A piece of Julz

It's funny how little we care about things till they happen to us. For a decent number of years before I was diagnosed I used to make jokes about scoliosis. I called and I still call chairs with curved back rests Scoliosis chairs. Back then I had no idea what was going on in my own back. All through high school and Senior high school I had some pains in my back but it was for short periods of time and not severe so I never paid attention to it. You see I was a very sporty person. I played basketball and swam a lot so the muscles in my back were pretty strong.

Having a swimming pool in my hostel during university and joining the basketball team there kept me on a relatively good path. The problem started when I graduated from University and joined the working class. No one ever prepares you enough for that. When I think about how 'stressed' I felt in school as compared to working a 9 to 5, I just laugh. Goodness I sometimes even wish I was back in school.

Moving on, I wasn't exactly carrying bags of cement or bending over to pick cotton, I was doing the usual office administration work but a lot had changed.

l  I was sitting for long hours.

l  I was standing a lot waiting for the bus to and from work

l  I wasn't getting enough time to play basketball

l  I rarely went for a swim because of proximity to the pool

l  I spent hours sitting at my desk on my computer even when I was working from home

Things had clearly changed. The pain in my back got worse until I went to the hospital. I had an x-ray done. Isn't it funny how the person doing the x-ray always hides when he's about to take your x-ray? Lol. A week later the results came and it said there was nothing wrong. I thought “hey, maybe it's my chair at work so I spoke with my boss and we had it changed. The pain also changed, it got worse. My neck also joined in. My mother who is a retired nurse told me to go and see a specialist, an orthopedic doctor so I did with recommendation from my brother-in-law.

I took my X-rays with me. The doctor studied them for a while, examined me and asked if I had certain pains. He was 100% spot on. You know how excited you get when someone describes an exact feeling? I was almost smiling. He diagnosed me with a mild case of thoracolumbular scoliosis. This simply means that between the thoracic and lumber portions of my spine it is curved slightly, in my case, to the left. He further went on to tell me that I didn't need surgery (woohoo!) but I would have to wear a brace :-( , a lumber support to be specific. He also advised regular swimming to strengthen my back muscles. “Why swimming?” I asked and he told me that because of the water it would put less strain on my spine itself while still strengthening my back muscles. Plus it was a cool (low temperature) way of getting a serious workout.

After that day I have had a completely new lifestyle. I wear a lumber support (which makes me a size bigger), I sleep on an orthopedic mattress, I take a decent amount of pain killers, I don't wear heels and try to swim as often as I can. So many things have changed. Scoliosis does that. There are times when the pain gets so overbearing it disturbs my mood and all my plans go out the window.

Rather than feel sorry for myself, I looked for ways to make my life cool and fun again. So I

l  Got a swimming partner :-)

l  Got a tablet to do all my computing needs while I lie down in bed

l  Altered my clothes so my lumber support doesn't look odd

l  Stopped my 9-5 and ran my own business. Check out zedighana.com 

l  Found a number of swimming pools close to me

Living with scoliosis is hard but the honest truth is that when you plan your lifestyle well, the pain will reduce drastically. I haven't gotten to the point where I go weeks/months without aches and pains but I'm constantly working hard to get there. God doesn't give us anything we can't handle :) 

Scoliosis :  a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side. 

Eli's wife 2

"There you are. I was wondering where my bride had run away to." Eli said. He was standing with his sister. "The limo is waiting. I'm sure you are tired." Sena's sister said walking to them. Sena told Eli and Afi to take the lead. She wanted to have a word with her older sister. They nodded and left. "Baby First Lady. That's what dad calls you now." Enyonam, Sena's sister said. Sena rolled her eyes. "Enyonam, I don't love him." she said, almost in tears. "Oh my goodness! Calm down. He's the president's son, what is there not to love?" Enyonam replied. Sena shook her head. Her dad and her sister had always thought alike. Sena frowned and turned to leave but Enyonam held her hand. "Give him a chance. He can make you happy." she said. Sena just shook her head and walked off. Trying hard to walk fast in her full gown.

"Do you want me to carry you inside?" Eli asked when they got to their hotel suite. Sena remained silent and walked inside. The room was beautiful. The lights had been dimmed and there were candles all over. The whole room smelled sweet like vanilla. There were rose petals at the foot of the bed. There was also a gold bowl of chocolates on the center table as well as a bottle of champagne with two glasses. 'Wow', Sena said in her head. For a few seconds she loved where she was then she snapped back into reality. 

"I'm so tired." She said. "Now that's a downer." Eli teased. Sena dropped her bag and turned to look at him. "This whole marriage is fun to you isn't it? Let me guess I should be lucky to be married to you because you are the president's son huh? Well I don't know about you but forcing two people to get married is just stupid!" Sena let out. Her fists were clenched. Sena didn't mean to raise her voice but she was tired of bottling it inside her. Eli looked at her and shook his head. "You think I like this?" he asked in a more serious tone. "Well you seem to be having a ball." Sena shot back. "What do you want me to do? Be bitter like you?! Let's face it, Sena, we are married and, no offence, but I am not excited to be with you either!" Eli said raising his voice. Sena was quiet. "A week ago I had to tell my girlfriend that I was getting married. You think that was fun for me? We are in too deep and the sooner we find a way to get over this the better." he said, sat down and poured himself some wine. "How are we going to do that?" Sena asked still standing. Eli did not have the answer to that question and Sena knew it.

That night, their wedding night, Eli slept on the couch while Sena used the bed. Just before she went to sleep she took out her phone. There was someone she had been meaning to talk to. Charles. She called him to say goodnight. After the call she slept like a baby. Eli kept waking up not because he wasn't used to sleeping on a couch but because he kept thinking about her, Tina. He had called her 15 times that day and she returned none. He missed her. 

To be continued...

The spark

There was once a girl who met a guy she felt completed her

He was different from all the other guys she used to date

She could be 100% herself around him and it felt so natural

Time passed and even the hard times couldn't split them

Then all of a sudden she got scared of this ever so perfect union

She felt her love for him had changed over the year

He did everything to make her happy but she still felt unsure

Because the romantic spark seemed to be missing in action

She asked for space. He didn't understand but he gave her just that

The first days were fine. She had all the freedom but something was missing

The weeks passed and she had all the answers she wanted but was he still waiting?

She rushed back to him like the prodigal son and explained it all

He took her back because he loved her and because she knew how to win him over

They found that spark and it remained with them as they lived happily ever after

A spark is caused when TWO objects strike each other. 

Waiting to run 3

I fidgeted when I tried to unlock the door with my keys. The keys fell down twice. When the door finally opened I rushed inside and shut the door behind me. I stood with my back against the door for 10 minutes, trying to calm myself down. My phone rang and I jumped. It was my mother. I stared at it for a while and answered it. She was talking so much. "Yes I'm fine. I'm at home. Yes." I said, locking the door behind me. My hands were still unstable. I went to my room and sat on my bed. I paused for a while and turned on the tv. I changed my mind and turned it off. I didn't want to think about what had happened. I closed my eyes and lay down. Maybe all this was just a dream.

"Are you ok?! Wear something and let’s go to the hospital for a check-up." I heard my mum say. I opened my eyes and saw her standing in front of me. "Mum I'm fine. I wasn't in the building when the bomb went off." I said. She sat on the bed. She was calm now. "Thank God." she said and managed a smile. Being an only child makes her worry so much. "When I was leaving work, I saw on the TV that they were getting a lead as to who it was." my mum added. She grabbed my remote and turned on the TV. I don't know why but I didn't want to find out any more about the incident. I got up and walked to the kitchen. "What happened to Max, Stella and all the people who were working in the restaurant? Did the bomb go that far? I wondered. I noticed I was standing in front of an open fridge for a while now. I wasn't hungry. I closed the fridge and sat down.

"Mawue, it's Kafui, she wants to talk to you." My mum said holding her phone out to me. I collected the phone and she took out some noodles and frozen stew. She was clearly going to make me eat. "Yo Kaf, sup?" I asked, ever so calmly. "My goodness Mawue, I thought you were hurt. It's all over the news that..." she started but I cut in. "I know, I know. I just want to forget about this." I said. She paused all of a sudden. She was just silent. "Hello, Kaf, Kafui." I called. "Shit turn on your TV." she finally said. "Ah, were you listening to me? I said I don't want to get into ..." I complained but this time it was Kafui who cut me short. "Turn on the damn TV la!" She thundered. I was just going to complain when I heard the sound of a broken plate from the hall. I rushed to see if my mum was ok. I saw her standing stiff facing the TV. "Mum are you ok?" I asked worried. I turned to see what startled her. Then there it was, a picture of the man with the bomb and a picture of me. "It seems the bomber's accomplice managed to escape." The news reader said.

To be continued...

The transformed 4

Will took Dean back to his house and told him to start the next day. He told him to keep his old job till he was sure he wanted to leave, which he assured would be very soon. All Dean did was smile and nod. He couldn’t believe his luck. Will said he had a party to attend and left him alone. Dean went to the bed room and saw how beautiful it looked. He jumped on the bed and thought hard. He grabbed his new phone when it was ringing. It was his mother. “Hello mum, I’m sorry I didn’t call you.” He said. She nagged a little bit about the time and asked when he was coming home. Dean looked around said, “Ermm not anytime soon oh. I am at Kumasi now oh. We had to come and do some work at our branch here. The guy who was supposed to go was sick so they took me instead.” His mum sounded surprised. “Oh don’t worry they are paying me more for this. I will be back next week ok?” He added. She calmed down a bit and told him to stay safe. After his call he decided to take a shower. 

Dean was getting more and more comfortable with his house as the minutes passed by. He noticed he didn’t have any fresh clothes. He had to get some! “Oh what kwraa. I’m just going to sleep.” He said walking around in his boxers. Then the doorbell rang. He froze for a while and wore his clothes. He rushed down and opened the door. It was her! She was in a black tank top and very small shorts. “Hi, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for rushing off like that earlier. I had a class to attend that’s why. I brought you a cake. Hope I’m forgiven.” She said. Dean was just amazed. He nodded and she let herself in, holding a big slice of cake. She gave him the cake and sat down on the sofa.

 “Nice place. I love the lighting.” She said. Dean was just standing there with the cake. He noticed how yawa he looked and walked to the dining table to put the cake down. “Aren’t you going to eat it?” She asked. He turned back around and picked it up. “Sure thanks.” He finally said. He took a bit and sat down opposite her. She was a sight for sore eyes. “Anyways I have to run. Have a goodnight, ok? If you ever wanna talk about this place just give me a call.” She said. She wrote her number on a notepad on the center table. As Dean got up to lead her out he couldn’t help but stare at her. “Thanks for the cake.” He said as she walked off. “Ah Dean, your mof die oh.” He said to himself when she was out of sight.

The next day, Dean woke up late. To his surprise there was a new shirt and trousers hanging on the wardrobe. He rushed to take a shower and wore his clothes. He was running late for work. “Kwasi, I’m leaving ok? Where can I get a car to Circle?” He said almost running into the gate. “Oh no, I wash your car give you. Will send someone make he come change the car. He say you for use this one.” Kwasi answered and handed him the keys. Dean walked to the garage and saw his car. It was a brand new Kia Cerato. He did a little dance and hopped into the car. He waved to Kwasi as he drove off. He made it to work just on time. He swayed his keys as he walked into the building. “Ei you, Greg has been looking for you.” Afua, the secretary said when she saw him. Dean smiled and asked where he was. He rushed to him immediately. Greg was behind his computer when Dean found him. He dragged him away to the store room. “Oh ma guy, what is this about?” Greg asked when they got there. 

“Chale you won’t believe what happened to me yesterday.” He started. Greg signaled for him to go on. “I met this guy and he gave me this amazing job. It’s like an advertising job. They will pay me 50 Cedis an hour and guess the best part?” Dean narrated. “What?” Greg asked with almost no enthusiasm. “It comes with a 2 bedroom house and a car.” Dean answered and waved his keys in Greg’s face. “Ei for real?” He asked taking a look at the car keys. Dean led him outside to see the car. Greg was shocked! He put his hand on Dean’s shoulder. “Chale have you done your background research on this company? Are you sure they aren’t doing any Sakawa jobs? These things are not good oh.” He said. Dean was a bit offended. “That be what you dey tell me? I thought you would be happy for me kwraa.” Dean said and walked away. Greg ran after him trying to explain.

 To be continued...

I wanted to be just like you

I wanted long curly hair so I would look like you

Practiced several times in the mirror to smile like you do

I never got it right but each time I seemed closer

I wanted so so much to be just like you

Each time you walked by I would stare at you

Memorize your steps and when I’m alone try to do it too

I tripped and fell because your skills was out of this world

But all I needed was practice to be just like you

One day I gave up because I knew I couldn’t be you

You were taller than me, curvier than me and smarter too

Maybe I needed some more time to get there, more practice

So I yelled with my little mouth, ‘mummy, when can I be just like you?!’

hehehe

No stress no drama

• ·         Problems are like tunnels. They are dark, long and scary but they will eventually end. If u stop fighting it will just take a longer time. Just keep going.

• ·         Can you love everybody you know equally? No, so understand that some people will love you less. No hard feelings.

• ·         God loves you. Honestly if he didn’t you wouldn’t be reading this. It’s kind of hard to absorb sometimes because he is the maker of everything? Yea well if you made something as complex and cool as you, you would love it too wouldn’t you?

• ·         Anger is like a parasite. You know, like the annoying malaria parasite that goes into your system and makes your white blood cells weak? In this case white blood cells= happiness. Don’t let anger steal your joy.

• ·         Things will not always go your way so make back up plans all the time if you can’t take disappointments. One time all 3 back up plans failed but the 4^th didn’t. It was to buy myself a drink if all 3 failed and I did J

• ·         Hard times are sometimes good for you. They make you strong. I mean think about it, if you have been chased by a hungry lion before, that local dog is nothing! Bingo clearly didn’t know you could run that fast.

• ·         The more you give the more you get. You may be rolling your eyes but chale it’s true. Just don’t expect it to come the way you gave it. I’m sorry it doesn’t work like that. When you put a seed in the ground what do you get? It starts as a plant, a tree and in no time you have a 100 fruits.

• ·         No matter what you do (I hope it’s nothing bad) believe in yourself. A lot of people do not think they are worth much but if they could see the big picture they would be blown away. You don’t have to be on TV or in magazines to be the best. It’s all about you.