Happy New Year joyful people of Kemi’s Blog land!!! My heart is so full of JOY and positive expectations for 2018! I see promotions, new streams of income, business expansion, new relationships, engagement & wedding rings, babies, celebrations, growth, and so much more in 2018! Do I hear an AMEN???
Anyone who attended primary school in Nigeria would remember that every time we returned from a break/holiday, the very first English Language class assignment would be to write an essay on ‘How I spent my last holiday’. Right? So, in keeping with tradition, this blog-post is essentially a recap of how I spent my Christmas/New Year break in Lagos. I definitely need another holiday now – Jesus be an energizer!
My break started from around the 21st of December and it was marked by the arrival of my ‘started from Instagram, now we are real friends’ buddy – Dorcas (@wellwornheels). She came and literally turned my world upside down, lol.
Given that she had not been to Nigeria in a long while, she was on a mission to check everything off her ‘Naija bucket list’ and I was a very willing accomplice and chauffeur (aka professional driver). That bucket list had everything from food to eat (amala, boli, etc), shows/concerts to attend, places to visit and explore across Lagos.
We did a LOT of things and I will just try to recap some of the highlights. We started from the Joyful Joy Laugh Fest (a charity comedy event to raise funds to fight malaria) where I won the celebrity auction to have dinner with Lynxxx (see proof below, hehehehe). It was a lot of fun, for a good cause. We even got to see Yvonne Orji perform in person, plus we saw our favorite couple – Susu and Banky (and we got inspired to go watch The Wedding Party 2 the next day)!!
We also attended the Adekunle Gold concert (#epic #legendary #amazeballs) and danced to our hearts’ delights. Mr Gold is GOLD! Finish!
I also behaved like a proper ‘I just got back’ and explored Lagos (Terra Kulture, Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Craft Market, etc) as a tourist on a tricycle (keke, tuk-tuk, etc) with a cool crew of ladies – it is always nice to make new friends and connect with old ones. My girl Nene wrote a fabulous review of the Keke Experience which you can/should read here – https://www.nene-uwa.com.ng/2018/01/ajala-nenes-trip-keke-experience-lagos-nigeria
We crowned the entire experience by watching the Fela & the Kalakuta Queens show. The show is incredibleeeeeeeee! If you haven’t seen it yet, you have one more weekend to do it ( 2 shows on both Saturday and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm) – don’t dull!!!!
One of the highlights was getting to meet some of other Lagos-based travel bloggers and curators. Mehn, that was an experience. Each of these women are doing amazing things and I am so honored to have met them in person.
From L-R (hehehe), we have Lola of @unravellingnigeria who has explored some deep places in Nigeria and the great thing is she takes people there; Dorcas of @wellwornheels who is an auditor by day, travel addict (with 40+ country stamps in her passport) and blogger by night; Fola of @folaswaka who may be low-key (for now) but guys, do not underestimate the tips and tricks she has under her hat; Yejide of @naijanomads who is all about curating adventurous experiences to green passport friendly destinations (international trips only – she has trips to Lebanon, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Morocco planned for this year); Margaret of @theajalabug who has been to places in Nigeria that most of us only know from our ‘states and capital’ citations from primary school!!! She also reviews hotels, resorts and restaurants; and then there’s me – you already know!
Yejide, Dorcas and I collaborated on the giveaway grand prize trip to Morocco – a true example of collaboration over competition. I am looking forward to spending more time with all these amazing ladies (and meeting more members of the travel tribe) this 2018, l’agbara Olorun (by the grace of God).
My girl from business school, Lakheni, who is South African, was also visiting Nigeria for the first time and this time around, I was the one managing the bucket list (eat jollof rice – check, eat pounded yam – check, go to Nike Art Gallery – check, go to Lekki Craft market – check, attend a Nigerian show – check, get fat on plantain – check, eat small chops – check, hahahhaha.) You get the general idea of this bucket list now!
The only thing we did not manage to do on the list was get her to eat suya – by the time suya was ready every day, we had eaten ourselves to stupor and just could not make space for any more food. I am so afraid to get on a scale now *covers face* This brings me to a very important question ‘why is suya only sold at night???” If anyone can tell me, I will be forever grateful.
We also took the opportunity to connect with other members of our class who happened to be in Lagos as well- my sister Tim-Tim (remember her from last Christmas?) and the man Ro-Ro.
What else did I do o? Yeah, I went to the Bez Live concert (again!) and it seems like I will be an annual attendee. As always, Oga Bez and all the other artistes that opened the show delivered exceptional performances. I found the ‘kiss cam/dance cam’ attraction super cool. I guess the kiss-cam didn’t bother coming near me because I was surrounded with my army of ladies, hahahaha!
I also managed to attend 4 weddings within 10 days – peep my wedding uniform shoes, lol. They are sooo comfortable and great for dancing! You know I don’t know how to sit still once there is music playing, so it is important to be in the right shoes for the job, lol.
It wasn’t all outings and outings o – I spent some time with family as well, made out time to meet up with some friends (older and younger), started building my vision board, carved out time to review my 2017 goals, wrote my thanksgiving letter for 2017 and then started setting goals for 2018. Some of my 2018 goals are pretty exciting – take professional swimming classes, take professional heels dancing classes, write for more blogs, revamp this website, speak daily affirmations over myself, kick off my modelling/brand ambassador career, and so much more!
To be honest, I am yet to complete both my vision board and 2018 goals because I haven’t fully downloaded all that God is saying for 2018. Now that all the activities have calmed down, I am spending time in prayers and meditation for the next couple of weeks to ensure that my agenda is a 100% reflection of God’s agenda for my life. I don’t have time to be chasing shadows and expending energy on the things that are not in God’s plan for my life abeg!
Now, the biggest highlight of my holiday was actually not all of the activities listed above (even though I thoroughly enjoyed myself), it was the Christmas giveaway (#kemischristmasgiveaway) that truly rocked my boat in December. WOW! That was an experience and a half! I will write a separate blogpost on the lessons from the giveaway but I think it is important to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who participated. It would have been impossible without you all – thank you so much!
Remember in my last post, I said I was hoping to get 24/25 gifts so that I could give stuff out daily till the 25th of December? Well, we got MUCH MORE than 25 gifts! We ended up with 59 gifts in total!!!!! Am I hearing your WOW? Looool. I am still saying WOW too!!! 59 gifts meant I had to give out multiple gifts every day and by the last day, we had a total of 120 winners!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!
It was truly a December to remember and I am thankful for all my experiences during the period. Now it’s time to go back to work to have some more impact and make money to fund the next holiday. Amen!
Have an amazing year people! Set (and smash) scary goals, connect with loved ones, forgive ya haters (I hear they are actually confused fans, lol), laugh at yourself, talk to God every day and live your best life. 2018 WAS AN AMAZING YEAR (yup, I have declared it and it is happening already!)
Joy-filled hugs,
Kemi
p.s – What are you saying about your 2018?
p.p.s – Please vote for my friend Yejide Runsewe (just search for her name on the site) to win an all-expense trip to India. Vote here: http://season5.keralablogexpress.com/index.php/user/single_participant/65823
p.p.p.s – I am still waiting for the answer to the ‘why is suya only sold at night’ question– I am genuinely curious.
First!!
First to comment, I see you girl!
I’m hereeeee yayyy that was just a test lol!
As usual, it’s always awesome reading your blog *smiles*
Here is my #KemiNene2017 highlights:
* Thanks for pushing me to declare my 2017 goal to celebrate World Tourism Day Nigeria & World Post Day Nigeria. Bless you for the constant help and advise. Both were a success to the glory of God
* Thanks for allowing and joining Ajala Nene of Nene-Uwa to participate in the #kemischristmasgiveaway. It was an honor to give *halo*
* Thanks for my #kemischristmasgiveaway….it is good to give as you shall also receive *wink*
* Was great hanging out with you during VBH 1.0 in January 2017 and finally hanging out at “The Keke Experience” in December 2017…we just had to start and end the year together by force…hehehe! ;P
Above all thanks for teaching us a lot via your blog. Now I feel like a #babyblogger…I have to come and learn from you, o! *shines teeth* *wink*
2018 was truly a great year for us, la gbara olorun *prays*
OluwaNene mi,
I don’t even know what to say. Thank you for all these kind words and for publicly declaring all these things we did codedly.
Here is to greater collaborations, greater successes and greater impact. Amen! 2018 was indeed a GREAT year! Amen!
Love you gyal!!!
p.s if I hear anyone mention baby blogger here *side-eye*
Firstly, darkness is one of the main ingredients of real suya 😂
Apart from that main reason, I think the meat is bought daily (maybe, no freezer), so preparations don’t start until markets open, and then it takes a while.
I have never lived in a house (in Lagos) that wasn’t walking distance from a suya spot. 😎😎
Even though I’d see people there early, the suya ‘never done’ until later 😢
Madam Suya has spoken, who are we to argue? Hahahahaha!!!! Darkness is an ingredient, osheeey!
I agree and I am quite happy to hear about the rationale of daily meat preparation – don’t want no tummy ache because of rotten suya o.
Thanks for sharing dear.
Happy new year everyone! The fact that I featured on this blog already points to the fact that 2018 will be awesome!!! About the Suya question, the abokis in my area sell suya in the afternoon o, but the funny thing is I never buy from them until evening/night time. It just feels weird eating suya in the afternoon 😒😒😒.
Hahahaha! You are part of the challenge – why won’t you buy suya in the afternoon? Ehn? Lol
Thanks for commenting again – see, its not so bad afterall. It was such a pleasure to meet you dear! Stay in touch o
xoxo
Kemi, Kemi, Kemi!!! How many times did I call your name?
So you did all this plenty Waka with Dorcas and didn’t call us. Ko da ooo!!!
Great post love, I see a great 2018 in Jesus name! Amen
As in! She’s John Boyega’s senior sister with this December Rockies oh! Mahn you did so so much which is great. Guess you couldn’t really show us because of the giveaway. As for you and D, God will judge you guys. *rolls eyes*
Hahahaha! Emi nikan tan, John Boyega’s senior sister! I receive it! Can I be his senior sister on the Forbes list too? 🙂
I did so much and it was all fun! I am glad I got to explore my Lagos more (I never do LCC but soon enough).
And as for D and I, God will bless us. amen!!! hahahahahaha
p.s – yup, my graphics artist banned me from ruining HIS beautiful giveaway layout (I am sure you know all about layout matters) with my waka-waka, and I keep forgetting about IG stories.. Lol.. Beyond that though, I kinda like to keep some of these moments private, before I will mistakenly put up video of me being a mess, lol..
Aunty Lola, Aunty Lola, Aunty Lola – I have answered 3 times o, lol.. We will do our own revenge waka, don’t worry 🙂
Amen to a great 2018! I see it with you dear 🙂
In Nigeria, eating peppery suya in the afternoon when the sun is hot will worsen your sweating palava, but nights are always cooler!
Aburo mi, the Professor!!! Wehdone sir!
Love the explanation – Naija sun heat and suya pepper don’t mix well at all.. But err, what about those spicy soups we eat so lunch anyway? Efo riro and friends? How do we explain those ones?
Thanks for the comment hun.. love yah!
Such a fun packed December with quite a number of memorable outings. It was a pleasure meeting you Kemi. Look forward to more outings and cheers to a beautiful 2018.
The glory of the latter house…..
Yes Lord!!! The glory of the latter house is ALWAYS GREATER! Than add that to ‘the path of the just is like a shining light that shines brighter and brighter’ and its game over!
Thanks Maggieboo, looking forward to 2018 with you!
Please, don’t you sometimes need a second pair of eyes/taste buds for your hotel/restaurant reviews??? I can offer my services at a heavily discounted fee o, lol. I can’t have all these friends in high places for nothing 🙂
All in one Yuletide season? Well done. I can tell twas a fun-filled one.
God bless you for the giveaway. Though I didn’t win in spite of my prayer points(I had to even go Assemblies of God way), I can tell God was pleased(which is what counts). People were genuinely joyful, blessed and inspired to be a blessing. I got to learn how Instagram works(yeah call me old school. Lol) and the opportunities that abound in it.
Talking about suya, I am also waiting for that answer. But I am not sure I will buy it in the afternoon sha. More like drinking very hot tea at night when I am not ill. Secondly, have u had RAM SUYA? Its heavenly. Not sure where they sell it in Lagos but its big deal in Akwa Ibom.
Great writing as always. May God bless you beyond you imaginations in 2018. Have a happy new year.
Assemblies of God?? All the assemblies? hahahahaha. Pele dear – next time, you hear?
Hot tea at night can help you sleep better o, notice I said tea and not ‘agbo’, hehehehehe.
I have heard of Ram suya but I am yet to taste of its divine greatness – can you import some from the Akwa-Ibom for us? Lol.
Thanks for always being a cheerleader, I really appreciate it. Amen to the prayers and I am praying for ‘beyond your imaginations’ blessings for you too, Amen!
Thanks for using your blog to be a blessing in 2017
You are most welcome! It was an absolute privilege and delight and I look forward to seeing what the Lord will do with it this 2018!
Fun and inspiring read as usual Kemi. It’s great to know that there are a lot of adventures in our homeland if only we care to explore. I celebrate the travel bloggers (including you), you guys are digging deep into the treasures of the land and changing people’s mindset and perception.
On goal setting, yes I finally got a board (Oh I mean Vision board..lol). I get to visualise my life goals (I had it in cardboard before now), then I am also working on the ones for 2018. The year is loaded with awesome/amazing testimonies and we are in for it.
P.S Lovely pictures.. Send my regards to Lakheni.
Yessssssssssss to awesome/amazing testimonies!!!! As you have said it, so shall it be in Jesus name!
Well done on getting your board (it took me 2 years so I understand the finally involved) and actually using it. That’s amazing. Put it up and have it before your eyes all the time – God is set to blow your mind!!!
Lakheni has gone back to her homeland o, but I will send her your e-regards still 🙂
Thanks dear!
Test
I saw this one!!! Yaaaaaaay!!!!! Oya – where are all the outstanding comments?
Ahh, I don’t know ooo, its at least six months of this! Ask your blog people dem!
Really, really lovely read darl… You are really inspiring me ooo. Keep soaring girl!
Thanks for reading and commenting dear, really appreciate it! 🙂
And Amen to soaring! Amen!!!
Amazing!!!!
Yes to vision board and creative visualization!
2018 was an AMAZING YEAR!!!
Loads of love Aunty K
YESSSS! It was an AMAZING year indeed!
Truckloads of love right back Mama
xoxo
I’m still struggling with my vision board.
You are amazing sisi Kemi, I can’t wait to meet you. I love the way you inspire and also make your blog posts fun.
I really want to know why they sell suya at night as well lol.
Dear Busayo,
Struggling with your vision board is better than not having one at all, so well done girl! I think you should consider breaking it into different sections (physical, financial, spiritual, career/business, ministry, health/wellness, family, social, recreational, community impact, etc) and then visualize what you want for each area. Taking it one section/area at a time might make it easier to tackle.
Let me know if that makes sense and if it helps.
Also, I have come to understand that these things evolve – so dont be afraid to change the things on your board as your vision/desires change. You can always paste something else on top of an old image, right? Or even remove the old image and put a new one. These things are not static.
Above all, I pray that God opens your eyes to see welll beyond your current situation to the glorious future He has planned for you from well before the world was formed, in Jesus name. Amen!!
Hugs,
Kemi
p.s now that the heavy stuff is done, please come say Hello if you ever run into me o! I will be putting up more posts about where I will be hanging out soon, so catch me when you can Cool?
And for the suya at night wahala, please see other comments below/above – all sorts mehn, hahahahha.
Okay, it’s time to stop lurking and crushing from afar. Since @wellwornheels made it from IG buddy to real life friend, there is hope for me too!…lol
Hi Kemi!!!!
So, I seriously love your blog and IG page. It’s by far one of the more authentic personal profiles out there. I like the gisty vibe it has.
I’m also in the process of writing my 2018 goals (personal and business). Hoping to finish them by the end of the week and print and start redecorating my wall with it (wallpaper goals 🙂 ) . But I have already started some major daily goals tracking on excel which is already life changing!
On that modelling and brand ambassador matter, I share a similar dream oh! Man must make the most out of everything there is to in this yolo of a life…….Man must be hot,,,,,,,,,,by fire, by force!!!!!!!…hehe
I’m praying 2018 gives you everything God desires for you, which will exceed everything you are praying for. I can’t wait till you blow up as an ambassador. @Laisielenu cannot be the only one enjoying this life….xxx
Okay, so I guess it’s time to stop low-key lurking / crushing since Dorcas (@wellwornheels) was able to make it from IG buddy to real life friend, then there is hope for me as well! Hi Kemi!!!
I’m such a huge fan. Absolutely love the gisty vibe of your blog. I think you have one of the more authentic personal IG/Blog profiles and it is such a breath of fresh air!
I am also in 2018 goal setting mode. Already started some major excel goal tracking and it’s life changing! Looking forward to finishing up my vision board and life plan this weekend, and then printing before redecorating my wall with my goals! Wallpaper goals 😀
Praying 2018 exceeds your expectations in every way, and you live your best life as the best version of yourself. Particularly excited about your modelling/brand ambassador dreams cause we share the same dreams! Can’t wait to see that happen for you!
Hi Sayooo!
And thanks for coming out today, yaaaay!!!! There is always hope o – just come and say hello whenever you see me around 🙂
Thank you for the kind comments about the blog – making me all mushy now. Happy that it provides you some refreshment when you need it.
Yaaaaay to 2018 goal setting!!!! Glad that you’re enjoying the process (and not just doing it because they said you should do it) – this is how you will be enjoying the results and testimonies too, by the grace of God.
Amen and Amen and Amen! Praying the same for you dear.. May your abs remain flat and your skin continue to glow so they won’t remove you from the modeling setting, lol.
xoxo
If it’s any consolation, Glover Court starts from 3pm…haha
#KennethFromTheBezLiveShow, if you can still recall
P.S. Your energy level for all of these activities….wow!
Hello Kenneth!!! Great to see your comment – I totally forgot to take a picture with you that day, sowwwy!!!
Glover court starts at 3pm? Cool – I will start going super early to avoid those queues of life 🙂
How are you doing??? Re energy levels, manz is running on Holy Ghost juice mehn, lol
Hey Kems
That was one full holiday. You def had a lot of fun.
– So I’m also that girl that has a food-to-eat list when I’m in Lagos
– Lack of carpenter is delaying my vision board o but now that I type I also need to work on layout and find the images I want to put up
– Well done on the giveaway! I see a might you harvest for you and the other ‘gifters’. Btw, you taught me a lesson on excellence in the giveaway- re: getting a graphics designer, who did a great job by the way. You could have done sth more basic and it wouldn’t have mattered
– At all your meet-ups and co, weddings, etc : you are such a Sanguine!!!
– @ suya being sold at night – there are some afternoon suya spots although few.
– Hope your modeling career kicks off this year!
– Cheers to an amazing year!!!
Arams, I suspect you are a consultant, this one your comment came in bullet points, lol.. It takes one to know one !
Thanks for such a comprehensive comment – you touched on almost all aspects of the post. Thank you so much.
Oya let me reply you bullet
+ *side-eye* for food to-do list. I am struggling to burn those calories as quickly as I packed them on now 🙁
+ Lack of carpenter is not an excuse o! I agree with you that layout and images are step 1. Then, once you have it all, carpenters will start magically following you on IG, hehehehe
+ Thank you!!! And Ameeen to a mighty harvest – Amen!!! Awww, you noticed that I went extra on the graphics? Thanks so much. I am a firm believer in doing things excellently well – ALL THE TIME!
+ Retiring sanguine here o – its getting tougher to convince myself to leave my house these days, lol (or maybe its just Lagos sun and traffic inhibiting my greatness)
+ I just heard Glover court starts at 3pm, yaaaay!!!
+ I have a photoshoot tomorrow, whooop! Modelling career is kicking off to the glory of God o! I hope they dash me some of the baffs sha, hehehehehe. (they said I have to do my nails, this is where fight is about to start, lol)
HUGE CHEERS TO AN INCREDIBLE YEAR FOR YOU TOO DEAR!!!! And thanks for such a great comment. I feel like we are pen-pals now 🙂
I was a consultant for 3 months 😃
Lol @ dash u some baffs! Baffs is so Y2K/Y2K+1
Yay to being pen-pals!
Hey pen-pal,
I knew it! The consulting blood is still in your veins 🙂
@ baffs, I am a proud vintage girl, lol,
xoxo
First time on your blog, Kemi. And I must admit I’m hypnotized. I have read almost all of your old posts and I’ll be here when a new one is up!
Pity I never got to have a chat with you at CITY Summer Camp in 2016. But grateful for knowing you from afar, and winning the @laidefash1 silky cuff shirt in the #kemischristmasgiveaway
God bless you. Have a great 2018!
Awww thank you Dunwene (sticking to using your IG handle name here)! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed a lot of the posts and that you will be sticking around. It is GREAT to have you here 🙂
Yaaay for winning the silky cuff shirt again! Patiently waiting for you to rock it and tag us, so we can all be jealous of your fine shirt one more time.
Please we ever run into each other again, please please please, come say Hello and lets take a selfie at least . Deal?
God bless you too and enjoy God’s best in 2018!
xoo
Kemi! Suya is only sold at night because darkness is an ingredient!!! 😀
Hahahahaha! Chef Achenyo of the ‘darkness sauce’ – I greet you ma! Lol
Oh – and you are such an INSPIRATION! I do not know how you do it, but really… the smile and the energy is infectious. I don’t know the specific name for it, but its definitely a calling – keep using your words, pictures, energy and life to bless us! Lets go 2018!
Awwwww, thanks Achenyo! I don’t know the specific name for it too, but by the grace of God, I will continue to be a blessing in my own little, playful way.
Enjoy 2018, girl!!
Mama! We made it to Aunty Kemss blog 😭😭😭💃❤
How in this world can someone be a combo of Excellence,Slay Queen,ajala aunty, God-lover, efiko aunty and an effortless giver 😭😭😭😭
2018 has to be a year of amazing testimonies for you in Jesus name !
I enjoyed this reading as always. ❤
You are so sweet!!! Thanks Busayo!
Ameen to amazing testimonies and I pray the same for you too hun.
xoxo