks, Italy, copious amount of pasta, general hedonism and all..... my stomach now resides in its own zip code.

I tried on the aso-ebi last night to reassure myself that everything was OK but alas my stomach looks like Kim Kardashian's butt in reserve and bursting outta the blouse. What to do?

I have considered Atkins. No carbs and Alcohol (coupled with herbal laxatives) for the next 7 days until the wedding. I cannot let myself down. I cannot even amend the outfit because its a very delicate material and I am super worried about ruining it.

If anyone knows of any FAT buster type diets where I can just reduce my tummy or any diet that works wonders in days PLEASE HELP!!!

M'je

Terrific Turin

I was in Turin last week for work. To visit vineyards and taste wine and EAT. I had the opportunity to be treated to a private wine tasting session by the amazing Maestro Martinetti. Wine producer and TV personality. AMAZING. He also likes to be known as a 'Viniculturist'.;-)  I also had the amazing opportunity of visiting the Mountains of St Vincent/ Valle D'Aosta for a bespoke cooking class where I made my own Focaccia, Bruschetta, Pasta and gnocchi. Believe :-) I also had the most amazing guide to show me the sights and sound of Torino. Enjoy  the photos Darlings xxx

The beautiful Montalberra Vineyards in Castagnole

The private tasting room which we were ushered into

Centre of Turin

Me, taking a short walk through the Vineyard.  Awesome

We went diamond 'window' shopping. I am sure you can guess my hands.

Stayed at the Art Boston Hotel. Super Cool Rooms.

Driving up to the Mts of St Vincent

My hostess' mum made us an amazing lunch. What a joy

Me making the Ravioli

Yes, I made 2 types of Pasta Ravioli and Tagliatelle

Tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms & cream (See the focaccia behind)

Yep, my half moon ravioli stuffed with ricotta and Spinach

Square Ravioli stuffed with minced meat

My lovely teacher (standing) with my guide and 'sous chef'

Hope you enjoyed the pictures?

M'je

This one really hit home.

"I am dreading the flight to Lagos. I hate local flights, they are not safe. Why does Emirates only have to go from Lagos?" cried my sister-in-law
"Fly Dana, they are the most reliable. For me, I hate waiting and they've proven to ALWAYS be on time" I replied. I hated waited for anything not even flights.
"But you were supposed to be in Lagos this weekend?" She continued
"I didn't feel up to it, even though my ticket is a restricted one..I wonder what I would do" as I scoffed fried rice in my mouth

This was the conversation that took place on the 3rd of June a couple of hours before the ill-fated Dana crash.

I was due in Lagos last Thursday, the 31st of May because I thought I had to pitch my business proposal in person. I was told after I bought the ticket that the presentation was meant to be pitched online. I did my best and sent in my pitch just before 2pm on the 1st of June.

Earlier in the week, I was wondering what to do about my ticket as I bought a restricted one. It was going to cost me about N24,000 to change the dates so i figured i will go to Lagos anyway, at least I have friends there and also attend the birthday party of one of my friend's sons. But this time, i just DIDN'T feel up to it. I wasn't motivated enough to go. In April I was in Lagos almost every week. I fly DANA everytime. They were safe and I loved their tiny bottles of water... besides I loved the red colour. I love going to Lagos but in this instance, I just wasn't feeling it. I toyed back and forth with it but decided to let it rest. I knew I was going to lose the ticket but I didn't worry. I stayed back in Abuja.

So imagine my shock when I heard that there was a crash. Dana air. Supposedly the most safety- conscious-time keeping-reliable airline crashing and killing my friend's brother and my prayer partner's best friend. A few others I have had the opportunity of meeting in person.

My return flight was supposed to be the flight that had just landed before it plummeted and eventually led to a horrible crash. That plane had flown a couple of times that day. It was a faulty plane. A ticking time-bomb. it could have crashed at anytime. Anytime....I am not better than those who lost their lives nor am I more perfect than those kids who were roasted to death. What was their crime? It's so heartbreaking that a family of nine (9) were wiped out in that crash. I am just very humbled and grateful for my gut instinct and the gift of life. Exceptionally grateful.

This unfortunate incident is a call to action.  I don't have the energy to blame anyone. There is a need to re-evaluate our lives and relationships and just re-discover our purpose on earth. Most of all, as a nation to re-evaluate our priorities and CONSCIENCE.

M'je

Pic: Google Images