Day 11 @ work,2007 and year 2008

Resumed today after a week off work (excess jollofing) . I was yawning throughout the day because I was busy playing this game on my psp.
I called my ex-employer's HR section and I was told that my former manager is on holiday till next year! (yee pa). I've sent an email to the person acting up for her. Hope she replies because I want her to check her manager's post for the reference request so that she can deal with it. Initially, she told me that she got the reference form and has since dealt with it but it seems as if the HR section didn't get it. I hope this gets sorted before the next pay day. (I be Ijebu woman I need money).
Tonight a lot of people will be off to their places of worship while others will be out partying or clubbing. As for me, I should be at the Mass with the family then maybe later, I could go partying.
This year had its ups and downs. For example I had a major operation in the first quarter of the year. Thank God I survived and I thank my mum, siblings, hubby and kids for nursing me back to good health.
I have a wish list for 2008. Although the wishes are not in a particular order but I know somehow, I'll get there.
Enjoy life and I wish you all a prosperous New Year.

BTW, I met my kid sister's boyfie. Na waa o the guy was prostrating for me. You see my kid sis (baby of the family)is at Uni and this guy has been dropping her off for quite some time.

What a day

Went to my see my in-laws yesterday. I was so bored. Even my kids found it boring. I nodded off though. Got home later to watch football and then this with the boys.
I called my younger brother today to wish him a happy birthday then we had a long chat.
And on a sad note, I saw this in sky news. How sad. May her Soul Rest In Peace.

Xmas day!!!

Whao it's Christmas! got a phone call from my mum-in-law very early. i think she said something about church.The boys are already awake while my siblings are busy with the cooking. I invited my cousin's wife and son over for Xmas yesterday so because of transportation, she arrived at my place last night.
By 3 pm, the turkey, my lamb chops and the other soul food was ready for us to dig in. The boys opened their presents after lunch, and they've disappeared into their room ever since. Me, my hubby and siblings exchanged presents too.
I 've had so much to eat and I'm now cooling off with a bottle of red wine (as usual) while watching Nollywood movies. What a day.
Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Mass, Shopping & Fog!!!!!!

Woke up around 10 am. I had 25 minutes to get the boys ready for church. Our priest is very strict. Got boys ready but I ended up not going to Mass. When I got out of the house, it was very foggy but I still went to LS instead to get the Xmas presents. It wasn't as busy as I thought. It was very easy to get a parking space. I got all I wanted except the video games. I'll wait till January for those. On my way back home, a silly driver almost hit my car on the side. She probably couldn't see properly because of the fog or she’s just being careless. Thank God the driver behind me was not too close (tailgating). It wouldn't have been funny. Tomorrow is my last day of shopping then I'll start cooking, eating and drinking.

Day 10 @ work & Letter to Santa

I'm off work till 31st. I was supposed to resume on 27th, but the boss decided to give us 27th & 28th off so I'll go to work on New Years Eve for a few hours and off then I'm off till the 2nd.
When I left work yesterday (Friday), it was so foggy that I just managed to drive home. Thank God it was only 10minutes drive. I couldn't go out as planned because the fog got worse. So I mellowed with a bottle of red wine.
Did a bit of shopping last night at CW but I still haven't got presents for the boys. The stores seem to be sold out of what they want. I'll think of something. Their day has gone out to check the stores if not, we'll get them the games they want for their PS2. They both wrote a letter to Santa explaining the reasons why they should get the presents.

Day 9 @ work

Work was fine. Getting into the swing of things. My work references still hasn't come o. I sent an email to the HR assistant asking if she's got a reply yet and she sent me an email as if she was shouting at me. I composed a reply I WAS ONLY ASKING!!!! but my colleague "L" begged me not to send it. Just a few days ago, we were talking about the exclamation marks she adds to her emails. Very rude. I haven't seen her before but I've told that she looks very sloppy.
Well I've decided to stay calm until my work references come through and cleared because I have a feeling that if I should lose my cool with the HR assistant, she'll put my work references in the shredder and claim not to have received them because as of Friday, she said she had received one of my work references and my medical form, and then on Monday she said she hasn't received anything. I was shocked. Well I'll continue to follow it up.
Thank God tomorrow will be Friday. I'm off to this place with the girls. It's B's birthday. I need to get the presents by tomorrow. I'll go to LS tomorrow and CW on Saturday.

Day 8 @ work & Eid

Enjoying my training. Today, I did a bit of job shadowing. All my IT problems have been finally solved. But my work reference hasn't come back yet. The boys had Xmas lunches yesterday at school and today at the After School Club.
Eid Mubarak! To my Muslim brothers and sisters. I remember "ileya" in Nigeria over two decades ago. First thing in the morning, my grandpa would come around and take us all to the praying ground and usually, he manages to go back home with the boys as and females pray at the different sections. How us girls find our ways back home only God knows. And the silly driver won't tell Grandpa that some kids are missing. I don't blame my grandpa because he was 70 years old then but he still feels that it’s his duty to do it every year. He even buys us "and co"(uniforms) to wear on Eid day. But when I was in form 3, I opted out of the "and co" thing as it was killing my street-cred. The bit I enjoyed most was the meat.

Eid is well celebrated amongst the Asians here. Although the Nigerian community here do celebrate Eid but it's not comparable to the way it's being celebrated in Nigeria. No public holidays for Eid here ( but the Nigeria High Commission does).

Anyway, Barka De Salah!

6th, 7th day @ work & my brother & friend

I couldn't write anything yesterday. I was thinking about my friend who died last year. How time flies. It's been a year already. I miss him so much. We went to secondary school and University together. In fact we majored in the same course at the university. We never used to talk at secondary school but when we got to university, we became very close. Like brother and sister and when we finally graduated, we continued being friends. He made me give my hubby a chance when he was "toasting" me and thank God I listened to his advice.
Whenever I was on my way to Lagos, I never called him in advance. I usually call him before I board m flight and as a loyal friend, he was always there to give me a ride home and vice versa. I knew all his girlfriends and when he finally settled down (got married); his mom got me to talk to him. His parents were my friends, my parents were his friends. So when I got a phone call from my mum the he ad been shot and killed, I couldn't believe it. I cried so much that I had to take a week off work.
I remember December 1998, he had been in London on holiday earlier and he was staying at my place. Then I used to call my house a mosque or police station that has no key. Everybody used to come to my house to hangout. So as arranged, when I for to Nigeria, I spent some time at his place and it was during the Ramadan. We decided to use that period to be closer to God. We were fasting (I'm from a Muslim home but I'm Catholic). When we went clubbing, we would just sit and watch then we drank nothing but soft drinks and water but we were usually home in time to continue fasting.
My dear brother and friend, May you continue to Rest in Peace.

Days 6 and 7 at work haven’t been bad at all still learning the ropes. The only problem is that it’s really cold at the training room. My references are still being sorted so no pay till next month!!!!!!! I think the HR officer has too much to do. The IT guy is getting some issues sorted out for me today so my name and log ins should be in the right order tomorrow.

Girls Night out & School disco

On Friday, I picked up the kids at the After School Club and they told me that there's going to be a school disco from 18:00 hours to 20:00 hours and they would like to go. I asked if they were given a letter from school. They did but my boys didn't bother to tell us. As soon as we got home,I got some "party" clothes out their closet and started getting them ready for the disco (which my boys thought was a talent contest). I managed to convince their dad to take them.
I finally had a well deserved 2 hour rest.
Then on Saturday, I went to this place with my crew N, D, D, P & B. After dinner, we made our way to one of my favourite places. Had fun though. Couldn't go to church today but my hubby went with the boys.

BTW: My son M won a prize at the disco for dancing. He refused to show me how he danced and dad didn't record it.

Day 5 @ work

Yesterday, I was too tired to put anything on my blog. We're now getting to learn about the systems today. The facilitator was actually one of the guys that interviewed me. He's a very chubby guy and quite young too (he was born in 1981).By 14.00 hours, we had finished his module but couldn't leave that early so we were taken to the offices to have a look around. The guy I job-shadowed was nice enough to show me the floor plan so I already know my desk.
During my lunch break, I walked down the market and I heard this old Ebenezer Obey songs blaring from the speakers at one of the market stalls. I was curious, so I went to the market stall to see what they had on sale and they were Nigerian movie VCDs, DVDs, music CDs and all. I wondered how much actually goes back to the movie owners and musician's pockets in Nigeria.
There is this new TV series that I'm really getting into. Journeyman started while I was away but I recorded the episodes. Now I'm catching up and I'm enjoying it just like I'm enjoying The Riches

4th day @ work

It was very cold this morning. As soon as I got ready for work, I got some warm water to pour on my windscreen (I didn't bother using the de-icer). My driveway was slippery (black ice) despite the fact that I was wearing a pair of Timberland boots I almost fell so I drove slowly to work.
The training went smoothly. Although I was nodding off but as soon as we had the first 15 minute break, I went straight to Mackie (McDonalds) to get something to eat.Phew! I actually thought I wasn't going to get paid till next year but the payroll section has confirmed that I should check my bank account tomorrow. Hurray!!
I was talking to my hubby last night about what to get the kids for Xmas and their birthday (which is in January). I suggested a Sony PS3 but that would mean that we'll have to get them a slightly bigger tv for their bedroom but my hubby said that we should wait for the January sale. Good idea . There is no point buying something at a very high price and a few days later, the price falls.
I joined the Union today. Anywhere I work I join the union .It 's very important.

3rd day @ work

Woke up a bit late this morning. It was so cold. When I opened the door, I had to spray deicer on my car windscreen and windows then I used an IKEA family card to scrape some of the ice. I drove off but I couldn't see anything using my rear view mirror so I had to pour some warm water. I finally left home at about 8.50 hrs and got to the training room by 09.09hrs.
On my way to work, I saw one of my clients (Mr B) a Congolese from my old work place. (i recognised him from behind. He has this box hair cut which reminds me of Larry Blackmon of Cameo in the 80s. He saw me and waved. I wondered if he got a job. He was doing a plumbing course then. My role at my old work place (a govt establishment) was to help People With Disability or health issues to get a job. I liaised with different organisations and employers it was fun though because once one of my clients got retained by their employer or they got a new job, I feel really good and the clients actually appreciate my effort as some of them have lost confidence completely. Some of them haven't worked for like 6-10 years.
Today, I had a chat with the facilitator and she gave me her card. That is a step in the right direction.

2nd Day @ Work

Training started today. A lady facilitator was there to hold our hands. First on today's agenda was an ice-breaking exercise. We had to ask each other questions about ourselves and so on. Then we did a presentation on what we found out about each other. Training continued then another exercise this time the facilitator paired each trainee with another. The task was to look at your partner and think of:

1. The kind of job they should be doing and your reason for choosing the job
2. Where your partner should live and why
3. The mode of transport you suggest and why
4. What type of pet should they have/keep (not necessarily a living thing)

Funny enough, the things I suggested to the guy I was paired up with were spot on. It was fun sha.

We also discussed stress at work and other related issues.

BTW, I managed to get a free parking permit for myself. I can't pay to park (as an Ijebu woman). Let's hope I'll enjoy the job and as for the facilitator, I've built up enough rapport with her. I want to make a business proposition.

1st day at work

I started a new job today after staying home for 10 months recovering from a major operation. Everything looked so weird. When I left this morning, my kids were on their way to school with hubby. I said good bye to my kids and the first question they asked me was "Where are you going mum"? "To work" I replied. And as I was waiting at a set of traffic lights, I thought hmm poor boys. They've never seen me up that early in the last 10 months.
Reason? I and my hubby share the chores. I get the school uniforms all ironed and ready for the week on Sundays. So he bathes them and drops them off at school on his way to work. Then I pick them up at the After School club. The club is so convenient. We decided that they should stop going to the club when I wasn't working. They actually achieved a lot. Their handwriting which was a problem has improved and we became really close as I was always at the school playground at closing time.
I realised that my time off work was a blessing. I was able to bond with my kids.

Nigeria Police, Women drivers, Aso ebi,DVDs

While in Nigeria about 2 weeks ago, I was stopped by police officers at a "checkpoint". This is what we had to say
Police: Good Afternoon
Me:Hello
Police: We were stopping you and you were (he was driving in the air)
Me: I stopped
Police: You didn't
Me:So how com you're talking to me now? What position am I at the moment.
Police: Emm (short of words)
Police:You may go
Me: Thank you..ass**** (under my breath)

A few days later, I was stopped at the same checkpoint.
Police:Well done madam
Me: Hi
Police:Why u no dey smile madam and why you dey wear dark glasses when you dey drive?
Me: Because I'm not in a good mood
Police: Ok madam dey go.

I was so angry and at the same time laughing at the stupid question. I wonder what my sunglasses has got to do with my driving.

I got to Naija on a Friday morning and while I was trying to catch some sleep, my cousin (Mr M) came in and said "Iyaeto, I didn't know you were coming but there is an Owambe today (a community award) and tommorrow" (Dr T's party). I said I wasn't interested but my cousin wasn't having it. Before I knew what was happening, a tailor came to the house, took my measurement and about 2 hours later, I was given an Aso ebi! so I had to go to the party. The next day, I was given another Aso ebi to wear to a party. I just had to tag along. i enjoyed myself though. What shocked me was that my cousin (a guy) sorted out the aso ebi. I never knew that men too are into Aso Ebi.

Before I left for Naija, I wanted to buy the Prison Break box set and they were going for like 50 bucks each so (as an Ijebu woman) I thought they'll be on sale when I get back from Naija but when I got to Naija, I got the DVDs for N300 per season. I was even telling the guy that if it doesn't work, I'll bring them back (what do I expect of a N300 dvd) but funny enough the dvds were very clear. So I've been watching Prison Break since I landed. (I don't encourage piracy but what can I do).

Friendship

Something that happened to me in the last four days made me think of this word "friendship". I did a bit of research on what it means. After reading the article, I kind of understood what it means. It's not as if I don't know what it means but the feedback I got made me think otherwise.
My friend wanted a bit of advise. I willingly gave her the advice I felt she needed but she took it in the wrong way. Well that's life. After refusing to answer my calls for 5 days, she finally answered yesterday and we had a long chat, "kissed and made up".
If you have to give you friend a bit of advise, think first.

What in your own opinion is friendship?

The Man of the moment

After all the brouhaha at the House of Assembly,a new Speaker has now been appointed or is it elected?
Let's hope they'll let him do his job and that the story ends here.

The "hairdresser" has left the building & Halloween

Now that she has resigned - read this, What next? Let's just hope and pray that the next one would be sensible in his/her decisions and actions.



What's all the fuss? My kids are very angry right now. Why? The want to go "trick -or- treating" but they can't go alone. They haven't even got a costume and to make matters worse, other kids have been coming to knock on our door ; trick or treating. As I'm typing away, I can hear them trying to convince their dad to take them trick or treating as I lied to them that their dad would take them. An adult has to go with them because they're 7. I'm not going to let them go on their own and I'm not in the mood. Maybe I'll plan it well next year 'cos right now they've stopped talking to us.

Praaaaaaaaaaise the Lord!!!

Hallelujah!!!!! I know you'll be wondering why I chose such a title. Well about four days ago, I spoke to my mum on the phone and she told me that my aunt was with her. I was a bit suspicious 'cos it was around 22.30hrs. The next day, I called a friend who told me that my mum was involved in an auto accident the previous day. I was like "that's not true but I spoke to her last night" she now narrated the whole story to me. The car somersaulted 4 times but thank God she escaped without a scratch. Thanks to my cousin's friend "Shigo" who went out of his way to be a Good Samaritan. So I've got cause to praise the Lord o.

Notting Hill Carnival 2007

Well this year's Notting Hill Carnival has come and gone. The popular Naija Section (Cambridge Gardens) was closed by The Metropolitan Police. A lot of people got to know via text ( thanks to DJ Abass- thank God for text messaging) I felt sorry for people who came from far and wide (especially Nigerians) they must have been looking forward to hanging out at the Naija section. Even BEN TV/NTA International initiative didn't work at least I saw it on TV ( I'm waiting for the next Bisi Olatilo Show- they had a rep ("crew member") to do a bit of video recording. Although I wasn't there(I was busy sipping glasses of red wine and lamb chops at home). I also felt sorry for Obalende suya (I'm not sure if the agreement the management had with MTN for the last year Carnival worked) 'cos I didn't hear any noise about the MTN float this year. Sadly 2 people were shot ( abi were they stray bullets)at the Carnival. one died and One survived. We need to continue to pray about the gun culture in th UK and all over the world.

The things kids say

Pheew!! Having a blog is not easy o. I've been busy doing stuff (running around trying to get prepared for the summer holidays with the kids). But I have a feeling I'm getting too prepared.
Now talking of kids. The things they say sometimes gets you wondering where they learnt it or heard about it. I took my boys (by the way I have a set of 7 year old twin boys) to visit my friend's dad (my friend passed away in December) and while we were there, my kids (who apart from their books think and talk about video games) noticed that there was a Playstation 3 on the TV stand. Today, my son asked me if he could have the playstation 3 in Grandpa's (my friend's dad's house when he dies!! I said "what"? he now rephrased it and said "When Grandpa goes to heaven can I have his playstation 3? I now had to explain to him that the PS 3 doesn't belong to Grandpa but the uncles. I sat him down and explained to him that he shouldn't talk like that again. When I told his dad he was shocked. About 10 minutes later, this same boy came and asked if he could use my clean and clear cleanser for his pimples!! (this boy is only 7 ) What does he know about pimples? He said he had pimples on his leg (lol) I warned him not to touch my stuff in the bathroom ( infact I've moved my stuff to my bedroom).
I don tire to dey explain o. I sat down and I thought I still have so many years of explaining to do

Age

Age?What about it?
Everybody around me this year seem to be turning 40! I remember when my dad turned 40 he looked so young ( although I was in pain - I had been climbing a fruit tree and as I jumped down from the tree, I landed on God knows what!!. Well the rest is history now.
I went out with the girls last Saturday and we drank to"middle age"! My heart skipped a beat -"middle age". So that means I'm getting old. But I'm not 40 yet ( I still have a few more years to go!)
So my question is : When you turn 40 how do you feel as a woman/man?
Can you list 5 things you ought to have done before turning 40?
Let's share ideas. Let's gist