4A

After waking early to make an important call in the morning, it was time to return to the research about the economy. Today I was able to talk to one of the experts and get a wider and deeper perspectives which was very informative and in a way having the scales drop from my eyes.

Yesterday, I was thinking about how bad the situation is for me, but still I'm getting small results everyday that no one would actually care and even know. It might be something special to note all of these small things in this diary that one day I might realize how the small steps have turned into a big accomplishment.

Still I don't see any bright futures, as there's no light that I see through this dark tunnel I'm walking through. I don't even know if I'm walking in the right direction. I remember the elder colleague who stayed here in Iran 17 years ago and felt the hardship in this country has not changed for nearly two decades. He said it would be like a long distance steeplechase race working as a correspondent here. I replied it would be better if I could see the obstacles like a steeplechase, but rather I feel it would be the pitfalls I probably will not see until the last moment that would be the most scary.

This same experienced colleague also told me there is a "4A" that was disseminated among the Japanese business people in Iran...

Aseruna=do not be in hurry
Ate ni suruna=do not expect
Atama ni kuruna=do not get angry
Akirameruna=do not give up

With all of the "do not"s, the last one is the conclusion of this story. Yes, I won't give up!

We had another blackout tonight while I was using the computer! The maglight and candles really helped to get me around things, but I'm really not happy to see this happening two days in a row!


lighting candles for the first time...


PS

hey what are you looking at!? someone giving you snacks!?