Remember in one of my earlier posts, I mentioned how civil servants and customer service workers are the rudest in Nigeria? Your damn right I know what I'm talking about.
Also, remember in my last post about the CDS and how I got posted to environmental because the lady was being an asshole and I said I would confront her? Well, I did.
When I called my parents last night to gist them about my day, I had mentioned the situation about the lady. Because they are trying to help me enjoy my service year as much as possible, they were a little tipped off at the fact that I could join something relevant to my discipline and some lady ruined it. They made a few calls and directed me to someone at the LG.
Coincidentally, the person I was to ask for happened to be the same lady. So I made sure I told her what she did yesterday. She tried to justify her actions by saying that "you had everything wrong. I don't hate you." I replied by saying "I know you don't hate me. You can't hate me because you don't even know me. I understand you were cranky yesterday because you were sneezing, definitely tired plus it was almost closing time and i'm not mad at you but I just wanted to call your attention to your actions." She actually apologized, asked what CDS group I wanted and I said EFCC and she said it was cool. I made sure I found her to say bye and thank you ma (again) before I left. So now, that's one friend I've made at the LG. it will definitely work to my advantage.
Many schools have released their Corpers till January 7th, 2013 but the principal at my school has asked us to stay and work from now till December 14th. I went to her, she remembered my name out of everyone she saw the day before(I guess because we had a small conversation). I pleaded with her to let me go home because I couldn't keep paying hotel bills and I told her I've been sick and (I feel guilty for this but) I emphasized my being from outta the country and my struggles of surviving and adjusting to camp and a place like Osogbo. She totally understood and is even gonna help me find a proper apartment to ease my stress. So, in other words, I am going home tomorrow and she might even give me my January clearance from now, which we were supposed to receive on the 14th of December. If she doesn't give it to me tomorrow, she would make adequate preparations for me to receive it when I return on the 3rd of January. IF I return.
I definitely owe her a Christmas gift. I have to pal her up proper because she will be valuable to me if I have to stay in Osogbo.
The next person for me to friend up is my CDS leader or whatever they are called so that I won't have to attend every week unless I really want to. I'm hoping I will enjoy because it will be on EFCC stuff and that's an organization I actually wanted to serve (and possibly work) with initially until president Goodluck changed the rules of NYSC.
Survival is all about networking and making connects especially in this part of the world. Thank God I'm so charming without having to try (self praise is definitely needed, pardon me).
~kdamsel~
Friday, 30 November 2012
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
LG, PPA & CDS
First and foremost, my primary place of assignment is a school where I will be teaching English on the Junior Secondary School(JSS) level. My community development service is environmental. Needless to say, I graduated with a degree in Criminology. Don't anyone dare try to convince me that NYSC is not an absolute waste of a whole year in a person's life.
I ended up with environmental mainly because when I got to the lady who was assigning posts, it was almost closing time and she had a cold and was prolly getting crankier than she was before. She asked what bank I had been assigned to open an account with and I said "Union Bank"(in my accent). She did not understand, I repeated it. She got it and mocked the way I said it out loud. She asks what I studied(which I believe should influence where you are being posted to) and I answered. She looks at me, says "environmental", and yelled "next."
Ofcourse I was not bothered because I don't really plan to do anything anyways. They had other CDS groups on the list that were closely related to my discipline, which might have even encouraged me to participate. She ruined it for me and I will find her and let her know that I wasn't putting on a show on that day because I figured perhaps she thought I was forming(acting out a different and "better"personality either by how one speaks or how one acts or relate with others). If you have a better definition, please leave it as a comment for my non-Nigerian readers. I won't beg anyone to change my CDS posting, I just wanna make her feel bad about being an asshole and that I will do in a very polite way.
For those want to know the next step after camp, you will go to your PPA, after you have been approved, you will go to your LG(local government) and you will create a file. Always make photocopies of everything including your NYSC identification card and your posting letter and have some passport photographs. I would recommend about 8 to be on the safe side. In the file, you need to include a copy of the following:
1) posting letter
2) call up letter
3) copy of your NYSC identification card
4) statement of result
5) attach 2 passport photographs
You will also open a bank account with whatever bank they ask you to join. Even if you bank with the same company, you still have to open a new one for the government to pay your alawi into. For that you will need a copy of a national identification card (I used my passport because I had photocopies but NYSC card is fine) and two passport photographs.
After that, you will be assigned to your CDS group and then you sign a couple of registers they have there and you are good to resume at your PPA or go home, whichever your PPA allows you to do. As for me, I'm running home without approval till January when school resumes or till I get redeployed. If I get redeployed rather.
I realized today that all my decisions have been a result of how to spend as little time as possible doing my duties and overall, as little time as possible in Osogbo. I can't help it because today I'm looking at the glass cup and it's half empty. Maybe tomorrow, it will be half full.
~kdamsel~
I ended up with environmental mainly because when I got to the lady who was assigning posts, it was almost closing time and she had a cold and was prolly getting crankier than she was before. She asked what bank I had been assigned to open an account with and I said "Union Bank"(in my accent). She did not understand, I repeated it. She got it and mocked the way I said it out loud. She asks what I studied(which I believe should influence where you are being posted to) and I answered. She looks at me, says "environmental", and yelled "next."
Ofcourse I was not bothered because I don't really plan to do anything anyways. They had other CDS groups on the list that were closely related to my discipline, which might have even encouraged me to participate. She ruined it for me and I will find her and let her know that I wasn't putting on a show on that day because I figured perhaps she thought I was forming(acting out a different and "better"personality either by how one speaks or how one acts or relate with others). If you have a better definition, please leave it as a comment for my non-Nigerian readers. I won't beg anyone to change my CDS posting, I just wanna make her feel bad about being an asshole and that I will do in a very polite way.
For those want to know the next step after camp, you will go to your PPA, after you have been approved, you will go to your LG(local government) and you will create a file. Always make photocopies of everything including your NYSC identification card and your posting letter and have some passport photographs. I would recommend about 8 to be on the safe side. In the file, you need to include a copy of the following:
1) posting letter
2) call up letter
3) copy of your NYSC identification card
4) statement of result
5) attach 2 passport photographs
You will also open a bank account with whatever bank they ask you to join. Even if you bank with the same company, you still have to open a new one for the government to pay your alawi into. For that you will need a copy of a national identification card (I used my passport because I had photocopies but NYSC card is fine) and two passport photographs.
After that, you will be assigned to your CDS group and then you sign a couple of registers they have there and you are good to resume at your PPA or go home, whichever your PPA allows you to do. As for me, I'm running home without approval till January when school resumes or till I get redeployed. If I get redeployed rather.
I realized today that all my decisions have been a result of how to spend as little time as possible doing my duties and overall, as little time as possible in Osogbo. I can't help it because today I'm looking at the glass cup and it's half empty. Maybe tomorrow, it will be half full.
~kdamsel~
Monday, 26 November 2012
Camp love
Camp is now love grounds. If you are not known with someone of the opposite sex, YOU ARE WRONG!!! If you don't have someone checking you or vice versa, YOU ARE WRONG!!!
Within the 3 weeks, We have witnessed relationships form and break. More people get together and people who have broken up with their beloved partners at home for someone here. We have witnessed people who want someone they can't have and all that kinda stuff.
There are 3 major relationships in this camp. They are as follows:
1) Corper, Corper
2) Soldier, Corper
3) Camp officials, Corper
Which one(s) am I involved in? I bet ur dying to know. Lol.
If you take a walk through camp now, all you see is boy-girl sitting arrangements. The parade ground was full of these so, when it was lights out, soldiers came around shouting at people to break up their little rendezvous.
I don't think I will be discussing personal issues in my posts. I don't wanna be judged for my actions. So I will only say that I am somewhat involved in the #1 category *covering eyes with left palm*
~kdamsel~
Within the 3 weeks, We have witnessed relationships form and break. More people get together and people who have broken up with their beloved partners at home for someone here. We have witnessed people who want someone they can't have and all that kinda stuff.
There are 3 major relationships in this camp. They are as follows:
1) Corper, Corper
2) Soldier, Corper
3) Camp officials, Corper
Which one(s) am I involved in? I bet ur dying to know. Lol.
If you take a walk through camp now, all you see is boy-girl sitting arrangements. The parade ground was full of these so, when it was lights out, soldiers came around shouting at people to break up their little rendezvous.
I don't think I will be discussing personal issues in my posts. I don't wanna be judged for my actions. So I will only say that I am somewhat involved in the #1 category *covering eyes with left palm*
~kdamsel~
Passing out...
What's up with people playing music from their phones through the speakers(without earphones) in public places? I don't get it. And it's usually gospel. What makes them think anyone else wants to hear the music? Why is ok? Why can't people figure it out without being told that it is socially unacceptable? It's driving me nuts!!!
Anyways, today was our last day in camp. Ofcourse I have dodged every parade since I returned to camp so I wasn't part of the selected ones that would march at the passing out parade. However, we were still required to attend and be on the field.
After a couple of hours of sweating and baking in the sun, the deputy governor of Osun state arrived. The parade took place and I must admit that the people chosen were amazing. It was lovely. At the same time, we were all curious and dying to get our posting letters. To know what part of Osun state we would end up. We had teased each other about ending up in the rural areas with funny names that we read in the books we were given while we hoped for the best.
Being a fortunate individual, I had requested to be posted to Oshogbo Grammar School(Oshogram), which is in the city but i'm sure you remember when my connect failed me the first time. So, I had some butterflies but I was posted there.
The reason I chose a secondary school(apart from the fact that it is practically in the heart of the city and I checked it out prior to choosing) is that I get to do less work and I get to go home more frequently compared to a university (I suppose).
But... I have someone who says they can get me to complete my Community Development(CD) and PPA(primary place of assignment) in Lagos. Once again, due to the failure of my previous connect, I don't wanna depend on this.
I also got this mischievous idea after a friend called me to warn me about stereotypes I might encounter and how to avoid them. These stereotypes I usually face in Nigeria, especially a place like Osun due to the amount of piercings I have and tattoos(when they are visible). She advised I take them all out tomorrow when I go to see the Principal of Oshogram, as the school might reject me and lie that it's based on lack of space for teaching or something silly. So I thought in my cute little head that i'd leave them all in, stay respectful, speak English as foreign as I could and watch the stereotypes get me rejected. Now, if that school rejects me, chances are that many other schools will, so what happens if no one wants me? *whopa gangman style*
Perhaps I get to go home or maybe not, I'm not sure.
So, I've suddenly realized that I don't really wanna stay in Osun state for the next 10 months. I'm gonna try my best, stay positive and prepare to make the best of my time here. I'll be going to my PPA tomorrow and the local government and we'll see what happens.
I must tell this story. ... After passing out from camp, various churches send buses to come and pick up Corpers from camp and take them to their PPA/local government offices for registration. They often provide accommodation for those who need it in case your PPA does not have any. I joined the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries bus by chance and partly because they were the closest to where I was coming from in camp and they mentioned they were gonna drive us to the local government and our PPA. Halfway through the drive, the pastor driving the second bus calls and asks us to wait while they caught up. We waited another half an hour then he arrived and changed plans. They wanted to show us the accommodation, then take us to the local government offices and then we can go to our PPA ourselves. Ofcourse I had no intentions of leaving one hostel for another. I chilled and figured I would take the drive to the local government after they showed others where they would sleep then I would go to my PPA and head to the hotel that was recommended to me, which is on the same street as my PPA and not too far from the local government office.
NOT to my surprise, we got to the church, they get extra nice, ask us to come in, they started with "let us pray with you." My head went "bang! There they go doing that thing I don't like...forcing religion on me." If they kept to their word, I wouldn't have been mad. After the prayer, they proceeded to say that we should check out their lodge and we should shower and eat and rest because we can't do anything today anymore because it was after 2pm and most school officials and authorities usually don't stay past 2pm(dem people are living la vida). Also, there was no point in going to the local government before your PPA because you need the letter of acceptance or rejection from the PPA to show to your local government. So basically, they had wasted our day by making us wait on the second bus and praying. At that moment, I wished I had went on another bus.
With that being said, I spoke to my feet, dragged my suitcase and walked over to one of the church people and asked for help to get a cab to bring me to my telly(hotel). They told me there were hardly cabs. That was the beginning of my nightmare. Then they gave me a ride to a bus-stop where I would hop on a bus that would bring me to my telly. I must have stopped about 15 buses and none of them were going to that area.
So now, no cabs, no buses, sweating and baking, had to pee badly and hadn't eaten anything since 2:30am that I got outta bed (okay, I had a gala and a malt before 4am). I had to man up and hop on a bike/okada/moped (whatever u wanna call it). I cautioned him very carefully and I bargained with him for the hell of it because I figured he would try to rip me off seeing how I was dressed as a Corper and he obviously knows I'm foreign. I mean it's one thing for me to give money and another to get ripped off. My momma ain't raised no fool.
Alas! I made it to the hotel. Ate, peed, rested and went apartment hunting in the evening.
Tomorrow is the rejection/acceptance day!
~kdamsel~
Anyways, today was our last day in camp. Ofcourse I have dodged every parade since I returned to camp so I wasn't part of the selected ones that would march at the passing out parade. However, we were still required to attend and be on the field.
After a couple of hours of sweating and baking in the sun, the deputy governor of Osun state arrived. The parade took place and I must admit that the people chosen were amazing. It was lovely. At the same time, we were all curious and dying to get our posting letters. To know what part of Osun state we would end up. We had teased each other about ending up in the rural areas with funny names that we read in the books we were given while we hoped for the best.
Being a fortunate individual, I had requested to be posted to Oshogbo Grammar School(Oshogram), which is in the city but i'm sure you remember when my connect failed me the first time. So, I had some butterflies but I was posted there.
The reason I chose a secondary school(apart from the fact that it is practically in the heart of the city and I checked it out prior to choosing) is that I get to do less work and I get to go home more frequently compared to a university (I suppose).
But... I have someone who says they can get me to complete my Community Development(CD) and PPA(primary place of assignment) in Lagos. Once again, due to the failure of my previous connect, I don't wanna depend on this.
I also got this mischievous idea after a friend called me to warn me about stereotypes I might encounter and how to avoid them. These stereotypes I usually face in Nigeria, especially a place like Osun due to the amount of piercings I have and tattoos(when they are visible). She advised I take them all out tomorrow when I go to see the Principal of Oshogram, as the school might reject me and lie that it's based on lack of space for teaching or something silly. So I thought in my cute little head that i'd leave them all in, stay respectful, speak English as foreign as I could and watch the stereotypes get me rejected. Now, if that school rejects me, chances are that many other schools will, so what happens if no one wants me? *whopa gangman style*
Perhaps I get to go home or maybe not, I'm not sure.
So, I've suddenly realized that I don't really wanna stay in Osun state for the next 10 months. I'm gonna try my best, stay positive and prepare to make the best of my time here. I'll be going to my PPA tomorrow and the local government and we'll see what happens.
I must tell this story. ... After passing out from camp, various churches send buses to come and pick up Corpers from camp and take them to their PPA/local government offices for registration. They often provide accommodation for those who need it in case your PPA does not have any. I joined the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries bus by chance and partly because they were the closest to where I was coming from in camp and they mentioned they were gonna drive us to the local government and our PPA. Halfway through the drive, the pastor driving the second bus calls and asks us to wait while they caught up. We waited another half an hour then he arrived and changed plans. They wanted to show us the accommodation, then take us to the local government offices and then we can go to our PPA ourselves. Ofcourse I had no intentions of leaving one hostel for another. I chilled and figured I would take the drive to the local government after they showed others where they would sleep then I would go to my PPA and head to the hotel that was recommended to me, which is on the same street as my PPA and not too far from the local government office.
NOT to my surprise, we got to the church, they get extra nice, ask us to come in, they started with "let us pray with you." My head went "bang! There they go doing that thing I don't like...forcing religion on me." If they kept to their word, I wouldn't have been mad. After the prayer, they proceeded to say that we should check out their lodge and we should shower and eat and rest because we can't do anything today anymore because it was after 2pm and most school officials and authorities usually don't stay past 2pm(dem people are living la vida). Also, there was no point in going to the local government before your PPA because you need the letter of acceptance or rejection from the PPA to show to your local government. So basically, they had wasted our day by making us wait on the second bus and praying. At that moment, I wished I had went on another bus.
With that being said, I spoke to my feet, dragged my suitcase and walked over to one of the church people and asked for help to get a cab to bring me to my telly(hotel). They told me there were hardly cabs. That was the beginning of my nightmare. Then they gave me a ride to a bus-stop where I would hop on a bus that would bring me to my telly. I must have stopped about 15 buses and none of them were going to that area.
So now, no cabs, no buses, sweating and baking, had to pee badly and hadn't eaten anything since 2:30am that I got outta bed (okay, I had a gala and a malt before 4am). I had to man up and hop on a bike/okada/moped (whatever u wanna call it). I cautioned him very carefully and I bargained with him for the hell of it because I figured he would try to rip me off seeing how I was dressed as a Corper and he obviously knows I'm foreign. I mean it's one thing for me to give money and another to get ripped off. My momma ain't raised no fool.
Alas! I made it to the hotel. Ate, peed, rested and went apartment hunting in the evening.
Tomorrow is the rejection/acceptance day!
~kdamsel~
Our surroundings...pictures!!
The best part of Osun state is the fireflies. I have a feeling I have mentioned this in a previous post but I love, love, love those things. Now, I have taken the time to take pictures of many components of the NYSC permanent camp ground in Ede, Osun.
WARNING!!!
The rest of this post may contain images that can cause nightmares, nausea and possibly diarrhea. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!!
CAPTION
1st picture is of our bathroom (where we're SUPPOSED to bathe)
2nd picture is the camp clinic.
3rd is of the shotput area, which is right behind our hostel so we get to enjoy the smell when the sun is out baking all the shotputs. (this is funny now because I have less than 12hrs to go in camp)
4th &11th pictures are of the pavilion and field
5th picture is of our pitt latrine. As soon as the woman washes them, they end up like that. FYI, the boys hostel have actual toilets(water closets - the kinds that everyone should have in their house)
6th picture is of a man I consider a celeb and a very important man. He's the one that blows the instrument he's holding to wake up Nigeria, say goodnight to Nigeria and alert the Corpers when it's parade time. (I forgot to find out what the instrument is called. If you know it, please leave a comment below).
7th picture is of my hostel
8th & 10th pictures are of mammi market
9th picture is where we charge our phones. Mr. White is the name of my own person out of them all.
12th picture is our block (garbage can and where girls have turned to a drying area. Quite creative)
13th picture is of the kitchen area that I never went to
Hope you enjoyed this.
~kdamsel~
WARNING!!!
The rest of this post may contain images that can cause nightmares, nausea and possibly diarrhea. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!!
CAPTION
1st picture is of our bathroom (where we're SUPPOSED to bathe)
2nd picture is the camp clinic.
3rd is of the shotput area, which is right behind our hostel so we get to enjoy the smell when the sun is out baking all the shotputs. (this is funny now because I have less than 12hrs to go in camp)
4th &11th pictures are of the pavilion and field
5th picture is of our pitt latrine. As soon as the woman washes them, they end up like that. FYI, the boys hostel have actual toilets(water closets - the kinds that everyone should have in their house)
6th picture is of a man I consider a celeb and a very important man. He's the one that blows the instrument he's holding to wake up Nigeria, say goodnight to Nigeria and alert the Corpers when it's parade time. (I forgot to find out what the instrument is called. If you know it, please leave a comment below).
7th picture is of my hostel
8th & 10th pictures are of mammi market
9th picture is where we charge our phones. Mr. White is the name of my own person out of them all.
12th picture is our block (garbage can and where girls have turned to a drying area. Quite creative)
13th picture is of the kitchen area that I never went to
Hope you enjoyed this.
~kdamsel~
Friday, 23 November 2012
Camp fire night....
The last saturday in camp...
We were waiting to be woken up and to our surprise, no soldiers showed up.
This was my first and possibly last and only time eating camp food. I had oogi(pap) & akara(beans cake). I bought condiments(milk and sugar) and it all went down so well. While in line for the food, I saw the cows being shared for the camp fire food.
Not much went down at the campfire. Soldiers chased us in at 12am. They usually force us to stay out but this time around, it was different. Girls were sitting on boys, boys putting their heads between girl's thighs, soldiers went around splitting them up to avoid unwanted pregnancies I suppose.
People are really spending their alawi oooo. Blowing it on booze and girls. The power of bumbum.
Other pressing issues:
Girls sleep with layers of clothes. I'm talking, jeans, shorts on top, socks, a tank top, a sweater and then they cover themselves. Very unreal. I sleep almost naked, especially in the afternoon, it's just never a pleasant nap because I wake up sweating.
While I was away, one of the girls slept with her mouth opened, someone helped her close it. The day after, one slept with her eyes opened, the same person helped her close them. I have given the 'body parts closer' the "good Samaritan" award. And figuratively speaking, I was practically rolling on the dirty hostel floor while they got at each other about sleeping with something opened.
There's a girl in our room who is ALWAYS on her cellie. We have investigated and realized that most of the time, home girl ain't even really on the phone. She claims to be related to most popular people. Usually those who are involved with the radio and tv stations. I would have loved to tell one of her stories but if she read, she would know it's about her and I'm not trying to bust no one's bubbles really.
Tonight is the last night in camp(by the way, I have escaped morning devotion once again so after this, I am going back to sleep). I wonder what will go down because last night was obviously a tip of the iceberg. Girls and boys were at mammi from morning till night(literally). By nightfall, they were drunk, which resulted in lap dances, smooches and feel ups. My whole platoon was at that location drinking. Soldiers were in regular clothes chilling with babes who were sitting on their legs. They had their arms around them and were taking pictures with these girls. The camp DOCTORS sure know how to party. Their party at mammi was the loudest, rowdiest and explicit. Those docs drank, ate and danced. What happens if someone got sick?
Watch out for the next post... Camp love!!
First picture is of my only meal from the camp kitchen.
Second picture is of the meat being shared for each platoon
Third picture is of the camp fire which to my surprise was beautifully put together and burnt in a sensible way.
~kdamsel~
We were waiting to be woken up and to our surprise, no soldiers showed up.
This was my first and possibly last and only time eating camp food. I had oogi(pap) & akara(beans cake). I bought condiments(milk and sugar) and it all went down so well. While in line for the food, I saw the cows being shared for the camp fire food.
Not much went down at the campfire. Soldiers chased us in at 12am. They usually force us to stay out but this time around, it was different. Girls were sitting on boys, boys putting their heads between girl's thighs, soldiers went around splitting them up to avoid unwanted pregnancies I suppose.
People are really spending their alawi oooo. Blowing it on booze and girls. The power of bumbum.
Other pressing issues:
Girls sleep with layers of clothes. I'm talking, jeans, shorts on top, socks, a tank top, a sweater and then they cover themselves. Very unreal. I sleep almost naked, especially in the afternoon, it's just never a pleasant nap because I wake up sweating.
While I was away, one of the girls slept with her mouth opened, someone helped her close it. The day after, one slept with her eyes opened, the same person helped her close them. I have given the 'body parts closer' the "good Samaritan" award. And figuratively speaking, I was practically rolling on the dirty hostel floor while they got at each other about sleeping with something opened.
There's a girl in our room who is ALWAYS on her cellie. We have investigated and realized that most of the time, home girl ain't even really on the phone. She claims to be related to most popular people. Usually those who are involved with the radio and tv stations. I would have loved to tell one of her stories but if she read, she would know it's about her and I'm not trying to bust no one's bubbles really.
Tonight is the last night in camp(by the way, I have escaped morning devotion once again so after this, I am going back to sleep). I wonder what will go down because last night was obviously a tip of the iceberg. Girls and boys were at mammi from morning till night(literally). By nightfall, they were drunk, which resulted in lap dances, smooches and feel ups. My whole platoon was at that location drinking. Soldiers were in regular clothes chilling with babes who were sitting on their legs. They had their arms around them and were taking pictures with these girls. The camp DOCTORS sure know how to party. Their party at mammi was the loudest, rowdiest and explicit. Those docs drank, ate and danced. What happens if someone got sick?
Watch out for the next post... Camp love!!
First picture is of my only meal from the camp kitchen.
Second picture is of the meat being shared for each platoon
Third picture is of the camp fire which to my surprise was beautifully put together and burnt in a sensible way.
~kdamsel~
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Return to Osun.....
I dropped off my puppy at my friend's. By the way, shout out to my friend. Shout out to everyone that has dogsit for me. Mad love! Shout out to Jagger's daddy(u know urself). It was harder this second time to leave him compared to the first.
Anyways, I'm back in camp. I've missed my monkey and my roomies for real tho. And my other camp friends. 5 more nights to go then on to the real shit. For now, I'm back to the smelly environment, nasty bathrooms, disgusting toilets and early mornings, which I'm gonna try to escape all the time. On a more positive note, back to the crazy soldiers, the funny people, mammi market and the scrumptious gists waiting for me.
I think I'm missing something. Everyone is asking what I brought for them and I'm like confused. Was I supposed to bring something back? I mean, I only went to Lagos for a week for "medical treatment" and not to Jand for a vacay.
So, I've decided to go to mammi market to buy a lot of goodies for the ladies in my hostel. Maybe not all because we all getting the same amount for alawi(allowance from the government). I'll just buy for those that I actually talk to that have asked me.
I feel so loved tho. Everybody pretty much noticed I was gone and it's a good feeling. They all checking up on me and giving me hugs and all. I missed camp but I miss Jagger more.
Every corner I look over, someone's bending down to pee. It's insane. Saturday is camp fire night, so, no curfews. The plans are going down and around. Word on the street is that people are gonna be banging tho. The boys are buying condoms, girls are prettying up that area, shit is going down. Don't worry y'all, I'll give you my own gist if I get involved in anything like that. And I definitely will have other people's gists. I got some gists today about shit in camp, most of them I can't share. But here goes two:
People were tested by the HIV campaign/awareness group and 2 girls tested positive and one of them is pregnant, or both, not sure. By the time news travels, some information is altered or deleted. But yea, that shit just sucks.
Secondly, a girl went mad. Literally. She did not sleep for 3 nights, she marched in her hostel while people slept. She went around the camp patrolling at odd times and by the fourth night, her roomies realized something was off. Now, seriously? Your roomie or monkey made noise and didn't sleep for 3 nights and you didn't feel the need to get her some help?
Some people think it's the sun and the stress she was exposed to in camp, but I got a more plausible diagnosis. Cerebral malaria. I haven't googled to see if it is an actual condition or bullshit but if you guys get to it before me, let me know.
~kdamsel~
Anyways, I'm back in camp. I've missed my monkey and my roomies for real tho. And my other camp friends. 5 more nights to go then on to the real shit. For now, I'm back to the smelly environment, nasty bathrooms, disgusting toilets and early mornings, which I'm gonna try to escape all the time. On a more positive note, back to the crazy soldiers, the funny people, mammi market and the scrumptious gists waiting for me.
I think I'm missing something. Everyone is asking what I brought for them and I'm like confused. Was I supposed to bring something back? I mean, I only went to Lagos for a week for "medical treatment" and not to Jand for a vacay.
So, I've decided to go to mammi market to buy a lot of goodies for the ladies in my hostel. Maybe not all because we all getting the same amount for alawi(allowance from the government). I'll just buy for those that I actually talk to that have asked me.
I feel so loved tho. Everybody pretty much noticed I was gone and it's a good feeling. They all checking up on me and giving me hugs and all. I missed camp but I miss Jagger more.
Every corner I look over, someone's bending down to pee. It's insane. Saturday is camp fire night, so, no curfews. The plans are going down and around. Word on the street is that people are gonna be banging tho. The boys are buying condoms, girls are prettying up that area, shit is going down. Don't worry y'all, I'll give you my own gist if I get involved in anything like that. And I definitely will have other people's gists. I got some gists today about shit in camp, most of them I can't share. But here goes two:
People were tested by the HIV campaign/awareness group and 2 girls tested positive and one of them is pregnant, or both, not sure. By the time news travels, some information is altered or deleted. But yea, that shit just sucks.
Secondly, a girl went mad. Literally. She did not sleep for 3 nights, she marched in her hostel while people slept. She went around the camp patrolling at odd times and by the fourth night, her roomies realized something was off. Now, seriously? Your roomie or monkey made noise and didn't sleep for 3 nights and you didn't feel the need to get her some help?
Some people think it's the sun and the stress she was exposed to in camp, but I got a more plausible diagnosis. Cerebral malaria. I haven't googled to see if it is an actual condition or bullshit but if you guys get to it before me, let me know.
~kdamsel~
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
A typical day in Camp
Now for the schedule....
Wake up as soon as you can. I usually wake up around 4am. Brush my teeth, wash my face (cuz I shower at night). Then I'll go back to sleep if I have time till the soldiers come to harass and chase us out for what I consider the worst part of the day.
5:30am - on the parade ground for morning devotion, announcements and the schedule for the day
6:00am - Nigeria wakes up
6:30am - morning drills
9:00am - personal time and breakfast is served
11:00am - lectures and S.A.E.D. (Skill Acquisition and Employment Development)
2:00pm - personal time and lunch is served
4:00pm - drills/ Man O' War activities
6:00pm - end of physical activities (Nigeria sleeps)
Soldier: MORALE
Corpers: HIGH
soldier: MORALE
Corpers: HIGH
Soldier: ARE YOU GOOD TO GO?
Corpers: GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU GOOD TO GO?
Corpers: GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU MOTIVATED?
Corpers: MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU MOTIVATED?
Corpers: MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU FIRE ON?
Corpers: FIRE ON, FIRE ON, FIRE ON SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU FIRE ON?
Corpers: FIRE ON, FIRE ON, FIRE ON SIr!
Soldier: DO SOMETHING
Corpers: BEFORE SOMETHING DO YOU
Spldier: DO SOMETHING
Corpers: BEFORE SOMETHING DO YOU
Lmao. That's usually the chant and response right before we start physical activities. Quite funny right? When your morale is low, you still gotta respond "HIGH". That gets annoying. On a rainy day, some dude got beat up by the rain and after it stopped, we gathered to march. When the soldiers started, they began with "MORALE" and everyone except dude responded normally, we all just heard "WET". It was pretty funny but it's one of those jokes you had to be have been there to find funny. The dude won the comedy section of the inter-platoon competitions. That's the only thing my platoon has won since. I can't even say much because I haven't done anything in that platoon but contribute money.
No shame in my game tho.
~kdamsel~
Wake up as soon as you can. I usually wake up around 4am. Brush my teeth, wash my face (cuz I shower at night). Then I'll go back to sleep if I have time till the soldiers come to harass and chase us out for what I consider the worst part of the day.
5:30am - on the parade ground for morning devotion, announcements and the schedule for the day
6:00am - Nigeria wakes up
6:30am - morning drills
9:00am - personal time and breakfast is served
11:00am - lectures and S.A.E.D. (Skill Acquisition and Employment Development)
2:00pm - personal time and lunch is served
4:00pm - drills/ Man O' War activities
6:00pm - end of physical activities (Nigeria sleeps)
Soldier: MORALE
Corpers: HIGH
soldier: MORALE
Corpers: HIGH
Soldier: ARE YOU GOOD TO GO?
Corpers: GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU GOOD TO GO?
Corpers: GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO, GOOD TO GO SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU MOTIVATED?
Corpers: MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU MOTIVATED?
Corpers: MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU FIRE ON?
Corpers: FIRE ON, FIRE ON, FIRE ON SIR!
Soldier: ARE YOU FIRE ON?
Corpers: FIRE ON, FIRE ON, FIRE ON SIr!
Soldier: DO SOMETHING
Corpers: BEFORE SOMETHING DO YOU
Spldier: DO SOMETHING
Corpers: BEFORE SOMETHING DO YOU
Lmao. That's usually the chant and response right before we start physical activities. Quite funny right? When your morale is low, you still gotta respond "HIGH". That gets annoying. On a rainy day, some dude got beat up by the rain and after it stopped, we gathered to march. When the soldiers started, they began with "MORALE" and everyone except dude responded normally, we all just heard "WET". It was pretty funny but it's one of those jokes you had to be have been there to find funny. The dude won the comedy section of the inter-platoon competitions. That's the only thing my platoon has won since. I can't even say much because I haven't done anything in that platoon but contribute money.
No shame in my game tho.
~kdamsel~
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Application for Exeat
So, as some may be aware of, within the week I've spent in camp, I have had diarrhea (forced to use that dirty toilet), acute malaria and an allergic reaction to what I'm not sure of. I have a bunch of little bump on my arms. I've cracked my brain to figure out what it could be but I can't.
Also, within the week, thanks to my malaria, I have had 4 days of sleeping in, waking up when I please and also skipped morning devotion(if you have been reading my blogs, you'll know how I feel about this part of my day in camp). I have also learned how to skip lectures and mandatory programs. My roommates and i are fast becoming gurus. Lol.
By the way, my monkey(bunky, bunk-mate) and a few of my roomies, especially those whose beds are closer to me are amazing. Never ending fun and laughter. We make a wicked team all of us and it was just about to get better.
Now, my parents have pulled strings to bring me home for at least a week or more, which is great. I mean I could use the break to treat these ugly rashes and bond with Jagger some more before I come back to Osun state for my primary assignment.
By the way, the soldiers are disgusting. They are macking every girl mackable. Asking for numbers and all that. I have made friend with almost all of them, thanks to the piercings and phonetics. The only one who has attempted to punish me is now my #1 fan. I even bought him coke. Lol.
Tip for future Corpers, be friends with as many soldiers and camp officials as possible. It is in your best interest. They will act like they don't see you on the bed when they bust into your hostel to chase everyone out at 4:30am for morning devotion/marching. Too bad I will only get to enjoy the fruits of my labour the last 4 days of camp after today, the 14th of November. I plan to return on the 23rd and camp is over on the 27th.
I was allowed to go home on the basis of being a foreign student whose body is having trouble adapting to the environment, resulting in malaria, which I haven't had in over 15years, therefore, requires my family doctor to treat adequately as opposed to Corpers doctors(who couldn't even figure out vitamin C pills, neither could they understand that I was experiencing drug interactionism).
...And that's how I ended up in Lagos on me bed for the next one week.
~kdamsel~
Also, within the week, thanks to my malaria, I have had 4 days of sleeping in, waking up when I please and also skipped morning devotion(if you have been reading my blogs, you'll know how I feel about this part of my day in camp). I have also learned how to skip lectures and mandatory programs. My roommates and i are fast becoming gurus. Lol.
By the way, my monkey(bunky, bunk-mate) and a few of my roomies, especially those whose beds are closer to me are amazing. Never ending fun and laughter. We make a wicked team all of us and it was just about to get better.
Now, my parents have pulled strings to bring me home for at least a week or more, which is great. I mean I could use the break to treat these ugly rashes and bond with Jagger some more before I come back to Osun state for my primary assignment.
By the way, the soldiers are disgusting. They are macking every girl mackable. Asking for numbers and all that. I have made friend with almost all of them, thanks to the piercings and phonetics. The only one who has attempted to punish me is now my #1 fan. I even bought him coke. Lol.
Tip for future Corpers, be friends with as many soldiers and camp officials as possible. It is in your best interest. They will act like they don't see you on the bed when they bust into your hostel to chase everyone out at 4:30am for morning devotion/marching. Too bad I will only get to enjoy the fruits of my labour the last 4 days of camp after today, the 14th of November. I plan to return on the 23rd and camp is over on the 27th.
I was allowed to go home on the basis of being a foreign student whose body is having trouble adapting to the environment, resulting in malaria, which I haven't had in over 15years, therefore, requires my family doctor to treat adequately as opposed to Corpers doctors(who couldn't even figure out vitamin C pills, neither could they understand that I was experiencing drug interactionism).
...And that's how I ended up in Lagos on me bed for the next one week.
~kdamsel~
Monday, 12 November 2012
Gist!!!
Before I get into the hot gists, I fell sick. I was diagnosed with something labeled as malaria, of which I'm not convinced and you'll see why as the story continues.
One of the camp doctors wrote me some prescriptions and I took them to mammi to fill. The pharmacist gave me an equal amount of medication on the script. They were all labeled with names and usage except for one. As I don't swallow unknown objects, I didn't touch that one. The day after, I took it to the clinic and I asked the doctor to identify the meds and he was really confused and begged me not to take any. He proceeded to ask the camp pharmacist what the meds were and he also was confused. So, outta curiosity, I took it back to the mammi pharmacist and he said they were vitamin C's. We all tasted one and he was right.
I'm sure you see why I'm not convinced I had malaria. Camp doctor and pharmacist could not identify vitamin C. Anyways, I'm better. However, I got a 3 days "off drills" pass and I will use it even though my platoon is on duty tomorrow.
Now time for the gist. People are really getting horny up in this joint. On Saturday, word on the streets is that a girl and a guy were caught by the bleachers(pavilion), getting it on. That was the same day as the welcome party.
On Sunday, a girl and 2 guys were caught at the back of the church getting it on. Now of course all 5 of them have been ejected. I wish I knew who they were.
I can't even imagine which spots in both locations can be suitable for such activities. That shit cray. I bet it's all the alcohol at mammi that gave them some liquid courage.
I wonder how many more people will get sent home for this and also how many people will hook up cuz all I see lately are boy/girl relationships forming and developing everyday.
Also, a snake was killed in one of the hostels and apparently a girl saw a ghost while she was showering at 2am. It was dressed in white(she has watched far too many nollywood movies). Perhaps she saw a corper since that's what we wear. They have started!!
Another gist!
On the parade ground, a girl claimed she was sick and couldn't march. Apparently, they checked out her medical records and she had never reported any sicknesses to the camp clinic. Then they asked her to do some frog jumps and she refused because "she was sick".
They asked her to squat, she refused. All the while, she was crying. Apparently, she faced the camp court and was given an extra month as punishment.
Please keep in mind that these are all hearsay stories. I didn't witness any with my own eyes. Don't quote me!
~kdamsel~
One of the camp doctors wrote me some prescriptions and I took them to mammi to fill. The pharmacist gave me an equal amount of medication on the script. They were all labeled with names and usage except for one. As I don't swallow unknown objects, I didn't touch that one. The day after, I took it to the clinic and I asked the doctor to identify the meds and he was really confused and begged me not to take any. He proceeded to ask the camp pharmacist what the meds were and he also was confused. So, outta curiosity, I took it back to the mammi pharmacist and he said they were vitamin C's. We all tasted one and he was right.
I'm sure you see why I'm not convinced I had malaria. Camp doctor and pharmacist could not identify vitamin C. Anyways, I'm better. However, I got a 3 days "off drills" pass and I will use it even though my platoon is on duty tomorrow.
Now time for the gist. People are really getting horny up in this joint. On Saturday, word on the streets is that a girl and a guy were caught by the bleachers(pavilion), getting it on. That was the same day as the welcome party.
On Sunday, a girl and 2 guys were caught at the back of the church getting it on. Now of course all 5 of them have been ejected. I wish I knew who they were.
I can't even imagine which spots in both locations can be suitable for such activities. That shit cray. I bet it's all the alcohol at mammi that gave them some liquid courage.
I wonder how many more people will get sent home for this and also how many people will hook up cuz all I see lately are boy/girl relationships forming and developing everyday.
Also, a snake was killed in one of the hostels and apparently a girl saw a ghost while she was showering at 2am. It was dressed in white(she has watched far too many nollywood movies). Perhaps she saw a corper since that's what we wear. They have started!!
Another gist!
On the parade ground, a girl claimed she was sick and couldn't march. Apparently, they checked out her medical records and she had never reported any sicknesses to the camp clinic. Then they asked her to do some frog jumps and she refused because "she was sick".
They asked her to squat, she refused. All the while, she was crying. Apparently, she faced the camp court and was given an extra month as punishment.
Please keep in mind that these are all hearsay stories. I didn't witness any with my own eyes. Don't quote me!
~kdamsel~
Friday, 9 November 2012
Issues and concerns in camp/Nigeria
This is going to be a very long post.
SNORING
First of all, i'm thankful that I have no heavy snorers in my hostel. I went out of the room to pee around 12am last night and I heard another girl snoring in another hostel from outside like a cow and OMG, I just said "thank goodness"
RELIGION & MORAL CODES
A friend told me about a past issue at a camp where a married lady was having sex with another corp member on the parade ground. They were caught and they called her husband and ejected her from the service. Apparently, the punishment was worse in that situation because she was married.
Now, I question what her marital status should have to do with her punishment. I mean, her cheating is between her and her husband and how dare they call her husband to report her actions? It's one thing to punish her for breaking camp rules and another to sanction her for her immoral deeds.
PLEASE, EXCUSE ME & THANK YOU
Are these words even part of people's vocabulary in Nigeria?
Even when someone says please or excuse me, they would have already reached for whatever it was that they wanted or they would have already pushed you out of the way before they complete the phrase "excuse me"
Example: we were filling out forms in our files and I had completed it and waiting to submit. A girl comes along and says "have you finished, lemme see what you wrote here." Just so that we are on the same page, that sentence at the pace she was talking would only take about 7 seconds. Before she completed the sentence and before I was able to say "yes" or "no", she already grabbed the file out of my hands and proceeded to open it. Then I said "ah ah" then she chuckled realized her mistake and apologized.
The culture is really terrible up in here. Even the officials have no regards or respect for Corpers. They talk to you anyhow, they are always mad for no apparent reason. But this is quite normal in this part of the world.
RELIGION
One of my biggest concern is that it appears to me that religion is usually forced on people in Nigeria. And it's usually Christianity. Every morning, we have to report to the parade ground as early as 5:30 am for a mandatory devotion session, which I just think is ridiculous. The Muslims go to the mosque and then join the Christians after.
There is praise and worship, exhaltation, then prayers and the National prayer, which is the recitation of the second verse of the National Anthem.
Now, this is a government program for the whole nation, what if you don't believe in God, or you're an atheist then what? I know this is Nigeria but seriously, they need to let people make their decisions and not enforce religion on people.
~kdamsel~
SNORING
First of all, i'm thankful that I have no heavy snorers in my hostel. I went out of the room to pee around 12am last night and I heard another girl snoring in another hostel from outside like a cow and OMG, I just said "thank goodness"
RELIGION & MORAL CODES
A friend told me about a past issue at a camp where a married lady was having sex with another corp member on the parade ground. They were caught and they called her husband and ejected her from the service. Apparently, the punishment was worse in that situation because she was married.
Now, I question what her marital status should have to do with her punishment. I mean, her cheating is between her and her husband and how dare they call her husband to report her actions? It's one thing to punish her for breaking camp rules and another to sanction her for her immoral deeds.
PLEASE, EXCUSE ME & THANK YOU
Are these words even part of people's vocabulary in Nigeria?
Even when someone says please or excuse me, they would have already reached for whatever it was that they wanted or they would have already pushed you out of the way before they complete the phrase "excuse me"
Example: we were filling out forms in our files and I had completed it and waiting to submit. A girl comes along and says "have you finished, lemme see what you wrote here." Just so that we are on the same page, that sentence at the pace she was talking would only take about 7 seconds. Before she completed the sentence and before I was able to say "yes" or "no", she already grabbed the file out of my hands and proceeded to open it. Then I said "ah ah" then she chuckled realized her mistake and apologized.
The culture is really terrible up in here. Even the officials have no regards or respect for Corpers. They talk to you anyhow, they are always mad for no apparent reason. But this is quite normal in this part of the world.
RELIGION
One of my biggest concern is that it appears to me that religion is usually forced on people in Nigeria. And it's usually Christianity. Every morning, we have to report to the parade ground as early as 5:30 am for a mandatory devotion session, which I just think is ridiculous. The Muslims go to the mosque and then join the Christians after.
There is praise and worship, exhaltation, then prayers and the National prayer, which is the recitation of the second verse of the National Anthem.
Now, this is a government program for the whole nation, what if you don't believe in God, or you're an atheist then what? I know this is Nigeria but seriously, they need to let people make their decisions and not enforce religion on people.
~kdamsel~
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Uniforms
I must say, I admire the girls/women who wake up and put on a full layer of make up right before parade under the very hot sun. The only thing I do is drawn in my eyebrows.
What you finally get your kit, you receive 2 plain white tees, 1 white NYSC crested t-shirt, 2 very ugly white shorts, a pair of khaki trousers and jacket. One pair of white tennis shoes and a pair of orange boots and 2 pairs of white socks with green lines around the top and a baseball cap.
Everything in my kit was OVERSIZED. And not just for me, almost everyone else. What people do is switch with others especially the shoes. I'm never wearing the shorts, the two white tees or the white tennis shoes because they are just not gonna make it and I have my own, plus any girl who's got a bit of style and money will NOT be caught dead rocking those. I brought a ton of white tees, socks and my own shoes.
But don't worry, there are tailors to reduce your oversized clothing, there are places to buy new shorts and tennis shoes at the mammi market. However, bear in mind thy after you wash, the khakis shrink a good size or 2 down. Perhaps that's why they made them all oversized. smh. I'm gonna just get som epants sewed in the khaki material because it just looks ridiculous after it's been washed.
On a daily basis, a white tee, white shorts, white socks and white shoes and your cap is the ideal. If you are out of the hostel area without conforming to any of these, na frog jump sure pass(meaning that you will be punished by a soldier if you are caught). Almost everyone carries a waist pouch or some sorta comfy carrier because the white outfits don't have pockets for your valuables(money, phones, padlock keys) that you don't want to leave in the hostel because they could get stolen.
So far, I haven't been robbed neither have I been punished. I plan to leave camp like that *fingers crossed*
The khakis we wear on special occasions but I'm pretty sure you can wear it whenever you want except that you won't like parading or marching in khakis.
There are women who wash for us. They will come around to the hostels to collect your clothes and bring it back after it has been cleaned for a fee. They also fetch water for people because the lines are usually ridiculous.
~kdamsel~
What you finally get your kit, you receive 2 plain white tees, 1 white NYSC crested t-shirt, 2 very ugly white shorts, a pair of khaki trousers and jacket. One pair of white tennis shoes and a pair of orange boots and 2 pairs of white socks with green lines around the top and a baseball cap.
Everything in my kit was OVERSIZED. And not just for me, almost everyone else. What people do is switch with others especially the shoes. I'm never wearing the shorts, the two white tees or the white tennis shoes because they are just not gonna make it and I have my own, plus any girl who's got a bit of style and money will NOT be caught dead rocking those. I brought a ton of white tees, socks and my own shoes.
But don't worry, there are tailors to reduce your oversized clothing, there are places to buy new shorts and tennis shoes at the mammi market. However, bear in mind thy after you wash, the khakis shrink a good size or 2 down. Perhaps that's why they made them all oversized. smh. I'm gonna just get som epants sewed in the khaki material because it just looks ridiculous after it's been washed.
On a daily basis, a white tee, white shorts, white socks and white shoes and your cap is the ideal. If you are out of the hostel area without conforming to any of these, na frog jump sure pass(meaning that you will be punished by a soldier if you are caught). Almost everyone carries a waist pouch or some sorta comfy carrier because the white outfits don't have pockets for your valuables(money, phones, padlock keys) that you don't want to leave in the hostel because they could get stolen.
So far, I haven't been robbed neither have I been punished. I plan to leave camp like that *fingers crossed*
The khakis we wear on special occasions but I'm pretty sure you can wear it whenever you want except that you won't like parading or marching in khakis.
There are women who wash for us. They will come around to the hostels to collect your clothes and bring it back after it has been cleaned for a fee. They also fetch water for people because the lines are usually ridiculous.
~kdamsel~
Swearing in Parade
We were just on the parade ground for a total of 4 hours under the boiling sun and a couple people fainted. But trust your girl. #stillstanding.
We practiced a parade routine which we will be doing tomorrow for the governor of Osun and some other state officials. They will be swearing us in and we will officially become Youth Corpers.
I'm really liking it so far, thanks to my new friend. Friends make a difference. Tomorrow is the grand parade we have been practicing for. We get to wear our khakis and the orange boots(I will post pictures of me in my uniforms). Looking forward to it even though it's gonna be a long ass day.
Tomorrow will mark the end of the extra hard task and hopefully the beginning of a tough and fun period.
Since I'm posting this the day after I started, I might as well talk about the parade since we just finished.
We are now officially Youth Corpers. No more Otondos. People were just fainting again today. I mean standing in the heat for hours under the sun can be hectic on the body. Once again #stillstanding.
Everyone belongs to a platoon and I'm in #4. That's gonna be like my camp family from what I've read and heard so I'm excited to meet them all. We will jump ropes, climb stuff, get exhausted, laugh at people and do silly things. Excitement!!!!
I found a solution to the shower thing. I will shower only at night. Since i would only be bathing outside anyways. I have to fetch water and its cold. Fml.
I have attached a picture of the camp ground (during rehearsals) with all 2850 of us.
~kdamsel~
We practiced a parade routine which we will be doing tomorrow for the governor of Osun and some other state officials. They will be swearing us in and we will officially become Youth Corpers.
I'm really liking it so far, thanks to my new friend. Friends make a difference. Tomorrow is the grand parade we have been practicing for. We get to wear our khakis and the orange boots(I will post pictures of me in my uniforms). Looking forward to it even though it's gonna be a long ass day.
Tomorrow will mark the end of the extra hard task and hopefully the beginning of a tough and fun period.
Since I'm posting this the day after I started, I might as well talk about the parade since we just finished.
We are now officially Youth Corpers. No more Otondos. People were just fainting again today. I mean standing in the heat for hours under the sun can be hectic on the body. Once again #stillstanding.
Everyone belongs to a platoon and I'm in #4. That's gonna be like my camp family from what I've read and heard so I'm excited to meet them all. We will jump ropes, climb stuff, get exhausted, laugh at people and do silly things. Excitement!!!!
I found a solution to the shower thing. I will shower only at night. Since i would only be bathing outside anyways. I have to fetch water and its cold. Fml.
I have attached a picture of the camp ground (during rehearsals) with all 2850 of us.
~kdamsel~
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Mammi Market
This place is the spot. Here's where we chill. It's basically a mini market on camp grounds. They sell everything you need and almost every kinda food. There are tailors who will amend the extra large clothes corpers get. Bars, suya, moin moin, swallow foods(I had amala for breakfast), all sorta rice, toiletries and my latest addiction, palm wine. You can get whatever it is u forget at home. Also, I'm not sure about the meal in the cafeteria and I will not eat it, so this is where I eat also.
I have been forced to buy white shorts cuz that's all we are allowed to wear when we are not in our Christmas outfit(the khakis) and it was hard to find any in Toronto seeing how it's winter time.
Even the soldiers are here drinking. And if you are outta place pleesebeleeve you'll serve punishment in the middle of the market to go alongside the loud poppin music they play.
I'm sitting at mammi market thinking about my cold outdoor shower in a couple of hours on a night after it rained and Osun state is not a hot place at night.
~kdamsel~
I have been forced to buy white shorts cuz that's all we are allowed to wear when we are not in our Christmas outfit(the khakis) and it was hard to find any in Toronto seeing how it's winter time.
Even the soldiers are here drinking. And if you are outta place pleesebeleeve you'll serve punishment in the middle of the market to go alongside the loud poppin music they play.
I'm sitting at mammi market thinking about my cold outdoor shower in a couple of hours on a night after it rained and Osun state is not a hot place at night.
~kdamsel~
First day/ registration
It's not good being a foreigner. Most of my mates and even younger corpers will arrive in camp alone with their belongings and I'm gonna arrive on the scene with both parents at my old age. But thank goodness they got my back tho.
Registration process in camp was quite a hassle but we zoomed right thru every line. Thanks to my mama.
There were about 6 different lines to pass through and sure enough, the kits were oversized. So, be prepared for that. I have take some things to the mami market for adjustment.
I got a taste of the parade and marching and all. It's gonna be a rough one under the sun but I'm waiting for other activities.
There are 18 bunk beds on each side of the room leaving a very narrow passageway. Yes! There are 36 of us in one room.
I heard this camp is ranked #4 amongst the rest but there are no toilet seats. And it stinks in the bathroom area. I have to fetch water to bathe alongside many other girls and to make it worse, it's cold water but my mattress is not an inch thick. I'm definitely glad about that
Gotta be up at 3am to shower b4 the bathroom becomes messed up.
~kdamsel~
Registration process in camp was quite a hassle but we zoomed right thru every line. Thanks to my mama.
There were about 6 different lines to pass through and sure enough, the kits were oversized. So, be prepared for that. I have take some things to the mami market for adjustment.
I got a taste of the parade and marching and all. It's gonna be a rough one under the sun but I'm waiting for other activities.
There are 18 bunk beds on each side of the room leaving a very narrow passageway. Yes! There are 36 of us in one room.
I heard this camp is ranked #4 amongst the rest but there are no toilet seats. And it stinks in the bathroom area. I have to fetch water to bathe alongside many other girls and to make it worse, it's cold water but my mattress is not an inch thick. I'm definitely glad about that
Gotta be up at 3am to shower b4 the bathroom becomes messed up.
~kdamsel~
Sunday, 4 November 2012
From Toronto to Osun state
On the back of the letter, it gives a bit of instruction and says what to bring to camp with you. I'll summarize:
1) Registration in camp is only for the first 2 days so get there on the first or the second day unless u got the right connect but look what happened to me. Lol. (Needless to say that I was promised to be posted to Lagos by the most influential person in charge of mobilization at the NYSC office but my connect failed me).
2) Original statement of result; even though they already verified at the initial time of registration. I'll be taking my Diploma and transcripts(originals and photocopies)
FYI: They ask for a bit more from doctors and pharmacists or optometrists
3) Institution identity (guessing that means your student card)
4) 8 passport photographs but according to the other blogs I've read, they suggest that you bring a bit extra so I'm gonna bring 10 with me.
5) Pillow and bed sheet sets, mosquito netting, plates, cups, cutlery(which I read they take from you at the gate :s), bucket and a torch light
6) Foreign students must bring their international passport for verification.
Being from outta town, I have packed a few extra items. You can borrow my ideas.
Off(mosquito repellant), toilet set coverings(hopefully there will be a toilet seat to cover), travel size toothpaste, panty liners(I assume there will be plenty of sweating all over), peppermint feet cooling gel(after all the marching), 10 pairs of white socks, 7 white t-shirts, q-tips, white sneakers, hand sanitizer, polysporin, body wash, all my ugly and old underwear and bras (apparently people be stealing panties and I got some real cute ones I can't afford to part with), my Gucci pouch(to put my fones and money (which I will tuck into my pillowcase while I sleep every night), some sleeveless sleeping clothes(I heard about the correlation between mosquito netting and heat), some shorts and tank tops. Gonna bring some casual clothes just in case. Maybe like 2 outfits. A pair of sunglasses, bathroom slippers and sandals and of course 2 towels and my other personal effects.
I went the extra mile with white tees and sneakers because I heard most of the uniforms and shoes are usually oversized and I don't wanna look like krusty the klown.
And I suggest a simple hairstyle for the ladies. I'm rocking an all back Ghana weaving.
Next post will be from Osun state.
~kdamsel~
1) Registration in camp is only for the first 2 days so get there on the first or the second day unless u got the right connect but look what happened to me. Lol. (Needless to say that I was promised to be posted to Lagos by the most influential person in charge of mobilization at the NYSC office but my connect failed me).
2) Original statement of result; even though they already verified at the initial time of registration. I'll be taking my Diploma and transcripts(originals and photocopies)
FYI: They ask for a bit more from doctors and pharmacists or optometrists
3) Institution identity (guessing that means your student card)
4) 8 passport photographs but according to the other blogs I've read, they suggest that you bring a bit extra so I'm gonna bring 10 with me.
5) Pillow and bed sheet sets, mosquito netting, plates, cups, cutlery(which I read they take from you at the gate :s), bucket and a torch light
6) Foreign students must bring their international passport for verification.
Being from outta town, I have packed a few extra items. You can borrow my ideas.
Off(mosquito repellant), toilet set coverings(hopefully there will be a toilet seat to cover), travel size toothpaste, panty liners(I assume there will be plenty of sweating all over), peppermint feet cooling gel(after all the marching), 10 pairs of white socks, 7 white t-shirts, q-tips, white sneakers, hand sanitizer, polysporin, body wash, all my ugly and old underwear and bras (apparently people be stealing panties and I got some real cute ones I can't afford to part with), my Gucci pouch(to put my fones and money (which I will tuck into my pillowcase while I sleep every night), some sleeveless sleeping clothes(I heard about the correlation between mosquito netting and heat), some shorts and tank tops. Gonna bring some casual clothes just in case. Maybe like 2 outfits. A pair of sunglasses, bathroom slippers and sandals and of course 2 towels and my other personal effects.
I went the extra mile with white tees and sneakers because I heard most of the uniforms and shoes are usually oversized and I don't wanna look like krusty the klown.
And I suggest a simple hairstyle for the ladies. I'm rocking an all back Ghana weaving.
Next post will be from Osun state.
~kdamsel~
Call up letter....When your connect fails you...
Landed in Lagos about 2pm on the 2nd of November. We called someone at the NYSC office in Surulere to confirm if the call up letter was ready for pick up and find out where it is that I have been posted.
********drumroooooooooll**********
I have been posted to Osun state. Of course mumsi is maddd furious and pupsi isn't a happy camper also. They have discussed OUR options and all that before we even got home. Hence the key term "our"
The plan is for me to go to the camp site on the first day, fill out something called an "exit something" and return to my father's house while I wait for redeployment based on compassionate grounds to Lagos.
However, I've been told the Osun state camp is quite sexy. Sexier than Lagos and I'm considering staying. I feel like I might just like it and it won't be so bad. I mean, it's just 3 weeks right? Am I crazy?
Also, every foreign student's blog I've read has had to do with Lagos. It won't be so bad if I bring in another perspective. (I feel like I'm making myself a guinea pig/lab rat). Once again, am I crazy?
When you go to pick up your call up letter from the NYSC local office(which by the way looks like crap in Surulere), here's what you will need to bring with you:
1) Nigerian international passport.
Yea, that's all I took with me. Is that sweet or what?
~kdamsel~
********drumroooooooooll**********
I have been posted to Osun state. Of course mumsi is maddd furious and pupsi isn't a happy camper also. They have discussed OUR options and all that before we even got home. Hence the key term "our"
The plan is for me to go to the camp site on the first day, fill out something called an "exit something" and return to my father's house while I wait for redeployment based on compassionate grounds to Lagos.
However, I've been told the Osun state camp is quite sexy. Sexier than Lagos and I'm considering staying. I feel like I might just like it and it won't be so bad. I mean, it's just 3 weeks right? Am I crazy?
Also, every foreign student's blog I've read has had to do with Lagos. It won't be so bad if I bring in another perspective. (I feel like I'm making myself a guinea pig/lab rat). Once again, am I crazy?
When you go to pick up your call up letter from the NYSC local office(which by the way looks like crap in Surulere), here's what you will need to bring with you:
1) Nigerian international passport.
Yea, that's all I took with me. Is that sweet or what?
~kdamsel~
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