I’ve been there (Afghanistan) for two years….ok, 21 months. My family now refers to it as “home” as in “when are you going back home this time?” That’s enough to give one a seriously long pause!!

Despite the pause. Despite the distance from what remains of my stateside life… I am back again.

31 Days

It sounded like an eternity when I planned it, but it flew by. A week in California catching up with family and old friends. Some time in Portland with friends, crazy shopping and a critical visit to my hairdresser (apparently I cannot do blonde!!) – a couple of weeks with my family and my dog and the month was gone.

Even with all the busyness I did unwind…more like fell apart. When the stress of the past few months finally caught up with me, it nearly knocked me out. It was like the worst sort of jetlag – intense lethargy, seriously delayed reaction times and no ability to focus or remember anything. I began to wonder if I was ready to take on a new job, a new company, a new location…

Not a morning person

I started my new job on 30 November with a late night flight into Dulles. 4.5 hrs later I crawled into a taxi for the hour-long trip to the office. Not being a morning person, this was not an auspicious start to my new career. That said…

First impressions…

A cabbie dropped me off near the front doors my new company’s US headquarters. While he unloaded my bags I noticed a man in a trench coat pausing before entering the building. I finished paying the fare and turned to grab my bags and the gentleman approached, offering his assistance. As we entered the building I noticed his cap. Turns out he is the office manager for my new company. Though he had no idea who I was or what company I was going to visit in the office building, he still offered his assistance.

That set the tone for the rest of the visit. The new team was enthusiastic, responsive and professional. Between their energy and the copious amounts of coffee I imbibed I made it through the whirlwind visit. I missed upgrading to business class by 2 people…so by the time I hit Dubai I was ready to sleep.

I’m back in Afghanistan…again. I’m just at the end of my second official day of work. Jetlag (the real kind) is striking at odd moments. Fortunately it’s the “I’m hungry for dinner at breakfast” sort. I’m engaged and slowly picking up speed. I’m in the funny stage of a new job where you’re drinking in great draughts of information yet still feel thirsty.

Back again

Taking this job was a huge transition. To leave all you know, who you know and where you are known to not only join an unknown agency, but also a team in transition is unnerving. Despite the nerves each step toward this decision (job, location etc.) has been certain. What’s more, its good to be back again.