Tigers and Zebras and Hogs, oh dear!

The last seven days have been a whirlwind of meetings, discussions about PA strategy, and learning new faces. Imagine working in an office where the people only held their jobs for 6 months and then someone new came in to take their place!! It usually takes a few months, if not 6 months to become settled in your new work environment and by the time you have a routine in place, relationships established and your favorite quote hung near your computer, it's time to pack your bags and go back to the United States. Talk about being flexible and patient... C'est la vie here in Kabul, Afghanistan and in other regions across the country. So, how does this change the way people interact? Here's a quick reference to the attitudes, work ethics and personalities that exist within the 6-12 month rotation cycle. I'll use animals to create a stronger word picture:
1. Rats - people who are seeking the cheese underneath their bosses ass and will do whatever it takes, including nibbling through others to get to it!!
2. Slothes - people who see others brushing by at lightening speed while they are still working on a project that has already been completed. They usually seek out squirrels in hopes of slowing them down, too b/c who wants to be behind the game all by themselves?
3. Zebras - people who where the uniform but stick out like a sore thumb, often making themselves stand out too much and often more concerned about keeping their stripes clean rather than using their speed and beauty to influence others.
4. Tigers - people who study the lay of the land, choose their victims based upon survival and stepping up in the food chain and often leave the remains of their catch strewn across for all to see in dispair and fear.
5. Elephants - Wise and loyal, this group takes the time to learn personalities, help others to succeed and are extremely faithful to the cause. They are often hunted by the Tiger because of their knowledge and instincts. This is a rare breed.
6. Squirrels - Always trying to find a nut, these people work 14-18 hours helping others complete their larger tasks and seeking out ways to improve processes. This person often carries the work load of 2 or 3 because of their speed and positive personality.
7. Eagles - people who soar above the clouds, seeing the bigger strategic picture but having a hard time understanding that work has to be done NOW, not after the 40 or 50 people arrive to save the day. They speak at a post-graduate level and want others to follow them without fear.
8. Hogs - These people play dirty to get their heads deep in the food trough and are often seen eating all of the care package items other lay out to share. A little on the simplistic side, they follow orders quite well but are constantly scheming to snatch the prized red apple from someone else's desk.
9. Dolphins - This group brings life to the office place because of their kindness, grace and since of respect towards all. They often forgive others for their mistakes, are able to navigate through rough waters because of their thick skin and will protect those who cannot protect themselves. Playful and athletic, these people build relationships quickly and can see both the big and little picture.

Some of you that know me well can probably pick out which animal matches up with my personality.

This week I met up with a very strong and caring Afghan woman named Jamila at the Government Media Info Center. She is an advocate for helping the people of Afghanistan have a safer and cleaner place to co-exist. During my visit, we talked about life in Afghanistan and what her daily routine was. She basically travels to work and then back home, watches a little news, has dinner and then off to bed. No extracurricular activities, no book club, no girl's night out, no walking on the mountain trails for miles. She is a former professor at a local university yet she is afraid of leaving her home. I can't talk about too many details b/c her assistance to the government makes her a target but she is a direct representative of the state of fear and dispair that many of the Afghans feel. She also introduced me to her two other female co-workers who were very kind and worked with me on learning how to pronounce a few Dari phrases.

If a highly educated woman living in the most developed part of Afghanistan feels fearful for her life b/c of the violence, how to the millions of others feel around the country who know only the basics of survival view the condition of this country? There's hope here to create peace but it must start with the individuals at the lowest levels. Their support is vital to pushing out the insurgents from their towns, reporting crimes to the Afghan National Police and seeking out ways to make a living that does not include selling poppies to drug dealers.

This is the life they live and for now, I endure with them.