Monday, February 14, 2011

Anniversary of an Immigrant

 Hi Me Darlings,

Let me start of by saying Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you! This day isn't just for lovers, but for loved ones and dear ones...and you my beloved readers, followers and friends are dear to me. Hope this day and the rest of the year bring you lods and loads of love to warm your hearts.

As much as I would love to be celebrating this day with the boyfie, I can't and so rather than sulk I'll just keep busy and try to focus on other things...but in due time this distance too shall come to pass.

Nevertheless, I have another anniversary that I kind of celebrate every 14th of Feb. Five years ago today, I set foot on this US soil for the very first time. I remember at the time when my Mom told me she had booked our tickets for Feb 13th to arrive NY the 14th, I was beside myself...why? how could she? It was supposed to be the first Valentine's day with my then boyfriend and I had been looking forward to it with so much anticipation *sigh* Well after all the huffing and puffing, the excitement of moving over took over and I was fine. 

I packed my bags, and things that I considered precious. Letters/notes between my then bestie and I, pictures of high school, college, family members, little items that had some form of significance...and then we were off. The journey of the unknown, literally. I was just about to begin 200L, my Mom quit her job... she had visited before, but I hadn't. All we had was God, each other (my aunt who we were going to stay with) and just the belief/hope that in the end it will all be worth it (even though there were times we doubted this). 

When we arrived at JFK, and walked outside, we were welcomed by the worst snow storm of the season, about 15 - 18 inches of snow piled high all around. I froze. This couldn't be! It felt like I was walking through a cold-room, only this was bad...real bad Michael Jackson! But I was here. In NYC. And I was curious to see more, and see if it was anything like it was in the movies, on the news and all of that. My aunt isn't a fan of cooking, so we made a pit stop @ KFC...and then we went home, to her apartment. It was tiny! I remember thinking to myself, this can't be the entire apartment, there's got to be more...probably in the morning I'll see all of it. 

By morning, I realized there wasn't more to see. Just a tiny match-box like apartment. I was shocked. How could an apartment be so tiny? How could this be...home? Well this was going to be my new home, and so I had to find a way to love it or deal with it. 
Five years later...we are still in our tiny apartment (though my aunt has moved to Houston) and now, it is home. How? Why? We've bonded. I have so many memories in that match box. When I think of certain milestones and experiences, I can't help but think of the matchbox home. If walls could talk...the walls would probably know me just as much as any of the people closest to me. 

Looking back, there were rough times. Having to work two jobs back to back in cold winter weather, when I had never worked a day in my life before. I went from Sears>TJMaxx>Bath&BodyWorks>JPMorganChase>Marketing>Ad Agency, a steady climb that I am proud of; and generally adjusting and making friends, and all the other stuff that people face when they move.  But all in all, I am grateful! And I believe the move was worth it. Better opportunities for me to be me, without feeling pressured or judged (story for another day). Freedom not just for me, but for my Mom. We all know what some of our Moms go through in the name of marriage...and some women don't get the opportunity to break-free and achieve their dreams and just not feel like prisoners. I'm so glad she did. 

So here's a toast to every immigrant (legal and illegal)...may the good Lord bless your/our hustle, and continue to open doors for us and increase us. May we be the head an not the tail...and may He enlarge our territories to honor of His name. Thank you Lord for everything you've done, and continue to do in our lives...Amen.

PS: Excuse my going all religious for a minute, but 1) I have to because I am nothing without Him. 2) It's MY blog :-)....deal with it!

Once again, Happy Valentine's Day and please continue to show love beyond today. Make it a habit. :* :*

Hugs and Kisses,
Miss Enigma!

    

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Look Who's Back....:)

Hi Darlings,

Happy New Year! Yes, yes I know we are in the month of February but this is my first post since the New Year. Hope everyone's year has gotten off to a great and awesome start.

I'll try and make this post short, and detailed without (hopefully) being boring. 

I just got back from a 5 week vacay in Nigeria, and Lord knows I miss it already. But reality calls, and so I had to return to minus degree weather, snow storms and being stuck indoors in hibernation.

Nigeria was fun. This was the first time since I moved to NY five years ago that I was home for Christmas and New Year. Christmas in Lagos was fun. Family dinner, hanging out with friends, meeting up people I met on Twitter, making new friends and then some. I only attended two main events in Lagos; the Underground Exclusive event @ Club Rehab and then the All Black Everything party @ GET Arena, but I met a bunch of people.

My main purpose for taking a long vacation was to spend good quality time bonding with the boyfie. When you go for short vacations you spend the time being in la la land that it sometimes seems too perfect. This trip wasn't perfect, it was filled with so many ups and downs, but it all was for our own good at the end of the day. It was nice to be able to spend time learning and earning each other, getting to understand the little things and the big things, what we are willing to compromise on and not compromise on... I am grateful for time spent with him. I miss waking up and making/eating breakfast together, planning our days agenda together, watching tv together, doing chores together, oh and he knows his way around the kitchen :)... even the arguments *sigh* lol    

I've learned and I continue to learn new things about relationships. I also continue to work at being the best of me that I can be. "Never tailor your relationship according to another relationship's measurement. One size does NOT fit all in relationship matters." - Me. #ThatIsAll

Moving on, this babe is officially now a graduate and so I'm on the market looking for a full-time job. And I tell you the search for a job, is a full-time job in itself. Filling out application forms, sending out emails and repeating/typing the same thing over and over and over again is so not fun. I end every day with a horrible headache from sitting infront of a laptop for hours. My poor eyes. Had two interviews yesterday and I am just committing everything unto God.

In other news I attended my first SuperBowl party on Sunday. Twas fun! About 25 people who were partially interested in the game, just enjoying great company, small chops, alcohol and good music. :) Good times. The only problem/issue I have with going out is when I meet guys at such social gatherings and they wanna hang out some other time; I have a slight panic button go off in my head because I don't mind hanging out in a group, but ermmm alone/one on one I just don't want them getting the wrong impression or putting myself in an awkward situation of having to pull the 'I have a boyfriend card'. *sigh* This is how you know you've been in a relationship for a long time...when you don't even know how to handle such situations anymore lol.

I'm currently listening to Super C Season by NaetoC (Thanks Booski ;-) ) and I like a lot. That #ShareMyBlessings track got me all teary eyed, though pretty much everything gets me teary eyed smh...lol. I also like #5and6 and #Afruru'm Gi Nanya a lot :) 

So Valentine's day is here again, and as usual there are those who do not subscribe to the hoopla, those who celebrate it, those who are indifferent and those who just find an excuse to dodge lol. My take? Sure its a great opportunity for vendors to make money, but so is every other holiday including birthdays. We should celebrate our loved ones everyday, but again it does not hurt to take one day out of 365 and make it the official day of love. We all get older with each new day, but we have our official birthday. Anyways, I believe in recognizing Valentine's day...that being said I'm yet to have the Valentine's day that I really want :( seeing as the boyfie is oceans away. If he were here what would I want? :D lol... the usual flowers et all and just something well thought out, sweet and really romantic. I wanna get all dressed up and go out, maybe to a play or something...I dnt know jorr. Can a girl just be wowed and made to feel like the only girl in the world hehe...allow me wish jorr.


Anyways I want to believe I'm not the only one who has had enough of the punishingly cold winter? Please spring can like to come early...cos I'm so done. But seeing as I am currently unemployed and really do not have to venture out of my apartment except if necessary ( read as except if called for an interview lol) I haven't suffered its wrath too much. 

Wait hold up the nail polish industry is a 173million dollar industry...and Justin Bieber has a nail polish collection that has sold out of all Walmart stores since two months ago. Lol wahala...wat does he know about nail polish???

Oh and I saw the Khloe and Lamar commercial for their fragrance Unbreakable....*smdh* all I can say is that they should have stuck to print ads only! Lamar Lamar Lamar please stick to basketball, and try not to get injured becos there's no future in acting for you my dear. And Khloe Khloe leave the sexy to Kim and find/create another niche for yourself my darling. And their Mom/Manager is so wrong for allowing such an ad to run. tsk tsk.   

Ok before I start rambling off, I'm gonna stop here. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week. Love you guys muchos!!!!

Hugs and Kisses,
Miss Enigma!