Yerevan is absolutely frozen. I must have fallen on my ass at least three times today...I'm from Los Angeles, so ice, snow and Angelenos just don't mix well. But last night I was with a friend of mine visiting from Washington, DC, and we visited a group of repatriate friends at Madlene's house, and just chatted and reminisced about some old times. I realize those of us who have moved to Armenia have also become walking and talking advertisements for Armenia, and I'm not always comfortable with that, because we tend to not necessarily see the real picture. Of course each one of us has a tainted view of what Armenia, because of our own realities. But, I think one thing can be said about Armenia, that it certainly does give you a dose of reality, and that reality is very refreshing. Whether it is bad restaurant service, poverty, icy streets, or a view of Mt. Ararat across the border, reality is certainly in abundance, and it is what we choose to do with that reality. It's easy for each one of us loggers and commentators to react to another log (I'm certainly guilty of this), but it certainly takes more courage to be proactive on those things that we see around ourselves. I work in an environment where I get to see that courage every day with non-governmental organizations that work to advocate on issues of importance to this country. Disabled children, the environment, and on and on. They are the present day heroes, and Armenia is full of them, and the progress that we see is on the backs and because of the efforts of these people.

It's been a great week at work. I have hope and that hope comes from the people I have the privelege of working with. They don't complain, they don't give up, they don't look away. It's great to be hopeful. For the first time in a long time Mt. Ararat was visible in its glory, and my friend and I stopped the car and just looked. It is indeed a hopefull day.

Good night from cold Yerevan!