Wednesday, May 09, 2007

self indulgent memes

Self-indulgence.

After finding out about failing, I was stricken by a bad cold. I prefer to think that I did not react in true Afghan melodramatic fashion and fall ill upon hearing bad news.

I spent the first day (Monday) of my cold with a fever and body aches and still trying to study. I gave up. I worked on some of my volunteer work and slept.

The second day (Tuesday) I did exam-related work (travel arrangements, notarize the application & etc) and napped.

Today is Wednesday, and the coughing phase has begun. I’ve worked on my volunteer projects; debated using Vicks Vapor Rub (I did & it’s stinky); and am trying to drink orange juice, water with lime juice, and tea with honey and lime juice. Seriously, it’s all on my coffee table and waiting for me to get to chugging.

In light of my weakened state, I’m doing a meme.*

*I already started the meme before I realized that it’s more of an end of the year ‘meme’ but since we’re almost to the middle of 2007 and the end of the school year, I'm putting it up anyway. I've also realized that memes are incredibly self-indulgent and kinda boring.

40 things

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

I went to India.

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Yes, I did and yes I will.

I do not cuss like a sailor. I still cuss but not as badly.

I’m not afraid of everything. It helps not being in Afghanistan but I’m not afraid of the dark though I still avoid scary movies.

I’m working on being present. I think that will take time.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! This year has been so blessed. I can’t describe the happiness of seeing these little ones. It’s almost as if I’ve known them my entire life yet they are still joyful mysteries.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Sadly, yes.

5. What countries did you visit?

India as a visit. I meant to stay in Kabul longer but that’s been put off.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

A steady job. Serenity. Being done done done with school.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?

I’m bad with dates. Plenty of memories though.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I made the decision to come back from Afg. for my health & studies. It was a grown-up decision that took prayer and reflection. I’m proud of it since my ego wanted to stay.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Eh, check the last two posts. But I think (if I handle this well) that I will be able to consider my reaction to this failure as an achievement (Inshallah).

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Ugh, yeah. I’m still recovering from my thryoid issues. I’m so happy that I’m feeling better (shukur) but getting back up to what I consider healthy is a difficult process.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I dunno. One of my many purchases at Target?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My brother, who is turning out to be a good man (Mashallah and knock wood).

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The Wolesi Jirga. Taliban. Former Mujahideen who have forgotten our hopes for them and have used the situation for their own gain.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills & Travel

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing my family and friends. They always make me so happy.

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2007?

Hmm, a list of songs:
- Song #8: Ehsan Aman’s Echoes of the Past
- Thank you lord: Bob Marley
- Welcome to Jamrock: Damian Marley
- Aashiqam ba royath: Nashenas
- Guftam ke naro: Ahmad Zahir
- Africa Democratie: Ismael Lo
- Push the Button: Sugababes
- Get out the Map: Indigo Girls

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? happier
thinner or fatter? fatter but healthier
richer or poorer? about the same in money

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I was happier with each stage of my year.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinate (I understand that I'm procrastinating now. Be quiet).

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

My mom

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?

Yes and no.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

"What not to wear" The U.S. and the British versions

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No. I try not to hate anyone. Though I am often irritated.

26. What was the best book(s) you read?

A Thousand Rooms of Dream and Fear by Atiq Rahimi – if you don’t read it, you’ll be sad

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Gogoosh.

28. What did you want and get?

Better health & more serenity, shukur.

29. What did you want and not get?

Stability.

30. What were your favorite films of this year?

Motherland Afghanistan and Postcards from Tora Bora.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I celebrated it with my friends and family in Kabul. I turned 29.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Passing the bar!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

It's more of a question than a concept: How can I wear culturally acceptable clothing in Afg and not look frumpy?

34. What kept you sane?

Family, journaling, reading and listening to music.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Nobody I can think of offhand.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

More efficient aid to Afghanistan. Sovereignty issues.

37. Who did you miss?

My family & friends when I was in Kabul. My family & friends when I was in the U.S.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Lots of people: Frida – though only through the internet; H & his wife; My co-workers: J, L, R & the rest of the crew.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Chill out and be thankful for the love that accompanies you through life.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

Not a song but here’s my favorite poem:

Speech to the Young: Speech to the Progress-Toward

Say to them,
say to the down-keepers,
the sun-slappers,
the self-soilers,
the harmony-hushers,
"even if you are not ready for day
it cannot always be night."
You will be right.
For that is the hard home-run.

Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.

Gwendolyn Brooks

8 comments:

SuperfluousA said...

Memes are self indulgent (Me Me) but if I had a blog still, I would put this up. I enjoy filling out questionnaires about me-self.

I was struck by a cold on Sunday (could not speak due to horrible sore throat for one whole day) and am now recovering. I believe it was in response to hearing your bad news. But like we talked about, it's just an exam and no reflection on you. Just look at your self indulgent Me Me, you accomplished a lot of 2007 and you didn't need the approval of some hazing ritual to do that.

ANYWAY -- my new year's resolutions (stop growling at people, stop cursing) are never going to happen. I lack the will and it's fun to growl.

Anonymous said...

I need to catch up on your blog, but I just wanted to drop a note pre-reading to say I am so happy I know you. What a blessing! You're such an influence and enrichment to my life and thoughts. (Yes, I do stop and ask myself at times "what would HiK do?")

homeinkabul said...

S: sorry that you were sick but hope you're feeling better. thanks for hte ocmpliment. I'm feeling better these days (but don't want to look at those freaking pmbr books again...)

C: You are so sweet, as always. Thank you. I hope you know that I feel the same way about you!

Anonymous said...

Gogoosh? tell me more...

I like that poem you ended with...

homeinkabul said...

Well, I don't know much about Gogoosh other than I like some of her songs...

Anonymous said...

I've been having withdrawal as well! I though of you often while I was up in Ghor. It was such an incredible treat to go for long walks in the hills around Chegcharan. It is quiet, safe and I feel free up there in a way that I rarely do any where else in this country. It did my spirit good and I wished you could slip away from the exam results and everything esle for a few days and walk in the hills of Ghor with me. Ditto regarding the best folks I've met this year. Take care and keep Rumi's poem about the guest house handy, it's helping me anyway.
x

homeinkabul said...

Frida: That sounds beautiful, as was the picture you posted on your blog. Perhaps we can walk in the hills in the future. That was a beautiful poem by Rumi and not one I had heard before. Stay strong.

Anonymous said...

Loveliness. It's an achievement just to get through a long and thoughtful meme like that.

Love the poem, especially "even if you are not ready for day
it cannot always be night."