19.12.13

A TRIBUTE TO 2013

Every youngster aspires to live the dream some day and for most like me who come from small, fairly developed states that may not even be identified on the map or have been heard of just once: not for the best reasons one can think of, we can only fulfill these dreams by moving to the larger cities and I chose Abuja the Federal Capital Territory. My journey in Abuja started about 4 years ago (wow, I can’t believe its 4 years already), I remember it clearly just like it was yesterday. Fresh out of youth service, with high hopes of landing my dream job with ECOWAS (since that was what mum told me to convince me to study French, not that I regret it though) being independent in every sense of the word at a very young age and falling in love with one HOT dude, getting married… it was nothing short of picture perfect.

REALITY CHECK!
I am not a daddy’s girl but it took me over a month to convince my dad into letting me live my dream (Frustration made me really wish I was in America where I could do anything I wanted, after all I was over 18). He just didn’t share in all that happy ever after with me or maybe he just saw the future while seating down what I couldn’t see standing on an iroko tree (my rendition of the popular Ibo proverb) but my consolation in the midst of this was that mum took my side and surely as anyone who knows the positive effect a good wife has on her husband; he succumbed. Looking back now I wish I wasn’t as excited as I was when I packed my bags, shouldn’t have expected as much as I did because that joy was short lived when it hit me that dad’s approval was just one out of many hurdles I had to jump (and considering I am not that athletic it proved to be quite a challenge *whew*) and my reality was just about to begin. Never overlook the days of humble beginnings because there will definitely be such days. The variation of this law from Mr. A and Mr. B is how humble your humble might be -there is humble with a capital H, small h or in extreme cases the H is silent; I belonged to the silent h group (yes it was that bad). I was living with a friend because I couldn’t afford my own apartment, teaching French in a secondary school because I couldn’t get a job at ECOWAS (still haven’t gotten it sef) and my earnings were just a little above what I was paid as a corps member (that’s a clue for the itchy ears that want to know how much I was paid so you can do the math) need I even add that I didn’t meet and fall in love with the hot dude? It seemed like everything was the exact opposite of the Abuja invasion I had planned, a little voice inside my head kept telling me “you should have just listened to Dad and stayed back in Makurdi where food and shelter was guaranteed” but man shall not leave by bread alone abi? So I forged on and today I am totally glad I did.

KEEP THE PACE!!
Fast forward a few months later and I was ready to get my own apartment (Hallelujah somebody), I was lucky to escape some con men who posed as house agents  looking to make some quick bucks as they  didn’t come to Abuja to count bridges now-lol. Getting my apartment was a big deal for me, but each time I thought of the cost of rent my heart would always skip a beat (not in the love struck kind of way) and exchanging pleasantries with my landlord while he asked me about work was a bitter reminder that all my salary would go to him by the end of the year. By this time I had also quit my teaching job, delved into the media before ending up in a hospital (I also get confused at my career choices sometimes so I can understand if you are too); I had to make another career plan since ECOWAS was taking too long to realize they needed me. On a General note I was doing way better than I started but not going as fast as I wanted, even though I had accepted  that my life would unfold in stages I was not willing to remain on 1 level longer than usual. I focused all my energy on moving at the speed of light and forgot to be thankful for little mercies but just in the nick of time the light bulb came on in my head- I was using the wrong ingredients and expecting to come out with the perfect recipe. Opportunity, Preparation and Favor have been my new ingredients and the aroma from the kitchen is amaze-balls.

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!!!
Optimism they say is the life of a winner, I don’t know how true that is but there’s no harm in trying. I got inspired to write this article because looking back at when it all started and considering that another year is winding up I ought to count my blessings. I am Abuja not just because Mum was able to convince Dad but I believe because a higher power was at work. I have paid my rent for about 3 years now not because my salary is so much but because providence has never failed. (If you know how expensive accommodation is in Abuja you will even join me to organize a thanksgiving), my career may not have fully taken off but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful for the hurdles I had to jump; the disappointments from people I trusted to help me, the wrong choices I made created a better me in 2013. I have been able to let go of the ones I lost and embrace the new relationships I found; now I appreciate life, time and experience. All that been said I usher you all into a prosperous year ahead, it’s going to be tough, survival for the fittest but guess who that is-YOU; so go on and have a merry Christmas in advance.

Much Love
Leticia

2 comments:

  1. I can relate to this. Nice work dear.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmmm abuja the land dat makes or breaks dreams.

    ReplyDelete