Interview with Miss O 1
This is the fourth in a series of interviews with the new arrivals. For no reason other than Mr O’s brain is taking a well-earned break after so much studying, we have started with the youngest we are working up the line.
Welcome to the teenager of the family, Miss O 1!
Getting ready for summer!
Do you think you have changed in the last 6 months?
I haven’t changed much, like the others, because of my age. They have grown taller so much, but I am already grown. I grew out instead of up, but I have lost some now, because Mummy is punishing me to eat some vegetables I don’t like, e.g. broccoli. I didn’t like peas much to start, but they are OK now.
What would be your perfect hair style?
I have several options. I want it to be longer and curly like ringlets, not as curly as mine is. I do love braids, because braids make me look totally different. I also like dreadlocks!
What was the biggest surprise for you when you arrived?
My biggest surprise when I arrived at the airport was the weather: it was really cold and I was asking Mum “Please did you bring some jackets with you?” In Nigeria the weather is almost the same all the time, it doesn’t change much at all. It is freaking me out now in the summer because it is much hotter than I thought it was going to be when I first arrived. It was really cold, how could it change to be so hot?
What do you miss most from Nigeria that we do not have here in Australia?
I miss all my lovely family and my school mates and my social life in Nigeria.
What do you like the most about Australia so far?
Nothing! No, I am joking! 
I like the school and the environment. We are not too many in the class so we can understand what the teacher is saying and we can concentrate on our education.
Do you feel you are starting to be part of Australian society?
When I first came here I felt like a stranger and didn’t talk to many people. Now I have friends and I am not shy any more. I can call friends on the phone and they call me and we can meet up during the summer holidays and go out. So I feel much more comfortable than when I first started.
What is your favourite food in Nigeria?
Efo ati eba which is a dish made from tripe, pepper stew, silver beet (but it looks different in Nigeria), meat and it is served with garri (cassava tuber).
Efo ati eba - or tripe in English
What is your favourite food in Australia?
Roast potatoes and green peas. I don’t like too much meat, but I like a little roast lamb and thick gravy.
Did you enjoy your Year 10 Formal?
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! Mum, I really enjoyed the Year 10 Formal Party! Why? Because it was all the Year 10 students and one of my classmates said I was a “little legend” and a good dancer, so I was happy about that!
How was the first party you went to in Australia?
My first party was a great opportunity for me to get to know the girls from school much better and to learn how Australians party. The told me I looked like Rihanna because of the hair style Mum did for me! Thanks Mum!
Looking like Rihanna because of the hair style
Who did you like the best on X-Factor?
Firstly when the competition first started, I liked Mitchell Callaway because of his tattoos. When Mitchell was sent home, I decided to support Johnny Ruffo because he is a great dancer. I didn’t Reece Mastin because of the holes in his ears: I think it is really disgusting .
Are you looking forward to Year 11, which is the start of VCE – the BIG one?
Mum, I am really looking forward to it! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I was really careful about the subject choice for next year. I do not want to regret any subject choices. Once we are in Year 11 it is very hard to change any subject, so it is important I get it right.
What is you favourite thing to do?
I like dancing and would LOVE to learn to play the guitar.
What is your favourite sport?
I loved playing tennis at school and would like to learn more. In Years 11 and 12 we do not do any sport (to allow us to concentrate on our VCE subjects) and I am sad about that.
Thank you Miss O 1 for sharing your thoughts with us!
Do you have any questions for Miss O 1? Ask away!
Great and unique interview style, great family
Thank you very much and welcome to our journey!
Great answers Miss O 1 and I see you are quite the fashionista!
What are your favorite subjects at school? What kind of music do you enjoy?
Another artist in the making, who would love to be a professional dancer! Miss O 1 loves a wide variety of music, which is a good thing. She even likes some of the same music I like!
Hi Miss O1 – My son hates some of those foods you dislike but he recognises Broccoli as a good food – perhaps something you should review
Your photo says you are well proportioned for your age, with a beautiful face – I say don’t worry. Your parents will give you good guidance – all you have to do is listen to the guidance that is given
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm – OK, I’ll consider reviewing!
Thank you for the compliments! Much appreciated. I will listen.
Hi Miss O,
It’s a great shame the school drops sports as mental stress needs to be alleviated by physical activity. Will you have time to exercise after school?
You did look stunning in the party photo – long hair suits you! You are really pretty
What subjects have you chosen to study?
Do you like wearing makeup or do you prefer natural beauty?
What is your favourite colour for clothes (Which colour compliments you best) I love pink but pink does not suit me as my skin tone is already “piglet” pink LOL
I went to a colourist and I was told autumn colours suit me best…
Have a great Christmas and new year?
Hi Pip.
Yes, I like makeup but not all the time.
Maybe I will have time to exercise after school but I don’t know how much work there will be yet for Year 11.
Oranges, yellows, peaches, purples and pinks. I don’t like red and green. I love pink so much, I am sorry it doesn’t suit you.
Happy Christmas to you too.
Hi Miss O,
Yes, it’s a shame pink does not suit me….but I wear i anyway
The food really looks lovely to me. I would like to eat the food.
Yeah, you can eat it on the computer if you like!
Mum and I will try to make something similar this weekend.
I think learning to play guitar is an excellent idea. Have a wondefurl summer break. BTW your friends were right about the hair. You do look like Rhianna in that photo.
A very good interview. If no major stumbling blocks are placed in their path, young people can adjust and even thrive in a new invironment, and Miss O 1 is a perfect example of that.
Thank you so much for saying I am a good example. I really appreciate your support.
Great interview.
Yes! Learning the guitar is FUN!
When I was your age, I taught myself how to play the guitar . . . after that, it went everywhere with me. I bought a music book that showed the fingering of the chords . . . picked a song with just three chords and practiced, practiced, practiced.
Over time, I had a chance to play guitar and sing on a tourist boat in St. Thomas (in exchange for FREE passage), to play & sing in several weddings for friends and family, to play & sing at some open mike nights in college, etc.
Enjoy your summer break. Maybe “Santa” will bring you a guitar for Christmas . . . or maybe your could babysit to earn some money to buy a guitar.
Good Luck!
Thank you for sharing your experience! I hope “Santa” might be nice to me, but I’ll have to wait and see.
Excellent interview series. I look forward to reading the rest Robyn! Please forgive my absence, and TY for your patience as I have been adjusting to a new schedule … Glad to be back commenting again. I will come back to like/read all your posts that I haven’t visited in a while.
Thank, Elizabeth. We’ll see you when you have time! You are always welcome.
Thank you, Miss O 1, you are already carving your unique place in Australian society
Congratulations on such a great start – I am sure you will meet the challenges ahead with poise and pizzazz.
Thank you! I like the sound of poise and pizzazz.