The Best Things In Life Are Free (Adaobi)

Told you, the best things in life are free!

Just had lunch with one of my most beautiful friends. She such a darling. The very epitome of fragility. I met her through another sweet friend of mine who is currently serving her fatherland in faraway somewhere.At first i didn.t know too much about her cos, well, my friend was always around and so we never got to talk so much. When my friend left, the doors were opened and today, I'm the better off for it. Today, I have pleasure of being a friend of one of the most pleasant things God made. Adaobi. She's such a sweetheart. So fragile, so delicate. I likened her to a german panza (the tank) at first but later when i tot about it, i didn't think that was such a good description.I think i later changed it to a lexus or something. Thinking about it now, it should have been a BMW

Ada cries when she's upset, a whole lot.When she's happy, she can't hide it but when she tries to sing, i run for cover. I tried to explain to her that singing is about soul and not speech. You should have seen her try to put it into practice. The facial contortions and muscular spasms! I tot she was having an epileptic fit. I laughed my head off. But you see, thats the whole idea. She's a real person.No demos. She's easy to get to laugh, which is also a great asset

She doesn't like stress at all,loves Lauryn Hill and India Arie,is a great dresser and wants to own her own fashion label/outfit in the future. Because of her sweet and merry soul, lunch time for me has now become happy hour

Dear Ada, this post is dedicated to you. One of the the sweetest, fragilest, realest (pardon my english) personalities i know. Your smile comes right out from your soul. The way you are, everything about you, is just you. You never "grew up" (read the previuos post), you retained that precious innocence that most people don't. The way you swat a fly, chew your food, eat okro soup (LOL), pout, whine (ever so rarely). The way you would dance (cos i don't think i've ever seen you dance before), that dreamy look. The way you say your pictures look like bugs bunny, the appreciation you show. They remind me of what a wonderful planet we live in

Ada, never change. Stay that way. Being you must be hard I know, but there are only so few left. You are an endangered species, a rare breed. For the sake of the planet, for all that's beautiful and sweet, stay!

The Best Things In Life Are Free

That title up there has been stuck in my head for a while now. I've been trying to write stuff on it but the inability of the server in my office to deliver the required speeds necessary to upload the photos that would have made the post potray the intended portrayal (LOL) kept me post poning it. So today, I have decided that picture or not, I'll still write it anyways. The funny thing however is that i dont really know what write or how to start. I just know that i want to write something on the best things in life are free. Maybe its the seemingly dreary tone of my last two posts that got my soul so bent on writing something uplifting for a change

I remember the first time i laid eyes on Timi and Ayomi (Ayomi is the cute little sweetheart that my blogs named after) Those kids. They remind me of what life should be like. Simple, innocent, trusting, you name it. In their uniforms, carrying their tiny bags, the white socked feet neatly tucked into the brown leather sandals, no stress, no wahala, no nothing. Ready to jump on you in an instant without the slightest reservations or any care for pride or dignity. With them, a sorry is usually a sorry (a couple of sweets would also help your case). Last friday, we had to go and inspect a new wate production outlet in maitama. It was well into the evening so their mom allowed them to come along. At the site, the two moma's on the inspecting team, left me to watch over the kids while they did all the work. Watching those kids that evening, running, playing, being naughty--with a touch of innocence, the glow in their eyes, the joy in their screams, the plain transparency of their souls was apparent. Eventually, Timi, completely spent, suddenly slowed down. I took one look at her and picked her up. 30seconds later, she was fast asleep in my arms. Her warmth against my chest, her breath coming out in rythmic peaceful releases. At that point, i tot to myself, this must be what life is all about. A little girl sleeping in your arms, ever so peaceful, ever so confident that you wont let her drop. I didn't put her down until we got back to the office (not even when we got back into the car). That sense of security, that display of peace really got to me. What happened to us (i tot to myself), where did we go wrong. Maybe the right question is "where" did we grow up.

A true friend, a child's innocence, salvation through Christ, a mother, the warmth of a family, the knowlegde that someone cares, a smile,............ laughter,......tears,....joy,........peace, happiness, love, exhiliration, excitement, sleep, sight, smell, touch. All for free.

whenever you feel blue, or when your day aint just going right, when you feel like complaining or whining, think on these things. you never know, it just might help

My Journey

There's nothing really spectacular about today. At least not yet. i'm at my desk as usual, trying to sort through the pile of work on my table. i'm listening to my collection of slows. Tony Braxton's Breathe Again is playing............now its Sarah's fallen. thank God for music. i mean , what would i have done if i didn't have all this music to help me preserve my sanity in this place. On most days, i feel like my dreams are being stripped away from me, like i'm changing. I never in my dreams envisaged myself in this environment. Such inefficiency. Its like we're worlds apart. I spend all my time trying to retain "my self" as me. Its tiring. My boss has called for me as usual but i'm ignoring him. He never does anything. i wonder what they pay him for sef.

There's no one with the intellectual capacity to cahllenge me in this place. Maybe thats why I'm so bored. I'm tired of having to listen to old wives tales every day of the week, spiced up with gossip here and there of course. I wish i had people my own age around. People who watch discovery channel), know how to operate their own mobile phones, have boyfrineds and girlfriends (not husbands and children). What i would give right now to be be under pressure, to have a report that will require my staying up all night to finish, to be part of a team of young intellectual people trying to turn a dream into reality, to have to wear a suit to work, to have to speak oyinbo all day long. Oh what i would give.

Theres no one with vision here, its all about the gossip and envy. No one to motivate you, no one to stimulate you to want to be better, despite the fact that they're way older that you (makes you wonder where all the wisdom of the elderly dissapeared to). these people only watch Africa magic and AIT. Not that theres anything wrong with that, if you don't mind being intellectually empty.

Please forgive my whining, i'm just tired. i'm greatful to God for this place, (honestly I am) but i long so much to be a young person again. I really miss those good old days at school. I remember how it feels when i go visit my friend at her hotel. seeing them coming from work in their suits, their laptops, their fake fone, all tired, happy and seemingly satisfied. Makes me feel like i'm wasting away here. I mean i'm not being intellectually or for that matter, "characterly" challenged in anyway. Its dangerous when you're young. I spend each day praying God to please help me keep my head above water.

I have tried o, I really have, the fact that I'm like the most important member of the Unit (No Kidding!) attests to this. My reports don't get corrected, my recommendations, most of the time usually get approved, my Boss gets so mad if i miss work for One day (cos its trouble for him). At first it was fun but quite frankly, I'm tired. I want to feel like a young person again. I want to be challenged. These people here are just using me to get trips and other stuff. They are not even intersted in their own self development, talkkless of others. Most of them can't even use Microsoft Word. I've tried to show them that they need to improve, but they are so stuck far back in their laziness that they wont even take the time to learn. You show them once, they're gonna come get you again when they need to do it. Annoying.

I'm not saying they are stupid, its me i'm worried about. I can't wait to get outta hear. December can't come soon enough. Its like a nightmare that's never ending. They'll be okay, they've reached that point in their life where they feel its okay and they have nothing to loose anyways. But for someone like me, who has a vision for life, its tiring. I feel so alone. No one here matches my desire, my goal and my fervency to achieve them.

I've had to carry my dreams all by myself all this while. Not even in my home do they have the encouragement i need. I dont blame them. Life has dealt them so many blows that they probably dont want to aim so high anymore, probably cos they are afraid of dissapointment. At least they pray for me sha and I know they do it with all their hearts. God, I hope you're listening. Please help, I'm really scared and lonely.

I'm carrying the weight of an entire household on my neck. They all somehow fell along the way at some point, but by Gods grace, somehow, i've managed to pull through. Made it through school in record time, always been top of my class.

I don't wan't to have to go through all what they had to, i've done everything in my power, andd i've prayed. A little encouragement would be nice every now and then, but it neva comes. The people that sorround me only remind me of home.

Anyway, time to move on in this journey to trail blazing. I think i feel a little lighter now or maybe just plain stuppid. Whatever ..................I'll be fine. (I Know). Someday, i'll be posting how everything turned out great and things are better, you'll see. But i could use your stories, yep, i could.

Oga!

Dear Oga, This is all i really want to say to you, all those smiles and stuff, here's what they mean (guess your not knowing how to use the net has its great sides)

To the Greatest whiner this lifetime has ever seen.

Gosh you can whine! You're selfish, conceited and self centered. As long as you get all you want, everybody else can drown. You can't even be trusted to cover one's tracks if it'll put you on the line with management. With a quick nod of the head, you would quickly disown the person and leave them to their own fate.

The speed at which you deny stuff is alarming. Geeweez. And your underG runs, amazing. I used to think you were a pastor but not anymore. Kai, Oga, e ti le ju (You too much).

Please endeavour to always let me do my work in peace, ehn? You'll give me work to do, but you'll whine so much that I'll feel like killing you. Every one who calls must know that there's fire on the mountain. Na only you dey work for DNA.!

However, when the foreign trips and other gbemu sources open up, we no dey hear that one o. Na so so smile smile we go dey see until you commot. and when you return nko, the smiling continues, until you light another fire on the mountain for yourself. You better take things easy this man, or oneday you'll just drop dead. It will then surprise you thatwork will go on without you.

As for me o, i have decided to leave you to yourself, I'll do whatever i feel i should do, but i won't be your slave anymore. You don't motivate me enough and you can't even guarantee me a slot here after my time is up. Not that you can't do it, but since it will mean you crossing managemnt, i doubt if you'll do it. You know what, even if you did, i wouldnt stay cos i know you only want me around so you can continue to benefit off my brains. (no More!)

I must thank you though using me the way you have. Now i have much confidence in my abilities and i dont think there's any challenge that i can face in any workplace that i cant handle. Thank You also for the contacts I've made through you (even if you only took me along so i could take minutes and fashion out proposals). Thank you for letting me take stuff for granted at the office whenever i feel like (blame yourself for depending on me so much) and you know what, i wont stop (LOL).

I still love you sha, and I'll be praying for you. Hope you learn that there's more to life than sucking up to your bosses at the expense of the people who work for you and because of whom management knows about you.

P.S: The next time you whine in my ears when i'm trying to work, ....................

thank God. I can finally update. its been a really hectic week.its so serious that i'm presently updating from the computer on my boss's table (God help me if I'm caught). oh bother. he's back gotta go later

Blogger Trouble

its like 5:44pm and i'm just about to leave the office. dont know what's wrong with this blogger editor thingy. it's refusing to show me the tabs i need to load pictures, adjust the text alignment n stuff. couldd use some help?

Pounded Yam Palaver

It’s great to be back. Like I said the last time, I’m kinda enjoying this blogging thing. So I’m back again.

Where was I now o……………….., okay, said I would tell you about my house. Well , I live with a friend of my mother’s here in the FCT. She’s a nice person generally but she likes pounded yam (literally) three much. I mean, she can make us pound yam like two gazillion times a month. Its not like she forces me or anything o, but my good home training (Up my mummy) coupled with my goody two shoes brain will not let me watch her pound yam……………… Ooooooooooooooh, these women have come with their wahala again o. Now they want me to prepare a report meant to be forwarded to the Zonal Office immediately, as if say I be typist. (we get secretary o but they are scared of her cos she go just dish all of them fine fine). They are all just sitting down, doing practically nothing and expect me to leave what I’m doing to do their work for them , well, not in this lifetime. Thank God I kuku cannot get query. After all, I’m not a full member of staff. That line has been used to deprive me of a lot of stuff in this place so I don’t see why I shouldn’t use it against them too. You see, whenever nice stuff or stuff that involves money comes up in the office, it suddenly becomes clear to everybody that I’m only a temporary member of staff, the fact that I do practically all the work in the office not withstanding. I mean, my boss even won an overseas trip offa my head. Its not like I’m bitter or anything, really, I’m not. I think I’ve lived long enof to know that it’s good to always wait your turn and not to let people get to you, but at times it just gets annoying. I mean I’m here now in the Office with all of ‘em. I have a pile of work already in front of me and guess what they are all doing? Gossiping! Simply annoying I say, Simply annoying!

About mummy jo, ehen, I was describing how nice and well home trained I was (ladies please note). So the thing is, in my house in Lagos, pounded yam is only meant for important celebrations. Not even at Easter and Christmas do we pound yam. We just sit tight, pray n soon enof, some loving neighbor supplies the goodies. Pounded yam only comes in maybe during parties (like my sis’s weddings) or maybe when the in-laws come to visit, n u know what, na the bobo go pound by himself. so u can understand my dilemma. My Abuja mummy can come home at any time and start making us pound yam. At times we’ve eaten pounded yam as late as 11:00pm. You can imagine. It was therefore a thing of great joy when my friend TS (told u about her last time) started coming to the FCT. Once I suspect that it might be poundo nite , after work like this, I would just run off to her hotel (TS, u didn’t let me finish my tour of the FCT hotels b4 u scrammed, I’ll get u someday) n stay there till I’m positive that poundo time will be over. The week that girl left ehn, I pounded so much yam I tot I’lld never be able to stand straight again. It was like mummy just wanted to punish me for all the running away.

Anyways, I guess some good has come out of it. At least I am now a poundo maestro. That should count with the babes now, abi?

hey, i'm blogging (Happy Birthday TS)

well with a lil encouragement from a friend, i'm getting my first real post off the ground.

(now how exactly is this supposed to go)

i guess i should start with a little intoduction. I'm me(as u well know). Born of the 15th Day of the Month of June of the best year this planet has ever seen. I'm cute ( should get a picture up soon enof, so u can verify for yourselves ), dark and intelligent ( well, if you've got it, flaunt it). i'm a little challenged on the muscular side (guess u cant have it all.) but i dont mind really. i'm kinda girly (at least thats what everyone else i know seems to think) but u know thats great too. i'm however not faggish and do not intend to develop any fagiish tendencies anytime soon nor in the future for that matter, so sorry guys, this one's for the ladies. I'm also very much in touch with my feminine side (Growing up with 4Elder sisters will do that to you). Now i know that not too many duded would say this (n i'm still not gay) but its something i'm proud of. I see it as something that makes me kinda special (and not freaky) and the fact that i have a host of female , excuse me, beautiful, classy take home to mama type, female friends must mean i'm doing something right).

I trained to be a drug know it all and i'm currently undergoing my ONE YEAR MANDATORY INTERNSHIP TRAINING (God punish whoever came up with that) with madam my face is on TV all the time DNA in the FCT. if you dont who that is, well, i aint telling. let me finish my one year first, then we'll talk.

yeah lets see, work, hmmmm! Work. I get to work with an army of married duddettes who love to gossip. its a miracle that i've not turned into a plumpy married woman yet, considering the amount of "married gama rays that i get exposed to each day". (Thank God for His mercies). at first it was fun but now i cant wait to get it over with. i'm so scared that the Lacadesical demon presently in control of them in the Civil Service will grab me too. Word of Advice : young dude or dudette, looking to a bright future, civil service, No Go Area. Figure it out!

i'll continue this tomorrow, but before i say bye bye, let me once again say Happy Birthday to one of the best friends I ever had. (Of course she's a lady). We've been friends since my first year in College but over the last six months, i've gotten to see a side of her that i never even tot existed. Truth is i always tot she was one big block of cold hard steel (LOL), but spending time with has proved/proven (cant quite make up my mind) me wrong. One of the most surprising things she did was the fact that on two Occasions when her siblings (Ladies o) came to visit, she literally left them in my care. She must have really had a lot of confidence in me (or maybe she believes i'm a faggot (LOL)) cos what my moma told me was that you should neva leave a grown chick with a grown dude in the same place all alone (dont blame the woman, she knows wetin she dey talk). Anyway, Thank God i pulled through on both occasions with flying colors (I think, i mean my head is till standing on my neck, and trust me, knowing eni ti mo ni (that is knowing who i have) i'm positive it wouldnt be if i had messed things up in any way.)

But trust mean old life, just as i was about to finish unravelling the mystery, she was whisked off by the flaming chariot of education. Now she's gone off to bros Tony's land to learn how to be like Mr. Bill gates. The funny thing is, I'm kinda missing her more than i expected. Guess I got to used to spending my time with her after work (especially when i dont want to pound yam) Hmmmmm, home, thats another story entirely. I'll tell you about that one tomorrow.

okay, Owo n romi (my hands are killing me). hope u enjoy this. its kinda fun sha. i think i will keep it up.

well its my first posting. i hope this lasts.