March 7, 2017

One Year Update!

Can you believe that today, March 7th, makes it one whole year since I left Nigeria and moved back to Hamrika?!?!?! Like where did the time go?!?!??! Okay, I won't lie. Time has felt very draggy at different times, but mehn, just like that one year has passed! I contemplated putting up a video to talk about the past year, but I'm opting to write things down instead. I think I'll share the year in Highlights, Lowlights, and Medium-lights :p


HIGHLIGHTS
God's grace has followed me and been upon me. A little over a year ago, Cakes and I had our own little apartment with great neighbors and terrible management, but it was OUR own place. Since moving to Atlanta, we've been in my parents' house. I wasn't able to get the kind of job I would really like, and that would cover getting a place of our own. Since Cakes still goes back and forth, and with the Nigerian Naira being in a virtual free fall, it's been kinda tough financially. BUT GOD! As in, there hasn't been anything we needed that we couldn't pay for. God has been the most awesome provider in all things. And I can't thank my parents enough for everything! As in, when God blesses you with a good family (or great one like mine), there is absolutely no reason not to thank God every single day.

Another highlight is the amount of traveling I've done, most especially the UK Vacation with my family. We go on at least one trip per year together, and this might just be our favorite trip ever! At least it ranks up there in the Top 3 (we've done Vegas, gone on a ski trip in the Appalachian Mountains, driven to New Orleans, rented a cabin for winter, etc). Scotland was an absolute delight and I wish I could go back.

LOWLIGHTS
Working in a job that barely pays the bills, and that you hardly enjoy is tough. When I moved I decided I'd use the opportunity to start over - new career doing something I enjoy. But life throws you curve balls. Of course when I got the job, I was thankful to have something to do - sitting at home for 6 months without work is painful. I still pray for a much better job, and I know it's coming. But as I mentioned in this post, even at work, I will look for the positives in my situation and focus on those things.

Without getting into detail, I'll be honest in saying that the past year was rough and tough on Cakes and I - our marriage, that is. At a point, I was convinced that the devil was out for marriages, and I wasn't sure how much longer we could go. It's really only by God's grace that we're still here. I know you're curious as to what may have caused any issues, but remember that we're still in a young marriage and having to deal with finance issues, the stress of Cakes traveling back and forth, our efforts in trying to have children, etc. It has not been easy, trust me. BUT GOD!

MEDIUM-LIGHTS
I got grey hair! No, not the grey crochet braids I did. Actual grey hair growing from my own scalp! As in, the day I discovered it, I wasn't sure whether to cry or throw myself on the floor wailing about old age. My younger sister who's had some grey hair for a while just rolled her eyes. All I know is, like my mum says, Hamrika turns your hair grey. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Speaking of hair, I have faux locs on that I did myself. I really should put a post on them, aye?

Okay, let's be honest, my blogging has been one kind since I moved. I know that one of the main things that drew traffic was my Weekend posts and all the fun sturvs I was up to. Well, it's not like there isn't stuff to do here, but I work weekends sometimes, I live kinda far from downtown, money is tight and I'm just lazy too. Everything combined just means fewer outing trips for me. And I think because my blog-heart is still stuck in Nigeria, it's been hard to move forward here. Like I still see myself as a Nigerian blogger in Nigeria. I'm still figuring things out but from now on, things are gonna be better. And yes, I'm bringing back my Lovely Links posts too.

IN SUMMARY
I've been here and there wondering whether moving was the best idea for us. I know the Nigerian economy has been really hard, but some of the things I see on social media (even though you should be careful of everything you see there) makes me wonder whether I wouldn't have been able to tough it out. It's not like we moved because of the economy - I don't think anyone saw that coming. I mean, heck, this time last year $1 was N235 and we were even complaining then! Little did we know!!! I miss Nigeria a lot sometimes, but I can only thank God that our support system here is amazing otherwise I might have run back by now. What I do know is that God is everywhere, and He is watching over us. There will be tough times, rough times, battles that seem never-ending, and all of that, BUT GOD!


Have a pretty day and come back tomorrow to see my International Women's Day post!

26 comments:

  1. I love the way you've used the "But God" all through this post. We really have nothing else to hold on to but him. He'll come through! Sending you so much hugs & prayers.

    www.KacheeTee.com

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  2. Awwwww can't believe its been a year already!!!! God is faithful and will see you through! Happy international womens day!

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    1. Thanks a lot. Time flies by doesn't it? And Happy International Women's Day to you too!

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  3. I love love love how real you are Berry. I'm in a similar situation as you are on very many fronts but then again GOD! You go girl!

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    1. Thank you very much Muanya. GOD has us! Nothing to worry about.

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  4. Aww my birthday is your relocation anniversary. Man the older i get, the harder i realize life is. At the same time at unexpected times, i just feel grateful to be alive and well. Everyday is truly by the grace of God. Thanks for being vulnerable and i love your spirit. He will see you through!

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    1. Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you had a nice time. Why haven't we hung out yet?!?!?!?!

      God's grace is really what keeps us going o. Whether we realize it or not, even in the hardest of times, it's His grace that helps us.

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  5. Can't believe it's been a year as well. Moving isn't easy. I should know as I am moving soon again. But God is always faithful.

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    1. I knowwwwww. And where are you moving to now Madam?

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  6. Hello, your instagram story brought me here and then I went through some of your older posts. Continue to hold on to God and he would see you through all the highs, medium and lows. Have fun!

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    1. Hi Zinny. Thanks a lot for the encouragement.

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  7. Keep strong sis! It will be God all the way till the very end. Happy International Women's Day!

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  8. awwww,,, darling!!! God will surely see you through all this, He will and we would be here to share in your Joy.





    I JUST GOT MARRIED AND THIS IS MY STORY

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    1. Amen o! We will have a big e-parry and wear asoebi.

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  9. Thanks you sharing this! I really wish you all the best :D

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  10. Everything will be alright dear, tough times don't last , tough people do. You both hang in there and I know very soon, you will be sharing your testimony on here. Xx

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  11. I love the last picture. Please dash me your skirt already!

    www.liveinibadan.blogspot.com

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    1. This skirt that I have plenty plans for... erm, wait, I'm coming. Just wait.

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  12. Aww, you're a trooper Berry!

    Lots of Love and Positive Vibes!

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  13. My dear Berry, your honesty is always so endearing, I really admire that about you.

    God will never leave you, his plans for you and Cakes are awesome. Oh, just wait and see!

    Meanwhile, I got grey hair pretty early in life (very early twenties), thank God for henna, now I've got pretty auburn highlights. Lol

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    1. Thank you Nedoux *blushes*

      Oh yes, God is always there, and I know He won't ever leave or forsake us.

      Oooh, auburn hair. I knew your hair had this reddish tint.

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