criplomats

This photo was taken at Frank and Lita’s last Friday night when we went over for a party. We were all sitting in the front yard around the fire pit. Those are generators in the background – we have one or two, as well, but luckily ours is out of sight behind the garage. Anyway, it was a nice night, especially sitting around the fire.

Last Sunday was very pleasant. Rick came over for breakfast and to watch John roast coffee. Afterward, John and I went to sit on Kellee and Jim’s rooftop – it was a gorgeous day. We drank wine and Jim grilled – it was just a nice time.

Michael and I have been on our own this week since Scott’s been on R&R – and even Michael left me Thursday to go to Karachi. I’ve missed my regular lunch buddies!

During the week, we interviewed for a local staff position, so that was kind of fun. I think we found a good candidate. Friday, NIV went out to lunch at the Serena as a farewell to Brandon. We’ll sure miss him in the section.

I went to the gym four of the five workdays. I’ve been trying to increase my distance to 5k. I can’t jog the whole way, but I alternate jogging and walking. I’ve also been trying to get up early to do a short yoga practice – it’s helping me feel a bit more limber and not so stiff. It’s a struggle, though!

John worked a bit late on Friday night, then Rick came over later for dinner and a visit.

Saturday I worked for a while and hit the gym, then went for a great massage and manicure. Later in the day, John and I watched “J. Edgar,” about J. Edgar Hoover, which we really liked. That night we met Kellee, Carla and Mike at the Marriott for sushi – I’ve never been a big sushi fan, but all of a sudden it’s all I want to eat. The rest of the folks got a huge sashimi boat – it was really served in a boat – we wanted a photo but no one had a camera. Guess we’ll have to go back!

I don’t think I mentioned that Flavie made her first trip to the vet last Saturday, and she went back yesterday. Last Saturday was for her regular rabies and other vaccines; yesterday she went for some sort of a fungus vaccine – I’m not sure what it is, but Dr. Rana says that spores are everywhere here in Pakistan – he made it sound so creepy that we relented and took her back! I don’t want any fungus spores on her! Next Saturday she has to go back for preventative worm treatment. I hate having to take her so much, but he doesn’t want to do everything at once. It’s so affordable here, it’s really amazing. $35 for her rabies and distemper vaccines, which would have been over $100 at home. And Dr. Rana is nice – he kissed her on the top of the head before he put her back in her carrier!

 

Wow – we had three straight days of rain  here starting last Sunday, complete with thunder and lightening – I heard we got 8″! It was pretty amazing. Then, on Wednesday, it was an absolutely gorgeous day like nothing had happened!

Last Sunday we went to a going-away party for one of the NIV officers in my section. Afterward we went to a small dinner party hosted by our friends Edward and Catherine. They cooked a delicious duck.

Monday night Rick came over and we ordered in pizza – pepperoni, although it’s beef, not pork, of course!

Thursday night we watched a real tear-jerker movie, “Quill, the Life of a Guide Dog.” It was such a sweet movie and John and I both just cried and cried!

Friday afternoon, we had our NIV staff meeting at the American Club –  a nice way to end the week. From there I went to Carla’s office, then we all headed over to Frank and Lita’s to sit outside and enjoy a fire and unwind. Relaxing.

Saturday I went in to print some visas so folks could make flights this weekend, and then went to for a mani-pedi and massage – so nice. Rick came over later and we went to eat sushi – we had a really enjoyable evening.

Below are two photos that were taken at our house a couple of weeks ago when we hosted a farewell party for one of the local staff – we love the fire pit!

 

Last Sunday I went to lunch and shopping with Kellee and Carla. We had a nice lunch at Polo Lounge in Said Pur Village, then ventured out into unknown territory in town to find a marble place. They make lovely marble tables with inlaid designs – after a few missed turns, we found it. It was so strange because there were lots of men out and about on the street, but absolutely no women. That’s the case usually, but I guess it seemed more so because we were in an unfamiliar part of town.

At any rate, we found the factory. It’s a small place, and OSHA would have a fit if they walked in. No protective gear for eyes, ears or hands, and they are cutting marble with huge saws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was fascinated with the owner’s chickens and pigeons. He had a pigeon coop on the roof, and he competes in competition with them. The pigeon who flies the longest wins – he said he had won a competition because his pigeon stayed up for 13 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then he had this beautiful rooster and hen – I’ve never seen such a feathery chicken. The rooster was big, and the hen had so many feathers, it looked like she was trying to cover herself a la a Middle Eastern woman – so cute!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there we went by the leather store to pick up Carla’s red leather jacket she’d had made, then we went to a couple of art/framing stores. It was a fun day.

The week was pretty exhausting at work. We had a person out sick, so I helped on the interview line some. We had to stay late Wednesday night for a training class with Washington, so it was almost 9PM before I got home.

We finished the week on a good note, though –  we went to the French Club for lunch, which is always nice for a change. At the end of the day, we had a private happy hour in Carla’s office, then stopped by the Club’s happy hour on the way out. The people here really make this a fun place to be.

Today we went tried a different spa for massages and a mani-pedi for me. It was much nicer that the other place we’ve been going – it was really nice and relaxing. We came home and watched “Zero Dark Thirty,” which was interesting. It was shot in India, not Pakistan, and parts were supposed to be in the Embassy here, so it made it even more interesting. After that, we watched a documentary called “Helvetica,” about the popular Helvetica font – John just read a book about fonts. It reminded me of my friend Mike – I think he’d enjoy it.

The weather here has been so nice this week. Still chilly in the morning, but pleasant and sunny at lunch for the most part. We’re enjoying it while we can, before the triple digit summer hits again.

Here’s a parting shot of a typcial scene in traffic – a whole family on a motorcycle. Mom sits side-saddle, and she is often holding a baby in her arms. I don’t know how they do it! Click for more photos from Sunday’s outing.

This was a  short week for us – Monday was the American holiday for Martin Luther King Day and Friday was the Pakistani holiday for the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). John and I celebrated MLK Day by going to play board games at Brett’s house, along with Antonio. We played “Pandemic” and “Settlers of Catan.” These strategy board games are new to me, but I did enjoy them. John and Scott have really been getting into them.

Friday, I went to work to get my desk cleaned off and John continued his board game mania by playing an all day round of “Diplomacy” (another game) with some of the guys from work. He had a big time! That evening, we went to Joseph’s house for a great Tex-Mex dinner, with delicious carne asada and margaritas.

In between the two holiday, we crammed five days of work into three days. My section is returning to normal with two employees back from their R&Rs, so for about a week we will be fully staffed.

Last Sunday, we pampered ourselves at the local spa, then went over to Konstantin’s for a roof-top pizza party. His lovely wife Carolyn (an A100 classmate of ours) was here visiting, and she brought their two dogs with her. The dogs will stay, and she’ll return to take up her post here in a month or two.

Wednesday I had lunch with my friend Barbara from the German Embassy. We had a good time yakking.

Yesterday John and I were pooped. We  stayed home all day and had a “Justified”-fest. We’ve really been enjoying the series. (Since it takes place in Kentucky, I bought some bourbon to sip on while we watch!) We’ve also enjoyed watching our college friend Bill Ragsdale in his recurring role in the show.

The first part of the week, I was stuck at home and John was stuck at the Embassy. A huge protest was supposed to arrive in Islamabad on Sunday to protest the corruption in Pakistani politics. John took enough clothes for a few days and went to the Embassy so he could be on compound in case there was something his section needed to do.

The protesters ended up being late and not arriving until Monday. They camped out on a main thoroughfare in town and didn’t leave until Thursday. I stayed in the house and worked remotely, with the Australia Open tennis tournament on in the background. On Wednesday, I was allowed to go the Embassy to print some visas – it was nice to finally get out of the house! John and I came home together that evening, and on Thursday we were back to business as usual.

Friday night, John and I hosted a going away party for one of the local staff in our section. The staff arranged for a caterer, so all I had to do was open the door. We used the occasion to inauguate the fire pit, which was a big hit. The house was full and everyone seemed to have a good time. I didn’t take any pictures, but hope to get some to post next week. I stayed up late, sitting around the fire with a couple of guys from my section, just talking. What is is about a fire that’s so inviting and cozy?

Saturday I worked all day, just to get caught up and get some pending items off my desk. After that, we met Howie and Petit at the Serena for Thai food – fun evening!