I checked...

 my weight on Monday...
1) Being tall is a blessing and a curse
2) WO_OW
3) This New Nigerian Lifestyle is not for me...

If you've been reading my blog for a while you probably know my take on body image and issues relating to it, I'm of the opinion that as long as you stay fit and healthy, what size you are doesn't matter (being fit and healthy meaning exercising regularly, eating nutritious food and being able to exert yourself physically without feeling completely breathless or fatigued) of course there are scales such as BMI which help but they aren't exhaustive.

Anyways, my being tall and small boned allows for weight to be distributed quite evenly around my body, as a result when I weighed myself on Monday, I was shocked to my small bones! I had gained a whooping 15pounds between September when moved to Lagos and now, February. Alarmed is an understatement.

So while I was all shocked to my bones, the next day my co-worker (the curviest white woman I know) started to tell me about this diet she was on. I was skeptical because diets are like a curse word to me, I hate the way the word is used, I hate that everyone seems to be on one... I just hate it. But I'm also a courteous person, so I heard her out, and it sounded crazier by the minute. She sashayed away from my desk and I began to google. I was curious.

After reading testimonials etc, turned out this "diet" wasn't free :( bummer. I kept reading though, and from my co-worker's information and random bits and bobs on the internet I was beginning to piece together a picture, albeit holey.Meanwhile, I had been talking about loosing weight to the partner and we were trying to fit in time to start working out together. I sent him a brief message about my co-worker and I's conversation. Being the absolutely best boyfriend in the world, he casually sent me an email with the complete e-book!!! I was now excited, notice how I was warming up?

I like science, I like facts, I like things based on science-y facts, I also like results and not gimmicks, I like steps, I love steps. Meet the Dukan diet by French Doctor, Pierre Dukan. More like a lifestyle over haul. I'm on page 177 of the 316 page book. but I'm feeling ready. I really didn't want to write this post because I wanted to do this quietly and just come back with results, because I'm afraid of failure. but what the hell. If I slip up, i'll start over and what better way to hold myself accountable than on here?

I'm going food shopping this weekend, I'm feeling good about this

Love and encouragement
Sabirah! xoxo

21st century Homemaker

When I came back to Nigeria, my mom encouraged me to join Toastmasters, a leadership and public speaking club she was an active part of. I mostly joined because I was curious and didn't have much to do anyways. Can I just say it's been wonderful! There are not many spaces in Nigeria where young adults can mix with much older people freely and be spoken to as equals (sort of). The environment is so welcoming and positive, I immediately felt comfortable. I've been attending since then and I've won "best table topics" (a 2minute impromptu speech session) twice :D I have already started improving. I'm really thankful for this space.

Anyways, last thursday we had another meeting, our meetings are great because anyone can come so we usually have new people visiting each time. After the speeches and general activities for the day are done, the guests are made to introduce themselves to the members (name, profession etc) and what they liked or disliked about the meeting. So this gorgeous woman, who was really well spoken (her table topic had been funny, cos she was so nervous and cute)- i had basically been wondering about her since- Got up to speak.

She introduced herself; "My name is Mrs. XXX and I'm a homemaker" with a dazzling smile. All of a sudden I wanted to know everything, who is this woman? What does it mean to be a homemaker? What does it entail? So I went to speak to her afterwards and asked her. She gladly answered me; She was a mother of five and she had dedicated her life to raising her children and taking care of her home. The idea was so profound to me- it wasn't that I had never met a housewife before, it was that I hadn't met one like her. I always imagined dreary, overworked women. Or something. Defintely not her. Two years ago I would have scoffed at the idea of a housewife, and even now that I was open to it, it was nice to encounter something that broke that stereotype I had created. And she got paid! very well! I won't lie I was already dreaming could I? Would I?

It was a pleasure to talk to her and I hope she comes to the meeting next week so I can pick her brain some more and make her my friend! I love being in the company of older people. Speaking of which, there is an older couple who I also love at our meetings! The man is a neurosurgeon, has his own practice and his wife works with him as the clinic manager. They are so cute, always dressed up, his pocket squares are just too dapper.  Everytime she gets up from her seat, he does so as well out of respect,- basically the perfect gentleman.Sigh I'll stop gushing.

Love, old age, and good choices,
Sabirah

Hallo Hallo

Hello whoever is here,

Been a bit, between my internet subscription going off, life and all the funzies Labella was ignored for a bit. All is well in shangri-la-la-land let me do some quick bullet updates and after that we'll get back to regular posting. I always miss this space, my happy place.

• I went to visit my Grandparents last week Thursday and it was soo needed, I felt like I needed to be reminded of what really matters and nestle myself into my grandma's embrace, and just be surrounded by Love, I'm so happy and thankful that they are well, healthy and strong. And the prayers! priceless.
• Valentines day came and went. It was a lovely day, I went to work as usual, came home and made some yummy brown butter potatoes and chicken cacciatore. The partner and I had a very quiet candle lit dinner with soft music and lots of wine. I felt really thankful for us and just enjoyed the moment. 
• Went to a party on Saturday, an owambe and I had fun with my sister-friends it was just nice to hang out with them now that we're "grown" it's different but still the same. God bless our friendship

I have to go make dinner for the partner, more updates soon

Love, 

Sab

Photo Friday

yaaay! TGIF

:( comments?

Thursday tidbits

Happy TGIAF aka Thursday.
It's been a long week but a great one.

1. I really do love teaching, I knew I would but Mahhhhn I really do
2. I don't trust white people in west Africa, maybe I should expand on this later?
3. Relationships are work. good work, but work nevertheless
4. I'm tired
5. My body is fighting me, not quite used to all this hustle and bustle
6. It's almost valentines daaaay :D
7. I love the guys I call my friends, they are a special bunch!
8. I want black lipstick and Halima is sending me one! :D
9. I'm really thankful for everything, cos right now I have it all (except money. lol- it's on it's way)

Hello February!

Hello!!
Can you believe that in approximately 8 mins (of my writing this) it will be February. Quick spell check close your eyes and spell February - I failed when i typed it first (makes mental note to add it to my students' spelling drill *evil girn*).

The year got off to a rocky start but I'm thankful for new chances, life and love.
I'm also thankful for new challenges, with that I introduce... *drumroll please*

FAB- AB FEBRUARY!!!!

I know awesome right???
If you're thinking, oh I need more time to think about it, why didn't you post earlier- all I hear are excuses! Just do it will be fun!
Please watch the embedded videos as it would be useless to do this in improper form. Suffer head for nothing.

I hope you'll join me in the challenge! I'm making the photo my desktop wallpaper, please leave a comment below if you will!

Cheers to a great month!
Sab!

Calabar- The carnival

So I had been wanting to go to Calabar for a little over 2years now and at the end of last year made it a reality, On December 26th 2011 I boarded a plane to Port harcourt to meet up with my friends, after many flight delays I finally made it in.

Because of my flight delay, we had missed our planned ride to Calabar and had to find alternative means . Since we already had hotel reservations, We had to take a rickety bus to make it in that day- my friends were not in least bit amused, I on the other hand was ecstatic! Adventure!

So we got in our rickety bus and embarked on the four hour journey, music laughter and good company, it wasn't really that bad, until about 45mins to Calabar our bus had a punctured tire. It was a bit alarming, thankfully there was a spare and about 30mins later we were back on the road.

By the time we got to our hotel we were dead tired and didn't go out that evening. So these are from the next day.
I'll stop rambling and get to the photos!

Calabar is really pretty! and serene. Made me resent Lagos.

Getting in the carnival mood we got our faces painted on a whim :)

I have a lot more carnival photos but can't get them off my phone :(. I was really impressed by the creativity of the costumes, I had expected a tacky mess (some still were) but most were awesome. Really beautiful! and soooo organized!

Eneni finally made it in :D. Our new friend Nnamdi in the bottom right corner! It was such a pleasure to meet him :).

Mnena and Sopi disappeared at some point! Turns out they had the time of their lives on exciting power-bike rides. hmph! :p

Party time!! The club was so much unexpected fun, dancing, laughing, more dancing, drinks. ahhhh. If every clubbing experience was like this I'd go out more often. 

Day 2- Calabar. Epic

Look out for the next post

Till next time,
Sabirah.