Lust is in the Air #Valentine is here again...,

Hey Lovers,

Its that day again that puts so much  pressure on both male and female. for  females its a time to find out if your boo is really your boo and for men its that time to show if that girl is the main chick or just....you know. A colleague of mine said he heard a joke that ' if you spend the 14th with him ( main chick),15th with him( side chick) 16th and beyond? ( Sarewagba is your name).

The Madness of Valentine can be quite interesting and i am always amused by the everything that happens, the marketing gimmicks and social expectations. The girls waiting with bated breath for a gift, the guys who have been saving their pennies to get that special woman something special and people like me who just want to eat free cakes and chocolates and go awwww when we see the bouquet of roses.

In my office, Valentine seems to be away on vacation. Barely a touch of red on anyone's outfit and am yet to see any deliveries *sign* that means my awoof cup may not runneth over this year. Very boring and very dry people. Does loving work means death?

Last year, i was not in a relationship and this year i am. Do i feel any pressure about whether he might propose or whisk me away on a trip? NAA! I guess am just very comfortable and at peace where we are right now. His not  very the over top when it comes to Valentine and frankly cannot see the fuss. Part of me agrees  but the part that is 'purely female and Nigerian girl' expects something. So to please me, he made plans and i think that's very sweet of him because he is going out of his comfort zone for me  that's what Love is about ( in my opinion). Not the gifts or elaborate displays but the real deep stuff.

So this is wishing all the Lovers out there a Happy Valentine and please lets try to show love to all those around us, lets take it beyond the superficial.

Live Love and Laugh

Beat Up from the feet up

Hey Guys,

When it rains, it pours, doesn't it? How has the week been? Mine has been....let's just say, its been one of those weeks. On a lighter note, the weekend is here and i am so happy. I am mentally and physically exhausted and i cannot wait to sleep for hours without my mental clock, waking me up even before the alarm.  







My weekend is going to be uneventful. No pre-valentine events or plans for me but i will have my first official ' brush up my non existent driving skills lesson' by Gods Grace. Lee boo taught me one Saturday afternoon but due to our hectic schedules, its been sporadic at best. So i took matters into my own hands and asked mama to ask around for any one who could be kind enough to teach me on Saturday and Sunday mornings for a fee. I do not see the need to go to driving school again and pay a ton of cash. Ill do it the manly way, get someone to teach me.  





So that's it folks nothing new in 'Tobiland' just the usual stuff but ill keep y'all posted.


Live Love and Laugh

Monday Musings ( Money Woes)

Hi Guys,

How was the weekend? Mine was a good one. I managed to get quite a bit done and spent quality time with loved ones. However by Sunday evening, reality was creeping in because i started worrying about my finances and the amount of money i need to take care of some impending expenses. You all are probably wondering ' Girl its a new month, you just got paid salary now' and you are right. Am i the only one that feels that my salary is already finished by the time i get it?

Let's be real, no one's salary is never enough and many people try to do stuff on the side to augment their income but the sad reality is that, the option of having a business on the side is becoming even difficult because of the unfriendly business climate of Nigeria. Almost everyone i know, has a side hustle and they still complain about money issues.

The standard of Living keeps increasing and your income does not. As a popular musician sang in one of his hits ' Money slow to enter, Money quick to go' it just depresses the hell out of me. As a young woman who plans to have a home one day, i literately wake up in a cold sweat worrying about how i and my husband will be able to 'have a home' and give our children the best based on our current income. I am always planning and discussing finances with 'Lee Boo'because i am not so caught up in the ' romance' and forget the 'finance'. In every serious relationship that may lead to marriage ' Money Matter's' must be addressed and ironed out for the sake of peace in the future. I believe that the greatest challenge a marriage may face is not ' Infidelity' but 'Finances' at least in Nigeria.

So in my never ending quest for Knowledge on the internet while reading, I stumbled on an article in www.punchng.com  ' Money Problems Young people Have' and here are some of the mistakes, they highlighted that young adults make with their finances:

• Choosing Liabilities over assets: For example getting the latest gadgets that will depreciate over time. I guess my wanting a new Android phone does not sound smart. 
• Ignoring discounts: This definitely does not apply to me because i am the queen of ' Bargain Hunting'. I always want it cheaper and am not afraid to haggle and if there is a discount? better!. 
• Renting Expensive apartments: I believe that ' accommodation' is one of the biggest challenges of living in a city, any city and Lagos is not any better. Landlords know this and capitalize on it big time and ruin the finances of many struggling young couples because most of the money you make, is used to pay house rent. #sad 
• Not planning for emergencies: Many of us are guilty of this and i am no exception. 
• Disregarding details: Who really reads the fine print? I don't but i intend to. 
• Not taking care of their health: Part of my new year goals. Taking better care of my health. It costs less to take care of yourself as preventive measures than going to the hospital to treat yourself, when you break down. 
• Paying avoidable fees: What are they exactly?
• Planning just for today: i.e start saving for the future. 

Are you guilty of any of the above? Let's try to be be smarter in our finances everyone, so we can actually enjoy our lives and not just exist. Have a fab week ahead and Happy new month. 

PS: Its the season of love again * rolling eyes*

Live Love and Laugh

TGIF state of Mind...

Hey Peeps,

I have started with my inconsistent blogging. Make una no vex na condition wey make crayfish bend. Its been very very hectic this past couple of weeks and i have been so stressed out but You know what? I am soo grateful to God, that i am busy. Busy beats Idle any day, believe me.

Is it me or has anyone noticed that we do not have electricity in Nigeria or should i say Lagos because i cannot speak for other states. Before it was, Inconsistent, now, Its non-existent. I can confidently say that for almost two weeks now, i have not set my eyes on electricity generated by PHCN or whatever it is, they call themselves these days. If you see power in my area, its self generated. Its really really bad and i cannot understand why this particular issue of power is such a ' curse' for Nigeria. I consider it a curse because this one has moved beyond a problem or challenge.For someone that leaves the house at the crack of dawn to beat traffic,there is never power for me to get ready for work. I have to use candle or a torch light to apply my make up and that is guaranteed to put me in a cranky mood. Sometimes when i just cannot be bothered, i carry my entire make up bag to the office and apply it in the office bathroom. This is something i hate because everyone would have seen me make up less anyway, so what is the point? Really something needs to be done about this and very soon. Making me carry extra load to the office, besides my huge bag and shoes, gosh!

Anyway, on to more fun news. Last week Sunday was one of my good friend's and former room mate at University's baby shower. We decided to surprise Olayinka but Alas! my dear friend found out through her natural snoopy behavior. It was a fun time and we used the opportunity to catch up on gist and just generally chill, nothing like hanging with your girls. Here are some of the pix..

We girls have come a way long way through the ups and downs  from our university days and i am proud to know this girls that have transformed to women with husbands,careers,children and Homes.

Its Friday today and i am so excited * mock scream*. Here are some of my looks from the week so far with makeup done by torch light or in the office.

 

Have a great weekend ahead lovers and don't be too naughty! *wink*

Live Love and Laugh 

TGIF Conversation ( Office Culture)

Hi Guys,

Its been a very busy week for me at work. Meeting upon meetings and a lot of correspondence via email. Its been challenging and i like challenging. How has YOUR week been? Like mine or more low key?
Anyway, today is the day the lord has made in his infinite mercy for all hard working people,Friday! I think the best part of the weekend is Friday because of the feeling of expectation, you have for the weekend. The fact that you have two working free days ahead( if you don't have to work Saturdays) to do absolutely anything you want to, bliss...

I want to talk about office culture today and even though i might be shooting myself in the foot, am still going to go for it. After all,that's what this blog is about, being able to express myself freely. Well....the place i currently work is quite different from where i used to work. Here, people are more reserved and keep to themselves most of the time and are very into the work. Not much chit chatting about or exchanging of pleasantries as much as my old place.



There are some exceptions though, like myself, who are a bit extroverted and i have bonded with them. However, the prevalent culture seems to be ' More work and Less play'. Well this could be both good and back. Good because the work gets done, bad because everyone is always strung out and this could lead to burn out.

I think that organisations need to find a fine balance, so that people can effectively work and have fun while doing it, so it does not feel like work. I love to have fun while working, it keeps my creative juices flowing. I love to listen music and jiggle my behind on my seat while pounding out documents. Some people like peace and quiet, so to maintain the peace, i use my head phones, everyone is happy.


I just hope i am able to make an impact in a positive way and inject some life into their lives. Life is too short men. Have a fantastic weekend ahead. In the spirit of fun and just plain vanity, here are some of my looks over the week,chained to my desk

Live Love and Laugh

Monday Musings

Hi Guys,

How was the weekend? Mine went by so fast like a bullet train that before i knew it, it was a Sunday Evening. Weekends never seem to be enough because we try to squeeze so much into just two days.

Well its back to my desk on a cool Monday morning and i wish the weather would stay this cool all day. On my way to work, i saw an accident that could have turned really bad. A bus or car ( it went by so fast i could not catch a glimpse) on full speed, hit a tricycle ( popularly known as keke napep) and turned it on its side with passengers in it.


The passengers were school children and i thank God that none of them were worse for wear. The poor children stood up and brushed of the dirt and proceeded to continue their journey to school. Injuries like that do not manifest immediately due to an adrenaline rush but am sure that, they will feel some pain later and will need some looking at. Nigerian drivers are insane and this just goes to show that many people on the road should be mentally certified before they hit are giving licenses.

It also makes me a bit scared about driving because not only am i afraid of being hit, am afraid of hitting pedestrians on the road. I do not want to go to jail,dear God. So not only do i need to brush up my driving skills, i also need to mentally prepare myself to drive in this crazy city called, Lagos.  I need to conquer my fear if i want to drive motor.

Till later folks. Have a fantastic working week ahead..

Live Love and Laugh

My first TGIF of the year!!!

Hi Guys,

Its Friday and we all know the familiar saying 'Thank God Its Friday'. Officially its the second Friday of the year but for me its the First because i resumed work this week and to me, you only have the right to say 'TGIF' when yo have had a productive working week either as an employee or employer, basically if you worked at all during the week.

Its official that the grind has begun and the hustling madness is in full swing but i am grateful that i have the privilege to work and even call myself a hustler. So what are the plans for this weekend? I have zilch! I am going to stay home and rest and try to catch up on some studying this weekend. I have Msc Entrance exams next week Tuesday and i am not looking forward to it because ill have to confront my nemesis, dear old maths.



Just wanted to wish you all a grand weekend.  






Live Love and Laugh