Because when the cruelty,
selfishness and arrogance of the bad guys make me feel so angry and helpless that I want to escape this country, escape those feeling, I know that there are Afghans who feel so much angrier but who have so much less power to make a difference than I could have if I work out how to use it.
Because I'm remembering how miserable it can feel trying to fit my square peg self into a round hole but I'm also remembering that there are better ways of responding than either: raging against the injustice or stupidity of the round hole; or rubbing off my jangly, sparkly edges until I fit in.
Because I'm learning about Afghanistan.
Because I'm
persevering until I figure out how to do a job that doesn't come naturally to me, how to give my best even when I feel a hundred others could do better.
Because I'm learning about how hard it can be to translate the rhetoric into reality.
Because I have the following essentials for my survival:
- Lovely and long-suffering boyfriend
- iPod filled with NZ music
- iBook and an internet connection
- Moleskine journals
- Pastels and paints (courtesy of the aforementioned lovely boyfriend)
- Digital camera
- Aveda Replenishing body moisturiser
- Hema face cream and oil (100% deliciously NZ organic)
- Bodyshop hemp hand and foot cream (see a pattern? it's dry here!)
- Jarrah Chocolatte hot chocolate
- Lady Grey tea
- Scented candles
- Ugg boots
- 100% NZ made puffy jacket
- Yoga mat (somewhat neglected of late but always there when I'm ready)
- DVDs (The West Wing, Six Feet Under, Northern Exposure and Scrubs)
- Poetry books (Rumi and NZ's Janet Frame)
- Small collection of novels (including Rachael King, Alice Munro, Doris Lessing, Margaret Atwood)
9 comments:
you are doing a wonderful job there and have my full admiration :-) and as long as you have your Moleskines you'll be fine (i can't go anywhere without mine!) xox
ps. yes i will be selling my photographs as soon as i can get a website sorted - do you seriously think anyone would buy them?
It's amazing how the little things in life can make any situation tolerable. You are doing a great service- remember that. The people you help will never forget you. And... it all comes back to you- your bravery and perseverence and determination. That's the way it works.
Many blessings for you and the work you do...
I am happy that you have someone there to rely on. The commander sounds like quite a man (smile). And that list sounds utterly luxurious! Hahaha ... you are one sorted woman with your priorities straight. I remember looking at my suitcase desperately hoping for something from 'Bath and Body Shop' to magically appear in my suitcase. Luckily Ali pointed me in the right direction for a bit of pampering as I was utterly unprepared to cater for my girlie side. Smile ...
I am tempted to come out of the project just to see all this stuff!
Take care,
x
Frida! Blog of the week? I feel so honored that an incredible woman like you is enjoying my musings ;) Thank you! I was laughing when I read that you asked your boyfriend how he wanted to be called in the blog. I did the same... But we still haven't come up with the right "name" yet... Lots of silly names flying around... We'll see...
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I love your post. You're there for all the right reasons and I'm glad that you have the support system to keep you going. I'm a huge fan of yours already!
You are remarkable. And we miss you. And you can come home whenever you want.
But if you stay there - we support you. And love you. And engage in what you do.
There are no wrong decisions.
sweetie - let me know which photo you want and it would be my pleasure to email it to you as a little late Chrissy pressie :-) just leave me your email address in a comment (which i can delete once i have it to protect your privacy) xo
Hang in there, Frida! You are doing something so worthwhile. I like your list of essentials - I can somewhat envision your side of the tent (or room). I bet your boyfriend secretly gets a hoot out of all the girlieness (chocolate, Aveda, yoga mat...). :)
Sounds like you have the essentials covered! And is there any way to send you a package with books, etc.?
I was gonna mention art supplies (useful for destressing), but yeah, you have paints and all.
I SO want a Moleskine journal.
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