It has been quite a while since I shared any content here or anywhere else, to be honest. There has been so much going on and I don't even know where to start from.
Living in the UK is kind of weird because for the most part, everyday feels the same. If you go to bus stop at 8am everyday, you'll meet the same people doing the same thing without fail.
The monotony can be exhausting because you get numb to reality. However, the predictability also makes life "easy".
Anyway, it's been three years since we moved to the UK and the place has become my home. I grew up in Nigeria but most of my married life, 60% to be precise, has now been spent in the UK.
I and my wife are trying for a baby and when that happens, the only home my kids will know is the UK. I mean, I'll make sure they know where they come from and I'll give them Nigerian names but beyond ancestral links, they'll be British kids.
My kids will definitely be more British than me. My kids won't have to deal with as much discrimination as I've dealt with by virtue of my accent or the direct impact of right-wing politics that's infesting the minds of the public.
My kids will go to school here, learn and grow up shielded from a lot of the crap I've had to deal with. That said, they will still deal with some persecution by virtue of race and their cultural heritage but it'll be different and frankly, pale in comparison to what their parents have had to deal with.
Racism is Alive
Racism and discrimination are no longer taboo topics. I feel like it's a sign of the times that people are no longer worried about being labeled racists and many companies no longer adopt a hard-line stance towards discrimination.
A lot of it is now under the pretense of "free speech". It's a strange situation the world is in and many of us, regardless of race, are just caught in the middle of it.
In the three years I've been in the UK, I've experienced direct and indirect racial abuse from people. It doesn't really bother me because at the end of the day, no one has blocked my growth because of it.
The only racism I experience is what I like to call pointless racism. The one where people assume things and openly say crap about you.
Like when someone assumed I came in as a refugee from Nigeria or when I was at a bus stop and was told to "go back to my country". I didn't get the chance to respond because it was a driveby but if I did, I'd have said "buddy, this is OUR Country now, you're stuck with me so you better love me".
Some Good
It hasn't been all bad though. I don't want to be one of those people that just complain about everything.
In fact, I'd say overall, the UK has been a major improvement to the quality of life we lived in Nigeria.
What I'll add to that is that it requires patience, perseverance and a strong desire to grow.
In the period we've been in the UK, I've been gainfully employed, rented a nice apartment and well, thriving.
At the end of every month, all our bills are paid and we have a little bit left that we put into savings. As an adult, there's not much else you can ask for.
I've got a new job in the civil service, got a work visa and can start looking forward to a life in the UK.
I feel proud of our achievements as a family and we'll, if this is ground zero, then it's up only.
Anyway, the point is, life is worth living and I'm living it. Nothing good ever comes easy and overcoming challenges just means you've achieved an elevated status. I hope life continues to be kind to me and yo anyone reading this, I hope you achieve your targets as well.
I'll see you around.
Good to year from you brother and good to hear you are doing good in UK :D
!PAKX
Appreciate that bro and it's nice to see you're still around too.
Hope you've been doing alright
Thanks! Ye still kicking slowly :D
Ye, just working as always. Same old same old, same as you xD
Seeing the same people at the same time day out and day in xD
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You’re one of us now you pompey, limey, rosbif, Sassanach bastard.
Im sure a few of the Scottish and Irish boys can think of a few more derogatory terms for the English.
Fucking hell, I wasn't prepared for this golden shower but I'll take it.
Well done bro.
It's really been a while. Been here when you got married, moved out and not it's 3 years. Wow! How time flies.
Congratulations to your new job. Greater heights👍
Yeah dude, it has been quite the journey. I see your sketches have gone up a level. Keep up the good work bro