Happy Friday!

After a very long and stressful week, Friday has finally arrived.

Today after work, we had an office party (pre-celebration of official event, the World Population Day). We were all encouraged to wear a national/ ethnic dress to celebrate the diversity. So, I have pulled out very very old Yukata (cotton Kimono) from a box, which I can't even remember the last time when I worn it. I practiced ting the belt -obi twice the night before after staring an instruction paper for a while.

Too bad that I can't really post the photos (without the permission of my colleagues and this site is a secret of course), but it was really nice. Most of my female colleagues wore sari; my African boss wore her national dress and male colleagues also put on their various ethnic outfits. I am the only one in Yukata. I was suddenly very popular and everyone wanted a photo with me, which was really funny. I should do this more often to make my job easier... :).

The office has its own set of problems, but I love my colleagues and so lucky to be surrounded by many nice people.

We had some delicious snacks and wine on the rooftop of the office building.

浴衣なんて着たの何年ぶりだろう。職場で大好評でした。みんな帯の技（？）に感心していた。

七夕

今日は七夕ですね。

今日は、久々にダンスのクラスに行って、七夕ディナーと（口実を付けて）日本食レストランで夕ご飯を食べてきた。梅酒ソーダも飲んじゃいました。仕事が只今ストレスフルなので良い気分転換になった。

前に好きだったけどふられちゃった人のお誕生日でもあります。（人の誕生日が覚えられやすい日しか覚えられない！！）

停電中のうちのエリアは星も綺麗。笹飾りはないけど、私も何か願いが叶えば良いのにね。

Going home soon

Well, I have not written about my work for a long time, but I am working. It is crazy as usual. I have somehow recently became a kind of mental health and psychosocial focal person in my office and handling some heavy topics. We will be collecting data on "suicide" in some research this year, and I have been reading and thinking about suicide a lot lately.

I have tentatively booked my flight to Japan to go on home leave the first 2 weeks of August. With everything these days, I am quite exhausted and I really need a break. My short (actually less than 2 weeks) holiday seems already filling up with plans, and I am not sure how resting it will be. But, certainly it will be good to be home and be around my family and see friends. It is probably the worst time to be Kyoto given the hot and humid weather... I hope I will manage. I can't even remember the last time when I was home in summer (because I usually avoid it).

My next three weeks are almost completely booked up with another recruitment duties, my own project work and some humanitarian assistance related strategic meetings. Non-stop always!!!

Exchange drive

When I was chatting with my girl friends over drinks a while ago, we were wondering “what people do with presents from your ex-boy friend(s)?”. It is interesting how people react to this and maybe their past in general. Some are still good friends with their exs, and for others, it is too difficult to be that way. It applies for gifts as well. Some still use the items, and others (including me) cannot use or wear them (especially jewelries), since it is too sentimental. You can’t use them but you cannot easily throw them away.

I read somewhere that according to Fengsui belief, it is not good to have these items hanging around you, which will keep new relationships from coming (do you believe this?!)

So, what we invented is “ex-boyfriend gifts exchange drive”. You exchange gifts that you have held on but don't know what to do with, with your friends. Your friends' sentimental items are just "things" for you and does not mean anything obviously, so it works.

I have recently gotten rid of a few things (particularly when I moved to a new apartment) and also through this "initiative" and it actually feels good and liberating. "De-clattering" life is always good ;)

Relaxing weekend

Went to a pool and swam almost after 2 years. I finally had a chance to wear my bikini that I bought before coming to this country. I had barbeque lunch and spent a half day swimming and chatting on a lounge chair with my two girl friends.

Finally connected at home

I am finally connected at home, which will help me to keep in touch with my family and friends, and hopefully I would spend more time on job applications now.

And more

And of course the famous "Mule Frites". Was great!
I have missed visiting "canal st.martin" the last time when I was in Paris, and this time I visited with my friend Oliver on Velib (the public bicycle thing). We walked along the canal up to "place de la bastille" and where it joins la saine. We stopped to have some dessert and I had creme brule.
J’adore Montmartre. Je suis resté chez Olivier, qui a un appartement très charmant au Montmartre. On a mangé au restaurant du fromage fondu, et je me suis enivré complètement!

Brussels

I have been extremely busy and many things happened since I came back from my trip. Have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride lately. And only since today, I can breathe a bit better.
Here are some more photos from Brussels .
Y ちゃん、リクエストに答えてちゃんとベルギーでワッフル食べてきたよ～。
I have bought this apron in a flea markert in Brusseles for 4 euros. Taken at my firned's place.
My Spanish sister, Ruth. I have obtained a permission to post one photo of us (right?) I have not seen her nearly 7 years, but she was as nice and cool as 7 years ago, and I had a fantastic time with her and her partner. Thank you so much for having me! The city was beautiful (though cold for summer).

Italy

I have really enjoyed Italian food! Being in a land locked country and stopped eating meat, it was great to eat all the seafood that you can think of!　ツナのピザにイカスミのリゾット、たこのマリネサラダやシーフードのパスタ！イタリア食材もたっぷりと買い込みました！

Workshop completed

Tomorrow morning, I am moving on to Belgium with lots of new knowledge on HRBA and RBM, new friends, newly acquired three cardigans (and other items that I bought, I love cardigans!!), italian groceries, and definitely a few extra weight around my waist line from all the good Italian food that I ate! Photos to come....

Workshop- human rights, results etc etc

Torino

イタリアに来ています。町並みがとってもきれい。

研修と宿泊は国連のスタッフカレッジ。バスセットにまでロゴが入っているのがおかしい。　

明日からここで５日の人権に基ずく手法とリザルトベースマネージメントの研修です。

traveling and traveling

木曜日が祝日で、ドナーレポートの期日が迫りに迫っているにも関わらず、1日有休を取って2泊3日の小旅行に行ってきました。すごーく楽しかった！今焦って報告書仕上げていますが。

今週の土曜日に初のイタリアへ出発です。（研修ですよ念のため）その後2日お休みを取り、ベルギーとパリに行ってきます。楽しみ！ ベルギーでは8年以上会っていないスペイン人の姉妹みたいに仲の良かった友達に会うのです。２晩でどれだけキャッチアップできるのかな。

I took one day leave as Thursday was a holiday, and I went on a short trip.　It was fantastic!!

Then, I am off to Italy for the first time (this is work related-- training) this Saturday. I will take 2 days off at the end to visit my good friends in Brussels and Paris. Look forward to it very much!

My New Apartment

As I mentioned a few times, I have moved to a new apartment at the end of April.

My close friend who had lived here for 4 years was leaving and her apartment was going to be available. I loved my previous apartment, but my landlady raised the rent by 20% after 1 year. The area was getting much noisier after a tower building in front opened a rooftop bar where they played loud music. So, even though there was less than 1 year left in this country and I dreaded the thought of moving, there I go, I moved. The move was not as traumatic as I expected. I think I am actually quite good at it…! I requested the office pick up track and hired a couple of laborers off the street. The lane was so narrow, the car had to stop in the middle and people pitched in to carry things to my new place, which was nice.

So, my new apartment, it is on the 3rd floor of a house (they call it “flat” here). I have 2 bedrooms (small ones compared to the last place), 2 bathrooms, bigger kitchen with a space for dining area and tiny side/storage place with a living room. It is less luxurious than the other place, but it is nice and cozy. The only complaint that I may have is the size of the bed. I am surprised how I got used to sleeping on a queen size bed, though I am occupying a small fraction on the side. That’s probably one of few luxuries in my rather simple life. Somehow when it comes to the space (of a room and bed), I have been spoiled having lived in Canada and other countries.

I am really happy in my new place and feel good energy. It’s got a nice breeze in the evening. The walk to the office is more pleasant. Dogs bark loudly, but there is no escape from this in this country, so relatively quieter. The landlady is lovely, and I feel good. I more or less finished decorating the place, and I feel very much at home. I look forward to inviting friends for meals and get togethers.

My work is really crazy busy at a moment, so it is nice to go back to place where I can truly relax.

All work and no play makes....

I am happy to have finally a day off to myself today.

It's Sunday and I am not seeing anyone or having any appointments whatsoever. Normally, I would call up a friend of mine, but I am just content this way today.

Things have been quite hectic these days. Due to the 1 week general strike, work is delayed and piling up. As for the private life, meeting many new people, going to parties, still doing yoga and the dance.

So, this is more like all work and all play makes me really tired!

This morning, I got up relatively late (7!!), tidied up my place, re-arranged the apt (now things are where they should be more or less in the new apartment), cooked pasta for lunch, ran a few errands, and now I am sipping lemonade and snacking on a chocolate cup-cake and surfing online. I look forward to perhaps watching a movie in the evening. What a luxury!

Images from Dhaka

とってもサービスの行き届いた快適なホテルでした。朝ご飯のテーブルにて。
私の赴任国に比べると人力車がたくさん。

More Images from Dhaka

こんな感じの渡し船に乗りました。現地の人は向こう岸に渡る為の交通手段ですが、私たちは見学でその辺をぐるーっと回ってもらいました。
スターモスクにて。タイルがとてもきれいです。ちなみにこの国は、モスラムなので女性は原則として、みんなクルタスルワール（スルワールカミーズ）で、スカーフが必須らしいです。

Dhaka Trip

日本に帰る直前のお友達と3泊４日でバングラデッシュのダッカに旅行してきました。
As usual my trip is three-prone approach that is sightseeing, shopping and eating.

Sightseeing:
Went to the port and took a small (and somewhat scary) wooden boat to go around the port.
Saw a gorgeously tiled mosque, called “Star Mosque”, the parliament building, local market and some nice architecture around the city.

Shopping:
They have wonderful fair-trade craft and clothing stores. I went crazy with sandals and bought 4 pairs!! They are so reasonably priced, too. I also got one lovely kurta set. Earrings, scarf, tiny pouches and my very first sari! I may attend my friend’s wedding, and I want to wear one for the first time. I had no clue how to choose one. For saris, apparently combination that would never work for regular clothing (such as green and orange together type thing) is a go. I just listened to the advice of others purchased one of bright pink and blue color silk with some flower patterns. Waiting for my sari debut day!!

Dining:
I was craving for seafood. I ate shrimps at every dinner. My highlight was eating at a Vietnamese restaurant, which is not available where I am now. I had shrimp spring rolls, pho noodle and fried banana and was completely satisfied. One dinner was at a seafood restaurant where I had calamari and paella among other things. Only thing missing from these wonderful meals was a cold glass of beer or white wine, but never mind. This is a Muslim country, where most restaurants are dry.

Other:
The friend that I was traveling with used to work there, so I met with her friends and colleagues, which is always a nice addition to a trip.
We hired a car and driver to take us around everywhere, and stayed in a nice hotel. It was a rather a trip de luxe for us. But, it didn’t cost that much including shopping. The city is much modern than where I am now. I was completely like a country girl overwhelmed by the modernity of the city. People are extremely friendly and nice and gave a bit different impression than N. people.

I just had so much fun. I have become an unofficial sales agent for the country and telling everyone how great it was and that they should all go!!

Back safely

from my trip! I almost had to walk from the airport with my luggage because of the strike (no cars allowed), but luckily vehicles from my office happen to be there to pick up someone. Me and my friend benefited from the ride. Such a chaos in the country. This is the Day 4 of the strike not sure how long it will last..
Will upload fun stories and pics from trip!! Sending lots of love to friends and families!!

Another holiday

Believe it or not, I am going on the third consecutive vacation of this season to Bangladesh. Initially, I was supposed to go to Darjeeling in India, the second attempt since last year. However, due to the unstable political situation and planned nation wide strike, we concluded that traveling by road was risky. Besides, my fried that I am traveling with is going back to Japan for good next week, and we cannot be stranded.
So, we considered some options that we could take given the 4 day holiday, and came to a decision that going to Dhaka may be the best. I have never been there, so quite excited.
I just moved to a new place, so things are still crazy at home, but why not? I took Friday and Monday off, but the work is extremely busy at a moment. I just realized that my next 2 weeks are completely booked up. I am on a recruitment duty of evaluating exams for new staff and on three different interview panels. I also have my own project to manage, which requires me to coordinate hiring 4 positions and doing RFP (request for proposals) on a research/ survey activity among many other things. I am behind in many assignments, and I feel burnt out. Anyhow, I will try not to think about this and have fun this weekend.
Thinking about my future has been also occupying my mind a bit as well. I have now less than 8 months of the contract left with the current position. Need to think about the next steps, apply for jobs, asking myself what do you want in life? Where do you want to be? Do you like working for the UN? How long can I continue this exciting but tiring process of going to new places? Would I ever find a husband in this life style—becoming serious issue (!)? Many big question marks in my head!!! I am seriously considering consulting a fortuneteller. That’s how much I am confused!....

back from the mission

出張から戻りました。疲れたけど楽しかった。

2泊の内1日は、村の中にあるパートナー団体の敷地内に泊めてもらった。NGOの人達とたくさん仕事について話すことができたし、チョコレートとキャンディをお土産に持って行って、研修を受けている人達にとても喜ばれた。敷地内で栽培している野菜を使った食事も美味しく、街の喧騒を離れて自然の中での1泊2日はとても有意義でした。久しぶりの蚊帳も何だか嬉しかった（朝に蚊帳の中に蚊を発見！！）

また写真でも載せます。

Busy week

I am off to a short mission and on the weekend I am moving to a new apartment. Have not started packing or anything!! I am just moving almost down the street to a place half the rent of my current one!! It is smaller but cute and cozy. i will upload some photos. I will have intranet there, so I will be more regular with e-mails etc. Sorry for neglecting writing to friends...
If my leave is approved, I may go on a short trip to India with my girlfriend. Yes, you must be wondering when am I ever working!? ;)

I had to

post this photo, since my parents have such a great smile!! (hope you you don't mind!!) This is at the dinner table of the hotel in the jungle. My father's shirt suits the theme really well, and my mom is wearing a kurta that I have given her.

Memories from my parents visit

Everest- top of the world! A view from the mountain flight- the co-pilot took this photo when I went into the cockpit
象サファリの乗り場にて。３人とも怖い顔してますが楽しかったよ。
サイはいっぱい見られた。Rhinos are plenty. 他には鹿、サル、孔雀が飛んでいる所を見られたのは感動的だった。飛ぶなんてちっとも知らなくて。We also saw peacocks fly! Didn't know they can fly like that! :)
Very nice hotel where we stayed inside the forest.

My Parents visit

うちの両親が１週間お休みを取って遊びにきてくれました。母は途上国は初めてで、父も健康面が少し心配でしたが無事に色々観光して帰国しました。

My parents came to visit me for one week. It was a very short visit, but I was extremely happy to host them.

During the short period of time, we managed to:

• Do a mountain flight to see the Himalayan range and the Everest！
• Went to a national park and stayed 2 nights in a fancy lodge and completely “safari-ed” out (see the picture of the elephant safari and rhinos!)
• Spent nearly 7 hours at the airport waiting for flights (there was an on-going raider antenna maintenance… such thing is un-heard of…)
• Visited a temple, old palace, museum,
• Ate traditional food, Tibetan hotpot, soba-noodle made with local buckwheat, cooked at home with my mother
• Lots of talking about everything and nothing
• stayed up late to solve “su-doku”with my mom

They were able to see the glimpse of my real life here, including load-shedding, smell and dust on a street, crazy traffic, long wait for everything, meeting my good friend among many things.

二人は私の生活が垣間見れたと、喜んでくれていました。短い間だったけど国立公園のジャングルの中のホテルに泊まりサファリをしたり、エベレストの遊覧飛行をしたり、私も今までしたことのなかった観光をできて楽しかった。でも何より両親と話したり、一緒にご飯を作ったり、スーパーに買い物に行ったり、私のこの国での日常を味わってもらうことができて嬉しかった。海外旅行に招待することなんかは親孝行の内にも入らないのは百も承知だけど、色々な景色を見たり、変った物や美味しい物を食べたり、両親が楽しんでくれて本当に良かった。遠いところを来てくれてありがとう。

I was quite impressed with how they handled everything pretty well. I hope they stay healthy and will be able to go on many more trips.

I was so sad after they left. It is much harder than coming home after I visit them in Japan.　

Great company, good laugh, friends!

Me and Helen at the last hotel on the trek. Relieved that no more walking was required!! We had surprisingly great meals on this trek considering how remote we were. Helen and I particularly enjoyed Mexican food!!

At the gateway to the Upper Mustang area. Very international group we were!!

Back in KTM on the last night. Chilling out with a glass of beer on a rooftop. Thank you so much for coming to visit me! I had so much fun with you and seeing you and all the catching up were one of the best part of the visit!!

Juste pour rire

Take a close look at this menu, which also lists room charges. A burger is more expensive than a room charge! (this is how a teahouse/ guesthouse operates)
ただ今宇宙と交信中。Taken on a rooftop of a gompa (tibetan temple) It was so windy and I have an antenna! (receiving a signal from a space...)
Un-identifiable person. This is to protect from wind and dust (and sun too). It is me!
I can be in Japan or in NY with these signs..... Take a close look at the M sign. It is pretty funny. Love their sense of humor.

What I saw during my trip

I will add descriptions to the photos later. Please enjoy them.

私の見た景色

In front of the runway that is so short!.. 山の中に突如として現れる小さな飛行場の滑走路。ランデングがすごく怖かった。思わずヘレンの腕にしがみついてしまいました。
グランドキャニオンを思わせるような（行ったことないけど）乾いた山を歩いていくと小さな村々が顔をのぞかせる。This is one of villages where we stayed, and this picture was taken on a way back. Hope this shows the height that we went up (with struggle and heavy breathing).
The mountain areas is mostly resided by Tibetan people so we find the prayer flags everywhere. 風にはためく旗の音しか聞こえない程静かで平和な山の上でした。

Absolutely amazing vacation

I am back from my trekking trip. I am tired but completely rejuvenated at a same time. I had an absolutely amazing time during my one week holiday. I don't know how to describe it, but I enjoyed magnificent views, beautiful temples, villages, delicious food and wonderful company!! (and some muscular pain, needless to say)

Three girls, my friend from Canada, German girlfriend and myself embarked on a 5 day trekking trip in the Annapurna region. We flew from KTM to a famous lakeside city, which is a gateway to this area's trekking routes.

Stayed one night in a trekking company owned guest house and took a small (and scary) plane to where we started off. We used sort of a social venture trekking company that promotes women's empowerment through sports, and the guide and the porter persons we got were great.

Our estimate is that we covered about 40 kilometers distance during the 5 days. The highest point we have reached was over 3800 kilometers, which is probably the highest that I have ever been. This trek is not about going up so high, and for the most part terrain was either more or less flat or gradual elevation. We did go up on a steep hill, which was struggle at a higher altitude.

Since it was a high altitude, the scenery was dry and not much vegetation and a desert like condition with magnificent views of snow capped mountains. It was dry, sunny, cool and windy.

Here is the overview of the itinerary

Day 1 Fly to Jomsom, Trek -> Marpha and Tuckche and stay overnight in Marpha

Day 2 Marpha -> Jomsom -> Eklebati -> Kagbani

Day 3 Kagbeni -> Kinga -> Jarkhot

Day 4 Jarkhot -> Muktinath -> Jarkhot

Day 5 Jarkhot -> Jomsom

疲れたけどすごくリフレッシュして帰ってきました。雪山の景色がすごく綺麗に見える中でのトレッキングはすごく楽しかったです。

Going on trekking

I am currently in P**a city and off to trekking with my 2 friends. Stay tuned for photos and stories when I am back!!

Spring Flowers

すっかり暖かくなって春（というか夏？）です。色々な花が咲き乱れています。

出張中

ただ今、出張先のホテルです。東側の平野部の街に20分ほどの飛行機でやってきました。（今日のフライトは40分遅れ）来ている街はヒンズー教の有名なお寺があり、同行している政府の人達と散歩がてら見学してきました。ここはラッシーというヨーグルトの飲み物も有名らしく、それもご馳走してもらった。かなり甘かったけど美味しかったです。今朝からめずらしく体調があまり良くないので、国連クリニックで今日処方された薬を飲んでもう早く寝ます。ルームサービスの焼きそばは今回はハズレ。

1週間後にカナダの友人が来るので、それを楽しみにそれまで頑張ろう。出張後の1週間は長いのです（なぜなら週末に十分休めないので）。現在、うちの上司は1ヶ月（！）の有休を取っていて、うちの部門のOIC．．さてなんの意味でしょうか？になっているため余計な仕事も増えるし。

答えは

オフィサー　イン　チャージ　でした。☆

Off to a short mession

I am going on a 2 day mission to a district in the East where I have never visited. I am not feeling 100%, but hopefully I will manage since it is a short visit this time. I am attending a orientation/ launch of a project for which I was recently asked to a coordinator. I guess I will be spending lots of time in the fiield again this year..

Need some time away!!

お友達にかりた数ヶ月前の日本のファッション雑誌を読んでいて、つくづく思った。なんて文明社会から離れているんだ！綺麗でおしゃれな洋服、靴、かばんを見ていて、私は本当に消費者社会からかけはなれて生活しているなと思った。お給料が出ても買い物に行く場所がない。雑誌をため息つきながらながめているだけ。

この前日本に帰ってからもう半年近く経つ。やっぱり最低6ヶ月に一度は外の空気を吸って、サプライ（化粧品や食べ物、洋服や本）を買い込みリチャージしないと持たないなと思う。あーどこかにパッと遊びに行きたい！半年が限界。Please, someone, take me to a vacation!!