THE STORY OF MY LIFE

Well every story they say has a beginning and an end. My story is one that seems sweet but yet so silly and useless, I am not saying or can’t say my life is meaningless but can say my life is full of ups and downs.

My life started when I was born, twenty fourth day of the second month, of the year nineteen hundreds and eighty but started its journey when I struck seventeen. As I was growing surrounded with people who love me, I always thought “THIS LIFE IS SO FUN TO BE PART OF”.

At age seventeen I came across a very caring guy who did possibly all he could to make me happy, I liked him but hated almost everybody related to him. What is it with girls and gifts anyways? Well all I ever wanted was to take life step by step just the way it appears. Then the shadows of love at first sight came rolling in with this gorgeous sexy well built hunky guy, my heart melted away with his appearance. I was carried away and forgot I was supposed to be in a relationship with a caring guy.

Emeka* was the first guy I ever slept with. I was still a child as my parents used to say, and suddenly I saw myself being cuddled and protected by a hunk, living a life like a princess on campus. Yes I said campus, he made me go into the same school with him; we were looked at as the best couple on campus, little did I know that my man as a ladies man he was referred to by his friends had affairs all over the campus. When I found out I was all confused and got more and more depressed. I felt unhappy on all level. Everything started irritating me, his friends, his siblings, his appearance, everything.

I walked to his room one day with enough courage and told him I was tired of the cause I was reading and needed to change, he asked me why I simply said I was tired. I was a student of Bus. Admin and he was reading medicine, I made up my mind I wanted to be far away from him so I choose to read foreign languages which was taught in the other branch of the same University but like 4 – 5 towns away. He said we’ll go there together for him to access where I will be and what I will be doing, I said no problem, in my mind I had a plan, a plan to forget about him the moment I settle in the other school.

I settled well in my new school and found myself another cute looking guy, at that moment I knew that me that was so innocent and special was all gone. Obi* was so cute heads turn around when he passes but too quite and shy. We were having an affair that got to a point I was tired of it all. We were fun of each other only behind close doors; all I could think about was the hunky I left behind.

Then I was to go for my year abroad programs and to travel on Valentine’s Day, I heard a gentle knock on my door only to stand face to face with Emeka. Thank goodness I told Obi earlier that day that I need to be alone and will call him as soon I get there, not knowing that Emeka as stubborn as he was has placed a watch on me. “How are you doing?” “Am good and u?” “Am ok, thanks. So where is your boyfriend how come he is not here with you of all days?” speechless I didn’t know what to say I just kept calm. He handed me over a bag, I opened it to my surprise it was my valentine present, “thanks so much I didn’t expect this”, “I know and I know you have nothing for me not even a card. I will like to meet him, if you don’t mind” “meet who?” “Oh! Please don’t play that innocent look with me ok, I know all about him I just don’t want to disrespect you”. There I sensed trouble, I couldn’t increase his anger for I knew what it could’ve resulted to, I came closer to him looked at him straight into the eyes “if you still love me you will let go, I stopped seeing him ok”, I kissed him and continued packing my stuffs. He was speechless, well he got up and helped me pack my stuffs, drove me to the pack and I left for my program. I felt so guilty he was going to attack him in my absent, and I kept checking on him.

When I came back from my program, things changed, I found out Obi was dating someone else and Emeka was depressed with his course, he failed his 2^nd MB. Well with all that I decided to move on with my life and forget Obi. 2 months later, obi heard I had come back and came to see me but was shocked to hear I came in months ago and decided to walk. He pleaded for a come back but I made him understand that we weren’t made for each other and was in love with someone else. 

I went to retake a GS coarse a years later and to my surprise Emeka’s brother was d next person to me, we had a long chat and he told me how his mum rejected two of his brother’s girlfriends he presented as his wife and that made him happy for he kept on asking why it wasn’t me and got no answer as a reply. I was filled with disappointment and felt abandoned by the man who once claims he loves me and wishes for no one else but me; after staying in my house on his visit to the state where I served, smiling and eating my food, never mentioned his disappointments and his failed plans. Well to make this short he came to see me again and this time had the gods to propose to me without telling me a thing, I split it to his face and he was shocked, I sighed looked at him in tears and begged him to face his studies and I needed to take my studies serious too. He never found out how I knew but kept blaming his cousin who was close to me.

We all moved on and graduated, Emeka a Gynecologist, Obi an Engineer with an oil firm, me…a nobody at age 31, just a hustler trying to make ends meet. Still single and being flaunted by married men, from influential men to traders to entertainers all trying to offer me an opportunity of a lifetime but I rejected them all. Well I had couple of jobs and contracts but all turn out wrong which leaves me with the question did I take any wrong turn?

Yours, Mine & Mine

As husband and wife wat do we share? Would it be nice to hve individual sinks when we brush? And beds?

This days it amazes me how couples complain at each other. Wat makes it worst is irrelevant topics, I don't like the way u brush it irritates me! Your snooring is beginning to irritate me! Why must u look into my handbag? Why do u keep checking my messages? Why can't u make a gud dish just like sam's wife does?
Where exactly is all this coming from? Didn't they court before marriage? Weren't they compatible before they walked the aisle? For goodness sakes let's try and hide our dirty lineage sometimes, especially in the public.

My friend Tina was relocating from England and was to move into their new house with family, she came back to put the final touches to the house while her husband stayed back for work and the kids were to complete the semester. She decided to call up old friends for a quick cooktail. As we tour the beautiful mansion,she was showing us around and explaining stuffs. When we got to the master bedroom, I dashed into the bathroom quickly cos I was attracted by the touch of ocean blue on every spot of the toilet, on getting there I was speechless for like five minutes, unknowingly I screamed "wat's up with all these?" They all came to see wat I was screaming for, a huge size bathroom with everythng double, the sinks, d washbasins, d shower and bathtub..."Oh that,I don't like the too close attitude and it irritates me and sometimes my husband won't get out of the shower. Really! Why don't u join him in there? well me I will sure enjoy the goofy intimacy of brushing together, talking about the day's events in an unintelligible foamy garble. That is wat marriage is all about. Isn't it? It will be nice to hve your own sink Eunice," Tina said. I thought for a moment and ask "den wat do u share? She screamed happily bank accounts, cars, mailbox. Wat the hell is going on?

I don't understand really, some go as far as not using same toothpaste or tissue, is either his own is too hard or her paste has a feminine smell in my mouth. Bullshit.

couples don't share because no one's willing to compromise a friend said but I say they don't share because the are not compatible anymore, they need counselling.

THE HAND LUGGAGE CHALLENGE I FACE IN MY FIELD OF WORK

 CAN A COMPULSIVE OVER PACKER SURVIVE A 3 DAYS’ JOB WITH ONLY A HAND LUGGAGE?

It was Sunday night and I was relaxing in my room watching a movie suddenly the phone rang, it was a friend and colleague. He told me of a job and I needed to be at Abuja 1^st thing Monday morning, I rushed to my drawers pulled out cloths and stuffs. As I was sitting and staring down at my small hand suitcase, I cursed myself for accepting such job in a very short time and to crown it all I was thinking of going with just a small hand luggage – but then how can I resist such an offer in this hard times.  Besides, according to records people hardly wear or use all they traveled with. My normal packing strategy takes between 10 – 30 minutes: sweep beauty products into a was-bag; stack clothes for every opportune occasion into my suitcase; pile in electrical gadgets: hairdryer, camera and camcorder, laptop – before throwing in few last minute cloths, additions for good measures.

This time around, things couldn’t be more different. Guidelines say hand luggage can weigh no more than 10kg or am I mistaking? The emphasis is on packing light; I started by whittling down the contents of my make–up bag. With this on my mind, I’m forced to take just a few choice items of make–up with me. As I decant shampoo and conditioner into mini clear plastic bottles I lamented for my stubborn hair, it won’t see the intensive conditioning treatments. Well I eventually manage to pull together skinny jeans with its jacket, short, a singlet top, chiffon dress, my night wear and a T-Shirt. I toss in a face and my mini traveling towels, and lastly, I squeezed in some flats, with a heavy heart, I leave my lovely heels and wedges on the shoe rack wondering if it dusts will let them be.

My heart sinks as I try to ram the zip of the bag shut ‘it won’t zip up?’ To solve the dilemma I decided to wear my jeans and its jacket to the Airport, instead of the chiffon mini gown I had in mind. My colleague Buchi is bent double with laughter. ‘Skinny jeans and jackets are in this season, OK?’ I retort as I breeze up to the check–in desk. As our bags are placed on the scales, to my total shock, there both come in under weight, I was thrilled. Once on the flight, it’s reassuring to know our bags are safe above our heads and not on a flight to Sokoto and, when we landed an hour later, we shimmy smugly straight past baggage reclaim before hopping into the company car.

Day one of the trip leads me to doubt whether I made the right packing choices. My favorite skinny jeans are uncomfortable and my skirt is so creased when I unpack it that no amount of shower–room steaming would save it.

The next day, however, I got ready for the field in record time. Unlike past jobs, series of cloths scattered all over, can’t decide what to put on, etc. so I decided to arrange my stuffs, make a decision on what to wear daily and arrange them and our hotel room remain refreshingly tidy. By mid day the dress I wore to the field was all smelling of dust and heat and I couldn’t afford to change like I usually do, three times a day for I came in with a little and didn't want to be stuck with the same cloths in a row and will run out of outfit ideas. When on a job it feels weird, and out of point. Meanwhile, my hair was getting out of control lack of moisture and the harsh sun. I was definitely missing something, I lack my relaxed serene, the comfort of my room.

Day three finally came I needed to get out of there, for I realized all my clothing were dirty and I didn’t want to spend giving my cloths out for laundry. It all had that dubious aroma of stale heat and I was down to my last pair of combat trousers, with a T-Shirt I had arranged to travel back with. By the end of the day, we had a successful job and I gave myself kudos for not having a luggage crisis or a wardrobe breakdown but I can’t deny we both felt surprising liberated. Time spent in front of the mirror preening had been well spent in the field of work, dictating, typing, and correcting papers – and this could only be a good thing. There was no competition on the most fabulous looks, dress, clubbing and all that shit we enjoy doing, besides where was the time for all that?

My laid – back attitude was confirmed when I spilt coffee on my T-Shirt, it wasn't bad but I sure had no choice than to hold on to the same T-Shirt. I was surprise to find myself laughing at my act instead of freaking out, there is no denying this traveling around job has placed me refreshingly low–maintenance in just three days. I can pull off effortless chic after all. Eat your heart out, fashion!!!

MY VERDICT

I sure leant to keep time, realize what items I really needed for such journey and what I can do without when going for field work. I plan to make more for such trips.