Did you know

that there is a rule as to how you place logos of different organizations? I have designed a certificate quickly for training that we are implementing. One of the secretaries told me "M, you have put the logos wrong. You first put the government logo on the top left, then the funder (us) then finally the NGO."

I had no idea! I specifically instructed to put the logo of the government in the centre thinking it will make them look the most important.

We always learn a new thing everyday, don't we? I have gotten a bit smarter. :)

Tihar

One of the major festivals in this country- Tihar. It is also called Diwali, which I also experienced when I was in Guyana. It is a festival of lights. People decorate the ground in front of their house like this by drawing a path leading to a little shrine in the house in order to invite Laximi goddess. She brings fortune to houses. There are various patterns and colors, and it was fun to talk a stroll in the neighborhood.

Deep breathe 深呼吸

先週、仲良くさせて頂いている方のご両親が遊びに来られていて、私も１泊旅行に便乗させてもらった。私のいる首都からはたったの１時間で、静かで空気のきれいな、こんな棚田の広がる風景に囲まれた山間の村に行ける。乾期の今は天気が良くて運が良い日はヒマラヤ山脈が見える。生憎、今回はすべての山は見えなかったけど、雲が晴れると遠くの雪山が見えて美しかった。写真だときれいに見えないのが残念だけど、もし遊びに来てくれたら見えるよ！！

翌日は１０キロ少しのミニトレッキングで山を下り、執着地点の街にある山の中腹のお寺にお参りした。階段が長くて次の日はもちろん筋肉痛．．．．．。
もっとお休みをちゃんととって、こういう所に頻繁にこなければとしみじみ思った連休だった。最近、健康の為にマッサージに通い始めて、またそのことにも書きます！
Photos from the trip last weekend. Just 1 hour hour from the capital, you can get to a small village surrounded by rice paddies and fields and gorgeous scenery.

４連休

で、お友達と１泊旅行に行ってきます！今日は晴天で絶好の遠足日和。出張以外で初の国内旅行かも。

Perfect holiday

I had an absolutely fantastic time in Japan. I am almost hesitant to write about it, because remembering it would make me feel more home sick.

It was a perfect holiday. I spent lots of quality time with my family. My parents took me and my youngest sister (middle one was working) to Awaji Island to enjoy good seafood

and onsen (hot spring). We also visited a botanical garden. On the way back, I saw my gr

andmother that I did not see for nearly 2 years. Home was just too comfortable. I can't get enough of my family, so I stayed up late almost every night to talk with them and followed them everywhere. I cooked dinner a couple

of time, took a walk in the neighborhood, including the little mountain behind the house that my late Canadian mother Lynda liked when she visited my family. I took a nap on tatami in the afternoon, fulfilled my cravings for many things, such as takoyaki, variety of fish, my father's speciality dish, shrim

p burger. Of course I shopped despite the expensive yen.

I bought at least 80$ worth of japanese ingredients which filled my huge duffle bag in addition to some clothing, books, medication and cosmetics. As a good big sister, I took my sisters out for shopping, went to visit my youngest sister's apartment for the first time. It was my parents 36th wedding anniversary in September, and we went to a very nice restaurant that specializes in Tofu.

I always feel a bit inadequate when I go home. I don't know what year we are in in terms of the japanese calender, everyone is so well dressed and made up, feel awkward to go to a hair salon as they always without exception ask my hair care method which is not up to a standard in Japan etc. This time, just like a regular grown-up adult, I tried to open an bank account. The bank made me wait more than 1 and a half hours, and I ended up not being able to use most of their services for the reason of not permanently living in Japan, not having a japanese mobile phone and working for the UN (non japanese company I guess). This was the only time when I was frustrated by the inflexibility of the system not to be able to deal with diversity in Japan. This reminded me what I liked about Canada a lot. In any case, it made me realize how strange of a creature I have become by living in different countries.

I saw a few of really good friends that I have known for many many years (since the kindergarden time!!). I finally went to a craft market (?) where my friend very creatively makes and sells cute adorable little things. I even went to a Ninja house which is like a maze (some sort of a little adventure game). Unfortunately, I could not go to Tokyo this time, but I was able to catch up with more friends over telephone, one of which I have not spoken for close to 4 years.

It was a good break from the life in a developing country. Clean water from the tap, clean streets with no garbage, don't have to worry about not having smaller bills when taking a taxi among others. Everything is so organized, clean and shiny. People are overly polite to the extent that puzzles me a bit (the cashier at a 100yen shop bowed deepest!).

My family was very kind and cheerful as ever and showered me with attention and gifts. I feel sad to live so far from my family, but then again I am lucky to have them. We started devising a special plan for my grandmother to make her life more comfortable.

The whole holiday was relaxing and I was almost able to not to think about work, which is quite something. Some photos attached. I am posting the pic of me and my youngest sister without her approval (hope she doesn't mind....) I will post more when I obtain a proper permission from others.

This is my holiday in a nutshell in a very incoherent way.

Back safely

昨日の午後無事に戻りました。

日本は本当に文句なしに楽しかった。淡路島に旅行に行ったり、近所を散歩して、畳の上でお昼寝したり。美味しいものもたっぷり食べて、家族とゆっくりできたのが良かった。会ったお友達や電話で話したお友達、それから家族のみんなありがとうございました。

日本はあまりにも楽しくて、家は快適過ぎて帰るのが悲しかったけど今日からまた仕事頑張ります。これから写真も載せます。

I will upload some photos from Japan.

Off to Japan

Off to Japan today with an early afternoon flight. I got up at 6 to finish some pending work....

I will upload photos once I come back!!

Count down to JPN

Can't wait, but I don't know how& where to tackle the huge pile of work (which even more accumulated while I was sick in bed the last 2 days...).

Gourmet from the field

Chow-mein- fried noodle, I eat this a lot when I go on a mission, if available, for a change from dal-vaat. Safer option usually for hygiene and taste. This one was quite good.

Breakfast served at the training. Bean curry, Puri (deep fried chapati) and geli (deep fried donut type thing dipped in syrup) Yes pretty greasy to eat first thing in a morning..

Normally I have a series of super sweet cha (tea) everywhere I go. Sometimes, it's milk tea, other time lemon or ginger but ALWAYS lots of sugar!! It gets too much after a few cups, but I at least have sips to be polite.

Again

I am writing this as I wait for my room service dinner. This sounds like I am staying in a five star hotel but actually not. This is the high life of a UN worker.

I just made my bed by piling a comforter on a rock hard bed and putting my own bed sheet on a questionable surface. I have two mosquito killing devices running simultaneously plus my own effort to eliminate as many as possible to ensure good night sleep. The bathroom is very simple and got no sink.... (at least it doesn't stink this time) Yes, I am on another filed mission.

We finished a very time-consuming and energy-sucking campaign launch and a visit of celebrity yesterday, and then I was off to another field visit this morning. The district where I am visiting this time is quite far from the airport. It is about 30 mins flight from KTM and then more than 4 hour drive to the final destination. I am here to monitor and observe GBV training, which is one of my projects. The training is all in local language, but I feel it is important to come, show support and try to understand the programme and have as much inputs as possible.

The NGO who is implementing this project has a shelter in this area. I went to visit them this evening after the workshop. I went to another shelter last week on a different field mission, but every time I am so horrified to hear about the plight that women go through. Torture, rape, domestic violence, trafficking, the list goes on..... Some stories are just not easily digestable. I have to remind myself that this is the reason why I am doing this work. It is so easy to get carried away in a day to day work, going from meeting to meeting and reading plicy documents etc...

Gatta go now. My fried rice and mineral water have come!!

(I can access Internet thanks to satellite connection. Technology!!! This is so cool.)

セレブの要人来る

最近仕事がてんてこ舞いなのはこのせい。たった数日の滞在なのに、かなりの準備を要し、週末も返上。私ともっと大変な広報担当の同僚はへとへとです。これに加えて、この国の首相を交えたGBVのキャンペーンまですることになり、その他の通常の仕事も遅れがち。先週の出張もこの為のリハーサルでした。また報告します。

Turned 33!!

I have turned 33 on September 1st! It was a super busy day at work but I made it to a dinner party at a nearby restaurant.

Many of my friends and colleagues came to celebrate my birthday and I got many presents. I had a huge lemon cake as a birthday care (which I shared with others off course.)

I got a "happy birthday" phone call from Canada. One of my colleagues at work brought a big bouquet to the office. The day after my birthday I had to go on a 2 day field mission (which I will write about). I came back to the office yesterday and found more flowers (thank you so very much, Martin for this!!). I haven't had chance to write back to everyone, but thank you all for very nice birthday wishes. I am away from home(s) but so lucky to have met many nice people here and even more fortunate that I have people who care about me a lot even though I am so far far away from them. I am sending lots of love.

Happy Teej

This country has so many festivals. People are quite religious and really respect their traditions and customs. The past Sunday was what is called "Teej". It is a festival for women to wish their husband's long life. Why they wish only their husband's long life is another subject to be discussed at a different occasion. But, anyway women (especially married) dress all in red and go to one particular temple. It is in a way women's day and they all get a day off to dance and feast (after fasting). You see waves of women in red sari and Kurta.

Most of the local holidays, we as UN employes do not get time off. So, this was a rare occasion to go see the festival, which I enjoyed very much.

These beads necklaces are also for married women. At the temple, there were many vendors selling flowers for rituals and bangles and many many other colorful things.

YEAH~

My leave was approved!! I will be leaving for Japan on 24th of September and will stay there until Oct. 5. I am so looking forward to it and already started counting down. I have not been back almost for a year, so it is about time.

My family has already planned a short trip to an island where we can enjoy Onsen (hot spring) and seafood which I am quite deprived of here...

Today and tomorrow I am in a workshop on a financial issue with my colleagues and implementing partners. I am recognizing more and more the importance of knowing financial issues as they are inseparable from the programme side. Numbers and math are definitely not my strength, but I have to try to learn as much as I can.

Monsoon Pic

My favorite motif- leaves, taken at a resort on a weekend getaway

Color Palette

また買い物三昧。週末はクルタスツワールというサリーよりお手軽に着られるこちらの民族衣装みたいなものの布を買いに出掛けました。

布好きの私としては見てるだけで楽しくて。これで何を作ろうとか考えるの楽しみである。クルタはなかなか、これっと思える物がなかったのだけど、最期に色合いもどぎつくもなく刺繍も可愛い布のセットが見つかり、早速テーラーで注文してきた。２着違うデザインでお願いしてきたのでどんな風になるのか興味深い。１０日後に出来上がるらしい。あとはグレーの絹の布を買って、これは私のお気に入りのシルクシャツをコピーしてもらおうと思っている。そしてちょっと変った模様のコットンの生地を見つけて、これは３姉妹用にお揃いで”あるもの”に作ってもらうことにした。

出来上がりが楽しみだなー。できたら写真アップします。

Three poisons

I took Monday off and I just rested at home. I was not particularly sick, but I was both physically and emotionally exhausted. I took time to think about what was wrong with my life and what I needed to change. I can't change people around me and I can't change my workload. The only thing that I have more or less control over is myself. So, I needed making cognitive changes.

I have read almost a year ago somewhere about eliminating three poisons from your life, anger, jealousy and complaining (if I try to translate it in English). It is impossible to eliminate these negative feelings completely. But I think negativity calls for more negativity. Being conscious of these things will make you think constructively. So, I decided to follow this for a while (at least attempt to do so) and see if this will lessen my stress level and I could feel better. I will test if this approach is better than having a bitching session with friends and letting off steam.

If there are some somewhat upsetting things, I take a deep breath and tell myself to calm down. I am not sure how long I will last, but let's see! This is sort of an experiment.

By the way, I have booked my flight to Japan to the end of September!! Maybe this was the reason to feel better...... I am so happy!!! I normally don't get homesick much, but once I get the idea (of possibility of going home) there is no turning back. Today I looked at the calendar so many times just thinking about my trip home. あー日本に帰るの楽しみ。これで後２ヶ月は仕事が大変でも乗り切れそうかな。

Monsoon and food shortage

雨が特別好きな訳でもないし、洗濯物も乾かないし雨期は鬱陶しい季節。でも、今年はモンスーンの遅れで田植えがなかなかできなくて、この国の８０パーセントの人口が生活の糧にしている農業、特に米作への影響が懸念されていた。でもここ１週間で急に雨が降り出して、ホッとした。これで食料危機を間逃れれば良いのだが。（地域によっては慢性的な食料不足で、最近は食料の価格もかなり高騰している。）

View from the flight/ frustration

This was the view from the plane on the way back from my field mission. Please take a close look and see the mountain range behind the cloud. Absolutely beautiful.

My trip was not as picture perfect as this unfortunately this time. Our session in the workshop was cut short with a very short notice due to the potential road blockage. Participants seemed a bit restless on the third day of the training. There was no sufficient time to go over all the materials that we have prepared in our curriculum. It left me (and my colleagues too I hope) a sense of frustration, that we were not able to impart knowledge to the participants. But, I will keep this as a lesson learnt for future planning. This road block/ strike is a weekly or daily occurrence in this country. It is called "bandha" literally meaning closing. Everything has to come to halt when this is happening. No vehicles are allowed and shops are prohibited from opening. It is really slowing down the productivity of this country, and it is unfortunate.

I realized that I have been increasingly feeling tired physically and mentally and bogged down lately. I am becoming more easily irritable, which is not my usual self (at least that what I like to believe). This is really not healthy. I will try to do more exercise and manage my stress. I need a better strategy to deal with the issue. I previously thought I was quite good at handling difficult situations, but it is coming down hard this time. I feel that I need a rather major change in my life or ways of thinking, which I have not figured out yet.

最近は特に疲れが溜まっていて、仕事中でもイライラしたり急に倦怠感におそわれたりする。仕事がストレスフルで、遅々として進まないプロジェクトや職場での人間関係でうんざりすることも多くなってきた。半年以上経って、ある意味の中だるみなのか、今までのストレスが蓄積されてきたのか、どちらにしてもどうにかしないとと思う。昨日はアーエルベーダのマッサージに行って、少しは癒された。もっと生活の中や仕事への考え方で何かを変えないといけないなと思うけど、それはまだ模索中。

Monsoon Fashion File

Equipped with rain boots and a raincoat (newly purchased at Mujirushi in NY for 10$, ah! I love Muji) I get many funny stares but I don't care!

これで雨期の通勤もへっちゃら。