How To Run A Full-time Job And Still Go To School At The Same Time

A few years ago, Oscar decided to start a post graduate program with a Tertiary Institution nearby. He knew that juggling a masters program with a very meticulous work schedule wasn't going to be a walk in the park, but he was prepared to push it. The only trouble he couldn't figure out was how long he could keep this from his supervisor. 

There was no e-learning option at the time the lecturers were hardliners who would go as far as issuing marks for class attendance and the evening lectures were to commence by 4pm daily, and that was exactly when he was expected to submit his daily work report to his supervisor at the office. This meant that there was no way he would get to class early, and could only wish the lecturer comes late enough for him to get into class just in time before they do. 

Should he play hide and seek with his supervisor? He knew he would hit a brick wall if he tried to obtain upfront permission, to him this would probably be another excuse for shoddy reports which he sure wouldn't need. The other option of getting in late for a lecture or two wouldn't be too much of a problem (he will just schedule his annual leave to coincide with the exams), so he proceeded with his ambition anyway. He wasn't going to sit down and just watch his friends elsewhere (especially those in the public sector) add one degree after another while he made no progress. 

For a few months I was able to fly under the radar to attend lectures and it was now time for the semester examinations to commence; somehow I was unable to schedule my annual leave to fall into the period, so the only option left to me was to speak with my boss, so I came up with a plan. I will make a run for it to write my first paper and then explain details to him the next morning when I get to the office and hope he doesn't get paranoid (or do a memo copied to human resources). 

So, on the-day a few minutes to my planned bail out time of 3:45pm, I prepared the days reports and had it saved in my drafts, but just before i clicked the send button I looked up and saw that the man was not on his desk. While I was wondering where he was I saw his car hurriedly zooming out of the office premises. I clicked send anyway and made a run for my exams. Upon arrival at the examination hall, I saw his car again parked right outside the examination hall, I was shocked to discover that we had been in the same class for months, and clandestinely pursuing the same program.

This writeup really is not about my boss, I have always been privileged to have good and very understanding bosses in my professional career. The trouble was that my employers at the time had very airtight arrangements that made it literally impossible for any employee at my grade to work and school at the same time. Note that this was a time when "online schooling" (or anything online for that matter) was totally novel in our immediate society. 

Why would an employer preach and project an image of being the 'best place to work' and that its employees were encouraged to further their academic aspirations, but on the other hand institutional measures that make it impracticable for any staff to achieve any schooling without breaking office rules? 

Aren't my self improvement aspirations supposed to translate into benefits for my employer? 

What exactly is the "Education allowance" in my employment contract meant for? 

These were some of my concerns at the time and I can bet some of you reading this may be in this situation right now. Interestingly, today a lot has changed. Work, school, play and almost anything you can think of is now online, and the lines between them are also thinning out. If your employer isn't bothered about providing mobile data on your smart phone then relax, you will soon wake up from the nightmare.

I actually did get the second degree many months later, but believe me, I almost sacrificed the job in the process, it was almost like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Thanks to all the supervisors I had during the time, it wouldn't have been possible without your understanding.

First time in town @paris

Now, my trip to Paris was probably all about #theeiffel. That's the only place i had dreamed about in France right from when i was a kid. I still remember one of my favorite James Bond movies, shot primarily in Paris and capturing multiple angles of the tower. Its taken me many years to get to Paris, but am i really ready to see #theeiffeltower? I think not.
And its not anything strange, i just wanted to make sure i see it right. What do i mean by this?
You see, this is a big trip for me. I hadnt just arrived Paris, i had arrived the biggest airport in Europe and the fashion capital of the world. Whats the point rushing to go see the tower? I kindof felt like a lion cub that just made its first actual kill, unassisted by mum. Taking it slowly, flaunting my achievement before devouring it. You see, i wanted to be sure i learned the basics of getting around in the metro and the scooters, buying tickets from the dispensers, understanding the city ethics, making sure i brushed off at least some of the west African naivity i still had on me before taking the dip.
So here i was, after getting basic direction from the hotel receptionist, who drew a few random lines on the map and handing it to me, i dashed out. My first target was #thelouvre. To tell the truth, i was scared of going out alone but i had no choice. After many minute of just walking around in circles, observing what everyone else was doing, i headed underground to catch the metro.
But i didn't even know how to get tickets, so i stood right at a corner and just kept watching people coming to the tickets vending machine, inserting coins and leaving with a small ticket in their hands. I came close enough to observe, without looking like i didnt know what to do, then suddenly, it happened. A tall, pretty white girl in a brown fur coat walked towards the machine, i was busted.
"You need help with the tickets?" She asked me in the most beautiful white smile i had ever seen so close up.
'What a lovely French ascent?' I thought to myself.
Before i knew it, she reached into her handbag, brought out a few coils and bought me enough tickets for a few days.
And not just that. She held my hand, put me on the metro, told me where to get off and how to know i had arrived my stop. And suddenly, she jumped off the train and disappeared into the crowd.

#outspiration
#paristourist
#eiffeltower
#newintown

My first day at Charles De Gaul airport

The first thing i must say  is that arriving at Charles De Gaul airport in Paris is wow!!! You cant help but notice how large the place is. No less than three major terminals with several other sub-terminals. Birds of all sizes landing and taking off almost at the same time. My eyes were streaming from one end of the terminal to the other. People running all over the place. I almost didn't notice how cold the place was gradually becoming as i headed outwards and thinking about how i was going to get to my hotel. This is April and most people here don't think its cold at all. Coming from west Africa, one of the hottest parts of the planet one will understand my plight.
I pulled our my mobile phone and requested Uber service and it no time my cab was here. A close to brand new Mercedes benz E class. Another surprise for me coz back in west Africa, this is a luxury car that couldn't be humiliated to the point of being a cab. Anyways, in no time we loaded my luggage, took my seat and we were off to my reserved hotel.

Its easy to notice that Paris isn't just a tourist destination, its a home to millions of everyday people. I could see people of all shapes and sizes, crisscrossing from one end of the road to the other, on trams, bikes, bicycles, buses, cars, scooters, etc. Such a busy and beautiful town indeed.
Got to my hotel room abit earlier than scheduled so i had to just sit somewhere and wait for someone to checkout of the room. Anyways, reception was very warm and supportive. And I was soon settled in my room.
Its about noon day, the day was still very much ahead of me so i decided to just go out on a stroll around my hotel area. This would be my home for the next few days so i felt its important to just stroll around and get a hold of the neighborhood.

Anyways, its easy to get lost in these arrondisements. Paris is a large city,but the streets look very similar. I now appreciate my google location settings.

#newinparis
#paristourism
#triptoparis
#outspiration

Planning My Paris Trip

Traveling is one of my few passions in life. Somehow, because of the nature of my day job, I don't get the privilege of traveling very often outside my community. But whenever I do, I try to make the best of it.

In a few days I will be heading to Paris. Yea, Paris. I have never been to Paris, and for anyone visiting a new city, there is some kind of cold feet. #outspiration cold feet. Not like I'm scared of traveling, but Paris has blown me away for ages. Right from when I was a kid, after watching James Bonds "A View To A Kill", which featured mainly in Paris, I have been having day dreams of when I will visit.

And now, here I am. In a few days I will be live in Paris. I don't know what exactly to expect but in less than ten days, I'm going to find out. I hope I will be ready.

Top on my list is my though is my comfortable shoes. I'm going to be doing a lot of walking tourism, that means I'm going to need shoes that won't hurt after a few hours. Nothing bugs like blistering, hurting shoes on your feet.

But seriously, I'm having cold feet. Coming from central West Africa, one will understand why I keep asking myself... How does the city work? How do I get around? What is it okay to wear? How is the weather?

I guess I will find out in a few days. You stay tuned on this page.

@paristourist
#paristourist
#sightseeing
#outspiration
#funtrip