I have been meaning to do a “checking in” post for what seems like a year now but never mind. I am a believer of that statement, “better late than never!” So finally here is my little catch up session. Whilst reading the site of one of my favourite blogs, This is Ess, I was inspired by her “Taking Stock” column. Henceforth, I will try to do a triannual check in to show where I am, what I’m up to, things I’m loving, looking forward to or quite frankly, dreading! So without further ado, here we go!
Location: London, UK (but actually at the airport about to jump on a flight to Montenegro any moment now!)
Grace how you doing? Grace has been bunned up a lot! It’s just so convenient and, to be honest, with the heat and humidity of Lagos, twistouts are not really an option. But I love that the bun is such a quick, easy and elegant style. Definitely my go-to style of the moment. I don’t know if it will change. Check back soon for a tutorial on how to achieve the style. 
Product love: Arabian perfume oils. I am so late to the party, I feel like a Philistine. But now I’m there, I’m never leaving. What were we using for fragrance before the oils? Haha, seriously though, I really love these. I nicked one from my aunt and was just amazed. It lasts way longer than even your standard eau de parfum and if you get the right one, blends so lovingly with your skin. It’s awesome, love them!
Wearing: anything with a tassle or a fringe. Sandals, dresses, tops – I’m loving them all!
Looking forward to: Holidays! As you can tell from my location, I am technically already on holiday. It feels weird to be saying that I am on holiday when I am in London seeing as this used to be, and to a large extent still feels like, home but yes I am. It feels like absolutely ages since I had a proper break and I cannot wait to begin my adventures. For the moment, I have just been enjoying having some chill time as well as discovering and rediscovering new and old haunts.
Upcoming trips include Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro. Oh and France too. It will be epic! One can never travel enough so I would like to do some African travel as well. Currently looking at Benin Republic, Togo, Mozambique and Zanzibar. Let’s just say I’m getting so excited!
Dreading: Starting law school. I recently made the decision to make my move back to Nigeria a permanent one, and with that came the decision to go to Nigerian law school so I will be qualified both here in England and also Nigeria. It’s been a really difficult decision to make and I have second thoughts literally every second. I feel like I am too old to go back and start studying again and I am oh so scared of failing! It’s also nearly 18 months in total for the course. UGH! Yeah, dreading it!
How I’m doing on my resolutions: At the start of the year, I made some resolutions (click HERE to read my resolutions) and I intend to use this quarterly check in to keep track of my progress (or lack thereof) with my resolutions. Here goes:
Languages – Ok well this is a two-part section. On the Yoruba front, I could be doing better. I really need to get more confident speaking the language so I will make more of an effort there but I am trying. With French, I am speaking it way more than I used to which is good but I also need to be a bit more confident and not be scared to make mistakes. It kind of helps that I can practise with my boo and he’s super encouraging which is great.
Drums – Complete fail. I need to do better. I will just say that. I have not even researched where I can restart my lessons so I need to just do better. Next!
Nigerian Travel: I fell in love with Pop Beach Club at Ilashe and need to plot my return and after my visit to Olumo Rock (post coming soon!) I would love to go back to Abeokuta for the Ake Book Festival in November this year. That should be quite cool methinks. Other Nigeria travel trips planned…well Abuja, because of law school. Anything else? To be honest, not really at this point, but just watch this space because I know for sure something will come up! 
Reading – I’m so pleased to report that I have been doing ok on the reading front. It really is an effort, I kind of have to force myself to set aside time just to read and not fill my time with other stuff but I am enjoying it. So my book count thus far this year:
Completed reads:
Afro: The Girl with the Magical Hair by Okechukwu Ofili
The Wife Project by Graeme Simsion
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John
Current/Ongoing reads:
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin
The Bible (ongoing – trying to read the whole Bible by the end of the year)
Cooking – This, like the drums, has been a complete fail. Ugh! Ok I just need to do this. Get back in there and cook! I will, I shall, I must…somehow! It’s funny, I have actually compiled a little list of dishes I want to start off cooking and making again. I just need to now just do it. No more list compiling or planning. Just do. Just cook!
Goals for this quarter (These are going to be the things/qualities I will aim to work on in this current quarter):
Survive law school.
Cook at least one dish.
Find a drum teacher.
That’s it for my first “Checking In” edition. What do you think? Do you like? Any other information you would like to be included in the next edition? Shout in the comments below!
