Decades: Chunks of Time

I really am tired of waiting and waiting for the monthly allowance that NYSC is supposed to pay me.... that was what was running through my head last week. I was just praying to God for favour, the type that a friend of mine got from baba God that he arranged his flat rent fees from nowhere. Anyway, I got to the LG office to submit my monthly clearance forms, and was trying to figure out how to broach the subject, when one of the ladies just looked at me and asked, "Are you really in a rush?" Of course I said no. She told me to finish the submission process and return to her. It turned out that she wanted bread and milo and milk. See how God works - the women in that office are very unpredictable and some of them were already having moody expressions on their faces. I had even given up on who to approach, when God just put her in my debt. Of course I refused to collect any money from her - what is two hundred naira compared to my three months allowance? beancakes! I went in s...

I decided that the answer to that question is national service some weeks ago. Now I have changed my mind. It is National delay. After posting us (four corpers) for three weeks [an old secretary tells us to 'come back' with four working days interval, each time] the Railway Technical School, under the auspices of The Railway Corporation, Nigeria, decided that they did not need us. So, I have been rejected from my place of primary assignment. Just when I had decided that I could try my hand at teaching (six footers with baritone voices), and take some certification exams as well, I am told that the Nigerian Railway Corporation cannot afford to pay four corpers five thousand naira, and so we have been rejected. Nigeria we serve! Now I am looking for a job - seriously searching for a job. I am thankful

Life is funny. Life is fun. But, most importantly, life is what you make of it. At the end of camp I was really ill – high fever, chesty cough, blocked nose, and after blood tests, malaria and typhoid. At the end of camp, my life was enriched. I had made many, many friends, and had memorable experiences. I remember platoon members who were married women, all trying to be young again. I remember roommates who were so much fun to be with – I don’t think anyone had to leave the room for entertainment at any time of day. There was even a pajama party held in honor of a corper that was traveling for her wedding in the second week. They are all so endearing, when I was really sick, I would always meet my bucket full of water, someone would carry out my water for me to bath, and someone would wake me up gently in the night to change to my PJs. Someone would answer the soldier that came to chase us out that I was ill and I should not be disturbed. Someone would help me collect my food from the...

Hi! I actually thought I notified the authorities here that I was going to Orientation camp, but reading through now I see that I didn't. I wonder what my punishment will be. I did as promised. I wrote everything that happened to me and several others at camp. And I am prepared to pour it all out. It was a bit awkward at first, having to write instead of type . I have some 13 pages to type for y'all, so be patient. I got back on Monday, and it was a relief that I was finally home. I could not breathe properly due to severe catarrh, I was coughing from deep within my chest, my headache was now a normal occurrence, the gums on the right hand side of my jaw were swollen, and my body was extremely weak, but I was home. I was in my father's house, finally. Today's Wednesday, and I am finally able to chew, but I thank God. I'll be back.........Soon.

Well, I got called for another interview today. This one caught me unawares. One minute I was dozing in my room, the next I was wondering if I had dreamed the phone call. I even sent a text, explaining that I was not ready for such an impromptu interview, only to be told that it didn't matter if I was informally dressed or that I would appear late. I was to just come 'as I am'. I went. And for a few minutes, was almost regretting it. The interrogator com begin dey ask me textbook questions. I no even believe am. I graduated last year - over a year now, for Heaven's sakes. How I go dey remember everything dem teach me, when I cram to pass the finals in the first place? I just dey laugh. The man was surprised that I was not squirming, Then he began to check out my CV. and eventually was so surprised at what I had done that he began to ask how far away I lived from their office and other stuff. Then I mentioned NYSC. Yesterday's interviewer's reaction was small com...

Well, I got a buzz on my gmail by a classmate of mine that there was a vacancy I could fill. He wanted to know if I was interested. So I spread the word among all the other classmates we had, in case anyone else fitted the bill (the guy said there was a vacancy for 5 people). On Thursday I edited my CV, suited up, and went to Ikoyi for the interview. It turned out to be more fun than I thought. I ended up chatting with my interrogator, instead of being in the hot seat. It was fun. The rain held me back and we talked for like 2 hours. It seems I always end up having informal interviews every time. The man was so into my credentials and was assuring me that I should be expecting him, until I told him that I had not served. NYSC, I do not like the way the man's countenance changed at the mention of your name. He was not happy at all, but said he would talk to the employer, and get back to me if it was favourable. I just nodded my head. What was I to do? I wonder who ever made NYSC com...

At one point in my trip, the bus was told to slow down for workers ahead. We got close and it turned out to be NYSC people, clearing the road and packing sand into ditches (NYSC means National Youth Service Corps. It is a year long program that every graduate has to partake in, in Nigeria. Without the certificate that it has been completed, 99% of companies and 100% of the governmental ministries will NOT employ you). Some of them were a bit excited but I was not thrilled, honestly. These ones were the lucky ones, the ones that didn't get posted to danger zones like Port Harcourt (which, from the last I knew, was declared (or about to be declared) a state of emergency), Zamfara (a truly Islamic state), or the Eastern remotest villages where the rudimentary comforts of life that we have taken for granted are not available (like pipe - born water, and electricity). Come to think of it, every state has far - to - reach obscure villages that lack these things, and the danger of being p...

Turns out karma does exist. I had a case of the ex this morning. My ex calls from Holland and after all the 'hello's and 'how's the weather over there's, he surprises me by hashing up our history. See this guy and I had a relationship until he went for NYSC (that's Nigerian Youth Service Corps to those that do not know, and it is compulsory for every graduate). During the three weeks camp, I heard from reliable sources that he went haywire and decided to make sure those that donated condoms to the corpers didn't waste their money....now there is a chance he might read this so i will cut it short. NYSC Three weeks camp is another issue for another day - someone please remind me, ok? He broke up in the nastiest way - he just cut communication. Just like that. I cried twice over him, before brushing away the tears and moving on. Now we are good friends - online. And he calls me today to apologize for all the wrong he did me, saying that the person he became dur...