Looking back over this year, I realize how much I’ve changed. All my shirts I came with over here are screaming to be let go. I was slightly over 5ft 11 when I came — I’m now approaching 6ft 1 and my trousers are ‘scared of the ground.’ I’ll be needing new jeans.

The changes are not only physical — I’ve come to appreciate myself for what I am, instead of trying to conform to the norm. Goodbye to trying to talk. I’ll remain quiet old Azuka.

Today’s my little brother Uche’s birthday — the funny thing is I don’t have any picture of him [I’ll need to request one from back home]. I think he’s 13 now and trying to get into SS1. When do these small boys of yesterday grow up?

Haven’t heard from my big brother [everyone including my mom calls him ‘Chief’ :D] for quite a while. I’ll need to rush off an e-mail.

I had a presentation last week and I made sure to use notes, despite what my cocky self told me not to. My voice [I talk very quietly] as usual, let me down and I was slightly nervous but I still managed to get good reviews — apparently, my classmates were impressed. Dr Bonifer even talked to me after the class, because she was excited when I talked about my reading exploits.

I’m still trying to learn how to handle money. I’ve got some money sitting in my RentACoder account, and some in Paypal [still waiting for my Paypal debit card]. I made a bid this morning — haven’t gotten it yet, but I’m already spending the money in my head [poor me].

Library work is still boring, but I’ll survive.