Blog de Mylène Otou

I remember my teenage years. That one night, I went to a party with my friends and it so was jam packed we weren't able to get in. As we were waiting inside the "abribus" to go back home, defeated from our failed outing, I noticed un unusual smell. "What's that smell?" I asked. My friend at the time, who visibly had more experience than me in the things of life, replied "It's weed, duuuh!" I remember feeling ashamed and ignorant for not knowing what weed smelled like. Over the years, I would have a few encounters here and there with the substance, which even though was illegal at the time, was quite common in parties and pretty much anywhere where young people gathered, with the exception perhabs of Church groups. After trying a couple of times, by the time I was 20 I had lost interest in having any more of it, so I would pass when being offered. Perhabs because by then, I had seen the destructive effects it had on some particular young pe...

My family is from Cameroon. My parents decided to go back there for retirement 10 years ago now. Last Sunday October 8, Cameroonians went out to vote for the president of the Republic. The thing is, we have had the same president for the last 36 years. The man is older than Pope Francis, just to give you an idea. Yet, a big part of the population still supports him. So let's just say the results of the elections, which are still being compiled after a week, shall surprise no one.    On the same day Cameroon was voting, so was Brazil, a beloved country of mine in which I have lived, and with which I still have a strong bond, as the Community I am a part of is from there, and therefore most of my brothers in Christ. Not to mention hundreds of Facebook friends of mine. So as much as I tried not to get dirty and to close my eyes and ears to what's going on in that country, it is pretty much impossible.   Let me make a brief recap for those who might not kno...