tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53524433955351415412024-03-19T03:53:47.038+01:00Cruising Through the Coasts of My LifeI love me and I have no apologies. I like people too but in varying degrees because I have found that life is the razor that cuts through all our skins.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-92006304204690973042015-02-24T12:23:00.003+01:002015-02-24T12:23:36.150+01:00Observations... or ErrrSo, how is the week coming along? How was the Valentine weekend? Hope everyone had a good time. I sure did. Thank you all for leaving a comment on my last post! I liked how Parakeet said there is no pressure of 'first'! Hahaha, those times, when we used to rush to make the first comment on posts. Definitely no more pressure.<br />
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I was thinking about the things that I have observed over the past year and decided to post it. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Warning</span>, this post will tend to be random.<br />
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1. Since I turned 30, things have kinda changed, I will only mention body wise. I didn't give much thought to this until I read Isio's thoughts on it on BellaNaija. My hips have filled out. I was a little excited that finally, I have some curves! In the days when people are making millions off the fame of their butt, side eye to you know who. :D I have always been slim with a good sized chest. But, alas, no tush to go with it. Fast forward to turning 30, and things have rounded out nicely. Pun intended, LOL. I am still slim but with more curves. However, it is so pronounced, even my girlfriends are talking. Comments have ranged from, <i>"your husband is doing a good job"</i>; to <i>"what have you been doing?"</i> You know how Nigerians bring up body observations at any opportunity (without thinking it's rude). I have no complaints and Hubby definitely likes it. I just need to watch it, 'cos I don't want it getting any bigger!<br />
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2. I get way too excited about food. When I talk about it, my face lights up and people ask me where all the food goes. I am on the small side of UK size 8. I wear US sizes 0 and 2. I don't care where the food goes, I just want to cook nice meals and bake yummy stuff. My current favourites are banana muffins. I make them every week now. And shout out to Dooney'skitchen. That girl gets my creative juice flowing. <br />
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3. I am obsessed with makeup. I am such a junky for makeup and beauty products. I have different makeup bags, filled to the brim with different pouches for different things, sorted viz: eyes, lips and face! Oh and I went natural, so I have all kinds of products for my hair. I also have several wigs for the very many days that my hair won't do what I want it to do. I just don't bother. I moisturise, plait it, wear my wigs and voila! Someone said, going natural will be cheaper, because you will make less visits to the salon. *Blank stare* wrong! Making wigs and those fancy natural hair products do not come cheap. With so many people hoarding shea butter, that stuff is getting expensive too. <br />
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4. Am I the only one or are there more street sellers in Lagos? Like seriously, they are everywhere! I think it's sad and a reflection of how hard the economy is hitting people. I find myself buying things I don't need just to let them make a sale :(<br />
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5. I was gisting with a colleague recently about cabs and how I wouldn't take an unmarked one because of kidnappings. (I was supposed to pick someone along the way and she didn't come in time, so we left without her and she got a cab). Then, I remembered the rampant kidnappings during election times in years past. Who else remembers those times? When people went missing and body parts would be found and Newspapers would claim ritualists were at work etc. We had a good laugh and thanked God for a little enlightenment. Politicians don't do as much rituals anymore, instead, they are perfecting the act of rigging. Mehn, this country!<br />
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More things come to mind, but I gotta go.<br />
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Have a great week everyone!<br />
Xoxo.<br />
<br />LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-20438211140912975042015-02-11T10:46:00.000+01:002015-02-11T10:46:07.574+01:00OHEMGEEE!!!Like I can't believe I came back here! It's been ages. So much has happened in the past few years, I don't even know where to start.<br />
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I have missed this page so much. I am at work and just decided to check in because of a conversation i had with a friend recently. My God, I can't believe the allure, I didn't even know I had started typing until I put in a title for this post!!!<br />
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Twitter and Instagram have taken over. I must say I am not active on twitter, except for times I need to vent! Take the past weekend when the election postponement was afoot. I won't even get started on that.<br />
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I do wonder where everyone is and what they are doing now. I have missed everyone. Far simpler times, I an't believe I called those times simple Hehhee. to think, that so much was going on then that I thought that was life. Mehn I hadn't even scratched the surface.<br />
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I am kind of proud of who I am today. I have done some growing up. Where is everyone? Please drop a comment if you are still on here. I miss the old times.<br />
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<br />LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-38911357894521571542012-08-23T08:58:00.001+01:002012-08-23T08:58:35.794+01:00Que seraHello everyone. I trust you are all doing well. I have been fine and doing good. Life hasn't changed much. Lagos is still what it is. This post will be random. More like grouses :D<br />
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Is it just me or does anyone think it's weird that MTN wants to give away an airplane? Instead of improving on their service delivery, they have devised a way to make us forget that their service is crappy. I am sad for our nation and our wanton consumerism attitude. In any sane country, would anyone be giving away an airplane? Like really. Smh.<br />
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There are so many online outlets in Nigeria now. I haven't had any bad experience with them, although, I know people who have. Late delivery or mixed up orders. Naija, we hardly ever get things right. I was on one of the sites and the prices were craay! I mean, my office is on Lagos Island, so I took a stroll to the market to compare some of the prices. Suffice to say, I will still be heading to the market, thank you very much. Even for the imported things, I will rather pay the shipping cost, because the savings are worth it.<br />
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This is an aside and I normally don't care what other people do but I sometimes wonder. So, my friend's brother whom I have known for more than 10 years recently got married. He was dating a particular girl whom I have known for as long as he. They were practically inseparable then. I know the girl has issues and so does he, in fact I thought they matched perfectly until they broke up sometime ago. Now the guy is married to someone else. I wish him a lot of happiness but I wonder whether all those years were wasted. I mean you have spent the better part of a decade with someone and then you break up. Why? Ah well.<br />
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There was a time in my life that I didn't like kids. But today, I still can't say I am crazy about them but I am much more accommodating. I think since I learnt my sister was pregs, I have been fascinated. Now, my niece will be one next month and its been a beautiful journey. I love that girl to pieces. She is quite a little madam, independent and I suspect she will be as naughty as her mother was!<br />
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Why do okada riders derive perverse pleasure in scratching people's cars? I also noticed that most men in Nigeria dislike progressive women (notice I didn't say successful women). They see you behind a wheel, they start calling you names. I was along the Marina axis one day and this 'keke marwa' (those tricycles), pulled up alongside and tried to squeeze his way past. When I wouldn't move into another lane so it could pass, the driver (can I even call him that?!) and the male passengers started their insults. I have since adopted the attitude of "that's why they are not/won't be successful, because they are too bitter". Choi. I have noticed this attitude at work even. Na wah.<br />
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On a lighter note, where are these bloggers? SolomonSydelle, Temite, Nefertiti etc.<br />
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<br />LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-50443511451653805672012-05-23T12:22:00.001+01:002012-05-23T12:22:29.322+01:00All in a day's workSo here I am. Almost a year after! I have thought about putting up a post many times, but alas, something always stops me. Truth is, I have missed this space. This post will be a bit random.<br />
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I have a new job. My old job was way too stressful. I am not cut out for 15 hr days. I am simply not paid enough. My new job is alright, dare I say it? I like it even :D<br />
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I have a niece. She is beautiful. When my sister was preggers, I used to rub her belly and talk to the baby. The baby was born and she is just gorgeous. I have never been a big baby fan but when I saw my niece the very first time, I can't even describe the feeling. I can however say that for the very first time, I felt pure love. No inducement, nothing, just a sense of wonder that my baby sister produced this. It's a miracle!<br />
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My niece is so lovely. I am enthralled with her and I think she is enamored with me too. She is always staring at me. She follows me with her eyes and her mother complains that her baby is obsessed with me. Gosh, I love that baby! She is eight months now. Curiously, I can spend hours just playing with her. She gets naughty and fussy occasionally but mostly, she is peaceful.<br />
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The past year has been good. Very good to be honest. I have much to be thankful for.<br />
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Does anyone know where the blogger Temite is? I think of everyone here sometimes and wonder.<br />
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ToodlesLusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-66183145430396222992011-08-17T10:20:00.007+01:002011-08-17T10:51:22.642+01:00Officially...The week started on a very good note. I got notice on Friday that the result of my ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) exam would be released on Monday but that only students that have paid their annual dues would be able to access the portal. I am still pained as it was my last exam and wouldn't need the student site anymore plus that money would have bought me some fantastic shoes. My frequent readers would recall that the last time I wrote the exam was in 2008.<div>
<br /></div><div>I passed three out of four then and decided to take a break. I couldn't write it in 2009 'cos I was doing my LLM and since I was doing double degrees, there was no extra time to spare. Fast-forward to 2011, I decided to take the plunge again. Studying and working full-time is very difficult. The exam was written in June, one of the busiest times of my career so far. I would get home at 10pm or later and still study. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I also remember hiding in one of the conference rooms during break to study. And the week of the exam, I juggling my office and the conference room! I was not given exam leave as you had to have applied about 4 months before the exam. I couldn't 'cos I had not spent u to months then. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>The exam itself, was alright except I didn't finish! I answered three out of four questions and I was worried. I can't afford not to pass. The first time around I didn't study hard enough 'cos all my devotion went into the other course, Corporate Financial Management. The whole debt/equity/(in)solvency calculations and formulas was overwhelming. I had to go back to SS1 maths text books to cope and I got a maths tutor to take me through! It was that hard. I still hate maths.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Here we are in August and I passed with a merit! So I am officially an ICSA grad now. Yep, I can add Chartered Secretary to my titles! The funny thing is, when I was at law school, I swore I wouldn't study for any more exams! I finished and I immediately registered for the ICSA. Then I repeated the mantra but I still went ahead to do an LLM not one but two. That done, I registered for my ICSA retake. Now that I have conquered that, I am wondering whether to register for another professional course. I am either crazy or I love studying!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>To everyone having a set back in any of their goals or targets, don't let anything deter you, just keep at it, keep working hard and you will reach it with time to spare.</div><div>Have a blessed week.</div><div>
<br /></div>LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-31126441182147524132011-08-05T10:43:00.002+01:002011-08-05T11:05:22.766+01:00Here Again.Ramadan Kareem to all my Muslim brothers and sisters. How is everyone doing? This fasting is not easy seriously. I am not a big eater but declare fasting and all the things I wouldn't normally touch just becomes very desirable.<div><br /></div><div>To compound matters, workload has reduced drastically which leaves room for a lot of distractions. I can't even fall asleep to catch up on the extra early hours I have to wake up. The courts are on vacation, so I can't even pick anyone's brain from the Advocacy department and the Olori oko has gone on vacation! I am in Transactions and we get busy all year round but it's like the clients all got a memo to go on holiday! </div><div><br /></div><div>I have a sneaky feeling they will all return in September and bombard us with their mostly insurmountable problems! Usually caused by greed and lack of patience. I am almost dreading the endless meetings and back & forth emails. Most especially the foreign lawyers who all think they are superior. We have been putting them firmly in their place sha! I have been closing early too, I am dancing for joy for that at least! When everyone comes back, it will be back to the 15hr work days and work vigils!</div><div><br /></div><div>Most of all, I like this period. The calmness of Ramadan, I can't really engage in the heated discussions as wont to do by lawyers when they are less busy. The reading of the Qur'an in serene moments. My colleagues have even stopped eating in my office out of respect! Yay.</div><div>I share an office with a guy and it's just the two of us while the others are in a pool. So people sneak into my office to eat all sorts instead of going two floors down to the kitchen.</div><div>I don't miss the distractions they bring especially when I am busy!</div><div><br /></div><div>On an unrelated note, Our Presido is falling my hand o. This single term proposal is ill-timed and not what he should focus on at this time. I remember his meeting with the youths, it took place right across my office, where he promised to tackle power. Why has he forgotten that so soon? At the very least, he should focus on the health sector. May God guide us right.</div><div><br /></div><div>My next spate of weddings is October, plenty time for my finances to rest before they take another hit. Seriously though, I will soon stop on the aso-ebi. I don't need it. Mostly over-priced things I would never pick for myself. No accounting for taste in some. I recently saw one, and it looked like something you would use to cover a table as decoration. It was supposed to be silk damask, but we have a material so light, it cannot be constructed into anything meaningful to justify the price. I have politely declined. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have a blessed weekend people.</div>LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-72119690279764828262011-07-29T11:41:00.004+01:002011-07-29T12:03:12.940+01:00We are not friends!So yesterday, I made plans with friends to go to Swe bar for their weekly Thursday Live band shows. It's been long since I went there. This job of mine is robbing me of my extra curricular activities!<div><br /></div><div>As usual, it was packed. Finally found a seat, and ordered a cocktail. I had forgotten how long it takes to get your order when the place is full. Finally the waitress brought my drink, but wait it was the wrong drink or so I thought. Apparently I mixed up the order, even the bartender came over to ask inquire. Nice touch. So I ordered a daquiri instead of a capirinha! Blame the intense <i>gbeborun</i> I was doing. BBM just doesn't deliver the lascivious part of a face to face juicy gist! </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't like white rum or vodka! It always leaves me delirious and I cannot be responsible for my actions after ingestion. So I thought I could handle it, but for where, my body rejected it like poison! I was tipsy from the first few sips! I even ordered some food to combat the effects but no, it didn't help.</div><div><br /></div><div>I managed to drive home. (Drinking & driving is not a a good idea, I know, but I ensured I was in full control before I ventured out). I even saw past school toasters! The age process hasn't been kind to some people sha. I was home in less than 20mins! The strangest part was that, I felt like I was looking outside myself. I was hyper and at the same time, my reflexes were slow. And I was laughing like an idiot!</div><div><br /></div><div>Got in and said hello to my Mum. I even managed a shower but my body felt heavy! I climbed into bed and slept so soundly that when the alarm woke me at 5.30, I was up like a shot. I took some very cold water and went by my morning rituals. At work now but my eyes are 'lerry' according to my colleague and he won't stop asking my opinion on all his assignments!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have told him that if my brain can cope with his incessant queries, then I am fine. But I am not fine, I want to sleep! I know I will escape to the library soon to catch a nap. The last time I had vodka was my sent forth party in 2009. It was a disaster! I was so hung over I could barely walk! I blogged about it. My sister had to support me and we were flying. The air hostesses all thought I was just ill and were extra nice! </div><div><br /></div><div>This is my second incursion into white spirits, no more! We are not friends. You don't treat my body right. The weird thing is that, I am fine with dark rum or brandy. I can't stand red wine. I need to lie down or something.</div>LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-42049535992346529822011-07-25T12:34:00.002+01:002011-07-25T12:57:46.494+01:00Currently...Hello All,<div><br /></div><div>Last week was boring at work. So boring that I had to engage in some work unrelated activities. I won't mention them here. Who knows who might be reading. So on Thursday I was armed to the teeth preparing for another dose of boredom, (don't get me wrong, I had work to do but nothing challenging for the week, just regular updates and stuff I could do in my sleep).</div><div><br /></div><div>A single phone call I was very tempted not to pick saved me. I was nominated to attend a conference. Yay! The conference was wonderful, highly motivating and oh so interesting. Plenty movers and shakers of the profession, networking opportunities, fabulous food and an outlet to showcase the pencil skirts, shift dresses and heels! Two whole days of fantastic fun (read combining work with great opportunities).</div><div><br /></div><div>Reconnected with classmates, made new contacts, a renewed vigour and passion to reach my goals and what do you get? A very motivated individual.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my usual internet prowls, discovered ASOS now delivers to Nigeria at no extra cost! Yup you read that right. Now you can cut those extra delivery costs. The best part is that you use your regular ATM card. The website says its for a limited time only sha. But until then, the bliss of direct delivery!</div><div><br /></div><div>On to other things, I have two scenarios that I need your views on, how soon is too soon to visit a friend that just got married?</div><div><br /></div><div>Second one is, I recently discovered a friend's husband is cheating, married less than two years, in my mind, I don't think its my place to tell her, I have in fact resolved not to. Nevertheless its very painful to watch. I see the love rat every other day with his paramour. He is yet to catch me sha and I know its only a matter of time. What would you do?</div><div><br /></div><div>Its Monday, payday today, Yay! I like this time of the month I can't lie. Have a blissful week people.</div>LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-53280641835024010552011-07-05T10:04:00.003+01:002011-07-05T10:35:53.282+01:00Oleku!Y'all know the song in my title, the only word for my weekend is that. For the uninitiated, google '<b>Iceprince</b>' go on, google is your friend and no one is looking :D<br /><br /><b>Omotee's </b>wedding was funtastic! I mean that literally! I left Lagos at 6.00am having previously arranged with my cousin to meet up so he could drive. We picked up my brother on the way and what did we have? Yes, a 6 hr road trip! I lurve those. Been of the same mind and genes, we love long drives (read traffic-free smooth express ways) and stopping to buy any and everything that catches our fancy! I so blame our Grandfather for this (story for another day).<div><br /></div><div>So there were the usual bottle-necks along the road. The former second toll-gate that has degenerated to a trailer park, the Moniya-Ojoo and Iwo road traffic in Ibadan. But past all these, it was smooth sailing. Even the hair raising over taking of massive trucks and trailers on the single carriage way from Oyo-Ogbomosho didn't lessen the fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a side note, people cushioned by ignorance and false safety that live mostly in affluent areas in Nigeria and argue fervently that Nigeria is not a 'third world country' or in the throes of abject poverty should take a trip outside their comfort zone and see how the other parts of the country really are. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back to the gist, got to Ilorin and and went straight to my family friend's house. We were all attending the wedding, parents inclusive. Omotee was radiant and very excited and I was moved to sniffles when I went to say goodbye. There was also a very emotional part during the thank you address (I hate the phrase 'vote of thanks' thingy!) delivered by the Groom, it was so touching, we were wiping our faces, the Groom's father, the Bride and of course the Groom! At that point, if ever there was a shadow of doubt in me (there never was) that my friend was in good hands, it simply vamoosed. </div><div><br /></div><div>The journey back was even more interesting we practically floored the accelerator, I have pictures! It was pure undiluted madness! Frequent stops along the way to take pictures on the road side was even more fun than I thought. We had mini-hiccups on the way but that is one trip that was well worth the effort. There is one more wedding to go on Saturday and that will conclude the back-to-back wedding attendance series of mine that started in June. I want my solo weekends back!</div><div><br /></div><div>On a very unrelated note; I found myself attending this all-important meeting yesterday, as the parties were having their intense discussion, I had this evil thought of breaking wind, not the silent odious one that stinks like a sewer but the very loud butt cracking type that stops conversations and stinks like a sewer! The type that got people labelled with horrible nicknames throughout primary school. In my head it was all so funny, I had to hold my breath rigidly to keep from acting out my ridiculous fantasy. I wonder what the client would have done and the counter-parties. It's all just so funny to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to reality, I have unrelenting incessant headaches torturing my working hours! I think its the glare of the computer, I spend too many hours in this chair staring at the screen and my social after-work-hours life is in shambles. In total rebellion, I am blogging at work and dedicating the next consecutive hours to Marian Keyes. Hopefully the powers that be will not need my input on anything for the rest of the day (solemn prayer). </div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time, Enjoy the rest of the week!</div>LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-16340973418291506472011-06-20T15:57:00.003+01:002011-06-20T16:15:32.736+01:00Hello... GoodbyeI don not feel exactly bad that it has been eons since I last put up a post. It used to bug me in the early days, but I have since let go of that guilt! Not to say I haven't missed all you wonderful people, I have but events in my life have overtaken the need to blog.<br /><br />My wonderful beautiful friend Omotee is tying the knot in a few weeks! Need I say that I am ready to rock that party! I am so glad and happy for her. She deserves all these good things. Some of us know her journey to finding love and to be here when it has happened is just amazing!<br /><br />My last post highlighted my jobless status. I accepted an offer two months after that. I can't say I love my job but there is a satisfaction in having a place to go in the morning and receiving that bank alert at the end of the month that your salary has been paid :D<br /><br />The job is stressful walahi! I leave home everyday at 6.30am. Get to work 7.30-7.45, on hellish days at past eight! Blame VI traffic. Utterly annoying. Then I close anytime between 8 and 9pm! I swear I have seen red. There were days I would be on my way out, actually driving home when the dreaded call would come that I should come back because there is an urgent mail yet to be sent or replied! Some of my colleagues sleep over on occasion. I have said I wouldn't complain about the job so I will stop here before I have a full rant!<br /><br />On a personal note, I am in a very happy place, not to say I don't have my low moments buy hey that's just life. I am good and making the best of what I have.<br />I have missed this space. I hope I will have the urge to blog again soon. This was totally spontaneous! I laugh at my colleagues when all they want to do is blog, well been there, done that.<br /><br />I have weddings from next weekend till the end of July! Talk about Gbese and stress. My weekends have been over-crowded of late and I know there is no rest until the very last weekend in July if nothing comes up. I am so looking forward to a weekend that will be spent doing nothing but staying in bed. I am so going to plan it. I will load up on fruits, juice, maybe a bottle of vodka and some cheese and crackers! I will not drive and will definitely switch off my phones. I hope I can achieve this solo weekend thing.<br /><br />Forgive the lack of structure, I think I will adopt it as my new style. Have a blissful week everyone.<br /><br />XOXOLusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-72870360916891223632011-02-08T11:00:00.003+01:002011-02-08T11:28:14.064+01:00The grass isn't always greenerThank you all for your comments on my last post. <br />I was in Ghana over the weekend for a wedding. I was very excited about that trip because I am jobless, single and love to travel :D.<br />So, we took off early landed in Accra and headed to our destination. Forget all the Nigerian Banks advert about their 'Visa' cards and 'Mastercard' working everywhere! Shame really. Thank God I had Naira and Dollar back up. It would have been a major disaster. And Airtel does not work! All that story about wider coverage and One network across Africa is hogwash. Apparently, you have to set up the roaming service before you leave your country.<br /><br />The wedding itself was very simple and lovely. The bride's mother puts the crown on her daughter's head. There is no traditional ceremony. It was we the Nigerians that had the gele etc. Everyone else was simply dressed, we stuck out like a sore thumb! But it was fun.<br /><br />We managed some shopping, plenty in fact, cosmetics is much cheaper. Went clubbing on Saturday night, not the nest night to do that as the club night is Friday but it was ok. We went to about 4 before landing at Aphrodisiac. No cameras allowed. I love the decor, spacious dance floors, beautiful pin dot lights and we saw Majid Michel. <br />There is a club called Papazz where the decor is all about Moet & Chandon. <br /><br />My friend and I call Ghana, 'Booty Central'. There is booty everywhere and they show it, as in. Tight short gowns with slits everywhere! I say that literally.<br /><br />I say the grass isn't greener because I hear a lot of complaint about Lagos traffic etc. Forget it. Traffic in Ghana is also bad, this is my second trip. Almost missed my return flight because of it. Every city has traffic, lots of it, just go out at rush hour!<br /><br />Have a nice week.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-52963680281152408202011-01-26T03:26:00.003+01:002012-08-23T08:12:44.074+01:00HonestlyI believe half of the problems in world would be solved if only people respected other people's beliefs.<br />
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I am a Muslim and I love practising my religion. If I had a penny for everytime people tell me 'but you don't look like a Muslim' I would be very rich by now. Which gets me wondering what exactly Muslims look like.<br />
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I have had people ask me why I am a Muslim! I have absolutely nothing against other religions. I think it's interesting the different forms of faith and communication with a Supreme Being.<br />
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My Grandma is an Anglican and her parents were too but she married a Muslim and she still remains an Anglican. To my knowledge my Grandpa never had a problem with it till his dying day. I guess I understand why when some ladies get married, they take up their husband's religion.<br />
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I understand that for unity and the children's sake, it is better to have a common religion but what I don't like is the expectation from people that because you married outside your religion, you must adopt your husband's religion even when you don't believe in it.<br />
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I know it would be difficult for me to change my religion for someone, very hard indeed. All my boyfriends have been Christians and I don't have any problems with it. I fell in love with the person not his faith. My family don't have issues either as happiness and compatibility is what matters.<br />
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I have had people inviting me to church over and over again but when I deign to ask them to come for an Islamic program, they act like you just hit them with something foul! I also remember a fasting period when a former colleague asked me why I was observing the fast and I responded that it was part of my religion and also good for the body, she looked at me with disdain and did that thing with the nose.<br />
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I have nothing against other religions and I respect other people's faith but I am not going to accept anyone speaking/acting towards me as if I were not a person simply because we don't practice the same faith. If we all treated others the way we would like to be treated, there would be peaceful co-existence. <br />
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I have this friend who was brought up a Muslim, both parents have performed the Hajj but she changed her religion and no one said anything. Her parents never hassled her, they respected her faith and the fact that she has one. <br />
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You certainly don't have to like/understand/believe in the tenets of other people's religion but respect it. If I have one more person preaching to me to convert, I might start screaming and never stop. Your religion won't take you to heaven (if you believe it exists) but it is your action and deeds that will determine whether you get to the pearly gates. Live and let live.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-77896305698121567152010-12-13T11:21:00.003+01:002010-12-13T12:17:44.104+01:00Idle handsForgive the randomness.<br />I am currently looking for a job (with a torch light I might add!) So I have a lot of time on my hands. I read a lot of things but lately, I noticed that a lot of people have different names for copulation. The interesting ones I have found include: <br /><br />Playing the pokey table<br />Laying the Pipe and eating the Goodie box (Sounds icky)<br />Settling in the lady caves ( This is not funny stricto sensu but I can't stop laughing)<br /><br />On to other things, I remember a time when make up regime consisted of dusting powder on the hands, rub said hands together and wipe over the face until well blended. I say this because I had to get ready for a party recently and I had 25 mins to take a shower get my face on and be ready!<br /><br />I wondered how I was going to get it done within the time but I did. I went back to the old routine. Of course the finishing touches were done in the car. Which brought to fore the necessity of wearing make-up at all. Women Palava<br /><br />I have been wondering lately, can men and women 'just be friends' without any strings? I have tried for years to reach a medium and even argued fervently in times past that it is possible but I can't help but conclude that it is very RARE. One party always want something more. In cases where they don't, if an opportunity ever presents itself, one party will try to take advantage of the other. Can anyone prove otherwise? I have had to prune down my friends list because of this. I can't give what I do not have. <br /><br />Is anyone excited over Christmas? I am not and I just want the season to be over. The anxieties over the festivities is too much and the evil boys/girls are out en masse all because they want to have money for Christmas. Too many snatched cars, people getting killed etc it is just too close for comfort and I go out now ONLY if it is absolutely necessary. I don't even do the casual 'meet up for drinks' anymore. I sorely miss that. <br /><br />I pray 2011 brings more good tidings. By the way, my graduation went very well. I had a great time with my parents and I left just a day before the snow started! That was coup for me. :D Have a great week peopleLusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-90580891141688283872010-11-11T08:32:00.006+01:002010-11-11T09:28:17.845+01:00This country of mine!Hope everyone is doing great. My internet or my computer has been misbehaving, I could read post but was unable to leave comments. I discovered it was my computer, I have deleted all my cookies but yet to check the result, I am back on my old lappy. <br /><br />I went to Cotonou last Saturday. Nigerian immigration officials are some of the most corrupt people ever! I was watching this freaking eejit demand for 9k to stamp our 'virgin' passports! Our crime? We wanted to do the right thing by stamping when we could have walked past the border gates simply or taken the car and paid 500naira! We wanted to take car. The virgin part was that we had never taken that route!<br /><br />We were so miffed, I was dangerously quiet and my sister let it rip! They were so galled they went the 'we are not your mate route' and can you speak to your husband like that? My sister God bless that girl, promptly replied that if they had treated her like their daughter, she would have spoken to them like her father! EOD (End of Discussion) We finally got out of there, parked our car and hired a vehicle to take us there. We went through Ogun state, the state of our borders is laughable!<br /><br />We left home at 5.30 in the morning, our drive to Otta-Idiroko-Igolo was pleasurable until we met those froggy looking immigration men. It is such a shame. They had this ridiculous pot bellies and I was very ashamed to share citizenship with these people.<br /><br />The trip was fun and the journey back was terrible. Traffic on that Otta road was appalling! We got to the border at 4.30 and from Otta to the toll gate we spent 4hrs! Gbenga Daniel or whoever takes over from him needs to do something. We got back to my sister's house. Her husband drove, I was so tired, I was tempted to crash in their house! But I had to drive back home, Thank God I got home safely, my Dad waited up as usual. That is a road trip we will not be repeating in a while.<br /><br />Next week is my graduation. Should be fun. So I ordered new boots for myself and Mumsie from ebay only to have my account blocked! I accessed my account from Nigeria! I was so miffed. After about 6hrs on their help line verifying my account etc I got the issue resolved. Nigeria needs a miracle seriously!<br /><br />I will miss Sallah second time in a row. Not happy about it but grad preps have been in the works for ages. It's a shame they coincided. The funny thing is my parents are coming too and they will miss Sallah for the first time ever! The running joke in the house is that they should call all their regular guests that they won't be coming this year. I can imagine the number of people that throng our house in Ibadan for the festivities, the disappointment chei!<br /><br />I wish NLC had not called off the strike. I want to see what the current President can do :D. Have a great weekend everyone.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-21094598748726931142010-10-29T09:23:00.000+01:002010-10-29T09:27:13.316+01:00shall i say... phew!Yesterday, I had to take my car to the mechanic. I assumed I would spend the whole day, so I called a friend to follow me, armed with magazines, snacks etc. After 3 hours we were told the diagnosis was over and the guys are on break so we decided to go on one ourselves. Picture me crossing the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, I was terrified. I can't remember ever crossing an express before. We went to this very nice place called Tank & Tummy. The food is fab and not over-priced. If anyone is ever in that area, they should try it.<br /><br />My car wasn't going to be ready until the next day, so we set out for home. On getting home, I remembered I had not warmed the stew since the day before and I wasn't sure if my brother had warmed it before leaving the house. In haste, I put it on fire, dropped my bags and went back downstairs. I had to cook dinner, it was past five, I had to go to the tailor to pick up my outfit and buy plantain.<br /><br />I left the house, strolled to the tailor's place, exchanged banters, (my clothe wasn't ready) and I walked further to get the plantain. That is when it occurred to me that I left the stew on fire! I don't know how I got on a bike and headed home leaving my friend on the roadside! I just ran into the house, leaving the gate open, to turn off the cooker. Yep, it was totally burnt! Smoke all over, I just opened the door and windows and got back on the bike to go back to the plantain place! It was hilarious on retrospect but at that time, I must have been a sight!<br /><br />I haven't taken a bike since 2007. It was during chamber's attachment at Law School. There was mad traffic on the Falomo Bridge and I was staying with Uncle in VI at the time 'cos of the proximity to school. The red flag came flying suddenly and there was no way I could drive home without having major stains on the car seat so I hopped a bike! <br /><br />I was pained that my stew got burnt but even better that I didn't burn down the house!LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-10553348635132520432010-10-27T08:20:00.008+01:002010-10-27T09:02:47.700+01:00Currently on my mindFistly, happy birthday to Myne Whitman, hope you had a blast!<br />Omotee, I dey vex. That cake for Myne, I am envious! <br />RIP to the Cunning Linguist. Very sad but God knows best. May your family have the fortitude to bear the loss.<br /><br />By the way, I can't leave comments on blogs today! Don't know what is wrong with blogger o. I like the sound of LG's register idea. Omotee knows me and my entire family we went to high school together. :D I by 2014 we would have been friends for 20yrs! I can't wait to celebrate that, we will have a sumptuous do celebrate. May God keep us beyond that time.<br /><br />To my post of the day, it's official, I am BORED! I am not actively job searching anymore no one is returning my calls. Plus I still have to go for graduation. So I will keep chilling.<br /><br />Something that has been bothering me, why do guys misbehave in a relationship? You break up and after sometime, they want to come back. I am asking because all my exes always come back. <br /><br />Is anyone worried about the current rise in floods in Nigeria? I went to Lokoja last week and the level of water was alarming. It had covered some houses entirely and all that was visible were the roofs. I took pictures and said out loud that I wonder if the State government is thinking of doing something. I think I spoke too soon because it was on the news last night and the government is calling on the Federal Government to do something about the River Niger. Why is it that our government is useless? They have no rescue plan whatsoever on the floods save for Lagos State. I pray the people affected get some relief.<br /><br />I wonder if the government can pass a law that dragging and touching people in the market is technically an assault. I dread going to the market, all those guys, shouting 'my colour, come buy' etc it freaks me out! I love shopping and I know most of the nooks and crannies of Lagos market but having being absent for some time I fear my re-entry. I say this because I have to follow a friend there today. I wish I could call her now to cancel but I can't, having cancelled twice already. So here I am clinging to the bed instead of getting a move.<br /><br />Oh well, it's the middle of the week, hope you are all being the best you can be. Enjoy the rest of the week. I apologise for the randomness. Please show this girl some love I would really really appreciate it. <span style="font-weight:bold;">http://bnuitville.blogspot.com/</span> Can anyone guess who she is?LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-68698553900560127102010-10-19T14:43:00.002+01:002010-10-19T14:55:46.980+01:00Funny DudesHello all, I hope everyone is having a good time. Is it me or some men are just totally clueless about some women?<br /><br />I wonder why men who want to date me make suggestions like me visiting them in their states! I mean ain't you the one 'toasting' me? I have and will NEVER make such a trip. Why would I leave my house and travel all the way to make a visit with you when all you is just talk to me on the phone? Why don't you try visiting me first and see how it goes?<br /><br />Such is what I have been getting since I arrived. The first guy asked me when I would be coming to Ibadan. I laughed inwardly, I am yet to visit my Grandmother who stays there, it is you I will now visit, puhleeeeeeeeeese. That is why men take women for granted I think. Why would I want to endanger my life on that perilous useless express-way to come visit you? <br /><br />Another asked me when I would be coming to Warri, wetin I wan come buy for there? I have no business in those places. I don't make such visits, the next thing I heard was, you are a big girl now. Big girl or not, I am not interested in visiting people. I don't understand why people just make such assumptions that you would come running when they say so. Again, why do guys just go loving up on you on the BB in 24hrs when 48 hrs before you didn't exist in their orbit? I adopt the siddon-look attitude, shebi you are fooling yourself ni not me.<br /><br />That is it for today. Wish it was written better but I just had to get that ish off my mind. I am beginning to get pissed off at all the 'when are you coming to so so place' requests. Get off my case brother, only in your dreams will I make such a trip!LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-75164938867638297142010-10-04T15:08:00.002+01:002010-10-04T15:25:08.758+01:00VacuumThe wedding was a huge success! Thank you all for your wishes. I am waiting to watch the video since I spent most of my time coordinating the event. I even earned the title of 'field marshall'. We had security at the door and people were turned back, there were too many guests; Some uninvited and or without IVs or the aso-ebi. <br /><br />I couldn't sleep for a few days after the wedding, I miss my sis. She has been coming and going the past week to get her remaining stuffs. I am yet to fill her wardrobe space, it feels like I am invading her privacy.<br /><br />On the engagement day, I wore my heels, to say I regret the action is an understatement! I wore flats all through the next day! Wise decision and it wasn't as bad as I thought 'cos I didnt even have time to think about it.<br /><br />Too many people saw the wedding on air judging by the calls I am still receiving. I just thank God the ceremony was money well spent. May the couple enjoy marital bliss.<br />The room feels empty now and I ocassionally mention my sister when I want to call my brother hence the vacuum.<br /><br />I was just chatting with a friend and she is quite angry. Still on the subject of weddings: She says a friend didn't inform her she had a boyfriend and she is getting married on Friday. Her grouse is the 'big secret' and she asked me why people are usually secretive about theitr wedding. I had no answer to that and simply told her to relax, if the other lady valued their friendship or had belief in it, she would have been informed.<br /><br />I am a realist and I try to avoid assumptions so I don't get upset much by my friends. I have come to realise people have different definitions of friendship. Hope everyone is doing alright. Remember to be the best you can be all the time. Have a nice weekLusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-85672757041024455052010-09-08T07:44:00.002+01:002010-09-08T08:47:58.533+01:00Just how many is too much?The wedding is two weeks away! I miss her very much already. That is why I came home early, to spend more time with her before she leaves! It would be so strange to wake up in the morning and not see her beside me. We have shared a room and finally a massive bed to create more space for as long as I can remember.<br /><br />I watched her grow up, from being the cutest thing into a strong minded woman. From copying everything I did to exchanging words with me to correcting me when I am wrong. It has been an amazing journey and I can't believe this girl whom I would always see as my baby sister is getting married!<br /><br />She sometimes call me mummy! My voice sounds so much like our Mum's that when I call her she says yes mummy! I even capitalise on that sometimes to get her to do some chores! :D<br /><br />She said just this morning, (after she woke up at 6.38, late for work already!) that Mum does not bother to ensure she is awake early again since I arrived and I responded that her second mummy is back now so why bother? We laughed about it while she said, she is having anxiety attacks and she can't believe she is leaving in two weeks! <br /><br />I thought September was far away! Now it's here and we can only count days. She is just so amazing and if I had handpicked my sister, I couldn't have done a better job! <br /><br />Back to today's topic, our room looks like a bomb explosion site. Thanks to packing and unpacking. She has started packing and is complaining about all the suitcases filled with my clothes that must be empty so she can use them to pack her stuff. Then she jokes about my lingerie, that she could write a book on them!<br /><br />I know I have quite a number, make that a lot! We have both resorted to keeping a giant vacuum bag to drop whatever we wear after washing so that we can go through them all! The ones I left before I travelled are still untouched in their various bags and none of us wants to even open the wardrobe to find out what is there! It is daunting as she rightly said! So just how many is too much? I know I have more than 150 brassieres, I just love the damn things and I am one of those people that can get away with not wearing one. I do it sometimes especially when the heat is too much. <br /><br />As for panties, well we are not even going to count or attempt to and I love basques too. On the subject of clothes, I am afraid for myself. Our Dad believes that every occasion needs a new native cloth so he just buys, so I attempted to clear out some from the wardrobe, so that I can unpack some suitcases and fill them with the natives instead since I rarely wear them. I wish I hadn't started. They are just too many. I got so tired that I simply started shoving everything from the suitcases into the wardrobe without folding them. Our dressing room is overrun with cases, we have a narrow path to walk through and then there is this mini room that we designated a prayer room, but now you can barely fit in a mat to pray simply because of our suitcases.<br /><br />Our Dad is tired of complaining, last week he said, we have about half of the house between us and that is too much. We disagree with him of course! He is a shopaholic too and I take after him. I arrived about a week ago, and during the week, he came home with a bag for me, when I opened it, more shoes! And he is the one that complains that I have far too many shoes. The funny thing is, we have the same size and the unfortunate thing is, no one else in the house shares our size! He is a 41 and so am I! In the three homes we have, he has racks of shoes stretching from wall to wall, the difference between him and I is that I like to have all my shoes in one place. <br /><br />So I will miss my sister sorely. I already do but I am also looking forward to having her wardrobe space to myself, the shelves, dressing table, shoe racks gosh! I will miss waking up in the middle of the night to tell her to move over, telling her to switch off the light etc.<br /><br />Here is to my sister my very own ever sparkly, keep me grounded, part-time hairdresser, nail-polisher, cook, drive me crazy, sparring partner, go-to-girl, financial advisor/planner and so much more HAB, I love you so much, I always will be here for you like I always tell you, your hubby is so lucky, your kids are going to be so lucky for having you as a mother! Remember you are to send them to me for some discipline and fabulosity like you always say, and I am sending my kids to you to get away from my sometimes crazy hare-brained fashion ideas (Like the time I decided I wanted short hair and a different colour) and cooking experiments! I will also try not to drag them on my all day shopping trips so as not to kill them like you say.<br /><br />I love you so very much, I never get tired of saying that. And I am going to miss your 'love you' call outs when you are leaving the house. Have a very happy married life sweetness, you deserve it and much more.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-12012685745605890972010-08-29T06:36:00.002+01:002010-08-29T06:45:55.492+01:00Home and Away....Several months afterHi People! I know I have been a lazy gal. Hope everyone is doing greaaaaaaaaaaat! The past few months have been indescribable. So many things to talk about, hope I won't get lazy about it again.<br /><br />My dissertation went way better than I expected! I thought it would be hell. It was a lot of hard work but my Supervisor was very supportive, I know most of my classmates had a very rought time with it. I am glad mine went smoothly.<br /><br />My baby sis is getting married and I am so happy! I will make a post specially for her. Wedding is a month away now. I am just so excited. I was in charge of my favorite activity... shopping! I had a wild good time. My goodness! It was fabulous. I had to ship 6 suitcases home!<br /><br />This is a mini post, thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last post and who checked up on me. I wanted to post but in between watching several series, yoruba film (Yes... I am a fan!), online and high street shopping, making day trips round Scotland (Y'all should visit some day, is VERY beautiful) and a myriad of other activities, I have had little time. <br /><br />The summer was very bried but the sunset and sunrise left me saying OMG everytime. There were days I slept at 6am and I watched a new day unfold all I can say is God is wonderful. Nighttime during summer in Scotland lasted about 3 and a half hours so it's not much fun sleeping.<br /><br />Missed this space. Will make the rounds soon. I am going back to bed, this Ramadan is going good. Cheers everyone and I wish you all the best. My eyes hurt already so I apologise for any typos!LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-15226843398740341462010-05-01T23:07:00.004+01:002010-05-01T23:18:47.538+01:00Mini UpdateHi loves! How is everyone doing? I am fine. I feel very guilty that I didn't blog in my birth month April. I have been all over and busy too.<br /><br />My exams start on Tuesday, forgive me if I have been shirking my duties *wink*<br /><br />I am stuck that's why I am writing this mini update. Things are good. I have so many things to blog about but they are all in my head and I simply can't put them down until after my exams.<br /><br />I am back to my hermit mode. I never leave my house during exams prep. I hardly venture into the kitchen too. If it doesn't come in a packet I ain't eating. Why waste time in the kitchen? It shall pass soon though.<br /><br />I was in Geneva for my birthday. That place is f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. Deets when I blog properly! I was also in London and got caught in the volcanic ash! I was stuck there for 3 days before I dipped into my very scarce resources and purchased a business class ticket on the Eurostar to return to Paris. I am still very miffed about that! All the tickets were sold out! <br /><br />Oh so many things to talk about and do! Happy new month people. My apartment block caught fire on Easter Sunday! My God, it was an inferno. Thank God no one was hurt. It was a totally crazy experience. It feels surreal now though. <br />I also went for a check up in the beginning of April and was told I have a heart murmur. Got to check that out too. Told you there is a lot going down.<br /><br />Too many happenings. Anyhoos I need to go rest my brain for a minute. See you after the 13th.<br /><br />Then I shall be F.R.E.E. until hell begins in the form of my dissertation. Can't wait. Have a fab weekend and week. A bientot!<br /><br />BTW: Forgive the typos, no time to proofread.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-78876552134695650252010-03-16T23:23:00.005+01:002010-03-16T23:55:28.715+01:00Trips & HappeningsHow is everyone doing? Hope things are going good. I have been busy like crazy, had a presentation last week, another one on Thursday and another next Tuesday! I decided come whatever, I am blogging tonight, even if I cannot read posts.<br /><br />I went to Amsterdam during the winter break and boy, was it an adventure! It started with the bus, the buses from my house to the train station stop working at 9.48pm on a week day. We were meeting at the station to take off at 2.00am. I didn’t want to walk alone at mid-night besides, it’s quite far, so I took the bus and beagn the waiting game. I killed time with an apple cider at a pub with like-minded individuals going on the trip.<br /><br />We finally gathered everyone and set off to board the bus only to discover that it was running late. We were standing in the middle of the expressway in the middle of the night with no shield from the cold! It was 0 degrees! The bus showed up at 3.00am and we set off. I was dozing off after cornering 2 seats for myself in the from of the bus and getting used to the usual chatter among people bound together on a trip when the first wahala started.<br /><br />I heard WTF? I woke and smelled smoke, and someone went ‘the bus is f****** and the driver is still driving?’ The smoke was so much we could smell it in the bus with all the windows shut against the cold! And the people at the back could see smoke coming from the bus. The driver finally stopped and we were ordered off the bus, it was 4.10am. We had to wait for the police to set up the emergency cones as we were between borders on the Highway and no one was allowed to get into the warmth of the bus. The temperature had further plummeted of course as I was shivering and everyone was complaining. People had to pee but the bus didn’t even have toilet facilities, it was locked, someone said ‘hit the bushes’ but it was ridiculous as we were on a highway, no shoulder on the road to even stay in clusters! We had to make a single file as it was a bridge and the little space on the side of the road was very narrow. I have never heard so many swear words in a single night before.<br /><br />We got back on the bus around 5.00am when the emergency signs had been erected and proceeded to wait for the replacement bus. It came 3 hours later. Set off again at 8.00am, badly pressed and quite grumpy we were the motley crew . We found a rest stop after 2 hrs and everyone got about their business. Arrived Amsterdam at about 4.00pm. School trips, you gotta love them! <br /><br />We got to the hotel/hostel only to discover the fool that organised the trip got two rooms only to be co-shared between both sexes! I promptly objected that the smaller room be taken by the girls and I could see the hesitation on the guy’s face, I ignored him, I am a full grown adult and no way would I share a room with over-grown kids still exhibiting traits of youthful exuberance. They are undergrads after all! Still have the boorishness and manners or lack thereof attached to males of that class.<br /><br />We girls had our way but some unlucky girls had to share the other room with the guys. I told them they could bring their mattress and bunk with us. We rested a bit and met in the lobby for what they called a visit to the ‘coffee house’. Innocent enough until you have been to Amsterdam and discovered that coffee houses do not have the same meaning. These are cafes where marijuana is sold and smoked freely! Innocent me! I have never inhaled so much smoke. It’s everywhere. The laws are not like in the UK or France where smokers go outside, they can stay in the room and do it. I responded with having allergy attacks! So severe my eyes were almost swollen shut!<br /><br />Another pet peeve of the trip was, the ‘leader’ kept giving information in French, it was so annoying considering that half the people on the trip do not speak it and he manages English quiet well in school environs. As eloquently pointed out by a friend, since the guy had been smoking weed, all his language capabilities had been disconnected, and he can only resort to his native language!<br /><br />The guys were principally there for the smoke. We meet in the mornings and go to a museum after that everyone is left to their own devices. I like the city away from the smoke and red lights. It’s a bicycle city. There are thousands of them everywhere. My friend almost got hit by a tram too. Between them and cycles, it was all very crazy.<br /><br />The food is great! I love their Vlaamse fries, so thick and long, just how I like my fries. And the waffles and huge street pizzas, doughnuts etc. The foods are available 24/7 on most of the streets. Even in the 'coffee shops' you have muffins (made with hash), brownie (made with weed) etc proudly displayed in neon signs! They also have fab restaurants. Even the silly hotel we stayed in, the beef of the burger was so huge the bread only covered half of it. Some of them had silly names, space cakes, space brownie, anyway I assume by the time you finish onhe, you will be in space! This aptly named.<br /><br />I also saw girls (in minuscule undies) in live windows, calling men and the bars are open all days and hours of the week and the girls are there in the windows even during the day. It really is a bustling city. We went to the Marijuana museum, the torture museum and the sex museum. We also saw the floating flower market. I went on the boat round the city too. I have never had so many touristy activities in a single trip!<br /><br />There were also quirky quotes everywhere such as, 'drink beer and save water, do your part to save the environment' and ' Don't drink and drive, instead, smoke and fly! It was a lesson! <br /><br />We went to the Anne Frank museum and it was a very sad experience for me because I could not imagine the persecution such a young girl must have faced during the Hitler era. She was just 15 and forced to hide in an upstairs room with her sister and the people in the office downstairs were not even aware of their existence! They were eventually betrayed and sent to the camps where they were killed. The only good moment was seeing a live Oscar won by one of the actresses in the Film based on her life. We were not allowed to take pictures though.<br /><br />On getting back to school, a lecturer asked what we did for the winter break, I sat in front so I had to respond and told him I went to Amsterdam, his response? Ha you went there to smoke!<br /><br />So there goes my trip, many more memories but this post is long enough already and I can’t even include the gist about the stalker I have managed to acquire. <br /><br /><br />The temperature is going up yipeeeeeeeeeee! It will be 15 degrees tomorrow, I will brave it and wear open toed flats, about time. Enjoy the rest of the week. Will be back after heavy school schedule.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-12926696676388760622010-03-01T10:33:00.003+01:002010-03-01T11:22:20.234+01:00Tales from a PartyHi guys, how is everyone doing? Hope all the overzealous natural forces at work is not hampering your daily life. France is being battered by a horrible storm with winds that can lift a human body off the streets! I couldn't sleep through the storm, the howls of the wind was too terrifying and the temperatures magically dipped so it was very cold as well. It's been horrible but mercifully over. I hope the people in Chile are coping well though.<br /><br /><br />Went for a party last Saturday and I must say I have attended better parties. It was supposed to be a house party by a classmate who moved to Paris away from the school environs. You are thinking fun yeah? Maybe a little.<br /><br />So I went with another classmate since I can't find my own tail with a compass. We got to the apartment. It was a very nice one complete with marble elevators and English speaking neighbours! We met a few of them 'cos they let us into the foyer. And it's very close to the Metro. Fab!<br /><br />We met the hostess in sweats and she grabbed me the Nigerian to come make the Jollof rice! Did I mention the party was supposed to start at 9pm? Oh I got there at 9.30 or so. The hostess is a fly African who grew up American. She rarely attends lectures too. I have seen her all of twice since we started classes here, we mostly see on FB!<br /><br />She was dishing out orders like we were her servants, oh you get the chicken, LusciousRon slice the onions, don't add too much pepper in the sauce for the jollof rice. Oh you go get the paper plates, the store is down the road. etc<br /><br />On a regular day, I don't mind doing some work to get a party started and ready but sheeeet I did not leave my cosy flat, brave the cold weather, and travel into Paris in heels and flowing hair to come cut onions and ish! When I start reeking of maggi and other condiments at the party what am I supposed to tell other guests? That I had an accident with a curry shop? Puhleeeeeese.<br /><br />I swallowed my annoyance and made the jollof, lighted the candles and did other minor stuff that kept the party going. It was the kind of party that people come in groups and leave after 2hrs to go to another party or club. And the hostess (we will call her H) kept making disappearing acts for lenthy chunks of time to attend to her stud-wearing-jeans-sagging boyfriend.<br /><br />I was chatting with some of my classmates when H brought a dude over that he is Nigerian and I should talk to him. Behold a Nigerian that pronounced his name till I got a mild headache. He is supposedly 'Femi' but the way he said it, I asked him to repeat it so many times it sounded like a song! Get this, he speaks the kind of English a 2yr old would speak- very limited and I don't speak much French past what would get me items in a store. His parents are Nigerian but he grew up here. Having a conversation with loud blaring music is terrible at the best of times but having one with someone you cannot communicate with is crazy, besides he ain't that cute so I am not missing anything! I tilted him towards a Norwegian that speaks French and escaped!<br /><br />I thought I had escaped most of the horrors of the night until a batch of French people came in. They were very drunk from another party. of course they had to do the French air kissing thing. Imagine the stale alcoholic breath coming into your nostrils, its utterly disgusting and 'cos they were drunk the kiss lingered and I had to endure that from about 8 people! I thought I would throw up. They were actually waiting in line to meet a delightful looking lady- their words not mine.<br /><br />Some time after that, the Naija guy slipped beside me and from what I could decipher, he asked me to walk up to his friend and ask him to dance for me that he can really move. (Do you guys remember those silly games we played in secondary school and early Uni days? Where a guy's friend will tell you to go up to him and ask him to do something? Yes that one) I turned calmly and told him I was tired and the last thing I would do, is walk across the room to ask someone to dance for me! He gave me that incredulous look like, I want to miss the offer of the century. I simply turned to another person and struck up conversation.<br /><br />I was stuck at the party 'cos the trains stop working at around 1am, so I couldn't go home. We left around 4 after we discovered we could get a bus to our place instead of waiting for the trains to start working. I was so glad. We walked to St. Lazare ran to catch the bus 'cos it was already leaving. Unlike the UK, the buses wait to pick you when they see you running. They even wait at bus-stops close to malls for shoppers.<br /><br />We got to the Gare and I walked home. It's Sunday the regular buses don't start work until 7.30am. You gotta love France!<br /><br /><br />So it's winter break this week and I have signed up for a trip to Amsterdam on Wednesday. I have back-to-back presentations immediately after the break so I will be quite busy. I am looking forward to the trip though.<br />So thats how the past week has been. Have a fab week guys!LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-67548411101287376052010-02-15T12:07:00.004+01:002010-02-15T12:49:37.639+01:00Illegal ValentineSo it was Valentine's day yesterday (like y'all didn't know that). Hope everyone did something fun.<br /><br />I went out on a double date with my friend and the 2 guys who have been helping us get settled in this place. They both speak English and are students like us. One is Senegalese (tall and dark like Akon, that's where the similarities end!) and the other is Camerounian. (I called it an outing until I told another friend who insisted that since the guys paid, it was a date!)<br /><br />They are both fab. We knew the Camerounian before we came over to France, he helped us get our flat. We shall call them S and C respectively.<br /><br />They are quite brillant and make us laugh a lot and they are the go-to guys for anything we need and don't know where to get. They also say Nigerian girls are dangerous :D especially Lagos girls hahaha! When they talk they go, come on this girl is not just Nigerian she is comes from Lagos. That's me by the way.<br /><br />They had nothing doing on Valentine's day, so we decided to go to Paris. I have no objection since I am not doing anything.<br /><br />After getting primped and ready we set off, on getting to the train station, there was no one at the ticket stand and we wanted young people's day ticket (which is about half the price of the full ticket, sold only at weekends) and not available on the self ticketing machines. The guys had their Navigo cards so no problem on their side. They decided we could pass through in two's! That we did. You should have seen us (I held the guys jacket so we just go like one) (is that illegal by the way? got to check their rules here don't want to be in some Frnech jail)<br /><br />We did that until we got to our first destination, Champs Elysees. After walking the length of the avenue with not a single free table at any restaurant on that stretch and people standing at every available space (it's Valentine's day and a Sunday!), we backtracked to the train station got a ticket for the metro and went to another place, this time Chatelet les Halles.<br /><br />We bought tickets for a movie, had about 45 mins to kill, so we decided to get dinner. The food was horrible to say the least. I had something called Tagliani Saumon (some kind of flat spagheti with salmon and cheese. Salmon tasted like rubber and not like salmon at all and the cheese was just a milky concoction. Macdonalds an escalator down would have been far better). The guys' pizza wasn't much better, it looked like biscuit with congealed cheese and tomato! To cap it off their loo was locked and we were not allowed to use it.<br /><br />So, after taking a leek (such a guy word) at the cinema loo, we went to see our movie. It was a good one, Brothers, very sad and poignant. I hated that feeling, it's Valentine's day afterall who needs to feel so sad. We should have seen George Clooney's In The Air. We came out and saw another movie was about to start in another screen room, someone said (I can't remember who) we could go in, so we went in and took seats. This time we saw Sherlock Holmes. An OK movie. I liked it though. Nothing like Jude Law to get me smiling :)<br /><br />By the time the movie ended, it was 12.30. The guys had classes in the morning. We caught the last train home. We got to our Gare (station) only to find policemen on the platform and we were the only ones there. We made our way to the escalators. Remember we didn't have tickets. On getting to the exit, there the police were again we made as if we were going back downstairs- but there are no more trains for the day, it was 1.35 by the way and the policemen knew what was up so they called us, it was embarrassing.<br /><br />I rooted in my handbag for a ticket, I have the one for buses, trams and the Metro but not the one for trains which was what I needed to exit. The guys in uniform let us through laughingly though and our friends said we were tourists in France for Valentine's day. How cheeky! but we got through.<br /><br />My thoughts were, if they catch us, we are going to jail! I could literally see the headlines---- Nigerians attempt to get through the station without tickets! A la <span style="font-style: italic;">Mumu</span>tallab breaking News! And I saw my Dad's face. He called me when I was coming here not to go clubbing or anything like that 'cos exchange students are targets for robbery and worse. And I did the whole Yes Dad, of course not Dad thingy! Thank God there was no incident. We laughed about it all the way home. We walked again no buses or taxi in sight. Got home at 2.22am.<br /><br />It was much fun. I can't remember ever breaking so many rules in a single day. Wouldn't be doing that again sha. I will wait for the ticket guy to show up and purchase mine like a good citizen before venturing anywhere. All that sleuth-like business is not my thing! Have a fab week people.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5352443395535141541.post-21168578384395727192010-02-08T21:32:00.005+01:002010-02-08T22:06:16.133+01:00Guilty pleasures!I have been away for too long. I feel guilty but I could not help it. Blame laziness! How is everyone? Hope the year is off to a great start. Things are good. Safely ensconced in France. Yet to visit the great city. Moved flats over the weekend so I am doing the big settling down. I love my room, I did it entirely in red with white walls!<br /><br />Not much going on here, I prefer the UK Uni, much more engaging. Things are a bit slow here hence this free time. We are been taught in English so less books to read as they are mostly in French. I do not speak French and its been hilarious getting around. Picture a combination of sign languages punctuated with a few French words and fluent English. I sound like the idiot from grade 1.<br /><br />It's sometimes amusing watching these people try to understand me but its equally frustrating. So I have signed up for the school French course which I have termed 'Learn French by force' because its a 6 hour class on Friday afternoons! Talk about losers who have nothing to do! How can I spend all my friday afternoon till early evening cooped up in a class learning a language? 2.30pm-8.30pm! I am still mad! There goes my plan to run away to London every chance I get for the weekend!<br /><br />Things here are ridiculously expensive! I have been moaning about this since I got out of the plane. From the Travellex exchange service that charged me 27euros to change some money so I could get a bus to my town to the maxi pack of Maltesers I bought that cost 4 euros! I am still smarting form the injustice of it all. So I have resolved to get to London as much as possible and fit in copious amount of TESCO shoppings as I can manage. I will be on the Eurostar so it will be fine.<br /><br />Getting here was another story entirely! FYI never book EasyJet unless you are going away ONLY for a weekend! They are hideous. I had to pay about £150 to carry 21kg extra luggage! That is more than double the amount I paid for the ticket itself plus I had to buy my own baggage space.<br /><br />Anyway, all the gorgeous men I have been seeing all around have been compensating for my disappointment! They are crawling everywhere! So fine. I mean I have never seen so many beautiful guys in the same place. I know I am gushing but I just can't help it. Even in my flat. I have to touch my face often to make sure I am not gawking at someone!<br /><br />Only downside is few speak any English but who cares when they look that good. I just want to stare at those faces! But the ones that do speak my language get extra points in the fuuuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiiiiine department. Like the Ghanian that came to my flat yesterday. He could speak flawless English and perfect French and was switching effortlessly between the 2! He was so dreamy OMG. My friend & I couldn't wait for him to leave before we started screaming how gorg he is!<br /><br />Excuse the typos, blame it on excitement and a decided laziness to proof read! I should go down some more water and a croissant (the pastry shops are divine!) and look at my French translation book to cram what I might say tomorrow if I do leave my apartment. I am free on Tuesdays so not obliged to go anywhere. After been relatively homeless for about a week, I am relishing the idea of staying put in my room.<br /><br />I will do the rounds when I am done unpacking. Good to be back. I just wish it has a staying power. If anyone is coming to this part of the world anytime soon, kindly leave me a comment. I shall provide contact and maybe we can hook up. Strangely, there is a dearth of Nigerians here! Shocking but true. They ain't many. There are a lot of other African countries repping here though. Signing off. Be good people.LusciousRonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448225682004908627noreply@blogger.com15