Happy Holidays!

Had such a stressful week, but I am off to Japan tomorrow.

Stay tuned for some winter photos from Japan! 

2012 was quite eventful as usual. It was a bit of an emotional roller-coaster ride, but I hope things are moving towards a positive direction. It took me a while to get used to the life and work in this country, but somehow I overcame the challenges to a certain extent. 

I would like to thank friends for your support and  
wish you nice holidays and a very happy new year!

２０１２年も振り返ると、色々あったけど、なんとかポジティブな方向に向かっていると良いな。赴任国での生活や仕事に慣れなくて、辛い時もあったけど、なんとか克服することができたので、多少の自信にはなったかと思う。

お友達の皆さんには相変わらず、大変お世話になりました。良いお年を！

ゆらゆら

久しぶりのダイビング。今日は私もたまにバディを組んでたアイルランド人のひとがここを去るので、お別れダイブ。彼はミャンマーに行くのです。いいなー。

初めてピクニックアイランドに途中上陸して、お昼をいただきました。ほとんどの人は２本潜るのだけど、私はだいたいいつも１回だけにして、２回目のに皆が行っている間は、船のベンチでお昼寝。頑張らない主義。こんな青い空を見ながら、ゆらゆらボートの上で。

Taking a nap on a dive boat while others go on the second dive. Looking at blue sky on a rocking boat.  One of my favorite moments on weekends. 

キャンペーン終了

まだまだ終わらせなきゃいけない仕事はたくさんあるんだけど、キャンペーンが終了したので、ちょっと一息。ここ最近は週末返上で働いていたので、疲れが溜まってる．．．。

国連なのになぜこれをやってるの？と思うようなNGO的な仕事が多かったけど、それはこの国は女性団体もほとんどない特殊な環境なので、国連職員や政府の偉い人も関係なく、キャンペーンリボンを手作りしたりするのです。人が足りなくなって、急遽、私までテレビで流す、キャンペーンの公共広告（？）ビデオに登場したのです。

この１６日間のキャンペーンを通して、少しでも多くの人がDVや女性に対する暴力について考えてくれれば良いな。同僚や私自身もキャンペーン中に、声をかけられて、友達が悩んでいるのだけどどうしたら良いの？と聞かれることもあった。キャンペーンのメッセージを聞いて、一人でもDVに苦しんでいる女性が勇気を出してくれたらと思う。

大変だったけど、とても充実感のある１６日間でした。

The 16 Days Campaign has concluded this week. It was so much work, and I literally ran around and got my hands dirty. I really hope that it raised awareness about violence against women and girls and messages reached out to women who are currently living with abuse.. During the Campaign myself and other colleagues were approached by some people asking for advice about friends who were experiencing violence. It was so worth it. I also very much enjoyed working with young people (some of them are half my age!!) volunteers and colleagues. 　

The photo was taken when I went to an adjunct island for a campaign event. By the way, did I mention that I was one of (self appointed though) designated photographers for the campaign? One of my photos will be used for a next year's calendar of my organization in the South Asia region.  

Count Down to JPN

Taken at a resort where the retreat was held
- love this color

I am completely exhausted and stressed out these days. I had a two day office retreat with long (usual) UN type discussions on directions and strategies for next year. The 16 Days Campaign still has not concluded yet. Now all the reporting and planning has to be done in addition to normal programming kind of work. It can be exhilarating, but I badly need a break or at least proper weekend..

17 more days to go till my next holiday. I am going back to Japan for 10 days on the 24th. This time I am bringing along my boyfriend (yes the notorious non-committal boyfriend- small progress made), who has never been to Japan before. It will be hectic and interesting, but I look forward to seeing my family and going to Onsen together. My parents have kindly booked tickets for a Kabuki performance for two of us, which will be so special. I am certainly not so looking forward to the cold weather, though. Need to layer up with uniqulo heat-tec shirts.

This is what my life has become this year. Work work work and go on a short holiday every two months. This morning, I was counting how many times I have traveled this year. Including the up-coming trip to Japan, it is going to be 10 times! This includes four mission travels but doesn't include short holidays in this country when I had guests over. No wonder my less than 2 year old suitcase is so beaten up and I have become a gold card member of certain airline in spite of traveling in the economy class. 

Morocco Collectable 2

妹さん二人とお母さんへのお土産。バブーシュ。自分用は白をチョイス。もうすぐ会えるねー。

Morocco Collectable

モロッコで買ったティーセット。手書きの模様がなんとも可愛い。あちらでは、これで激甘のミントティーを飲むのです。残念ながら赴任国ではフレッシュミントが売っていないので、もっぱらミルクティーをこれで一人で飲んでる。

Power of Social Media

Currently undertaking a campaign on GBV- the famous 16 days of activism against gender violence. It was the launch day yesterday. I wore my orange polka dots dress and literally ran around the whole day. I even rode in a pick up track to go around the city to organize street skits on the theme of domestic violence, took photos, handed out flyers to pedestrians, shook hands with a new minister of a line ministry and picked up trash after the event.

When I realized, I also somehow became a manager of the online facebook campaign. I have never spent this much time on facebook before. You can find the campaign page through my facebook page. When I post a photo, link or message, immediately people see it, like it and comment on it. Now I understand how it could be addictive.

This "do it all yourself" style campaign is so much work. I only spent a few thousand for this activity, but the amount of actual work that has gone into it is significant.

I thought I had more clever things to say about the campaign and the work, but I am so tired. Going to bed early tonight...  

たいへんだけど、手作り感のあるキャンペーン。週末に集まって、リボンなんかを手作りしていると、なんだかクラブ活動か文化祭を思い出してしまう。今日でまだ２日目。通常の仕事もあるのに、あと14日持つのだろうか心配。

Jeema El Fna, Marrakech

あまりにも可愛くて、安かったので一つ買ってしまった。

スークの中はこんな感じです。

広場の前のテラスにて

証拠

Orange sand in the pocket of my jeans

It was a proof that I was there with you a month ago

My toes sank into the sand 

Each grain absorbed the warmth of Arabian sun 

職権乱用？

One of the best things about my current job is that I have been given some opportunities to travel to other countries. Earlier this month I had two missions back to back- physically brutal indeed yet wonderful experience. I first went to Dhaka for a few days to attend a meeting. The highlight (of course other than the meeting on migration issues) was to see my friend whom I have not seen for almost a year. We just sat in my simple hotel room with lime soda, but it was great to catch up with her albeit a very short time- just over an hour before I ran back to the airport! Then I got stuck in a horrible traffic and nearly missed my flight to the next destination...... Morocco!!

I have been always wanting to visit Morocco. It was really a dream came true. I was there only for three days, most of which I spent attending a conference on gender responsive budgeting, but I tried to absorb "morocco-ness" as much as possible. The conference was inspiring, and I met many nice people, agency colleagues from other countries as well as strong Moroccan women. It was also so nice to (at least try to) speak French. I would say this trip was more like a teaser, and I definitely have to go back there some time with a large suitcase. And you know why!

  

らくだの背中からの景色

A view from a back of a camel. This is how their feet look like. At least one thing crossed off on a list of things to do in life- camel ride in a desert, check! (I am not sure if it was ever my on list, but never mind) I prefer horse back riding, but this was also fun.  

Ocean of Orange Sand

I didn't know a desert can be so stunning. The sand is as fine as powder snow.  Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi, October 2012

two weeks of continuous workshops

怒濤の忙しさの今週。

I am again busy organizing a workshop this week. I had a group of great people who want to work on gender equality and women's human rights issues. It was so much work, but it was so well worth the investment of time. I love the energy and enthusiasm created at the workshop. The second component of this training continues next week, but hopefully I can remain on the backstage. I look forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning.  

Weekend as usual

Escape from the capital 

ダイビング準備中。今日はマンタはいなかったけど、珊瑚の
綺麗なところで潜った。カメもたこも河豚にも会った。流れが
速かったので、珍しくちゃんと泳いだわ。

グルジアとネパールの遭遇

Georgia meets Nepal in MV.

ネパールのスリッパとチベット箱。eclectic style 可愛いものは、文化も国も超越。写真に撮るだけじゃ、満足いかなくて、欲しいものもありますね。こうして持ち物が増えてゆくのか。ノーマデックなのに．．．。

Photography

I love taking pictures.

You capture moments and emotions.

When I travel I see so many beautiful things. Unfortunately, I cannot take them home or buy all of them. But, if I take pictures, I can own them. Nice vegetables in a market, cute cat on a street, colorful carpets and textiles, art work, leaves flowers in forests and even buildings (and cup cakes that I didn't eat for that matter!)- I can own all of them in my photo album. They remind me of the excitement, smell and awe from the moment when I was there, standing in front of it and staring at it.

I am taking an on-line photography course now. I am learning basics of shutter-speed and aperture etc. I am having so much fun with my newly acquired toy, a.k.a. the Cannon SLR camera.   

遂にマンタレイ見た！

I finally saw manta rays today! Not one but four of them in one dive. 

They were beautiful. I was so impressed and excited. I had goosebumps and even a bit of tears in my eyes. The biggest one must have been 3-4 meters wide. They are amazing creatures. A couple of them swam by so close. They seem gentle and friendly. They seem so free, like a big bird in water. 

I enjoy each and every dive, but this time was absolutely special. 

今日初めてダイブでマンタレイを見る事ができた。マンタポイントに何度も行っても一度も見られなかったのに、まったく期待していない今日、遭遇！

水の中を悠々と泳ぐ姿が、美しくて、感動。鳥肌がたって、涙が出て来ちゃう程。インストラクターの人達と思わずガッツポーズ。まだ余韻に浸っています。

グルジアお気に入り写真1

まだグルジアネタで引っ張ります（笑）

Still reminiscing about Georgia. By the way, did I mention that I have nominated myself as an unofficial cultural ambassador of Georgia?

I am going to share my favorite photos of this trip.

There are many cats, particularly tiger cats- my favorite. 

Day time TV tower with moon

Church from 6th century

Traditional bread-oven (on the left)
I was curiously looking at the oven, and a kind waiter let me in and
opened the over and offer to take my photo with it. Look at my big smile!

  

夜のトビリシ

Parliament Building

View from my hotel room with nice moon, SLR can take a nice night-shot!

Colorful TV tower, very cute landmark. Right behind of the hotel. I have way too may photos of this...

Freedom Square, nicely lit up at night 

Souvenir de Georgia

I am back from Georgia. I fell in love with the city. I have brought back a piece of the country in my suitcase. Beautiful Georgian Kilim- about 70-80 years old (but un-used), hand-woven with a nice smell of wool. Purchased in a local antique kilim and carpet shop that has big piles of different sorts. It is impossible to look through all of them, so finding one that you like is really like by chance, "love at first sight".

I was told it takes 3-4 months to weave one like this. Wonder what stories this kilim has. I could only imagine...  

Will upload more photos later this week. 

グルジアりょじょう

It's strange how I stumble on a country that I have never even imagined of visiting. I knew it existed, but I have never given much thought to it. It makes me think all the more that there are still so many countries that I have not visited and so many landscapes and scenaries that I have not seen in this world.

Flying over Caspian Sea, stopping over in Baku, Azerbaijan, Georgia is actually only about 3 hours away from Doha. It is much closer than a place like London for me, but somehow it feels that I have come so far. It is unfamiliar-ness that gives the sense of remoteness.

I am mostly working in my hotel room today, but I managed to get out to see the city a bit during lunch time. I am sharing a glimpse of the city. Starting a workshop tomorrow for three days.

ドーハから飛行機で３時間余り、時差も赴任国より１時間遅いだけのグルジア。まったく馴染みがなかった国なのに、思ったより近いということに驚き、まだまだ世界に行っていない国や、見たこともない景色がたくさんあるんだなと思う。当たり前だけど、そこに色んな人が住んでいる。同時に、飛行機に乗れば、簡単にこんなところまで来られちゃうことに、おかしいけど感動してしまう。

町並みは私好みに、味のある年季の入ったレンガ造りの家が多い。悪く言えば老朽している。街の中心の目ぬき通りは、改修している建物が多いので、どんどん近代化しているのだろうな。教会がたくさんあって、色鮮やかなキリムや絨毯が綺麗。乳製品が美味しい！朝ご飯に食べたの、カスピ海ヨーグルトかな？上の写真は、お昼に食べた素焼きのお皿に入ったチーズパイのようなもの。美味しかったけど半分しか食べられなかった。この歳になると胸焼けするわ。（先日３６歳になりましたので！）

明日から３日間の研修です。

Arrived in Tbilisi

無事に着きました。とても綺麗な町です。印象はサラエボみたいな感じです。

Blissful moments in Japan

Watching Ningyo Jyoruri, Japanese traditional performance arts with almost life size dolls, each operated by three persons. Even though I did not sleep almost 24 hours and was right off a flight, it was so worth it. It is one of UNESCO world heritage and I really appreciate the history and arts of Japan. 

Outdoor hot-spring spa (onsen) watching the inner sea of Setonaikai with my mother 

Having a hot-pot with my family at home, insane idea in this weather, but with AC blasting it is doable, one of my favorite family dishes that I always request when I go home.  

Seeing friends, a girl friend from the time as far as I could remember going back to the kindergarden and elementary school! Another close friend with two adorable daughters who always have something to tell me. Two friends that I have not seen for the past 15 years. Thank to the modern technology, a.k.a Facebook, I got reconnected with them. Really brought me back to the high school and university days. 

Hanging out with my family- everyone was working, so I would wake up early to maximize my face time with them. I wish I could spend more time with my sisters, but it was still so nice to see them.  

Shopping- bought a beginner SLR camera, books, some clothes and a half a suitcase of Japanese food! I think my wallet has a hole when I am in Japan. Money goes so quickly when I am not looking. 

Dinner out with my family 

Watching a Korean movie "togani" came highly recommended by my sister (it was a fantastic movie)

All the good food that I ate, fresh seafood, sashimi, sushi, grilled saury fish, sweets, everything (did I eat the whole thing of green tea ice-cream that is in front of me? yes surely!) I wish I have more stomachs to eat more...  

In summary, every moment was so special and enjoyable. I was out and about every day in the notorious hot and humid kyoto climate and got exhausted, but somehow I felt so energized. This means it was a very good holiday.  

   

１週間だけだったけど、申し分のないお休みでした。暑い中引っ張り回したお友達や家族の皆様ありがとうございました。次はもう少し過ごしやすい季節に帰ってきたいなー。

Kyoto Moments 2

ふと通りかかった、まだ京都らしさの残る、裏道や路地。１枚目の写真を撮っている時に、そこにいたおばさんに、あんたらこんなん珍しいの？どこから来たの？と聞かれた！京都人ですけど！！

Kyoto Moments

Snap shots from my one week in Kyoto of visiting temples, an antique market and enjoying Japanese dessert. I am trying to immerse myself in "kyoto-ness" and absorb it as much as possible in a short period of time.      

In Nepal

I am in Nepal for just a few days on mission. Breathing in the familiar air, a sense of happiness wraps me around like a warm blanket. I enjoy the chaos of the city, bumpy roads and energy of people, feeling more alive. I am sure I was complaining about the city a lot when I was living here, but I have developed a special attachment and fondness, having lived here for two and a half years, the longest period of time in one place during my past 10 years.    

明後日から日本

Off to Japan for a week staring this Friday! I haven't been back for a year, since I went back when my grandmother passed away. My parents are taking me to an island to enjoy some seafood and never-to-miss-in-Japan hot spring, indeed!! I can't wait to see my family and friends.

The ramadan month is almost coming to an end now. I can see local colleagues are coming to the office later and later and leaving the office earlier and earlier. I heard lots of warning about how nothing gets done, nothing to do, frustrating and inconvenient the life would be during this period. However, I was fine, and it turned out to be not so bad. There is one hotel near the office serving lunch, went diving a few times and m gym was open though nearly empty. Surely, the response from counterparts is not as good, but I managed to make some progress and spend time on planning for September.

The next two months will be very busy (hopefully!). When I am back from Japan, I will go to Nepal for a few days (on mission and not to see my boyfriend unfortunately..). I have a few days in the office and then off to Georgia for a three day training, which I am really looking forward to. It is a rare occasion to participate in an international training. A colleague who came here on mission a few months ago recommended me to take part, saying it is relevant for my work and to give me some break from the life here. How nice of her! Lots of flying and transiting in the next three weeks.

Stay tuned for some exotic photos from Georgia!         

Doha Images

Souq Waqif (Photo: FR)

At Hotel cafe, reading, chatting,  checking work e-mail(!) sipping beet-root juice 

Mosque- view from the Souq (Photo: FR)

Get Away during Ramadan@ Doha

週末プラス１日のドーハ滞在。

なぜドーハ？とも思うけど、彼のいるネパールとの丁度中間点なのです。どちらからも４時間ちょっとで行ける。

こちらもラマダン中なので、日中はもちろん何も開いていないし、外は４０度以上の暑さ！一歩外に出ると、熱風が吹き付けてきて、乾燥機の中に入った気分になるような気候。

特別な観光をしたわけじゃないけど、始めて来た国なので（トランジットではよく来るけどね）何でも新鮮。ホテルのカフェでビートルーツジュースを飲みながらまったり読書をしたり、話したり、ふかふかのベッドに寝っころがって映画を見たりしてのんびり。夜にはスークを見学して、ショッピングモールでハーゲンダッツのアイスを 食べたり、のlow-keyだけど幸せな週末。

現地の女性はアバヤと呼ばれる真っ黒のクロークで、体全部を覆っていて、ニカブと言う目だけが見えるマスクをしている人も多い。お化粧はばっちりしていて、その下にすごく高いピンヒールの靴を履いているのが見えて、きっと上等のブランドの服を、着ているのだろうなと想像される。私にはそのコントラストが、奇妙で不思議に思える。ベールとジェンダー問題は、議論し尽くせない問題。何も見えないというところが、見えすぎていることよりも魅力的になる得ることもあるのだろうなと思った。

見たところ、ドーハにいる人は３つのカテゴリーに分かれると思った。とても裕福な現地の人と、こちらで働いているホワイトカラー、もしくはきっと航空会社かなんかに勤めている、まあまあお金のある外国人（ほとんどが白人）と、ブルーカラーの出稼ぎで来ている南か東南アジア人。物価は高いし、低所得の労働者は大変だろうと思う。ネパールからも、飛行機にさえ乗ったことのない、右も左も分からないような若い男の子達が、たくさん中東に出稼ぎに来る。私なんかは恥ずかしげもなく、２つ目のカテゴリーに入ってしまうけど、矛盾とアジアの労働者の苦労と痛みを考えた。

写真は泊まったホテルでのSuhoor（断食空けの夜の特別の食事）。初めて水タバコを試した。今ウィキペディアで調べたところ、体には良くないそうですが、紅茶を飲んでいるような感覚でなかなか美味しかった。ラマダン中の特別イベントで、テントをイメージした内装で、多少のcheesy さはあるものの、トルコ料理やトルコの音楽の生演奏もあり雰囲気は良かった。

どんなに短くても、お休みから帰ってくるのはいつも寂しい。

Beginning of Ramadan

ラマダンの月が先週の金曜日から始まりました。地元の人は、みんな日中は断食（水も飲めない）なので、職場も短縮時間勤務。お昼ご飯のお休みを取らない同僚は、３時には帰ってしまって、午後はガラガラ。もちろん、生産性は低いし、仕事はまったく進みません。レストランはもちろん開いてないし、人前では食事ができないので、オフィスのキッチンでこっそりお水を飲んだり、お昼は、辛うじて開いている近くのホテルまで行ったりしないといけない。昨日は、インド料理を注文して余ったので、持って帰りますと言うと、ホテルの人にラマダン中は、残り物を持ち出すのは禁止だと言われた！厳しい！

私はあいている時間を利用して、オンラインのクラスをやったり、今まで手を付けていなかった仕事の企画書を書いたり、地道にできることを探している。宗教的にとても大事なイベントなのはすごくよく分かるけど、仕事にならないという理由で、外国人スタッフはお休みを取る人もいる。

私はラマダン月が終わるぎりぎりくらいに、短い期間だけど日本に帰ります！

Decisions Decisions

Don't you think there are some similarities between quitting a job and breaking up with a guy? You know that it's not quite working out. You don't see a long term future. You have some good moments but most of the time you are not so happy or have some doubts. But, there is a sense of security in staying on, and the right thing to do in your mind is to keep working at it until it gets better.

I haven't been writing so much about the job. This is not because I don't enjoy it. I do enjoy most aspects of it, but being in a small country, I can be easily identified (especially if I write in English, like what happened when I was in Guyana). Things are very sensitive here and I can't really express myself publicly.  I also wrote only good parts of the life here, beautiful ocean, diving and holidays. But to be really honest, I often feel very isolated. I am not depressed like the first two months when I came here. I manage and given the situation I do pretty well, finding a good balance. I thought I was stronger mentally than this, which is rather disappointing. But, what is the point of enduring this? If I don't like it or not happy, then I should say no or do something about it. This has been a big "black cloud" over my head for the past two weeks.    

今のポストを始めてもう７ヶ月。今、来年の事業にも関わってくること、方向性や予算等を色々決めている。元々１年の契約で、２年目は未定ということになっていたのだけど、ここ最近になって、更新の話が出始めた。私が残ることを前提に、話が進んで行くようなかんじ。始めたからには責任もあるし、２年は腰を据えて、今の仕事をするのがキャリア的には一番良いとは分かっている。でもこの国の生活を、これから１年半することに対して、はっきり言って限界を感じるし、正直しんどい。我ながら甘いなーとも思う。ここの生活環境は思った以上に、精神的にきつくて、自分なりに努力して楽しめるようにしているけど、長期的には無理だと思う。自分では精神的にもうちょっとタフだと思っていたのに、何だか情けない。まだ半年ちょっとで、結果も出してないのに、もう止めますと今の段階で言うのにも抵抗がすごくあるのも事実。こんなことを考えて悶々としている日々。仕事自体は面白いし、とても勉強になるのだけどね。どうしよどうしよどうしよ。でももう気持ちは決まっているのだろうね。

London Miscellaneous

Please look after this bear thank you

I used to love the Paddington Bear stories. I think I still have the books in Japan in my parents home. The stories are just so cute. Paddington is always so curious about everything and he wants to try things out. He is a very hands-on (front paws-on, rather) kind of bear. He always somehow gets into a trouble, makes a mess, but at the end everything works out well. Stories that you can't read without smiling. I would say most of my early little knowledge of London (and not that I have a lot now anyway) was gained from reading these books. Happy to visit the station and Portobello Street where he frequents, visiting a friend who owns an antique shop.    

Two Sarah's

 My two lovely friends. They are both wonderful girls and I am so lucky to be their friend.

The bride was obviously so busy and I didn't get to talk much with her. She was so beautiful, and the wedding was very nice. I socialized with her and her husbands friends who are from all over the world and many of them work in a similar field.

I got to know her in this duty station when I first came. We overlapped only for 3 months, but I got to know her, her being so friendly and open. We spent a weekend in a resort in February.

On the other hand, I haven't seen this Sarah for over four years. We were both volunteers with VSO in Guyana. Since then, she has gone back to the UK and continued practicing as an occupational therapist. We spent a half day on Portobello Street visiting the antique market and catching up. She bought a bracelet, earring and an artichoke! And I bought some groceries, a pair of silver earring and a necklace (that I am waring with the dark blue dress above). We enjoyed mushroom risotto and a glass of wine in an organic restaurant. Then, we hopped on a double-decker bus and went to Picadelly Circus for green tea latte and dorayaki.

My crazy short London trip was so worth just to see them.