...My 2009 Report Card

Hello Blogsville,

How's everyone doing? I'm guessing we are all looking forward to the New Year and all that it holds for us. As the year draws to an end, some of us make resolutions while some don't bother knowing fully well that the chances of seeing that resolution to the end are slim. I personally do make resolutions, but prefer to call them goals. These goals help to keep me focused and working towards a particular target, but we all know that life has a way of surprising one with twists and turns, that may sometimes require said goals to be re-evaluated. Nevertheless, before setting goals for the upcoming year, let me review 2009. "TAKING STOCK OF 2009":

MY FAITH

My walk with God this year can best be described as me climbing a hill, and then coming back down the hill and just hanging mid-point;neither going down nor up.*sigh* I started the year being fully aware of the fact that I could no longer depend on the prayers of my Mom, family members and loved ones to get me thru...that I could no longer jst go through the motion, I needed to have a relationship with my creator, with God my Father. Everything started off well, as much as possible I made sure to attend service, and be in His presence. And slowly I began to crave Him more and more, to include Him and consult Him in every aspect of my life and regardless of whether things turned out the way I wanted or not, I was glad to have Him in my life. Long story short, few months ago I started coming down the hill, I stopped climbing. I haven't exactly hit rock bottom, but for some reason I'm not making as good an effort as I can to start climbing again. So lately, I've been praying for motivation and for the good Lord to order my steps, and help me find my way back home where I belong.

SCHOOL/CAREER

My grades came in yesterday, and based on the outcome I honestly believe that it is God's way of telling me that even though I feel like I'm so faraway from Him, He's never faraway from me, and will never leave me nor forsake me. Initially I feared that my grades were gonna be thumbs down, but they ended up being good, my best semester GPA till date, and my overall GPA saw a raise as well. Its not by my power or by my might, but by God's overwhelming grace. Career wise, I'm now certain that Advertising is what I want to do, and am gonna try to be the best I can be.

FAMILY

Hmmm...this year has been a real challenging one for my family. An interesting, but challenging event definitely rocked our foundation, and still is but we are all picking up the pieces and moving on. Because life never pauses, it keeps going and we do too. Regardless, the members of my family that I love n' care about are doing great. Sis n' her hubby n' their kids r fine, Aunties n' Uncles are all doing well...and My Mom is being strong, and doing just fine. Me? Well, I hve to be strong for her and the others so I'm fine. Thank God no deaths this year...we are immensely grateful.

RELATIONSHIP
When people ask about the status of my relationship, I dnt reply with "Oh I'm in love" I simply say "I am HAPPY". Because being happy helps to keep the love alive, and makes me look forward to each day, and spending more time with him. If u read A Kiss to Remember then you know that our story is an interesting one.(I know I never finished it, myt do it in 2010...lol) A year ago I had to mke a tough decision, but am glad I did. No head-aches over irrelevant issues, no tears...we had our little tiffs, but we got through them. My Luv has been a good man to me, and I am happy to have him in my life.

FRIENDSHIPS

My girls!!! My beloved duo...Miss B and Miss N...the two people who complete my sentences, and pick-up my thoughts before I even put them down...lol. We know and understand each other so well its hilaxx. We know to back-off during each others diva moments, to give out honest opinions without sugar-coating, to support each other on bad days n' gud days. When I go into MIA mode and I dnt call or return their calls for days they dnt get mad dey understand. Everyone is gud for smething...lol...Miss B for moral advice, Miss N is a girls girl, issues wiv guys n' dating and I am gud for relationship/what do I do advice...lol. When am in their company, am soooo me...loud, quiet, hyper, constantly dancing and laughing. Cnt wait to see y'all...luff uuu.

FINANCES

Thank God for a steady source of income...my job. I didn't save as much as I could have this year at all. I just hope when I start interning without pay, I dnt suffer for it. There was always something to do or help someone take care off. As for my personal spending habits, it was pretty much under control and I was doing ok. But after Christmas shopping, and contributing towards my 9ja ticket, I have a CC bill to tke cre off when I return. I hope I dnt get fired anytime soon o, if not hmmm...lol. (I can see Scribbles smiling in a corner or on twitterville...lol.) But, once that is cleared up I hope to do better @ saving up in 2010.

BAD HABITS

Two things that I would love to work on in 2010 are my eleventh hour approach to things, and my anger. I find it so hard to get things done ahead of time, I prefer to be right on time. I try to get a paper done early and I find it so hard, but when the dead-line is close I have this adrenaline rush that propels me to get it done...why? i dnt knw. And then there's my anger. I dnt lash out or get verbal...I jst huff n' puff, keep a straight angry face, and then keep quiet or reply qstns with one word snippy answers...lol. The problem is snapping out of that mood; cos after being mad for a while even when I'm no longer mad, it takes a while to snap out of it..lol...weird I knw but dts me. So yeah, those are habits I'd def luv to kick in 2010. :) Also, I am going to work on keeping in touch; I suck at it.

All in all, I honestly cannot say I had a bad year becos I did not. Challenging? Yes. I grew alot as an individual, and I have to say Blogsville helped in my growth. I say so because I had to opportunity to experience life from a different perspective through your words and your stories. This year, I learned to love and accept myself flaws and all becos that's what makes me, ME. I learned that being in love doesn't feel like someone is sucking the life out of you, and that in as much as relationships require work, it requires TEAM-WORK and not a one-sided effort, learned to try new stuff like red-lipstick thanks to Zena's Sprawlings...and a whole bunch of other stuff (will do a post later jo).

I am grateful to God for His blessings, and guidance all through the year. And I pray for that 2010 will be a year of greater testimonies in all our lives. See you in 2010 my dear famille, hopefully if My Luv lets me out of his sight for a few mins, I'll update you guys on my trip, but if he doesn't...then see y'all in Feb. Muahz!!! Muahz!!! Muahz!!!

PS: For those in 9ja send me an e-mail if u wanna hook-up.

Talk to you soon,

xoxo,

Miss Enigma!

Not Another Lonely Christmas

Hello Blogsville,

MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and everyone of you!!!
I hope everyone had a great celebration, and day filled with family, friends, love and joy...the things that matter most...and also remembered to recognize the reason for the season. That being said,

It's about 11.30pm here, and as the day comes to an end, my prayer is that I do not want to spend another Christmas like this again. I spent the whole day in bed hitting refresh on FB, Twitter, Blogger, Google...and just wallowing in total loneliness. My Mom was @ work, so I was all by myself...my girlies are in 9ja (I get to see them in a week). I made the usual call rounds to the fam in Naij, and just hearing the joy and excitement in their voices was heart-warming, and heart-wrenching at the same time. The joys of just being together, slaving in the kitchen to prep the meals, greedily gobbling the food down to the detriment of our poor stomachs, and then dreading the clean-up at the end of it all...I miss it.

As the days draw closer to my Naij trip, my brain/mind is going into vacation mode. It's like I can smell the BO filled air that welcomes you at the airport, can feel the humidity warm my cheeks and make my amering rose colored blush, blush. My taste buds are watering in anticipation of the variety of delicacies that await their arrival, my feet can't wait to ditch the Uggs n' boots for flip-flops n' sandals. Then there is my family, my 10month old nephew who is chasing his older brother, and My Luv...*sigh*

On a side note, can someone please tell me why this lousy 23yr old Nigerian dude decided that trying to bomb a plane was a brilliant idea? As if it wasn't bad enuff with the whole online-scams, corruption, poverty et all stigma that we are known for...now we have terrorism. I mean, al-Qaida and Nigeria in the same sentence is not a good look at all. I am proud to be Nigerian, and I'll never deny my country, but I have to admit that this breaks my heart. And I say so because of those of us who struggle everyday to rise above- rise above being black, being African, being female, being a black male. The already tough Visa process, just got tougher too! *sigh* I cringe when I think of people now talking about Nigeria and terrorism in the same sentence, or looking at me with side-eye when I say I'm Nigerian. Now in addition to rising above, we have to prove that being Nigerian doesn't mke us terrorists.

Aiight guys, time to get my lonely behind to bed, gotta be @ work by 9.30am.

Talk to you guys soon,
xoxo,
Miss Enigma!

Uber Excited & Grateful!!!

Hello Blogsville,
How's everyone doing??? How YOU doing? What has everyone been up to? Rounding up the semester? Christmas shopping? Traveling to spend christmas with loved ones? Working? Decorating the house? Well all the best to all of you, in whatever it is u're doing. I hear its Scribbles b'day 2morrow...Happy B'day Scribbs...u don dey old o...lol.

So my Fall 2009 semester ended on Wednesday, and boy am I happy its all over. Am grateful to God for seeing me through; and grateful for the people who in one way or another helped me get through the semester.
- To my Mom who took her day-off on thursdays, or came home early on thursdays so I could drive to school for my 6.30-9pm class instead of freezing my butt off @ the bus-stop or train station...I love you more than words can express.
- To Zena's Sprawlings for being my wake-up alarm :), putting up with my random acts of madness, spontaneous dancing in class/public, working on assgts and portfolios with me, shopping with me, getting me to wear n' luv red lipstick and being a good listener....I appreciate u dear.
- To the Boyfie for being there when family issues got overwhelming...for being genuinely interested in everything that concerns me, and loving me just as I am. U're the best Babie!!!
- To my Blog fam for all the prayers n' good-luck msgs during finals, and rough times...mwah mwah mwah, y'all are freakintastic!!!!

Now my focus is on NAIJA 2010!!!! I'm going home in Jan, and unlike last yr when I spent 2wks, am gonna be there for 4weeks. Woohoo!!! I'm soooo over the moon guys. I get to see my nephew who is now trying to walk, spend time with family, friends and most exciting of all My Luv. *sigh* I can't even begin to explain how excited I am, jst trying to compose myself.

I've been in this Amerix for 3yrs, but 9ja will forever be home. Gawd!!! The food, the people, the love...the fun-times. I'm so excited. The only thing is that unlike previous trips your girl is on a budget, so I'm not buying people stuff...and I feel guilty...I dnt knw why. I've been making my list, checking it off, crossing names out, adding names...I don tire. Times are hard o jare. Besides Momsie jst went and got mad stuff, so abeg mke nobody look my side. Am just gonna get my Grandma and the lil'kids pressies...all the adults should understand biko...I'm still a student, not a working graduate.

Aight guys, I have to go get read for work. Its freezing cold guys, this winter ain't playing games chei!

Have a fabulous weekend guys...and remember the reason for the season.

Talk to you guys soon,

oxo,
Miss Enigma!!!

I have a question...???

Hello Blogsville,

How una dey? It's the weekend y'all!!! But unfortunately I'm gonna spend my weekend studying for my last final which is on Wednesday. God dey. Hpe everyone is gonna be getting some well deserved rest.

I met a blogger on twitter :),hehehe!

So my ppl, I have a question for everyone. When do you start sleeping over @ the boyfie's without being hassled by the parents or older folks? Or is it a no-no until u've moved out and have ur own place? What if u're in a/an LDR and only get to see him for the few weeks that u're home visiting, is it wrong to want to spend a night or two over? Wanna hear everyone's POV on this matter. Cos U know how Naija parents and family members could be uptight and hold on to their children almost forgetting that they'll grow up and leave the house.

I was @ the mall bout two weeks ago with a friend, and guess what I heard playing in a store? Shank's Julie!!!!!! Initially when I heard the beat I was like, it can't be...so I walked into the store (Top Gun) and asked the white chic if there was an African working there, she said no. I was like ahn ahn, so ermm pls where did u get this song from? She said she heard it @ a club, loved it and so asked the DJ for it. The babe knew the lyrics to the damn song...I was shocked, and just walked away smiling :).

Just watched Nightline on ABC and they featured how African Food Stores in yankee are selling exotic meat/ bushmeat; and that these items are a threat to the society becos of the diseases that could be spread through the meat. No wonder they've been searching ppl seriously at the airport, and seizing stuff. That's how they seized my indomie and kilishi 2months ago....mschewww.

Aiight guys, gotta go to bed cos I have to be @ work in the morning.
Y'all have a great weekend...and bring the juicy details back to blogsville

Talk to you guys soon,
xoxo,
Miss Enigma!

I'm TORN....!!!

Hello Blogsville,

How's everyone doing? Hope great! I am doing gud @ this end. Today is the last day of classes for me, and my last final is next week wednesday, so I'm glad the semester is coming to an end. I can now begin to look forward to happy days, fun, and more fun.

Ok guys, I just heard and read an article about the whole "Beyonce selling her soul to the devil" issue, and I don't even know what to say guys. I've been a Beyonce fan for a long-time now,(I knw, I knw there alot of you who cnt stand her and that's ok). I've always said I want to attend one of her concerts becos I know I'd be getting my monies worth, becos the girl performs and delivers. But after reading the article, I have to say I'm totally torn.

I mean, I don't know if to believe and what to believe. I always say there's no smoke without fire...therefore there must be some iota of truth somewhere in this fire. Out of all the symbolic connections that the articles made or pointed out, the one that stood out for me, was the picture of her with the motorcycle head-light, and the goat-head symbol. (Look it up here http://vigilantcitizen.com/?p=604) As in, I dnt even know what to say. How does goat-head connect to the whole Sasha Fierce theme? That one just had me giving my dear B the side eye/questioning eye.

What is this world turning into, the end-times are really here. And I spooks me at times, just to think about it. Times when it'll be so hard to decipher good from evil, becos its not the everyday evil that we are accustomed to, its more than that. Warfares that we can't see being fought in the spiritual realm. *sigh* Aiight enuff of this, I ddn't mean to go all spiritual on y'all. Its jst that everytime I listen to all her songs there's gonna be that lil' voice in my head wondering, questioning and trying to make sense of it all.

On a lighter note, my very good friend just surprised her boyfie in 9ja. Told him she wasn't coming home for Christmas and all dat, only to just show up! It was so hard for all of us, trying to keep everything under wraps. But it was all worth it in the end. I love surprises, good surprises o, not bad ones...lol. Some ppl are not too fond of surprises...so which do you prefer? To be surprised or not?, that my darlings is the question.

I have two group presentations today guys, wish me luck!

PS: Big shout out to Juiceegal for always reading my blog!!! And for coming back...u cnt go anywhere again, u are now officially on Blogsville arrest!

Have a fabulous day guys, and be the best @ whatever it is u do today!

Talk to you guys soon,
xoxo,
Miss Enigma!

Quit catching feelings!!!

Hello Blogsville,

How's everybody doing? Hope y'all had a peaceful and rest-filled weekend. And to my good friend who lost a loved one...I wish I had the words to soothe your hurt, and ease your pain, but I do not. I wanna say take heart, but someone once said how many hearts can you take...
We take solace in the fact that He who knows all and sees all, knows best. So I pray that in this time of pain, hurt n' mourning when you feel like you can't go on...that He will lift you and your family up, and carry you.IJN, Amen. Luff u!!!

My people wats gud? Everytime I want to update, I keep putting it off till when "I can type a coherent post", well let's face it if I wait for that time, I myt as well never post.

So I was Twitter, and I noticed a lot of you were on there, like a mini blogsville. And now I knw hw ppl always get first on blogs...lol...its cos they get the alerts on twitter from the blogger...dats ojoro oo! Neways, I dnt knw wat it is, but the addiction bug has refused to bite me. I follow ppl and I find some tweets interesting, but for me to tweet na wahala, I only have 54 tweets. Well, make we dey look.

This recession and holiday period is causing trouble o; there's been an increase in robberies, and fraud lately...and so am just begging God to spare me o. Cos the amount of fraudulent checks that we've been seeing on the job have just been on the rise. A branch close to mine got robbed few weeks ago. Dunno wat I'll do if I had a gun pointed at me, pray never to experience such.

On a lighter note, mke una cme hear story. So few days ago we discovered that a customer was making a check deposit for 55bucks, but the teller who filled the deposit slip mistakenly filled it for 5,500. This happened a while back, but it was jst caught. So, the man comes in and the Manager asks what he did with the money. Dude says, he ddn't knw about it, that his wife saw the money and was mad that he had such an amount and lied to her; so she withdrew half of it. Lol...na lie o. Dem don spend the money finish...now its time to pay it back. So people if you mistakenly had an excess deposited in ur acct. what would you do?

I saw Law Abiding Citizen during the week, and I loved it. Really, good movie. Jamie Foxx has done well for himself by having very marketable skills. When the music scene isn't as hot, he has his acting to fall back on, and he's pretty good. Nice job J!

Why don't some boys get the message sometimes. If a chic has said she's not interested, move on. If she was interested and just fronting u'll knw cos she'll give u the signs...but when there are no signs just good ol' platonic friendship responses then you shd stop catching feelings and get wiv d programme. Catching too much feelings after u've been told that it ain't gonna happen becomes irritating and annoying biko.

Aiight let me go and continue working on my class project.
Catch y'all later. Have a blessed and productive week ahead my darlings!!!

PS: Aside from F21, CRusse, Wet-seal, H&M, what other on-line/ off-line stores have nice items. Tops, skirts and dresses. Thanx my blogsville fashionistas.

Talk to you soon,
xoxo,
Miss Enigma!