the lone side wall bulb

“The confidence is inside you, the talent is there (patting his broad shoulder) you have the knowledge, your instincts were correct on that last question, but sometimes we need someone to encourage us and tell us you are doing ok, you know your stuff, you understand.”  He smiled and I smiled and for the first time since coming to Afghanistan I did what a teacher has to do. 

Now can I leave?

I think it was yesterday’s two helpings of watermelon.  What could be wrong with a fruit untouched by human hands?  Oh, the water.  I didn’t think of that.  

One must think reading this, he's not happy there. It certainly isn't easy.  According to culture shock theorists, the first month in a new culture is elation. That month was condensed into a few hours in a valley.  The next three months is the shock, the 'what the hell is going on?' phase followed by the process of assimilation.  I won't go through the three month phase and I have to accelerate the assimilation period so I'm not thinking when can I catch the next flight before my contract is finished.  This is an imperative. 

Fezal and I walked for an hour this morning through the cool early sunrise and my right heel cracked like a walnut.  Thank goodness for Scholls cracked heel repair cream.

I drank six bottles of water today.  When was the last time I had a fermented drink of any kind.  I absolutely have to fly to another country for an Amstel.

I bet there are malty beverages on the military base but it appears I’ll never get past the armed and burly soldiers.

I told Saffiq the classrooms need lights that hang from the ceiling, not from a lone side wall bulb.  The Arabs put one on the side to keep djinn away.  I wonder what these fellas know about Sufis. 

During my walk I chanted, ‘take me out Lord take me out’.  Another poor night of sleep, the calendar I taped in front of me is crawling like a crippled sand dog, how am I gonna make it?

I chatted with the woman in Nepal whom I promised to help build a dental clinic.  But first she needs money for land.  She found a man who is selling a piece, in part to pay for his wife’s surgery.  I told her when I am paid in two weeks Insha’allah, I’d send her something, which I guess she will give to the man as a first down payment of sorts.  Do it all above the table, cheri. 

I didn’t feel yesterday’s Hindu Kush earthquake.  I mean, what’s 5.7, nothing.  Give me a 7.2 and I’ll take a leak on your shoe.

Surely I have lost a few pounds but I think of all the bread I eat, that’s what makes me bloat above the belt, the exception though, is my sugar intake was far higher than here, I don’t eat cheese here, no beer, no nothing. 

I have forsaken dinners this week, a lunch around 1 or 2 appears to be enough, though I do have the pistachios right next to me.  I just can’t eat a few.

And I simply can’t sit comfortably at the Afghani meal.  My knees hurt and the nerve that goes to the crotch hurts.  I can sit with my right leg tucked in most of the way but my left leg must be straight or I bend it.  All the food is taken with my right hand.  The first time I sat with the men I sat in the legs crossed Yoga position and reached for the food and almost toppled into the yogurt.

I am aware of the availability of the non-cancerous kind of smoke here but I refrain.  I know it won’t help me learn and teach the books and the toefl book is still a monster.  When I finish the course we’ll see.  Certainly some creative approaches to managing this thing will be welcome and the sacred plant could help in this way.

The city power light is still on.  I like city fed energy. 

Is it too early to crash but it’s tempting.  I’m not hungry for anything available.  Thank goodness I’m not very hungry.

In this evening’s toefl class students want to argue over a few questions.  Later a student came up to me and said, ‘If students argue just say 2+2=4’.  I like that.  Don’t argue with me unless you can convince me otherwise and when I am ready and prepped, you won’t win.