All About Master Blessing (The Interview)

It's day 59 of documenting 2025.

Today, I'm going to do something different.
I will share highlights from only one book, the usual read.
Why?
Because I have a special story today about an 'interview' I had with a teacher yesterday.
It's gonna be long 😏

Since weekends are random picks, I will then share highlights for Friday's read tomorrow.
How does that sound?
"Sounds good 👍🏼"

Yesterday, I got a sign to continue with poetry.
First, at the tutorial center, the English teacher randomly asked me to write 4 lines and show him.
That was after he taught us with questions and answers in English Language.
I guessed he noticed my interest when I asked him questions the other day.
He seemed happy to read what I wrote and he looked forward to our next meeting.
I do too ☺️

When I got home, particularly after dinner and before bed, I scrolled through the poems I posted on MysticVerses.
I noticed that I got new likes on some of the poems.
Ain't that much of a sign? 🌚

I actually stopped MysticVerses because I wanted to "focus" on my studies for the upcoming exam.
(Notice the quote marks on "focus")
But I realized that the leisure time I get after study is better spent on creating something,
Than cheap thrills (aka Dress-up Games).

I could start small, with at least one poem per week.
By doing that, I could work on the poem itself, designing it, slide by slide and come up with fresh ideas.
Captions as well as hashtags.
Then post on Instagram.
I know that not everyone is on Instagram, but it's the only platform that suits the carousel poem style.
Anyhoo, that's a plan to be written down on paper ✍🏼

Now, for my main story.....
It's all about another teacher at the tutorial center.
Popularly known as Master Blessing.
I started attending classes two weeks ago and he made mention of leaving soon.
It seems he had been there for a long time.

Let me share the "interview" I had with Master Blessing.
My questions and his answers.
Then I'll share what I think about him.
Let's get into it!

Question
Are you in your early or late thirties?
"Early twenties"

Oops! My bad! 😐.....I assumed he was in his thirties...he has a towering stature.

Question
For how long have you been teaching?
"For 10 years....since I left high school."

Wow 😲.....that's a lot of experience on his resume!

Question
How would you describe your experience as a teacher so far?
"It has been nice and simple for me".

It actually looks that way.... I'll explain what I mean at the end.

Question
Do you do any other job apart from teaching?
"I play the talking drum at events"

Yo! That's amazing....if you're Nigerian, you should know what the talking drum is.
If you're not Nigerian, kindly do a little research on the talking drum.
You'll learn something new.

Question
What made you start teaching?
"To refresh my memory....not really for the money"

I was actually expecting to hear something different...
Impressive 👏🏼

Question
If you were not teaching, what business would you be doing?
"Buying and selling of phones and gadgets"

That's nice 🙂

Question
How do you relate with your students?
"When I'm not teaching, I relate with them like a friend.
I'm jovial and free with them.
But when the lecture, I'm getting serious and strict".

Yup! I noticed this when I first started. He just confirmed it.

Question
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
"I see myself in a networking firm, as an accountant.
I also see myself owning my phones and gadgets business.
And I'll keep playing the talking drum."

That's a wonderful vision. I pray it comes true for him 🙏🏼

Question (Bonus)
Is there anything that most people don't know about you?
"It's a lot of things...but let me just say these three:
* I wrote my JAMB exam five times.
* I passed my general certificate exam (GCE) in SS2, the year before my final class.
* This ring I wear on my finger, I took it from my dad's finger when he died."

Hmm 🤔
The last one is pretty unusual, but I didn't press further.

That was it! The Interview.
Now it's time for my own thoughts on Master Blessing.
What I think about him.

Master Blessing teaches Economics, Government and Accounting.
That is, according to what I know.
He's fair skinned, handsome and quite tall with a not-so-muscular stature.

There's never a dull moment before or after his class.
It's always a mix of laughter, note taking, explanations and more laughter.
I guess that's why most students will miss him; guys and girls alike.

I find it rather fascinating that he likes to tell stories.
I vividly remember the day he didn't teach us anything else.....after we had the first subject.
He just told us stories of students that were there before us and encouraged us to get serious with our studies.
That's pretty exemplary.

Students are always interested to hear stories from him, me included.
His facial expressions and mannerisms can either make us laugh or go like, "hmm".
He would also call names and point out the unserious students in a joking manner.
He's no joker though.

When it's time for him to dictate and us to write down notes, his face changes.
He's all serious and can get angry at the same student he laughed with a few minutes ago.
Then after class, he's all jovial again.
That's something most of the teachers there don't have, the charisma that attracts students.

I can't imagine why he's leaving.
I didn't even ask (silly me 🤦🏼).
Most of the students still want him around.
I don't know how the lesson atmosphere will be without Master Blessing to make things interesting.
But as they say, all things must come to an end.
At the end of the day, he has his life to live and dreams to accomplish.
All we can do is wish him the absolute best.

One word I can use to describe him is iconic.
He has warmed his way into the hearts of all students, new and old.
And I'm sure students will remember him and smile, long after he's gone to chase his dreams.
I pray you get your heart desires, Master Blessing.
We will all miss you and we pray for your success 🙏🏼
God bless you, sir ✨

That's all about Master Blessing.
I told you it would be long....but I decided to write about him because he's leaving.
And I don't want to forget details like this....I want to keep the memories alive.
Let's get into today's highlights.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, I'm only sharing highlights from my usual read.
Which is 365 Days With Self-discipline by Martin Meadows.
Let's get into it 🙂

365 Days With Self-discipline
📌 Day 59: On Vices Masquerading As Virtues

"No vice exists which does not pretend to be more or less like some virtue, and which does not take advantage of this assumed resemblance."
Quote by Jean de La Bruyère

"Bad habits are so difficult to give up not only because they’re pleasant, but also because they often masquerade as virtues.
When you think of your vice as a
friend rather than your enemy, it’s even harder to eliminate it from your life."

"Are there any vices of yours that might masquerade as virtues? Question your deeply-held beliefs and ask yourself if your supposed virtues are indeed helpful, or perhaps they’re like a friend that gives you one dollar with one hand
while stealing five dollars from your wallet with the other."

Hmm 🤔
Vices looking like virtues.
Bad habits looking like good habits.
That's dangerous.
I always try to assess my habits, and try harder to adjust to a better one if my current habit doesn't serve me.
I hope you do same as well.

Word from Duon to you ✨
Be kind to yourself like you are to others.
It takes little actions like rubbing your shoulder and saying "it's okay", to make you feel a little bit better.
Be your own best friend first.

Thanks for reading, my friend 😊
I'm always excited to bring you another story of my life in another post.
Besides, I'm adding another day to my streak.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.

If you don't know, I'm Duon Ada.
An eccentric writer exploring her early twenties.
I've lived 58 days in 2025 and you can read the story for each day on the main site.
Documenting 2025

I'm documenting 2025.
And I'll see you tomorrow
Ciao 💕