It’s another beautiful Thursday in my corner of the world, and I am thankful that the Olympics are being held in this great country of Canada! I’m not even a big sports fan but it’s hard not to get caught up in all the excitement.

Canadian athletes are very humble. When we (I will claim my Canadian citizenship now!) win a gold medal, we’re quick to congratulate the other medalists instead of spending lots of time on self-congratulation like our neighbours to the south do (and here I renounce my American citizenship). I’m thankful that the curse of Canada being unable to win a gold medal on home soil has been broken: at last count, a man and a woman have both won gold medals. Go Canada go!

When I’m in church and the pastor asks us to turn to a particular passage in the bible, I always seem to pass other stories or passages that I like more, or passages that I’m prompted to read. This results in me only giving the pastor half of my attention while reading other passage (not a practice I’d recommend!).

Last Sunday, this practice of mine led me to Chapter 5 of the book of Matthew, specifically the section on making oaths. Verses 33-37 say:

33″Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ 34But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

I am one of those people who makes promises and means well, but I don’t always keep my promises. If I really can’t do something, I won’t say I’ll do it but when you add a procrastinating nature to the mix, the result is there are times when I don’t end up doing what I say I’ll do, when I say I’ll do it. And when I’ve broken the same promise more than once, it’s tempting to “swear” that I’ll do it this time, no matter what, and I really started thinking of why I have to “swear” that. Why can’t I just be a woman of my word and let my ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and my ‘No’ be ‘No’? It’s what God asks of us.

When I was younger, lots of kids would say things like “I swear to God” or “I swear on my grandmother’s grave”. That wasn’t really part of my vocabulary, but it’s the same idea as saying “I swear I’ll do it this time!” which I do say. Instead of wasting time “swearing” this or that, I’ll just do it, or say no more often, or give more realistic timelines.

Finally, I’m so excited for one of my blog buddies who got engaged! I’m so excited for you, girl and I’m waiting for gist!

Have a great weekend everyone, and if you’re a Nigerian blogger and your blog isn’t listed here (and you want it to be), please leave a comment on that entry. Thank you!

Filed under: Thankful Thursdays by goodnaijagirl | 15 Comments »

Please scan the following list for your blog or the blogs of your friends. If they are not there and you want them added to this list, please leave the name of the blog and a link to it in the comments below.

Caveats:

• the blog must have been updated in the last six months or sooner
• the blog must not be private
• the blog must be written by a Nigerian or focus on Nigeria

Edited to add: Please allow me to give Sting credit for starting this list when she and the others that worked with her on the 2009 Naija Bloggers’ Award site posted a list of Nigerian bloggers on their site!

List moved HERE!!

Filed under: Blogging by goodnaijagirl | 96 Comments »

It’s been a long week and I am very tired (I’m going to blame it on being in my thirties). I didn’t have a chance this week to share more pictures from my last Nigeria trip or continue my series on Traveling to Nigeria or Supporting family.

In a normal week, I spend some time reflecting on what I am thankful for but this week, I’m just doing this now, so only the following comes to mind:

• being able to fall into a deep sleep within a minute. I’m very tired so this is a wonderful gift. Waking up isn’t easy though!
• safety and protection. Over the last couple of weeks I have had a number of tradesmen in my house working to fix various things and I am thankful that I never had to worry about my safety while they were here.
• free local papers that allow me to keep up to date with what is going on in the world.
• a boss who cares. She may not be able to solve my every problem but I do feel like she cares about me as a person, and that means something me.

I know, shortest entry ever, especially when there are other things like the relatively mild weather we’ve been having to be thankful for but one more yawn from me and I’ll probably swallow my laptop.

Thank you all for sharing what you’re thankful for on the last entry. I enjoyed reading it.

Filed under: Thankful Thursdays by goodnaijagirl | 16 Comments »

Today I want to focus on being thankful for the little things first, the things that usually escape our attention because we take them for granted. You don’t have to look far to find people who cannot say the same.

• Blogging for example. Those of us who blog have access to a phone or computer and internet, which is a luxury some cannot afford. We also live in a nation where there’s relative freedom of speech and no regulations on how we use the medium of the blog so we write in peace, without looking over our shoulders or wondering who is reading (well, besides those family members and friends we may not want to read!).
• All week, when I got home from work, I’ve asked myself what I feel like having for dinner. Thank God for choice! Sure, some options are more appealing than others but I will not starve, and my cupboards have never been bare. Two nights ago I was saying to myself “Oh, I only have beef in the house; I want chicken, or fish.” It is a blessing to be able to make statements like that.
• I’m very attached to my family, even though I don’t live with them anymore. I’ve also become more attached to my family in Nigeria since my last visit. I am thankful that I can easily drop them a line to let them know I’m thinking of them thanks to phones and the internet. Just think of what people in Haiti and their family elsewhere were going through when those in Haiti couldn’t reach their loved ones to let them know they are ok. It’s very stressful for both sides
• I know, I’m weird, but I’m going to mention toilet paper because it is something we all take for granted. I already told you about my favourite toilet paper, and maybe it’s weird to even have a favourite, especially since I’m sure most of you never think about the stuff. It’s a most wonderful innovation; better, in my opinion, than sliced bread!

And some wonderful things that have happened in the lives of my friends:

1. My friend V got a new job and she starts on Monday. She has a lot of skills that are very much in demand, and though her industry is a bit volatile and subject to layoffs, she continues to thrive. She’ll be working for a little company that you may have heard of since they are the makers of the BlackBerry, so you can bet I’ve already tried to use my connections to get a free Blackberry (despite my efforts, no such luck!).
2. My friend A who was in a very toxic work environment has gotten out! I hate to see sweet people who are hardworking get abused in any way, and her work was beginning to be detrimental to her health.
3. V (from #1) and her husband have also upgraded their car situation! It’s always great to see people around you thriving!

Ok, your turn: big or little, what are you grateful for?

Filed under: Thankful Thursdays by goodnaijagirl | 21 Comments »

My grandmother had three sets of twins. The youngest set of fraternal twins, my uncles, are so interesting: Uncle Taye* is the spitting image of my grandmother, while his slightly younger brother my Uncle Kehinde* favours his father. Uncle Taye married a lovely, hard-working woman and they had two sons, followed by a set of twin girls! My mother is especially happy that her baby brother is now tormented by his two daughters who appear to be identical twins. When we were in Nigeria a year and a half ago, I know that one of the twins was missing an earring and was possibly taller or shorter, and that’s how I differentiated them. One loved the camera while the other was literally scared of it. It was always a challenge to snap a picture before she realized what was going on and started crying.

The girls were so mischievous! If there was something you didn’t want them to get into, they’d be there, leaving destruction in their path. I so badly wanted to cuddle them but good luck tying them down long enough to get close!

And they had such enormous appetites! Seriously between them they could polish off a helping of iyan that would make me push the plate away half way through.

I can’t wait to see them again, to see how their personalities have solidified or developed. I’m particularly fond of twins (as if they need any more attention!) so I’m hoping I can get to know them a bit better next time.

*For the non-Nigerians Taye (or Taiwo) and Kehinde are the names traditionally given to twins by the Yoruba people: Taye is the name given to the elder twin, while Kehinde is given to the younger twin. The names’ meanings reflect this birth order but I don’t know the full version of each name. I’m not sure if this is a new thing but I noticed that some twins aren’t being called Taye/Kehinde anymore but prefer to be called by one of their other names instead.

Bonus trivia: Nigeria has the highest rate of twins in the world! I already knew this but while looking up information on how to increase your chance of having twins (not for me o!), I came across this article which made me laugh because it lists “Eat Yams” as one of the ways to increase your chances!

Filed under: My Nigeria by goodnaijagirl | 28 Comments »

This week I’m thankful that my friend Camryn and her husband got their papers to immigrate to Canada! I cannot wait to see her in the spring.

Well, I mean I can’t wait to meet her!

We’ve known each other for over six years but we met online. Almost immediately she referred to me as “sis” and I always felt like her big sister. In fact I think there was a time when my sister was a bit annoyed that I had met someone who lived so far away who called me sis. Camryn is Filipino and although she moved around a bit, she stayed pretty far away from me, spending time in Dubai and Singapore. We have exchanged a few cards and letters over the years, and in recent years apart from a marathon chat session on yahoo once or twice a year, we don’t keep in contact very regularly. However wee managed to maintain some closeness (I guess we set a good foundation in earlier years).

I remember when she was finishing her studies (in architecture) and writing exams. I remember before her wedding we talked about how cool it would be if I could attend but we never discussed it past that. I remember receiving the link to view her wedding pictures online. She was an absolutely gorgeous bride. She has a relative in the US and I remember her mentioning a couple of times that we should try to meet up one of these days if she ever visits her aunt.

Then a few years ago she mentioned that she and her husband were trying to immigrate to Canada. I didn’t know if it was a plan or if they had taken formal action but here we are, nearly three years later. They were able to both come here under the Federal Skilled Worker program and I’m so happy for them that everything came into place at long last. The process wasn’t quick and there were undoubtedly some frustrations and expense (including time) involved, but they made it and will be permanent residents of Canada once they arrive; no need to worry about renewing visas. I’m so happy for them!

Of course I have to use them as an example for anyone who’s trying to move to a country where they think they might have better opportunities to realize their dreams. Know what you’re getting into and get yourself accurate information, from the appropriate sources. Several my family members have asked us for information and advice, received it, then thrown it in the trash while clinging to the “easier to hear” “advice” offered by one neighbour or friend who has never gone through the process or situation he or she is advising on. And of course in nearly all of the cases the result has been money and time wasted. One of our cousins did follow the advice with favourable results, but unfortunately he passed away and was not ever able to come to Canada (RIP Joseph).

The Canadian government website for immigration is here. If you are a student or want to study in Canada, if you are a professional and want to work here, or if you have a family member already in Canada and you want to know if they can sponsor you, you can find information that addresses your situation there. I focused on Canada but most countries have a similar websites that can give anyone willing to do the research the information they need.

There are some who have to stop thinking that there’s an easy way around the rules and regulations that govern the country they are considering moving to. These rules and sense of order may be the things they eventually appreciate about the country, even though they are annoying at first. Yes, the process can be long and frustrating, but if you read up on things, find trustworthy people who are living where you want to be who can give you a true picture of what things are like, and if you ensure you can cover the associated costs, the result will be something lovely like it was for Camryn and her husband.

Filed under: Immigrant issues, Thankful Thursdays by goodnaijagirl | 14 Comments »