Afghanistan Day 59: NMAA and KAIA (July 20 but for July 7-15)

Me in a burka in uniform. 

The Col's lunch at American University site survey visit.  Fun!

on the way home from American University, Kabul.

Afghanistan Day 58: NMAA and KAIA (July 19)

In the last two weeks I have been working fast and furiously at NMAA.  This is my primary assignment currently.  NMAA is the National Military Academy of Afghanistan, which is the Afghan version of West Point.  I have been working on standing up a new degree in English, supporting the expansion of English instruction as the program scales up to include 2200 students, creating an English library, addressing issues of learning management and automation, helping people plan and prepare for female students and faculty increasing rapidly in the next two years,  testing up the senior English class, developing and executing teacher training/ planning instructor development programs, and still working on the new book: Ground Zero.  I work all day long, literally, and there is just never enough time in the day. 

Last night was the first time in country that I've been able to go to the gym.  It was wonderful.  It's 9:34 pm and I am taking my first break of the day since I began working at 6:30 this morning. 

Afghanistan Day 49: KAIA/NMAA (July 10)

NMAA Mentor Range Training, June 27.  This is my first time on burst on M4, tearing it up!

Afghan sweet treat, sort of a cross between the texture of marizpan and fudge.  Super rich and delicious!

Afghanistan Day 48: Camp Dogan (July 9)

Went to the Turkish base.  It was really delightful.

BEST DEFAC EVER!  Seriously, this meal was the best mess hall food I've ever had, way better than US defac.  I want to live there.  Forever!

 Cute little Bazar.  Fun! 

My new Turkish Battle Buddy. 

Afghanistan Day 45: Kaia (july 6) Catching up on Photos

The door to no-where at Camp Eggers

A painting was made specially for me.  The women are holding a bird "Totee" which is the closest translation of my name.  The painter is a teenager.  The family is trying to get visas to the US.  The boy would like to study painting in New York.  

My mom wanted to see my bed at the nicer base.  Everyone envies my set up.  Planning ahead pays off.

Mandatory Mentor Team Training Day (I got to go shooting with the boys from west point).

This target where the finger is pointing is me on burst for the first time.  I did better than everyone else.  I get to have ego about that.  

Shooting range at KMTC.

Thumb-where over the rainbow...at KAIA after the rain.

Parra gets inspired at Moorehead.

It has LEGS!

Candies a student brought us from Herot.  Sorta like toffee, but brittle. 

Going Iranian.  Gotta be prepared to blend in. 

Afghanistan Day 42: Camp Eggers (July 3)

On the 4th of July, we celebrate our independence from England.  We have developed an entire culture about this celebration:  expected colors, foods, social interactions, fireworks, and even music.  We eat fruit and cook outside and in some cases, relax at the beach and bask in our delicious freedom.

I hope on this day you will spend just 1 moment considering all the nations, peoples, and families who are dying either literally or figuratively for independence- who yearn for the simple freedoms we thrive on.  Take just a moment to be grateful for your own bed, your electricity, your own toilet (cuz no matter how awful it is, its better than the alternatives- trust me),  your clean water, your public library, your quality radio programs, your right to go to the beach when you want to and wear what you want there, your right to read any book you like, your right to shop wherever you want, your privilege of paying tax and having at least some portion of it result in public works for your country.  Enjoy your ability to locate a pharmacy that actually sells medicine and not housewives' tales.  Enjoy soap.  Enjoy being clean.  Consider just for 1 moment that really and truly not everyone in the world has these things.

Let go, if you can- even if its just for a while, of notions of superiority, entitlement, self-righteousness.  We are lucky, and we are strong because we are able to be humble when it matters.  Do not be above sincere gratitude to your lawmakers, to your leaders, and to your maker.  Celebrate our ability to be free agents.  Have the maturity to be responsible with your agency: exercise, manage your time responsibly,
take medicine when you are ill, be kind to people from other countries- just say hello, ask them where they are from, wish them a good day- set the example of how people should treat each other.  Model behaviors you wish to see in others.  You have the opportunity to make that choice- don't be passive.

When you put on your red, white, and blue attire, and when you run around with your sparklers, when you sink your feet into the sand, choose actively, deliberately to let go of stubborn pride and humbly assume the responsibility that comes with the rights your life is blessed with.  We are all blessed, and those of us who enjoy the blessings of independence are responsible for blessing others among our human family.  Be grateful.  Be grateful in spite of pain, disappointment, and loneliness.  Be grateful  Show it without arrogance or judgment.  Be patient, more than you think you can.  You are independent, don't allow bad habits, fear, or laziness restrict your freedom.  It is actually shameful to be so selfish that you do not accomplish your missions in life because you can't find your motivation.  Get to work, stay focused, and be truly independent.

Thank you to those who have, do, and will ensure our freedom, our right to maintain independence, and for the examples of leadership and strength that we have in seas of corruption, difficulty, and doubt.  Your sacrifices are not unnoticed.  I hope we can be worthy of them.

Afghanistan Day 41: Camp Eggers (July 2)

There is something remarkably soothing about the call to prayer.  It creates a moment of peace in the chaos that reigns our daily regimen. 

Today I worked on revising the scope and sequence of the book and added some new stuff to the preface.  Almost ready to begin working on the hard part.  Also helped with getting more orders to contract.  Acquisitions and contracting is not my favorite thing, but it's interesting in small doses.  I mostly learn to like it because it gets stuff to my peers who are working without appropriate materials and supplies. 

There was an attack (somewhere else) so we lost internet for a few days.  I won't be able to post any new photos until I return to the other base.  Lots of changes happening with the installment of General P.  Incidentally, several Afghan leaders were also installed in the last two weeks for different reasons.  Many changes are happening, mostly in the form of enormous budget cuts in already strained conditions for already underfunded, weakly supported essential programs.  


Just for fun, something went wrong in all our paychecks resulting in much smaller checks than normal. It's not enough to deal with flies, ants, poo trucks, 12+ hour days, and not one modicum of privacy, but to not get paid appropriately is just annoying.  They claim it will catch up properly for the next pay period.  Good times.


I am using a public computer in a place called MWR (Morale Wellness Recreation).  Tonight is Karaoke night.  Some active duty guy is singing John Elton's Candle In The Wind VERY badly.  I am sticky all over with sweat and my hair is surely frizzy enough to host it's own village.  This is Afghanistan.  :D