The downside is that it gets to feeling so normal, that you forget you are in a war zone until something weird happens. The road convoys are enjoyable to me now and I have to fight the urge to take a nap. It's misplaced fearlessness - not out of any kind of courageous center, but just out of normalcy. I've always thought is was strange what a person can get used to, but here it is and we all fight the boredom. However, I was sitting outside last weekend at the base in Kandahar waiting to meet with the Mayor when we heard an explosion - it ended up being the bombing of the Afghan Police HQ that we had just driven past and hour earlier. Apparently that was part of a whole series of attacks that weekend - those are the kind of gentle reminders of where I actually am. I do think there's a tendency to become addicted to the adrenalin rushes you get over here and therefore become willing to push yourself further just for the jolt. Luckily, the company I now work for has an excellent security team and they are very cautious, so we can't push ourselves like you tend to want to do. How the Hillbilly loves a good rush of excitement! That's really a stupid reaction to being here since the people who actually live here - in the middle of this s*&^ - risk there lives every day just walking down the street and trying to support themselves and their families. I make more in 1 year than most of them will ever see in a lifetime, so I should simply be thankful I'm generally safe.
So, on the job front - this one officially ends in February. I have already planned my next jaunt through Europe in the company of one of my favorite people in the universe. Italy, Spain and France - woo hoo! I've been asked if I would be interested in taking a position here in the Panjwaii District office that we are opening up in a couple of months, but nothing official. I am looking for plan Bs just in case. I think I could barely stand to be here one more year, and then will call it a day and look for something at home or in a country that's not at war, more interesting and allows freedom of movement. Many people I know would be happy with that decision! I'm not sure how I will ever be able to adjust to a normal working environment after this - can't even imagine it!
I hear there's snow, with some extra snow going on at home. I hate that I'm missing it because I thrive on a good snow storm, love to drive in bad weather and find the city being closed down due to horrendous weather exhilarating! Seriously. Instead I'm here where its getting pretty cold, but with no snow. My partner in crime is seriously missing my winter duties as well - I shovel the walks and steps and clean off and extract the cars when I'm at home - that is missed, but my trying to get the Jewbilee to walk through a storm to go to my favorite bar/restaurant for drinks and conversation isn't missed. Just typing that made me homesick.
I hope all of you have an excellent Christmas with your families and friends! I will be Skyping for mine which is almost as good as being there. My 3 year old nephew was at my parent's house while we were Skyping and the minute I said hello to him from the computer he went screaming and running through the house - I almost collapsed laughing. By the end of the convo, he was up in the screen jabbering like all of the Wino's relatives - when he ran out of things to say, he just spoke in tongues. Interesting little fella. Anynuttyfamily, enjoy the pre-Christmas week and I will post more often!
Drink of the night - tea...I.am.so.bored.with.tea.
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