2015-An attempt at a review

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.

What is the one thing you achieved this year that you're most proud of / the highest point of your year?

How was your 2015?

♥Lara

Exploring the city: Omu Resort

This post is 1 year late, I am ashamed of myself.'
I can't even explain why it never got published as it had been sitting in my draft since January

There are so many beautiful places I wish I could explore every day, but I’m limited by time, work and money! most importantly time. I wish I had all the means in the world to travel and did not have to worry about been jobless, but as for now, saving up and finding hidden gems around Lagos ain’t so bad.

My friends drove over to the resort last Deccember to satiate my need for a new place to explore.  To be honest, I wasn't blown away. But considering the fact that the resort was relatively new when we visited, some shortcoming can be forgiven.

The resort is located in Ibeju-Lekki,about 10 minutes from the Lagos Business School on a no traffic day. It is off the Lekki-Epe road. The time spent at the resort was worth it.

The Sea world (aquarium) was my favorite. The resort also includes a wax museum, archery, quad bikes and a zoo.

 

Camera: Nikon D3100
Lens: 18-55mm

♥Lara

Maybe...

Maybe in 2016,
I will be a better friend
I will stop being a selfish bitch and actually care about those in my life who love me wholeheartedly.

Maybe next year,
I will pick up the phone and remember to call my father.
I won't hide under the guise of work and tell everyone that I am busy.


Maybe in the new year,
I will stop hiding in my comfort zone
And take those risks which would set me in the right direction,

Maybe next year,
I shall find that which I so desire.

Maybe next year,
In 2016, the world will be a better place.
The killings will stop and the world will be a better place.

May just like Asa's lyrics
Maybe the sun will rise
Maybe the stars will shine.


♥Lara

Hotel de la Diaspora: A beach front hotel in the heart of Ouidah

Tucked in the outskirts and sea front of Ouidah, Hotel de la Diaspora was my home for the 2 days spent in Ouidah.

I found the hotel on Booking.com. It was actually the first hotel listed on the site for Ouidah.

The really cheap price was definitely an attraction and for a seaside hotel, couldn't believe the price.  I made reservation for 2 different types of rooms since I was still skeptical about the pictures found online.

Location: The hotel is located in a neighbourhood called Plage. It is about 20 minutes from what I would describe as the city centre. The road leading to the hotel is untarred which means the ride is bumpy. It is conveniently located close to some of the "Must see" sites in Ouidah.

Checking In: The reception looked like one big living room rather than a hotel reception. It  was devoid of those large reception desk, but rather a small, low table with comfortable chairs for both guests and staff. We were too tired to be bothered about our sorrounding We arrived the hotel by 4pm, way beyond our 12pm check in time. Blame the border madness and the taxi driver who tried to play a fast one on us. The reception staff were warm and welcoming, we had to resort to writing on paper since English was limited on their end and none of us could speak a word in French.

Rooms: We ended up settling for the Standard Double Room with Fan which goes for 8000CFA per night. The room was pretty much decent. We decided on our room because we knew we would not be spending time in the room, for us it was a place to keep our stuffs and lay our tired bones at night. Unfortunately no pictures of the room.

Other room categories are the double Room which was for 15000CFA per night  and the detached bungalow priced at 20000 CFA per night.

Dining: Breakfast is included in the room rate and is by the poolside between the hours of 7 to 9am. It includes bread and jam/butter, tea or coffee only. Eggs and others were to be ordered and paid for seperately.  

Other Facilities:
The hotel has an olympic size swimming pool, unfortunately none of us could swim.

Book this hotel if…

For an affordable  and comfortable stay in Ouidah, Hotel de la Diaspora is ideal.  The staff were all helpful and happy to assist in any way despite our communication barriers, free wi-fi and included breakfast make for a relaxed place to run away from the world. It is equally pet friendly for those who love to travel with their furry friends.

Biko, this is not a paid review.

♥Lara