October 明日から１０月ーこれからのことも

I can't believe that it is October from tomorrow. When I have such a busy job, time just flies. I sometimes feel like I have no control over my life, and the time just passes me by...

Believe it or not, I have only 2.5 months left on my current contract as you all know probably. I am applying for some selected positions that are within my competency, skill and experience areas (of course all gender related). I have been short-listed for a few positions, but the process is extremely slow and competitive. I think the UN is notorious for the long process for this. I have now requested to extend my time in the office for some months, perhaps in a different contractual modality. There are several things that I am in charge of, and they will go beyond the end of my work. It will be good if I can stay to see them through.

But, this will really depend on the office whether they can find $ to pay me.

I always wonder if I am worth the money that they pay me. It could be up to 3-5 times more than my national counterparts may earn. Certainly it is a different setting (me being away from home etc etc). But, I can't help wondering if it is justifiable. I always tell myself that I should really bring "vale-added" as an expatriate staff in the office, but not sure I always do....

Anyhow, I am waiting for news from different directions, so I will update you when there is some new development.

お買い物

うちの近所にファブインディアのお店が最近オープン。今日、ちょっとのぞきに行って、可愛いバスタオルを衝動買いしてしまった。値段もインドのお店に比べたらかなり高いのかなーと思いきや、普通で、グレーの模様入りのバスタオルは１３００円位でした。

素敵なクルティやスカーフがたくさんあった。無農薬フェアトレードの食品や石鹸などもまあまあの品揃え☆　買い物できるお店があんまりないので、嬉しい。

Monitoring mission

I am back from a monitoring mission, just a few days in a district in mid-west of the country. I mostly went to see the activities of my project: training for community psychosocial workers and data collection of a baseline survey for this end violence against women project.

Even though I do not follow the training content, since it is done in a local language, participants are so happy to have me there, which is nice. They are also curious about me, and asking all kind of questions, where I am from, how long I have been in the country, if I have any siblings etc. They couldn't just get over when they asked about my age! They also asked if I am married, whether I plan to get married, if yes if I have a tentative date or not!! In Canada or in Japan, people will never ask such direct (and would be taken as rude and nosy) questions, but here it is no problem and just makes me laugh.

I was avoiding field missions the past some months due to international travels, but I hope to resume it and do a bit more until the end of the year.

The photo is taken with the participants of the workshop and trainers. There is so much need for mental health and psychosocial support in the community, and I hope they will be able to address the issue even on a small scale.

My friend's wedding reception

I went to a wedding reception of one of my colleagues, who is a good friend.

It was also my Sari debut day!

My japanese friend's didi (housekeeper) dressed me up. She even went to borrow some bracelets from a neighbor, insisting that it was a must when you wear a sari. She also offered her gold ring(!) to me which I politely said it's ok. How sweet of her, though.

The bride was absolutely beautiful and I was so happy for her and her partner. So nice to see a great couple so much in love... She is leaving the office at the end of the month, and I am really going to miss her. We are two of three people in our gender unit.

Voila, here is me in Sari (that I bought in Bangladesh!)

My colleagues are all nice enough to say how I look natural. (I was feeling so awkward ) One colleague even said I look hot.. which is a border line comment but I think it was a compliment :) A sari consists of a tiny blouse (is almost like a bra) and one piece of cloth that you wrap around your body and make drapes and do all kids of tricks. Oh and there is an under skirt, too and thanks goodness for that just in case of an accident.

Petite excursion du weekend

C ‘est toujours agréable d’aller dehors de la ville.

Comme d’habitude j’ai fait mon cours de yoga en samedi matin et ensuite je suis sortie à l’excursion. C’est la troisième fois de visiter cette ville mais, je trouvé quelque chose nouvelle chaque fois.

いそがしいそがし

最近、身近な人のおめでたい話が多くて嬉しい。友達２人が妊娠したり（まだ公表されていないので誰とは言えないけど）仲良しの同僚が結婚したり。

職場でも色々な理由で離職する人が、仲良しの仲間内とかいつも一緒に働いている上司の一人だったりする。それに伴って、お別れ会等もたくさんある。

昨日は仕事を定時に出て、式場下見に付き添い。今日はお昼休みに初サリー（この前バングラで買ったもの）の為の仕立て屋さんに行ったりと、仕事も山のようにあるのに大忙し。

披露宴は日曜日なので、写真載せます。

来週は久々のフィールド出張の予定です。初めて行く郡なので楽しみ。飛行機さえ揺れ（または落ち）なければ！最近飛行機関連の事故の多いここ赴任国です。おーこわ

34th Birthday

On the last birthday, I thought it was the best and cannot get any better. However, my 34th birthday was even better and full of nice surprises.

First, I received three dozens of roses bouquet from a wonderful friend in Canada two days before my birthday. I was in a three day residential work meeting with my all country office colleagues. I shared a room with a german colleague. On the 31st, we were so busy talking until late at night. I got up to take off contact lenses and get ready for bed. I was in a bathroom and then heard knocking. I got suspicious and came out of the bathroom. Then, my colleagues were pouring into the small room singing the happy birthday song with a cake!!

It was supposedly planned spontaneously when some of them found out that it was my birthday the following day. My sweet colleagues waited until midnight to give me this pleasant surprise!! The next day, I also got another cake (chocolate one!!) from one of my closest colleagues.

Then, on the actual day of my birthday, I sneaked out of the hotel where we were holding the meeting (after I pretended to have eaten dinner) when the night fell. I went to a very special celebration prepared just for me, which was dinner, champagne and a home made tarte tatin.

I was a team leader to organize this meeting, so it was kind of bad ( I did fulfill all my duties though!). I felt like I was a teenager :) The next morning, when I walked into the hotel, I saw my big boss coming towards me... He said "oh you went for a walk in rain?"

Then, I came home to find so many wonderful birthday wishes messages in my inbox and on Facebook. I was so happy and touched and was in tears. One of my closest friends said she feels blessed to have met me.... My mother said she is proud of me working hard far etc etc. I am so happy and lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful people, who are always supportive and there for me no matter what and they accept me as I am. This is the best birthday present that I can ever ask for.

Also some strange things happened, for example, my ex whom I broke up with four years ago suddenly sent me a message, which I just do not comprehend. "Why now?" I was trying to interpret meaning of this, but anyway, it did not bother me at all. That is a great great sign that I may be now completely over this worst (so far) thing that ever happened to me (though some emotional scar will never go away but). It gave me some assurance that I am ready for something good.

My 33 was just full of dramas, but I want to make my 34 really great. Thank you my dear friends and family for your birthday wishes. With a few more gray hair and wrinkles on my face (oh yes it's true) I am feeling happy and full of good hopes.