Summer Is Over

The summer is over and I’m back to Lagos and back to work.  From Italy to Scotland and then Dubai – I’m tired but happy.  In Italy, I spent a wonderful week with my aunt and uncle.  In Scotland, I spent every minute with my Dad and my lovely brother and all of my extended family and friends.  Finally, I met with my sister in Dubai – who I hadn’t seen for over a year!  I feel all humble and loved and grounded again.

Living in Lagos it’s easy to get carried away with life’s trivial things and forget yourself a little.  There really is nothing like a Scottish family to bring you back to reality.  Simple family life, where people are nothing but genuine in their sharing, laughter and interest in me are all I really need.  I’m reminded to look for honesty, integrity, compassion and humility in new friends and not to imagine these qualities and dispositions are present in everyone.  They’re not!

I’ve moved apartments.  The new one is much bigger and lighter.  I’ve been decorating and buying material for curtains and sofas and stuff.  I’ve been to the market to buy some cheap but beautiful paintings from local artists and I’ve unpacked the eight large bags and suitcases of STUFF I’ve managed to accumulate in two years here!  I’ll post some pics when I’ve finished it all.

I’ve met my new class for this year – 24 four year olds! They are adorable and smart and full of fun.  There is nothing quite like being greeted with 24 little hugs at the start of a working day.  Between these and my coffee and I can just about cope with full time employment after my lazy summer.

I’ve also been catching up with the Lagos family who I love and I'm coming to terms with the fact that I’m facing this year at work without my sidekick/boss/bestie/confidant Natalie Ghazi who has left the land of Lagos for a while.

I have a visitor coming for a trip in November and my 30^th hurtling towards me so I’ll keep you posted through my third year in Naija!