Post Ankara Fest Weekend

Ankara Fest was Fabulous! Had a blast thanks to my darling Big sis and her hubby! My hats go off to Danick Productions, Regal Affairs, MNIA, ANAC and Naija Entertainement for a great events. Double hats off to Lentini and his beautiful wife Bimpe. It was so good, I am wearing ankara or Naija Tops every day this week!!!!

Friday...
Was great. My sis took me to this cool spot called Lagos Cafe in Hollywood. they have AMAZING food. Not just amazing, but 'make you wanna have owambe party, spray her money and marry her daughter' kinda good. Rice is straight up party rice... so flavorful. Moimoi-licious, meat is just right! YUM!. Anyway every Friday they have a Happy Hour there at Lagos Cafe with great music, dancing, and of course food served all night long. runs from 8pm until people wanna go/or she kicks you out.. so usually around 2 or 3am.
Music.... I have never heard such amazing naija music. DJ was none other than Lentini again. Dude played fresh out of naija Jams I never heard before, but ppl were dancing like mad... and no one was drunk. That's how good it was...  Please also there is one song that goes "Meow Meow Pussy Cat" yes its a naija song o... if you got it, or know who sings it,.. hook a sistah up!

Saturday...
We went to go feed the homeless!!!!! How fun is that! Actually... its REALLY FUN!!!! About 15 young Nigerians met up st the PATH homeless shelter to cook and serve the homeless... and wash all the dishes afterwards. I think I got more out of this event than the people we cooked for because not only did i meet amazing people, and hear touching stories, but I got to feel good about myself for being there. Like I said before, you never know who is one paycheck away from being HOMELESS. Anyway Pics and video coming soon!

By the way, I just wanna say that before we fed the homeless, we went to a hispanic grocery store to get meat and stuff and when I spoke my grade F spanish to the clerk, he didnt laugh, he didnt mean mug, he smiled, spoke to me, and even gave us discounts on the meat and free guacamole... errmmmm.... yes guacamole, but its the gesture that counts, he was showing a friendly spirit and thats something that would make me go back to that store again if I was there. Alot of times, Naija store owners complain that we dont patron our own stores, but sometimes I tire of the nasty looks (you know that look, where they look you up and down all stanky-like... mmmhmmm who are you? I'm better than you .... blah blah). Angel doesnt play that. I'm an equal opportunity smiler and I'm brand loyal.. so if you have customer service, I'll come again... even if you are more expensive or have bad product... So just smile, say hi... doesnt hurt. But no! Naijas, if you even try to make small talk, or ask if they are naija, they give one type of attitude... ok o!  tried, lemme go back to guacamole  homey. Dude was mad nice.
Anyway back to the gist...

Sunday...
First of all, I wanna say that any man that can cook amazing breakfast is heaven sent! One of my Big sis's friends came and cooked for us. Was delish! Kudos to the dude.
So Ankara Fest!!!! yels!!! was fun o!!! Was a reunion of some pretty amazing people too! Eno Inwek and Raz Adoti were the hosts! They did an Uber-twitterific job! I hope Raz has added Eno to Facebook... and I hope Eno is done making Raz "STOOL DOWN" hehehe if you were there you'll understand. Those two have jokes.

The fashions... o they were on point! Some heavy designers sha! HEAVY!!!!! Eno said... Ankara gives you self esteem... hels yea! these styles make any lady feel like a million bucks... And you didn't need a million bucks to buy them either, they were so affordable. Designers included Ajai Rayne, Mocha Latte, Studio Alade, Tasiya, and others... Pics also coming soon!

The performance... ummm... i just wanna say, why is it at nigerian cultural events the dancers play ivorian music and dance ndombolo? Ummm... hello? naija has dances and music too... Either way the dancers were on point! They can move! They smiled, and they did a bang up job *applause*. They even danced for Mike Okri as he performed! He was as usual... AMAZING... (i need to come up with more adjectives... hahaha) but he was great... sad that the audience SUCKED!!!! they didnt want to clap or dance or stand or interact. He tried o.. but naijas dey form too much o! hmmpf! I got up and danced. He even sang one new song.. was really good. I cant wait for him to do alot of collabos with these young fresh acts.

And last but not least, NAETO C-E-O the BOSS... Yes Boss! He was in the building, and did a smashing performance, but again, crowd was forming... but you know how you know they were feeling him... women still made it up to the front of the stage, young and old. Ehn... Mama Jide, Mama, Nneka, and Aunty Hazeezat were up there too shakin it( imaginary names). Get in where you fit in... what can i say, they like naeto C!

One thing i wanna comment on about the night... erm.. so this thing was hosted by ANAC... I really appreciate them putting this together, but.. a Lady from ANAC came on the stage and started talking about how they put this together because if they put together a town hall meeting, or forum, the young wouldnt come out, and that young need to get involved in community, and that they we are here at Ankara Fest to have fun, but that in her time they didnt know fun, they only know hard work... umm... hello? I find it slightly offensive because if  she really did her research, she'd see so many YOUNG Nigerians putting together townhalls, conferences, and other forums for to talk abotu issues related to Nigeria... so many also are part of community service programs or run NGO's. The youth are very active, I just think that the old carry a steriotype about us.. a false steriotype. Maybe if they talked to us, and took us seriously, rather than sitting on a high horse to judge, they would see what we youth are doing... Sorry to rant, but it has to be said...

All in all, an amazing weekend!

A crazy hectic august

At the begining of this month, I had a last minute trip to Gidi. It was focused on project work and volunteering. After this trip, I really see myself living permanently in Nigeria. No if, ands, or buts!!! I really want to make a impact. I had the pleasure while i was there of volunteering at the Heart of Gold Childrens Hospice for motherless babies. It really touched my heart. I vow now that each visit to Nigeria, I will take supplies there and spend time with the children. They really need to the help. Check out www.hoghospice.org and check out my blog @ www.missadelaja.blogspot.com where I talk more in depth about HOG Hospice.


On the way back, I stopped in Paris. It was really relaxing. I took the train from Charles De Gaulle (spelling) airport to Paris. I needed to kill time, so I walked around, age breakfast, shopped, shopped, shopped, relaxed in the parks, etc. It was really nice.

I was glad to get back home, but met the crazy stress of school and research. Sometimes, I want to QUIT!!!!!!! I'm tired!!!!! I just want to graduate, and work towards that, but i also feel like i'm really destine to do so many things. It's hard to juggle business, volunteer work, other endeavours, and SCHOOL!!! But I'm trying. If school doesnt kill me, my parents will if i dont get my degrees. Note the word degrees has an 'S' on it. Anyway school is so sucky right now. I feel like i need time off. Personal leave of absence, but i'm too chicken to speak up. and i'm too scared that any break i take will become permanent. Anyway i let me shut up about that. A woman's gotta do what she's gotta do. and that's study.

Anyway my boss reams me out for my unexcused absence from school. Yeah I forgot to mention that my trip was unexcused. oops. i left on a wednesday and came back on a monday. i missed wed, thuds, fri, and monday. yeah. that will do it. I know he was extremely upset, but he is really good at calming a situation down. As i was getting over the scolding and back to my normal school grind, I realized my bday is coming up. Yup my Bday is today!!!!!!!!!

Anyway last friday I woke up wondering what I would do for my bday and just decided I wanted to party in Chicago.... so I did! it was the best bday since my 25th bday... yes am old. It was fun! I then realized my Gidi Girl Bee is also an August Babie... though she's only a virgo.. not a lushious leo, but anyway, we decided to do a joint aug bday bash!!! My girlfriend Natalia and I drove to Chicago for the festivities. Natialia is a fashion designer. she is fierce!!!! check out http://www.nataliavillafana.com/ her fall line will be up soon for orders. She is also always at shop chicago.

I have a little design skills of my own tho. Not on her level, but I can sew basics...lol I made a killer Ankara dress with bling for the event. I bought a pair of shoes that Natialia's sister makes... Candice Blake shoes... made in Italy! Contact Natalia for orders. Pics coming soon!!!!

We celebrated in VIP style at Shrine!!! I keep talking about shrine. That's because the place is fabulous!!!! They staff is nice, the managers, hostess, and staff. My waitress was cool. Very polite and fun too. She danced with us too! must be a fun job!!! Anyway, We had fun!!! i dance my ass off!!!! Biola danced her ass off!! and it was Natalia's 1st time listening to Nigerian music, but she loved it!!! Dj DeeMoney really did his thing!!!!! Mixin all he best Naija, West african, reggae, hihop, everything!!!! Amazing night!!!!

Also saw Wale from the Kolo Show. Those guys r doing their thing! shout out to yemi, fineboy and wale from the kolo show. Havent had a chance to meet yemi yet. www.tokstv.com

After the party was the afterparty! we went to soundbar. and danced my ass off some more!!!! Then went up to the house music part!!! had so much fun shaking my bum and my hair!!!! jumpin up and down, and all. love that music. cuz then you cant tell that i dont know how to dance!!!!

I love my chicago ppl!!!! Dami, GidiGirl Bee, T, BT, you all make me so happy! I have so much fun!!! I just shake and wiggle!!!

Speaking of Dami!!!! ooooo loooooord!!!! Boy can dance!!!! you put him in a room by himself and its a party!!!! dAAAAAAAAMIIIIII!!!!!!! his name should be DAMN-you can -dance! whooo!

anyway! was a fun wknd!!! We also shot an episode of GidiGirls with GGB and GGA back together again! was a reunion. I missed GGB so much while i was away!!!

Pics of the wknd coming soon. and make sure you check out GidiGirls Webshow @ www.gidigirlswebshow.blogspot.com episode ...erm i've lost count!

Check it out tho


Now i'm back in lansing. tihs place is so dry i feel i can poke my eyes out so as not to see time flowing backwards. sheesh!!! for the love of all that is degree granting.


awyway. today is my bday!!! i went to work, I hate going into my office BTW. its so distracting. n so 'my office' bleh!!!! but my mom sent me FLOWERS for my BDAY!!!!!! I love u mommy and sis!!!! muah!!!! kiss kiss!!! Roses to be precise! roses and a balloon to be even more precise! Loved it!!!! N my GGB and T called me. Natalia did too, and lotsa friends. made me feel really good.

After work, i had moer work (meeting with a researcher) outside the office. was productive. talked about work stuff and the direction of our research. stuff like this is what keeps me going!!!

Anyway after that, I went to meet natalia. she is making my dress for the pageant!!! I'm so excited!!!! the sketches look so FABO!!!! n the materials r extra sexy!!!! I cant wait!!! check out www.MNIApageant.com

Now I'm in a freakin coffee shop. Have to work on assignments for school/research, and pageant assignments. This blogging action was just to get my writing juices out!!!

Kiss Kiss n happy bday to ME!!!!!

TGI Friiiiiiiiday!!!!

So I'm so happy today is friday! This week has been so eventful and uneventful all at the same time. My being sick was a downer, but I got a lot on my To Do list done. I finally cleaned my room. It's amazing how much more positive and light I feel when my room is clean. The dirty room thing was a product of the overwhelming amount of clothes that needed to get put away after my last trip to Gidi and the subsequent domestic travel. Anyway it's all clean!!!!

I'm so glad it's clean because my Gidi Girl Bee is coming with my fam friend T. It's on and popping this weekend!!!! lol yeah right! we are probably going to just hang out. Anyway Im excited none the less.

What I'm not excited about is people that dont stick to their word. I can't stand that! If you are gonna be a woman or a man, you have to be trust worthy and credible. I will talk about this more in my www.TwinkleToesKB.blogspot.com .

Anyway yesterday was hella cool. After getting some school stuff done, I hung out with my friend/creative director/talent scout/entertainer/soccer supa star/crooner/beat maker/camera man/student/naija guy K. K is super cool and crazy. K has offered to make the intro song for Gidi Girls Webshow www.gidigirlwebshow.blogspot.com . This is if Naeto C cannot be reached or does not let us use his Gidi Girl Swag song... Please Naeto C let us use it. Help a sistah out!!! Sho mo? Lol!

Anyway hanging out with K, we talked, we chilled, he taught me to play the guitar! The only other thing i learned on guitar was stairway to heaven on an eletric guitar like 5 years ago! Anyway our mini jam session was cool. Then he played some beats for me!!!! Dude is so talented. We freestyled to the beats. He's up and coming. His beats are SICK! Maybe later I will post a youtube of one of his stuff.

Tomorrow is the MNIA Assignment 1 deadline. I will tape a video of the assignment too! check out www.MissAdelaja.blogspot.com for that.

Bisou

Day 1- In the Beginning, there was Angel

Since I was young, I wanted to make an impact on the world. It was in college that I realized I could make an impact on Nigeria. Soooooo cliche? Well all I know is that I have made a decision to move to Nigeria to find my place and fulfill my destiny. Lol . Anyway the journey has begun. Along the way I’ll blog about all the crazy things going on in my life. I’ll talk about school, business, pageant life, friends, love and all that pertains to a gidi girl in the making.

So far let me gist you….

School wise, I’m on my grind. I try to balance school and making money. I love my research… BTW I research drugs (Drug abuse and things that pertain to it such as high risk sexual behaviors, mental health, etc) I get tired sometimes, but I can’t wait until I am Dr. Miss Adelaja. Whoo hoo!!!! My boss is cool. He has so many ideas in his head. I love it, but sometimes I get tired. But it’s a rite of passage.

Also I am about making money. I have so many business ideas and not enough me or time to do it all. I need about 10 extra arms like an Indian goddess and a Delorean with a flux capacitor. I love meeting dedicated able minded people that are ready to take on challenges because those are the ones who succeed in life. Keep it up my people. We are of the tribe called hustla.

Part of making money means looking for opportunities to start business in Nigeria. Nigeria, a fertile ground for small businesses. Mmmmmmm. Do you smell that? Smell it! It’s success! When you smell raw sewage, it’s an opportunity. When you see trash, it’s an opportunity. When Okada dey bash your car, and you smell burning petrol leaking from it, IT’s AN OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I plan to move to Nigeria ASAP. I love it. I never lived there before, but ‘if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere’ and they weren’t talking about New York! Na Gidi be that o! Lol did I mention that I am working on my pidgin?

Other things going on right now? Well, I’m in the Miss Nigeria in America Pageant! MNIA baby! I’m so excited. They have me representing Abia State! I will do it to the fullest! You can read more about that on my other blog. www.MissAdelaja.blogspot.com You can find out about the pageant at www.missnigeriainamerica.org

Also, I have a webshow coming out this Monday July 25th with my Gidi Girl Bee from Naija Villa!!!!! You can check out that blog on www.GidiGirlWebShow.blogspot.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Personally my life is cool. I have bad luck with men, but at the end of the day, I’m really enjoying myself. I like being single. I LOVE independence. I REALLY LOVE going on dates. Some are good, some are bad, some just plain ugly. Family is awesome. My parents have mellowed down quite a bit. They are cool. They are like my best friends now. We talk about any and everything.

It may seem like I ramble, but that’s part of my process and you just have to deal with it.
Hope I can keep this blog thing up!

Xoxo
Gidi Girl Angel