Driving in Lagos

Dear Inspirations 

Driving in Lagos can be crazy! No you don't hear me! There is no speed limit, no one will wait for you or let you over, people running across the street, people selling stuff in the middle of the streets, no one really cares about your blinker and if you think they won't hit you your stupid. It's like nothing I ever seen before people are honking horns, cursing, hanging out the window and driving ROUGH but today I drove! 

I literally had to take my mind out of America and just go! 

Wummy said "why are you letting them over" drive and don't stop for anyone. Pedestrians in the streets and all I was driving and loving every moment. I must confess I was so scared that I would put a dent in the car or something dramatic would happen but we made it! 

I'm official now "I've drove in Lagos streets don't try me" 

Love Jasmine P 

Toll road in Lagos 

Tgff

Thank God for friends! 

One of my good friends sent me this! 

I can't testify to that at the current moment in my life , jass remember that god has a plan but so does the devil . Pray for renewel of the mind and sport everyday when you wake up . Youngottanstay one step ahead of the devil , he may not be able to get you any where but your mind and cause you to think it was YOU the whole time . Take control of your mind girl , speak life into your self . Have you been constantly in your world daily ? ... You have to jas ... Sometimes the people closest to us have great intentions but  the things they suggest my not be ment for us , you can listen and node doesn't mean you have to do as they say , pray for decrenment .... And make sound choices ... Count your blessings to remind yourself where you started with God and all the things you thought were impossible that he made possible and my the ground shake ..... You are an inspiration girl to your sister ME. Even when you think no one is watching they are , pray for Meade ... God is not the author of confusion but of love joy peace and a sound mind !! , you got this Jas ! I declare it finished today .... You have to walk throughout the storm with God hand and hand there is noway around it ! So go through it and get it together I love you ! 

Thanking God in advance for T! 

I love her so much and I'm glad he spoke to her to send that message or to even post this 

Plugged into Positivity

Dear Inspirations 

It all hit me just now that one thing had been the source of why I felt this way. 

All alone it was the electric company I had been plugged into that made me feel the way I did. 

Negative thoughts had took over my whole mind and body and I didn't even know it. 

The thoughts had been streaming  from the outside  and I had allowed them to be downloaded to my hard drive. 

Just because its streaming doesn't mean one should download it. 

When you change your way of thinking things become clearer visions become restored. 

The clouds clear and all of your dreams are right there closer than you can imagine. 

When you find the source of your pain do you cut it off? 

Do you take it all with a grain of salt and push forward? 

 Do you take that source and try to plug it into a new outlet? 

 

The answer can't be found here because I can't tell you what to do but I will tell you to do what's best for your heart. 

Truth: This life was granted for you to Live and one can sit there plugged into the wrong source but in the end no power will ignite fire. 

Those Dreams won't feed themselves. 

Perhaps this isn't a new revelation for me it's  really just a confirmation for the 100th time in my life that its time to plug into a outlet of positivity. 

Stream in all of Gods gracious power. 

Everyday will be hard and everyday will be a challenge but it will be worth it. 

This one was really just for me. 

Love Jasmine P. 

Nepa

Dear inspirations 

 Topic at hand today? 

National electric power authority (Nepa) 

Now known as  Power holding company of Nigeria (Phnc)

The  lights go out about 4 times a day. When I say nepa take lights I really mean they turn off the power, The first few times it happen when I was here for the first time I really didn't know what to think. 

You know what no lights mean in Houston to me? 

You didn't pay your bill. 

The weather bad. 

Nah you just didn't pay your bill.

Food in the fridge is going to spoil and you pissed 

People calling the company to complain. 

Here. ...

If your at a wedding or a gathering people might say "up Nepa" but usually..

Nothing's really said because its the normal and if your lucky you put on the generator and keep it moving. 

Can you imagine being in the middle if your television show and it was just getting good? 

Imagine going grocery shopping and the government just decides to turn out the lights. 

Nepa is usually down for at least a hour or two. Sometimes more than that, it just depends on the day I guess. 

How could a whole city or country experience rolling blackouts. 

Now if your amoung the rich or the people that are well off you can afford to have the generator run all night. You could also have an automatic generator so you never experience the power outages. 

Powdered milk 

Butter doesn't need to be refrigerated. 

Eggs don't have to be in the fridge. 

Everything you need you can buy from right outside so It's not too bad. 

The street lights are even out the whole block is pitch black.

 

It doesn't bother me so much because I'm sort of use to it but this is everyday life for some.

Wonder why it hasn't been fixed? 

I did a little reading on it and I couldn't find a exact answer. 

Seems like a bunch of going around in circles with people who have money. 

In some areas it's worst than others. 

Maybe you can get to the bottom of it... 

When will the blackouts end? 

I will keep you posted on this situation as I get more answers. 

Write me I'm here. DearJasmineP@gmail.com 

Love, Jasmine 

Lagos living

Dear inspirations 

Whatever you do don't over do it. 

This weekend we over did it. Especially with the encore Karoke performance last night. I just couldn't help myself I got out of my seat and really let Maxwells "woman's worth" have it. You know he beginning part sing it with me "hahaaaaaaaaaaaa" I should be crying but I just can't let it show" 

Needless to say I had a great time with the girls and Wale.  We were looking for Caro all weekend! My new Fav song by Wiz Kid. (Go listen to it) 

We went to Churrasco's again Saturday and Sunday. 

Friday night you already read about I'm sure. 

We were all trying to recover from Fridays damage so I had a Chapman such a refreshing drink! 

It's similar to a Shirley temple but they put a cucumber in it. 

Saturday we went to eat, I had hot wings they weren't the best I've had. Let me clear that up they were nasty. 

Sunday was suppose to be chill in my mind. 

To Churrasco's and out for karaoke. 

I didn't start blogging in the middle of being out like usual I was really in the moment enjoying everyone! 

After Karoke we went to the beach similar to Galveston but it was a strip of clubs out there. It was so many people there, cars everywhere. I could smell so much in the air if you know what I mean. You have to pay to get on the beach but the clubs are free. This place was ratchett reminded me of Metroplis or pink monkey on a good night. Seriously! People were having a good time though. I was just there by this point. 

We didn't stay there long, off to get food the usual rice and Fish. 

That was my weekend in a nutshell. 

Lagos living and it feels good. 

Keep the questions coming I'm going to answer them all! 

Love you all

DearJasmineP

Chapman 

The girls and Wale 

Seyi and Oreos dancing 

The truth is on the cigarette packs here 

Night life

Dear Inspirations 

If you want  to know about Nigerian clubs it's exactly the same as America. We are at a nice club called Sip

 Depending on the place you go you will find the same atmosphere. Crowded, sections, bottles and everyone doing the exact same thing as we do in houston. Including any other club I've ever been to. There wasn't a cover charge. The club closes at 6 but everyone leaves at 5 and no one really gets here until 12am. The only difference is Nigerian music I promise it's the same though. Just picture yourself dancing to 2 chaniz not understanding what he is saying. With a different beat. The men stare at you the same way I think the thirst level is lower here. they don't actually approach you. Of course it depends on the place. I've been places where men are all in your face. Currently dancing to a song that I don't know! red bull in my hand because I don't plan to get to that next level. Celebrating my first week in Nigeria! 

Side note* I'm probably being dramatic but when we walked in I swear I felt like the whole room was staring and it froze. No lie. 

Occasional American music! 

I forgot to add that someone is on the drums adding to the music. 

Currently "no  new friends" is on" This exact moment... Is priceless. 

No words can describe. 

2nd club was cool same atmosphere packed. 

We managed to  stay until 4:50 and I had no idea until just now. 

If my body as adjusted to the time you ask? No. 

For the first time in a long time it seem like the club was filled with more men than women. Random thoughts about that. 

It was a GREAT night I survived and I'm headed to the nearest pillow. 

Nigerian clubs on a scale 1 to 10 

I give it a 9.5 (; 

Love 

DearJasmineP 

Beat down

Dear inspirations and Beaters 

Its Friday eve! Exactly one week since I left Houston. Do I miss home? No. Do I miss the people in Houston Yes. 

Yesterday I had the best pineapples in life. I found myself singing about them. Instantly juicy and so fresh. They were everything I needed that exact moment! 

Lets talk about "beatings"! Do you know what I mean? Face beatings!  

For people that truly know me should know that I consider myself a simple face woman. Special occasions I like to get my face beat you know prom, graduations, weddings, photo shoots, and maybe a few other events. For the most part it's not a big deal to me. 

Today I was beat for fun by Mrshimmers.(kime)  Really nice makeup! I like it for an occasion. Would I beat my face this way on a daily? no. I prefer my Feb.(foundation, eyeliner, brow and blush ) it's probably because it takes a while to beat and I'm usually in a hurry headed to my next destination. It's always hot in the city why would I beat down to sweat it down? Lol that's my logic but maybe I'll do more beating now. (as I stare in the mirror) 

I've played close attention to blogs, television and even social media, quite honestly y'all been beating faces honey!! To the gays y'all beat it downnnnnnn and at times I'm ashamed that I can't beat a face that well. 

Some bad, some good and others just down right ridiculous. To each is own though, I'm not here to judge. 

It's happening all over the world even here in Nigeria. Make up has always been a huge deal but it seems like lately everyone has took beating to the next level. Maybe I'm just tuning in and I haven't been paying it all to much attention. 

How do you like your makeup? 

Who's your favorite mua? 

What products are you using? 

I've recently followed BeatfaceHoney and her makeup techniques  flawless! Some I don't think I would ever want but she'a good! 

Her story is amazing you should read on it. 

Continue Beating or not but please remember that with or without make up you are truly beautiful within. 

Love DearJasmineP 

After my beating. 

Pineapples of life! 

Off the plane.

Dear Inspirations 

Where are my manners? I'm talking to a old friend and it just hit me that I didn't tell you all about my initial reaction when I arrived are when I first saw my grandma! 

Here goes... 

My flight was 9hours (in a middle seat) to Amsterdam. 

It took every thing in me not to lean on the people next to me. 

I flew KLM and my layover was 5 hours in 

Amsterdam!  I wanted to leave the airport but I couldn't the security was strict, I didn't have time to convert money, get lost so I wondered the airport, took a nap   and people watched. The airport was huge.. A meditation centre, shopping mall, small exhibits, a smoking section and of course food. 

Went through security again an Boarded my next flight HOME. 

A easy 6 hours I slept because I had a window seat right after I watched Safe Haven. (Decent movie) 

We landed. I got off the plane and immediately I felt the temperature had changed.  Hot and stuffy. 

I headed straight to the non nigerian passport line. Where immigration was happy to help me (not true) 

Me and a few other people were standing there to realized the flight attendants didn't give us the immigration form. I filled it out left a few things blank I mean no big deal right? 

Wrong!! 

The conversation went a little like this... 

The man said Surname... (Umm I learned this last time but I couldn't remember) 

Surname meant Last name I wrote in my first name. 

Him: The address to where your going? 

The phone number? 

Me: "I don't know" 

I could see him looking at me now in pure disgust...

Him: "What's your grandmas name" 

Me:.... I call her grandma... 

(Moment of shame) 

Him: who's picking you up?

Me: my cousin I'm sure she is outside 

Him: call her..

I proceed to call her of course she doesn't answer. Immigration then let me know that I would not be going through without a proper address. 

They looked at my passport some more and back at me ... (Reminded me if a movie) 

 To make this a shorter story.. I found grandmas number in my old phone she answered the phone with all the excitement in the world! 

"Iyabo" 

Grandma!!! 

 Grandma doesn't speak a whole lot of English but just enough for me. 

She gave him the address and he got off my back. After that he wanted to make jokes! 

I went over to get my luggage and someone from the flight bought me a trolley over. It cost (150Naria) we will get into money later. There are also people there that will get your bags for you but they work on tips. 

Got one foot out the door saw about 20 ppl before I heard my name 

"Jazz my boo" 

Wummyyyyy"

Wummy-my favorite cousin, the traveler, the ultimate hustler,shopper, the only skinny girl I know who looks in the mirror and says I'm fat! My teacher my body guard and my tour guide! 

We got in the cab and came home! We caught up a little bit. 

The house help came out and got my bags (another blog) 

I saw my cousins friends and my other cousin Lanre! 

Then the best Grandma on the face of Nigeria and any other planet came to see me! 

She kissed and hugged me super tight saying "you are welcome" 

She even did a small dance as a part of celebration. Similar to twerking..

Ok maybe not lol 

The feeling was surreal and From then until now I felt at HOME. 

The motherland accepted me in her arms and I don't want to let this feeling go. You can really feel the Love. 

Amsterdam airport I thought the cups were so cool as seats and it reminded me of Sandy! 

In the car. 

Any questions? 

Anything you want to know about Nigeria I will do my best to answer or get the answer for you! 

DearjasmineP@gmail.com 

Happy Birthday Mo

Dear Mobettablues_

It's your birthday and I just wanted you to know that your my amazing friend! 

We already agreed to celebrate so now I just have to hold you to it. 

All of our secret dinners really inspire me to be great like I said before you give me hope in many ways than one. 

From love, relationships, careers, the current, men, money, books, media. We have covered a lot at those tables and the last  two time I was with you I must admit I was feeling extremely low about life and about my own problems. My heart was extremely heavy but after I left I felt 10 times better. When I said it was over you knew it wasn't. 

It's your positivity, your vibe and all of your personality that rubs off on me just a little every time. 

I'm trying to find out why I only own one picture of me and you and I can't find it. 

I hope that your birthday was a great time! 

 

I also hope you don't mind me stealing a picture from your Instagram. 

When we finally make it to the top I'll remember that you were always there. 

 

Love DearJasmineP 

P.S Your birthday is almost over in Nigeria time 9:07pm 

Monday moment

Dear Inspirations 

Today we were mostly in the house. I was watching Suits it's a good show you should check it out if you can and I got to thinking.... Could I do the same thing? Could I go around the system? Could I make things work in my favor no matter what? I believe I could. 

We went out for drinks at this place called Churrasco. Similar to uptown hookah or Cafe Europe in Houston. Really nice, it was good to get out and enjoy conversation, scenery and good company. 

Faced with a great opportunity I'm excited about it I will discuss more at a later time. Right now I just wanna enjoy this exact moment with my cousin and her friends. 

I feel care free, happy and most of all I just feel GOOD. 

Monday moments and memories. 

I'm not counting them just making them right now. 

 

This exact moment I feel free. 

Love you all 

Jasmine P. 

The first weekend

Dear inspirations 

Today was really a chill day! Saturday  we went to a wedding and the reception it wasn't really a live wedding. Probably one of the deadest I've been to! Culture runs deep over here parties start early and end very late! A lot of people dancin and talking drinking Hennessy and  wine! 

It's different because you don't have to be actually invited simply because most of these weddings are hundreds of people  friends of the bride, friend of the mother of the bride and so on. So basically if I know someone who is going to the wedding I can go. Strange? No it's natural here everyone dresses up in their finest attire requested by the bride in color. Not design. I will explain more as I attend more. 

The party doesn't usually stop until there is no more alcohol or food but in this case the party ended early.

We went to the reception even worst lol.

 Wait I forgot to tell you we drove four hours to the wedding because if traffic. We also stayed the night because it was to far to go back to Lagos. 

Grandma lives in Lagos Island. I wasnt feeling my best so we watched tv. Grandma brought rice we ate and laughed a little bit. 

I just started watching Suits anyone watch it? 

Current time 2:20 am Nigeria 

Houston time 7:20pm 

Any questions? 

Love Jasmine P 

The best cousin in the world (Wummy) 

Jasmine plus Nigeria

Dear Inspirations 

I'm in Lagos Nigeria from Sept.13-Nov.17th. I plan to share with you my entire journey! Last time I was here was 2 years ago I came with my dad and all of my aunts and uncles were here for my cousins Wedding. This time I came just because I wanted to see my family. I plan to do a few things for my dad as far as business but mainly just to visit for a minute.  Also to try my hand in a few things as far as opportunities. 

Most people would call this a career break but my career hasn't started. So we will call it my "Break". It's hard to even explain this to some people they look at you like what?? 

Listen.. I'm 23 no kids, no husband, no mortgage, no car note. I left  car insurance, my sisters and nephew  handful of friends and a bf that loves me dearly. I think I'm ok to leave the country for 2 months. 

So here I am.. 

Here we are.. 

Ask me anything that you want I promise to try to answer! Email me please! " Share with you! 

DearJasmineP@gmail.com