hello from Baghlan

It's been almost three months since I've moved to Afghanistan. I've been quiet about stories and thoughts since in many ways I'm still dealing with some sensory overload. Of course everything is new to me...and even after three months, it still is. I have nothing clever or profound to say thus far (or maybe ever) about my time here since all I have gone through so far are pockets of experiences that I have yet failed to pull together into something of a story (or stories).

As some of you may know, I was in Vancouver for a week in November. After the visit, I realised it would be good to make an effort to keep those interested (yes, I am talking to the three of you who are still asking me to update my blog...) a window into what I'm up to here.

I admit I have been lazy with this blog...but I am interested in keeping in touch and this is my effort, albeit a delinquent effort, to share a bit of what's going on for me. There's facebook now, which means, this might be a bit passe. I've never been up with the techno-times though.

The timing of my trip to Vancouver was particularly significant - I was there for the last week of an 8 month negotiation course at SFU, I turned 30, and it was also the week of Darwin's funeral. Pretty dynamic week. The events of the week forced me to reflect on both life and death. I look at a man like Darwin, who I have known for the past 13 years, and who for many of those years was a significant part of my life, and realise how rare it is that we find people with the dedication, passion and energy he had to invest in people's lives. I can only hope to have a life that has impacted people as Darwin's has.

let's talk about sex!

'This suggests, then, that the primary criterion for a Christian sexual theology is not procreation but rather faithfulness and commitment. This is the supreme message of the life of Jesus and ought to be the principal standard for Christian sexual ethics – not sexual orientation, not propagation, nor even marriage.'

Interesting article from the Globe and Mail. I was pleased to read Bishop Michael Ingham's article on sexuality and the church. I realise that some have already been talking about faith in relation to homosexuality, marriage, non-marriage relationships...but on the whole these dialogues occur on the fringes. I grew up within mainstream Christian circles where issues of sexuality are easy to assess: Marriage - good if between a man and a woman; pre-marital sex - SIN; homosexuality - SIIIIINNN; and homosexual marriage - ABSOLUTE NO. When I would learned about it, it was usually to justify these beliefs than to truly question some of the fundamental assertions here. Is there still something here to question?

I certainly think so and I do not believe these are givens, no matter what Dr James Dobson of Focus on the Family says. I do question these taken for granted attitudes because I don't think a christian response to issues of sexuality are as clear and straightforward as I often heard it to be. Questions like 'what is marriage?' are overlooked because it's such a pervasive belief that the ceremony is the defining point of marriage, hence the point where man and wife can share a bed. I don't assume that there is a monolithic christian culture but I do think some of the 'truths' that are supposedly fundamental for some to the christian faith need to be reassessed. Some of the dialogues and debates that is already happening amongst some christian thinkers needs to be brought to the wider body of believers to spark conversations on theology that have such lasting impressions on society and culture in general.

blood diamond

I just saw the film Blood Diamond. It's been out in theatres for a few months now and I've only managed to see it now. It is a compelling story about conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone. The acting by both Leonardo di Caprio and Djimon Hounsou was top notch. I would recommend this movie, particularly because it has more than the stock plots we see too often nowadays. I am also not offering a review of the film, as you probably will find more worthwhile reviews in rotten tomatoes or some other site.

I wrote an article about diamonds in December 2002. It was a look at the diamond industry from the conflict diamonds to the diamond mines in Canada's north. It was written months before the ratification and implementation of the Kimberly Process in August 2003 so it won't provide the evaluation of the Kimberley process but it might give some information about some of the other issues related to diamonds.

The Kimberley process is a certification scheme that creates standards for the import and export of diamonds. It assures the buyer that the rough diamond is purchased legally, without aiding rebel groups (such as the RUF). The Kimberley process though has been criticized from its implementation since it lacks transparency and appropriate monitoring and regulation measures. Since its 'implementation' some have criticized it as a mere publicity stunt for the diamond industry.

Some critics have really been unhappy with the overt 'preachy' message of the film but I am really pleased that the stories so important to the lives of many in some of the forgotten places on earth are still told (though a few years late).

finding home

I love Vancouver. I woke up to a beautiful white snowy view from my window, and now 10 hours later, to beautiful sunshine. Lovely Vancouver. I've been living here for the past six weeks now. After three years and four months of living in the UK, I am back at my mom's place. It's better than I anticipated. A few unhappy moments, but generally it's been one pleasant surprise after the other.

A few days after I arrived, I started volunteering for this project called Finding Home. What initially got my attention with this project was that it involved Lt Gen Romeo Dallaire, a man who I have a lot of respect for. I began volunteering by managing the guest list for the event but a week after I started I knew I had to get into gear and start earning some $$$.

I signed up for a couple of temp agencies. Through one of the agencies, I finally worked my most useless job ever. It was an elaborate production line to stick logo stickers on dummy wireless cards for mobile phone service providers. I had to measure 2.5 mm on each side with a ruler and make sure the label had no bubbles, lines or imperfections. I spent five spiritless days doing this. They had asked me if I was able to extend my stay with them and I gave them an emphatic NO.

Fortunately, some funds were available for me to be hired on contract for Finding Home. I was hired as the Dialogue coordinator, which put me in touch with a range of people in my field of interest in Vancouver. I also got to work on a project I have a lot of interest in. Very pleasant surprise.

Finding Home is a project directed and created by Jessie Sutherland of Worldview Strategies. It is a project that looks at the meaning of home and what it means to create home. Our event launch was a one day dialogue in the Wosk Centre for Dialogue with Lt Gen Romeo Dallaire and Chief Robert Joseph. It is an innovative project bringing together first nations, metis, immigrants, refugees, youth, artists, senios, government reps, academics and other curious individuals. Jessie's background is in conflict resolution too, so a lot of the project resonates with me.

We are looking to launch different community based dialogues in the next few months, which is exciting. However, my involvement from here on is up in the air as I am unsure what my next steps are to be. I'll keep you posted.

so, a blog?

I've been inconsistent with this blog pretty much since I started it but moreso in the recent year and a half. I was thinking about why I had this and I just want to go back to that for a moment.

At first I thought this blog would be a good venue for me to spark off some conversation about some of the things I've been thinking about, whether it's about current events, issues of faith, social concerns or other things that keep me thinking. I also thought this would be a good space for me to update people who want to know about what I've been up to. I know in the recent few months, this blog has been neither a discussion venue nor an information site.

I am thinking this hopefully will change in the next little while. It does take some work and thought to keep this blog updated, but consider this mey second attempt.

So for the few of you who still occassionally click on here, your consistency is not in vain (or at least maybe not...). I hope to finally engage you again.

Happy New Year!

So it's been a while since my last post. It's now the end of a busy and eventful year spent reading in the University of Bradford library and eating too much pasta and pesto. But I am officially a master in conflict resolution!

Since the frantic submission of my dissertation in September, I've been travelling, took a week long mediation course, lived in Dublin and spent a lot of time on the web looking for jobs. It's been a slow and restful time. I moved to Dublin in October and have been in and out of Katz and Wilson's house since then, travelling in between. My other siblings, Mika and Ray, are also here at the moment spending the holidays together. But after the holidays, more changes.

After three years and five months in the UK, I am moving back to Vancouver. According to what I've heard, many things have changed in Vancouver. It will again be a transition for me but I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends I saw too little of these past few years. I can't believe it's been over three years already.

As a new graduate, I always get asked my future plans. The problem is, I don't have plans yet. Of course I plan to work and move forward in a career in making the world a more peaceful place but as for next steps...I'm sure it will come at some point in 2007.

So 2007 already. I'm not sure why I'm still writing here since I've probably only written three posts this year and my mom is probably the only one who still persistently visits this site but maybe I'll be a better writer this year.