The Non-Immigrant Student
The Non-Immigrant Student podcast is an audio journal of my grad-school (and now corporate) journey in the United States of America.
It is an inspirational podcast that seeks to encourage and provide guidance to other non-immigrant students across the globe on how to live their best lives while fulfilling their Study/Work Abroad dreams or living far away home!
My stories reveal all the lessons I'm learning on this journey, and I honestly believe that ''If I can do it, you can do it too!''
So excited to have you with me on this journey, Welcome!
The Non-Immigrant Student
S3 E7 - Life Lately: Summer Travels, Mid-Year Resolutions, Dating Resolutions, Concerts, Bridal Showers, and more!
Happy Listening :)
With love from NYC,
Tolu
Ps: Here’s the link to subscribe to my friend’s YouTube channel while we anticipate her ‘Naira to Pounds’ interview with me. Thank you!
Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you!
Hi guys, something bad just happened. I lost 40 minutes of my previous recording for this episode, but I was I'm not done beating myself up for not saving it. I mean, I saved it, I thought I did, but I guess I didn't hit save after clicking save to files. But I called my friend to cry it out because I was just there, I was just angry, I couldn't believe that I couldn't find it. I was so. I was telling you guys, in episode I lost, I was making beans today and then, yeah, I started smelling that was burning, and then I stood up and so of course I wanted to edit that.
Speaker 1:You know, break even. There's something else. I said I wanted to remove the silence, the pause, and then, in trimming it out, I clicked delete. Yeah, um, I don't know how I feel. I really don't. Um, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. Okay, so of course I want to, I want to rerecord the a new one, but I don't feel as enthusiastic anymore and if I leave this till Saturday or Sunday, my never get done. I had this on my calendar to do last week and it's just it's been a week. I don't have the willpower, guys. I don't, I simply don't.
Speaker 1:I was so happy to record that episode today. I woke up happy. I ended that last episode telling you how happy a day it was, and look at me now with, um, dried up tears anyway, um, and I'm hungry. Yeah, I'm hungry, but are we going to do this again? I guess we'll see. Stay tuned. Oh, my god, this is so sad. It's so sad. I'm so angry, I'm so sad, but I don't know how to direct it, so I guess I'll just redirect it and do it again.
Speaker 1:Hi guys, welcome back to another episode of the non-immigrant students. Um, I guess, have you been, um, how are you? Quite frankly, I'm no longer in the mood of you know, being happy, being as caring. I'm here out of anger to redo this episode, but then, at the same time, why do I need to redo it? Right? Why do I need to in that kind of situations that happen, that make you question your life and there's no lesson? I want to aspire, to perspire myself right now, but I don't want to see any lesson in any of this shit. That just happened. But anyway, um, welcome back to another episode. Um, um, I mean, as the title implies, is the summer travel recap.
Speaker 1:Oh, my god, this is so messy because this is, if you knew how I oh my god, I don't know if to cry on this spilled milk or to actually just let it go. You know, because I was just, I was really saying to you that I was like, oh my god, I hope everyone is happy. I hope everyone can tell how happy I was to do this and I hope they also laugh. You know, it was so funny. And now look at me back in my. I had to reset up my mic, go back into my closet to record. This is so, so sad, guys, and I guess this is life right. But hopefully I find my um, um mojo, my motivation along the way, because I must do this and I don't know who I'm trying to prove wrong, but I must actually re-record this episode now. That's how I'm going to channel this anger, sadness. Anyway, welcome back to another episode.
Speaker 1:Um now, yeah, I guess all of us are going to just pretend, like I always said, I was going to show up once a month. You know, let's not talk about how I did. I must have lied. I did say I would try to show up twice a month, but it's fine. Last time I was here was June 9th, if I remember correctly.
Speaker 1:I was about to catch a flight out of New York City to Canada and I was just telling you in the last sorry, not the deleted episode, the last episode, episode five, I believe, or six, I can't remember five I was telling you how I was so excited to catch my flight, catch your flight, not feelings, yada, yada, yada. And then I missed that flight and that day I wasn't even angry. I wasn't as angry as I am right now, or sad, you know. It just happened because there was no urgency to actually leave the country, you know. So I was like, okay, it's fine, it's not like. My friend's condition is tomorrow. I just wanted to fly to Canada during the weekend so I could have more time to, I could spend my weekend in Canada with friends.
Speaker 1:And yeah, I missed that flight because of my I was being cheap. So, tip number one don't be cheap. I got a basic economy ticket and I was like, oh, I remember when I was booking that ticket, my friend told me how you get basic economy. What if you miss that flight? And I was like I cannot miss the flight, I will be there. I already know it's at 6 pm. Abbey, you're the one dropping me off. By 3 pm We'll leave. That's why now, when people are saying, by ghost grace, I didn't know about their sentences, I have joined them. If you ask me, tomorrow, will you be in the office by ghost grace, will you dress up? By ghost grace, will you do this? Everything now is by ghost grace, because when I told my, when I woke up this one time, told myself I'm recording this podcast, I should have said by ghost grace, because look at me now, anyway. So, yeah, so now, even for my subsequent flights, I booked the main cabin against my will, against my bank accounts, with boats. Yeah, that's what we have to do now so that I can gracefully change my ticket if I need to.
Speaker 1:And why did we miss that flight? We were, we put in I mean, my friend thinks she put in, she knows she put in the right address, right to the airport. And then all of a sudden was she was supposed to drop me off at the new jersey, the airport in new jersey, and all of a sudden we saw ourselves like it was looking like I was going back to my house, where we have and I live closer to the lagadia airport, and amongst ourselves. We were cracking, we're saying it looks like we're going back. I was not telling her that, no, I said it looks like we're going back. Sheena said I, it does, but that's. She put in terminale b, this is where we're going. And I said well, it's true, somebody in the office has even told me that it's easier for him to get to the new jersey airport from Manhattan, so maybe that's why we're going back. She was like it's true, she also heard the same thing. That is actually closer to people in Manhattan. So that's how we were just Okay.
Speaker 1:Now that I think about it is so hilarious. That's how we were just there telling ourselves, justifying the wrong route we were taking to the airport, and then eventually she said let me even check. We now checked, we now saw that the terminal b we put in was for the wrong airport. I'm not the actual airport. And that's how, brothers and sisters, I missed my flight. And then, of course, she apologized and I was like it's not your fault. Even me too, I should have checked, you know. And of course we didn't have enough time for so to come back. They was traffic. It was already rush hour, you know.
Speaker 1:So I've learned from that times when I should book my flight and times then I shouldn't book my flight and how I should double check what airport I put it into. And then, in a hurry, we called them. I was trying to, I was trying to stretch the limit and test my luck to see if they would actually rebook that flight. They told me I called like three times so maybe I might encounter a different customer service person, but it did not work. Um, but I missed no In a Nigerian language and I was like they said no, that we cannot rebook, we cannot change. Even if you get to the airport, maybe you might be able to see, maybe someone might let you go on the next flight, but that's the last flight for that day.
Speaker 1:So yeah, like I said, that's how I missed my flight and we went back home and then I had to book another flight. I had to drop, I had to birth $315 to get a new ticket. In fact, my friend had to supplement. She sent me some money you know she thought it was her four miles. Like is not that I can't collect full money, that let's split it instead. So shout out to you I bk. Thank you so much, because I would have cried. In short, I cried, I still cried, but I might have cried blood, but this time I cried water. So, like now, I didn't even know what I'm crying is blood, water, sweat, everything for that deleted episode, anyway, anyway, anyway, okay, so let me get myself back. I don't know, one likes to dwell around negativity for too long, but yeah, so that's what happened. Eventually, I did get, I did make it to Canada safely and soundly.
Speaker 1:For those of you on instagram, you're very much aware that I had a lot of fun. So, if and if you're new here, by the way oh, my god, please, this is not how I am. I'm usually more jumpy. Yeah, welcome. Thank you for listening. Thank you for joining our community of non-immigrant students and, yeah, you can catch the high if you're new. My instagram is adding non-immigrant students and you can. I have highlights Canada one, canada two. You can catch up with those. If you're also curious, even about the country, what does a tower Toronto look like? Yeah, feel free, sure to catch up. So, yeah, I just want to come back on here. You know, show up, as I do every month. You know, wink, wink. I'm so sorry to anyone who might have preferred me to show up twice a month, like I said I would at the beginning of the year. But you know, this is what it has come to and I'm still okay.
Speaker 1:The goal is progress, whether or not you're achieving everything, but you're making progress. And I did do a mid-year checking and I shared this in the deleted episode that, um, I, I took out my journal, you know, sometime in June to to like kind of check the things I did write down. So I had, I had some sections like spiritual growth, health and fitness, reading and intellectual capacity, blah, blah, blah. You know I had seen this online Things to start doing, to stop to reduce and to Reduce. No things to start to stop, to repeat and to reduce. Yes, so, and I don't know that, you know Everything is adding up, but my three might also my three words for the year where are boldness, consistency and discipline? And I would say, so far I am Still on track and posting more.
Speaker 1:I'm trying to be more comfortable in my own skin, you know, with social media because, honestly, being on that app is a lot of anxiety for someone who posts a lot. You know, there's like this bittersweet love hate relationship between my instagram and I, where it's like is it too much? Oh, my god, am I embarrassing myself? Is it too little? You know, and I and I've gotten feedback too that, oh, she acts like she's too proud. I'm like, oh, and I, I curated this content in such a way that you would Specifically not say that I was proud, but that is one thing. You still say, yeah, fuck it, then we're still doing it, then we're still doing it. Excuse the executive if it makes you cringe. I was like you know, then we're still doing it. And you know I continued.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, there's that you know, and there's the fact that you know someone recently told me that, oh, my god, I thought you would be more jumpy, as I see on social media, like you're more quiet in person, like, yes, boo. Sometimes I also feel like those things might be trying to overcompensate, you know, for the fact that you're trying to look a certain way, you know, like trying to keep the energy up. You know, but that might not be like if we're together in the room, I might never want to be talking to you, you know, and when I'm watching TV, I don't like people talking to me, because I'm focused on it. It's like I'm reading a book, like I'm read, as they're playing out that script, I'm reading it with them. Don't talk to me, so you know. So it's, I mean it's, I guess. Well, we're adults, we're all adults in getting to learn about ourselves. So that's very much fun.
Speaker 1:But anyway, today is friday, 14 july, and I woke up this morning. I was so happy. I was like, wow, god, and it was raining for most of you in the east coast in new york I was like, wow, this is kind of what I love. And today, last I checked, last night, you know, I didn't have any. I had a meeting free calendar. So today was a cruising friday.
Speaker 1:If I didn't even want, I might not have opened my laptop, you know. So I was like, okay, what do I want to do with this free time? I was like, okay, yeah, yes, girl, I, because I cancelled, I had postponed my therapy session. So I said, okay, I'm just gonna be free, I'm just going to like wake up, maybe, continue watching my show, oh, you know. And then I just was happy, you know.
Speaker 1:And then so I had, I also had my fitness training this morning at 8 am, so that was fine, eight to nine, and then I also went on instagram to finish posting from the day before, and then, all of a sudden, I came upstairs and I said you know what I should do laundry? I find no way. That's how I put beans on the fire. I don't know now where work is coming from. I'm also having thoughts now washing my bathroom, guys. You know, I'm like why can't I just accept that I can't be free for free? You know, why am I always trying to occupy my schedule? But anyway.
Speaker 1:But yes, guys, as I speak to you while in the deleted episode I'm sorry, I hope I don't have to keep saying it till the end I was just washing the first batch of clothes. So you know, for those of you who separate your whites from the colors and the blacks, now I'm almost done. They are dry. That's how much time I have in the same to this, and I'm sure I'm not the first person who has lost files, you know. So if I will create content, youtube or even or lose documents is like the most. You can literally pluck out your hair. I am honestly. But it's fine. I'll try not to dwell on the bad. I. I always got to give me back my joy today, so let's stay focused on the gist for today. So, yeah, um, I feel like I've lost some things now that I said.
Speaker 1:But, yes, I also want to tell you about my training session. So I started in April actually and I'm happy it's a win for me that I've completed about 16 out of 26 classes. So even when and today when we're doing side had done some squats earlier this week and I told the lady that, please, I don't want to do squats today, like Everywhere spinning me, I can't even sit down comfortably, please, please, please. You know. So, like we did another exercise and I was really grateful that she pushes me, I'm also grateful to myself. Honestly, I'm told I'm patting you on the back for showing up, because these days and I think, like I said, to what I said about Boldness, discipline and consistency it has really and I told myself to during my In the beginning of the year that with this fitness goal, I'm setting to lose 80 kg.
Speaker 1:Sorry, to become 80 kg. So I am 95. I think I'm about 95 or 95 plus, but it's nobody's business. I ain't got no scale, don't ask me. So your business, you know. I think I am 95 kg plus about 215 pounds. I don't know the math anymore, but I was 76 kg before I left Nigeria about three years ago, plus the pandemic weights, plus before years ago now, you know, and all of that.
Speaker 1:So I was like, okay, even if I don't lose this weight, no matter what happens out of this fitness training, I should get out the discipline. You know the fact that because I never, I never, could get to gym in I, I could never find personal motivation to hit gym and that's why now I have to pay for it. You know, because every morning I wake up I'm like I'm so tired, oh my god, I can't raise. Oh my god, am I gonna start dressing up now to go to G gym? You know I could never find that discipline to get myself there. But right now, if I, if I cancel a session in short, you can't even cancel less than 10 forward before if not, they'll build you an Extra $129. That's the price of one class. So I was like, okay, I'm not going to do that with any, you know.
Speaker 1:So anytime I feel tired, like 12 hours, and I want to cancel, or maybe I start my period and I want to tell her how I don't want to come, my brain just resets because that means I have to miss that money or pay for it. So I'm just like you know what. So now I'm paying for that discipline and I'm paying heavily. But I believe that Eventually becomes a habit. Like they say, what you do for 21 days becomes a habit for 90 days becomes a lifestyle. We have this 80. No, so hopefully I've only done what 10 day or 16 days, but you know, I feel like it's changed my life for the good, so I'm really happy about that. That's, that's a goal I'm really happy about. And even let me I have my my. They're not here. Let me check a bit.
Speaker 1:And another thing I also said I wanted to be doing at the beginning of this year my, don't worry, We'll get into the summary cup very soon Was like to read my bible more, to be more intentional about this. I mean, we all know this. That's really, for those of you who might be christian here, the average christian knows their bible. But sure we, how fanatically we grow up, you know, and how religious we were. So some of these things, and I got to love it, I got to enjoy it, I got to experience God for myself. So these are still things I want to do to keep my relationship with God going, you know, praying more. So these are things I wasn't doing in 2021 2022, actively and and, yes, god was still blessing me, but, no, not anymore. I mean, I'm not with God for things he can give me, but, you know, to also build a relationship with him. So I'm so happy that I've seen progress on that front. I'm at least four out of seven times in a week I'm praying, I'm trying at least I'm dosing up for my bible. But you know, we're still there, we still show up, the angels still mark our attendance, you know, and all of that. I also joined my the church I follow in Nigeria, for the prayer sessions are serving in currently time zones work. So I'm I'm very happy we later this year going for a christian conference with Sarah, jakes, robert. So I'm happy that I'm beginning to prioritize that.
Speaker 1:That was something I said I wanted to start doing and repeat this year, so that has been going well. Um, for reading, hmm, there's this book I've been waiting and dating I'm really trying to take it seriously, which brings me Okay, I'm jumping, but I will, let's put a pin in that dating, I will come back to it, but anyway. Um, I also talked about some certain certifications. I wanted to take my female, my film and acting class. I was taking a film TV class in 2022. I didn't finish it, but this year finished my acting class and only missed like one class. I'm really proud of that. If you can't tell so, I have some other lists of things I would like to do. So, yes, there's so much to be done within the year and it's already July, so I hope, um, your goals are going well. Even if you didn't have any, I hope you feel you see progress In any area of your life. Well anyway, um, so that was it.
Speaker 1:Now, like I told you before, my beans actually did get burnt some part of it, so I have to. I'll cook that later today and that's actually a meal. Uh, my ex introduced me to Ewa Goyi, which is like how do I translate it for non-venomicola Nigerian speaking people? Now, it's like beans potting with with some stew. You know, kind of like yeah, and in Nigeria we probably eat it with dried like gari or planting or bread. So I prefer to eat my bread and, you know, just making it to their home. You know, I was like, oh my god, you know, you just begin to have those feelings you don't have about your ex. You know and I'm saying this, yes, I'm saying you publicly you can't do anything about it.
Speaker 1:Although my friend shouldn't hear me, though, I also realized this has been like two to three years, yeah, since my official breakup, and I'm and I'm sharing this here for a purpose actually, because while I was in Canada, I did have a conversation with my friend On one of the days where we talked about where we would like to be in a year from now and I did admit that I would like to be in a serious relationship and dating. Because, for the first time, I also realized that I never really admitted that I wanted it. I mean, we all joke about it and now this is for my fellow singles. We all shout the god when god, a bear, god, please, god, now you know, and all of us. But, like, how much effort am I putting into it? Like with how much I plan my life, and I've never really sat down to plan for relationships or marriage or dating or how seriously I want to take any of this. So I was like, okay, I guess I can make that a goal going forward from like june 2020 to july 2023, to not just be out there or say, oh, I'm available, you know, but like even for myself to put in the work. Because I know a lot of single people demand a lot from the opposite sex or from you know whoever, whatever partners they intend to choose and demand we, a lot of people demand stuff they're not willing to also put on the table. So I'm like, okay, I'm not going to be one of those people. So, yes, but I was like no girl, I know your money, your, if I mean of us who keep our breakup and vestries. They might happen like roughly in june 2020.
Speaker 1:Then we go back. Then we now said we're not doing a game in 2022. Finally, you know, of course, there's some days and there was nothing wrong with this particular ex, you know, shout out to him. But and I was like, okay, so now, once the what's the path was a way forward, because I was telling myself Last year that I'm still healing. I'm still. Now is almost one year, I'm still healing, even the. You know, I told you guys here to in February that tried hinge, like once, it didn't work out. All those my fine pictures, anyway, you just refuse laning Tr manos. No, anyway, sirelle rии, israel. Additional cheers to that. And then Inish, I woke up now it's almost September again to say that was one year. I'm still healing, so I better know what I'm doing.
Speaker 1:Because I also said it's on two. Like two podcasts they go with my friend, my roommate IV, my cayenne sister we talked about like if we're 30 in short, she's already 30 but like if we're going into 30, 35 on 40. Like are we going to be comfortable being single, because I, what I don't want is to become one of these women who are now old and keep saying things like I'm in my bag, I don't need any money, say lie, because me, I know it's a lie. Like even two days ago I was like so I found a good Taylor. Oh my god, this is all TMI, but anyway we're just in this. It's Friday.
Speaker 1:I found a Taylor in Harlem, um Baba fashion that's the name of the shop anyway. So I went there to, I took a few clothes for some adjustments and I came back home I said let me wear them to check and I couldn't zip the back of my dress on my own. That's when I started. I was running into a fit. I'm like god, this one is the house, but these any.
Speaker 1:Even that same day, I was trying to like, do my when put on my necklace, I couldn't hook it properly. I was already crying to go, go. This is this one. Why am I single? There's why I need somebody, you know, to zip my dress. You know the sleeves in life that make you begin to question your whole being, like my glittered episode.
Speaker 1:You know, I'm like, anyway, that was funny and I was like, okay, okay, nah, I really need to take this thing seriously because I need me a man. But anyway, um, so wait, why did I say all of this now? But, yeah, so, like I said, I'm, I'm really. I don't want to be one of these women, you know, who now have to, like, find other voids to feel, find other things to feel that void because, like they say, weren't created to be alone. You know, but, and and and I'm funny enough, I saw this billboard on one of my travels um, become a surrogate mom of as many of you who know one of the methods of getting pregnant, you know, now it's come on to freeze your eggs. Even for me, I have that opportunity with my health insurance to freeze my eggs if I want to.
Speaker 1:Blah, blah, blah. You know there's like so much information everywhere. So I saw this billboard about becoming a surrogate mom for like 70k dollars and I was like wait, let me actually think about it for two seconds right here. What's the problem does, is my religion against that helping someone bring to birth life, like I mean it's it's artificial insemination. I won't have to like commit any form of indication or adultery. You know, like huh, I was really thinking about you should have seen me.
Speaker 1:I was like, wait, am I scared of what people might say? I mean, do my parents have to know people are to work, they're not going to care. You know, everyone here support what you know, how they say, support you, you know. So what is really stopping me from making that 70k? But then I realized your people dying during childbirth. Sadly, sadly so.
Speaker 1:And that's why, these days now, if you ask my people asking, oh, how many kids you want to have? Zero to two. Yeah, I said that, zero to two, nigga, zilch to two, because I also have a lot of my friends and I see their kids even without far, I'm going too far. I have two baby sisters one is 10 years younger than I am and one is 17 years younger than I am like far my way. I helped raise those babies, like I was changing diapers when I was what seven, 13, 14, so like, yeah, it's been a. So now when I say I want zero to two kids, no one should disturb me, but anyway. So that helped reset my brain, that. No, I don't think 70k is what becoming a surrogate mom for, but anyway. So those are just some of the fears of being single for so long.
Speaker 1:I don't know how it is for men, because I think I don't know that men are raised. We're able to live alone. I know women are, so that's why sometimes they become comfortable, even if they don't have a partner, a spouse. But for men it's like no matter what, they will find someone. So it's kind of like. You see, it's a very dicey situation, but anyway, that's it for today.
Speaker 1:Let's go into this summer travel recap, and you know, and I will, okay, let me. Let me go back to my real self, actually. So, but honestly, I hope you all have been good too. You know, I also just heard that one of my friends, friends, lost their dad. You know, life is filled with all sorts of things. You know, now that we're adults, I can't even believe that I judged my parents for being some setting type of way while having to raise us and, you know, do with a lot of things in life.
Speaker 1:So if there's anyone, um, feeling like sad or just frustrated, you know, or just stuck about things in life, um, I guess I'll just say, like you know, sorrow may come for a night's, but joy comes in the morning eventually. You know, I always tell myself too, when I'm going through a tough period, that, okay, I know I have to go through this, but how long am I willing to wait to get out of it? You know. So, if it takes six months, how am I going to cope? You know, god, how can I leverage a relationship? You know, okay, no, that sounds so cop speak. But, like god, how can please, for six months, can I, can I trust you within the six months? Help me to trust you within this trying and tough period. You know that everything does happen for a reason and that there's going to be a rainbow at the end of this flood, you know, at the end of this season. So, yeah, my heart goes out to you. And then for my other friends who, everything is okay, you're living life, nice living life. You're low, you know I'm also there with you in the enjoyment season of your life. I'm really there with you. So so, yeah, that's that's, I'm also there with you. Like I said, I'm even currently also.
Speaker 1:How many of you have been listening to a Shakir's new album? Fun enough, I'm actually a big fan. Okay, no, actually, no, not really a big fan like I also went to Bono Boys concert recently and I realized that I'm a socially acclaimed fan and not his actual fan. Because why didn't I know a lot of his songs? I was like, wait, who sang this? You, bono, where, when? But I Shakir.
Speaker 1:A lot of people didn't like this second album or prefer the first album, but then I realized no, I really like this second album. He seems to be giving glory to god for his success. You know, talking about how he's lonely at the top, how he's a great guy, how he's the fun guy. Of course he also talk about women rolling my eyes, you know, but um, but actually enjoy. I can hear the lyrics of this album and so I really enjoy it, like I've been on it, and compared to the first one, I think so that has been nice. And for gospel play, because I'm an afro big girl and gospel playlist like gospel girlie. So I think I've tried to listen to teohae bello's new album. It's giving, though, but I guess it's not my type of music, I'm not sure, but anyway. But my message won't ever less me down, you know I always go back to anytime I need that pick me up. So yeah, that has been fun.
Speaker 1:For movies, what movies have I been what? Okay, I've been watching succession recently, um, and before I was watching ted lasso, but then I remember, during my acting classes, a lot of people would always, when we talk about shows we've been watching, a lot of people would make claim to like they've been watching them. Succession, I was like, okay, and I I know very, quite well that to understand the country, you also need to understand the humor of the country. So, or like whatever it is, if, if this is what americans say they're doing, follow day, like, try to find out about it. So I've watched it and I'm in season three now out of four seasons and I actually enjoy it.
Speaker 1:I enjoy, I really enjoy, and I'm also beginning to admit to myself that I actually like money. I like to see people spend their money, I like to see people living lavishly, or I like to see I mean the well be, of course, like people have the means. I like to be around it. You know it also helps you appreciate life in a different way than every time. Struggle saka apope is like. So you know? So, um, I really enjoy watching the show. I'm still watching the show.
Speaker 1:I also enjoy seeing how power and politics move the world. You know, there's this book of millions. You read 48 laws of power. So that movie, this series, is like the video version of it. I've, at least I've, skimmed through the book, so I just like seeing that as well.
Speaker 1:And and these movies, the series is actually set in new york. So I'm like, oh, so this is how the rich in new york behave, because some of these places you can show and I see them all the time. But now I see it in a different life, a different perspective. How people's lives can be different based on the income that you make is crazy. Crazy that all of us don't really have the same life. So, yeah, that's nice.
Speaker 1:Um, then what else have I done? So this is me now going back from july, back on the way to june 9th, but maybe I should reverse. So eventually, like I said, I I missed my fight. I didn't. I eventually now slept over my friend's house and left new york city, june 10th. Then I got there, I got to my friend's house in otawa, then later in the evening I went to I went for a friend's birthday from coming and invest a shout out to udi. So that was fun.
Speaker 1:And I I think I don't know if I've said this already, but you can catch up on this in my canada one and two highlights on instagram. And you know, being around so many nigerians, it gives a different kind of adrenaline. I don't know how to explain it, but you know, it just kind of recenters me, just reminds me who I am, you know, kind of um, it just I don't know, I have no words for it, but I know that every time I hang out with nigerians I feel different, I feel happy, I feel safe, you know, to somewhat to an extent. So, yeah, that it was. It was nice to experience that.
Speaker 1:And then, sunday, I also went to a church in otawa battle church and we went for brunch. That was fun. And then I asked this question that one of my friends asked that another brunch, what are you curious about? And all of us, you know. Some people gave answers like they were curious about what it is to be filled with the holy spirit some people talk about. They were curious about how rich people live, how celebrities live. I think I can't remember what I was curious about now, but wasn't about how money moves the world about, I don't remember now. So someone said they were curious about what we did, like he did. We're born into another family, so that it was a really nice conversation to have. Some people are curious about ai, you know, and all of that. So so it was fun.
Speaker 1:And then on monday, I worked monday to wednesday, but in the evenings I would go out with my other friends. I went to see waterfall shout out to you sedogan and I went for dinner. Then, thursday now we were out of office june 15th, which was my friend's actual graduation, and that day I won't. I'm her name is first name, so I missed it. I was late, I was so levy. Oh my god.
Speaker 1:I woke up, my eyes were red, I was feeling sick. I think I was also my period. You guys, I want to say women go through a lot, but actually both genders do go through a lot, because anyway, it was a whole day, but I'm happy that it still ended well, I'm happy that I was still there for her. You know, we, we laughed, we ate, we drank, we got party packs. At the end, shout out to you feta chili and congrats on finishing with flying colors from coutting resty um, and thank you for always listening to my episodes. Love you, girl. So that was fun. Um, and I had true bugs from even when, when otta, because we went to come and invest together with friends from college. We were together too on our graduation days from undergrad. So it was so nice to even relieve that moment, you know, and all of that. So that was nice.
Speaker 1:And then, I think Saturday, friday morning, I then flew into Toronto and then I was going to be with childhood friends, and these particular childhood friends are not just childhood friends, like we really even our parents, we call them like adult besties. Like our houses are just stones through it from each other where we live in Lagos, so we have always been in each other's lives. You know, five children in my family and five in theirs, so 10 children. So it's a huge family, like we have a group chat even on its own, like you know like kind of pseudo siblings. So of course I took the opportunity to go see about. We're five, we're four in the US and then the remaining six, I think three at home and then two in another country or one, and I don't. I'm not doing math right now, but you know. So the four of us who are here in North America decided to meet up in Canada, and you can also see the highlighter.
Speaker 1:I did have fun. We went to where did we go On Friday? Okay, we went to the Uber office. I was actually going to Toronto Island. I also caught up with a high school friend, and then what else? Then on Sunday, we went for the tackle first. So that was nice. I wore this cute green dress. So, yeah, summer was summery. If you were on Instagram, you knew that my summer was summery, anyway, so that was fun.
Speaker 1:And then on Monday we had this brunch where we wrote down that's what I was talking about earlier. We wanted, we wrote down, we discussed things we'd like to achieve, all achieving one year, and that brunch was so wholesome. It's like the presence of God was there. Okay, I'm kidding, but you know, it just felt so good. When you know, when people are open, you know, and actually just discuss. Well, for me, talking is important to me, share communication, so I'm in friendship. So I'm happy that some one of us, you know, thought about it. We all discussed, you know, some of us had financial goals, like for me, I had dating goals, some people had grad school goals, some people had entrepreneurial goals. So, you know, and we all wrote that down and hopefully, come July 2023, most of them should be achieved. Amen, especially for me. Yeah, I don't know why it's so funny, but anyway, we'll see, hopefully, from our mouth to God's ears. So, yeah, that was nice.
Speaker 1:And then by Tuesday I was back in New York and then and this is another tip, guys, never come back into the office on Wednesday, never come back before Wednesday, because you skip out the meetings, all the grug-rout, the hustle, all the. You know. You just come in on Wednesday when people are ready. One day they are getting ready. You know, wednesday, like midday, when it's like, okay, I have some work, but it's almost Friday, so I should take it easy. So that's when I came back. Don't tell your manager I said so, but yeah, so I came back on Wednesday and yeah, it has just been like back to back.
Speaker 1:I even did a reel on Instagram talking about how it did my life at Google. I realized that I hadn't done that. A lot of Google people who work at Google and create content do one of those, do all of those videos, and I'm excited to do it too. So that was nice. And then what else did I do?
Speaker 1:Then July came, july, all great old July. First of July I was in my uncle's house. That was when the Supreme Court in release something about affirmative action. I even gave some of my thoughts on it on Instagram as well. How, I believe you know, I hope even as an immigrant, we all a lot of times, some of these doors have been opened onto us because there was the law that stated that. I'm not saying it to her right now, but there is the law that is like, no door should be closed to certain races. You know, setting minority or BIPOC, black people of indigenous people of color I don't know the term now that they use, you know should not be denied certain opportunities, and it's called, it's coined, affirmative action.
Speaker 1:So I had I talked about how, even getting to Google too, a lot of times. I thought it was them meeting in Kota because they were in my onboarding. They told us how they had this racial diversity commitment to hiring more black people. So I'm like, wait, am I just here because I'm black? And I did ask that question at one of our sessions and the ex and let me appreciate here actually and the one of the executives probably told us against his own will, in after he saw I had said like shedding snotty tears yes, I do cry a lot. Please, we all cry, don't even lie. Anyway, it just burst because I think I had been keeping it all in. I had, I still hadn't really allowed myself, feel it that I was working on Google. And this is me now. Remember I had just started, I had been meeting so many people.
Speaker 1:There was just this like firehose information, like you know, so much information coming at you and then on the side they're also telling you how you should act a certain way, how only the best is hired, one percent of one person. So you know it's like am I, am I part of those people they're talking about? You know, there's always a self doubt when I had to possibly enforce myself always, and then eventually this guy told us how your name and your race and your gender is actually not. So now, your name, your gender and your race is actually not revealed to the hair and managers Prior to them meeting you, so they only have your name. But of course, in my head I'm thinking my name gives both a way. Okay, maybe not my gender, but at least my race or my ethnicity, right?
Speaker 1:And then he eventually says that the process is designed to boot you out. The hair and process is a Google kind of. I mean, don't take your word for word, right? But that was just what he said to me, that if I made it through the six, first six stages, and then you had the team matching stages, it's about three, I had three to four of those, so that's about nine, 10 in total, right that, and you did not fall through that gauntlet, then you were meant to work here and of course I believed him. I'm not too much of a scenic or skeptic. I did believe him that if I made it through all of that rigor, you know, through that gauntlet, then maybe sure, I was meant to be here.
Speaker 1:So, and the truth is that most people who are still giving the affirmative action pass in air quotes most of times they still work hard for it. You know, you know how they say black excellence is excellence times five, or raise the power five. You still work so hard for it to now meet the excellence times one of somebody else. So of course, this is sad, it's, and I definitely shared the sentiment with a lot of African Americans who also feel that that's very nasty of the government to do blah, blah, blah. You know that. How come there's no affirmative action when it comes to the military, or, like you know, why didn't they ban it for the military as well? You know so that there was thought of July wasn't, as I guess never was in like highest of patriotic spirit, even with all the gun violence. So there was that. But then we made it through. Bernard Boyce concert came.
Speaker 1:I went out with my friends, I had a lot of fun and you can also catch these highlights in concerts on my Instagram. Yeah, I had fun. I wore a fun color and I went out with some of my also those childhood friends I was talking about, and then my friend from Cornell. So that was really good. Shout out to all of them Kiss, kiss, xo, xo.
Speaker 1:And then, yeah, I cut a flight, I be a cut a train to DC and I think that was my first time taking anything business class, actually, that I talked about this on Instagram. I don't think I've ever taken a business class flight or anything. This was my first time and it was because I had budgeted a certain amount for flights and then it was too expensive. So I used the same budget to get, like, my business class tickets and it was nice. It was nice to be among the rich While they were. When I was coming back I had a very nice train, like. They were, like this white, corporate looking American guys I was like, and then look at me on my shorts, black ladies, like who's this girl. But you know, you just felt sometimes it's good to give yourself those experiences so you can actually believe, like, see yourself being like that, you know. Anyway, it just felt nice.
Speaker 1:And then I was able to catch some sleep because the concert ended around 12 and I my train was at 3am. I spent 24 hours in DC and I was back on Monday by 8.30am. I've never done something like that before, but it had to be done right, because you know, my friend was getting married in Nigeria and a lot of us couldn't go back home. You know one of the downsides to moving away from home, you know. So all the girls her girls that were here decided to come together to do a brother shower for her, and I'm happy that we were able to pull it off and afford to be able to, you know, foot all those bills. So it was fun. We went painting and then we had, we had brunch, of course so what is this Sunday without a brunch in America? And then we came home, had games, ate, some good food, some Jollab, some turkey, some shawarma, so it was really nice.
Speaker 1:And then I was back on Monday and today's Friday, and I had a great week. Actually, I feel like in Q2 I pushed out a lot of deliverables. So I feel I've been feeling very accomplished at work too. I'm really grateful to God. And this week too, I was able to, like I didn't have too much to do. In fact, tuesday, wednesday, I think, I resumed work at 12 noon. You know, I know, I know I'm irresponsible, I know, I know, but you can't be, I can't be more irresponsible than you. Let's insult ourselves. Okay, I'm joking Anyway, yeah, so I resumed late because, you know, a lot of people are even out of office this summer. So please, please, we are allowed to take it easy, please. So yeah, and that's why I went today as a Friday tour.
Speaker 1:It was quite chill and calm for me that I tried to, you know, do a lot of, to do nothing today, even though that didn't work out, but you know, it's been a great week either way. So, yeah, oh my God, I'm hugging myself. I actually made it to the end of this episode. You guys don't be praying for me. Now, when I go out, now, when I say bye-bye to you, I will just, in short, nobody will tell me. I will save it two times, three times. I will also send it to my friend so she can also save it, because the devil is a liar and he's a bastard liar. Amen, okay, so well, I'm happy, I'm happy, I'm proud of myself. But I found courage. And then Zia seemed to record this again. I hope I didn't forget to say anything. Okay, yes, yes, oh, my God, okay, yes, I forgot something. So yesterday I also recorded a YouTube video with one of my friends from college, so I hope you check that out. I also posted on Instagram earlier today.
Speaker 1:I think the title of the series is Nara to Pounds, so she's talking to a lot of Nigerians who have left the country to come here. How are they making money in another currency, and that was really fun. In short, there's nothing I've said there you've probably not heard before, but you know you can watch it for solidarity. Thank you in advance. You know I just shared my journey about getting to Cornell and into Google. Same thing you'll see forever ahead here.
Speaker 1:But yeah, and definitely subscribe to our channel, support her, support me. And now there's a support show link for podcasters, where I host my podcast, you know, and I find that I always thought I would never be one of those people to do that. I mean, I'm not going to make you subscribe or anything, but if I did, would you subscribe Me and Queen? But yeah, so we could also. So they offered listeners the opportunity to support the show at a minimum of $3 a month so that's about $36 a year and also subscribe. I wish the support wasn't recurring, right. I wish listeners could just do it one time.
Speaker 1:My sister helped me test it and she did support me, but she canceled. She canceled. Oh my God, I love you, I love you too. She was like, okay, I'll cancel it after one month. But yeah, but that money actually went into offsetting. So I, of course I pay to host this podcast 24-7, monthly. I also pay for the air tools they've now introduced to help us have chapter markers, auto-generate captions, like you saw in the last episode. So a lot of cool things.
Speaker 1:I'm like, wow, I think I should tap into this. So, yeah, if you're interested or inclined to or you know you really love me that much, you know, yes, please, hit, smash that support link and hit support and pay to support. So thank you so much in advance and even if you're not able to, I still love you all the same. So, yeah, I think that's mostly it. So, like I said, I am always grateful that you stopped by here to listen. I get the stats every other week of how I receive. I think. On an average I receive about 7,200 downloads per episode. So thank you. I can be modest, but thank you. I mean, if it was 5, okay, he's a lie. If it's 5 I might not be happy, but you know he's more than it was like 20-30. I'll still be content. So thank you all so much for always downloading and listening.
Speaker 1:And then for people who prefer written content, I know a lot of times people say the podcast episodes are too long, your writing is too long, your Instagram questions are too long. Even these days I'm telling me that my stories are looking like wastebis, like threads. So I have come to the resolve that I cannot please anybody. But if myself I am pleased, then I'm pleased and God is pleased, then God be praised. So that's my new mantra now, because, seeing how this podcast has been for 45 minutes no, I did not plan it, but that's how it has happened and I'm happy. I've gestured you to my heart's content and I'm happy. I hope you're happy too. But I don't know what else I can do For those of you who prefer written content.
Speaker 1:I also have a blog and next month I'm rallying some of my girlfriends to come together with questions on how, questions you should ask before you date him. You guys, you thought I was kidding you. I'm not joking, I'm serious. Next year Tulu's gonna get a boo. Amen, as many of you are trusting with me all my single sisters. But if it doesn't shall happen, we'll still be fine. That's hopefully. We'll still be fine, hopefully. Maybe I'll check Amazon for all those backstretchers that can help me zip my clothes, just in case Pudskor for be the beggin, but anyway, oh my God, oh my God. Okay, I'm excited now that I actually re-recorded the episode and shout out to you, maureen, for telling me sorry and encouraging me. Thank you so much. Okay, guys, I guess I'll see you in August. Have a lovely, lovely rest of July, have a lovely weekend, have a lovely week whenever you listen, and thank you always for being here and remember always if I can do it, if I can do it too, bye-bye.