Rad o Bargh

Thunder and lightening!

Autumn has arrived a week early. I wish you could be here with me right now - I've never heard thunder so loud in my life! It rattles windows and teeth, it makes you feel like you're 5 years old, making a 'nest' out of every doona and blanket from the linen cupboard.

My totally unscientific theory is that the sound echoes off the MASSIVE Alborz mountains, making it doubly loud, but I'm probably wrong.

Two weeks since my last post. I'd say life is going on as usual, but that's not quite right. I spent a great deal of time thinking about how my work is going, how I'm going here in Iran. After some harsh words to myself, I'm doubling my efforts in every area. Near enough isn't good enough here, no Sir.

So work is a lot more intense now, I'm spending a lot more time in the office, and I'm pleased to notice that my output has skyrocketed. Something about elbow grease...?

My personal life is still great fun. I'm (BOOM!!) (Oh gosh it's pouring now!!) I spent the weekend just gone with Maryam and Bahar on Wednesday night, and Mojdeh and Mohammad on Thursday night/Friday. I went to two different parties, chilled out, watched two awesome movies (Go rent 'Before Sunrise' then get 'Before Sunset' - amazing.) All too soon it's Saturday again and I'm back in the office. Tomorrow is Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan. Well, actually today is the end of Ramadan, but you get what I mean. It's a public holiday, so I'm off to Sepehr's tonight. His whole family is getting together at Beji's place (Beji is the coolest, most young-at-heart grandma I know). So much Iranian food and fun to be had, I'm sure.

(hehe, I can hear all the Professor's kids downstairs screaming and laughing at all this noise).

My Farsi is coming along, it seems to go in fits and spurts. Some days I trip over how to say 'good thanks' when someone says 'Khoobi?' (Should I say 'khoobam' or 'chetori'?). Other days (and more now than ever) I can sit in someone's kitchen and almost follow the conversation, even if I can't contribute past 'bale' (yes) or 'kheili khoshmarzast' (it's delicious).

hmmm.

Well I just got off the phone to Sepehr-jan, and because it is far too dangerous to be driving in this weather, I am going on a public transport adventure after work. I have to drop in on a girl who lives in the dorm to help with some english stuff, then away I go.

Taxi to Engelab Sq, then BRT bus west toward Azadi. Then Metro to Sadigieh (?) until the last stop, where Sepehr will be there waiting.

(sorry for all the detail - that is mostly there for Bastian and David ;) )

Well, the day's got away from me now, it's 4pm. Just an hour of work left then high-ho Silver...Away!