Musical
creative space:
All work and no play will certainly make me a very dull woman. Being alone most of the time while I write is not dull, because of the creativity that goes on. I don't just mean my imaginative writing but also the external environment of my creative space. Sometimes, my television is on. Sometimes I play CDs. These days, I download my favorite music and work while it plays. My interaction with these Others is varied. Sometimes I'm so engrossed in what I'm writing that I don't hear the music anymore. Sometimes, I turn the music up. Sometimes, I dance to the music. So how will you describe my work environment? I hope that your guess will not be as bad as what my friend says sometimes, "This is crazy." BUT, I love it.
Parties:
I like to 'pati.' I know that people love to eat, so I provide eatables. I like to dance and many of my friends love to dance too, so I provide music. Don't just think of stereo music. Think of guitar, drums, and improvisations also. Yes, I tell people to bring their dancing shoes, so nobody can sue me for taking him or her unawares. People always ask me, "What are you celebrating?" "Life!" is my usual reply. I notice that people are not usually satisfied with that reply, so I often find ways of qualifying life. "My sister is visiting." "My brother is visiting." "My friend is visiting." I thank those who visit me, from different continents and areas of the US, for giving me plausible reasons for celebrating life.
Conferences:
Conferences are
work, but
I try to make them fun. In my Diaspora homing life, conferences give me
the
opportunity to see friends and former colleagues from different
universities
where I studied and taught. Guess what? I try to make it fun for me and
fun for
them. I organize parties and my friends have come to expect it. Don't
think of expensive parties. No, no. I carry my boom box with me. My
suitcase has a compartment for my boom box and another for my papers,
so there’s
no conflict between the seemingly incompatible two. My music box
ensures that
there’s .no expensive DJ. All we need is a relaxing space to
catch up on
stories, dance, and have fun. I can have a small party in my room if
I'm not
able to arrange a bigger place. Friends chip in, so we never lack
eatables and
drinkables. One even donated her suite once for the party because it
was
large. One rule only: the parties do not last beyond 12 midnight.
My
reason? I don't want folks to blame me if they wake up late and miss
their sessions the next day. I need my sleep also.
Click on the link to see some photos.
Jogging:
I like to jog. I love to jog. I
think that God brought me to Kansas so that I can enjoy my game of jogging with
the indomitable Kansas wind Kansas wind often acts as my adversary when it pushes me
back and slows down my movement. On the other hand, I enjoy wrestling with the
wind. Some of my poems reflect my conflict and romance with the wind.
Click on the link and read some excerpts.
During the winter, I do more of indoor than out-door exercises. But whenever it
is bright, I put on my winter gear and off I go. The only things that stop me are
icy conditions and rain. Here are pictures of me enjoying running festivities.
Click.
Family & Community:
My family, the Okafor
family,
is not a hobby or pastime. It is me. I am who I am because of my being
part of my family. I maintain this selfhood through constant
connection with family - visits, telephone, email, and other
communication. Friends
and family have blessed my home in Wichita with their presence. They have visited several times from Benin-City,
Nsukka, and Lagos (Nigeria) as well as from the UK and different US cities. The visits
are not one way – to me only. I also visit them. I usually spend several weeks
in Nigeria every year. I also visit my sisters and extended family in England
and parts of the US.
Having lived in many continents and different US States
where I was very far from my natal family members, I have learnt to create family
wherever I am situated. They help me to navigate the customs and ways of my new
environments. They say that I bring a different dimension to their lives.
Click to see pictures:
I enjoy my Magdalen community.
Magdalen is my church.
Click and see more of Magdalen and some photos.
Page
title: Hobbies Last update: November 21, 2009 |
Copyrights Web page by C. G. Okafor |
Copywright
©
Chinyere G. Okafor Contact: chinyere.okafor@wichita.edu |