Where to begin. Teenie came. Chaos ensued. Teenie has been living a life of a Canadian girl. On top of that, I'm afraid that I have spoiled my girl due to parental guilt, and just plain indulgence because for a long time she was my only child. I haven't done her any favors. In fact, I think in some ways I have created a bit of a monster. She isn't a girl who obeys her parents (which is a BIG HUGE problem here), she wants to do her own thing (ditto BIG HUGE problem here), she yells back when provoked, doesn't like chores, wants all the comforts of home ... shall I go on?
Needless to say this has not gone over well with DH. In fact, there have been 2 really bad episodes of flat out fighting between the 2 of them in the 3 weeks she has been here.
Now, teenie is going home to Canada. Things just aren't working out here and she has decided that her 18 year old self is going to try and make it on her own in the big city. Well, actually she has someone to stay with so it isn't like she will deboard the plane and be all alone.
She is leaving before Mother's Day. Which makes me sad, but I understand why she is leaving.
In other news, we have moved to our place in Lekki. It has plumbing problems, a whole in the ceiling, bugs the size of housecats, generator problems and the a/c is iffy. I seriously need to get myself one of those oyinbo jobs here with housing. Not that I don't appreciate the fact that someone is letting me squat in his place for a few months, it is just that I don't know if I am cut out for this. I have gotten used to the nice shower in VI, the gen on weekends and from 3:30 onward (gen that I don't have to worry about), the access to restaurants, stores etc. I have been... spoiled. In a way, I find it kind of ironic that the things I take for granted in Canada are the same things that make me spoiled here. I just don't know if I have the stuff to deal with this country in it's real form again. It has been over 8 months since I did it last (in Ilesa) and honestly, I have forgotten what it is really like.
I'm tired. I have the stupid stomach thing again and the meds are tiring me out. I have a headache that would stop a giant in his tracks. I'm too old for this shit. I told DH tonight that I either want to get a job where they give us decent housing, or I want to get the hell out of this country. But - I want him to come with me. Therein lies the catch my dear reader.
So, utter chaos. This is my current status.
I am under the influence of heavy pain meds at the moment so I am trying to think of my oyinbo tip for the day. I guess it is when it comes to dealing with people here in a customer service environment, try to remember that they feel as if they are doing you a favour by serving you. It will help with the frustration level if you keep this in mind.
Until next time,
Jennifer
now I feel guilty for not posting the comment I almost did when I first read Teenie was coming to Naija. I had written that she shouldn't just yet until you had your accommodations sorted out (i.e of the sort and in an area of town that wouldn't give her too much of a culture shock, one where she would be able to network with people her age etc). Now she's leaving with a bad first experience and a not so good time with her dad after all these years. I hope you get a great job and everything works out well soon, at least next time she visits she'll have a better time. so sorry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I have gone through a million things in my head (look before you leap is definitely one of them) thinking about things I could have done differently. I hope that this trip has at least given her a taste of this country and that she does come back one day.
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