I missed every single one of you.
From the solemn, the hilarious, the advisory, the candid, the energetically earthy blogs and every post betwixt and between; I sincerely missed every single one of you.
I have been silent, even though I have written so many posts in my mind. I have been absent from this feverish activity of blogging and from my beautiful clique of friends in blogland because I have been on a roller-coaster move visiting my home country – Nigeria.
It was an impromptu trip which was inundated with family duties and my journey sometimes took me into corners where WiFi service was a bit sketchy.
Home connotes various meanings to us. For some, it is that lovely brick house that they occupy, for others, it is where ever they find to lay their heads and yet for some, it is that place where their loved ones are.
Home sometimes, may be devoid of all the human material comforts, yet rich in every synonym of happiness that reaches deep into your heart and holds you captive.
Home has been so many places for me over the years and across Continents. Even though I inhabit a different space outside my homeland at this point in time, the drumbeats of my heart is NIGERIA!
As Westernized or as Arabian as I may become, NAIJA reaches into my depths and grabs me whole!
The land of my birth..
The land of a thousand tribes and more than 500 indigenous languages…
The land of the most optimistic and hardworking people that I have come to know…
The land known as the Giant of Africa…
The hectic and sometimes chaotic land of the beautiful and brave…
Endowed in natural resources, but unfortunately riddled with corruption…
This is the land that I call home.
It’s time to play catch-up with the hundreds of posts.
Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
a cooking pot and twisted tales 
Love it. This post really made me want to visit Nigeria! š
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Hello Philip. It’s really been a while. I am sure you would love Nigeria in all its craziness š
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Ahh we’ve missed you too! I’m so happy for you you were able to visit home. š there’s nothing quite like that, I hope you had a wonderful time.
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I sure did. It’s always good to see friends and family that we haven’t seen in a while. There is really nothing like home; absolutely nothing š It was a fruitful journey. Thank you for missing me š
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Of course. I completely agree, I’m glad you went and were able to have everyone around you again, even if not for as much time as you’d like. (It never is!) š
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and home is where you can smell the soil, smell the rain, know that this is the place where you belong.
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Yes it is.
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Missed you too. In fact yesterday i decided i was going to scroll down my reader looking for your new post in case i missed anything while i was cut off for a while from my blog because of data palava! Proud to be Naija…with high hopes that we would become a corrupt free nation soon. But of course we are creative, hardworking, and a fun loving people blessed with a diversity of rich culture. And it feels good to be able to catch a taxi or bus anytime you step out of your home… i remember running all the way to the bus stop everyday to be on time to catch a bus while in Europe and God help you if you miss it. You’d have to wait another hour or so in the cold if it’s one of those freezing days…Welcome back
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We are a fantastic pedigree of humans in all ramifications, skewed or straight and the fun loving is real. Thank you my dear for looking out for me. Regards.
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wow so beautiful! what a nice post!
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Thanks Lynz
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I so missed you!! Glad that everything is going well and that you’ve made your way back home. I was getting a bit worried…especially after coming across an article titled “12 Things Not To Do In Dubai”. I kept wondering to myself, ” I hope Jacqueline didn’t break any of these laws”. lol It’s SO good to hear from you! Here’s a link to that article http://www.destinationtips.com/destinations/12-things-not-to-do-in-dubai/
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Hey girl, I missed you too. I am quite conversant with the rules in Dubai and have tried hard to keep my nose clean as much as possible. š It’s good to be back here.
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Can really feel your passion in this post! Welcome back – sounds like you had a wonderful trip to a wonderful place!
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Thanks Kelly. I really did š Nigeria is lovely in a frenetic sort of way š
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Welcome back Jacqueline! Glad to see your smiling face again! āŗšš
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Thank you so much.
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Hey Jacqueline! So it wasn’t something I said or done!! Phew. That’s a relief! Really missed you in blog land. But take it easy. I bet your mind’s been racing with all those stories and stuff yout want to share. Big hug and welcome back!! Reuben
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No my dear Reuben. It wasn’t you o, like my people would say everything with the o at the end of the comment š It was just busy-ness and yes I do have several thoughts swimming in my head. Thanks dear friend.
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Welcome back, Jacqueline. I now know more about your beloved Nigeria. Thank you…Clare
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So lovely to “hear” your unique voice once again! Welcome back, friend! You were truly missed.
~kay
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Thanks Kay. Good to be backš
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We missed you too and I’d love to hear more about your homeland. Africa is a continent I’ve dreamed of visiting because It is so vast and wild. Most of the news out of Africa is very sad. I would love to hear more of her positive side.
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Welcome back, little ole me missed you and your writings. It is good to travel and look forward to what you have to share, when you have time. Blogland is so funny, never meet people and then you miss their writings!
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Thanks Sarah.
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I think the art of reading from each other forms that bond and gives depth to virtual friendships built over thousands of miles.
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