I am so happy to be here.
In Israel. Where I am illiterate.
But yes, I am really happy. I am not being sarcastic.
I love my job. I can't imagine a job where I could be happier. That has it up sides as well as it down. I am currently a French translator for the Baha'i World Centre, as well as the facilitator for the European languages [which really just means I'm the intermediary between the other translators and the coordinator & I (am supposed to) work on staff development]. But this means that 1. I get to use my French skills, which shortly after 9-11, my hopes of ever being able to do that in the near future had been seriously dashed; and 2. I get to work on my management skills. I do enjoy management, but I also know that I need serious skill-building in that area. The moral leadership work that Mark and I are getting deeper and deeper into is helping me with that.
In fact, not only does it help me in my job, but it helps me in my marriage, my friendships, my family, etc. because it really teaches you how to be a good, effective human being. And I can take everything I learn and apply it everyday at work and at home.
The down sides to that? Well, I can't imagine ever being this satisfied with my work ever again. But then, who knows, maybe I'll go home, have children and stay at home to help develop their moral leadership skills :-) I could probably find some satisfaction there, don't you think?
But I'm also blessed because I am living in the Holy Land. And despite the very hurt, confused, and painful things going on here right now, it is still just that. To so many people. It's amazing to think about, really. A central location for Jews, Christians, Muslims and Baha'is. Hmm, something to that perhaps? Hmm.
In any case, I get to go to the Shrines of the central figures of the Baha'i Faith on a very regular basis. Out of the millions of Baha'is in the world, I have somehow become one of the privileged few who get to do that more than once every 7 years, let alone in a lifetime. [that's referring to a 9 day pilgrimage Baha'is can make - and the current waiting list is about 7 years long]
There is such a wonderful, positive spiritual energy here. I feel very safe here, in more ways than one. I feel very nurtured and loved here. I'm not [as] afraid of making mistakes simply because there are so many people around not only to catch me when I fall, but to lovingly help me get up, dust myself off, and get going again.
There's a young woman here from Argentina who clearly knows my family in Argentina and loves them very dearly [whether they know that or not]. Every time I see her I am so happy. She simply glows she's so happy to see me - she's just oozing love from her pores.
A young woman in my office from Kazakstan shared her nickname with me, so I call her that when I see her. Again, she simply glows! And just from that small gesture we have grown closer. Few people here call her that, and it seems to make her very happy to be called that.
A young man from Nepal is always out tending the gardens in the morning when Mark and I walk to work. We all say good morning to each other, and are so happy to see each other. You'd think he could be tired because he starts work a bit earlier than we do, he could be hot because it is quite hot in the mornings here ... but no, he always has a wonderful, happy smile on his face.
I like being here. And yes, there are others here who are a bit older... but I'm going to go watch Kill Bill 2 now. I'll tell you about a particularly special one for me later. She's another French translator, and she's sending her children off to Canada for college in 2 weeks. They were born and raised here.
I hope I haven't burst your bubble. hee hee hee!
