Give a Little Bit

Yesterday I began baking for the Christmas Eve dinner that we're having tonight at the Colonel's house, and then I decided that since I was already baking so many cupcakes, a few dozen more wouldn't hurt. And so that's what I did. I baked at least four dozen cupcakes for the local Pakistani guards who protect the Canadian compounds here in the Diplomatic Enclave.

And you know what? It felt so good, real good, to be able to do something for them, even if it was as small as a cupcake.

These guys work so hard, 23 days straight, 7 days off, 12 hour shifts, in the rain, in the cold, in the blistering heat, and all for $250 a month. Can you believe that? Most of them aren't from Islamabad, so they only get to see their families, who are hours away, on their week off, and are forced to live in tents while they're here working. It's really sad, but that's just life here, and they're used to it.

I, however, think of it more or less as slave labour and can't believe that anyone would have to live like this.

"The aim of mankind should be to make man kinder"

A job and a Christmas party.

Sorry that I haven't written in awhile, but I haven't had a whole lot to say.

I started work this past Wednesday. I am super excited about it, and I hope I'm good at it, as it will look amazing on my resume when I return to Canada, and hopefully will lead to something bigger and better.

On the first day I went to have lunch with the High Commissioner, who hosts a welcome lunch every 2 or 3 months for all the newcomers. It just so happened that it was on my first day, which was a bit nerve wracking but he's very easy to talk to and not at all intimidating.

Then yesterday I went to a luncheon at the Brit Club, I'm not entirely sure what it was for, but I think it was for everyone in the Immigration Departments, from all the missions in Islamabad. I met a really nice Norwegian guy and there was good food and free alcohol. :)

That night was the work Christmas party, which was a lot of fun! I dragged Rod along with me, and he got to meet some of my colleagues, there was a turkey feast, more free alcohol, a band, and we sang Christmas carols, which really helped to put me in the Christmas spirit. It's quite hard to get in that spirit when you're a Canadian and there's no snow and it's 15 degrees outside, the trees still have leaves on them, though they are losing them, there aren't any decorations on the houses. It's just really odd to be in a Muslim country during Christmas. But what can you do? 

Jobs and Needles and Things.

So I've found myself a full time position at a different Embassy here in Islamabad. Woohoo! I haven't started yet, as I'm waiting for my security clearance to come back, and I've just handed the paperwork in today. But hopefully that doesn't take too long, because I'd like to start work as soon as possible. Sitting at home doing nothing (ie. watching television shows, sleeping, and travel planning) is starting to get a little boring. However, once I do have a job, I'll probably miss all of this down time.

After handing my paperwork in today to the security department, I was told to go to the clinic for a checkup. So I get there, and suddenly I'm told that I must go out into the city for a chest x-ray and bloodwork. Say what? I've never heard of a job making you do that before now. I got a little upset at this news, because I'm terrified of blood and needles, for whatever reason.

But it went shockingly well!

Aside from the fact that the clinic was set up in such a way, that it was literally like going to the DMV. You take your number, you wait until they call your name, and then you go up to the counter, stick your arm out, and they take your blood. Yup, right in the waiting room. I may have shed a tear or two, only because I get myself so worked up over these things. But she was incredibly gentle, and the needle she used was so tiny that I could hardly feel it. It was like the tiniest poke ever, and did not hurt one bit. I was amazed! If only it were that easy all the time, I'd happily go every week to donate blood. And that's saying something!

But yay me for landing my ass a job! I thought the interview went well, but I didn't think I'd get it. And I'm very pleased that I did. Hopefully I'm good at it, and that they like me, and that I can continue to work there until we leave in 2014. Not to mention it'll look great on my resume :)

Oh, and we fired out domestic helper. It just wasn't working out, she wasn't doing what we wanted her to do, and I'm not sure if we'll hire another. I've never had to fire anyone before though, so that was kind of awkward.