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!
:*    

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

Video Virgin

Hello Ladies (and Gents),

How's everyone's weekend been so far? Hope great! It's finally snowing in New York...Amen!

I've been doing good. Can't complain. I am alive, healthy and not lacking. Just grateful! 

So there's this post on Bella Naija about whether your man is a 'Boo' or a 'Bobo'. If you haven't read it already, you can catch up here . I made this video on Thursday, thinking making a video would so much easier than having to type a post on this topic but alas, it has taken me 2days to reconfigure the video and upload it! *sigh* there has to be an easier way for such things biko.


Anyway, this is my first video post, and for the first time you guys get to see my face. If you recognize me, issorai...just don't shout my name. If you don't :) oh well. Have a great weekend everyone...and stay warm! :* 

Hugs & Kisses,

Miss Enigma!

Hanging In There...

...Hang in there, that's what we say to someone going through a rough patch, with the believe that that rough patch will soon pass.
Hang in there, focus on the big picture, it's all a phase...I say this to people and more times than I can ever count, I say it to myself. But, heck it's easier said than done.
The past couple of weeks have been kinda, sorta rough and trying.
Distance sucks huge balls!!! Never get into a LDR, I tell ya, its the worst thing you can do to yourself *sigh* 


Now that I'm done with school and I'm now working, I feel the distance more than ever. Before, I had school to keep my focus, and keep me busy/distracted. But now that I have my weekends, and after work hours to myself, I find myself feeling his absence more and more :( I mean, I wanna go out to dinner, movie or even just walk through the park. Road-trips, vacations, and even lazy indoor weekends...*sigh*

It's summer and everyone is going away on vacation to diff places, acquiring new experiences and memories, I'm just here. For someone who loves to travel I sure as hell haven't done any in years! Instead of planning trips, I save up vacation time to be able to go visit Nigeria. I mean Naij is fun during Christmas and all, but it would be nice to travel somewhere else...even Dubai, South Africa ain't a bad idea.

My good friend who used to be my plus one to events and hanging out now has a boyfie so yeah, I don't see her anymore and I don't like hanging out  with them...being a third wheel isn't fun either.

So I'm hanging in there, but I gotta say it ain't easy and some days I almost want to just stop hanging and just...you know how when Meredith drowned in Grey's Anatomy, instead of fighting and swimming she just let herself drown? Yeah, that's kind of how I feel sometimes. Maybe my McDreamy will come and save me like Derek came to save Meredith *sigh* wishful thinking abi? Smh

Ok, I'm gonna stop now so I dnt sound like I'm whining...I just needed to talk and share without feeling bad or selfish. :( 

My birthday is in 2weeks and I don't know what I'm doing this year...tired of the usual dinner and drinks...wanna do something nice and fun. Suggestions??? If I had my own place, I would have thrown a BBQ party but oh well. I'm getting old, but thank God I dnt look it. I can still pass for 16-17 :) and that's about 7yrs off my real age; not bad eh? I know.

Have a great weekend every one and thanks for lending your me your ears :* 

Hugs and Kisses,
Miss Enigma! 

...Happy B'day!!!...

Today, you add another year to your life
As you grow older, may you grow wiser
May your walk with Him continue to blossom
May your steps be ordered
Let His word be a light unto your path
Sickness and tragedy will never know you by name
Negativity and failure will never find you
He will bless you and enlarge your territory

May He go before you to lead you
Under you to uplift you
Beside you to guide you
Behind you to protect you
Above you to bless you
Amen!

Another birthday, another milestone
I pray for more years...
To see your face
To hear your voice and have butterflies in my tummy
To sit n' stare at you and wonder how I got so lucky
To give you the 'the look' when you've had enuff beer
To ask you your opinion on things and make decisions wiv u
To be fed by you...promise not to bite ur finger...NOT!
To sit and watch Arsenal matches...things I do for you
To continue solving crossword puzzles...(I still dnt understnd Sudoku, u hve to explain it again)
To have ur ever listening ear, strong shoulders and encouraging attitude
To have my very own personal clown, always makin me laugh
To have your smile, your touch, your kisses n' gud lovin'

...I could go on n' on, but I want more years of your love, and you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABIE...LOVE YOU!

Talk to you guys soon,
xoxo,
Miss Enigma!

I'm in Love + Update

Hello Blogsville,

How's everybody doing? Hpe great. Everytime I log on to try and update, by the time I'm done reading all ur posts I forget what exactly I had in mind to blog about...lol. Neways, today I decided to just drop one or two lines regardless of my lack of blogging topic.

First off to all the commenters on my last post "Butterflies", hmmm well what can I say; I am in love, and it feels good. So y'all should allow my lil' spontaneous acts that scream "hopelessly in love" "romantic" and all that mushy stuff :-) I'm just happy in every sense of the word...and I'm thankful. Ok enuff b4 I bore u with mushy mush!lol

So remember I mentioned I was on the search for summer internships, well initially I was freaking out that no one was calling me back either to schedule interviews or even reject me gan sef. My people, in the past 2weeks, I've been on like 4 interviews!!! Please help me praise God biko...I'm not kidding oh...tell Baba God thank u on my behalf pls. So now its to wait for the application deadlines, then they'll start calling up people with offers, and I am believing in God to finish what He has started. Pls continue to put me in ur prayers o, even if its a one-liner Baba God hears everything.

I was in MD 2weeks ago for my friend's 21st, and we had a blaaaassst. We went to Lux on Friday, and one sketchy Mango Lounge (M Lounge) on Saturday. As sketchy as the M Lounge was with some African Papas n' Mamas in leopard print outfits n suits...lol...the DJ was on pointtttt! The dude killed it yo'....mixing correct Naija jams wiv regular club jams. We had a realll gud time. And no I ddn't get wasted, just happy enuff to not go overboard. :-)

One the other hand Wande Coal n' Mo'Hits crew were in town (NY) last weekend, but thanks to the wicked brutal rainstorm and assignments, coupled with the fact that I am on a budget, I cldn't make it. I heard it rocked tho'...ddn't expect less from the crew sha. Wish I was there :-(

So in other news, according to the weather forecast, it is gonna be a wonderful week weather wise. We are talking freaking 60 degrees weather. Woohoo!!!! I am tired of wearing coats and layers...as if I am not petite enough, to now be weighed down by layers of clothes and heavy jackets...who knws maybe that's what affected my vertical growth sef...lol.

Speaking of vertical growth, its funny how people seem to think that I might be bothered bout my height. But erm sorry to disappoint u o but I love it. It cmes in very handy. When I board the plane, ppl r always so anxious to help me put my luggage in the over head compactment. When I'm checking in, I jst stand there and bat my eyelashes and b4 I knw it, my two-three huge suitcases have been lifted for me and checked in with ease. The other day I'm @ an interview and they ask me wat I wld like to change about myself, and I am like ermm...nothing rili. The lady was like oh bcos I once interviewed someone who wished he was taller. Me I was like, I dnt wish I was taller, ppl always use their Panadol for my own headache by telling me to always wear high-heels; but I disagree with them...I wear high-heels when the event calls for it, besides that I wear my lovely, colorful, comfortable flats so I can move comfortable without pain written all over my face from wearing heels all day. (well I ddn't use those exact words sha oo..lol..)

Neways my darlings ur one and only has got to run. I have a class in 15mins, and I need to print some ish out first. Love y'all like guys love their foot-ball teams.

PS: I'm an Arsenal fan by boyfriend...lol...the dedication and loyalty that My Babie has to this team ehn, chei! Its interesting to watch sha...lol...love u babie!!!!!

Talk to you guys soon,
xoxo,
Miss Enigma!!!

...Butterflies

A wide smile across my face,

Eyes that twinkle with excitement,

A stomach filled with butterflies,

A heart overflowing wiv love;

This is what you do to me

And for these and many more

I love you.

...Undercover07

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!