Decades: Chunks of Time

Well, I decided to be obedient to my Dad this time, and travel to Lagos by road. He is so scared of the airplanes in Nigeria, and CNN does not make it any better with their overblowing up of stories. But I had to go and see at least two of my clients first, to notify them that I would not be in town for a while. I agree with my Mum, why not stay in Lagos and finish everything they want me to sign, whenever it comes up? Why not wait for the call - up letter before going back to Abuja? It made sense to stay for as long as it would take. But I had a major problem. I just got this internet connection for myself, twenty-four hours, from Reliance Telecommunications a.k.a RelTel. I paid ten thousand naira for a month as an Abuja resident, and since I was going to Lagos, it just might not work there. I was worried about that. Anyway, I spent the whole of Wednesday seeing my clients, and submitting another proposal somewhere else. Then I told Vicky, who wasnt too happy to hear that I had to tra

Well, since no one answered me, I chose option C. It seems the best option anyway, since it would cost me the least - about N200. I tried the one friend in science that I knew would help me out of any trouble - Angel. Angel has been my friend for five years, and she is a true friend to the core. She would cut her hair for me if it was what I needed to go forward. I have been there for her as well, and some people even think we are sisters. Angel went to the Head of Department Secretary's office and met a brick wall. She was told that she could not take the form out of the office, that she had to sign it right there. She now confessed that she was not the one, and was told to tell me to send an authorization email to the department, allowing her to act in my stead. Needless to say that by the time all the protocols are fulfilled, the Secretary would have submitted the forms to the Dean of Student Affairs office and it would be too late. So I just have to travel down. But I still hav

Well, I got a call from a classmate on Monday that I needed to come back to Lagos to sign yet another form for my NYSC (I signed the fifth one the last time I went to Lagos). I am getting tired of the NYSC even before it has begun. But you know that with out the passing out certificate that shows that you participated in the program to serve your mother land, nobody will employ you here in Nigeria (and I think even the UK is asking for it now. People is it true?). So I have to travel back to Lagos asap, as the boy who told me said the forms will be submitted to the Dean of Student Affairs Office on Friday. So people, I had to choose one of these three options: A. Take a N15,000 flight down to Lagos and get there in time to fill the form, and take road transport back to Abuja. B. Take road transport to Lagos on Wednesday (I need a day at least to get permission, see my current website clients and notify them of my trip). Keep in mind that Road transport takes at least nine (9) hours to

I just read some of my baby girl's blog posts and fell in love over again. with words. I used to love writing, then all of a sudden I stopped. I think I need to pick up my pen again. Poetry is music on paper, someone once said, and how true it is. The words were just flowing like a brook through my soul. I think you all need to visit http://realitythrukemieyes.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html. RIGHT NOW! Kafo, keep it up. Keep it real! I love you always girl!

So where did I stop? Oh. Those people who would put down anything just to say they contributed to something. But the bride didn't even budge, since she had compromised enough on that very gown by adjusting it to fit the 'standard', there was no way she was going to let it bother her. I admire that. The second wedding was also lovely. And larger. It was in an ancient Seventh-day adventist church in Ile-Ife, and it was packed full as well, both with Nigerians here and in the diaspora. I was feeling okay and looking forward to seeing Vicky who managed to come for the engagement and wedding. He covered some of the wedding with the camcorder I brought. He was so happy to see his friends, that his conscience didn't bother him that he 'ran' from the office with a fake sick leave. You should have seen the smile on his face. I loved it. Back to the wedding, I loved the gown, and the colors chosen for the wedding. I loved the wedding website as well, its something I can c

This week, starting from the beginning (Sunday of course), till the end (Thanksgiving Service on Sabbath - Saturday). It started off with Busayo Ola's wedding on Sunday, and ends with Biola Kolade's wedding thanksgiving service on Saturday. I actually attended both weddings. I use the word actually because, for the first, it was a painful sacrifice, and for the second, I went out of my way to attend it.The first wedding day dawned with my head being pounded continually by a sledge hammer (Literarily, I woke up with a blasting headache). I was shivering and I had body pains all over. These were my usual Malaria symptoms, but I wasn't going to allow anything to hold me down that day, not even the sledge hammer.I had to go to the bride's house to get my attire, and it turned out to fit me like a second skin - too tight. I had actually visited the house twice to get the dress, which was sown for me by the Bride's tailor. I had sent my measurements via text to the Bride&

I got many reactions when I got home on Sunday. My mum practically lifted me off the floor. With tears in her eyes, she could not believe that she had survived without seeing me for three whole months. I was just happy - then surprised at the nice and gentlemanly way my brother (who's now a handsome young man, by the way) was behaving. I got served breakfast in Dad's room, and a bottle of wine was popped in my honour. I was touched. Then I entered my room, and found out that the clothes I left behind were two sizes bigger, and baggier. I had to start picking what to wear. God help me! I like feeling trim, but I have to keep on reminding myself that I am in my father's house, and it has this power to make one really fat, even if you spend jut two weeks. Honestly. Its a tried and tested statement. So I am watching it. Big time.

Man proposes but God disposes. At least it was so in my case. I had great plans to carry out when I got to Lagos, but here I am with less than half carried out. And time is running out - its so fast! I wonder where the day goes everyday. The weddings are so close now, its like its tomorrow. I cant wait! I still have to get my dress for the first one, but I hope it wont need adjustments. I seem to have lost so much weight - my mum screamed when she saw me. My whole family still cant believe that I could be this slim - and I am still complaining that I seem to stop at size 12! Don't mind me. I'll fill you in with each detail!

I was a virgin until recently. A virgin flyer that is (what was running through your mind?). I had never travelled by air prior to the 12th of August, 2007. This was due solely to the fact that I was an obedient child, and we were forbidden to fly because of the terrible state of most of the aircrafts in Nigeria (before). But since the multiple plane crashes, things have indeed gotten better in the airport system, only that my father didn't want to hear that. NO FLYING. Period. Then I got my chance, last week, when my Mum flew to Kaduna, and Dad was stiff-lipped angry. (So angry he was silent for a while). She told me, and added directions on how to leave the airport when I arrived in Lagos, if I chose to fly. Of course I chose to fly! And it was a lovely experience. Compared to the 10 hour journey by road (My Dad doesnt just insist on you travelling by road, he also selects which bus you travel in. Very thorough man), it was a fantastically short journey for me. In less than one h

It looks like everyone that I knew ten years ago will be in Nigeria this August. It brings back the title of this blog: Chunks of time. Ten years have gone by - more likely flown by and everyone has become someone else. I wonder how we will all relate to each other. Some of us have kept the communication going all this while, but some have not. The question will always come up: "So what are you doing now? Where are you based?". Thank God I have an answer. It'll not be funny if I didn't. Ten years have gone by, what have you been doing with your life? Have you been living in the past? Or dreaming about the future? What plans have you brought to fruition? Are you what you wanted to be ten years ago? All these questions keep going through my head. Weddings are events of joy and happiness. They are avenues that God created for us to see that love does exist. And they are constant reminders that no one, absolutely nobody, stays in the same spot. Everyone [should] moves for

I am sure I have lost most of whatever following I had cultivated. Its not that I didnt hae anything to say, just that I had not been able to log onto the net. Over. So, I am getting ready to fly down to Lagos to attend the two weddings of the century - for those of us that attended ASHS anyway! And I can't wait! But I have to finish the work in front of me before I go. Arrrrgh! ASHS stands for Adventist Seminary High School, which is now Babcock University High School. One of the weddings coming up has both of them - bride and groom as alumni, from the days the school was started, and to think they started their relationship just after they entered college. It makes me wonder who the cynic was that said love does not last. Cos if I back date it, the relationship started in 1998 or thereabout. Its almost 10 years now, and they are not only still together, getting married! Who said love cannot stand the test of time? They have also been separated for long periods of time - about 5 y

Its amazing how quickly the body system weakens once there is illness. Within two hours, I felt like I didn't own my body anymore. I had to leave the office immediately.... God is in control. Will fill you in with the details later... Vicky isnt in town, by the way - he went to Lagos, and ended up staying over at my house, and winning everybody's heart anew. In fact, I was duly informed that I was not needed in Lagos as long as he was staying on - by my own mother. Imagine that. Meanwhile, his folks think its because he's not in town that I fell sick. hmm......God knows. :D. Have a lovely day to you - whoever you are!

There was a Christian program at my host's church, from the first to the seventh of July, and I missed the first day cos I was tired. I attended the second and everything started working out right. Some might say its my faith, others might say its 'pure coincidence', but I have been thanking God. On the Friday, the week before the program, all I had was two thousand naira in my account. I had money tied up elsewhere - especially in LAgos, but there was no way I could access it from here, so I was broke, and looking lovely (did my hair after two months of no activitiy for the poor thing) but I was praying. By the middle of the week, I got not one, not two, but three website contracts. By Friday my bank account was really smiling at me, and I was really smiling up at God. I finished the program - it ended on 07/07/2007. And here I am today with two more site jobs gotten yesterday. I danced and praised God, then I was humbled by it all. It takes the grace of God to move forwar