Off to Kabul

It has been seven months without a respite. I have been confined in a prison like environment eating, sleeping, and working with the same people day after day with no end in sight and no possible chance to get away! All I would ask for is a weekend jaunt to the mountains, a day trip to the beach, a nice walk through the meadow; anything that would be a change of pace for just a little while. Then it happened!

My supervisor in Kabul decided that since all of the students around the country would be going home to their families to enjoy and celebrate the Eid holiday, that all the English Language Teachers (ELTs) around the country could come to Kabul for a bit of professional development. I nearly jumped for joy (internally) upon hearing this. I am always up for professional development, but I was even more up for the possibility of going somewhere else.

There were a few problems that led me to believe I may be severely disappointed, but finally we were confirmed on a direct flight in a small plane owned by the Afghan Air Force but piloted by US pilots. An eight seat plane with no pressure cruising along at 11,500 feet. The peppermint gum gave relief to the ears, the stomach, and the taste buds! As there was no inflight entertainment nor services, I decided to spend my time looking at the desert landscape below. What I thought would be boring and monotonous presently surprised me!

I looked out upon the desert expecting to see the sandy brown I have become so accustomed to seeing on the ground. What appeared instead was a rich array of reds, oranges, and greens. It was as if the sand new that while there were no trees, we would still enjoy the changing colors of autumn. The landscape was a masterpiece created by one of those who uses colored sand to make pictures. In addition to the sand, when there were towns/cities, one could see the different colors of the houses as well. There were lots of yellows and purples.

And now I am here. Grateful to have finally gone somewhere; lucky to have run into someone I know and have lunch together; and a little tired from having the ability to just kick back for a time. Perhaps I will get a coffee and the Greek Coffee Shop! I love the international atmosphere of the base here in Kabul!

Burn up; burn out!

There it is. The idea that everything is 100% safe is no longer the case! Of course, I never really believed that anyway, but somehow people wanted me to. I still feel safer here than I would in any major city in the US where if you don't know what part of town you are in, or where it is safe to go, you could easily get yourself killed! While all the coalition forces have weapons, and even the Afghans outside our compound have weapons, the feel of the place is one of safty and concern; they haven't let their guard down, but they aren't being overly hyper about things either.

Unfortunately, no matter where one is accidents do occur. In this instance, we had a cargo plane crash. The accident was handled tremendously well, and no one was hurt (at least seriously... I am sure there were minor injuries, but those weren't reported). The major casualty of this accident was moral! Apparently, this plane was carrying much desired mail for those working and living so far from home. There were apparently even pictures of one guy's boxes, what was left of them anyway. I can only hope that while I have been waiting for a number of official letters as well as a box, that those were not among the wreckage.

That possibility, however, brings me to the matter of burn out! It is definitely accumulative, and it has been accumulating. I feel it worst when I am not actually teaching, so perhaps a 7 day work week would be better for me at the moment! Not being in a position to actually travel somewhere is apparently not the best for me. I need the ability to move around and do things. I need the ability to get away from the people I am working with on occasion, to be able to guiltlessly escape to my room and find myself wherever my latest book takes me.

So, knowing that I am out of here in March, I am trying to plan my future. I am really beginning to think that I should take some time off. I have been given this suggestion by a couple of different people who have been through such times, and they stress the goodness that can come from regaining one's equilibrium after such postings. I have a feeling they are right. I have to go through my budget and see how long I can last without an income, and then be prepared to get a job soon after that time (if not before).

I think a bit of housesittng, if possible, during that time would be great as well as visits to various people I haven't seen in a long time. I guess I could make a list and plan things out.... but planning has never been a strong point of mine..can I plan out relaxation time without getting myself stressed out over it? Perhaps there is a study in here somewhere ;)

And the Days Keep Coming!

For my 200th post, I would like to write something special, but as things here are so unusual most of the time, I am not sure what exactly would qualify for such. Therefore, I have decided to just write and see what comes.

First of all, I can't help but wonder what will happen next. As some of you are probably aware, I have managed to knock my hard drive into a state of uselessness. I have read that there could possibly be a way to recover/repair this problem (if I am lucky) using the recovery discs. Unfortunately, I left the discs elsewhere. I have made a copy of a repair program that one can obtain from the Apple website, but as it was done from a PC, I am not sure that the DVD will even be readable! Then I attempted to download a Windows 7 repair program (dual operating system), and the government computer I use will not allow me to do it (even to save to my own CD). I was then going to use the non-governmental computer that we have in the office only to find that it doesn't have a disk drive! They just don't like to make anything easy!

On the teaching front, the students had their book quizzes today. They are doing well, and I am hoping that we are able to get another 10 or so out of here and on to pilot training in the near future. Yes, only time will tell.

My students are starting to come up with jokes and stories that they just must tell. Apparently, Afghans are not humble people! They are generally pretty funny, and even when slightly inappropriate, I can't help but laugh. We get into discussions we probably shouldn't, but we do so with respect, and it generally works out alright.

I find that my mind is starting to wonder more, and my writing is getting a bit hard to follow. I think I may need to really sit down and start to work with it again! Perhaps I need to take a vacation to do just that. No work, no traveling, a few friendly visits, and lots of time to write at a coffee shop, while house-sitting, anything like that! It is definitely a plan!!

Another visit

There has been a lot happening here! The students were chastised for not being professional or following the chain of command, and they have to go through a professionalism course put on by the Afghan military. This is a very good idea as they will be taught what is expected of them in their own military, and hopefully some of the problems that were occurring will stop.

On a slightly more interesting note, an Afghan 4 Star General came to visit us recently. The students were really glad to meet him! He is the equivalent of our Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was an excellent speaker and even speaks good English! Apparently, he attended DLI and, therefore, knows the problems that students and teachers have with the process. It is interesting to know that someone here knows something about what is going on!

Overall, I am doing alright. I am a little more tired than I should be; a little more irritable, perhaps.. and I definitely am feeling the pain in my legs and back that come from wearing my sidearm day in and day out. Strapping 7-8 pounds to one leg just can't be good for you! It has placed me all out of alignment, and I am feeling it!