One Decade... and Many More to Come

Ten years...and we still love each other!!!

For those of you that don't know, we met in high school through mutual friends. Jessica was a sophomore (15 years old) and Jordan was a senior (17 years old). Although our families knew each other through our sisters, we had never formally met. Jessica's friend Jackie and Jordan's friend Colton asked us to accompany them on their first date. I guess they wanted others on the date just in case things weren't working out. Turns out, we clicked and started dating soon after. We have been inseparable ever since.

We have been through so much together in the last decade. We have encountered challenges that would rock most relationships, but throughout, we have kept our love and friendship alive. We are so lucky to have found one another so early in life.

We have so much to look forward to...the best is yet to come!

Since we live in Africa, we don't have any pictures from our early years...sorry.

If it makes you feel better, we look just as young. haha

Thanksgiving...AISA style

This Thanksgiving, we did things a little differently. We passed on the traditional turkey dinner and headed up to Minna in Niger state with 12 other friends. Minna is about 3 hours northwest of Abuja and worth the drive.

We stayed in the ex-military ruler's, Abdulsalami Al-haji Abubakar, villa. The villa sits up on a hill, overlooking the vast African landscape. It was a such a peaceful, quiet place...much different from the life of Abuja.

The villa was equipped with a huge kitchen (by Nigerian and American standards), swimming pool, a tennis court, pool and snooker tables, foosball, five suites, and a small mosque (just in case you need it). The boys also rented three motorcycles for the weekend and enjoyed riding around the bush.

A little mishap with our volleyball net.

We learned, after three times, not to spike if you think you might pull the net on your way down.

(the umbrellas were our poles)

Some of the gang watching the sunset

Last year when Brian was here, he took pictures of the village people in the area. This time, he brought back prints to share with them. So, on Friday, a group of us trudged out into the bush to visit these same villages. We left early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. Unfortunately, the heat turned out to be too much for Jess and wiped her out for the later part of the afternoon. Here are some pictures from the hike.

This particular village was unable to communicate with us. They couldn't speak English and we couldn't speak Hausa. But through common hand motions and friendly gestures, we were able to communicate enough to learn about their customs and daily chores.

We had such a wonderful long weekend. It was nice to get away and bond with new friends. As we were leaving, we vowed to do this a couple times next semester. Hopefully, we all keep our promise because it was a weekend to remember!

What We've Been Up To Lately

Jess' first try at curtains.

(One's about a centimeter longer)

Some of the books we're reading at the moment

Jordan is learning to play the guitar.

Jess made the strap to display the guitar.

Jess spends a lot of time cooking and baking.

We have started growing our own herbs.

So far we have oregano, parsley and basil.

The King of the Jungle

Balloon Ride Over the Masai Mara

While in the Masai Mara, we took a balloon ride over the savannah. This footage shows the Wildebeest migration which occurs during the summer months. The migration occurred early this year and we were lucky enough to see it. Sorry for the loud noise and shaky footage...

Baby Rhino @ Lake Nakuru

This baby Rhino thought he was pretty tough...he kept picking on the much bigger water buffalo.

Elephants in Isiolo

I have started uploading our video footage of our safari onto YouTube. Here is the first of many. This video was shot in northern Kenya in Isiolo National Park.

Fela Kuti

Fela-bration was held in Lagos this week to celebrate the life and music of Fela Kuti. Fela Kuti, was a remarkable musician who has been called a musical genius and also the creator of a new musical genre. He was born/raised/lived in Lagos, Nigeria. He was a vocal opponent of the Nigerian government, which had been known for its corruption. He expressed these issues and grievances through his music.

The last events of Felebration were held in Abuja. On Saturday, we met up with some friends at a local cafe for some drinks and then headed over to the French Cultural Center to watch "Music is a Weapon", a documentary about Fela and listen to a book reading from his biographer. We had a wonderful time listening to stories about Fela. It was an experience to meet and listen to a friend of a man who tried to change Nigeria through non-violent protest. After the book reading, we were able to get our books signed by the author, Carlos Moore.

One of our favorite Fela Kuti songs. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A-oZ_WmFSU

AISA's Golden Jubilee Celebration

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Nigeria's independence. The Nigerian Studies teacher put on a wonderful celebration at AISA on Monday. Here are some pictures to capture the day...

Some of Jess' students from last year.

Muslim dress from the North.

The boy on the left has been 'titled', so he wears the formal head dress.

(I'm not sure if he is a prince of a tribe or what his specific title is)

Jess and Dusty Rose

Fulani dancers from Kano

A view of the new multipurpose hall.

The year before we came, the old multipurpose hall blew down in a storm.

Jordan and Brian

Celebrating 50!

October 1st is Nigeria's Independence Day. In fact, Nigeria is one of the first countries in Africa to gain independence from colonial rule. So, Friday was the 50th anniversary. We had a day off from school and were excited to join in on some of the festivities around town. We knew this independence day was special when we noticed hot air balloons advertising 50 years and jets practicing their display routine for the big day. Due to bomb threats, the US Embassy, declared the festivities to be unsafe and suggested no one go. We know that things are hot in the country and decided against going to any events. We did head over to the Blazeks house to relax and enjoy their company. While there we heard, what we thought, were explosions. Of course, we couldn't see anything. We called people that were watching the parade and event on tv and they claimed that nothing was going on, so we dismissed what we heard. Within in the next hour, Brian, who has connections with anyone and everyone important in the expat community, received numerous calls from people in the know. We soon found out that the explosions we heard were in fact car bombs and seven people were killed. We want all of you to know that we're okay. We were no where near Eagle Square and were not affected by the incidents at all.

It depends on who you ask, but some wonder what Nigeria has to celebrate. With known corruption and mass poverty the positives seem bleak. Since living here, we have experienced great hospitality from Nigerians and people who have a genuine heart. On that note, we do see the affect of corruption everyday and wonder if there is light at the end of the tunnel.

This year is very important for Nigeria. Not only is Nigeria celebrating 50 years, but the presidential elections are scheduled for January. Early last year, President Yar'Adua died and his Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan took over. Since Nigeria is split with Muslims in the north and Christians in the south, the ruling party's unwritten policy requires executive power to rotate every eight years. Since Yar'Adua, a northern Muslim, died before his term was up and his Vice President, who took over, was a Christian, there is some hostility. Muslims believe the next president should be a Muslim, whereas Christians believe that that term is up for Muslims and their leader is rightfully up for election.

As you drive around Nigeria, you notice billboards with political ads and propaganda. "A breath of fresh air..." is the ad for President Goodluck Jonathan who seems to be a breath of the same air...so far. For the last couple months, his ads were the only ones seen around town, but just yesterday we noticed an ad for a new candidate. The opposing candidate is IBB. If you've heard the name, you know that Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) was a repressive military dictator of Nigeria years ago.

The 50th anniversary year may be a pivotal and critical juncture in Nigerian history.

Gurara Fallls

Last Sunday, we traveled an hour and half north of Abuja to visit Gurara Falls.

Zuma Rock

Can you spot the upside down face?

Gurara Falls from above

Lily and I

Making our way down the hill and planning our next move.

During the wet season, trudging through the bush can be a difficult task.

Back up we go...

The perfect picnic place...out of the midday sun.

left to right: Sara, Leah, Matt, Jordan Lee and Laura

Laura and Brian

Can't forget to BYOW... =)

Oops..Jess led them the wrong way.

Good thing we had Brian to keep us in check.

Wherever we go, people ask to be snapped with us (have their picture taken).

We had numerous people stop us and take our pictures

on their camera phones...I guess they are as interested in us as we are of them.

A wonderful end to the day...