August break (definition attempt) – Although the Nigerian climate is composed of rainy, dry and the harmattan season, the rainy season is categorized by two main rainy seasons with a short dry season sandwiched in between. That short break off the rains is called the August break.

I would opine that it is more than just coincidence that January is not merely the first month in our calendar year as we currently know it, but that it is the month of my birth. Yes January represents the start of a new year; a new phase, a new season if you may.

For many it symbolizes hope and the possibilities of fulfilling a dream. It denotes another chance; providing many with the opportunity to re-evaluate their goals, scrutinize their processes and properly re-examine their posture in relation to previously articulated objectives. Then the icing on the cake is that I was born in January. Small wonder I have a bias for it. Trust me, if I was born in say June that would be the start of my own year. #wink#

So I joined the rest of the world to usher in the New Year in a sense. Whilst I did not necessarily set resolutions, I sure had a set of goals to work towards. Talk about semantics. Anyways, it was an excuse to reflect on key areas from the year gone by – my goals, strengths and weaknesses, my dreams, family and business, my faith, attitude and choices. For you see, though I would occasionally take intentional breaks off social media and even many offline engagements, January always offered the real break. Just as the august break signifies a dry pause after a rainy reason, it is also significant in the fact that it ushers in a second season of rain. In comparison, I’ll say that just as January is preceded by the culture of spending and the Christmas splash, it also serves as the break that ushers in and mostly determines the mood of the remaining eleven months of the year.

So in a sense, I anticipate and I am ready for another rainy season.

I am Boluwatiwi Ayo-Opaleke.

I am intentional. I am kind. I am gracious. I am thoughtful.

I am an encourager. I am a co-creator. I am a lover and I am a friend.

I am driven by family, excellence, respect, integrity, learning and empathy. Oh yes and I am free!

I manufacture and sell footwear that recreate and improve your daily fashion experience.

Writing and music help to give expression to my thoughts.

This is me wishing myself and the rest of the world again, a fantastic new year.

Thank you for being an integral part of my world these past years.

Welcome to possibilities and the abundance of rain.

Hurray!