1st Night @ Work

Right now I'm what the Yoruba people call, OMO TO WA ISE TO RI SE. Today is my fourth day at work, first day on the night shift. I've just passed through the phase where most employers like, the point of no return, the period where you become the word 'multitask' itself. A million and one people to attend to, all in a second. I actually don't particularly like this point cause I'm prone to making mistakes. Reminds me of my friends in the uni, back in not so long days, they go to a place where drinks are sold in a hurry and in the process they don't pay. But hey i survived it with minimal hassles or accidents. HALLELUYAH. Now it's 12.30am and everyone(rightfully sane) should be asleep. Even the thieves are asleep, heard that robbers only go out during the day as they need their rest( strategy &recuperating time) and beauty sleep!
Have i told you about this unconfirmed job I'm trying for at the moment. When i went for the interview i was hoping to be taken in as Reservation Officer but my 1st interviewer taught i would fit in better as a front desk officer. I don't particularly have a problem with the job but hate when I'm referred to as RECEPTIONIST. For Christ sake don't i look better than a receptionist. Also now i wonder why they don't employ OND holders or graduate of secretarial studies to do the job. A whole graduate like me, Front Desk Officer? We haven't talked about renumeration yet, but i hope its worth the stress. Guess the ploy is to put me on trial for so long that i won't have a choice but accept whatever they propose salary-wise. Let me not assume wrongly,I'll just wait and see what they have lined up for me. But then if the pay is horrible should i still accept the job pending the time i hit a jackpot of a job that'll offer more,or bow out so they have an idea of my dissatisfaction? I actually would like to stand in line for my fellow graduate,coming behind and in the future! Who send you?
Hospitality is what I've always and thought i had a flair for. But I've also realized that my bills are on the increase and thus have to be paid for, needs and wants too babes are also rearing their heads.Hospitality pays quack,so I'm lost and stuck between balancing my passion and the need for cash(plenty of it). Still don't know what to do,but I'm hoping solution comes from somewhere,anywhere soon and fast. Now i also know,ITS SO EASY TO HAVE A FLAIR FOR A THING BUT WHEN IT BECOMES TOO DEMANDING you start to question its genuineness or existence. I should get off this blog now,but hey there is no chat facility on the favourite fb.@ work,guess employers are not paying me to chat with my friends but to do their work. Anyway, hope I'll have time to come back and also have something to write about. Till then it's good night.

DILEMMA

To do or not to do,to join or not? The dilemma that we find ourselves in,in this life making- decision filled world of ours. Reminds me of those philosophical debates in epistemology and metaphysics we used to have in those days,still do though. The argument of determinism and free-will, the omnipotence of God in this evil world etc. Decision making,an inevitable part of being human and in charge of ones life. Enough of this dilemma story,today i feel like i could do with a shrink who has the power to change things.so if you are a shrink who is into free consultation without tangible and immediate result,don't bother stepping to me. I am actually a shrink,not professionally trained,not paid for, but frequently visited by some of the people in my life.
Juggling between religious convictions and societal moral codes is in itself one hell of a dilemma. If there is one thing i look forward to,its having kids,oh i am already misty-eyed about it. Gonna love,pamper,rebuke,train,spoil those cuties when they land from wherever . But i worry sometimes when i think of the role i have chosen(confessing is receiving) or have been bestowed on as their guardian. I wonder how do i strike a balance between religious beliefs and societal infused morals.For example how do i preach about sex education and sin at the same time to my kids without being burdened ?how do i refuse to receive/give a kickback when that looks like viable options? i guess my duty as a custodian is to give the facts the way it is and hope they would be smart enough to make the right decision. i have learnt to accept that you cannot make decisions for people whether adults or teenagers,they will most likely learn better from experience,whether its theirs, people around or stories they are told. In the words of the most inspiration Reinhold Niebuhr

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Oh how i love this serenity prayer.it's the best consultant i have seen in form of any writing. the minute i remember this prayer i become so soothed. And like i have learnt from life and the almost neck breaking decisions i have had to take and will take. I intend to pragmatically

Live one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.

Amen.

Lagos Bus!

Hey you bloggy wasup? Meant to update you yesterday after church,but trust power holding to do what they are skilled at-taking electricity.Plenty gist i had yesterday but forgotten most now.i was gbono felefele when i got back from church,must be the anointing! Remind me that i want to talk about Naija univ,church and Miss nice. You know what came to my mind?maybe i should use this medium to talk about people around me but we will use names of fruits instead of real names so when my blog is full and i invite people to read i won't get into trouble.
Back to the reason I'm here,boarded a bus from Lagos-Island today and it was hilarious.Buses in Lagos are always mobile comedy zones for me,sometimes i feel the joke so much but i tell myself i won't laugh so that i won't be tagged in their conversations,anywhere it also makes me savor gist well well(ofofo.com).But i must first warn you that I'm not too good a story teller,but still hope you will understand a little.
In this particular bus i boarded(don't really know what triggered the conversation)the conductor was saying he didn't like wearing suits as they were uncomfortable outfits,rather he preferred native attires and Jeans and 'polo'(accent gave him away).He went on to say he wanted to be a worker in church but church rules are that every worker must wear suits and for that reason he not only rescinded in his decision of joining the department he also left the church. My guess is that he was trying to show that he is/was a strong willed ,firm and decisive person. I thought that was the end of the story. Immediately the conductor finished, a 'spiri' sounding man flared up or is it chastened him by saying if he got a job in a bank and is asked to wear suits would he say he won't and continue with the bus conducting job because he doesn't like wearing suits. Thinking the spiri man had had his fill he continued by saying young man 'you better don't let suit stand in the way of your salvation,go back and join the church workers group'.Shocked at the unexpected response,the conductor had to explained that he is actually in a spirit filled church now,still loved the former,blah, blah,blah. What amused me the most was the fact that the conductor was just trying to flex in his territory,not bargaining for plenty response.
True i agree that mundane things shouldn't stand in the way of getting anything in ones life,but i also think it is up to individuals to work out their salvation,which is personal ,with fear and trembling. Apart from that wetin concern spiri man with conductor?guess he is the example of a godly neighbor/friends keeper. Thinking about it now,is God going to question me and my fellow hear-but-no-respond passengers?Can't know until then ,can i?
How can i forget, I've had plenty bus experiences in this Lagos. One time i boarded a bus and was the last person in it(was to alight in the next bus stop) and the conductor brought out this tiny newspaper ball-like wrapping. While he was opening the wrappers and smiling wolfishly at me, i had missed a couple of heart beats,as i thought he wanted to jazz me and carry me way pass my destination,only for me to realize that it was weed(Indian hemp) in the papers. Trying to look and sound bold coupled with the fact that i am a Christian and in the spirit of neighborliness,i told him it wasn't good for his health when i had gotten off the bus. Don't mind me, why i no talk the second wey he bring the wrapper out? fear and liver cut took the better of me. In those seconds while he brought the weed out and my mind thinking kidnap,i had gone through silent hysteria to high class paranoia.
Another incident happened too in the Lagos bus one day,the conductor ran away with my change. Was upset for a few seconds cause it was a large sum in danfo circles. Immediately it happened a beautiful thought crossed my mind-it was my money that was taken away not me. The minute i realized that, i became thankful, joyous and not down cast. In this horrid,filthy Lagos,even Nigeria, if you go out and come home safely then fellas you've got something to be thankful for,cause believe me it could be worse. I also had another reason to be grateful,that it was not my last cash,might have been disastrous. Imagine you passing bye and you see my humble yeye self begging for alms to get home! God Forbid.To think that i always turn an eye when people beg from me on the road. Wow,i guess from now I've got to loosen up and give. Or maybe its the alms i gave 10years ago(yeah right) that is still saving my ass.Only God Can say.
Whatever the case is i still board those buses(broad daylight only),what choice do i have but to continue,hopefully someday soon I'll be able to afford and ayokele of my own or find a sensible man who knows his duties to do so or better still open an account in one of this yeye banks or drink a coke(those promos where you win cars).Who knows which one will save the day?

what happened to plans?

It's 12.30am. Had a day one can classify as not eventful and not boring. When i got signed into this blog business,thought i will be dropping posts every second,but i don't need a soothe sayer to tell me that to propose and be disposed are two different things.which leads me to the reason i am here this early in the day.
how many people really plan their life's and all it encompasses?do we all just move with the tides of life hoping it would take us on a beautiful sail to where our dreams and imaginations alone have been? I remember that popular saying-those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Before now i had passively taken it into heart until happenings around me started prompting me to the meaning and usefulness of it. I must say first that i am Nigerian, Naija blogger better put,so you must understand my antecedent.
Every time i look around,whether in private life or in governance i can't but observe the lack of plan(s).It's the rainy season,and in Lagos where i reside,the whole area has been turned to rivers-blocked drainages,over flooded roads turned swimming pools,unnecessary traffic etc.
how can you fail to plan and expect miracles?failing to plan can be likened to a farmer who sleeps during the planting season and hopes to be bounteous in harvest time. Duh i bo lo ti n sele! there ain't no two way to things,you have to plan for the things you see and also the ones you don't see.have you noticed that the first meaningful word you see in the word 'planting' is plan.planting shows plan..............................................

where does this happen unquestioned?

I'm new to this scenario but i intend to maximize my stay here.i don't know where in the world it's done,but then i haven't been out of Nigeria so it's okay i assume. Just going through the papers and i am told a fast food restaurant is going to the floor of the Stock Exchange,since when did it become permissible to insult or rather play on peoples intelligence.I guess the in-thing is for all companies who are not performing at high capacity, rather than look inwards for solutions, go to the market and bleed innocent individuals of their hard earned cash. Permit me to deviate,but hope you will have a clue about what i intend to say.
I see it everywhere,especially in the era of the banks consolidation,family members sending money to their relatives in the hope that the shares would generate enough dividend and they would be making their relatives independent.fine i must say,not everyone has the power to multiply money.My Grouse is what is the business of Fast and quick food restaurants who normally should be 'visited' by health and nutrition officials doing on the way to the stock market.
The fast food restaurant involved took a whole center spread in the dailies and reeled to all those who cared to know,the vast educational and employment achievements of the board of directors,Spain,lbs etc.i wonder if people are taught anything about quality service delivery in these citadels of education.the eatery in question is known all over for one of the worst tasting meals,unhygienic work place.when did beautiful service delivery border on resumes?that is why you have the likes of Richard Branson doing beautifully well in Business. Instead of focusing on how to make better meals, they concentrated on opening their eateries everywhere their rival went!
I remember also,not too long ago another confectionery went to be listed on the stock market,this particular one i can emphatically say sells stale and spoilt pastry under the guise of night.what they do is this,they shut the burglary and sell through it for security reasons,thus in the process you don't get to choose and you get the product that has passed it's shelf life.
If people support this listing then why don't we invite all the unsuccessful businesses to the Floor,maybe then we would understand what i am talking about?