Doing OK

Thank you very much for those who sent me a message. I have gotten better and feeling how important health is...  I will try to have a good balance and not over work myself.    

Sick in Bed

先週から体調不良。水曜日に半休取ったにも関わらず、金曜日にしんどさが増してきてまた午後から帰らせてもらった。発熱とお腹の不調で、どっかからばい菌をもらってきたのだろう。国連のクリニックでもらったお薬を飲んで金曜、土曜と寝ていて、今日も一日中家にいる。ここ１ヶ月半ほど急に忙しくなったので、疲れが溜まっていたのかな？インド人の友人にこう言われた。国連職員は税金払わなくて良いけど体から徴収されているようなものだからね〜と。彼女は以前５年ほど私と機関は違うが国連に勤務していた。

今週末は滞っている仕事をやっつけるつもりだったのに、オフィスに行く元気もない。でも寝ていてもあーこれもやらなきゃあれも、と頭に浮かんで来て、病気の自分が恨めしくなってくる。ストレス溜めているつもりもなかったし、体調管理しているつもりでも、特に途上国の生活ではこういうことがあるのは仕方ないとは思う。

一人で寝ていると、病気の時、世の中の一人暮らしの女性はどうしているのかなーとか考えてしまう。しんどくても起きて、ちゃんと自分用のお粥とか“消化も良くて滋養の良い物”を作っているのだろうか。それとも私みたいに、ゴソゴソとポカリスエットだけ作って、あとはいい加減にインスタントのカップスープを飲んだりしているのだろうか。日本食が恋しいと切実に普段は思わないけど、こういう時は、甘辛く煮たお揚げと加ト吉の冷凍讃岐うどん（どちらもここにはない）だったら食べるのにとか不毛なことを思っている。

色々な友達に病院に連れて行ってあげようかとか、必要な物があったら持っていくよと言ってもらえたのはとても有り難い。

どうか今日もう一晩寝たら、元気になってまた明日から仕事頑張れますように。

小さな幸せ

I was not well and I took a half day off yesterday. I have a huge pile of work and deadlines, so I had to drag my body to work today. This morning I found my Japanese herb seeds (mitsuba) finally sprouted after almost 2 weeks! I was just so happy to see it and I felt less sick. A friend of mine gave me some seeds that her friend smu*gled (!) into the country. Little thing like this really makes my day, and I had a big smile on my face.      

Chiaa khaanu vayo?

This mean "Did you have tea?". This is basically a casual greeting in this country, so you are not supposed to take it literally. It shows how much tea "chaa" they drink here. 

I am continuing the local language class. It's every saturday morning from 10-12 right after my yoga class. Initially, I thought this schedule is too much as I don't get much rest. But, it actually helps that these activities really get my mind off work and I can relax the rest of the day. I even went for a shoulder and head massage after the class yesterday!  

I am increasing the class to twice a week from this week to accelerate my learning. "N" language structure is similar to Japanese. It's so interesting. I got used to learning language from English so it is quite a switch in my brain. For example, "what is your name?" becomes "your name what is?" just like how japanese will be "あなたの名前は何ですか？”．I find this fascinating. 

Now, I can give directions to taxi drivers (go straight, stop here etc...) and I even started taking a micro (mini-bus) occasionally because I can ask "Are you going to ~~?" to a conductor, and I feel more comfortable. I tried to shop at vendors in the local language and ask how much? but unfortunately this language is worse than French when it comes to counting, I wouldn't understand the price of things. It's all different all the way until ....?  So far, I only know up to 12 and 32. 

This weekend:

• Ironed my summer clothes (already summer here) 
• Went to a french restaurant with a friend for dinner      
  
• Went to the office sunday afternoon (finally completed an online course which was due a week ago.. then bumped into my boss and asked to do some work) 
• Late quick lunch at a Singaporean cafe and took out a raspberry cheesecake!  
• And calling an early night to get ready for yet another expected-to-be-busy week!!

あーあ週末はあっと言う間に終わってしまう。また明日から頑張ろうっと。

ただ今時刻１２時

なんか学生時代思い出すなあ。遅くまで起きて課題（というか今は仕事ですが）やっていると。ブログなんて書いてないで早く終わらせて寝なきゃねー。仕事が溜まっているのに明日も一日研修。

Happy New Year 2066!

2066?? yes, according to the local calendar! Tomorrow is a national holiday, and the UN is off too. I really should be doing some work, but I am going on an excursion with a friend. We already had a pre new year party on Friday for the office, and I got a new torchlight and umbrella as a gift. 

なんとか無事終了

昨日の会議というかオリエンテーションだったのだが何とか無事に終わった。あさの１０時から夕方６時までで、そのほとんどが現地語！地方の郡の現地団体にコーディネータ向けのオリエンテーションなので英語があまりできない人が多いみたいだった。私の上司が最初は来てくれて、挨拶して私を紹介してくれたのだけど、直ぐに帰ってしまった。最期までいてくれると思ったのに。結局、ナショナルNGOのうちの一人が通訳してくれたり、進行役の人が大事なところだけ説明してくれた。なんといっても、これはうちの機関がお金を出して、国内の12の郡で行うジェンダーに基づく暴力関係のサービス機関や団体の有無を調べるので、予算は少ないけど大掛かりなプロジェクト。担当できるのは嬉しいけど、まだ新米の私だけが全般に責任を持ってマネージするというので正直大丈夫なのか気がかりである。精一杯頑張るけどもちろん！私もプレゼンをして、（電気がない日でパワーポイントが使えなかったのでローテクの大判用紙）うちの機関の活動内容やGBVのことについて発表した。

上の写真はお昼に出たお弁当。菜食の人にはチキンの代わりにパニールチーズのフライ入り、他は野菜の餃子やサンドイッチなんかでバナナがデザート。会議中には激甘なミルクティを出してくれます。

何とか話し合うべきことは話し合い、Next stepもはっきりしたので来週はこれをフォローアップ。この活動のモニタリングでまたフィールド出張に行くことにもなりそうです。

Busy Busy Busy

This is by far the busiest job that I ever had. Everyday, I work 10 or 11 hours and I still feel like nothing gets done! My days consist of attending meetings, reviewing documents and coordination (responding to emails and making phone calls).  A pencil (which I have not used since the elementary school) has never come so handy. Meetings get rescheduled left and right as everyone's schedule is conflicting with one another. Every week, I have to erase and rewrite the schedule. It's crazy! 

I am not complaining about the job. I still really enjoy what I do, but working long hours can really tire you out. Well, I have to suck it up and just do it.  

Tomorrow is a big day. I just pray that everything goes well. I am going to bed early tonight. Just can't wait for the weekend to start!!!    

私の上司が国内出張のお土産で私ともう一人の同僚にそれぞれネックレスをくれました。私のはトルコ石とラピスの早速次の日から使わせて頂きました。

Something beautiful

My usual saturday starting with yoga, and then language class. I spent a whole afternoon at my friend's friend (who is now my friend?) who is a jewelry designer. Me and a few ladies tried out different necklaces and earrings and seriously serioulsy discussed what colors and styles suit each of us over a glass of exotic fruit juice. I picked out these two: one is soft water pearls and other is green Afghan jade (i think) the silver beads have cute patterns on them (you may be able to see on the photo). What a beautiful afternoon surrounded with beautiful pieces of jewelries!!     

Crazy busy あーいそがし

Really crazy busy as last week. My boss (one of them) came back from leave, and it is nice to have the full team for the gender unit. 

I think I got so used to the laid-back work style in Canada, and it is a real adjustment to work 10 or 11 hour work days. I have been coming home like a zombi recently. 

Yesterday, I completed my work plan on which I will be evaluated mid and end of year. This made it little more clear on my responsibilities and roles. It may seem silly after being at this job for three months I am still "figuring out" my job. There are lots of things even within a small unit and it is also an adjustment for my colleagues to have a new person come and join. In this process of work planning, I was able to express my interest or negotiate areas of contribution to a certain extent and confirm what I have been working on. This turned out to be a positive exercise. 

My activities are starting slowly. I have been meeting with NGO partners to design a project. It is challenging to try to complete the work given the limited funding, but I hope that we can try to work it out. I am not going to set a goal for April. If I can survive this month, I will be just happy.