Reality Check

You've probably already heard the latest news about this country Somewhere in Asia.

Makes my previous posting about bad coffee machines seem trivial.

As far as I know, no one part of our school community was injured, but the sites of the blasts are where we all do our shopping on Saturdays. I was running the Hash (a running club) during the monsoon when these guys in teeshirts and running shoes who I walk/run beside and who I drink beer with and sing silly drinking songs with all of a sudden became official. Cell phones from three different embassies sent runners for cover under the eaves of the closest building: one hand holding the cell, the other hand covering the other ear to drown out the sound of rain on the tin roof.

Weekend school functions were cancelled. A group of my students was in one of the buildings and saw the bodies.

I'm not worried for my safety. But, it's times like these that remind me that life is fragile. Security is an illusion. Friends matter. And being alone in my apartment after finding out the grocery stores you shop at have been blasted really, really sucks.

A big thanks and a thousand hugs to Ms. Scrapbook who brought over homemade brownies.

Time to light a candle.

Comments

[Expat Nomad]

Glad to hear that you are ok and that you are not worried about your safety. I know a lot of people must be worried enough for you, myself being one of them.

Kinda glad we chatted on the phone before you headed out...

[shamash]

It's always difficult for those who live far away to deal with loved ones who are experiencing violence or pain than the person who's actually IN the situation. I think it's easier to live in a stressful situation than to worry about someone you care about who is living in a stressful situation.

You'd be surprised, though. There are some people I never expected to call or email their concern for me, who did. And then there are others who I thought would call or email for sure, who didn't, like my family in the States, who still haven't contacted me. Perhaps it's not being covered in the US as much as it is in Europe and Asia?

Regardless, no further vioence has ensued, though restaurants and stores were closed yesterday. We're digging in our cupboards for those soup cans. :-) Things like this bring expats together for pancake breakfasts and movie nights. Amazing how life goes on...

I'll keep you posted, Expat Nomad. And yes: what a nice chat.... I'm just glad I went running rather than to buy milk! Weird how the seemingly insignificant choices we make are often the biggest ones of our lives.

[James Tubbs]

Thanks for the kind words about my blog. I was looking at your favorite books list. One book that you might appreciate given your current locale is Siddhartha by Herman Hesse--my favorite of all time!

[Legend of Y]

I'm so glad you're okay...was so worried about you and the rest of the gang. Stay safe!

[Datta]

Wow, I am not up on the news at all! Glad you're ok.