Sylvia's Journal

Axel and I did our yoga practice together this morning. We are eyeing one of the 30 yoga mats that Meghann brought for her session at the AMA congress. They are now stored, it seems, in the basement of the AMA building. I wonder what will become of them.

It is fly season – theya re everywhere. But here, unlike back in the US, we are more worried where these flies have been before they land on our food or bodies. I swatted several flies during my yoga practice which made the poses more challenging.

We slept on the tushaks again because the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from the painting job are still in our bedroom and Axel is particular susceptible with his compromised immune system. On Sunday he will see Dr. Tim again and then we’ll decide whether he should go ahead of me to the US. Many will hate to see him go early: the students at SOLA because they badly need his tutoring and guidance – several kids are in the middle of application processes – a very daunting task for them; and me because I am dealing with a complex HR dilemma and can use some psychological support.

Because of Axel’s low energy and coughing we cancelled our visit to the wool ‘factory’ – a very dusty place – to see the carpet that has been created out of the heaps of dirty wool, then spun, then dyed and then knotted. The manager told us the carpet is done and we are interested in it, mostly because we have seen it being created from scratch.

The rest of the day we each tended to our tasks that are both related to capacity building: Axel sat down with Wali to complete his school application – an intensely complex task for young Afghans – and I worked on the annual performance reviews of my four staff members, something I take rather seriously and spent much time on – two done, two to go.