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....