January 3, 2012
Happy New Year! Thank God we made it to 2012. It’s easy to forget that not everyone who was looking forward to this year will get to experience it so I already feel blessed. I hope you’re thankful for your life and excited about a fresh new year and all that can be accomplished in it.
On the topic of accomplishments, I looked over the list of things I shared that I was looking forward to in 2011 and how disappointing: I only accomplished one item on the list! People who set goals and actually accomplish them intrigue me (and make me envious of them, quite frankly!) so I need to master the art of goal setting (and accomplishing). One big thing I fail to do is regularly review my goals to make sure I’m on track (and adjust them if necessary). Once I’ve completed my list of goals for 2012 I plan to set monthly (and maybe more frequent) reminders on my phone remind me to revisit the goals.
My blogging goals so far are:
- blog at least twice per week
- post more pictures with my entries
- redesign the site
- cut down the number of categories I have for this blog (36 the last time I checked–way too many!)
- incorporate All the single ladies unite! into this blog (I think)
What goals (blogging or otherwise) have you set for yourself this year? Please share!
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December 25, 2011
Whether you’re spending Christmas with your loved ones or you’re separated from them, have a great time. I hope you can connect with the special people in your life somehow (homing pigeon, letter, email, text message, phone, skype, face-to-face) and enjoy this time.
By God’s grace we will all usher in 2012 together!
Filed under: Celebration by Good Naija Girl | 9 Comments »
December 8, 2011
I was reminded today about how precious life is, not (thank God!) because I learned that someone had passed away but because of two people close to me who are dealing with chronic health conditions (one is a family member and one is the wife of a friend). I thank God that they are alive and I know God will continue to look after them. What I am praying for in both cases is a better quality of life for them, one where they can do those simple things like go for a walk or drive a car and it not be a big deal. But these people reminded me that there is much to be thankful for and it’s Thursday so here’s my collection of things I thank God for:
- My sister’s help with a party I hosted last weekend. I could not have done it without her.
- The new nose pads on my glasses. It’ll seem trivial to you until the nose pads of your glasses fall off, trust me!
- Libraries. By not buying books I have a bigger budget for ijekuje (junkfood…bad I know!).
- The lack of snow. Yes, Christmas is coming but without slushy snow everywhere it is so much easier to get around. I appreciate it!
- My mother. She’s just incredible and SO LOVING and GIVING! I don’t know how she does it.
- Time spent with girlfriends last week and weekend.
- Time spent with friends every Friday…it’s relaxing and there’s no pressure to do anything but sit around and just chill. It’s very much welcome after a busy week.
- A computer mouse. I really dislike using the laptop trackpad…who’s with me?
- Christmas cards received in the mail…they always brighten my day!
- WhatsApp, a smartphone app that lets me talk to friends who use smartphones without incurring charges. By “talk” I mean “message”; you can’t talk on the phone for free with the app. I like it better than other messengers though because you can keep the window open indefinitely; it’s basically one incredibly long conversation.
- Healthier hair…I haven’t seen a split end in ages. I don’t enjoy the extra time needed to deep condition but thankfully I can see the results so that makes it worth it.
Most of my closest friends and colleagues don’t believe in God. While I don’t know if it’s my job to personally play a role in them changing their beliefs, I do know that my life should be a witness: the way that I live my life should make those I come into contact with wonder what I have going on that makes me so grateful, loving, and good to others (among other things). Sadly, I don’t think that I am doing a good job of that, but that’s ok because one thing I know is that I’m not perfect and by bringing my imperfection to light it makes me aware of areas where I can improve. When I think of some of my challenges and how I have contemplated dealing with them, I have to say that my colleagues have often advised me in ways that are far more God-honouring than my original plan. I am thankful that God sends me examples of how I should behave, and I find it remarkable that these examples themselves aren’t people who believe in Him.
What are you thankful for?
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November 24, 2011
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA and if you’re celebrating I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I challenge you to think of several things that you are thankful for.
Here’s my list:
- My cousin had a bouncing baby boy (hehe, why don’t we call baby girls ‘bouncing’?)! She, her husband, and our family have been praying for a baby for them for a while so the whole family is just thrilled.
- The pot of stew that my mom made for me, with dried fish from Nigeria from my grandma! I can’t wait to have it with some rice.
- Friends who give me good advice and a different (and helpful!) perspective on issues I’m dealing with.
- My friend’s safe arrival in the UK to join her husband! (I’m also happy (for them) about all the smooching and loving that they’re both getting as a result of this reunion!)
- The ability of certain Yinka Ayefele and Tope Alabi songs to lift my spirits when I’m feeling down.
- That my brother is feeling better. I think he has strep throat or something: he couldn’t breathe and couldn’t swallow. He was pretty miserable but thanks to some medication he’s feeling better.
- The upcoming Christmas party that I’m hosting. Everything is a mess and I’ll be stressed as the day gets closer but I do love organizing things for a party.
- Black Friday! My friend and I will be leaving for some shopping later in the day and we hope to get some deals. For me the real thrill is the trip to the States and checking out the deals; I don’t usually buy much.
*Mo dupe means “I give thanks” in Yoruba
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November 18, 2011
Christmas is almost here and just like I did last year, I would like to send Christmas cards to some readers of this blog. As long as the Nigeria-based folks don’t mind if their card is a little late, I would be happy to send to Nigeria as well.
The first 20 people who leave a comment will receive a card. After I receive your comment, I will send you an email asking for your mailing address.
Thank you!
(Updated to add: Last year I sent 15 cards and that’s what I meant to do again this year but when I posted the entry originally, I indicated 25 cards. To compromise I have changed the number to 20 and at the time of this update, eight people had signed up.)
Filed under: Celebration by Good Naija Girl | 49 Comments »
November 10, 2011
Happy Thursday to you!
I’m thankful:
- The elder of my two younger brothers turned 25 years old a few weeks ago. He’s such a smart guy but he needs to be reminded on a regular basis that he can be anything and do anything he wants to do (as long as he’s willing to work at it) so please say a prayer for him.
- My youngest brother applied for and got an amazing 30-week job opportunity as a Windows Leader. He gets a free laptop and an all-expenses paid trip to the big city for the weekend (for training) and he gets picked up from the airport in a limo with three other people selected from our area! I’m sure the experience will be one of his fondest memories of 2011. I am the proud older sister, that’s for sure (and I want his old laptop…hehehe…actually I plan to convince him to give it to my mom!).
- The string of green lights I got while driving to the bus stop this morning. Even though I wasn’t running late it’s still a lovely treat.
- The gift of a new day. Every day that I wake up is a true gift and I appreciate it.
- That my mom travelled to visit my dad and returned safely. That any concerns experienced during the trip did not have significant repercussions. That my parents love each other to bits.
- That the lack-of-heat problem at my parents’ house is resolved…for now. Anybody have $6,000 for a new furnace?
- Unanswered prayers. My colleague watched a Joel Osteen show on this topic and she said it reminded her of a situation that I’m going through, so she invited me to watch it with her. I enjoyed it and I will make a more conscious effort to be thankful when things don’t go as I wished. Some things he said were “Nothing can happen without God’s permission”, “Things don’t happen against me but for me”, and “The open and closed doors have been orchestrated by God”. Also, look at things not as a setback, but as a setup. It was a timely reminder.
- An unseasonably warm November. Winter will not pass us by but at least we’re being eased into it v-e-r-y slowly.
What are you thankful for?
I am disappointed with myself that I have not posted my letter to my future spouse on my single ladies blog. The entry is done but the format of the post is something I’m struggling with. Hopefully I’ll take time during the weekend to work on it.
Filed under: Thankful Thursdays by Good Naija Girl | 7 Comments »
