Did I tell you guys the one about how I quit my job, packed up my stuff and moved halfway across the world to get a Masters degree in Clinical Biochemistry?
Every year, I wrote it as a part of my New Years resolution. Every January, I would start several applications to different universities. By February, work would get in the way and with each passing month, the application deadlines would come and go. Ocassionally, the application portals would send reminders to “log into the portal to complete your ongoing application”. Rinse and repeat the following year.
Last year though, I finally did it. To be honest, there was an incident at work (long story) and it was all the push I needed to move.
My first day of school was eventful. I barely slept the night before because I was both excited and nervous. I had picked out my first-day-of-school outfit with my brand new ‘first-day-of-school’ black suede boots. I was going for the mature-student-casual-chic look; black blazer, white turtleneck, black jeans. In the morning, one of my friends called to wish me luck and she prayed with me. She encouraged me to go to class early, and make positive declarations.
So I got to class an hour early and the room was empty. It took me a few minutes to choose a seat; close enough to the front so that I could see the projector, but not so close that my olodo will show. Then I opened my Bible app and began to pray, pacing quietly around the room.
“I am the head and not the tail. I am above only and not beneath…”
“I am the head and not the tail. I am above only and not beneath…”
After the prayers and declarations, I still had about 45 minutes to spare so I sat down and waited for the others to arrive. Then 30 minutes. Then 20 minutes. I thought it was weird that no one else had come to class. I mean, it was the first day of school!
When it was 10 minutes to the start of class and no one else had shown up, I knew something was wrong. Yes, I am the head, I thought, but surely the tails should here by now!!
Then I double checked the timetable and realised I had misread it. My first lecture was actually all the way on the other side of campus and I had declared myself the head of empty tables, chairs and projector. I set off but I had to walk slowly because my brand new ‘first-day-of-school’ black suede boots were tight around my ankles and caused my ankle chain to dig into my flesh… like an anklet of thorns. And that kids, is how I arrived at my very first lecture almost 30 minutes late.
The only entrance to the lecture hall was in the front of the hall and because the God I serve has a sense of humour, the floor was tiled so I walked into class with my first-day-of-school boots announcing my arrival… KOI. KOI. KOI. Like an academic Lady Koi Koi.
One glance around the room and I immediately noticed that everyone else was dressed so casually. I might as well have worn a wedding gown and red cape. I could’ve sworn (I’m not 100% sure) but I think I saw someone wearing something like pyjamas. With canvas.
Academically, I struggled a bit in the beginning. Before now, I hadn’t opened a Biochemistry text book in over a decade. Plus my brain is honestly not what it used to be so I have to work extra hard to keep up. It’s a different kind of learning here. The teaching is fast paced because they expect that at MSc level, you should know the basics. Nobody is holding your hand and begging you for assignments. If you like submit. If you like, spend hours and hours of your day watching reruns of Friends. Na you sabi.
Our lecturers (consultants and doctors) prefer to be called by their first name. I’m still trying to get used to that. I guess it’s fine if it works for them but as for me? Lol… I haven’t even graduated yet and I’ve already changed my prefix from Miss to MSc.
MSc Ngozi S. Orji (Masters)(considering PhD)(Sister is a Dr.)
…because you all will address me appropriately.
One time, one of our Consultants sent an e-mail to the class complaining about the poor attendance. It was a normal e-mail… but the next day she apologised to the whole class for sounding “a bit harsh”. I pulled out my phone and read the email again. And again. As far as I was concerned, there was absolutely nothing wrong with that email. All she did was ask us, romantically sef, to come to class for lectures using words like ‘implore’ and ‘kindly’ and ‘please consider’…
Unfortunately, all this niceness doesn’t encourage me to learn. I need to be threatened repeatedly. I just need someone to remind me that if I don’t work hard, I will fail and disgrace my lineage and the school fees I paid will be wasted and I will end up hawking akara on the streets.
If I do end up selling akara, I honestly can’t think of a better place to do it. I’ve fallen madly in love with this city, especially now that it’s getting warmer outside. I love LOVE this place… but I’m doing that thing I do when I don’t want to admit how much I love or want something so that if, for some reason, it gets taken away, I can tell myself that it’s fine. So when people ask me, “Are you planning to stay back here after school?”, I say “I don’t know. Maybe. Whatever”.
As a bad bitch.
One of the things I’m enjoying the most is the anonimity the city provides; the freedom of not knowing a single soul. Maybe one day it will eventually get lonely, but for now, I enjoy it. My apartment is in the centre of the city among these massive, beautiful, centuries old buildings. I love the buildings.
In other news, I’ve gotten my green belt in karate! I went from white, to yellow, then orange, and now green. I still can’t fight for shit, but it keeps me fit.
I joined a new church and like everything else, the culture is very different. It’s a white nice church… there’s a lot of emphasis on prayer and worship which is good. Every Sunday, they make us hold hands and pray for the salvation of Putin. And they are serious about it too. The only thing they expect to “die by fire” is barbecue.
And there’s a coffee stand by the entrance of the church hall so people get cups of coffee and take it into church and sip on their coffee during service. Me, I don’t drink coffee in church so that the day Jesus comes to the church and scatters the coffee stand and flogs all the coffee drinkers, he will spare me… and the kids of course.
By the way, if you’re still reading this, thank you.
ps- Been listening to a lot of love songs lately (don’t ask me why 😒😒). I just wanted to share my favourites;
Lady Gaga – Million Reasons
Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
Ed Sheeran – Photograph
Congratulations, MSc Ngo!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾👏🏽👏🏽
Haha! You addressed me appropriately ☺️☺️☺️
Thank you so much Engr. Ify 🤗🤗🤗
🤣🤣🤣. You are the head and will never be the tail. Na so. Congratulations darling. I had to settle in to read through this post. Love it
😁😁 Amen o my sister! As long as I stay in the correct class and I don’t enter bush.
Thank you so much Schola…
Congratulations Engee! You’re still the head biko. And when you finish msc, do PhD biko. Enjoy your life sis
Amen! These kids in my class are not smiling sha.
Hmm… Joy Joy, PhD? 😢😢😩 Na so?
Thank you 🤗🤗
Ngo I have followed you here. I was just laughing anyhow reading your story.
Iwaaaaaaaaa! You really found me… Thanks dear.
Wow, what an adventure. It can only get amazing for you. Thank you Ngozi for carrying us into your world and helping us to explore new discoveries.
Stay positive
You’re welcome! And thank you for reading ☺️☺️☺️
Ng! Long time no read from you…lovely read filled with humour as usual! You look very good too!
Congrats on the move..wish you the best.
What country are you in? Hope it’s where I am ??
Ada o… thank you! Thank you! How are you?
It’s been a while.
I’ll send you a message 😉
Twinnie, I’ve missed your writing…..welcome back. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this
Twinx!! Thank you… I thoroughly enjoyed writing it too ☺️☺️
Awesome as usual, you made me laugh out loud!
Lol… Thank you Ebose!
And thank you for always encouraging me! 🤗🤗
You no fit enter bush, MSc Ngozi.
Nice piece; can’t stop reading.
On the beat is Davido! You reach my side today??
Thank you my brother 🤗🤗🤗🤗
I am an MSc student, I lives in the heart of town, close to my sister who’s a Dr’.. LOL
LMAO!!!
Ode. You mean “opposite” my sister who is a Doctor… 😂😂
Wow, I have missed reading from you dearie. Thanks for sharing. I also should reconsider my karate classes. I stopped at yellow belt while in secondary school. Alas it seems self defence is very necessary in the times we are in. I will definitely make enquires. Thanks again.
Ayo!! It’s been so long… 🤗🤗
The karate is not for self defense o, because they still beat me in training 😔
It’s really for the discipline.
Thank you Ayo!
Lovely read and congrats, I’m sure you will do well🤗👊🏾👍🏾
Thank you Itohan 🤗🤗
OMG….. NG cheers to new beginnings!
I want to read more, surely you can accommodate more writing in between breaks from your consultants chitchats.
There’s more to be said…location so we can admire those beautiful buildings and perhaps join the coffee drinkers before the coming on Jesus Christ.
In between you look stunning whilst representing motherland and eye brows on point…. Pick up the pen or better still speak to Alexa and the next would be available tomorrow for us to read 🥰🥰🥰
Eki you’re something else I swear! 😄😄
Funny enough, I’m veeeeery quiet in class.
I joined the coffee drinkers long before this post… 🙈 I just felt like judging them.
Thank you 🤗🤗🤗
Nkpuruoma!!!!
Chiedozie!!!!
Congratulations MSc Ngozi Orji 🥳🎊🎼
May you be the head all through your studies there, where ever there is 🙄, congratulations on the green belt as well. 🎉😇
My big cousin ❤️❤️❤️❤️
At this point, I’m fine with neck… or chest area. These kids are geniuses.
Thanks cuz 🤗🤗
Awww life in the abroad is sweet … when there are no bills to pay! 😭😩☹️ … Good to hear from my favourite writer once again and good to know you loving it like McDonalds … lol at the head/tail affirmation being first waiting in an empty space, just to be the last to show up in the filled space where it mattered … lol first, it’s never that serious. It’s tough enough just being a human being and being alive in crazy times like these and a heart filled with gratitude for all of life’s blessings and experiences will shift your perception from getting something in the distant hazy future, to just being present in the now that’s slipping bu. Secondly, weren’t you told that the first shall be last and the last shall be first? lols …
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Remain present in the moment my dear. Cheers
Amen… The last shall be the first!
And who told you there are no bills to pay? 😒
Thanks Osaghae 🙂🙂
Always a pleasure cuz. Don’t be too long in dropping something else. Stay sweet.
This is my first time reading your blog and I must say I love your writing style. I guess I’ll spend more time reading previous articles.
Congratulations MSc Ngozi Orji.
Lol… Thank you Emmy. And thank you for addressing me properly 😄
Welcome!
Thanks for the warm reception!