Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Back On This Side

Hey everyone! How's it going? I hope you all are fine and life is going well. It's almost unreal that the first month of 2008 is almost over - already! Gosh time catches up with us pretty quickly doesn't it? Imagine that the end of this new year is already 11 months away. I'd better start cracking on those goals I set for this year right away.

I'm back in the UK now, and it feels good to be back with hubby! I actually came back last week, but I had been too lazy to blog until now. Nig was crazy, I can't believe I was there for almost four months! I had many up and down moments. Some days I would just shake my head in amazement at some of the things I observed. There were days I was almost pulling my hair out in frustration with the system, but I had fun on most other days. It was cool to meet family and friends and a few blog pals too. I spent the last week shuttling everywhere trying to hook up with people I still hadn't managed to see, buying some more books and getting my hair done. It's good to be back here, but I kinda miss Lagos and all its craziness. I miss the weather and the food too, some things just don't taste the same over here. On the other hand, it feels good to go to bed without worrying about mosquitoes and the sound of generators droning in my head!

I haven't been up to much since I got back. Hubby has been teasing me that I am now a Nig girl, I need to re-learn how to behave in the UK. I've spent the last week catching up with hubby, and my sisters and friends. I've browsed my favourite websites, caught up with some of my favourite blogs, reacquianted myself to the English accent and seeing white faces everywhere and I'm getting used to wearing many layers of clothing before I go out again. Hubby moved house while I was away, so he had to show me round when I got back. I've also got to meet the new neighbours. It's all fun though.

I got one interesting email last week. It was from my former boss in the company where I used to work before I quit. My manager said that the girl that took over my position in the company is pregnant and wants to go on maternity leave so if I'm free, would I consider taking my job back? I can't say I'm not tempted because I'm quite skint at the moment after my trip to the motherland. And since it's a company and a job that I'm familiar with, I shouldn't have a problem with getting into the flow of things again, I only left the job seven months ago. Legally they have to keep the position open in case the girl wants to come back after having her baby, so they want me to come back initially for six months and we can take it from there. Besides it works both ways, if I come back, my manager won't have to recruit and train another person. I'm thinking about it because I wanted to focus on my writing this year and have something tangible to show for it pretty soon, so taking my job back will hinder me a bit. On the other hand, it may actually make me more focused since I would have to make the best use of my time when I'm not at work. But am I ready for the 9 - 5 and the stress of commuting again? Hmmmm.... I'll keep you posted.

Anyway it's good to be back in blogville. Many thanks to everyone who dropped by my blog while I was away and updating infrequently. I should blog more often now, I think. I'm burying my head in some works of literature by Nigerian writers so hopefully I'll be getting lots of inspiration. I wish you all a wonderful week.

Friday, January 11, 2008

New Year Update

Happy 2008 to everyone! Yeah I know it's 10 days late, but who's counting? The important thing is that I'm wishing everyone a very happy, peaceful and fulfilling year. I had a great time over the holiday period and I've been having a great time since the year began. It's only been 10 days but I already have testimonies! God is good for real.

Last Saturday, I went to the Bloggers Party and had a great time. Initially I wasn't sure if I would go, but Writefreak said she and her hubby would be there so I decided to tag along with them. The party was held in a nice bar on the island, but it was quite chilled out as in, everyone could sit down and talk to the next person without shouting. When we got there we met Tayo (playing host), Princesa, Manda, Obi and an anonymous bloke. We introduced ourselves, ordered our drinks and had a nice time chatting and getting to know the people behind the blogs we read online. Soon we were joined by UnNaked, Omohemi Benson, Dscribe and her sister, Babs (of Babs House), Fantasy queen, Omo Alagbede, Tope, Jaycee and two other bloggers that I didn't get to meet. Everyone was really nice and friendly, we all got on very well and the conversation flowed smoothly. We were all rather surprised to discover that UnNaked is actually a very shy person! I was pleased to meet Omohemi and Jaycee because I love their blogs, so it wasn't surprising that I felt as if we were old friends meeting again, not strangers. I got to chat with Dscribe and her friends and we got into a very interesting discussion on relationships. I can't remember the conclusion of the gist now, but it was fun while it lasted. Then we asked her to produce her album quickly so that we can have an album launch and another bloggers get-together! As the winner of 2007's Blogville Idols, she has to do something, don't you think?
I stayed for a few hours, chatted to a few more people and posed for all the flashing cameras. Babs, the nice gentleman agreed to give some of us ladies a lift so I hopped off when he was ready to leave. I was hoping I could meet Overwhelmed but she arrived much later after we had left. Still it was nice meeting everyone there and I hope we can get to do this again sometime. Many thanks to Tayo and Tope for hosting and organising the event. Maybe the London bloggers want to plan a party? I'll be there!

The very next day I attended the engagement ceremony of a high school friend, which was very interesting too. The bride looked absolutely lovely dressed in her aso-oke and everything and you could see that they were both excited to be taking this next step in their relationship. I met some old school pals there and we had fun, dancing in with the bride, taking photographs and all that. People in Nigeria know how to have parties. I was telling my friend that those are the things that keep us from going crazy during the stresses of the week.

I'm making plans to return to the UK now and one of the things I've done is to buy 11 albums of the coolest Nigerian artistes right now. I got Sasha's album and I must say I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would! Big props to her, if she continues this way then we would have an international female rap star on our shores. Then I also got Asa's album recently and I was blown away. She's got such an amazing voice, her songs are deceptively simple but they stay with you long after you've finished listening to them. I'll be watching out for her because I think she's got a wonderful gift that you can't help recognising. I've also bought "Plan B", the new Plantation Boys album and a few others that I've been hearing about but haven't had a chance to buy.

I still need to stock up on a few more books and Nollywood movies however. You know a trip to the motherland is not complete until you bring back indomie noodles and nollywood movies! The problem is, there are so many to choose from, it's not even funny. You just have to do a lottery when picking, some will be good, some will be average and some will be silly. But we still love Nollywood.

I hope I can blog again before I leave but if I can't, do stay blessed until I come back again and have a great weekend.
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