Features
Big catch – Part 3
Sabina was still fuming with anger when she got home, and her dad noticed and asked. ‘Dad, Tamara did not attend the interview, so I decided to find out why she didn’t, because she told me yesterday. So I went there, and her explanation was that Yooku had offered her a good package to stay on to manage the fishing boat.
Naturally I got angry, and I tried to tell her that I had stayed in that very job for one year without seeing any sign of progress, and I took her there because I thought she would make use of the few coins that fell her way, until something good came.
Now this bank job has dropped, and she says she won’t take it. As I was leaving, I noticed a Toyota car parked at the house, and she said it was a gift from Yooku, in appreciation for her loyalty. You see what’s happening, Dad?’ ‘You mean Yooku has either borrowed it or even come to some arrangement with the owner to use it to convince Tamara to stay on?’ ‘What else could be the explanation, Dad?’ Yooku is certainly a nice person, and I will always be grateful to him for getting us this job. But he can also be very stubborn. I kept telling him that the fishing business will fail, and I advised him to stay in the corporate job for a few years till he was sure of his steps, yet he left and started this so called publishing business with no profit in sight. Dad, I will call him in an hour or two and try to reason with him, to allow Tamara to do what is good for her. Hopefully he will do the right thing’. ‘Great. I think you owe it to your friend Tamara. She needs to get a job to support her parents’.
Yooku and Tamara had just ended a meeting with Ernest Asante, the owner of Ernestos, a ten-branch fast food business, and they had struck an interesting agreement. Yooku would supply a quantity of fish, which would be processed into a variety of products and sold at the ten branches. The company was young, so Yooku would provide the facilities required for the new venture, in return for a twenty per cent share in the business, in addition to a compensation package. The new products would go on the shelves in a month.
Over the course of time, they had drawn closer and spent more time in each other’s company. Yooku decided it was time to discuss his plans for their future. But just before he could start, the phone rang. It was Sabina.
‘Yooku, first of all, I would like to thank you once again for your efforts which have secured me the job. I will never forget it. My parents will also call you to express their gratitude. Unfortunately, I have to express concern about the fact that you are asking Tamara to continue managing the fishing boat, knowing very well that for the whole year that I spent at the harbour, nothing came out of it. My whole time was wasted. So I’m wondering what has changed in these few months to merit asking her not to take up the job. Please, think about her future, and think about her parents who sacrificed to educate her’. ‘Okay, Sabina. I have listened to your sermon for a while, so let me also explain. One of the main reasons why we were not getting any returns from the business was that the crew were stealing the fish. They would stop some distance from the landing bay, sell the bulk of the fish and bring only a small part to us. Many people at the fishing harbour knew this, but they never spoke to you because you hardly interacted with any of them, apart from the occasional greeting. I’m not blaming you for anything, but Tamara is simply a different kind of person.
She established a bond with them the day she started work, and they told her everything that was happening. So the following week, we caught them in the act, and changed the crew. Would you like to come and see our catch and sales records now? I can also tell you, madam, that we have just concluded an agreement with a fast food chain to process part of our catch into a variety of products. I bought Tamara a car, and offered her a generous package.
I am going ahead to give her half of the ownership of the company. So my suggestion is that it is great that you have landed a good job at the bank, but please stop preaching to me and Tamara. We don’t need lessons from you. Both our parents are firmly behind us. As I said, I believe you mean well for Tamara, but your approach is wrong. And let me also say, that I have heard a few things you have said about me, during our relationship and after the breakup. I am not a loser as you said, but I think over the long term. I have not regretted any of the steps I took. Apart from the fishing business, I have started selling some publications in French, and have received some royalty payment. So if you can’t wish me well, stop destroying my name. Goodnight’.
Tamara took Yooku’s hands in hers, and looked into his eyes. ‘You are right she means well for me, but her approach was wrong. And I think she didn’t know you. I always knew you were going to do big things in future. That’s why I joined you at work’. ‘Thank you so much for that. Wow. But are you only going to join me at work?’ ‘What do you mean by that?’ ‘Let me put it simply. We are spending more time with each other every day, and I would like us to do more of that. Would you mind if we took our relationship to another level?’ ‘Why don’t you stop the big English and say exactly what you want to say?’ ‘Tamara, will you marry me?’ ‘Yes, Yooku, I will marry you’.
Ekow de Heer
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
