Introduction: Home.

     I'm not one to come up with a creative introduction, but I could draw up anything you'd like.. weird abi? I know. I'm an uninspired creative being. Let's start there! Yes, I am an "uninspired creative being". I go by the name of Michelle (or Ifechukwude, depending on who I am talking to), and I am a 17-year-old Nigerian-American currently suffering from homesickness for a place that is technically my home. 

     What I mean is, I live in the US of A, but I am Nigerian, therefore making me Nigerian-American. I am by default supposed to call America my "home", but by blood Nigeria, Mother Africa!, is my Home. I have started a checklist based mission to find my way back Home for good. Some items you find here that resemble the treasures back Home do not contain the same sweetness or value as they should. I hate how I can't enjoy Nigerian delicacies like they should be enjoyed, watch my favorite Nigerian actor/actresses/musicians/tv personnels by the press of a button, walk down the street to my aunt's house or to my favorite market, or even enjoy my favorite songs as I drive down the roads of Lagos whenever I want. It's either a every summer fling, or every other summer thing. Vacation. We go for vacation, because we're told that it's not as easy as it seems when we visit, so vacation is the max. stay for us. For me, internet o, light o, traffic o, water ... okay maybe I really need water.. but those are things we struggle with here in the States as well. The internet does crash, black outs do happen, and people get into accidents every day. We've even had our own share of water shortages. Yep, water shortages in America, "The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave". Brave ke? Free ni? Abegi! Courtesy is a two-way street and I feel like people are putting their head to make one-way. With everything that has been happening I just feel like American and I need a break in our relationship.. I think we need to see other people. 

     I haven't always felt this way though. I used to root for America with every power wey I get for body, but the spirit started to fade, and I stopped comparing things I saw in Nigeria to the things I had in America. I went from "Abuja looks just like America!" to "America no dey sweet for body like Naija." I no longer felt at home. I became a stranger to the land I was introduced to. As I matured, I began to see the hatred for People of Color (POC). Racism. Racism was something I had never encountered upon the 8 vacations I took to Nigeria. That was a major factor for me. For me being a POC and having foreign roots in a country full of people who didn't even fully welcome their own scared me. Some time had passed, through the darkness, I managed find a light, Ekò. I always got excited when being at the airport, knowing I was leaving and going on a new adventure. I remember being younger, getting to Germany with my mother and brother, and having to carry my brother's backpack plus my own. I remember being in so much pain, but not caring because all I could think about was getting to Lagos. Of course I cried every time I left, thinking about all the things and places and people I didn't get to see, not sure if I would ever be able to come back again. I was only concerned about having fun. Now that I'm a couple months shy of 18, all I can think about is Ain't no party like a Lagos party, 'cause when Lagos party we don't bother nobody haha. I was to enjoy the Las Gidi life mann. I want to go to clubs, parties, weddings.. everything! I don't want to live here for the rest of my life. Chu? Make I get my own share of Lagos life jare! I want to explore, and meet new people. I want to be inspired, and get out of my comfort zone. I want to see a new light. I want to feel new things. I want to create. All these wants from..