Laura and Russell Merrill had another cute little girl at 3:29 pm, on 30 March 2011. Her name is Brynlee Merrill. She weighed 7 lbs and 12 oz, and is 20.5 inches long. Both are doing well.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
It's a Girl!!
Laura and Russell Merrill had another cute little girl at 3:29 pm, on 30 March 2011. Her name is Brynlee Merrill. She weighed 7 lbs and 12 oz, and is 20.5 inches long. Both are doing well.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Pakistan Orders Shipment of Afghan-Bound Containers
Pakistan's government Wednesday ordered that 60 percent of Afghan-bound containers stranded in Karachi port should be shipped to Afghanistan within the coming 60 days.
National Logistic Cell (NLC), a transportation company owned by Pakistan's government, ships Afghan trade containers, but Pakistan's Prime Minister has said that other cargo companies should also take part in the transportation of Afghan goods.
Pakistan's Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani called on other transportation companies mostly because NLC has a small capacity compared to the number of containers stranded for months in the Karachi port.
But Afghan traders are not optimistic about Pakistan's promise.
"Considering the situation, I don't think they would take a serious step about Afghan-bound goods. We hope the challenges to be resolved soon and there is no more problem ahead of our traders in the future," Deputy Head of Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Khan Jan Alokozai, told TOLOnews.
Pakistan's embassy in Kabul said that it is making efforts to resolve problems facing Afghan traders.
"Pakistan's government and people don't want the goods to remain there. Because we have limited room there and it affects our own trade as well," Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq told TOLOnews.
The comments come as thirty percent of Afghan-bound goods stranded have been spoilt in the port.
Kabul has newly sent a delegate to Pakistan to discuss the containers issue with related officials.
Buddha of Bamian
Ten years ago, the Taliban demolished the giant unique Buddha of Bamian.
After the collapse of the Taliban regime, the Afghan government, international community and Unesco spoke of efforts to rebuild the statue, but Unesco has recently said rebuilding it is technically challenging.Unesco says efforts are now being made to preserve the remnants of the statue.Ministry of Information and Culture considers destruction of the Buddha as the biggest historical loss of Afghanistan.
Buddahs of Bamian were world famous and attracted tourists from around the globe when the country was peaceful.
After the collapse of the Taliban regime, the Afghan government, international community and Unesco spoke of efforts to rebuild the statue, but Unesco has recently said rebuilding it is technically challenging.Unesco says efforts are now being made to preserve the remnants of the statue.Ministry of Information and Culture considers destruction of the Buddha as the biggest historical loss of Afghanistan.
Buddahs of Bamian were world famous and attracted tourists from around the globe when the country was peaceful.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
"Nawruz 1390 " or the Afghan New Year
Despite more than thirty years of bitter warfare, the Afghans remain proud of their culture, traditions, and ancient history and civilisation. This pride is displayed most dramatically in the celebrations surrounding the Nawruz or the Persian New Year on 21 March.
Nawruz is a Persian festival which is celebrated by people in Afghanistan, Iran Tajikistan, Kurdistan and other parts of the Persian-speaking world. Nawruz is the first day of Hamal (Farvardin), the first month of the Afghani or Iranian solar year. Since ancient times it has been the great national holiday. In the Persian language it is also known as "sol-e-naw" which means new year. On this day all over Afghanistan and Iran special ceremonies are arranged and people gather to welcome enthusiastically the onset of a new year with singing, dancing, picnics and special dishes.
The celebration of Nawruz in the Persian-speaking world goes back hundreds of years. In 2010 the United Nations General Assembly recognized the International Day of Nowruz, describing it as a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. The festival has since been officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The word "Nawruz" is a compound of two Persian words, "naw" which means new and has the same etymology as the English word and "ruz" which means both "day" and "time." Literally meaning the "new day," Nawruz is usually translated as "new year." Nawruz begins on the first day of spring (usually the 21st of March). This date represents the first day of the first month of the Afghan year according to the solar calendar (also known as Hamal 1390). The difference between the Afghan and occidental calendar is 621 years.
Preparation for the Nowruz begins early in March with a thorough khane tekani (house cleaning). washing carpets, painting the house, and cleaning the yard in preparation for the festivities. This is followed by kharid-e Nawruzi (Nowruz shopping). Nowruz shopping is a family affair designed to engage children in the celebration. All family members must be measured and outfitted with new clothes, shoes, hats, and the like. In addition, the sofreh (Nowruz display cloth) requires certain items -- sweetmeats, confectioneries, candles, fruits, and nuts -- which are also bought at this time. In addition to what is bought, women of the household bake various types of sweet breads and sew special clothes for the little ones. Finally, a visit to the bank is undertaken to acquire shiny, new coins and crisp, fresh banknotes to give out as eydi (gift) and for the sofreh.
In this day a special sweet dish is prapared by Afghans people called "haft meewa" (seven fruits) and offered to guests and family members. This is like a fruit salad made from seven different dried fruits, served in their own syrup. The fruits used are raisins, senjed (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree), pistachios, hazelnuts, prunes, walnuts and either almond or another species of plum.
Afghans also cook special types of dishes for Nawruz, especially on the eve of the festival. Normally, they cook sabzi chalaw, a dish made from rice and spinach, separately. Moreover, the bakeries prepare a special type of biscuit, called kulcha-e Nowrozī, which is only baked at this time. Another traditional dish is māhī wa jelabī (fried fish and jelabi) and it is the popular dish for picnics. In Afghanistan, it is a common custom for a fiancé's family to give presents to or prepare special dishes for the fiancée's family on special occasions such as in the two Eids, Barā'at and in Nawruz.
Samanak is another Persian delicacy popular at Nawruz. It is a sweet paste made from germinated wheat, which begins to sprout in the days just before Nawruz and is eaten from Nawruz onwards. It is made collectively by women who sit around the boiling samanak pot on the fire all night singing songs. The samanak is then served in the morning accompanied by a song including the words:
Samanak dar Josh o mā Kafcha zanem - Degarān dar Khwāb o mā Dafcha zanemNawruz is above all a day to celebrate with the entire family, especially the children, who ride Ferris wheels, participate in kite running competitions and spend the day at the park. Kite flying is a traditional Afghan custom, particularly among the children and youth of Kabul. At Nawruz the sky is full of colourful kites all around the city, particularly in the hills of Tapai Malang Jan.
Outside Kabul Nawruz is also celebrated, but often in quite different ways. In the provinces, for instance, the festival might be a pretext for indulging in the ancient sport of buzkashi. This is a game of daring and courage, a traditional Afghan horse-riding sport commonly played at Nawruz. It is held on an open plain with a decapitated calf placed in the centre of the field before the judges. The object of the game is to ride with the carcass around some specified points before dropping the calf back in the centre, while the other horse riders try to snatch away the calf and make a run themselves. This is believed to be an early version of polo.
Afghanistan is still primarily an agricultural country and Nawruz is often referred to as the Festival of Farmers. Farmers often walk through the city streets as a sign of encouragement for the agricultural productions. In recent years, this activity is being performed only in Kabul and other major cities, in which the mayor and other high governmental personalities participate for watching and observing.
Kassem Saikal was formerly a French teacher at Kabul University and in France and is now teaching French in Australia.
Nawruz is a Persian festival which is celebrated by people in Afghanistan, Iran Tajikistan, Kurdistan and other parts of the Persian-speaking world. Nawruz is the first day of Hamal (Farvardin), the first month of the Afghani or Iranian solar year. Since ancient times it has been the great national holiday. In the Persian language it is also known as "sol-e-naw" which means new year. On this day all over Afghanistan and Iran special ceremonies are arranged and people gather to welcome enthusiastically the onset of a new year with singing, dancing, picnics and special dishes.
The celebration of Nawruz in the Persian-speaking world goes back hundreds of years. In 2010 the United Nations General Assembly recognized the International Day of Nowruz, describing it as a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. The festival has since been officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The word "Nawruz" is a compound of two Persian words, "naw" which means new and has the same etymology as the English word and "ruz" which means both "day" and "time." Literally meaning the "new day," Nawruz is usually translated as "new year." Nawruz begins on the first day of spring (usually the 21st of March). This date represents the first day of the first month of the Afghan year according to the solar calendar (also known as Hamal 1390). The difference between the Afghan and occidental calendar is 621 years.
Preparation for the Nowruz begins early in March with a thorough khane tekani (house cleaning). washing carpets, painting the house, and cleaning the yard in preparation for the festivities. This is followed by kharid-e Nawruzi (Nowruz shopping). Nowruz shopping is a family affair designed to engage children in the celebration. All family members must be measured and outfitted with new clothes, shoes, hats, and the like. In addition, the sofreh (Nowruz display cloth) requires certain items -- sweetmeats, confectioneries, candles, fruits, and nuts -- which are also bought at this time. In addition to what is bought, women of the household bake various types of sweet breads and sew special clothes for the little ones. Finally, a visit to the bank is undertaken to acquire shiny, new coins and crisp, fresh banknotes to give out as eydi (gift) and for the sofreh.
In this day a special sweet dish is prapared by Afghans people called "haft meewa" (seven fruits) and offered to guests and family members. This is like a fruit salad made from seven different dried fruits, served in their own syrup. The fruits used are raisins, senjed (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree), pistachios, hazelnuts, prunes, walnuts and either almond or another species of plum.
Afghans also cook special types of dishes for Nawruz, especially on the eve of the festival. Normally, they cook sabzi chalaw, a dish made from rice and spinach, separately. Moreover, the bakeries prepare a special type of biscuit, called kulcha-e Nowrozī, which is only baked at this time. Another traditional dish is māhī wa jelabī (fried fish and jelabi) and it is the popular dish for picnics. In Afghanistan, it is a common custom for a fiancé's family to give presents to or prepare special dishes for the fiancée's family on special occasions such as in the two Eids, Barā'at and in Nawruz.
Samanak is another Persian delicacy popular at Nawruz. It is a sweet paste made from germinated wheat, which begins to sprout in the days just before Nawruz and is eaten from Nawruz onwards. It is made collectively by women who sit around the boiling samanak pot on the fire all night singing songs. The samanak is then served in the morning accompanied by a song including the words:
Samanak dar Josh o mā Kafcha zanem - Degarān dar Khwāb o mā Dafcha zanemNawruz is above all a day to celebrate with the entire family, especially the children, who ride Ferris wheels, participate in kite running competitions and spend the day at the park. Kite flying is a traditional Afghan custom, particularly among the children and youth of Kabul. At Nawruz the sky is full of colourful kites all around the city, particularly in the hills of Tapai Malang Jan.
Outside Kabul Nawruz is also celebrated, but often in quite different ways. In the provinces, for instance, the festival might be a pretext for indulging in the ancient sport of buzkashi. This is a game of daring and courage, a traditional Afghan horse-riding sport commonly played at Nawruz. It is held on an open plain with a decapitated calf placed in the centre of the field before the judges. The object of the game is to ride with the carcass around some specified points before dropping the calf back in the centre, while the other horse riders try to snatch away the calf and make a run themselves. This is believed to be an early version of polo.
Afghanistan is still primarily an agricultural country and Nawruz is often referred to as the Festival of Farmers. Farmers often walk through the city streets as a sign of encouragement for the agricultural productions. In recent years, this activity is being performed only in Kabul and other major cities, in which the mayor and other high governmental personalities participate for watching and observing.
Kassem Saikal was formerly a French teacher at Kabul University and in France and is now teaching French in Australia.
Earthquake Hits Afghanistan -- 5.8 Magnitude
Earthquake Hits Afghanistan
Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 2:00 pm UTC
The United States Geological Survey says a 5.8-magnitude earthquake has hit northeastern Afghanistan, but there are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Monday's quake hit Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region, about 69 kilometers southeast of Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province.
The strong earthquake was also felt in Pakistan, including the country's northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, the Kashmir region, and the capital, Islamabad.
Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 2:00 pm UTC
The United States Geological Survey says a 5.8-magnitude earthquake has hit northeastern Afghanistan, but there are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Monday's quake hit Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region, about 69 kilometers southeast of Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province.
The strong earthquake was also felt in Pakistan, including the country's northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, the Kashmir region, and the capital, Islamabad.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Happy New Year Afghanistan
Yesterday was New Years Day for the Afghans (21 March 2011). It is Solar Year 1390. See celebrations yesterday and pictures of Afghanistan.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Back Wax -- Never Again!!!!!
I have had a hairy back since middle age, and I have tried several ways to keep it under control. I tried Nair much to my dismay -- it stings the private parts when it drips down south. Here in Afghanistan I have had the local barbers shave half way down my back when I get a hair cut, but that was a little embarrassing with other guys in there. So I was in the Green Spa today and noticed they did back, arm, and leg waxes etc. So I set an appointment to have my back waxed. Now the only thing I knew about waxing I saw in the movie "What a Woman Really Wants" -- with Mel Gibson when he tried waxing his leg. So I thought it can't be that bad. Wrong!!!!
When I got there I took my shirt off and she spread some hot wax/super glue consistency stuff all over my back. Then she started putting something akin to duct tape on my back and proceeded to pull not only the hair but pieces of flesh off as well. Needless to say I was yelping and crying like a baby. She kept consoling me and saying it will be all right Mr. Nelson, as she proceeded to strip my flesh clean. It wouldn't have been so bad if she had let me recover after each rip but instead she pressed and ripped in rapid succession. Needless to say it was a traumatic experience I don't think I will ever voluntarily endure again. To make matters worse she poured alcohol all over my back when she finished. That was the final straw!!!! Never again!!!! Women -- how or why do you do it?
Elder Bruce A. Carlson
Elder Bruce A. Carlson visited the saints at ISAF yesterday. He held a fireside at 6pm and spoke to us for around an hour and then took questions. I was interested in a comment he made about the Chinese. He said they had asked the church to come train their military about religion because soldiers with a moral focus are better soldiers. See attached pictures taken last night. Elder Carlson is a retired 4 star general and the Chief of the NRO Office for the Obama administration. He is the first General Authority to visit Afghanistan.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Kabul Military Branch and New District Presidency
Attached are two pictures of the Kabul Military Branch and the New Kabul Afghanistan Military District Presidency. The two pictures of the group -- one with President Wikle and one with Dave Reid, who alternated taking the picture. I am in the third row just right of center.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Gates in Afghanistan to evaluate war progress
Gates in Afghanistan to evaluate war progress
Published March 06, 2011 Associated Press
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Afghanistan Monday, beginning a two-day visit with U.S. troops, allied commanders and Afghan leaders to gauge war progress as the Obama administration moves toward crucial decisions on reducing troop levels.
Gates planned to travel to eastern and southern portions of Afghanistan, the areas most fiercely contested by the Taliban insurgency.
Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters flying with the Pentagon chief from Washington that Gates wants to get a first-hand feel for changes on the ground since he last was in Afghanistan in December.
The U.S. is committed to beginning a troop withdrawal in July. But the size and scope of the pullback will depend on the degree of progress toward handing off full control to the shaky Afghan government.
Morrell said Gates expects to hear from troops and commanders that U.S. and NATO strategy is making important progress against the relentless Taliban, who are thought to be gearing up for a spring offensive.
U.S. commanders have been saying for weeks that the Taliban are suffering big losses in territory and personnel, while being denied the funding and infiltration routes they have relied on in the past to ramp up guerrilla operations each spring.
Marine Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, top commander in the southwestern province of Helmand, told reporters last week that a Taliban counteroffensive is anticipated.
Mills said he expects the Taliban to try "to regain very, very valuable territory ... lost over the past six to eight months." He added that U.S. and allied forces are intercepting "as many of the foreign fighters as we can" who come from Pakistan to attack U.S. and Afghan troops.
Gates sees the spring as a potentially decisive period for President Barack Obama's war strategy, which includes beginning to withdraw U.S. forces in July.
This week's visit is Gates' 13th trip to Afghanistan, and probably one of his last as defense secretary. He has said he will retire this year but has not given a date.
After Afghanistan, Gates planned to fly to the Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters of U.S. Africa Command to attend a ceremony Wednesday marking the arrival of a new commander, Army Gen. Carter Ham.
Gates will attend a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
Published March 06, 2011 Associated Press
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Afghanistan Monday, beginning a two-day visit with U.S. troops, allied commanders and Afghan leaders to gauge war progress as the Obama administration moves toward crucial decisions on reducing troop levels.
Gates planned to travel to eastern and southern portions of Afghanistan, the areas most fiercely contested by the Taliban insurgency.
Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters flying with the Pentagon chief from Washington that Gates wants to get a first-hand feel for changes on the ground since he last was in Afghanistan in December.
The U.S. is committed to beginning a troop withdrawal in July. But the size and scope of the pullback will depend on the degree of progress toward handing off full control to the shaky Afghan government.
Morrell said Gates expects to hear from troops and commanders that U.S. and NATO strategy is making important progress against the relentless Taliban, who are thought to be gearing up for a spring offensive.
U.S. commanders have been saying for weeks that the Taliban are suffering big losses in territory and personnel, while being denied the funding and infiltration routes they have relied on in the past to ramp up guerrilla operations each spring.
Marine Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, top commander in the southwestern province of Helmand, told reporters last week that a Taliban counteroffensive is anticipated.
Mills said he expects the Taliban to try "to regain very, very valuable territory ... lost over the past six to eight months." He added that U.S. and allied forces are intercepting "as many of the foreign fighters as we can" who come from Pakistan to attack U.S. and Afghan troops.
Gates sees the spring as a potentially decisive period for President Barack Obama's war strategy, which includes beginning to withdraw U.S. forces in July.
This week's visit is Gates' 13th trip to Afghanistan, and probably one of his last as defense secretary. He has said he will retire this year but has not given a date.
After Afghanistan, Gates planned to fly to the Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters of U.S. Africa Command to attend a ceremony Wednesday marking the arrival of a new commander, Army Gen. Carter Ham.
Gates will attend a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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