In Contrast

Just as everyone at home has been getting tons of snow, it’s been getting warmer here over the past few weeks. It’s not hot – the weather outside is actually fairly mild, but it’s definitely warmer. As I sit here in my stuffy, non-climate controlled office, shedding as many layers as forced modesty will allow, I’m convinced that being here later in the year will be miserably uncomfortable. I really don’t know how it’s possible that all the women here aren’t rail-thin – I would think that they’d spend a good six months out of the year sweating off about 10 pounds a day. I’m so thankful for a couple of paper-thin, long-sleeved cotton shirts I bought before leaving for Pakistan. I never wore them there, but they’re handy to have here!

I went running again last night, and I feel really good this morning. Regular exercise really does make a difference in how I feel and function – but I only realize it when I’ve been slacking for a few days (sometimes weeks…) and start again. I seem to have hit a wall, though. I can do two miles, but at the moment my body is very opposed to the idea of me doing much more than that. I suppose I’ll have to beat it into submission. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

There is, apparently, quite the traffic jam going on outside my office window. Horns honking, people screaming, loud popping noises, all that good stuff. Did you know that Yemen is the most heavily armed country in the world (per capita, that is)? Seriously – four firearms per person here – can’t remember who told me that, but it’s not hard to believe. Charlton Heston would fit in well here. The gunshots are probably from the military installation across the street, however. As long as they’re not from anyone who is interested in taking aim at me, it’s all good.