Returning from Afghanistan to best friend...

Employees headed to hooches...

Items you might want to include in your consumables shipment...

Soup mixes/cans

Any speciality food items you like, Thai Mexican, Indian...

Tea, coffee, coffee filter

Crackers and snack food

Laundry soap, dryer sheets, bleach, spot remover

Towels and washclothes
Bedding (beds are twin size), pillows
Small pastic container with drawers
Clorox wipes
Bath soap
Swiffer wet/dry ones (for the kitchen floors)
Small pastic bags (for the wastebaskets)
Dust cloths (it is very dusty and dirty)
Good quality air purifier and humidifier
Shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, hair color
Cosmetics you like...very little available, even the basics like mascara
Toothpaste, mouthwash
Contacts and lens cleaners, Visine
Calendars, family photos
Candles
Holiday decorations, birthday candles
Greeting cards
Any hobby items that you want to work on (in moments you have some free time)
Toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, napkins

220 Volt Coffee Pot, Tea Kettle

Bed risers to maximize storage under the bed (you can buy these at Bed, Bath and Beyond)

Dishes (if you don't want to eat off paper plates), flatware, glasses, mugs, plastic storage bowls with lids

Adaptors, batteries

Small stereo system

Hooches are provided with TV/DVD, microwave, small refrigerators, telephone and shower curtain

Have you ever had Afghan food?

Are you in the NoVa/DC area and want to try some Afghan food?  Check out this bargain from The Capitol Deal for the Afghan Kabob House in Arlington.

Four Afghan women make history...

... as the first female pilots from their country.  "We should show the world that the women of Afghanistan are strong," said Lt. Sourya.

The women are also the first to attend the Defense Language Institute's general English course, where they will not only perfect their English skills, but also learn about U.S. history and culture.  "What a fantastic opportunity for us and the wing to build coalition and bilateral partnerships across the world," said Col. Eric Axelbank, the 37th Training Wing commander. The Institute represents 85 countries with over 1,100 students. 

Check out the full story and see pictures here.

The Sewing Circles of Herat by Christina Lamb

Christina Lamb does an excellent job explaining the history of Afghanistan while giving the readers a chance to understand the beauty of the country and its people.  

Imagine a time when women cannot wear lipstick, go out in public, wear white shoes or shoes that click.  Women cannot laugh out loud or be seen from the window not even their silhouette.   A time when not even parks can be named for women, when no music is allowed and the only entertainment is public amputations and executions.  This according to Ms. Lamb is life under Taliban rule. 

In Herat, once the centre of Persian culture ruled by a powerful queen, the oppression of culture and women is the worst.   It was in the city of Herat that Christina Lamb came across the Golden Needle Ladies Sewing Circle.  This group of heroic women was teaching something the Taliban approved of, sewing.  But in between stitches the ladies are teaching something very much forbidden; they are teaching literature to the women of Afghanistan. 

Stay connected...

Are you a fan of Facebook? Did you know the following U.S. Embassies have Facebook pages? They all include lots of photos and updates about current events and news. It is a great way to feel more connected and also a fun way to share information with the kids.


U.S. Embassy Pakistan http://www.facebook.com/pakistan.usembassy

U.S. Embassy Baghdad http://www.facebook.com/embassybaghdad

U.S. Embassy Kabul http://www.facebook.com/kabulusembassy

I saw this article on the front page of the New York Times yesterday, but didn't get a chance to read it and managed to find it online.  The article discusses the good and the bad of instant communication like Skype and text messaging when separated from loved ones---focusing on how soldiers in Afghanistan are staying in touch with home.

In the area? Check out this event...

Celebrate the Rich Artistry of Afghanistan

While Supporting Afghan Literacy

Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction

Saturday, January 29 – 6:00 pm

Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church

9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814

Tickets, $50 per person

Featuring:

• Authentic Afghan dinner

• Keynote speaker Dr. Susan Andersen, who will report on her trip to

Afghanistan and her work with women parliamentarians

• Kabultec founder Nasrine Gross will report briefly on her 2010 activities in

Afghanistan

• Raffle of unique Afghan textile, glassware, and beaded bag (tickets, $10)

Silent Auction to include

• Afghan cooking class with Nasrine

• Hand-crafted items from large and small textiles to jewelry, pottery, woodcarving, and metal work—all from Afghan bazaars and women’s groups

Proceeds will support couples literacy classes in Afghanistan through Kabultec.

Nasrine has been working on Afghan women's rights since 1996.

Reservations

Deadline is Thursday, January 27, 2011, but tickets may sell out sooner

Mail checks made out to "Kabultec" (a 501(c)3 organization) to:

Eleanor DePaola

7941 Inverness Ridge Rd.

Potomac, MD 20854-4010

Directions: http://www.cedarlane.org/directions or call (301) 493-8300

Check out these EFM opportunities in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan...

Is your direct hire spouse/domestic partner thinking of bidding on an assignment in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq?

Did you know that there are EFM employment opportunities at these posts for you to accompany them?

NEA-SCA/EX coordinates the rewarding and valuable EFM opportunities to these unaccompanied posts and they would love to hear from you.

Additional Information and to apply:

AfghanistanEFMS@state.gov

BaghdadEFMAps@state.gov

PakistanEFMS@state.gov

~Tips from the Field~

Know before you go… Install Skype prior to leaving and be sure that it is functioning.

Cleanliness is next to godlessness…. Don’t like to clean up?  Send paper plates and cups because work hours are long.

You can have too much of a good thing…. Don’t ship too much!  Space is limited.

Packed and ready to go…. The PX has limited amount of toiletries, and the APO takes two weeks, so be sure to pack whatever beauty supplies you need.

Eyes Wide Open…. Someone from Lahore reported, “Homes are spacious, with high ceilings and windows- recommendation bring blackout curtains or a sleeping blinder/eye shade to block out the light.  Also, many homes have marble floors- suggestion bring a pair of slippers to keep your feet warm.”

All dressed up…. Bring light weight clothes and sturdy shoes.  The weather and laundry are hard on clothes. 

These boots are made for walking…. If you are not going to be working in the embassy, purchase a pair of hiking boots and chinos to wear every day.


Do you have any tips from the field to share?  Please do!

Diplomacy at Home for the Holidays

Thank you to everyone who attended the December 14th event!  We were so happy to have the opportunity to meet everyone in person and we so appreciate your support.  Here are a few photos from the event.  :) Enjoy!

Happy Holidays from UT!

U.S. medics in Afghanistan treat an Afghan six-month baby boy with a rare heart condition. Check out this article--- what a great story.