Well, I blew my “30 days from departure” post.

Its been busy, and I have come home from work drained.  But not so busy that I couldn’t have made an effort on some days.  I think the real problem has been the real lack of focus on the usual things that make departure memorable.  Forced to leave behind goodbye visits to places, people and friends because of the earthquake, I’m feeling disconnected from the whole departure process, which is sad.  And I’m not the only one.  I feel like others have checked out, or are barely functioning, or have simply lost interest in being here.  Others are still buried in the recovery efforts.  Everyone is physically or emotionally exhausted, or both.  These are the things that go on far longer than the earthquake does in the news cycle.

I’m feeling disconnected from Nepal, from arrival at our new post in Jamaica, even from the prospect of some time in the UK and Greece before we head to the US for home leave.  That will change.  The realities of pack out will force me to focus.  However, that’s the reason my blog has been silent all of June and I’d like to change that.  Just before the earthquake Wandering Cows challenged me to the Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge which requires you to post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo.  I had every intention of participating, but the earthquake got in the way.  Now perhaps it will help me reconnect with my own blog and serve as a more positive way to reflect on some of the smaller, poignant stories that I have from my time here.  So, Five Photos, Five Stories coming up….stay tuned!