53. One Year Anniversary

I know this is a few weeks late but I wanted to commemorate the one year anniversary of my Blog. First off, I want to thank you for following my journey over the last year. This blog has helped me share with you my life in Afghanistan as I experienced it. I've tried to give as accurate of an account of what living in Afghanistan is like through this blog and your comments and emails have given me so much support and encouragement to go on, especially on those really hard days, when the temptation of going online and purchasing a one way ticket back to the States was overwhelmingly strong. I have to say, that things have been very challenging and are getting increasingly worse in some aspects but it would be a lie to say this last year hasn't been the most rewarding and exciting one I've had in my life. I have grown so much as a human being through the experiences I have had -- the challenges I have had to overcome, the loss of friends and loved ones, the amazing work I have been given the opportunity to be a part of, the lives I have touch, the lives that have touched me -- these have all shaped me into this person I have become. 

Afghanistan is at a crossroads like it has never been before. As much as things have improved and the lives of Afghans have started to develop a certain level of quality (and I say that word very hesitantly), the threats it faces from the enemies of peace, growth and stability are overwhelming prevalent. After one whole year, I still have no exit strategy out of Afghanistan but that's not to say that its becoming harder and harder to justify being away from my family and friends as it used to be. I am not sure what the year ahead holds for me but I hope that you continue to follow the rest of my journey on this blog to find out. 

***This photo of me was taken in Mazar - e- Sharif recently by a very talented photographer, who happens to be a very good friend of mine, Tareq Majidy. I traveled to Mazar exactly a year ago. For those of you who have followed my blog from the beginning, I am certain you remember the posting on that eventful trip back in January of last year. You will be happy to know that I chose to fly this time and had a very relaxing and safe 45 minute flight in Business Class to Mazar which turned out to be very uneventful. The shrine behind me, Rowza-e-Sharif, has been a place of worship for centuries. To me, it signifies the enduring strength of the Afghan people in spite of all the struggles they have had to overcome.