Who would have thunk?

First week in ISB is over, and I am (at last) rid of my HORRIBLE jetlag.

Work is weird. Looks like we'll be piggybacking on an external team's work, which means possibly A NORMAL AMOUNT OF WORK !!! I'm very excited - and worried. What am I going to do with all this free time ? *gnaw on hand*

Had my first night out yesterday, starting with a manicure and pedicure at what is possibly the VERY BEST spa I ever visited. (Who would have thunk?)

I went to a birthday party, a BBQ actually, where bootleg beer and smuggled wine were galore. It was a great deal of fun (and safe, yes mummy).

Today I'm spending some time on my writing, watching season 6 of Sex & The City (bootleg, of course), hiking in the mountain range, and going to a karaoke party at the Canadian Club tonight.

Pak is cool, and I feel a whole lot better, although I'm still homesick.

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Ma première semaine a ISB est finie, et je suis débarrassée (enfin) de mon HORRIBLE decallage horaire.

Au travail, c'est biz. Nous completons sur le travail d'une équipe externe, qui signifie probablement une QUANTITÉ NORMALE DE TRAVAIL ! ! ! (*pour une fois*)

Je suis très excitée - et inquiéte. Quel vais-je faire de tout ce temps libre ? * se ronge la main*

A eu ma première nuit dehors hier, commençant par une manucure et un pedicure à ce qui est probablement LE MEILLEUR spa que j'ai jamais visité. (Kilucru ?)

Je suis allé réellement à une fête d'anniversaire, un BBQ, où la bière (illegale) et le vin (passé en douce aux douanes) étaient en abondance. C'était tres sympathique (et securitaire, oui Maman).

Aujourd'hui je passe un petit moment a ecrire, je regarde la saison 6 de Sex & the City (produit vendu illégalement, naturellement), une petite promenade dans les montagnes, et vais à une partie de karaoke au club canadien ce soir.

C'est sympa, le Pakistan, et je me sens mieux, meme si je m'ennuie encore de cheu nous.

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Grumble grumble

For the first time in 3 days, I am in an acceptable state in the morning.

After 4 flights, 3 lay overs and more than 24 hours of travelling, my sleeping practices are completely perturbed. For 3 days, I wake up in the middle of the night, and I am able to sleep again around 6h in the morning.

Consequently, I have been lacking energy to write, so please accept my excuses for a slightly overly long silence.

Spring in Islamabad is very beautiful, the flora is superb and since last year, constructions and installations in the city are remarkable.

Well, that is all for the news. I did not do much since my arrival in ISB....

Pour la premiere fois depuis 3 jours, je suis dans un etat acceptable le matin.

Apres 4 vols, 3 transits et plus de 24 heures de voyage, je me suis trouvee completement perturbee dans mes habitudes de sommeil. Depuis 3 jours, je me reveille en plein milieu de la nuit, et je me sens capable de me rendormir vers 6h du matin.

En consequence, je manque un peu d'energie pour ecrire, donc toutes mes excuses pour un silence un peu long.

Le printemps a Islamabad est tres beau, la flore est superbe et depuis l'an dernier, les constructions et amenagements dans la ville sont remarquables.

Bon, c'est tout pour les nouvelles. Je n'ai pas fait grand chose depuis mon arrivee a ISB....

Je vous embrasse tous avec beaucoup d'affection.

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

Safe in sound in Pak

4 flights and 3 layovers later, I'm in Islamabad again, a year and 3 months after my first visit.

Spring in Pakistan is lovely, and the weather is warm. Flowers are blooming, and the locals are still as lovely as they were.

I came into the office and was greeted warmly by the staff.

The hotel is nice.

Why am I still yearning for home?

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

On my way to Pak

I'm in JFK airport, about to fly to Pakistan. The last week has been rather hectic with many social encounters.

I leave home frustrated and eager to go back.

*scratches head* Maybe I should make a decision about it?

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

On lay-over in Paris

I'm on my way home for a week, and have 5 hours to waste at the airport in Paris. In the process, I am experiencing several frustrations:

1. I feel I did not see enough of Burkina. Considering my past history with the country, it is a very real and profound frustration. Despite the advance notice, I failed in seeing our family friends. When the plane took off, I cried.

2. I made some friends in Mali and Burkina and I will miss them. For the first time in a while, I felt a strong connection to these places, and my sadness to leave is very complete.

3. I don't have enough time to go into Paris. BUT I AM SO CLOSE !!!

4. I know I will only have only a week home. It's not enough.

5. I'm sleepy *eyes closing* but I can't lie down.

6. I'm bored (by my own blogging) and there is no-one on MSN !!!

7. I'm lonely.

These frustrations are alleviated by the knowledge that I will soon be enjoying Mum's cooking, my friends' goofy jokes and Montreal's characteristic weather.

Having Internet helps too. I am addicted.

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !

I had never thought a phone could be THAT useful

The Beaver

My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !