Merry Christmas

 One thing about me- I'm not leaving ANYTHING to chance, Like I will plan my way around anything and everything and if things fall apart last minute I'd be like ah- God your turn, and he is like- I thought you'd never ask. and Boom - all things go my way.

All of this is to say I am having a SMASHING christmas szn. Obviously not as fabulous as what I'd have had in lagos, BUT this is def one for the books.

I have seen the christmas lights two cities away, had dinner and drinks with friends, then ended up at a bar in a casino and met the loveliest babe who promised to take us under her wings.

Then had a christmas party that was so much fun, we were literally the last to leave. It has been such a glorious run, I wanna thank me for making these plans and following through.

Merry Christmas to everyone, My skin is currently in shambles, for reasons best known to it, honestly at this point I don't know again- I'm handing it over to God because wetin?

Alsoooooo, my books I ordered black friday from lagos actually came, might spend tomorrow reading either one of them or maybe the alchemist.

One of the wildest things about moving here just feels like we have given ourselves permission to live the lives we want and now it is beginning to enter all the other area's of our lives as well. Crazy.

Another wild thing is- how much adjustment it takes to settle into a new country financially. And I don't mean like money to move, I mean learning the credit system, figuring out how investments work here, knowing what is a great deal on rates, optimizing for affordability in a city that thrives on information that is not easily accessible. And also knowing the opportunity cost of many things.

I'm also realizing my ability to get things gone- expertly, and its strange how my employer realizes this.

Perhaps I should really start looking for another job.

All of this is to say that as I'm sat in this chair, writing and looking at my foil decorations, I feel so happy, so thankful, so grateful that what is infront of me is soooo much better than what is left behind.

Merry Christmas everyone. May we all experience joy & happiness unlimited this szn!

Detty December

*insert eyeroll here*

This is the first christmas I am spending away from Nigeria as an adult and LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING... nothing can compare.

I'm prepping for exams- I admit very lackadaisically, but still prepping none the less and I am not feeling like christmas at all.

I have one Xmas party invite, I am not working that day - YAY, and I'm thinking of doing something christmassy but I have no idea what.

One of the strangest things about moving countries, is figuring out their financial system and FAST.

Unfortunately for me, It's giving complicated. Statement balances that do not automatically update when you pay your balance?

I had to walk into the branch to ask someone to walk me through it like i was 12. He didn't even understand it.

Then the mailing system, my province lost my ID and I had to call like 500 times to get a new one and eventually go and re-order it in store, only to get there and we had to take new photos, and I didn't wear a wig so I just lied to the guy that my turban is for religious purposes and now I'm stuck with an ID with alhaja esque photograph for the next 5 years.

Then the health card nko?

OMG the admin wahala is much more than I bargained for make I no lie. But we are pushing through, what I find so strange is HOW LITTLE information exists about all these things. Super annoying.

Anyway, that out of the way- I have like 3 things lined up for christmas, but I am seriously in the spirit because I've done my nails and put up the first decoration in the flat. will have to get some tinsel and put it around so it can feel slightly more christmassy. 

One of the biggest wins for US though for this move, is getting off repatriating naira for our spending in Canada. Its such a blessing to be able to not panic about exchange rates or GTB moving mad, or our savings depleting. Like such a great blessing.

I remain overwhlemed with gratitude when I think of this move and how relatively easy it has been for us, I know that it is only God that could have swung it like this true true, I speak to my mum and she can not believe it. I speak to my friends and they tell me how lucky I am.

Random testimony to wrap up how good this month has been- My friend who lives in the US occassionally has people coming to my city so I often buy things and send them to his address and then he gets them to me, anyway since he was in Lagos and I wanted a new tote from a Nigerian brand see it here  and wanted to buy some books from narrative landscape- they never delivered on time- , he brought back the tote yay, and messaged to ask if I wanted anything else from the US. I was like nah I don;t wanna spend my USD because rainy day/who knows etc etc; anyway I sha go to amazon as I've been eyeing this enzyme face wash, and a random afro puff that my friend bisi had, both came to $17:75, while I was deciding I received a message, an airbnb host was offering me $18.75 to leave them a review approx £15. I was like okay Mr God the provider, you don't always have to show up so perfectly like this- you are spoiling me.

While I was telling PJ, he said- things always work out for you and you are always getting money.

Its true. what I do not know is if its a self fulfilling prophecy or I'm just one of God's favorites.

Anyway I love it, God I thank you, Long may it continue.

Still no christmas dress in sight because I can't find anything I really like in the stores here. Like NOTHING at all its so strange, and I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to clothes.

But the stores aren't delivering at alll. Its strange can't lie.

However IAM looking forward to creating a christmas tradition here, with all the people I will meet.

Who knows perhaps new friendships will emerge from that?