Some Goals for 2015

As is usual for many people when a new year rolls around, I thought about some changes I would like to see in my life.  I did not write them down but these are some things I would like to see change and things I would like to do that I hope would lead to a happier, better me.  On some of them, I have made some progress and on some others, not so much. Here they are:

Build a closer relationship with God: Like I mentioned in my previous post, my relationship with God is one of the most important aspects of my life.  When I think about my life as a Christian, I generally conclude that there is so much progress I need to make.  I barely read my bible. My prayer sessions are typically filled with lots of demands and sadness over what I do not have.  Anyways, I realized that in order to get closer to God, I have to spend time with him and also read more of his word.  My goal was to read my devotional every day and also read a chapter of the bible every day.  So far, I've done more reading of my devotional than the chapters in the bible.  In fact, I have only successfully read two chapters of Romans. I plan to do better. Change is not easy but I will try. 

Read a book a month: I used to read a lot and I enjoy reading.  Those of you who enjoy reading books know that there are many benefits to reading.  You learn a lot about places, people and things without even necessarily having a personal experience with them..Additionally, it helps build one's vocabulary.  All the big words I know I gained from reading lots and lots of romance books. Yeah, I am partial to romance novels.  I'll admit though that my choices in genres are becoming diverse.  The books I have but haven't read range from biographies to self help books.  Right now I am reading a self help book.  Unfortunately, I do not think I'll finish it this month though.  It's an amazing book and I will share more on the book when I get done.

Travel: The last time I went on a vacation was in 2013, before that it was in 2007. Yes. And I am someone who enjoys travelling.  The problem/excuse I have been giving myself is that I have no one to go on a trip with.  I am determined to go on at least one vacation this year and I won't count it as a vacation if I go to a place I've been to before.  I am toying with the idea of going by myself (oh, the fear!).  We'll see how this goes but I will try really hard to accomplish this goal.  My vacation hours must not go to waste and I don't wanna be a waste.  

Save money/Invest:  I like having money and I want more money in my bank account.  One of my goals this year is to look for more money saving opportunities.  So far, I have done a good job of not adding to my credit card balance (except $9.99 for netflix) and paying it down..I have also relearned how to paint my toe nails in order to save $7.00 every two months.  Don't laugh.  Little drops of water make the mighty ocean. I am hoping to subscribe to hulu and say goodbye to cable. I am figuring out how to save on how much I spend on my hair. I haven't concluded on a plan yet. Speaking of hair, see the next goal.

Grow my hair and edges: My edges need a savior and it is not I. Well, it is I but I haven't done a good job on them.  So far, they are acting like they wanna dethrone Naomi Campbell's.  I need to do something quickly.  Problem is I have the smelly Black Jamaican Castor Oil but it's one thing having the oil and another thing actually applying the oil.   I have done a good job staying away from braiding my hair because braiding my hair got me here.  However, the spots on my hair have refused to respond to any...well, I don't think I have treated it right.  I pledge to do so and will await the results. I will keep you posted.

There are more goals I want to share but it's my bedtime and I have to go.  Keep your eyes open for part 2.  Remind me if I forget. I'll love to hear your plans and goals for 2015 and what you have done to try to accomplish them so far.  So, comments please. Please? :)

Have an amazing week!

First, an Introduction!

I'm finally going to blog. Ha! It's quite scary if you ask me.  

I actually thought about blogging towards the end of 2014 as the year was coming to an end.  The idea came while I was going through a pity party. You see, 2014 was supposed to be my year - the year I was going to get married or engaged.  Unfortunately, it didn't happen.  Although, I am not going to lie, even as December 20th,2014 rolled through and the shadow of 2015 appeared, I thought I would certainly get engaged or married.  However, that did not happen.  Instead I broke up with the guy I was/am hopelessly in love with. I cannot accurately describe to you the plethora of emotions I felt but I can tell you they were not bright and shiny. No, sir!

Anyways, because of how I felt, I didn't want to go to church like I usually do on the 31st of December.  These questions were dancing in my head:

What am I going there for? 

How many times would I go there and pray for the same thing? 

Why wasn't my prayer answered this year and the years before that?

To cut a long story short, I did go to church. What can I say, I love the Lord and my faith in God is one of the most important aspects of my life. I sucked it up and went.  I will say that going to church did not make all of the less-than-bright-and-shiny emotions disappear.  It did make me feel a little better but I still had some thoughts about my singleness lingering in my head.

On January 1, 2015 I picked up my journal and read through some of its contents and I realized something - in the last 7 years or so, I have focused so much on getting married that I do not have much to show for those years.  You see, growing up, I never dreamed beyond attaining my graduate degree.  My plan was always go to school, become a professional, and get married.  However, no matter my attempts - dating, settling (smh), praying and praying and then PRAYING - I am still single.  In addition to still being single, I barely recognize myself.  What happened to the girl I used to know who was confident that she could attain anything she put her mind to? What happened to the girl who enjoyed reading, the girl who enjoyed exploring her abilities (both blatant and hidden)? Why don't I travel anymore? What are my passions? What am I doing? These questions plagued my mind and I made the decision to work on me.  I like myself now but I want to like and love myself better.  I want know that I lived my best life - married or unmarried.  I want to rediscover myself.

This blog will essentially be about my journey to rediscovering myself.  Additionally, I will write about some of my experiences as a single person, how I have coped (I'm a 33 year old Nigerian woman  - I definitely need(ed) to adopt some coping mechanisms), and just some random ideas that pop in this mind of mine.  Hopefully, it'll be engaging and I'll have an audience and I pray that I do not abandon it like I have abandoned many, many ideas and projects.  I also hope to learn from those who are similarly situated or any one who can provide some insight on any questions I might have along the way.  I hope you stay with me on this ride. WELCOME!