The week is almost through and the relief and excitement about some serious relaxing and downtime is starting to creep into the mind.  It was an 8 day work week with events, interviews, and meetings to fill the time.  Somehow, the pace has reminded me of what work life must be like back home and I find I am more efficient and more satisfied with the increase in pace.  Does this mean I am better suited to a faster work environment?  Or have I not fully adjusted to the slower pace of life here?  It might be a shock to arrive home and discover how quickly life will move but somehow I think it will suit me just fine 🙂

• Peppermint.  It might be the impending Christmas season that has driven this obsession with peppermint but I just can’t seem to get enough of the peppermint tingle.  I have a peppermint chapstick, soap, lotion, and now drink a steaming cup of peppermint tea every night.  I have dreams of brewing hot chocolate and then steeping a peppermint teabag in the sweet mixture – who needs a Starbucks’  peppermint mocha when you can have that instead! 
• Letting someone else take control.  It is far too easy for me fall into the routine of trying to control and plan everything…I am an organizer…a list maker.  I claim those titles proudly, usually, but every once in awhile (and forgive me those of you who are free spirits who would not think for a moment that any of this was truly giving up control…indulge me while I stretch my own boundaries and next time you attempt to make plans I will not scoff in your direction) I enjoy the thrill of letting someone else into my kitchen :).  So, this week…I let R make dinner!  We had buffalo-mushroom-tomato pasta and it was delicious!  I relinquished control in the kitchen and now I am having visions of simply never going back in – that’s how tasty it was!
• Being invited into “real life” in Nepal.  My colleague Sujata’s son, Ayush, celebrated his 2nd birthday this week.  And to my surprise she invited R and I over for dinner and celebration.  This was a sign of both comfort and true friendship as the only others who were invited were family.  It was a very special evening for us.  Her small family of husband, son, and a young girl who looks after her son live in a very tiny 2-room apartment.  One small bedroom where everyone sleeps and a small kitchen area for cooking.   She admitted earlier this week to being a bit shy about inviting us over, feeling as though her small apartment would be too small and uncomfortable for us.  She had need not worried as we felt absolutely comfortable and at home in her place.  But I also cannot help but feel somewhat shameful that my presence would cause her such worry – as if somehow I required more or expected something fancy – that what she could offer would not be good enough.  It was more than good enough – it was real, true, and everyday life in Nepal – so much richer than anything we have experienced in our work or travels here.  We absolutely loved being part of the fun and enjoyed much food, laughter, and playing with the kids.  I will remember that night with such fondness and know that I have truly made a friend (and family) for life. 
• Irony.  Dear man who caught the same tuk-tuk as me on Tuesday afternoon.  I saw you lounging around outside the vehicle sucking in a final cigarette before we departed.  You seemed to really enjoy the smoking – the hot smoke easily filling your lungs and slowly being exhaled in a bluish-white haze around your head.  But I am a little confused.  Was the face mask you donned following the cigarette meant to shield your lungs from air pollution?