Stuck in Limbo

I really miss all my kids, and the school, and Kabul, and basically everything about Afghanistan.

Well, okay, maybe not everything. But most things.

I love still being able to talk to my kids on Skype, and that they occasionally still call me for help, and that several of them called me on my birthday to wish me a happy birthday.

I really need/wish/am dying to jump-start my life and finally start my real life. I've been applying for jobs like crazy, but so far have had zero luck.

One of the kind-of-annoying things that always happens when I tell people what field I'm interested in (international development) is that they always say, "Oh, what about the Peace Corps? Have you looked in to that?"

Really? Do they really think I haven't thought long and hard about the Peace Corps, and even started the application process?

I'm just still not sure if I'm ready for it. I think I'm getting there, but I don't know if I'll ever reach it. My last risk didn't work out so well, so I'm not okay with taking another one so soon, especially such a huge one.

So for now I'll keep the application active, and the idea on the backburner, but still there.

Kabul job update

I didn't get the job.

But I came really close! In the end it was between me and another person and since they actually had grant writing experience while I didn't, they beat me out for the position.

But I was stoked that I even came that close to getting it, so I'm still looking for that elusive job that will bring me back to Kabul.

Here's a funny story: the last time I talked to Maryam she said that Zalaykha might need someone to help with Zarif Design, so she would talk to her to find out and wanted to know how much salary I would need. When I pointed out that I have loans due and finding a place to live in Kabul would be expensive, her response was:

"That's okay, you can live with my family so you don't have to worry about that."

!  

:P

I love Maryam, she's so freaking adorable. And I absolutely adore her family and would love to stay with them, but being 13, I don't think she quite realizes what she would be putting them in for by making that offer.

I love how excited all the girls are about me wanting to move back to Kabul, and how enthusiastic they get about 'helping' me find a job.

I really do miss them all so much.