Friday, November 6, 2009

Finding my footing- My first post in London

To say that I am overwhelmed would be an understatement. What with missing 2 weeks of lecture and orientation due to visa issue. Now, I am here in London rushing through everything and trying my best to acclimatise.

The weather isn't friendly to me as I am perptually cold. I was warned to expect the worst in January! Well, God, help me. I must survive. The cold aint the only thing I am worried about, I am worried about having much to do and thinking I have not even started!

I worried about always missing my ways to classes since I have lectures at King's College and London School of Economic [LSE]. I am always going the wrong direction when alone and not with the other fellows [ well, it will be fun to mention that some of the fellows too make same mistake]. I get lost contantly, I take the wrong buses a lot since I usually take the one going to the wrong direction as well. My fault, if only I can take time to study the bus map and direction and as questions!

I never have issues with the train though, I got good orientation with the trains both overground and underground with a friend. I am grateful for this. Yeah back to missing my ways to classes, it's funny how I will go round and round King's College basment in search of a class that is right in front of me! Well, it's actually not funny.

I am not sure that I miss Nigeria but I do miss my partner, my cats and my friends. They have got all sorts of stores that sell Nigeria food here so, I am not going to miss Nigerian food. I can't wait to grab some indomie noodles soon...

I am running off to outline my reading activities for this weekend and to see also the topic I am going to pick on my first essay of 5,000 words that is due for Submission on December 15th. One interesting mentoring session I had with the other fellows has to do with understanding security and what it means to us as individual and as citizens of our various countries. This was an interesting exercise as it gave me a new perspective about "security". I must now put it to you all. What does "security" mean to you?

23 comments:

Kafo said...

it's been a while
but i'm first oooooooooooooooooo

Kafo said...

wow
pele ooo
i can only imagine the disorientation.
maybe you need one of those gps cell phones to help

when it comes to security
to mii
it means: Peace
peace when i leave my home in my car
peace during rational times.
i should be scared walking a dark alley at night but in the middle of the day i should be at peace.
peace that my luggage will arrive intact.

so yeah
security to mii
is peace

Myne said...

Nice to have you back Standtall. Thank God your course is going well, pele about getting lost all the time sha, LOL.

Security means stability to me. Knowing that things will remain as they are for a good while. On the other hand, also lack of fear and uncertainty. All the best.

Anonymous said...

Questions are one set of stuff you can't really run away from. So, you better start asking them.
Enjoy!

Vera Ezimora said...

Standtall!!!

Awwwwwwwwwww. The cold don dey wire you ehn? LOL. You'll get used to it, hon.

L-VII said...

Welcomeo t Jand. London is okay, it rains a lot and it's cold but you'll like it here.

L.

L-VII said...

Security in the individual sense to me is, just freedom. The freedom to be myself, to go where I like and to enjoy what I own.

Internal security is being comfortable in one's own skin, in knowing one's worth.

Hope the essay goes well.


L.

Grahamn Kracker said...

What a time you are having! Sorry you are so cold, but I am certain the whole experience is good for you and it is good to learn about different climates.

It will probably make you afraid to come to Alaska in the winter, but when you do, we will keep you dressed warm and our buildings and homes tend to be much better insulated and cozy than are those in London.

Gattina said...

You lucky girl ! not only you live in London now, but for such an interesting study ! I was a lot in London when my son lived there for almost 10 years. For me it was difficult to know on which side of the street I had to wait for the bus, because they all drive on the "wrong" side. Also to cross the streets in the beginning was dangerous. I am still in love with London and each year when I go to my friends at the English coast I stop for a day in London before I take the Eurostar to Brussels.

Anonymous said...

Oh, it's great to hear from you. I'm glad you're settling in and I am so easily disoriented that I can imagine what you're going through. You will make it though!

I'm sure your partner and your kitties and friends miss you too.

Good luck with your essay, and your other obligations. You have already made blogville proud.

What does security mean to me? I think safety when I think of security.

Afrobabe said...

Welcome to our boring town...

histreasure said...

oh babe!!
so good to hear from you and so glad that a lot is going on over there already..

i'm sure you are sorely missed by your loved ones..
and i'm sure u'l kick ass too..

Security for me connotes the overall sense of wellbeing and safety - in relation to the larger society,the ability of the govt/community to ensure peaceful co-existence and adherence to well-structured rules upon which every member can rely on for safety and cohesion

aloted said...

welcome to london. yes the cold gets worse in jan but am sure you'll be fine.

buy some thermal wear (inner wear) either from primark, marks & spencers or maybe next. they will come in really handy.

security means safety to me


n.b- got your fb message...i'll reply soonest.

Dee! said...

Enjoy your stay in London! Study the maps well o! lol!

My definition of "security" is PEACE OF MIND!

Keep standing tall girl!

lamikayty said...

Hmm pele dear! And about the work you've missed and have to catch up with - DONT WORRY! just take it bit by bit, step by step! You'll overcome!

Anonymous said...

Buy a lot of coat and jackets and sweaters. Dress in layers my dear...

Rita said...

Congrats lady for the progress you are making. May God continue to be with you.

I wish I could help with the security part. Once I have something, I will share with you.

Jennifer A. said...

You're in a GREAT SCHOOL...congratulations babe. So proud of ya!

You'll get used to it, don't worry.

The Activist said...

I am grateful to you all for your comments. I was trying to respond individually but my back aches. I need to take a break for now. i will visit your blogs and leave comments. Bear with me.

Scheyenne Zigzag said...

Security? hmmm... maybe being in condition to plan for the future. But then, who knows what will happen in a minute's time?

m1ke said...

First, I wish you all the best in your academic pursuit. We wear the same shoes but sure they dont hurt in the same places.

Security to me means a lot but on different perspectives. thus:....

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

hey you! Kpele, I can only imagine you are missing the fam.

Security is everything to me oh! But, I've been that way since I was a kid - very self conscious of my environment. Law school reinforced the need to be even more conscious about information as well. Anyway sha, I can't wait to hear more stories about your studies and experiences.

=)

musco said...

Guess we re both in d same shoes ....

all d best!

My Passion, my focus, the change that I want to see in the world - is my propellent factor.

Label Cloud

Gender (72) Feminism (46) Interview Thursday (46) Gender Equality (38) Gender and Development (29) Cat lover (24) Poem (24) Cat Tuesday (22) Women's Human Rights (19) Cats World (16) 16 Days of Activism (11) Africa (11) Violence Against Women (8) Information Sharing (7) Music (7) Nigeria Development (7) Women and Leadership (7) Children Rights (6) Exprience (6) Leadership (6) Rest in Peace (6) Change and Development (5) Corruption (5) Day to Day Exprience (5) Events (5) Governance (5) MDGs (5) Peace and Security Fellowship for African Women (5) Relationship (5) Security and Development (5) Women (5) Call for Application (4) Change Maker (4) Dairy (4) Mistake (4) Navy abuse of Uzoma Okere (4) Nigeria in Focus (4) Relationship and Marriage (4) The Feminist Cats (4) BlogHer (3) Chicago July Trip (3) Children (3) Discrimination Against Women (3) Domestic Violence (3) Injustice (3) King;s College Fellowship (3) Lessons (3) Niger Delta Crisis (3) Online Community (3) Religion Matters (3) Travelling (3) Wedding (3) Women Activists (3) Women Empowerment (3) Women in Governance (3) Youth (3) democracy in Nigeria (3) 2009 Edition (2) A girl-Soldier (2) Activism (2) Annivesary (2) BlogHer Conference Scholarship (2) Bloggers for life (2) Democracy and its Struggle (2) Female writers (2) Forced Marriage (2) IAC09 (2) ICT4D (2) International Wome's Rights Day 2008 (2) Journey to London (2) LGBTI (2) Lack of respect for other people's perspectives. (2) Life from Cape Town in South Africa (2) Lovely Cats (2) Male Child Preference (2) Male Child and Domestic Chores (2) Memories (2) My Boss (2) My life in London (2) Nigerian Youth and Development (2) Nigerianstalk (2) No to VAW (2) Rape (2) Sexual Violence and GBV (2) Taking Peace and Security (2) Technology Camp for Girls (2) The Admired Female Bloggers (2) The Changemakers (2) The Future of Nigerian children (2) The Late Kudirat Abiola's Remembrance (2) The Martyr of Democracy (2) The girl child and her chanllenges (2) Untimely death (2) Uzoma Okere court hearing (2) V-Monologues (2) Violation of Human Rights (2) Women making a difference (2) 10 years remembrance for the O.A.U 5. (1) 1in 9 Campaign (1) 2010 self-surfacing resolutions (1) A Ride with my Father (1) A just world with God (1) ALF Program (1) AWID Forum 2008 (1) Activism Scholarship (1) Adaeze Experience (1) African Sexualities (1) Aspiring Filmmaker (1) Bad Leaders (1) Beating by a mad man (1) Becoming my Cats (1) CSDG (1) Career (1) Child Marriage (1) Children without education (1) Children without future (1) Climate Change (1) Conflicts (1) Corrpution and Hooliganism (1) Court System (1) DLTW for Young Female Doctors (1) Democracy Day (1) Divorce and Marriage (1) Dupe In Kenya (1) ECOSAP (1) Evangelist Taye Ajiboye (1) Extreme poverty (1) Female Circumcision (1) Female Film-Makers (1) Girls in Technology (1) Global Warming (1) Government (1) Hafsat Abiola and KIND (1) Human Behaviour and attitudes (1) I didn't do it for you by Michela Wrong (1) ICT and Women (1) Images from Mali (1) Incest (1) Indecent Dressing Bill (1) Info -Activism (1) Internattional Bloggers Community Award (1) Job Search (1) Journey across Africa (1) June 8 and Abacha’s death (1) Kenya July Trip (1) Knowing our continent (1) Lagos State Government (1) MOBILIZATION (1) Mali (1) Marriage (1) Michela Wrong book on Eritrea (1) Mother 6th Remembrance (1) Movement Building. AWID Forum 2008 (1) My first post from London (1) My health (1) NDQ Interview (1) Naija Blogger Awards 2009 (1) Natural Hair (1) Negative quotation on women (1) Newspaper review (1) Nigeria Media (1) Nigerian Sporting Activities (1) Nigerians and Abacha’s death (1) No light (1) No to FGM (1) Obama Prank (1) Outsanding Ore (1) PHCN and Nigeria Government (1) Passing though Ghana (1) Passing through Burkina Security and Development (1) Pastor Kehinde Ajiboye (1) Peace and Secuirty issues in the Horn (1) Police Force (1) Polygamist (1) Pregnancy and child bearing in marriage (1) Punishment of an elderly woman in Saudi (1) Rape Victim (1) Road and Bus Evangelism (1) Road trip to Mali (1) SOLIDARITY WTH WOMEN WHO SPEAK OUT (1) Self Defence for Women (1) Senseless killing by armed robbers (1) Serious Issues (1) Standtall Adevnture (1) Suicide bombing (1) Summit (1) Tactical Tech (1) Take Back the Tech (1) Tell Magazine (1) Terrorist Attack (1) The Uncoventional Clergy woman (1) The Bauchi Killings (1) The EU Summit Report (1) The Eritrea history (1) The July 10 Martyr (1) The Liberian Women peace building effort (1) The O.A.U 5 (1) The PM Tabloid (1) The danger of a single story (1) The late social Crusader (1) The meeting with London Bloggers (1) The rescued kitten (1) This Violence must stop (1) Tips to having a Happy Relationship (1) Traditional Role (1) Transforming Nigeria (1) Travelling through Africa by Road (1) Tribute to Chief Gani Fawehinmi (1) Tyranny (1) Umar Mutallab (1) Understanding Security (1) Uzoma's Justice (1) Verastically Vera (1) WORLD AIDS DAY (1) We need peace in our land (1) Women E-Campaigners` Training (1) Women In Technology. ICT4D (1) Wrong Culture and Belief (1) Yar'adua (1) Youth as agents of Change (1) meeting US bloggers (1) my love (1)