Goodbye 2019...

Yeeeeehaaaaw, I'm really excited. 2019's over and it was absolutely thrilling, a beatific year it was, hashtag, I'm blessed 😁

So, the year was slated for poetry according to this here post but that didn't happen (on the blog at least). Rather, I had more of narratives. I enjoyed 2019 and looking back, God has been gracious to I and my family. 

This year saw me welcome my baby girl, Oluoma. Honestly, she's the highlight of 2019. Here are some pictures of her, my preciousssss.

Here, her arrival. 

And it's been this way since... 😊

 I love her

I've not got much to say about the year to be honest but I'm grateful and thankful. That, I believe, is enough.

God bless you all and keep you and usher you into 2020. Remain in Him... 

Love, 

adniL. 

CHRISTmas 2019 🎄

...

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

And yours truly resurfaces🤓. 

Compliments of the season everyone. It's been two days as the Northerners put it. So, Christ came, Christ died and Christ arose: the tenets of our faith, this. We've celebrated and still celebrate his coming while awaiting His second coming which may just be around the corner. Hence, we ought do well to put aside those weights that'd act as hinderances to reuniting with Him. 

This. Is. My. Christmas. Message. 

Ciao 😘... 
P. S: there was eating and drinking too, don't be deceived 😬

Once upon a JJC

Hiiiiii, 

It's me again, the reluctant Lagosian😊. No, this isn't a “Diary of a New Lagos Wife” entry. Just me, reminiscing

In the spirit of throwback, the JJC has clocked one year in a town she labelled strange. A year in and she can hardly wait to get out. My first time in Lagos wasn't exactly as dramatic as I'd expected it to be. I mean, all my life, I've stayed in the north only visiting some regions which did not cover the western side region. It also didn't help that I didn't exactly have the right notion of Lagos. It was always portrayed in the negative light; "shine your eyes o", "hide your phone o", "don't ask questions, don't ever give yourself away as a JJC". Phew, the cautions were (and still) many. Don't do this, don't do that. Have I mentioned the traffic? Geez, but I won't  go there. It's old news. 

Considering how I'd come from a relatively sane and serene environment, I kept wondering how I'd cope in this jungle. This no man's land. And then one day, it hit me. When the children of Israel left Egypt for the promised land, what was their instruction? Possess it. So I told myself to possess the land and speak into it. Lagos will not give me trouble, I will enjoy myself here and to the fullest. I realized that a whole lot of patience and guidance from the Holy Spirit was gonna be needed to live here in peace and soundness of mind. And gisting about my experiences definitely does help. 

So back to my first visit. It'd been after my dad's burial, I needed to not go to work immediately. So I detoured to Ajah where I hid my face from the world for a while. That first trip was quite uneventful, seeing as I practically went nowhere. But, I was finally in Lagos, that was what counted. . 

As it were, fate had its own plans too and so it was that I landed here, the land of the “buzzites” (busy bees), vampires, night crawlers and face changers. Nah, just messing with you 😀 

And that's that, ciao. 
My diary entries still continue here (Please tap on the link), that's where most of my Lagos living are journalled. 

Be safe, burbye...

A Housewife's Tale

So begins my house wife chronicles aka SAHM. Hopefully, it won't be long and I'd be a career woman. Either way, God's perfect will be done, I ain't complaining refuse to complain.

So, my neighbors got a puppy. One that has a bright future ahead of it cos if you know the plans they have for it when, you ma go bow.

Diary of a new Lagos Wife💍: Travails of a Lagos Driver

Yoohoo, Lagos wife here.

 

Welcome to Lagos😊

Dear diary,

It's been four months, three weeks and two days since this post was promised, and finally, it materialises. I've been quite hesitant about writing on this particular topic because I don't want to be in danger of generalising. I'd rather err on the side of caution but having the same experience again and again, I'm convinced it's a way of life and so, I write.

The average Lagos driver is selfish. Selfish and uncouth (think danfo bus drivers). It doesn't help that they have the support of their passengers. Most Lagosians will support wrong behavior. Why, because it serves their selfish interest. Yes, you'll be late to whatever appointment it is that you have and you're trying to beat traffic, but bro, do it the right way na, and not by creating an extra lane that'll lead to even more chaos. 

Oh, my lane's completely blocked with traffic, ok, lemme face incoming vehicles in the next lane even though it's wrong and push the rightful users off. And then, everywhere turns into a madhouse, with one neither moving forward nor back.  🤦🏻It's not you people I sha blame, it's the shortcut culture that has pervaded everywhere which paints doing the right thing as being dull and slow, that I blame.

“Guy no de dull yourself” is the common slang. 

Le hubs says driving in  Lagos is a test of faith. Oh boy, is he right. Infact, so is walking. As a pedestrian, walking on your supposedly safe pedestrian lane, you ain't safe. I'm sorry.

Anyways, with all that goes on in the city, the average Lagosian will still claim to love the lifestyle. Seriously? A favourite pastime of theirs is to discuss their travails in the city albeit, in a self satisfied accomplished way. Like, wow, after all of the stress and wahala, look at us, we're still here, still hustling (that term could mean a whole lotta things, please don't ask me. It seems to be the official  lingua franca around here, to hustle). You know, we're suffering but still smiling. Sigh, what a mentality. 

I sometimes think I'm becoming a Lagosian sef. Emphasis on “I think” o cos I don't see that happening at all. For instance, after whining about how driving in Lagos makes one so tired and grossed out (which it does), I'll go on to give a self satisfying statement about how accomplished I am to have survived the mad jungle out there. Then I'll wrap it up by saying, “I mean, if I can drive in this Lagos, I can drive anywhere else”. Right? 😁 That statement ain't true, we know that right? That you term an act/behaviour as "excelling" or “smartness” here might not mean same thing in another clime. I daresay it won't. What works here wouldn't in a saner clime abeg. 

So, with driving being what it is in Lagos,  it's made its grand entry into my list of (what I term) extreme sports activities. Not for the faint of heart. Many times, I'm almost dissuaded from taking to the wheels when I think of the trials ahead; the treacherous nature of the roads and the dare devilry of its users.

The other day, I commented to hubby about how HBP prone patients should not be driving in Lagos but to hire drivers or something, because driving on these roads would give them an attack. Which brings to mind a facebook post I once made about making liberal use of my car horn when I finally start to drive but guess what? The danfo drivers🚌and other road users beat me to it. It would seem we were all thinking same thing. 

But I'll hold my peace because I'm yet to have the soul shaking kind of horn that I desire. You know, the type you hear, and your soul takes flight? Yes, that type. They should just wait first. I'll out horn these danfo drivers and others who think they know how to play music with theirs. I'll show them how it's done. Welcome to the fray.

Bye diary,
Cheers. 

Diary of a new Lagos wife: Covid - 19

Diary of a new Lagos wife: the lockdown
Diary of a new Lagos wife: snail hunters
Diary of a new Lagos wife: Easter

Diary of a new Lagos wife: work outs

Hey guys, your favorite iyawo is back, and with lots of good tidings not minding the times we find ourselves in. It's no longer news about the virus that has besieged the world. The world as we know it, has been tossed on its head, shaken up, down, right, left and centre.

This started late last year and only came to the limelight when stuff hit the roof.  for some od us, we only caught wisps and snatches of conversations pertaining to it. Not until we were also hit with it.

We're familiar with the healthcare routines and practices for keeping safe. They sound so simple but ultimately, they're life savers. You don't appreciate the little things like touching one's face indiscriminately while wiping sweat off the brows, until you're constrained from doing them. Life has taken on am entirely new meaning for me & for you too I'm sure.

In my case, I've kinda been keeping busy, as it is, I'm not entirely isolated considering that I live in a family compound with family in it. So, we've been using the opportunity(ies) to bond & to create memories like I outlined in the brief opening paragraphs. That kinda sums up some of our activities within & around the compound, hehe.

Well, stay safe out there please this too shall pass. Till I come your way next time, it is I, your new lagos wife, toodles.

Weird, Weirder, Weirdest

For some strange reason that I can't even make sense of, I decided at last minute to wrap up this month with a post. This month for me was far from being perfect and was really a lazy one. And I'm not just talking about the blog alone but all round - work, academics, relationships, every. 

For some inexplicable reason, I've been pretty much low key with few bursts of adrenaline in between which afterwards led to burn out. I'm even surprised that I have the energy to put up this post. No, I'm not overworked and no, I'm not tired. I just feel...ennui. Yeah, I think that's it.

In between the few spells of energy bursts, I've been stuffing myself with food. Yeah, this March was really pretty weird for me. I was demotivated and a little bit down I must confess. Probably 'cos I felt kinda alienated and who's responsible for said alienation? My humble self. Well, if there's anything I've learnt about so far in all of these' that:

1. Always go with the flow. In the end, I'll feel better for it. If I'm down, it's OK, be down. If I want to be alone, it's OK, be alone. If I stuff my face with food, please don't go beating yourself up about it, just go with the flow 'cos I know that these too shall pass and when it does pass, things get better. Which brings me to...
2. I usually come back revitalised and ready to take on the world after these spells. It's as if I have to pass through the valley so as to better appreciate the view from the mountain top.
3. One's friends (if they're really yours) will always be there waiting for you. They won't make you feel bad or guilty for feeling the way you do and acting it out. No they won't. Highest, they'd give you the space you desire and then watch for the signs that says "no danger here, safe to approach". That sounds messed up, I know but it's the truth. True friends wont leave you hanging or pressure you into acting some typa way. They just let you be. If you want to be.

That's not all, but I feel drowsy and so that'll be all. Thanks for reading, bonne nuit.

***

so, that was a 2017 post that I'd forgotten somewhere in the archives. Compared to then and now...hold on, lemme see what's different...A lot!😉

Bye darlings...

Diary of a new Lagos Wife💍: The Job Hunter 🔫 🏹

Dear diary,

Boy, do I have a lot to say, especially as it relates to these elections. But let's start with the most pressing of them all (as it relates to me of course), job hunt!!!

I've gradually come to the realisation that job hunting in Lagos, is an etirely different ball game. I'm afraid, I won't be going into specifics but believe me, it is. 

I remember while back in Abuja, sitting in my cozy office, chatting with a Lagosian friend about the scarcity of jobs in Lagos and I'm wondering how that could be when job vacancy ads were swimming with them? Let's just say, I understand better now. Then, I simply couldn't. 

When I look back, I laugh because I now understand what his response, “you won't understand” meant. I so understand that nine times out of  ten job ads one may come across are fraudulent. Yes, Lagos is indeed a prowling jungle cat which reminds me of a poem I once wrote about it👇🏼

I also now understand to an extent how hunters feel when they go to the bush and come back empty handed (infact, I'm now understanding a number of things, no thanks to Lagos). It's not a nice feeling. It's a demoralising one. But do they quit and decide to pack up their tools and fold their arms? No. The very next day or week or month or whenever, they cock their guns and head back into the bush.

So what have hunters and bush got to do with me you may ask? If you don't know by now, you probably didn't read this post from the beginning. Do so now? 😁

Well, I'll still answer, a lot. Cos you see, I'm now a hunter. With Lagos, the jungle. I'm tempted to claim to be king of the jungle, but nah, I leave that for the agberos*.

And so, with all the little idiosyncrasies I've noticed about the city so far, I think it's time to state that there is Nigeria and then, there is Nigeria (Lagos). 

Meanwhile, I came across a facebook post, that any neighborhood built in the midst of fuel stations should just say odaaro** to constant electricity and ekaabo*** to epileptic power supply. Ain't that the truth? Honestly, I pondered on this submission and I think he's right. Because:

1. This is Lagos. If this had been said about an Abuja neighborhood, nah, wouldn't believe it. But here in Lagos, anything (if not all things) is possible. 
2. I live in such a neighborhood and what he claimed, I'm experiencing. So yeah, I believe that. 

Next time and up next, the Lagos driver travails.
Cheers... 

P. S
*Touts 
**Goodbye 
***Welcome

Doing it afraid

You can't breathe

You can't think

Your Palm's sweaty

Your heart's racing

You repeat the mantra;

"it's well, it's well"

But reprieve comes not

Then you think

Maybe, just maybe

You can't do this after all

This isn't your call

This isn't your path

You must've misheard/misread/misunderstood

This isn't for you

You talk yourself out of it

Yes, you must have misheard 

After all, you don't have the skills

You're not as well read/spoken as Ms. B

Neither as confident as she

Surely, you won't be taken seriously

You think

I'm sure we've all found ourselves in the aforementioned scenario at some points in our lives.  It's a dicey situation sometimes, however, I dunno what to say to you other than, "just do it!" What ever it is that “it” is, just do it. This is my message, and it's for me as well as for you, just do it.

Selah...

Diary of a new Lagos Wife💍: The Market Woman

Aloha diary, 

I realise I didn't talk about my very first time in an international market, aww.  I'd wanted to but forgot? I guess. Anyways, I recall how my head wouldn't stop swivelling upon stepping feet in one, lol.

There was so much to see. And buy. And then see again. So much. My eyes couldn't take it all in at once. I nearly became dizzy. I'd gone with my sissy for some wedding shopping at the highly heard of Balogun market. 

One of the things I've come to learn so far's that, there are different markets for different commodities in Lagos. The other day, MIL took me to the market, another international market.  This time, for electronics, that'd be the Alaba international market (I keep forgetting the correct pronunciation of that “Alaba”). As in holding hands kinda taking o, lol. We'd get to a crossing, mum grabs my hand. To a rowdy place, another hand grabbing, I was just feeling amused. I'm still very much finding my footing on this soil though (it's probably not helping that I barely step out) and at the same time struggling to acclimatize to the rowdiness (the city's comprised of stuff that do not make me like a city; noise and crowd) and the same time, trying to find my balance as a newly wed.

Whew, they make it look easy. The others. Don't ask me who the others are, they're just that. On both occasions though, I'd come back feeling like this:

Lol, who wouldn't have? So much for going to the market. Until next time diary,

Cheerio

Diary of a new Lagos Wife💍: New year Bants

Dear diary,

It's done. Officially in the new year. It doesn't feel so new if you ask me. I wonder, should I have thrown out everything related with the last year so I'd feel brand new? Lol

So, I did attend the old/new year ritual (I talked about new year rituals here, or rather asked a question. Biko, you pipu shu ansa me), holding a watch night service into the new year.

And then later in the day, went out for movies and ice-cream with le famille et amies. A ticket was being sold for an outrageous amount hence the cancellation. Allow me to indulge in my fave peeve statement when I encounter something outrageous like that in Lagos, “it can only be Lagos”. I was shocked, a ticket that would ordinarily sell for #500 for instance was multiplied *10. *Hiss* Extortion if you ask me. I wonder if it was because of the season we find ourselves in or because it was a box office movie. Either ways, that price wasn't justified IMO.

The shenanigans that folks welcome new years with is a general affair it would seem. Witnessed some notorious joy riding in the name of “new year” celebrations, SMH. I however witnessed no touts in churches, but there was a lot of banga (fireworks) throwing. Back in the North, they'd burn tyres in the middle of roads. Don't ask me who “they” are. And how did burning tyres add up with the new year baffles me, each to their own sha. 

Another thing that surprised me is that here in Lagos, our Muslim brethren also mark/observe these celebrations (Christmas, New year). I'd thought it was a strictly Christian affair but not so in Lagos. Any excuse to do owanbe in this Lagos is always a welcome development. Besides, an owanbe that's yet to block roads and streets, is that one an owanbe? 🤦🏻 Some things tire me in this Lagos TBH. My love-hate relationship with this city won't be ending anytime soon I'm afraid. Are there things I like about Lagos? Of course.

1. Food: for those that don't know, I identify as a foodie 😋. Food stuffs' extremely cheap here. At least compared to where I'm coming from. Not veggies though (carrots et al. The North owns those). 
2. Erm... That's it! Lol,  actively searching for more reasons. Were I to be a party kinda person, Lagos woulda been for me. They're good at partying I've observed.

Unfortunately, same day, news filtered in of a loss in the neighborhood, to the cold hands of death. For a moment, I felt cold, we were barely into the year.

Well, that did put some damper on things. So for those of us that've resumed work, journey mercies tro and fro. The roads are still traffic free,

Hubby gets to work in record time these days. Can this last forever pretty please? 🙏🏼

Peace...

Happy New Year

Hi guys, this is to wish us a very fulfilling and marvelous year 2019. The election's just around the corner *cues in action soundtrack*

May your year be bright and colourful. Happy new year. New year resolutions anyone? What new year tradition(s) do you observe? 
Here's mine:

Cheers...