Category: California

From Los Angeles to the Wild: A Road Trip to San Diego Zoo

There’s a quietly enchanting feel to a Southern California road trip—the way neighborhoods burst with colorful murals and eclectic storefronts seamlessly blend into the highways, the sudden appearance of the ocean with waves crashing fiercely against rocks, and time itself seeming to stretch just enough for curiosity to take the lead. Our adventure began in… Continue reading From Los Angeles to the Wild: A Road Trip to San Diego Zoo

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Alcatraz

I was there once—intense views,spirits rising and falling,all of us entrappedon this piece of land. I heard the seagullsand the silent whisperslifting with the sunrise—people, dust, memories. Cold weather, cold hearts,remnants of man’s resentment.Nature goes on living;this is no reservation. Guilt, conscience, prayers,tears, the 1960s, modernity—love, maybe hate.Are you ever worriedabout the past? I see… Continue reading Alcatraz

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Love is a Choice

Love is a choice, so I chose it—not because I had feelings that fade over time. Not because I notice your height or weight, but because I decided to. Not because I think I should, but because I made a decision to. Most times, there won’t be butterflies; other times, misunderstandings may occur. Sometimes, it… Continue reading Love is a Choice

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The Bee and The Bloom

A bumblebee buzzed with bumbling grace,Zipping and dipping all over the place.It spotted a flower, so red and sweet,And said, “Well hello there—my sugary treat!” It wiggled and jiggled and landed just right,Its belly fuzzy, with stripes shining bright.Then whispered, “Dear flower, don’t mind if I stay,I’m just here for nectar… and maybe to play.”

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So… It Actually Rained in LA

It’s Friday evening, and I have some free time to write a few lines—I’m not sure if that’s a thing. No matter. A few days ago, I saw my first heavy rain in Los Angeles and got drenched trying to escape it! I’d heard the rumors — that rain in Los Angeles is rare, dramatic,… Continue reading So… It Actually Rained in LA

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Writing Between the Lines of Life

Well, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, it’s been a while since I’ve looked this way. I was getting ready for school and also traveling recently. So, I’ve been away trying to sort out my things and thoughts. I haven’t even had the time to watch the sunset. Additionally, I’m back in a big city… Continue reading Writing Between the Lines of Life

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Two Sides of a Coin

Stories have a significant impact. They can inform or misinform, create opportunities or impose limitations. Ultimately, stories shape our understanding of the world. Those who tell these stories play a crucial role in what we recognize as history or facts. However, it’s important to remember that there are often multiple sides to a story. The… Continue reading Two Sides of a Coin

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A Month-Long Stay in California’s Nature Reserve

Describe one of your favorite moments. One of my favorite experiences was my month-long stay at the Blue Oak Nature Reserve in California, where I worked on ecological projects. The beauty of the ranch was captivating, and as a nature lover, I truly cherished my time spent alone. The highlight of my stay was befriending… Continue reading A Month-Long Stay in California’s Nature Reserve

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Hummingbird

I’ve been reading extensively about Native American folklore lately. As part of my Master’s research at Berkeley, I studied the relationships between people, wildlife, and the environment to understand how everything is interconnected. In Native American folklore, hummingbirds symbolize joy, happiness, and good luck. They are also seen as messengers from the other side, bringing… Continue reading Hummingbird

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Count Your Blessings

Listen to the beautiful rhythm in your soul I am an avid listener and greatly enjoy the sounds of nature and the world around me. I find joy in the soothing sounds of rainfall, the rumbling of clouds, and the intensity of raging thunderstorms. I appreciate the gentle flow of waterfalls and the melodic symphonies… Continue reading Count Your Blessings

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San Francisco, First part

City by the BayBig heart, big ups,Where imploring sun raysAnd dreams stay View the multitude of automobilesCockcroaching through lengthy tunnels,The shine from their radiant metals ricochet,Bouncing off on glass and seawater Soothing sea breezesWelcoming, flirty winds, With drifting ululating seagullsReach out to the setting sun Big City by the BayMajor hub, big startups,Where desires aboundThe… Continue reading San Francisco, First part

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Reflection: Love and You Are My Star

Love One thing that the humankind needs to learn more often is how to love. Love can come in different forms. Respect is a form of love. Kindness, openness, happiness for others, and more. It’s a shame that a lot still divides the world. Tonight I chose to write a very short love poem—and for… Continue reading Reflection: Love and You Are My Star

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Reflection: The Moon and Sun

I watched the beauty of this morning’s moonshine, clutching my sweater. It’s strange because we associate the morning with the sun and the night with the moon. I stood before my tent to fill my lungs with the purest air and see the sunrise. This quiet time was disturbed by passing aircraft gliding up the… Continue reading Reflection: The Moon and Sun

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Blue Oak Reserve, California

Welcome to Blue Oak Nature Reserve Blue Oak Reserve, over 3000 acres of beautiful partly wooded wilderness, sprawls across vast pockets of break-taking landscape decorated by canyons, trees, and grassland. There are a lot of open fields with forests dotting specific points. Oak trees are in abundance, and so are other native species. I like… Continue reading Blue Oak Reserve, California

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Books that impacted on me

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why? This post will be challenging because there are captivating books out there. I have read some books recently, but three stood out. One pioneer book that addressed the ills of colonialism in Africa was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The book describes in… Continue reading Books that impacted on me

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Nevadan Snowman

I stood admiring the shores of the blue and beautiful Lake Tahoe on the Nevadan side. Around the corner was a snow park where mountains stood still carved out of the skies. The noon warmth kept the windy air in check. Hot rays from the sun cut deep through my sunglasses but I sit busy—working… Continue reading Nevadan Snowman

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Sunset at Moss Landing

Moss Landing, CA Sunset reminds me of the need to rest, and ocean waves, their unison and sudden quietness, speak of taking breaks. The strong tides smash into the rock boulders, and the wind is busy throwing tantrums at the traveling sunset. My friends, always remember to take breaks and to make time for rest.

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University of California, Berkeley

What colleges have you attended? Before heading to America for my master’s, I did my diploma and undergraduate education at Abia State Polytechnic and the University of Uyo, both in Nigeria. Currently, I’m completing my graduate education at America’s premier public institution—the University of California Berkeley. Cal, or UC Berkeley as it is called, is… Continue reading University of California, Berkeley

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Generosity

What is something others do that sparks your admiration? Spare a coat, clothe the nakedSpare a spoon, feed the hungry I wrote those poetic lines some years ago. Each time I see it I realize that it’s not a wholesome definition of generosity—because it focuses on material giving. Generosity goes beyond giving money or gifts.… Continue reading Generosity

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Further Education

What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year? A lot of good has happened in the past year. One of the most significant is starting my graduate degree at the best public university in the world—the University of California Berkeley on full-ride. Here, I have met some of the best… Continue reading Further Education

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Deer

Do you ever see wild animals? I remember seeing a lot of deer, squirrels, and wild turkeys in California. I also have seen seals and fish in aquariums. Then the birds, mostly pigeons, seagulls, crows, owls, and hawks. I will visit the nearest zoo in a few days. I haven’t seen any reptile yet. I… Continue reading Deer

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Berkeley, California

Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it? Berkeley, in California, is a beautiful place to live. It’s a hilly town with an abundance of greens and orderly streets. In this city is the pioneer and famous University of California campus. There are wild turkeys, deer, squirrels, and bobcats and lots… Continue reading Berkeley, California

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Fire trail

What is your favorite place to go in your city? I love hiking through the forest at the University of California, Berkeley. It’s a little distance from campus. A stream ran across the trail, and I could smell the wet clay. There are numerous bird calls and when sunset arrives, it’s something else! The sunset… Continue reading Fire trail

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California

Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home. California is exactly what I dreamed it would be The clean streets, diversity of people, and hills represent nature, all in an inspirational school setting lined by joy-bringing trees. Where there are trees, be sure to catch a glimpse of birds that add their… Continue reading California

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Beautiful Sunset

And here is capturing my favorite part of the day in pictures and few words! Taking it all in: the fresh air and breeze guided by tree canopies, the tree leaves falling, twisting and waving goodbye to sunset, the tiny worm crawling home under the brushes, the solemn rocks sitting harmless, the peaceful hills overlooking… Continue reading Beautiful Sunset

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Let

Let the soft wind of morning speakLet squirrels pick nutsLet happy deer forage rootsLet pretty flowers blossomLet the sun shine bright tooJust let all good things be Listen, to the rhythm of your heart – of Nature’s

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Sound of Water

Poetry may come in the form of flowing water,That tells of no serious thing in particular;But about the few that wash others’ feetAnd the wild that calls the forest home,It chats of fauns that hide in crevicesWhere waterfalls are happy to fall in currents,Rushing, flowing in streams and slow rivers, Out of sight, far away from hamlets,Planting… Continue reading Sound of Water

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The Diary of an I-House Livermore Cowboy

Each year during Spring Break, I-House residents have the opportunity to be placed with an American host family. The Spring Break is a week-long break at the University of California, Berkeley that gives students and faculty time to rest from school work. This year, I-House organized two trips to the cities of Livermore and Redding,… Continue reading The Diary of an I-House Livermore Cowboy

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Livermore, California

Watch the hills rise and fallBeautiful, ancient,Twist and turn,Happy singing birdsHappier sunlight! Blue cloudsAgainst the white,Foraging horsesAnd cowsLook up to see who has arrivedLovely grass paradiseTrees are the guards! Hawks circle the skiesNoon greets everyoneTake notice the cow mooingOr the powerful horse neigh Let’s go dreamingIn a county not far awayA valley unspoiledWhere man and… Continue reading Livermore, California

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Golden Sunset

By degrees, the sun will sink down the horizon,And shadows of grapes and trees lengthenedThe heat will decrease, but be calm, cowboys,The perfect evening we dreamt of had comeOne of chilly but soothing pure countryside airI heard the happy neighing of a horse outsideIt is time to ride off toward the golden sunset

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Musing: my mood

The love I have I can’t really tell The wind blows The trees dance The flicker of hope Dwelling in me hops In my heart, lives joy Seeing the clouds white And the sun shine Hearing from the Egrets And the mooing cattle Sitting amidst my street kids Playing soccer in the fields And waking… Continue reading Musing: my mood

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Let It Sail

Set sail with hope and loveHope, so to see the golden sunriseLove, as kindness offered by Universe Set sail for sunsetWhere lands endWhere joy is melodyLive in the moment Set sail with the jolly windLet it flow and fill your lungs Love is a voyageCruise, withhold not Don’t let the sun set on hope and… Continue reading Let It Sail

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idyll

pretty birds glide up the tree branchesflowers are hidden in the thick shrubshumble rodents burrow through the earthand busy ants make castles out of fine dust

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