Her (My) Wedding Dress...

Hi Guys, 

Hope everyone's week got off to a great start! This is my last work week till the New Year. I have no travel plans, but I'm glad to not have to go to work or wake up early :)

I know the shows Bachelor and Bachelorette are considered extra cheesy and slightly scripted by quite a handful of people, but I can't help but watch the shows. What can I say? I love Love, and I love seeing people in love or at least trying to find love. I also get to live vicariously through the contestants who get the amazing opportunity to travel to wonderful places all over the world for free! I don't mind doing the show, for the travelling alone.

So on Monday was the wedding of Ashley and JP from a few seasons back. Again, I know celebrity and reality show marriages are not known for their longevity, but for once I pray that these two last. They seem so real, so happy and in love. I think they'll last because unlike other couples, they really aren't in the spotlight, and they've dated for almost two years post Bachelorette, so they've had enough time in the real world to work through their differences and the usual relationship hurdles. I'm rooting for them!

Anyhoos, the wedding was picture perfect and the couple looked great - smiling from ear to ear. But like I told my Mom, having the wedding of your dreams at no expense to you whatsoever, is definitely enough to make any couple cheese so hard through out the ceremony. I have to say my favorite part of the wedding was Ashley's dress. I think I was also drawn to the dress not just because of the style, but because I'm just like Ashley size wise, except I have some major boobage going on. So I'm always extra excited when I see a petite bride, in a dress that enhances her every curve; and Ashley's dress did just that.

Photo Courtesy: ABC

The dress was custom designed by Randi Rahm, and is rumoured to have cost $75,000. I scoured the web trying to find better pics of the dress but can't seem to find any :( But hopefully you get the gist of the dress from the pic above. I know I mentioned I wasn't ready for marriage in my last post lol but I have an idea of what my wedding  dress would look like and this dress comes close in terms of the style but not the price tag lol. Only thing missing is lace. I love me some lace fabric...there's something classy and sexy about lace. It reminds me of old Hollywood, women of elegance and a time when a woman can be sexy without having to be naked, or overly revealing...and that's what I want to capture on that day. 

Do you know what you want your wedding dress to look like yet? If you don't you should probably get on Pinterest. Pinterest definitely helps in fueling wedding fever lol. So many gorgeous pictures, wonderful tips and ideas for weddings and everything else.

 I wish Ashley and JP the very best! Have a great week ahead everyone!

Hugs & Kisses,

Miss Enigma!

Remembering Young Love...

Hi Guys!!!

TGIF! Hope everyone had an amazing, kick-ass week?! I keep saying to myself it's been a minute I put up a post, I really should blog, but then I find myself going blank on what exactly to blog about; that won't bore y'all, and so far I have no clue but I decided to blog anyways...so here goes nothing!

I had a mini-reunion the other day with about five of my high-school class mates. We decided to meet up for dinner since one of us was visiting from Naij. I had a good time, catching up and all. I still pinch myself sometimes when I see us all grown, working, running homes and being women. I can still vividly remember the first day we checked into boarding house, getting punished by Seniors, bailing out of school to attend parties...being young, and carefree. *sigh* how time flies. #Thankful for the people I have met through my sec school experience, the friendships, the life lessons etc.

Speaking of being young and carefree, I was talking with my close friend the other day and we were reminiscing on how different 'young love' is compared to being in love/being in a relationship now that we're a bit older, and more mature. Then we used to do silly things like writing poems, love letters, talking for hours (sweet nothings!), making slideshows with pics and music, saying I love you twenty times a day just because that's how you felt and you deeply meant it, just loving freely without over analyzing, no rules, just love. 
Now, there's so much to think about that that 'young love' feeling is almost absent. Things that we weren't thinking about/considering before...are we compatible as life partners? Can I get along with his family? Do we have the same values/goals? Do I fit into plans? What can I compromise on? What can't I compromise on? How does he handle certain issues? Will he be faithful? Will he make a good father? Is he financially stable? Does he have potential/drive? Is he putting this drive into action or is it all talk? Are we spiritually strong? Is he motivating/challenging you to be better?...and the list goes on and on lol. 

I remember when I was much younger I used to say I couldn't understand how and why people found it hard picking a husband or wife. To me it was as simple as if you like someone and they ask you to marry them, you simply say yes. Oh to be young and naive! lol

Lots of people getting married, and having babies! I love babies and I love weddings! Pinterest sure helps in fueling my love for weddings too. But I know for sure I'm not mentally ready for marriage. For people who are married (MyneWhitman :) ), did you know you were ready? Can you explain what that felt like? 

Ok enough about weddings, marriage and all. Christmas is around the corner, and this will be Chairman's first Christmas here. I haven't gone gift shopping, don't know what to get him...actually I think I do. As for me I really don't know what I want...I've been eyeing this Steve Madden bag (below), this Tommy Hilfiger bag (looks better in person), the MK watch (below), and I've always wanted a necklace from Tiffany's (I have a thing for white gold, silver...) Which of the bags do you guys prefer? 

  
Steve Madden Bgambit Satchel
  


Michael Kors Watch

I haven't spent Christmas in NY in about 3 years. I need to make a list of fun Christmas-sy things to do and see with Chairman for the holidays.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, well relaxing weekend!

Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!





     

Thankful 2012

Hey Guys,

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I've been off work since Tuesday, so it's a long holiday break for me, and I'm enjoying not doing anything. Just browsing the web, pinteresting, FBing, Tweeting, Instagraming and generally being unproductive lol

Since this is a period specially set out for giving thanks, let me go ahead and share with you guys the things I'm thankful for, though honestly they haven't changed over the years.

- Family: I'm thankful for the family I have, and the people who make up my family unit. Selfless. Loving. Supportive. I pray that I am able to do for them, as they have done and continue to do for me.

- Job: I'm thankful for my job. I went back to my Uni. for an alumni event just last week and there are still people who graduated with me about 2yrs ago who still haven't found jobs. My heart breaks for them. So even when I'm itching for a change in job, and might not feel like going to work sometimes, I have to pause and give thanks for even having the job.

- Health: I'm thankful for good health. Without good health it's hard to function. Hands and feet still intact. All 5 senses fully functional. Baba God na ur handwork. 

- Friends: I'm thankful for friends who are accepting and a joy to be around. Who challenge you to be better, and who I'm happy to celebrate their successes, and share their down days just as they do mine. 

- LoveLife: I'm thankful for moving from a long distance rship to a short distance rship lol (I don't know what the opposite of long distance rship shd be jare so allow short distance). It hasn't been, and still isn't easy...but we pushing  it day by day.

So that's pretty much it. But above all I'm thankful to God for everyday that He continues to give me breath; and an opportunity to live this life.

Have a wonderful thanksgiving! 

Hugs & Kisses,

Miss Enigma!

 

Falling Out With Fall

I'm here...I'm still here

I can't begin to explain the craziness that has been my life for the past 2-3months! It's been busy, busy, and then adjusting, learning, resisting, adjusting, learning lol.

So much happening at the same damn time! And just a general laziness to blog. By the time I get home from work, hop on a conference call for almost two hours, manage to eat dinner...I'm dead tired and just want to sleep! So forgive me, but I'm still here.

Happy Columbus Day people! Happy to have the day off; some of my friends don't. This past Saturday was promoters heaven in NY with all the different Naija Independence Day parties. I was at Hudson Terrace and it was packed! Had a good time with the boo and friends. As part of the Naija Independence celebrations, a friend of mine had different events lined up from Tues - Sat, and so I was out 4 times this week attending/supporting. Can't remember when last I hung out that much in one week. I was so tired from Friday's outing I skipped the parade. From the pics it looked like fun as usual, but I didn't miss it. All that sleep I caught up on was worth it.

What have I been up to the past few months? I've just been living and keeping busy. Below are a few random pics from my phone.

From top left: Gift-bags that my PR company put together for an event in Sept. (I've come to the conclusion that I love the color pink), my friend's sista's bachelorette party cake :) that was the first bach eve I've ever attended and it was amazeballs! The aunties/mamas where all there giving advice which included making sure to give your husband sex...good mind blowing sex! and a bunch of other marriage tips. My view from my hotel room in New Jersey...it would be nice to have an apartment with a great view to wake up to err'day. Lastly, my shoe collection is growing :) 

And the above pictures just show that I have a sweet tooth; and I've been enjoying date nights. 

Sad that summer is over...*sigh* hoping this Winter would be mild like the last one.

Well that's about it for now folks. Off to gran some zzzz and enjoy my Columbus Day.

Have a great week ahead everyone!!!

PS: "God won't bless you where they don't know you..." my take away from last week's sermon. Think about it.

Hugs & Kisses,

Miss Enigma!

25 and Thankful

...July is usually my favorite month of the year for the obvious reason that it is my birthday month. Soo much has been going on and I just haven't had time to take a minute to put a post together...sorry guys. But I've been reading all your posts from time to time. 


So what have I been up to this month? I'll sum it up in two parts.


I turned the big 25 on the 7th! Yup, I'm officially getting old-er! Chai. 7th was a Saturday, and I had a party with a fellow friend and exact birthday mate down to the year. We have pretty much the same circle of friends, so we decided to throw a party together. It wasn't a roof-top venue as I wanted, but it was a party filled with people I love, who love me and make me happy in their own way. And that was enough for me. Felt like a princess too; hair done, nails done, make up by a pro and alla that lol I was feeling like a million bucks shaa. No wonder celebs get hyped from all that attention. 


Funny thing is I woke up that day and it's like I'm 25 now what? Am I supposed to have an automatic aha-moment? Mind-blowing revelation? Well if I was supposed to I didn't. I still don't feel a day over 21, 18 sef...lol I still get carded at the movie theatre! But what I do know is that every life experience, every mistake, every achievement - big or small, every waking second of my life and the unending grace of God has brought me to where I am now; and made me who I am. I hope to do better, and be better with each day moving forward...and I am grateful.


The other thing that has kinda, sorta occupied my time is... *drum-roll please* 

Him & I

 Le partner/boo/lover/boyfie is here! My LDR days are over. An early birthday present you can call it. Some of you might remember few months ago I was praying and wanting something so bad, well it all worked out and thanks to God he is here...not to visit, but to stay :) This is all new to me, and there's a lot of adjusting that's taking place. Me having to learn to share my space and not be overly independent and head-strong...Him having to understand me in my own space (not the me in Nigeria on vacation), understand life here in the US, and us finally getting to learn and understand what its like to live together, be together. No BBM, skype and phone convos anymore...it's face to face now. When we argue we can't just ignore bbms, we have to confront the situation, talk it out, yell it out, then talk it out again lol


It's a whole new experience. But like I said I wasn't sure what to expect with this move. Would I be jumping off couches like Tom Cruise, or cheesing endlessly like a high school teenager? I still don't know...what I do know is it is nice to come home to hugs, to be cuddled to sleep, to not have to load call cards or use Rebtel, to not be mad that skype sessions were ruined thanks to shitty Naija connection. Its nice to make plans, to argue face to face and make up, take walks holding hands, do Sunday brunch... you get the drift. It's not easy there are great days, okay days and blehh days but at least we share them next to each other.


I'm learning too. To work on my anger, and my attitude when I'm mad. The other day we argued and I was about leaving the house and he said " don't I get a goodbye kiss?" I was shocked...like I'm mad at you, and you're mad too how am I supposed to kiss you? What I learned was that yes we were both not happy about something, but it didn't have to be all sour... the kiss lightened the mood but what I appreciated the most was him being the bigger person, making the effort to resolve the situation and not make it escalate. After the kiss, we ended up really talking and laughing about what got us both mad and I left the house feeling sooo much better. 


I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn, grow, love and be loved!


Hope everyone is doing great! It's almost Friday people, hang in there!




Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!
:*    

My Favorite Season

Hi Guys,


Long time no blog! I apologize, life has just been moving so fast that I find it hard to keep up at times...but I've been reading all your posts and updates. I just haven't had enough time to sit down and compose one of my own.


Summer begins today! Woohoo! Summer's my favorite time of the year! Sandals, summer dresses, sunglasses, beach, outdoor shows/events, BBQs, *sigh* these are a few of my favorite things! Hence why Summer is my favorite time of the year. The heat came in full-force today in NYC...94degrees, feeling more like 100 ain't no joke, and I ain't complaining :) I need the Vitamin D.


My b'day is about 2weeks away! Another reason why I love this time of the year. It's my day, and I get to have friends all around me, having a good time. I'm always so happy when I'm surrounded by friends, acquaintances and everyone is having a good time...it makes me happy when my peoples are happy, yes, peoples lol. What do I have planned for they day? Trying to do a roof-top party kinda thing, but finding a roof-top venue in NYC that'll allow me have my own DJ na wahala...but we'll see how it goes. Last, last we'll all just pack inside someone's house and party don start be that. See the beautiful thing about my peoples is that it doesn't matter where we are, we ARE the party, so as long as we are all together and gbedu dey, everything's good. Will gist y'all how it goes sha. 


Anyh


This year, its the big 2-5! I don dey old shaa. *sigh* But I can still pass for a 16/17 yr old :) I gerrit from my mama. I'm thankful for life. My big b'day present for this year is arriving a week before my b'day :) Hint: When I hug my present, my present hugs me back...unlike my pillow. And my present gives kisses, really good kisses! :) That's all I'm giving away. 
Ehen! my dear readers where can I find a banging, correct foinnne dress to buy in thi NY? I don't wanna buy a dress that on that day I'll see three people wearing the same thing...and my close friends have banned me from wearing my default style of cloth which is skirt and blouse lol x_x pls help a sister out!  


"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve; the fear of failure" - The Alchemist (Paulo Coehlo - love his quotes!)


I worry about failing, but I also worry about not trying, not knowing, and then looking back years, years from now and regretting not doing, not trying. But its so hard to take that first step, especially with the world watching, waiting to judge...both fairly and harshly. To pull you down and laugh as you fall, or be amazed as you rise and then want to be a part of your success. Lord give me the strength, courage and wisdom to start and to keep moving. Because I don't want to be a weisst lol, 


I just read this old post on Myne's blog Visa lottery, moving to the US and moving back to Nigeria, and it just reminded me that I have a few thoughts about it but post for another day.


Have a great day everyone! Hang in there the weekend is almost here!   



Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!
xoxo




   

Freaky Friday Randoms

Y'ello there!


How's everyone doing? Hope you all had a well rested, and fun filled Memorial Day weekend. I had a good time, doing the usual. Hanging out with my two closest friends. The Tripod. That's what we call ourselves...lol. 


Anyways, I spent the weekend with the girls, chilling, taking walks in the park, cooking and eating, and just living. Oh and I rode a bike for the first time in heaven knows how many years! I thought I wouldn't be able to, but someone after much help I was able to ride on my own, unassisted for a few mins :). A lot of people find it interesting when I'd say I don't know how to ride a bike. I guess riding a bike is just one of things that are considered a def must in everyone's childhood right? Well, I rode my sister's hand-me down bike with the training wheels, and when the bike gave up the ghost, and was never replaced, so did my interest in bike reading. Maybe if we had male siblings they would pestered my folks into getting a replacement...but oh well, I look forward to doing it again and hopefully getting really good at it so that as The Man put it, "I can teach the kids, and we can all ride together" lol yimu.


I was supposed to be in Naija for an event this weekend, but somehow didn't make it. I try (hard as it might be sometimes sha) to tell myself that God doesn't make mistakes, and so everything and I mean everything that happens in my life is for a reason. Yes, even the mundane and littlest things; and so whatever the situation I should just trust that He knows what He's doing and why He's doing it...and that in the end all things work together for (good to them that love thee) my good. In other words, there's a reason why everybody else on the team made it and I didn't. I was looking forward to the trip sha oo...quick breeze in, breeze out...opportunity to eat all my fav naija food and a surprise visit for The Man...but it is well.


Speaking of man, I saw this quote that said "A woman's loyalty is tested when her man has nothing; a man's loyalty is tested when he has everything" what say ye? - JAMB qstns 10points. :)


I turned down a project the other day, and it broke my heart! A not so close friend reached out and asked for my services on 3 different projects, that I was sooo excited to take on because I just love what I do; and I said so what's your budget? and this person said oh I was hoping you'd do this pro bono. *sigh* I was weak. Weak because every other vendor involved with the projects would have to be paid, why then is it my own services that is being devalued and sought after for free? I didn't think it was fair. I hadn't even given a quote, because I open to hearing how much they could afford to pay and work with that, but to hear nothing at all *sigh* I know friends should get discounts, and leeway with friends businesses, but friends should also support and respect other friends businesses and time. Lets not take people for granted.


The world of Twitter is a very interesting place. Sometimes when I scroll through my timeline I feel like I'm experiencing a reality show. The content spewed on there is like a mix of good grain and shaft. You have to sift through, take away the meaningful things and use them how you please to make a great meal, and leave the shaft behind. But somethings definitely get you thinking like this RCCG (Redeemed Christian Church of God) tweet:
"If God has reserved your breakthrough in Nigeria but out frustration, you go abroad for greener pastures, you will surely miss it" 
How is a person supposed to know that his breakthrough is in Nigeria? Are breakthroughs restricted to certain geographic locations alone? I thought God was everywhere? What if a person has been struggling in Nigeria, and is keeping his/her options open so they apply for jobs and apply for Visa lottery too. And then Visa lottery works out, and they move only to receive a job offer in Nigeria from an interview of months ago...does that mean they've missed their breakthrough? Can someone who understands this better enlighten me on this please.


Switching gears completely, am I the only one who has days when they just don't feel like wearing a thong? Like there's just that comfy feeling from wearing full butt covering cotton underwear, not granny panties o. TMI? Ok, my bad I just like to have random, honest convos sometimes; all that talking about the weather, politics and work stuff bores me sometimes...so excuse the randomness...lol


I have a root canal scheduled for next week, and I am NOT looking forward to it *sigh* I hate needles, pain, blood and alla that but the pain that this tooth is putting me through ehn, mehnnn nor be here at allll. E don pain me reach my ear drum and constant side head pain. I can't! When I saw the bill for the procedure, even after insurance I weak. Shit is maxing out my insurance for the year and costing me about $900... told the dentist y'all ain't seeing me again till next year by God's grace! Chai! :( 


Aiight I think that's enough rambling randoms for the day! Thank God its Friday :)


Have a great weekend ahead everyone! And according to the paraphrased words of Portia De Rossi, find enough self-confidence within yourself to know that you are enough, and worth it just as you are.


PS: Happy New Month! My Birthday in 5 weeks!


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!

We Broke Up

My day job is advertising, and my side gig is PR but I feel like at this point I can also add Real Estate broker to my resume. My poor feet have pounded the concrete pavements of NYC in search of a decent, affordable apartment for the past two months and still yet I've found nothing!


First I needed to find a room-mate to share a 2BR with, and somehow I found what I thought was the perfect room-mate. Same age, same career/industry, same price-range, Ghanaian chic, sane and level-headed. For once the stars had aligned in my favor. Then the search for 2BR/2BA began, and its been like pulling teeth! Why 2BA? Why not a 2BR/1BA? Well here's the thing, as much as you might think you and a room-mate or potential room-mate are alike and cool, when you begin to live with a person, its a totally different ball game entirely. And sometimes the littlest things could irk either one of you make living together hell. Its for this reason that I feel like the less space shared, the better.


For example, you both have the same morning schedule and need to get into the shower at the same time. Wahala. Or its Saturday morning, roomie wants to take a shower, but shower needs cleaning and its your turn but with the way you've positioned yourself in bed, enjoying that sweet, sweet Saturday imma be a lazy bum kinda sleep, ain't nothing in the world to make you get out of bed. Especially a chore like cleaning bathrooms. Wahala. Plus everybody with their own personal hygiene preferences. U see why I really wanted a 2BA? 


So na so we find, find, find, find o come decide say we go extend our search to reach Jersey City side to increase our chances of finding wetin we want. As I tanda for one apartment viewing yesterday for the Jersey City, na e one text come my phone...this my dear sent from above room-mate was breaking up with me :( lol. *sigh* The matter just tire me, e weak my body nor be small. So na back to square one. Na to either find another room-mate or find 1BR/1BA jeje, and chop all the expenses alone. *sigh* There goes all the nice things I planned to do with spare money.


Mehn, apartment hunting for this NY no be joke sha. Frustrated, tired, worn-out does not even begin to explain how I feel right now. I've literally clicked on every link on Craigslist and they've all turned purple. I can list all the apartment searching sites in my sleep.
- Craigslist
- StreetEasy
- GoNoFee
- NYTimes Real Estate
- NakedApartments
- NestSeekers
- HotPads
- ForRent
- Zillow
- ApartmentGuide


I can tell you how long some apartments have been on the market, I can spot the fake/spam postings, I can tell you which trains are close to which apartments etc lol This whole process has been a nightmare, I kid you not! I just want it to be over really. And I am taking out my frustration on The Man *sigh*. Poor guy doesn't even understand it. I just want a nice, decent place that I decorate the way I like and call home :( Is that too much to ask of you my dear New York? Lord, help me find a place. Please!


Anyway, my search continues. I just needed to vent. If you missed my post about my London Trip, you can catch up HERE with the pictures.    


Hope everyone's having a great week so far. The weekend is almost here! :)


Toodles!


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!




*BR - Bedroom
*BA - Bathroom

London Trip 2012

Y'ello me darlings! Happy New Week to you all! Hope everyone had a great weekend, even though it always seems to go by so quickly...and the next one seems like eons away. I had a good weekend. Kicked off on Friday by attending a friend's business 1yr anniversary and I had a good time. Happy to see her receive so much love. Saturday was spent at a funeral...it was sad, cos regardless of the fact that we know that a loved one is going to leave us some day, we can never really prepare ourselves enough. He was 80yrs old, and had lived a full life but still...when you say your final good-byes, lay the flowers, and all its still surreal...when they begin to lower the casket into the ground hian! That na different story o! You begin to reflect say na so life be o, this body, this flesh na inside ground e dey go. And life goes on! Whether we like it or not, whether at that particular point it seems impossible...truth is life goes on!

In other news, where have I been u ask? Well, I've been to London to see The Queen! :) You see, I've never really taken a vacation, because I do not consider going to Naija annually a vacation. So recently, when my Sis got her UK visa, I thought oh! this could be a chance for me to visit as well, seeing as I've never been to London either. Initially, I was hesitant. None of my friends was going with me, accommodation issues, will it be worth it? what will I do for fun there? Yadi, yadi, yada! I sha summoned up courage, God worked everything out and bam! I booked my flight! The minute I clicked 'Book Flight', there was no going back, London here I come!

After work on Thursday I headed for the airport and boarded my flight. My expectations? None whatsoever! My plan? Make the best out of the trip, after all $900 ticket no be beans! With that settled, I jejely balanced in my seat and enjoyed two movies during the flight...Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Mr & Mrs Smith :). Long story short, I connected from Heathrow to Manchester spent a few nights with an old high school friend, and another old high school friend came over...we chilled, caught up, did mall waka, went to see The Vow and I became acquainted with the TV shows 'Shuga' and '4Play: Sex Tips for Girls'. I'm not a fan of Naija/African movies cos of the acting, but the acting in these two shows caught me by surprise! The actors were good! Their delivery was on point! Anyways, I digress! Manchester was nice.

London Trip 2012

I left for Clapham on Monday and finally connected with my Sis. I saw my cousin who I hadn't seen in about ten years! Spent the day chilling, listening and dancing to Naija music and just clowning. Then Tuesday, my Sis and I waka waka'd around London town gan gan. Initially we planned on navigating all the tourist attractions by ourselves using the Underground transport but mehn by 4pm we realized we had only seen two attractions, we decided to hop on the Tour Bus! And it was worth it! We got to see everything while sitting comfortably on the double decker bus. Wish we weren't leaving the next day, would have gone on a second round of touring, but we definitely accomplished a lot in one day!

If you see the way I was chopping Nandos everyday ehn! U'll think there's no chips and chicken in this here America, but the difference is clear biko! American fries and their own nor be the same. I fell in love with Auntie Millie's Cookies (my fav is their white chocolate chip cookie) and Greggs too! Their sausage roll and chicken pie nom nom nom! Pls if anyone knows of a similar joint in Yankee that sells pastries like that let me know...it reminded me so much of Naija...till today I am huge fan of Mr. Biggs sausage roll, and scotch egg! Neways thanks to the cold and the constant chopping of ijeku je (sp?) my cavity started acting up and is hurting like a .... 

My sis and I had a great time! And it was good bonding time for us! You should have seen us running for trains, buses and all together. You wouldn't know there's a ten yr difference between us. We were like lil'girls :) or maybe it was just me :) All in all, it was much needed away time. I stayed off BBM, Twitter, Facebook, emails everything...and was just sleeping, eating and chillin'.


I always used to think to go on a vacation you need a good number of people and alla that but mehn sometimes coordinating the schedule for more than two persons dey hard...and one person canceling can just ruin it for all. Now I know I don't need a crowd jare. Glad I went on this trip! Definitely one of the high-lights of my year! :)


Have a GREAT week everyone!!! Keep pushing! Keep working hard! Trust me people are watching and noticing your growth, even when you don't!


PS: Sorry I didn't caption the pics in the first collage...I'm tired, and have a lot to do before Sunday ends.


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!

Mundane Mondays

Happy New Week!


How's everyone doing? Hope great! Apologies for not blogging in weeks...but I've been here reading all your posts :)


What have I been up to the past few weeks? Well let's see...


Mama turned 60! :) We had dinner with a friend of hers at this vintage-y nice restaurant (TheWaterClub.com) over looking the Hudson River. The view was really nice, and the food was good. It's always a pleasure to treat my mama. I've also noticed that lately I've just had this constant deep appreciation and admiration for her, for all she's done and continues to do. Don't get me wrong I always have, but lately just something different...maybe because I'll be moving out soon I'm noticing all the tiny things I'll miss about her and just how much of a hugeeeeee part of my life she is. :)


Work's been busy, and a little overwhelming...but lately I've been itching and twitching for a change. I think I want a new job. A different career path from what I'm currently doing. Don't get me wrong I am GRATEFUL to have this job, but I think I am slowly becoming more in tune with what my 'passion' is; what I enjoy doing and my mind is becoming restless, longing to begin a journey in that direction full time. But there's a huge change coming in the next few months that I need to take care of God needs to help me take care of first, before I can seriously focus on this career itch.


Speaking of change, remember in my last post I mentioned that I had been waiting on something for a long, long time and that D-day was coming? Yeah, well D-day was indeed the day that the Lord made, and we rejoiced and were glad in it! We got what we were pursuing, and thanks to it distance won't be a problem much longer, if you know what I mean ;) 


In other news, I am beginning to have mini quarter-life crisis outbreaks! Lol I don't know what it is about turning 25 that just makes people panic...and begin to wonder am I where I should be at this stage in my life? Should I be doing more? Have I checked off XYZ on my 'to-do-list? Is my life as I know it about to come to an end due to new responsibilities that I'm going to take on in this new phase of my life aka...marriage and kids... and we all know all the other numerous questions we ask ourselves as we approach the big 25. What are your thoughts on quarter-life crisis? How did you handle yours? Or is it just another obsession that society or maybe culture has succeeded in embedding into our subconscious?


I found this on BBM "A woman's loyalty is tested when her man has nothing. A man's loyalty is tested when he has everything". I don't know who the words are by, but I have to say this is true to a large extent. Do you agree or disagree?


Its hard when you're mad at a loved one, but you can't express that anger the way you really want to sometimes - yelling profanities, cursing and just letting it  all roll of your tongue the way you want it to - because you're trying not to say something hurtful even though the origin of your anger is from them hurting/upsetting you. It sucks that it is the ones we love and care about who ultimately have the ability to hurt us more than a random stranger...such is life.


They say forgiving is easy, but forgetting is the difficult part; but how do you really forgive when you can't forget? Jesus be a fence!


Have a great week everyone!


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!






    

Shame on Me...

Ahoy! How's everyone doing? Happy Hump Day to you all! Two more days till the weekend...can't really complain because the weather has been a-m-a-z-i-n-g here in NYC. Talk about upper 60's, and even 70's kinda weather...this def makes me a happy camper! Apologies for not putting up a post yesterday (Tuesday) like I've been doing for the past 2-3 weeks but I'm here now :) So let's talk me darlings...


I'm not one to go up to the pulpit or even just stand up to give testimonies in church. I get shy, and sometimes worry that it's too tiny a thing bother people with, or that there are people who might be hurting and this (my testimony) just might do more harm than good. Rewind to Dec 31st, 2011, E and I went to his church for midnight service. A very small Redeemed parish by his house, the kind where everybody pretty much knew everyone...his Mom is a worker in church too. 
Come testimony time, and E's like you should go up and give thanks, it's been a good year for you. I want to, I know I should but I look around and I'm worried that I might be showing off, that in a small community where people are just managing to get by I shouldn't rub my blessings in. Next thing, two different people go up thanking God for their red passports, another for job promotions, for acceptance into college, for good health etc... *sigh* What an idiot I was! Hoarding what God had given me thinking it was 'too much', meanwhile He's doing the same and more for people who I had wrongly judged. Shame on me!


I don't jump up in church every Sunday now, but what I learnt from that day was to not be selfish with my praise and thanks to God for His blessings towards me. No matter how little (or big) I might think it is, He is worthy of ALL praise! So today, I just want to say THANK YOU Lord for giving me a job! Today makes it one year since I started working here. I interviewed for this job Dec. 2010 (a week before I graduated) but didn't get it because I was going to be away in Nigeria all of January. They hired someone else, and I came back from Nigeria and was looking elsewhere...then they called me back mid February when a second opening came up. I didn't have the experience, but they trained me on the job. 


I have friends who I graduated with who still can't find jobs...and it breaks my heart! But I keep believing that their testimony will come; but I've run out of words of encouragement for them and all I can do is pray, and pray that they don't give up on themselves.


Lord, words cannot express how grateful I am for ALL that you do and have done in my life. I am undeserving, but somehow your mercy seeks me out when I cower and hide, and you shower me with your grace from day to day. Father, we do not question you nor do we doubt you but we trust in your perfect timing! While we wait for that time I beg that you please give all those waiting on you for their testimony (jobs, good health, fruit of the womb, salvation, etc) the patience and strength to keep holding on and trusting you becos sometimes it ain't easy. But with you, we shall overcome in Jesus name. Amen.


Speaking of waiting for something...I've been waiting for something for about 3+ years, and tomorrow is D day. I'm trying not freak out, or be overly anxious because it's really out of my hands lol. I've done my part; crossed my t's, dotted my i's and now (just as its always been) it's in God's hands to finish what He has started. If When all goes as planned, it'll be a new phase in my life. :)


Neways, thanks for sharing in my thankful post today :) I appreciate, and look forward to sharing in yours! Have a wonderful day, and hope you enjoy this song it's one of my current favs!!!

Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!!! 


  

You Should Know That I...

Y'ello there...


How's everyone doing? Hope your week has been great so far!
Me? Well I'm aiight, I'm alive and THANKFUL! I can't complain.


I got nominated by two bloggers for the Versatile Blogger award, which simply requires me to share 7 random things about myself, thank the bloggers who nominated me and then continue the chain by nominating 15 bloggers. Well before I share my randoms, I wanna say thank you to MsInfamous and Chocolate Diva ...I appreciate. Since I'm not sure which blogger has already done this, I'm going to simply just keep the nominations open to every and any one who is interested. If you would like to do this, go ahead and consider yourself nominated! :) On that note, here we go:




- Mushrooms: I don't eat mushrooms. I don't know what they taste like, but I think I've been scared with seeing mushrooms grow on trees, and random gross places in Nigeria that I just don't even want to try 'em. 


- Rings: Cocktail rings. I love 'em. They add personality, and spunk to an outfit, whether simple or heavily dressed. I can't wait to have enough dresser space to put up a nice jewelry box to display my rings. Here are a few in my collection:

Looking to expand and add...elephants, flowers, butterflies etc

- Tear-fall: I try to put up a tough-skin, but I'm such a softie. It's either that or my tear ducts are over active, because I tear up so much! Watching Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Extreme Home Makeover, romantic movies, even the episode of RHOA when Kim's daughter spoke about how nice a guy Troy was and yadi yadi yada at the baby shower, I cried with them. But when it comes to my personal stuff, I hold it in and try to be tough till I've reached my breaking point then I breakdown in tears.     


- Books: The last book I read was The Help. I enjoyed it. I used to read a lot of books in high-school, but I lost my reading mojo, and I've never been able to get it back. I keep asking for people to recommend good reads for me. Nothing dreary or dark. I want inspiring, happy, comedic or entrepreneur related books please! Thanks.


- Talk: Ok don't freak out about this, but I would like to talk to a therapist sometime. I know we Nigerians have this biased view of therapy sessions, and all but I wanna try it. Just sitting down, talking to a total stranger, and unloading on them...no worries of being judged (I have no personal attachment to them so whether they judge inwardly or not ain't my business) or criticized. I guess I watch wayyy too much Private Practice huh? lol

Twitter Addict! :) 

- Ride: I don't think I know how to ride a bicycle x_x. I never got to take off the training wheels on my bike then for fear of falling of and hurting myself. I wish I had a brother or male cousins around (more often) when I was growing up who would have forced me to be a lil' more daring :) Now I wish I could ride...maybe this Summer...maybe.


- Travel: I love to travel but I never do. Initially, I couldn't afford it, now I can save up and travel but getting my friends to want to go na problem. This will sound silly, but I'll be hesitant to get married if I haven't traveled/visited a few places first. Why? Because I don't want to get married and get tied up with raising a family, work, wife duties that we won't be able to travel due to schedule, finances and all that other stuff. Call me crazy, but we must do some traveling first, so it becomes a habit before we build our family and then we can go on family vacations once a year...even if its a road trip. I want my children to want to explore and expand more than I did. Considering a St Thomas, Virgin Islands trip this year :)

Source: 

-  "Kk": I just can't with this! I don't mind when a person responds with 'Kk', I use it sometimes too, but what ticks me the f*** off is when I say 'Ok', and the person responds with 'Kk'! Like what are Kk-ing to?! Ughhhhh! Let me give you an example:
X: Heyy, what are you up to?
Y: Nothing much, just got home need to grab something to eat i'm hungry
X: Oh ok
Y: Kk


Responding to Ok with Kk is a no-no. Respond with something else or don't respond at all...or if you're busy or not in the mood to talk let the other person know. This just really annoys me lol and gets me so mad don't know why.


Anyways, there you go guys! 7 random things! If you wanna do this feel free to! It's Wednesday guys, two more days till the weekend. :) 


Have a great day!


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!          


    

Thirsty Tuesdays II

Y'ello 


How's everyone's week going so far? Hope great! So it's a bit slow here on the 9 - 5 so I decided to quickly crank out a post before I succumb to laziness and not update le blog. :)


I can't believe February is over! I mean it was just Valentine's day two days ago...no? Wow...time is going by fast sha.


Over the weekend it was a friend's birthday, and her closest friends organized a surprise b'day party! *sigh* I love surprises...and a surprise party would be nice. Just knowing that people took out time, funds and effort to organize something really nice for you is a great feeling. To be loved, is a great feeling.


So, even though my b'day is 4 months away it got me thinking, what am I doing for my b'day this year...I mean after-all it is the "Big 25!" *sigh* I am getting old! (But, I don't look it, did I tell y'all I got carded at the movie theatre about 3weeks ago) Anyways, my friends say it's gonna be hard to top my last b'day on the Party Bus (catch up here), which everyone agrees was the best party of the year!! I was sooo happy that day! Well so far the options we're playing around with are; a destination party, roof-top themed party, boat cruise party. The themed party is my favorite/most reasonably priced for now :) Time will tell...


Still on birthdays...it's my friend's 23rd this coming weekend. I don't know what to get her! I need suggestions PLEASE! Like I'm totally clueless! Like I can't think of something that she's really crazy about...or something that she likes to collect. This is hard! :( 


Stilllll on birthdays...(this is the last I promise!) it's my Mom's birthday in about 3 weeks...no clue as to what to get her either. What do you get someone who doesn't know how to do for herself, but just gives, gives, gives...my Mom gets more happiness from making sure others are happy. I'm not kidding you! I want to get her a spa date, but getting her to actually gooo to the spa na wahala! Mommie is gonna be 60! Lord please loooong life and good health for her! Amen. 


What would you do if you found yourself in love with your best-friend's fiance who initially was your casual platonic friend first, before he/she started dating your best-friend?


I watched the movie Something Borrowed over the weekend, and that was the story...and some of us were conflicted on the issue. Do you lose your friend of since primary school/high school/college over a guy? Or do you pick your friendship over a guy who could possibly be "the one" (Note that by "the one" I believe that we can be compatible with more than one person, but what if this guy is your 95% match, and every other guy would probably be 70 - 80% match...hope this makes sense?)  What would you do? 


On last week's episode of Private Practice, Jake Reilly told Allison Montgomery  (and I'm paraphrasing)...When I'm in a relationship, I go all in. No buts, what ifs or maybe. I've been there, done that and I'm done playing games because I know what love is, and I know how it feels to lose it. I'm a good man, but you're not ready for what I have to offer. You say you want me, but you're still pinning after another man...and until you're ready for all of this and me, I'm not going to have sex with you or become an item with you.


...This just got me wondering, sometimes people say I want to be in a relationship, I want a man, I want a girl-friend, but are we really ready for what commitment entails? In Allison's case, its the fact that she's still stuck on her ex, but at the same time sees a good guy that she wants. For other people it could just be being mentally ready to share your life with another. It's no longer me, me, me...are you ready for 'us'? Are you financially ready to handle 'us'? Even spiritually, when you pray or you're trying to do better in your faith you can't just focus on you alone, you intercede on the other person's behalf too...'us'? Career growth you have to carry each other along regardless of the different paths you're on, you need to support, encourage and motivate each other...'us'? Personal interests and past times; sure watching Soccer isn't your thing but it's his so you find a way to either like it or just respect it (Eg #TeamArsenal by boyfriend lol)...no selfishness...'us'?


So yeah you get my point...it's great to have a man/woman and to be in a relationship, but are you really ready for #TeamUs? If you are not, I say enjoy singledom...enjoy your space...enjoy not having to check in with anyone...and when you are ready, then you can join TeamUs. Hope this makes this sha.


Let me know your thoughts guys...  


Have a great week guys!!! 


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!