Back in Kansas

Here are a few little things, in no particular order, that I enjoy about being home:
1. Traffic laws
2. Garbage disposal
3. Cow-less streets
4. Everything related to food...its cleanliness, variety, availability, recognizability, and Waffle House
5. High speed internet
6. Public parks with clean air
7. Knowing what the heck is going on

Having said that, I miss Nepal as well. These things most of all:
1. Buddhist temples with monkeys
2. Hindu temples with sadhus
3. The Himalayas visible from my window
4. The Nepalese people
5. Momos
6. मलाई नेपाली भाषा बोल्न मन पर्चा, or To me Nepali language to speak my heart falls on it (i.e. "I like to speak Nepali.")
7. Never knowing what the heck will happen next

The moral of the story is that it's not easy to live abroad, especially in a developing country. I've stretched myself and tested my comfort levels in ways I'd never imagined. But the perspective I've gained is worth all the challenges. Still, as Dorothy said, there's no place like home.

It's a little known fact...

Sorry to follow up a cheerful and buoyant post about the joys of parenthood with the wet blanket of reality that is international affairs, but hey, I'm a foreign service officer. And I felt this article was too interesting not too share. That is, if you are curious in any way about the hermit kingdom of Bhutan and a little known mass expulsion of ethnic Nepalese in 1992. It impacts somewhat on my work in Nepal. But also, I think it is good for Americans to know that we open our country to many refugees like this. And if you happen to ever meet someone from Bhutan in the States, you may know what brought them here.

Born in the USA

Now that things have calmed down a little bit, I guess it's about time to update the blog with some minor news. I'm currently in the U.S. on paternity leave. Our little girl Ryan Abigail came into the world ten days early, but still at a very respectable 8.4 lbs. Elyse called me at work in Kathmandu last Wednesday morning, just after I had left the visa line, to tell me it was time. I was on a plane that night, traveled 32 hours via Doha and London, and went straight to the hospital from the airport. Not seven hours later I was holding my daughter. (Elyse can fill in the birth details if she wishes but, other than a brief period that would have made George Carlin blush, I'll just say she did great.)

Aside from an extra couple of days in the hospital due to a minor complication, it's been smooth sailing. Parenthood hasn't phased me yet. Feels natural, honestly. It probably helps that Ryan is a content baby who seems to love nothing more than nursing and sleeping. And she does both very well. Based on the reactions we get from other parents, we've lucked out in the sleep department. Ryan usually only gets up twice a night, roughly around 2:00 and 4:30. Then she and dad get up at 6:30 or 7:00 to hang out on the couch and watch Sports Center while mom catches up on her sleep. Next we listen to Morning Edition, she with her milk and I with my coffee, and discuss the news of the world. The brainwashing has begun: she already loves the Phillies and knows which politicians are simpletons. To top it off, Elyse and I have managed to keep leading our regular lives. The three of us have gone for walks in the park, seen the Tibetan Buddhism art exhibition at Emory's Carlos Museum, thrown a pizza party, and quaffed a pint at our local pub. And did I mention she's cute? See pictures below for proof. If you haven't already, I hope you can meet Ryan Abigail soon.

Day 2

Who sleeps this way?

Pretty happy after a bath

Sleeping on and under hand made gifts from friends in Nepal.

She falls asleep immediately in this thing.