So my first post for the year, Hello 2015: The Year Of Happiness And New Beginnings, I wrote about it been my turn-up year, student and work life did not allow me be great.

My experience this year is been one hell of amazing roller coaster ride, in simple terms it was all about discovering myself, trying to find a balance between work, student life and personal life (failing woefully at this) and learning the dynamics of the Nigerian work environment.

January: spent the first week at my former place of work. I actually resigned on the second work day of the year. Still not sure if I made the best career move, but at that point. I knew for sure I wasn’t ready to continue working with my direct lead. I loved my former place of employment and my colleagues. But for me, your manager makes or mars your experience in the place of work and mine wasn’t making the experience as wonderful as I wanted it to be.

Fast forward to new place of work, I find this environment interesting. Every day I am amazed with the experience. Fast forward December, I am still amazed. This is my first over a hundred staff work place in Nigeria. One lesson I have learnt, different organizations, different employee experience.
Also, learnt that in the work place that friend of yours today will become an enemy in the blink of an eye simply because of power. Daily, I see the struggle for power and I am a left mouth wide open how evil we all can become. People throwing each other under the bus just to “cover their ass” or become oga’s favorite for a promotion.

Managing work and study has not been easy, especially with my boss who doesn’t give a hoot about my study. To him, studying for a masters is a waste of money. I must say my boss demoralize me most of the time, but I have been able to mentally block him out which is the only way I have been able to deal with him professionally. He is a typical Gen X boss, and like my mom says I can’t always have that Ideal boss.

My former direct Manager resigned in August and I have a new direct Manager who is cool and awesome. He is such a professional who I get to learn from every day. Working with him has been so much fun and every day I pray for him because He has been such a huge blessing in my life.

The work place has seen so many turbulence this year. I have made friends and lost them. All individuals I started the year with as team members are either no longer with the org or moved to another team. It was sad the way some of them had to leave. One important lesson learnt, Top business school MBA does not make a great manager. You have got to be street smart, willing to learn and listen when you do not know and environment knowledgeable to run a successful business.

Finance wise, I think I have improved from previous years. This year I have savings. Like if you know me this is a huge step. Despite all the unnecessary buying this year, which should have made me richer, I still was able to save something. My direct Manager says it is because I do not have any “bukata” that is why I am always spending money without care...

On Travel, I started the year in Cotonou, I cancelled my trip to Ghana last minute, it pained me that I didn’t get my ticket money back, side-eye to Medview. I finally  got to visit Ouidah with friends. I visited Badagry with some photography enthusiasts and went hiking with Naija Treks in November (post coming up soon)…2015 just like 2014 was a year of cancelled trips thanks to my friends, school and work. 2016 will be better.


Spiritually, I don’t even know where I stand. Someone recently me asked me how is the “deen”. I replied that the deen is intact. The answer is half true, almost bordering on a lie. The deen is not intact. I have not lost faith in my religion but then I find myself with so many unanswered questions.
This year I impressed myself a lot! With the level of maturity I approached and tackled some issues. I found I have been able to deal with my anger. The downside to this is that people assume I am arrogant when I just move on from issues without anger or even talk about it.

This year, I started talking. If you know me, you will know I am very private. I do not share my pain or anything. No one ever knows what is up with me which is one of the things my mum is worried about.

I talked to friends and I am grateful I found listening years.

Friends got me through the year and I am grateful for each and every one of them.
I know I have been a self-centered friend lately and horrible at keeping in touch.
With friendship, I have been a totally different person, reverse back to 2010. I was the one always in touch with everyone but nowadays let just say my head “knack ground”.

I think the one thing I am grateful for is that this year, there was no depression. There were sad days but no depression unlike 2014.

I did not get to read a lot of non-school related books. But I think I was able to read at least 3 if not more.

I am a work in progress who gets better with each passing seconds.

I plan to travel more in 2016. Develop my photography skills and be a better friend and daughter to my parents.

Cheers to the New Year!!!
Adieu 2015.

♥Lara