Lupita hits the beach in Dominican Republic.

She just wrapped up months of promotion for the international juggernaut Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

So it is no wonder Lupita Nyong'o was in need of some rest and relaxation.

The 32-year-old actress definitely looked excited to be on holiday in the Dominican Republic as she shared a photo of herself on Instagram as she posed while jumping for joy on Tuesday.

The Oscar-winning star flailed her arms in the air and her knees bent above the water as a majestic scene of ocean and sky blue could be seen in the background.

Lupita looked like she could fit right in to the upcoming Baywatch movie as she sported a bright red one-piece swimsuit in the cute snap.

She also made sure to keep herself protected from the sun's harmful rays as she rocked a large patterned sun hat and designer shades.

The 12 Years A Slave actress has been quite active on social media sharing photos from her vacation on the Caribbean coast.

The brunette beauty wore a light blue sleeveless maxi dress as she posed next to an outdoor beach bed featuring an amazing background of palm trees and ocean views.

Her first photo from the holiday was shared on Saturday as she wore a patterned blue and white number and a black sunhat with nothing but the sky and clouds in the background.

While she is enjoying the surf and sun in the Dominican Republic, her Star Wars sequel film continues to smash records at the box office.

In it's third weekend, the JJ Abrams directed flick grossed $88.3 million in North America over New Year's weekend which is the biggest third weekend for any film domestically according to a Sunday report from The Hollywood Reporter. 

The impressive showing means that Star Wars has closed out the holiday season with $740.3 million domestically and an insane total of $1.51 billion worldwide.

The Force Awakens has been such a juggernaut that it is apparently a mere few days away from passing up Avatar to become the highest-grossing film of all time in North America without accounting for inflation, as it racked up $760.8 million in 2009.

Perhaps even more impressively is the fact that it became the fastest movie in history to hit the $700 million mark which it did in 16 days. It previously took Avatar 72 days to do the same.

In the flick Lupita plays Maz Kanata, a wise character who has lived over a thousand years and runs a somewhat shady cantina.

 


 

 

 

University dropout becomes a stockbroker.

A university drop-out who taught himself to become a stockbroker claims he earns between £20,000 and £30,000 on a bad month.

Elijah Oyefeso, 21, started by using his student loan and now trades on the stock market for just one hour a day to earn his income.

Elijah, from Camberwell, London, now lives in a £5,000-a-month flat and his weakness is super cars, with his most recent purchase a £125,000 Mercedes GTS.

He told FEMAIL: 'On a good month, I earn between £70,000 and £80,000.'

Elijah said: 'If you work hard you don't need to look at the price tag, you just get it.'

Elijah claims he bought his first Mercedes aged 18 but soon faced jealousy from his peers in the south London neighbourhood after his success and now has no friends from the area where he grew up.

He said: 'They've come from the same area and they're still in the same area and went to school in the same area.

'My mum came from west Africa and came with probably £100 in her pocket.'

Elijah went to the University of Buckingham to study business management but put his student loan to good use. 

He said: 'I used my student loan during university and I thought "I could actually do this".

Elijah dropped out of university and started investing in the stock market with the cash sum. Within nine months, he claimed he was making tens of thousands of pounds.

He claims his income on a 'bad month' will be between £20,000 and £30,000, while it can be over £40,000 more on a good month. 

Elijah, who featured in Channel 4's Rich Kids Go Shopping on Channel 4, was filmed as he traded online, making £1,000 in just 15 minutes.

'I've been trading for three years, I know when to stop,' he said. 

The most he's lost in one go is nearly £10,000. 'When you lose it, you get back up. If you lose 12 times, you get back up 12 times.

'You want to leave a name when you're gone. Think about JP Morgan, the assets are worth 2.6 trillion. So that's a lot.'

Elijah, who listens to classical music while trading, said: 'There's a saying, you are who you chill with. I chill with people who have half a million in the bank.

'Earning £20 to £30,000 a month, in my world that's not good. It motivates you to do more.

He set up DCT Training Group to help others to get into trading, but after a free trial of five days he charges £107 a month for his expertise.

He said: 'It's to help people learn the basics. I tell them to go to this website or read this book.' 

Elijah pays £5,000 a month on his flat in Kensington, a stone's throw from department store Harrods.

His main expense is cars and when he was aged 20, he made sure he, literally, had one of London's flashiest cars by paying £150,000 on a Lambourghini and painting it gold.

He said: 'When you're little you've got your ideal car, you've got your dream car. Some kids are like "I want to get a Bugatti, I want to get a Ferrari".

'Some people are like "yeah yeah." But I got it.' That was my dream, I worked for it, I got it.'

But Elijah made headlines in July when his Lamborghini crashed into his own £60,000 Bentley, with the repair work costing £55,000 on the Lamborghini.

He was left unfazed by it: 'But that's life, money comes and goes regardless.'

Elijah also has a collection of expensive watches, ranging from a Rolex to a Cartier watch costing £21,000 which he has only worn a couple of times.  

But he loves his watch collection, he said: 'You've got to treat them like princesses.'

He's even given them names, calling one watch Michelle and another Aaliyah after the singer.

Now that he is comfortably wealthy, Elijah has decided to do something for someone else - he's building a house in Africa for his mother.

He said: 'It's a surprise I haven't told her yet.

'It's going to be five bedroom,' he said, and estimates so far it will cost £76,000.

 

Chinekwu Nwosu - Igbo: Attitude, The Crucial Resolution.

At the beginning of each year, we draw up “resolutions”, in our quests to become better people. We decide to drop old habits and acquire new and better ones. Recently, I read a couple of these on social media … I’ll go to the gym five times a week; no more alcohol; no chocolates; I’ll read at least one book a week, etc. It’s great to have these goals but it takes discipline to achieve them.One resolution I would really wish I could see more is… “I’ll improve my attitude to others in the New Year”. Attitude is everything! Have you ever spotted a well dressed person at the mall, and they’ve caught your attention because you admire what they are wearing or their hair do, and you just want to tell them how great you feel they look? Only to come closer and when you see the look on their faces, your smile literarily freezes. They know you were looking at them because there was an eye contact… in fact, they saw the smile and admiration on your face… but they chose to look away… without even smiling back (ouch)… and you think yourself… I just wanted to give an honest compliment… That’s all! Well, THIS person is US most of the time.Have you ever walked through a door, you know there’s someone (whom you do know) behind you, and being (oh well) the nice individual you are (wink), you hold the door for the next person; but when they come closer, it seems you are the only one who has got some etiquette lessons? The person just fails to acknowledge with even a smile, not to talk of saying “thank you”! They are even looking away… almost like they do not notice you were even there, holding the door for them! Well, WE are THAT person a lot of times.The other day, I was in an elevator with eight other people in an office building in the heart of Victoria Island during official working hours and suddenly we heard “YOU ARE AN IDIOT, I NEED MY MONEY BEFORE TOMORROW!” I turned to look at the man speaking and a very loud telephone call, riddled with abusive words continued. I could read other people’s minds by the perplexed look on their faces. This gentleman did not care that he was in a public place with other strangers, he just continued with his very loud phone call.

The society has misled many young people to believing that it’s not fashionable to give a warm smile to a stranger who passes by you at the mall, or saying “please excuse me” or “I am sorry” belittles you or gives you away as maybe “not too classy” or “not too tough”. I personally think seeing a smile and a positive aura around a person portrays that individual as very confident.

A smile and an easy attitude, even on a bad day, will help lift your spirit and that of others around you. Yes, you can still define your boundaries, even when giving a warm smile. We all pass through different situations everyday but you must understand that it’s not the next person’s fault; hence there’s no need to allow it reflect countenance.

It’s important to show consideration for others always by using the simple respect markers in appropriate circumstances and keeping the conversations and telephone calls low or excusing oneself entirely in public. Remember, not everyone who tells you “nice shoes” wants something from you –  especially when considering the context and environment you are in. You can just smile and say a warm “Thank you” and continue with your business

It’s true that we live in a changing world and we do not know whom the next person is, but hey, a good attitude won’t hurt.

As the New Year lurks, determining to wear a positive outlook in our daily dealings with others will save us stress, build better relationships and maybe, who knows, even open some new doors! Let’s keep our smiles up… It’ll do more good than harm!!!

WISHING YOU A HAPPY 2016!

About Chinekwu Nwosu-Igbo

Chinekwu Nwosu-Igbo is a Marketing, Customer Care and training consultant with over 5 years’ experience in building brand identity, effective Customer relations and unique contact centers.
She is also a writer and training facilitator.
Email- chinekwunigbo@gmail.com

Serena shows off her toned frame at Perth Airport.

She was named Associated Press' Female Athlete of the Year for the fourth time last week. 

But with the Hopman Cup taking place on Sunday this week, Serena Williams has had little time to kick back and celebrate.

On Saturday, the busy 34-year-old athlete was spotted with French tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou arriving at Perth Airport, just one day ahead of the international tournament.

The statuesque beauty flaunted her glowing complexion by wearing minimal makeup, choosing only to throw on a slick of red lipstick while covering her eyes with a pair of spectacles.

Dressed in plane-appropriate attire, Serena wore a pair of Ugg boots, leggings and a comfortable tank top that displayed her muscular arms.

Trendy as ever, Serena completed her jet-setting look with a pair of drop earrings and a delicate silver necklace, while her quirky perfume bottle-inspired phone case hung from a chain wrapped around her wrist.

Hinting that she may be dressing glamorously in the not-too-distant future, Patrick could be seen holding an Armani Exchange dress bag 

Two weeks ago, Serena graced the cover of US Sports Illustrated's highly-anticipated annual issue.

Clad in a black lace leotard and patent leather heels, the sporting goddess was pictured lounging on a gold throne, the words 'Sportswoman of the Year' written behind her.

Taking to Instagram to gush about the glossy feature, Serena wrote: 'This year was spectacular for me. For Sports Illustrated to recognize my hard work, my dedication, and my sheer determination gives me hope to continue on and do better'.

'As I always say, it takes a village, it's not just one person. This is not just an accomplishment for me, but for my whole team. I am beyond honored. I love you guys! 2016?'

Her Instagram post has earned nearly 33,000 likes in just one hour, with followers lauding her for her achievements and inspiring tenacity.

In the feature, Sports Illustrated praises Serena not just for being considered by many to be the best female tennis player of all time, but for making headlines all year long in entertainment, pop culture, fashion, and even politics.

 


 

 


 

Beyonce is desperate to be taken seriously as an actress.

She famously coined the term Bootylicious in her 2001 Destiny's Child hit of the same name.

And it looks like Beyonce is just as devoted to the female derriere now as she was back then as it's been reported that the singing sensation is penning her own film, based on the story of Saartjie Baartman, a woman who was exhibited in the 1800s for her large bottom. 

The Drunk In Love hit maker is reportedly hoping the project will bag her an Academy Award - and has hired an entire team of acting coaches and writers to get there.

'Beyoncé is desperate to be taken seriously as an actress. Even though she's had a string of well-received movies, she still feels her breakthrough role is yet to come,' a source told The Sun. 

'She now wants to write a screenplay that gains her respect - and hopefully awards - from the film industry, and thinks Saartjie's story could be her ticket. Winning an Academy Award would mean everything to her, and she's a woman who is used to getting exactly what she wants.'

Baartman was believed to be just 25 when she died after being sold to a Scottish doctor in the 1800s, who put her on show in London because of the shape of her body.

Before her tragic death, the South African woman - who was given the name Hottentot Venus - was involved in a court case after it was argued she was being forced to perform against her will, though she sadly lost. 

It's claimed Beyonce - who will star in the movie herself - is so passionate about her new project that she has even requested countless books on Saartjie's life to ensure she does her story justice. 

MailOnline have contacted Beyonce's representative for comment

While her singing career has seen Beyonce take home more awards than her arms could carry, her acting career has been less triumphant. 

The Pretty Hurts hit maker made her feature film debut opposite Mike Myers as Foxxy Cleopatra  in Austin Powers in Goldmember in 2002, before going on to star as Xania in Steve Martin's The Pink Panther. 

While her performance in 2006 musical drama Dreamgirls earned her praise, the singer was overshadowed by co-star Jennifer Hudson who went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role

 

 

 

Roger Federer takes his two sets of twins out for a stroll.

He's widely considered the world's finest tennis player with a string of Grand Slam titles under his belt. 

But Roger Federer was like any other father as he doted on his brood on Saturday, pushing his youngest son in a stroller as he took his two sets of twins out in Brisbane. 

The 34-year-old cut a low-key figure as he enjoyed a stroll with his children, keeping his face hidden beneath some sunglasses and a hat.

Wearing a white and orange t-shirt, Roger looked ready for the court in some blue sports shorts and sneakers.

He finished his off duty look with a flashy silver watch. 

The father-of-four pushed one of his two-year-old sons in his stroller and was later seen carrying the other through the street.

His six-year-old twin daughters, Charlene and Myla, held on to each of their brother's strollers. 

The family was joined by a female companion who pushed along the other boy's pram. 

It is not known whether Mirka, the children's mother and Roger's wife of six years, was in the city at the time. 

Roger is preparing to take part in the Brisbane International, with the former Wimbledon champion among players to participate in the Men's Singles category. 

On Sunday he will be among stars to entertain children at the tournament's kids' day. 

Federer and his wife welcomed their youngest sons, Lenny and Leo, in 2014. At the time the World Number Three took to Twitter to share the happy news.

'Mirka and I are so incredibly happy to share that Leo and Lenny were born this evening!' he said, adding the hashtags 'twins again' and 'miracle'.

 
 

Vivid Verses.

Kicking off Vivid Verses in 2016 is Omotoyo Nathaniel. He is an outstanding writer, minister and spoken word poet and has featured in various spoken word events. His writings teaches about good moral values, Faith and inspires individuals to do more. Popularly known as Nathaniel Ace. He started writing poems as a child and engaged in spoken word early 2015.

Also this Sunday on Rhythm FM, Lagos, We shall be hosting Uduak Otongaran (Cocosista). She has a special love poem dedicated to all.

Kindly tune in as scheduled

Saturday 2nd January, 2016 at 11:15am - Metro 97.7FM Lagos

Sunday 3rd  January 2016 at 7:30pm - Rhythm 93.7FM.

You can stream online at www.metro977.fm
and
www.rhythm937.com/live

Visit us on www.vividverses.org

For more info kindly email: info@vividverses.org

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