Dec 30 2005 Snowless in Kabul. But warm – relatively speaking when I recall the sub zero average temperatures at home on the eve. It was a bit chilly in the shade at the squash court yesterday – we bat the ball around in a bunker at the old Pakistan embassy in the heart of a suburb long sympathetic to the northern alliance. Even today the Pakistan embassy refuses to rebuild and tempt the rockets once again.

Saw angels last evening. Well add a long yoga stretch and a bowl of vegetables soup with lots of chilies and its no surprise that my head was light. Cooking again for the first time in a year – our main is off on a much deserved ten day holiday and I am re-discovering old skills. Pulled out the emergency kit my daughter packed for me a year ago and there is a whack of miso soup stock and ten pairs of chopsticks.

Heated correspondence with home re the United Church’s first request for a gay marriage in La Pêche. I write a humble letter in favour and distribute it to every email address that might make a difference – this issue threatens to divide the church like no other and undermine the last few years of community outreach that we have done. Not to mention challenge our very progressive minister – on the other hand she might see a no vote as a sign that there is still much work to be done in house.

A number of potential employers sent little pre-Xmas gifts and in the end I have decided to sign on with World Vision for another six months – to lead the development of an exciting initiative in pursuit of funding, partners and building a sustainable economy in this fragile country. Had to turn down a generous offer from Save the Kids Pakistan to move quickly into their relief management – ah hard choices are nice to have. Celebrated yesterday with lunch at the Elbow Room – I am generally a low profile guy cautious of the ex-pat hangouts but my the blazing fire and the core of Brits at the bar has me tempted to get on the circuit social circuit.