So how quickly does one learn arrogance?

I've been settling into my life here, very nicely actually.

I've been quiet for the past week because things have really been hectic. My parents run an NGO and this was the 10th year aniversary, so lots of pomp and lots of circumstance. Being around my parents is a non-stop carnival. There's always something going on, always a campaign, a meeting, an event, or as in last week's case, a charity ball.

It's an exciting kind of life and they enjoy it. I sort of go along for the ride, enjoying where I can, helping out in other places. My mom doesn't understand the concept of boredom. Some people say only boring people are bored. My mom says only lazy people are bored. So this past week, I have definitely NOT been bored.

But, my little sis and my cousin left over the weekend and for the first time I stayed behind. I'm so not used to that. And now I'm rambling over the house alone and it's hitting me for the first time: I've actually moved back.

It's been great so far but now the real life starts.

I won't start work at the construction company until my NYSC service actually starts, but that's a whole month away. I cannot continue to be aimless for another month. As much as I put a spin on things and say I 'took some time out' to 'think' and 'relax', we should call a spade a spade (really what else would you call it?) and admit that I was a jobless NFA. I didn't come all this way to sit around my house eating moi-moi and egg all day (it's been done).

So I've started work at the NGO, building a database for them. Really, would it kill someone to set up a laptop to take registration information? I spend my days deciphering illegible handwriting and trying not to laugh at the pretentious titles (Hon. Barr. Engr. Chief. Dr. Mrs. Janet Amadi. Really?), then put them all into an excel spreadsheet. Not exactly brain surgery, but it keeps me busy and it gives me pocket money.

What is slightly troubling is how quickly I seem to be, let's say, adapting to the Nigerian lifestyle. It's only natural, I suppose. When grown men call me Madam (on account of my parents) and open doors and fetch me tea at work, it's understandable to get a bit inflated, right?

Still I distinctly remember an incident of ridiculous arrogance. I was on a local flight that got delayed because one chief or another was insisting that his armed bodyguards be allowed on the plane. Like, really? Of course that wasn't happening, but trust him. This guy called every name from here to Bethlehem and eventually even got the guy running the airport to come down. Finally it was agreed that the guns would be stowed but the guards would come off first and be allowed to arm themselves before Oga descended. All of this took almost 45 minutes and we mere mortals had to suffer because we committed the crime of being so normal that no one wanted to kill us. I was so offended!

Fast forward to yesterday.

I was on my lunch break and needed to drop something off for my mom. After stating that I would be right back I ran in the house, ran my errand, then hopped back out. But wait, where was my Mopol (Mobile Policeman, a bodyguard really)? He'd gone to his room to drop something.

Imagine my anger. A whole me, waiting for this man to do what? Does he know my time is precious. We couldn't have waited for all of 10 minutes but by the time he came back, I was fuming. How dare he? Keep me waiting? Doesn't he know people are fighting for his job? What a nonsense idiot. And on and on.

And here it comes, the $6319.19 question (better know as the N1million question): Does he know who I am?

And just like that: Arrogant

Wow. And here I thought myself so different from everyone else. I don't sip that kool-aid. I'm modest and humble and apparently D'Nile is just a river in Egypt. In my defence, it was my lunch hour and I was starved. Still, though.

So I didn't say anything. Not because I was wrong. He would never have pulled that if it was someone more senior than me. But because I didn't want to open my mouth and start insulting like only a Nigerian can. If you've never witnessed this, I truly recommend it. No one can finish someone like a pissed of Nigerian.

Sigh. I wanted to settle in but I've really got to keep an eye on myself. Focus on the positive parts of being Naija, and see if I can leave that other ish behind.

We'll see...