Lagos

Sorry...sorry...again it has been a while since I have written a blog I know. But I have had less and less access to internet in Lagos. I have spent now 3 weeks and counting in Lagos, so I MUST talk about it and all the rumours or warnings that I have been given about how crazy Lagos is. Fist and foremost, I really believe that anywhere I have gone God has always protected me...so my fears are not really heightened here. There are different areas of Lagos and some can be broken down into areas that contain certain shops selling a variety of things. One area may be known more for electronics...the other furniture. But obviously there are areas that aren’t specific in any industry...and are just where people stay. Lagos is the mainland, and then there are 3 major bridges that take you to the island. On the island there are 3 major areas, Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island. This is where the money is, and mainly where the foreigners stay and where many people commute to work. So imagine it like New York and that Lagos is like New Jersey and they commute to work. (I am not sure the distance in km is the same...but you get the idea).



So you may ask, what is so crazy about Lagos...well though I have heard stories of robberies or policemen taking people in to the station for not having their ID cards and being paid off...when I am around, it seems that these things don’t happen...which I thank God for. But generally the craziness to me is not craziness, but busyness and congestion due to Lagos having somewhere around 15 million people. The traffic is what is crazy...and how many people are out and about but that seems to be all to me. It is like a Chinese New York or something...so in conclusion, I like Lagos.



Lagos weather is humid and hot, but it isn’t as hot as Abuja to me. Abuja was more stagnate and the sun would beat down and any time of day there I was sweating. Here I feel more comfortable and the humidity is not really that overpowering. The Island is my favourite area. Driving in you see a city...more of what I am used to as a city girl. There are more places to eat that are international, the amenities that I am used to are more easily found here...and there is a big mall and movie theatres.



People in Lagos are generally more liberal. They say here that the people in the south (which is where Lagos is) are more educated, therefore are more open to new ideas and concepts. That is why people can do anything here in Lagos and do well...new things and ideas are welcome with open arms. There are many cool places to hang out, and one of them that we do hang out at is called Bogobiri Hotel. It is a small hotel that is very unique. It is artistic and primitive in its decor. On the main level, it looks more like a coffee shop with tables and couches and chairs made of wood, then art work all over the walls. You can order drinks and food and there are live bands. Every other Tuesday there is something called Taruwa which means “gathering” which is put on by an old schoolmate of Jude’s where artists come to sing or recite poetry with just the bare essentials of a traditional drum, a guitar and keyboard. Jude often performs and it is really cool.



The crazy things that I have gone thru...which should really allow you all to have a new found respect for me...are many. I am staying with some friends of ours and since they are just starting out things aren’t always how they want them to be. Not that it is a big deal, the room I stay in is clean and nice but I fear the kitchen...due to mice and rats that come in through other places...it’s like an apartment building. They come in through the bathroom mainly through the hole where the water from the shower drains. They have put stuff out, but these rats are really something else. I don’t fear cockroaches here; since I barely have seen any except dead ones...it is now the rats and mice. So keeping the place neat is imperative so they don’t get into things. I also have to make sure I don’t use a lot of water when I bathe. They only bring water (they...being well...I really don’t know) mainly at night so we fill buckets in the bathroom and then use that to scoop water into the toilet to flush it and to bathe and wash our hands. The bathroom doesn’t have a bath to stand in or squat in to bathe...so you just bathe in the middle of the bathroom and the floor slants and drains out the hole. The water I bathe with definitely wakes me up because it is always cold and we don’t boil it to bathe. Nepa (which is electricity...actually the electricity companies name...which people have made an acrostic for...Never Expect Power Always) here in Lagos seems to be the worst in all the cities I have been in so far. I think I have found a pattern and so far it comes once a week for a whole day...usually on Sunday. When there isn’t any we turn on the generator...so I have become accustomed to sleeping with that noise now....yes me, a light sleeper, but when you are hot and tired, I guess you can sleep anywhere and through anything! But that takes money to buy the gas for the gen...so all in all sometimes I feel frustrated and miss power and running water. But I am generally doing well with everything...and can’t complain too much and we all joke about it.



I have had a few emotional breakdowns...missing mainly random things such as subway sandwiches, home-cooked meals chai tea lattes and the vegetables from the market...b/c even the ones here don’t compare! I crave pizza all the time...it is funny and find I get sick of eating chicken and rice...so I tend to stay away from it sometimes. I miss my family and friends and certain dumb routines that I would do...going out by myself to go shopping to London Drugs, the mall or just the grocery store. Last night I dreamt of going to IKEA just to hang out. So I am adjusting. Any emails about my nieces and nephew make my eyes tear up...and they are the main thing I miss...which I knew they would be. On the news front, I have applied for a teaching job at a primary school that is a British International School. They are located in Ikoyi and have around 300 students. The make up of staff and students is supposed to be 60% Nigerian and 40% other...but it is more Nigerian. The head teacher (principal) is from Ireland and seems really nice. Jude and I saw the school and both thought it was a nice place...so I had an informal interview, then I was called back for a formal one, and now they have told me that they are offering me a position but local hire...which means without all the perks of being an international hire like tickets, and pay...so we are seeing what they are going to offer salary wise..then make a decision. I have also been prompted by many of our friends here to pursue my photography and though I feel insecure and shy, they all really believe I have something special. So I am going to pursue things with that too so my options stay open. So as for now...keep praying.



Other than that, I am meeting some great friends and learning a lot. I am being pushed to grow and push myself to be more confident in everything I do. I am thankful for the friends I am making, because I am feeling like I am making some ones that will really be good ones...though mainly guys...

Beginnings of life in Nigeria

WOW...or shall I say "Na Wa O" which is pretty much the same thing...I have been terrible in writing, but I have a more than legitimate excuse...see I have had internet here and there but not as often as back home...but i have had a chance to e-mail here and there...but my real excuse is that whenever I went on to blog, the site was in arabic...everything except my blog, so I couldn't figure out how to sign in, or how to post...because YEP, you guessed it, I don't know how to read arabic characters. BUT ALAS, today I turned into a genius and changed it back to english. (Maybe for some of you this isn't a big thing...but it was to me, I was proud of my intelligence).

Anyway, what is new...lets see...

I have not been in Nigeria for a month and a half. When I arrived it was good to be back, it didn't seem as if it had really been a year and the surroundings were familiar to my eyes. The smell and heat when getting off the plane also was familiar and enjoyable. Customs and immigration went smoothly and as I went to collect my luggage, I saw Jude waving to me from the domestic terminal...waiting to pick up his own bag as he was coming into Abuja from Lagos at the same time. I collected my bags and we went from there to his parents to spend the night. We headed to Jos soon after that and I stayed with Kyle and Ann, the missionaries I had worked with the first time I came to Nigeria in 2003. Jude went back to Lagos quickly for some work and business and I hung out with our friends and spent time "jisting" and catching up.

After some time Jude came back to Jos for his "welcome home M.I" show for winning his hip hop award. We went to the show and hung out in the VIP lounge above the club and spent all night there, arriving home at 6am. The show was fun and Jude killed it. Jude and I went to Abuja and hung out there a bit and then we came back to renew my visa. So it is now renewed until August 1st. This time I stayed with some missionaries Mary Beth and Bayo...a mixed couple who run Mashiah Foundation...who I worked with shortly in 2003 as well. They help women with HIV and teach them to sew etc. I am currently staying with them again, as here in Nigeria, people are always welcome to stay...no matter how long. Nigerians are very very welcoming! Jude went back to Lagos and I traveled to Abuja alone to meet him. This is where I became sick. Abuja is hot and humid...and i developed a cold which was causing a fever and headaches and sweating and coughing. Then I began to vomit, then sharp kidney pain...and dehydration from sweating and vomitting...so I ended up in the hospital for the night being pumped full of fluids and antibiotics. Luckily it wasn't malaria. I have been doing much better. Jude was amazing and stayed the night in a chair and helped me when I had to vomit and walked me to the bathroom...he really really took care of me...

We came back to Jos as Jude had to do some small work and for us to just have a little time to see our friends...and for cool weather. We will go back to Abuja for a day or so and then Lagos...

I am adjusting to life in Nigeria...and adjusting to being with Jude...so we are taking our time and learning many new things about each other as we are no longer on vacation mode. I pray that I find a job and I am truly enjoying my time here. People are so hospitable and welcoming. I don't feel like a foreigner and as long as I fell that way, I believe it really helps me and others to adjust and accept. People greet everywhere and are always willing to help me out. I am thankful for this. Some days I am anxious b/c I want to begin to do something...and sometimes there are so many uncertainties...but I guess that is where my faith is coming in. Believing no matter happens...it is the right thing. I also get emotional some days, as I miss friends and family and just some habitual things of home...but I know I belong here...so that gives me strength.

Anyway...that is it thus far...the life of Raquel Naija..till next time...sorry...uploading pics is not going well...

Pearls before Swine

I don't know why, but this comic has grown on me so much...it is just so funny. Here are some of my favourite ones...it was hard to narrow it down.

The Interview

THE INTERVIEW....DUN DUN DUUNN...

Probably one of the things in life that I really do NOT like. Before I go into and interview I get really worked up...I have sweaty palms, my heart beats uncontrollably and I go through answers in my head over and over again. I pray and pray through out the whole interview and find myself having almost more of a conversation with God than with the interviewer. Here is a senario:

Interviewer: "How would you say that you...."(fill in blank)

Me: (while he is talking and asking me questions) "oh great, not this kind of question...let me think...OH GOD HELP...let me answer be a good one! Don't let me stumble over my words. Allow me to articulate what I want to say!"

Me: "I believe that...." (fill in the blank)

Interviewer: RESPONDS...

Me: (thinking while he is talking) "GOD...HELP ME...SO MANY QUESTIONS...HELP ME! OH CRAP...what did he just say...ok listen RACHEL..PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HE IS SAYING!"


That is me in a typical situation. I can barely drink my water and have to really concentrate on what is going on so that my thoughts/prayers/conversations with God don't make me close my ears to what is being asked.

So for this last interview, I have no idea how it went. I was told that I had some strong competition. (GREAT :-( BOO!) The interview was pushing 3 hours and there was so much information that I think I would have to ask again what was said if I am offered this job. The job seems like a great opportunity, a lot of hard work and a 2 year contract. There are benefits and of course challenges, but at this point in time all I feel is that I have to pray about it and pray for discernment about what to do IF and IF i am offered this job...God will do the rest and that is all.

I find out probably in a few weeks, so until now...I am just letting it rest and trying not to think about it...if I am not offered this job, I am certain that God has something else planned, so no worries right!?

Photography

Photography....

So lately since Jude has been incessant in his pushing me to work on my photography and take it more seriously than I do...I have decided that perhaps I should and have decided to start learning more about digital photography and taking more pictures as of late. It has always been my dream to be a photgrapher for National Geographic (which is unrealisitc...but hey one can dream) so I might as well live life to the fullest!

I know more about simple 35 mm film photography but the world as always is changing. I still love film and most people think I am crazy but I especially love it for it's grainy look and it's old fashion look (especially in black and white film). When I look at old pictures from way back when photography began, I LOVE how dated and unique it looks!!! I miss being in a dark room and developing my own film....but alas I have grown to love the option of having crisp clear photo's and not having to pay for my mistakes....I do now love the luxury of digital SLR cameras!

When I bought my SLR the man in the store told me to "chuck" my film camera to which I promptly responding by saying "Are you crazy, NO WAY...I LOVE ALL MY CAMERA'S!" And it is true. I do love all 3 of my camera's, even if one of them was given to me by some random guy I worked with at Tommy Hilfiger....and is probably "HOT" (stolen)...but hey...I got a free camera from him even when I told him NOT to give it to me...and my mother seems to enjoy it's use since she has now claimed it should be hers since it probably was stolen anyway. (finding the logic in that is still so difficult!)

So I have asked my friend Rose (who is wonderful at websites and all that computer stuff!!!) to help me set up a website base solely on my photography...and perhaps I will be able to sell some pieces...that would then take another thing off of my 'Life list' of things to do before i kick the bucket!

Now...to go out and find some great photo equipment before I travel to Nigeria...$$$...but truly worth it! I hope that all goes well...and hey come and support me!!! :-)

Love...

To the one I love...

I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH....ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU. GIVE MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY HEART AND MY SOUL TO YOU AND FOR YOU. ENOUGH TO WILLINGLY GIVE ALL OF MY TIME, EFFORTS, THOUGHTS, TALENTS, TRUST AND PRAYERS TO YOU. ENOUGH TO WANT TO PROTECT YOU, CARE FOR YOU, GUIDE YOU, HOLD YOU, COMFORT YOU, LISTEN TO YOU, AND CRY TO YOU AND WITH YOU. ENOUGH TO BE SILLY AROUND YOU, NEVER HAVE TO HIDE ANYTHING FROM YOU, AND BE MYSELF WITH YOU.........I LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO SHARE ALL OF MY SENTIMENTS, DREAMS, GOALS, FEARS, HOPES, AND WORRIES; MY ENTIRE LIFE WITH YOU. ENOUGH TO WANT THE BEST FOR YOU. TO WISH FOR YOUR SUCCESS AND TO HOPE FOR THE FULFILMENT OF ALL OF YOUR ENDEAVOURS. ENOUGH TO KEEP MY PROMISES TO YOU AND PLEDGE MY LOYALTY AND FAITHFULNESS TO YOU. ENOUGH TO CHERISH YOUR FRIENDSHIP, ADORE YOUR PERSONALITY, RESPECT YOUR VALUES AND SEE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE....I LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO FIGHT FOR YOU, COMPROMISE FOR YOU AND SACRIFICE MYSELF FOR YOU IF NEED BE. ENOUGH TO MISS YOU INCREDIBLY WHEN WE ARE APART, NO MATTER WHAT LENGTH OF TIME IT IS FOR AND REGARDLESS OF THE DISTANCE. ENOUGH TO BELIEVE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP. TO STAND BY IT THROUGH THE WORST OF TIMES, TO HAVE FAITH IN OUR STRENGTH AS A COUPLE, AND TO NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON US. ENOUGH TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH YOU, BE THERE FOR YOU, WHEN YOU NEED OR WANT ME, AND NEVER EVER WANT TO LEAVE YOU OR LIVE WITHOUT YOU....I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH..............

Booked my ticket!

AHHH!!! So here I am all nervous as I just booked my ticket to Nigeria today...that means on March 31st 2008 I will make the long haul to Abuja Nigeria. WOW...only 2 months and a few weeks!!!

Now to just finish preparing...

Who is M.I???

This is a blog all about the love of my life M.I...aka Jude. M.I is his stage name and is short for AMIGO...it was a nickname he had and shortened it once to M.I and there you have it..and what he does...or rather to show you some of what he does. :-) ENJOY....

The life I am getting into...

This post is about what I am getting myself into...

As I wrote that previous sentence I am SURE almost all of you who read this are also thinking "What IS she getting herself into??" Well, only God knows right?! For a long time since I was little I was fascinated with Africa, but did not have any idea that it would be no embedded in my heart and now my history. I am marrying a Nigerian; a proud, stubborn, quirky, talented, loving, caring, passionate, compassionate (and yes...short,) man named Jude. It all seems but a dream on some days for how can you imagine your life and how it will be when you have NO idea yourself.

All I can say is...that I know myself in Western circumstances. I live in a house with running HOT water, electricity ALL the time, a fridge, oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer etc. I will be leaving some of these things behind and will have to learn a way of life that no one in my "western circle" may ever understand.

Do not get my wrong, I am so excited, overwhelmed actually with excitement about starting my life with Jude and moving to Nigeria. Yes...they have 419 scams...yes they have corruption..yes they are a third world country...yes some comforts of life cannot be found there...but really...Nigeria is a wonderful place filled with amazing people so willing to help out, feed you when they have no food themselves and are truly Optimistic and happy people. I am stretching myself to step outside of my western way of living and into a new phase in my life...marrying a Nigerian will forever change me and the way I live and view life....as dating one has already done so a fair bit!

I guess I write this blog because I want to come clean to you folks. I AM NERVOUS AND SCARED!!! NOW, after saying that I need to explain myself. I am NOT nervous or scared for my safety. I know many of you are, mainly because any news about Nigeria is usually bad news on our end of the world. But I trust God in all things and have no fear for my safety. Why am I nervous or scared then you ask? I am going to go through 3 major life changes in a small amount of time, and I am nervous as to how I will adjust and cope. There are so many uncertainties in my life right now....I only know a few things; that Jude and I love each other and will marry, and that I will move to Nigeria in a few months. Knowing me, adjusting will be a very emotional thing!

I hope that all of you would continue to pray for both Jude and me. We will finally be together soon, but our lifestyle too will contrast from many that we know. Jude is a musician and travels a lot and works crazy hours. He is growing into his stardom in Nigeria and I too have to deal with being his "Oiybo" wife (Oiybo=white). It is a busy life with hectic work schedules and being in the public eye under scrutiny can also be stressful...and that is also something that will be a part of my life.

I am excited but sad as well. It is always sad to leave friends and family. But Jude has family in Nigeria and they will become my family.

So there we have it...my life and what I am getting myself into. Only faith in God and following His Will...will give us strength...but I would have it NO OTHER WAY!!! And so...life will be an adventure!

My last "lost" trip on the Great Ocean Road

I wrote a blog a while back now about the difficult decision to spend money that I didn't really have traveling the Great Ocean Road, to finish up my Oz trip. I had many people e-mail or 'tell' me that I should forget about the cost and LIVE LIFE. After some careful planning and budgeting, I figured out a perfect trip that was both time and cost effective, all the while, seeing the Great Ocean Road.



My trip began when I left Adelaide and traveled to Melbourne. Instead of driving from Adelaide to Melbourne which would have taken over 12 hours, I found some cheap flights and flew instead from Adelaide to Melbourne. Once in Melbourne (rather Geelong..near Melbourne but closer to the Great Ocean Road), I rented a car and found my hostel for the night. It was quite an adventure to have my own car with my map sprawled out on the passenger seat (which is...in Canada...where the driver would sit). I went to bed early that night as to wake up REALLY early to begin my journey the next day.


I began my journey, dragging my large suitcase down 3 flights of stairs..feeling the strain on my arms and legs from when I had dragged it UP those 3 flights of stairs the night before. I jumped in the car and drove in the darkness for a while until the sun began to peek its head up.



I traveled along the curvy windy roads of the Great Ocean Road that continue to climb higher and higher up the cliffs. Traveling on these roads takes much concentration but it was a lot of fun. I was able to have many stops seeing magnificent cliffs in situated in the ocean, a large ways from the cliffs. I was able to see the Twelve Apostles, Loch Arch Gorge, the Arch, London Bridge and The Bay of Islands, Gibsons Steps...and so many other beautiful formations!



The day was a bit chilly, but it was a wonderful day. I ended in Lorne and stayed in a little hostel there. I was exhausted and crashed after finding a bite to eat. The next morning I was up again long before the sun and drove this time inland back to Geelong to catch my flight from there back to Sydney. By traveling inland, I was able to save close to 3 hours driving time. It also was a wonderful drive and again it was lovely to have time to meditate on the beauty of God's creation that I had just experienced.




So in the end...thank you to all those who convinced me to go on this trip...though I came back home in debt and broke, it was all well worth it!

Life as I know it...

Well it has been quite some time since I last wrote. I have returned home from my travels in OZ and began to work some random jobs to make ends meet. I have moved back home with Mama Jean and Papa Klaas as to save money and am renting my WHOLE house out, top and bottom separate. Living at home has been in itself an adventure for both myself and my parents. Soon I promise them official status of "empty Nester's" once again. For the most part it is well. I have worked as a nanny for both of my siblings with kids this year and have decided that I do for sure want to have children, but NOT for a little while yet! Some days I was just glad to be the "Auntie" instead of the parent and other days I was wishing I had kids. I have worked at the Calgary's Farmers Market for a time during the weekends waking up really early, complimented with long days...BUT a job that I absolutely love. My boss is truly amazing and fun to work with and spoils me with vegetables and Chai Tea Lattes. My math skills also improved some with this job as well as my vegetable intake. It is now the off season and I already miss the tomatoes!

Jude and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet up in London. Jude was chosen for a music thing to bring awareness about Africa to various parts of East/West Africa and the UK. There are members from countries such as Tanzania, Sudan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, UK...etc. Jude has already traveled to the UK, and Uganda and is currently in Ethiopia. Next month it looks like Tanzania or Cameroon or both! London was quite EXPENSIVE...but we had some great friends who took us in and took care of us! (thanks again Irene and Zainab!) Otherwise Jude and I would be in major debt. One meal out at Chili's cost us $60 (CND) for our main course of Fajitas (which we shared!) and some small dessert, a pop and bread sticks. UNREAL! Needless to say, everything is expensive; transportation, going out, food...all except for our favourite store PRIMARK! But alas, we had to part ways due to our responsibilities of real life.

Recently I just began substitute teaching for FFCA schools (Foundations for the Future Charter Academy) and still find myself getting nervous but thoroughly enjoy it. It is such a refreshing change from my last job at CCS and though I miss my friends at CCS...I DO NOT MISS CCS!! :-)Substitute Teaching leaves some things to be desired though. It is really unknown when I will work or not and some days I receive many requests and can only choose one, while other days nothing. So I never really know if I will work or not.

I have applied to work at a school in Lagos Nigeria located on Victoria Island. It is an American International School which consists of a diverse community of faculty as well as student body (but the majority seems to be made up of American students and faculty...as it is an American Associated School). I am flying to Minneapolis to meet the Superintendent at the end of January...I pray that all goes well!

I received my Nigerian visa (first time round...which was a major shock!) And I am still trying to figure out with Jude when I will take the long haul to Nigeria. I want to wait until Matt and Katie's baby is born (brother and sister in-law) in the beginning of March. So anytime after that. I am still figuring out how to go from being a "visitor" in Nigeria to getting a "working visa" while I am there. So many things to figure out!

There is NOT a set wedding date as of yet...and this is something that will be figured out when Jude and I are FINALLY together in the place we will live for a while. Adjusting to life in Nigeria and to each other again in daily life takes more of a precedence than an actual wedding date at this time for me (us) and I think that is very important. We want to grow together now and "get used" to each other being there in our daily life...where as now, the distance prevents us from those things.

My friend Heather said to me the other night "you will be going through 3 of the major life stresses in a short amount of time...moving, a new job (no matter what it is...teaching or not), and marriage" Yes...these are the things that keep me up at night. The most important thing for me is to take it easy in these things....so as to not become overwhelmed or too stressed out that I have a mental breakdown! (Knowing me...it could happen!) I already find myself tossing and turning at night thinking about all I have to get ready and how nervous and excited I am to move to Nigeria, start a new job and to finally be with Jude.

I plan to use this bog as a diary of my new adventures to come in this next year. I hope to keep up with my brother Matt's crazy blogging!

Adios!