And so it begins...

Hello, beautiful people,
A picture of myself.

I’ve thought long and hard about what to write as my self-introductory post because there’s just so much to a person, and summing it all up in one essay? Whew. However, one important realization I had during my thought process is this: I’ve just gotta present myself as me. No fancy words, no fancy achievements or awards, after all, being part of this wholesome community is a beautiful opportunity given to me by @joycealarapon All thanks to her for introducing me to this platform, where I can meet new people, both like-minded individuals and those who view the world through a different lens. It’s also a space where I can put my writing hobby and usually overflowing thoughts to good use, a space where I can be heard, seen, and truly resonate with others.

NOW, LET’S START FROM THE BEGINNING…
It all began when two people, a man and a woman, decided they loved each other enough to get intimate, resulting in the birth of a Yoruba girl named Oluwadamilola Dorcas Ademide on December 16, 2001. Here is a brief knowledge about my names;
• Oluwadamilola (shortened to Damilola) means "God has graciously blessed me with wealth."
• Dorcas is a biblical name (Tabitha).
• Ademide means "my crown has come."
Here in Nigeria, we believe our names can manifest in our lives. So, I’m still patiently waiting for my crown and wealth to show up (fingers crossed).
A picture of myself.

Now, funny story: I never liked my name growing up or maybe I was indifferent to it? I didn’t hate it, but I often wondered why my parents gave me a name that’s unisex. Were they hoping I’d be a boy? I never asked them. I wanted a more feminine name. But everyone called me Damilola, so I adopted my English name, Dorcas, when I got to secondary school (high school).

As beautiful as "Dorcas" is, the way people pronounced it? Oh my goodness, it was so bad it made me cringe! To avoid that, when I got to university, I started using another one of my names, Ademide. The short form, Mide, felt simple, feminine, and safe from mispronunciation disasters. Perfect, right?
When it was time to start a brand, I wanted something unique, something that belonged to me. My aunty calls me "Melody" (even though it’s not part of my given names), and I almost adopted it. But it didn’t feel personal or unique enough. So, I tweaked the last syllable of "Me-lo-dy" to “-dhee,” inspired by the “D” alphabet that begins Damilola. That’s how “Melodhee” was born. A picture of my brand logo.

Now, different groups of people call me different names:
• My immediate family: Damilola
• Secondary school mates: Dorcas
• University friends: Ademide or Melodhee
It’s unintentional but fun! Most of my friends now call me Mide. But hey, which of my names do you fancy?

WHO IS OLUWADAMILOLA ADEMIDE?
As much as I love the arts, ironically, I studied a science course, Chemistry, in a medical university. I graduated earlier this year and am currently in my service year (NYSC).
A picture of myself on Convocation day.

A picture of myself in NYSC uniform.

A picture of myself after the NYSC camp drills.

My hobbies are art-centered, my talents are art-focused, but I’ve always had the logical reasoning of a science student. I once dreamed of becoming a nurse. The idea of understanding the human body deeply and using that knowledge to help people fascinated me.
But life had other plans. I didn’t get to study my desired course, and it took a toll on me. However, thanks to the amazing lecturers from my department who saw potentials in me, I regained my footing, developed an interest in Chemistry, and graduated with a second-class upper.
Samples of acetylated, oxidized and native starch of pearl millet: my project work in school.

Still, my love for public speaking, writing, fashion, and voicing remains unquenched. So, if you ask me today, “Who are you, and what do you do?” I’d say:

“You can call me Ademide. I’m a Chemistry graduate, voiceover artist, copywriter, and nail technician. I enjoy creating videos, taking pictures, editing, learning new things, teaching, and interacting with people. I am passionate about femininity, but not from the perspective of merely looking pretty and “acting” elegant. It’s more about becoming self-aware and self-confident as a woman, exploring and embracing one’s femininity along with all its strength and weaknesses. To me, that’s where true beauty lies.”
A picture of me doing what I love; Public Speaking
A picture of myself.
A picture of me doing what I love; Public Speaking

Right now, one of my biggest challenges is finding a bridge that connects my hobbies, talents, skills, degree, and passions. Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll be a professor of Chemistry. Or a world-renowned voiceover artist. Or a bestselling author, orator, and public speaking coach. Maybe even a skilled nail technician and entrepreneur. I don’t know yet, but hey, I’m still in my 20s. This is the time to figure things out, let life work its magic, and enjoy the ride. So, cheers to finding balance, happiness, and, of course, wealth (like my name promises). Winks.

Below are pictures of some of the works I've done as a nail tech.

I'm especially proud of this set, completely hand-drawn.

I hope to learn, grow and make the most of being a part of this community. Thank you for having me!
Yours sincerely, Mide.

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