365 days of life

Post (and a picture!) on seeing Mrs. O and Mercy last night in Minneapolis.

Also, a small reflection on the fact that 365 days ago, I decided to move to Nigeria.

finally

I knew I would love fast internet, I just didn't know how much I would love it! I can finally share with you the long-awaited photos of everything I've been talking about on this blog. Notice especially the pictures of the Mechanics' Park/Soccer Game.

To view the album of my entire year in Nigeria, please visit this Facebook Link. Comment away!

Please and thank you.

photo gorge

Too much of a good thing? No way... these were taken around town.

First is an elevated view of Wuse II, home to ICS, our beloved Chicken Republic, the ever-reliable Bomas Supermarket, and, yes, Coomy Automobiles. Amanda, remember looking at GoogleMaps and trying to figure out where the school was located?! I thought it was "Woos 2" but they quickly corrected me - it's "WOO-say 2."

Next up is the Fortress herself...the American Embassy. On a semi-related note, can someone advise me on the legality of posting this picture? I'd hate to get pulled by the Feds for this.

Lastly is a picture of the omnipresent Abuja construction. The red and white barricades signify a Diversion (American "Detour"). And that's a Toyota Hilux, a very popular truck here. Note the legit speed bump in the foreground. They spent 40 million Naira putting those in all over the city, and now they're spending 60 million ripping them up again. Oh, Nigeria...

i promised pictures

Here are a couple photos of my 60s look from Tuesday. Excuse the shameless self-portrait I took at my desk, but note the cateye makeup. I'm quite proud of that.

More Pictures!

Thanks to Mom and her high-speed internet, I'm able to share a couple more pictures from Nigeria!

This picture was taken on my very first night in Abuja. If I look absolutely out of it, it's because I was. :) The white woman is my Canadian/British flatmate Jan and the Indian woman is Rachel. We're in her flat, which is directly above ours.


















I have adopted Nigerian fashion with open arms, and take great joy in wearing traditional dress to school on Fridays. I get tons of compliments for trying to "fit in." I bought this dress ready-made in the market, and top is a bit constricting, so I might have a tailor let it out. (I'm also having 2 other traditional outfits made - I should have those within the next 2 weeks)

Pictures

this is the compound I live in, as seen from across the street. It is beautiful:


This is the gecko that lives in our flat:


This is the national mosque, one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. This picture was taken from a moving taxi, my apologies for the tilt.


This is the door to my classroom! I did all the lettering freehand:


And lastly, this is what I look like when NEPA blows just after I've gotten out of the shower. Jan just shakes her head and calls me a dork: