Now that the humans have okayed my blog.... I can tell you about my week!

Picture at the top from here

Well I survived a week here! Lets Celebrate…pop the champagne! It’s been quite interesting. I started work on Monday; I'll be in the marketing department which is a change from what I was doing previously in Nigeria. All my colleagues are nice and warm so I felt welcome. I came during a good week because on Thursday we did a mini team-building exercise so I got to know them all because for the life of me I cannot remember all their names. I've been introduced to so many people, it’s crazy. After the team building, we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner and I felt like part of the group.

This brings me to food. Everyone here is skinny and I don't know how they do it. I also don't know how long I will maintain my current weight because the lunch is huge and then most of the week, I was invited for dinner or a drink. It needs to stop but I need to make friends first and I can't do that if I say no to every request but its really starting to tell on me. I feel extra full all the time. I'm not used to eating dinner after a heavy lunch. On Fridays at 10am, the employees have this gathering in the 'common room' with a couple of cakes and coffee and tea. I mean, I'm worried lol. It’s not so easy to regulate your weight as you grow older which I am.

I've decided to start doing exercise. Not like I have much to do with my evenings now (except eating of course). The area I live in is lovely. There is a lovely view from my window and I have mapped out a perfect jogging path around the river. I can go all the way round the river with the great scenery and apparently its a 10k so I have to build my stamina. I think I'll feel better if I burn the calories. Its weird here, it gets dark at about 10.30 pm and bright really early in the morning. The light wakes me up at about 4am! By then its like 7 am in Nigeria. MAD! I haven't been sleeping for very long.

Remember the Nigerian guy I told you about? He and his wife have invited me for lunch today at 2. So today is set for me! I can also ask his wife where I can buy Nigerian 'food stuff' and how I can get my hair done. Thank Goodness. I thought I would have to keep putting in a bun for 2 months. Not cute... Oh I'm allowed home every two months.

As for how I feel...it’s a mixture of moods each day. I like the peace and quiet but I expected to hear more from certain friends…I guess people have their lives to live. I realized I was being a bit self-centered expecting them to call all the time but I'll definitely keep it in mind when it comes to others who may be on such trips in the future. *Note to self *- You need a man lol. It dawned on me that very soon most friends would be hooked up and preoccupied with other things...I can’t expect them to have the same kind of time anymore. Seriously sucks. Anyway…It’s nice to be swamped with calls the first week. At this point I really love hearing my phone ring because it reminds me that I’m not that alone, although I am not...if you know what I mean. Everything here is so different and new but I know it will definitely different in a few weeks. So that’s what I'm looking forward to.


Dear Lord, please keep Madeleine safe and may she be found alive. Happy birthday little one. God be with you. x