Elizabeth Diaries

Baboon Dukke Wells, one hundred and thirty two Dear Diary, 31st December 2020 6:43pm, Nigerian Time Today, I had a nice time at Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State. We left around 8:30am and arrived at 12:00pm. The distance was a bit far. We visited the museum, got a brief history of the place and took pictures. We saw the ancient materials and animal skins. All these are preserved in the reserve. There are also guest houses where people can spend the night, for holidays and for relaxation. After relaxing and taking our lunch, we went to the water area. Many showed their swimming skills at the pool. I couldn't swim because I don't have the swimming skills to avoid drowning. My day was fun and I thank God I made it to the last day of 2020.  Elizabeth Diaries ❤️  

Dear Diary, 29th December 2020 8:05pm Nigerian Time Now, I know how therapeutic water could be. Calm, relax and conducive. I don't only see water, I bath water. Yesterday after the tour, I bathed hot water and it was really refreshing. All the aches and stress went away. I didn't feel stressed anymore. Today I did same thing as a result of the cold weather. I attended Mass, went for shopping for a colleague and to get food stuff. Today, I cooked yam porridge. Elizabeth Diaries ❤️  

Dear Diary, 6:45pm Nigerian Time We also took a drive to Gubi Dam and water plant. A place where water are cleansed and stored. We were taken through the journey of water purification through the application of chemicals like Chlorine, Alum and the rest. The Gubi Dam is a very big dam meant for only the indigenes of the state.  I had an exciting time today. May the day break. Till some other time. Elizabeth Diaries ❤️

Dear Diary, 6:04pm Nigerian Time At about 12:30pm Nigerian time, we were on our way to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Tomb. The first Prime Minister of Nigeria.  Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Tomb Outside view His quote His biography His awards An image of him I had a great time watching, listening and reading about the late Prime Minister who was from Bauchi State. After here, we went to Gubi Damp and Water Plant still in Bauchi State.

Dear Diary, Saturday, 6:57am Nigerian Time 2021, I don't want to go making resolutions or promises I can't fulfill. I just want to be a lady. I want to be well mannered, decent and courageous. I want to respect and treat everyone equally irrespective of size, age, background, social status and level of education. I want to express my feelings courageously without offending anyone while paying attention to my mental health and that of others. After the whole stress of yesterday, I am feeling so tired. I won't be attending Mass today as I am really exhausted. Still on bed, laying and feeling so relaxed.  Elizabeth Diaries ❤️

Dear Diary, Friday, 10:56 am Nigerian Time It is such a wonderful time to be alive. Over twenty years I had spent my Christmas at my home town. This year, I had to spend my Christmas in a place far from home. I really miss home. Yesterday was Christmas Eve, I went to the market, got some food stuff in preparation for today. I cooked stew and boiled yam. I really enjoy home made meals, especially the ones prepared by me. So far, today is a good day. We attended Mass, offered our Christmas offerings and ready to cook our Christmas meal as a family. My colleagues and I are jubilating and making merry for seeing Christmas 2020. It has been a rough and tough year, but we thank God still. In the midst of sadness, sorrow, crisis, illness, violence, troubles, chaos, we laughed and smile. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Elizabeth Diaries ❤️

Dear Diary, Today while cooking I almost ran out of the kitchen. Why? Because some of my colleagues travelled for Christmas and the whole place was so peaceful and quiet. So unusual. I had never seen such quiet. When I talk or sing, I could hear the echoes of my voice. I stopped slicing vegetables to go check the rooms if I could find a single person. I couldn't find anyone in the rooms, but I could sight them afar outside. Then I went back to the kitchen. After this scenario, the experience of staying and sleeping alone in a room, I wonder how people (women) live alone in an apartment. I mean a large room. Sincerely, so much freedom is not safe. I wanted to get my space, avoid bullshit and have peace. But I realized now, I want all the bullshit, the disturbance, the noise, so long as I have someone watch over me. So long as I have someone to share my meals with. I wish they come back soon, I miss their lovely noise and little troubles. Elizabeth Diaries ❤️

My legs on socks. Dear Diary, Wednesday,  9:16am Nigerian Time Yesterday I went to the market. I got some clothes for sewing, I will be going to the Tailor's shop today for measurement and make my hair thereafter. My joy is so full today. I just want to sing and dance all day. Today is 23rd December 2020. Christmas mood is activated and loading with lots of fun, joy and happiness. I can see the excitement on the faces of people. Jesus is about to be born. Lots of love Elizabeth Diaries ❤️  

Dear Diary, 8:11 am, Nigerian time As I wake up every morning to witness the freshness of the day, I am grateful. I woke up, brushed my mouth using Oral-B toothpaste, dressed up and went to 6:00am Mass. I enjoy 6:00am Mass than anyone else. The cold, the early morning wash, the fresh breathe, the breeze from the trees and flowers all contribute to my wellness. I left the apartment for a better place since Friday and I enjoy my stay here. No gossip, no negative talks, no harsh words. Just me, solitude and peace. I have finally accepted the death of my colleague. Death is inevitable, life goes on. I can't keep feeling sad forever. Last week Saturday, I attended a colleague's wedding. It was so beautiful, I traveled all the way to Jos, Plateau State. I was given Masah(made of rice and millet) with chicken. I was given fried rice too packed in a take away, together with souvenir(Bucket and a bag). The bride was beautiful and I was happy I never missed such a joyful event. Work is o

Dear Diary, 2020, I learnt how to handle grief. Today, I lost a dear colleague to motor accident along Kaduna road on her way to Benue and one is seriously injured. I was shocked when I received the news. I felt so numb, weak and terrible. I couldn't cook nor do anything, not until evening I finally got the strength to get little food items, then cook. I cooked yam porridge. Not with vegetable leaf but with slice of carrots, green beans, green pea and turmeric for meat seasoning. I had seen turmeric been used for skincare and tea. I never knew it could be used as a spice until I tried it one day. It is really a great spice. It gives taste and flavour to any meal, though it could change one's fingers to yellow while grating it. So after cooking, I shared the meal. It gives me joy seeing someone happy and smiling while eating a food prepared by me. I got positive response during and after the meal. My friend told me the meal taste great and the girl who was in kitchen with me sai

Dear Diary, Sometimes this red lipstick gives me confidence, hope, happiness and joy. Today is not a good day as I have been made sad by the attitude of humans. Now, I see why people relocate to known places during their National Youth Service Corp... the attitude of humans. My first time in Bauchi, I have been made to believe by my Landlady that Hausa people are troublesome people. Looking for problem where there is none. Their women and children lack manners too. Their men are a bit polite. If I had known that this would happen, I would have relocated to a known area. Gossip, lack of boundaries, hate, envy is not good for my mental health. I can't stay long in such places. I hope I get to see a good area. I hope I get to see something different from this. No matter how friendly I am, I maintain my boundaries. Through it all, I will remain grateful to my mother for her care, love and attention. She has been calling me everyday to know how I am faring. After I told her this, she sa

Dear Diary, I'm sorry I left you for such a long time. I've been very busy, I lost thought of you. Work and other stress of life never gave me time to write here. I'm back now. So much has happened within the two months I left here. I relocated to a new state, Bauchi. A northern part of Nigeria in Africa for a short time, my senior sister got married and my twin left for school. It is not easy changing environment. That means changing water, changing culture and values, getting to see new faces and meeting new people with different orientation and different characters. Together with changes in food, dressing and language. For the one month I have spent in the state, I could tell that here feel safe for anyone to stay. I am currently learning a new language called the HAUSA language. Without the language, one can't mingle or do business with it's people. So, the first thing I did after settling was to learn the HAUSA language. Apart from learning the language, I lear