Old Challenges, New Locations

The Department of State has a very clever hiring process, and I've talked about this before, but I want to mention it again. To become a Foreign Service Officer, one does not have to have a particular college degree, work background, language skills or even overseas experience. BUT, one most somehow, from whatever source, possess certain personality traits and skills that can then be applied to an enormous variety of situations. That is to say, they want raw material, not necessarily pre-made and packaged employees. (This, naturally, is my take on the whole hiring process and not the official word, but I don't think I'd ruffle too many feathers by stating that.)

In my A-100 class I was surrounded by classmates with graduate degrees in public policy, international relations or public diplomacy. You couldn't swing a cat (NOT THAT WE EVER WOULD!) without hitting a former lawyer or Harvard Kennedy School of Government grad. But this kind of education is not required, and that's what I love; that's what I've been figuring out little by little.

To illustrate my point, let me offer a few examples. I've now been a Consular Officer for just over two months, not too long, right? But in my daily work, I've already put to good use a great variety of former careers (or just part-time jobs), none of which required mortgage-sized student loans to achieve:

• As a professional horsewoman, I had to hop onto unfamiliar horses all the time, especially when competing in collegiate equestrian events where we drew a horse's name out of a hat (literally!) and simply mounted up and rode that horse into competition minutes later.  Now, as a Consular Officer, the applicants come to our windows totally blind. Meaning, we have exactly zero time to review their case before their bright shiny faces are at the window, staring at us as we read through their applications. Will it be a convicted felon? A student from a third country? A retired farmer from a tiny town? Someone who has been caught and deported multiple times? We review their cases, formulate questions and make important decisions as they watch. Just like at the horse show: I have to figure out what I've got as I'm already in it, keep my focus and do the best I can. Will I get bucked off? Will the horse bolt for the jumps or will I have to kick and kick to get him going? I make my best decision and then the next person is in front of me. Like riding a jump course, it's over one obstacle and then eyes-up and ahead to the next turn, the next obstacle, doing your best to judge if it's a scary vertical, an easy cross-bar or a technical water jump - you can't dwell on what you just did, you just focus on the next, and the next and the next.

• Although I don't yet work in American Citizen Services, I am aware of what the work involves and I'm certain that my years as a civilian in the police department will directly apply. People will come to my window or call me on the duty phone in need of things like new passports, in distress after crimes or accidents, off their medications, or just to ask basic questions. They'll have to tell me things that are embarrassing and personal and I'll have to give news that can be devastating. I'll have to follow laws and procedures and know who can hear what information and what has to be kept private - exactly as anyone in any police department across the country does. (In fact, I really think any police employee would make a great Consular Officer because of the similarity of the work! Really - think about it!) I'm grateful every single day for this experience. Planning on lying to me? Bring it on - I won't take it personally! Having a hard time with your spouse/child/parent? No worries, I'll listen patiently and not judge. Confused by complicated regulations? Hey no worries, let me explain it... again. (This stuff is gold, Jerry, gold!*)

• Got 800 applicants to interview today and they're all starting to line up in the waiting room? Sure reminds me of all those mornings at ski school in Colorado when the families would pile into the ticket office to buy their lift tickets and ski lesson packages. Nobody wanted to wait in our office wearing all that ski gear, their precious vacation hours ticking away as they waited their turn at the window. We worked hard and fast as a team and the feeling of pushing ourselves without breaks to get it all done on time was exhilarating.

• Don't understand what someone's trying to tell you, but you know it's important? So you find one way, then another, then repeat, then use your hands, then watch them use their hands until finally, both of you laugh and say something like, "Oh, okay, I get it!" That was daily fare when I was backpacking in Greece, Mozambique, or even just in France and needed to find a hostel, a bus stop, something to eat or book a berth on a ferry. Yes, I did have all that fine language training at FSI and passed that fancy test, but I never learned how to say, "I embroider dresses," "I work on an assembly line making Christmas ornaments," "I'm a forklift operator," "I own a pawn shop," or "I'm a meter-maid." But that's the stuff we hear everyday and need to figure out, one way or another, and being shy or too proud to keep asking isn't the way.

• VIP visitors coming to town and you've volunteered to be a site or control officer to keep the visit running smoothly, all details worked out so that the visitors can make the most of their time and not have to worry about bags, rooms, transportation, where the next meeting is or how to make their cell phone work in wherever-country? That's where all that time you spent bartending at resort hotels, waiting for that one guest to finally leave the bar and go to their own darn room so you can clean up and go to bed comes in handy. Being able to just make it smooth, make it seem easy and let them feel welcome while inside you're just waiting until it's "wheels up!" is crucial.

In short, every life experience is like a spice that can be put into your pot and simmered, sometimes for decades, until sooner or later you find yourself drawing upon those little flavors you've picked up from here and there. I'm finding that being a FSO has been the best culmination of a lifetime of training. I'm sure that Harvard, Princeton and Georgetown do a great job preparing future FSOs, but I like the route I took and am glad that the Department of State was willing to take a chance on such a checkered, errr colorful, past.

*if you don't know what this means, you haven't spent enough hours watching Seinfeld re-runs, which is also something I recommend.

Points of Pride

It feels like I've noted a whole slew of milestones reached over the past year and a half of this blog, but I get to tell you about one more, and it might be my favorite. 
On Wednesday, along with 23 classmates, I graduated from ConGen! 

This means we each successfully completed (with 100% attendance required) six weeks of intensive study for our assignments as Consular Officers. I have a dandy certificate to prove it, a head full of FAM references and binders full of notes, but more than that, I have (now, really!) finally achieved what has kept me motivated since May 2009 when I first heard of what a Consular Officer was. Through an entire summer dedicated to preparing for my first FS Officer's Test, to the disappointment of not making it all the way through the hiring process on the first try, to the excitement of going to my first assignment as an OMS - the spot on the horizon I've always kept in focus has been this job. 

So yesterday was a personal celebration for me. As my first day without an FSI class to attend, I spent part of it in Arlington National Cemetery in quiet reflection. Under brilliant blue skies and crisp early-autumn sunshine, I walked through the rows of headstones and statues and took in the perfect view of DC by myself. Being in that setting reminded me of the importance of service and of creating a life whose focus is outwards, not inwards. Naturally I can't compare my potential service or sacrifice to that of those memorialized at Arlington, but I am proud that it's something, that it's what I can do now. 

To top it off, we just learned that on September 22nd, our A-100 class list was sent to the Senate for Presidential Nomination. To excerpt the Library of Congress website:

Presidential Nominations
112th Congress (2011 - 2012)
PN1880-112

Legislative Actions

Floor Action: September 10, 2012 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Floor Action: September 22, 2012 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Floor Action: September 22, 2012 - Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.

I'm not entirely sure what else comes next in the process, but just to know that my name was in some way passing through Congress, well - I think that's pretty cool. 

And today the 169th A-100 class will have their Flag Day, and I will be in the back of the room cheering them on. There should be a few new Ciudad Juarez colleagues receiving their tiny Mexican flags, so I plan to be there to welcome them in, just as I was received on my own Flag Day almost two months ago. Each week, more of my classmates head for the airports and we're already receiving word back from colleagues in Saudi Arabia, Mali, NYC and Paraguay. While we're having lunch in the FSI cafeteria, they're out sinking their teeth into the meat of the work that we're still learning about. By the time I start my Spanish classes, some of my ConGen friends will already be in their interview windows, putting all of our training to work. 

To top it off, my husband was granted a spot in his own ConGen course, and just one week into it is now saying things like, "I'd like to, but I've got homework and case studies to work on today..." when we start making weekend plans. We hope that this training will set him up for a job inside the Consulate, but there are no guarantees. The security and economic situation in Juarez isn't as favorable for work on the local economy as it was in Bogota, so we're hoping this will be a good avenue for him. And who knows - maybe he will be so enthralled with the subject matter that he'll consider making it a career, too?  

Just a bit of sentimental pride to share with you all today. Once in a while I think it's important to slow down and really taste the tangerine.

Starting the FS at 20-something

A few weeks back, I wrote about what it feels like to start a new career in the Foreign Service over the age of 40. Today I'm turning to my colleagues in their 20s with the same questions. The State Department hires new generalists and specialists from ages 21 to 59 (see careers.state.gov), and some of the younger set come to A-100 shortly after graduation or as Fellows. My particular A-100 had a good number of Fellows and recent grads, giving me a super resource on the topic. The following is by no means any type of proper scientific survey, but rather a collection of conversations and e-mails volunteered by a handful of 20-something entry level officers (ELOs) from a variety of backgrounds and in various stages of their personal life, from single to expecting a first child.  

So let's dive in. When possible, I'm going to quote instead of paraphrase so you can hear their exact thoughts:

1.   What do you feel are the advantages to starting the Foreign Service at your age?

One 24-year old mentioned that as she had just recently earned her graduate degree months before starting A-100, she was still in the habit and mindset of studying and felt it was easy to keep that level of motivation up.  This was certainly useful in A-100 and in the variety of intense training that often follows.

“As a 24 year old, this will be my first career and I have 41 years to accomplish my goals. I do not have as much pressure as many of my fellow A-100 colleagues due to my age, which allows me freedom to seek out jobs that might not advance me professionally advantageous (allow I think that all positions in the FS can help your career if you do your job well) but are of a personal interest to me. I feel that I have the chance to make mistakes and choose the path I want without seeing each birthday as one year closer to retirement.”

“The mid-20s is a great time to be in the Foreign Service. Since I have neither pets nor a significant other, I am truly worldwide available. I can get excited about serving my country without many caveats or hesitations about places I don't want to go. And when I do pack up and leave, I won't have a home to sell or a settled lifestyle to give up.”

A 26-year old noted, “I can see some real advantages, such as being younger and trying to handle the hours and amount of information you have to take in.”

“28 feels perfect to me - I've had four years of previous work experience, two years of grad school, and plenty of time ahead to sink my teeth into this. I'm glad to have had a different life outside the FS to appreciate other paths and to know more of the real world in which policy has to operate. At the same time, I didn't spend so long in another career that it becomes hard to break out of an old life.”

2. Do you feel there are any disadvantages/challenges that you face or are concerned about?

A few of the recent grads noted their concern about a lack of significant or applicable work experience prior to joining. Believe me; this was easy to feel, even for those of us over 40, as the FS attracts people from incredibly diverse backgrounds. Some felt that although they had internships in embassies and the State Department before through their fellowships, they hadn’t had “regular” work experience and all that comes with it in terms of knowing how to deal with different types of supervisors and coworkers.

“One disadvantage may be that since this is my first career, I might not be taken as seriously in my first posts as someone who has done impressive things already with their lives. While we are told that we all enter on a level playing field, my lack of experience in the "real world" might make the transition take a little longer than others who have had 20 years of working experience.”

A mid-20’s man without graduate school behind him saw the positive side of starting from scratch:

“In some ways, I'm starting at a disadvantage because I don't have as much educational or work experience as many of my colleagues. But because of the way entry level officer careers are structured, I have access to the same posts and positions as everyone else. In addition, I have access to great mentoring; I get to work in a range of positions on a range of issues in a range of regions, and I receive excellent language training. Hopefully I'll have the chance to earn my Master's as a mid career officer. All this means that I'm not worrying about how the Foreign Service fits into my career plans--rather, all my career plans fit into the Foreign Service!”

One 26-year old commented on the requirements the State Department has for breaking into the Senior Foreign Service, which is something a career employee could consider after about 12-20 years on the job: “Another plus might be that I can look at this as a long term career, but that might also be a drawback as I have to consider, 'Do I want to do what is necessary to make it into the Senior Foreign Service?' I could see someone who was a little older than I could enjoy the job in a different way since they know they don't have the years necessary to try for it anyway." 

3. Are you thinking this is a career for 5, 10, 15 or 20+ years?

This question got the biggest variety of responses, most of them hinging upon family and personal situations, instead of professional. Although more than one mentioned knowing they wanted to be a diplomat since they were in grade school!

“NO IDEA. At least five to ten. This is a privilege not to be taken lightly. But honestly, if the chance to be married came up, and it meant leaving the FS behind, I'd do it.”

“Right now I am thinking of this as a career for as long as it makes sense for my family... right now my husband and I want this. Who knows what is going to happen when our parents are aging and need care? At this point in my life, I am still open to whatever is the right choice for the time."

The current economic situation came up a few times in conversation, with a few recent grads feeling thankful to have such solid jobs when they knew other college classmates weren't as fortunate.

“I would love to be in for 20+ years but also appreciate that I have plenty of options and I am not at the point where I need to stay because I need the pension for retirement. It is also encouraging that I will hit my 20 years/over the age of 50 and still have plenty of time to either transition to a new career or stay in until I am 65. The amount of options I have for the future, and the job security of being an FSO, ensure that I am one of the rare recent college graduates that feels some sense of security in my economic future.”

A mid-20s returned Peace Corps Volunteer added: “For some, salary is a consideration. While the Foreign Service may not pay as much as some of the private-sector competition, I'm used to living on a small budget and my Foreign Service salary seems like a fortune. In addition, working in the Foreign Service makes it easy to save for retirement--I've got the Thrift Savings Plan, the Foreign Service Pension System, and the money I'll save abroad living in USG housing. By joining the Foreign Service early, I'm saving when it makes the biggest difference.”

4. Is making Ambassador a goal for you?

During A-100, it was a common phrase among the presenters who came to speak to us on their particular field of expertise, “When you make Ambassador…” but the responses from my colleagues was mixed on the subject:
 

“Honestly, right now I have no interest in becoming an Ambassador. But I think that stems from lack of knowledge about the Department and how things in the Foreign Service work more than it does from a dislike of the job. I could see that becoming a goal someday, but only if I decide to make this a long-term career. As with all things in the Foreign Service, 'it depends.'"
 

“No. Only if it were a small country. I want to maintain some sense of privacy.
I like the title ‘Political Section Chief’ much better.”

“I think it should be the goal of any FSO to reach that level. I am also realistic that only a small group of FSO's ever reach that position and there are plenty of other great jobs in the FS.”

5. Do you have any concerns about meeting Mr/Ms 20-something while bopping around the world? If so - do you picture being a tandem or meeting a local someone?

In regards to the personal side of the equation, many singles expressed concerns about trying to meet a future spouse or partner when their new career required them to move every one to three years. Or, the married ones wondered about starting and raising a family on the move. Such as this ELO who shared:

“One challenge/disadvantage I face is the question of whether or not I want to raise a family in this lifestyle. If I had older/grown children I would be thinking about where I want to go in the FS differently. Right now, I am looking at hardship posts but I know that in a few years I probably won't want to work in those kind of places, and that could harm my chances of making this a long-term career, should I choose to do so."

I heard far more worries from my single female colleagues than from the young men regarding meeting Mr/Ms Right in the FS. The women questioned whether or not a man from a more traditional culture would be willing to potentially take a back seat to his wife’s career, whereas this was not a concern among the men. The whole idea of meeting another FSO and forming a tandem was interesting, but they acknowledged that it comes with the inherent complications of managing two careers. In Bogota, the other two women in my office had each met their husbands in A-100, so it’s not such a crazy notion to consider.

The single women also spoke more about their personal security in certain countries than the men did, and there was one particular assignment in our class that some of the young women agreed would NOT have been wise for them to accept. Fortunately, none of them were assigned there.  There’s a common saying, “You can tell the country of a man’s first post by the nationality of his wife” which is very, very often true. I heard a funny addition to that saying recently, “…and you can tell the country of a women’s first post by the nationality of her furniture.” This made me laugh as I could think of a number of female friends in Bogota who had feathered their nests with Colombian handmade furniture!

“Yes, this is without a doubt the thing that troubles me the most and makes me question this path. How am I supposed to go deep into a community and have enough time to know someone well enough to marry when we are all coming and going all the time?”

Two married colleagues responded with:

“I do feel lucky that I have a spouse who is so open to this life. He is ready to leave his career and move around the world and do different things wherever we are. We are open to the possibility that he might someday join the Foreign Service and we could become a tandem, but after hearing stories about so many others who struggled to be together, I think he is more interested in doing whatever he can at post rather than make the FS his career too."

“All I can say though is that you need to go into this career with a good attitude and not be so worried about your career that you forget about your current (and future) family. I am excited for the opportunity to share this experience with my wife and our daughter who is on the way and will enjoy it that much more because I have people who will be there to support me.” 

6. Anything else you’d like to add?

“I am really glad I got that master's degree. And I finished it just in time too. However, if I was going to do things over again I would have taken more classes in public policy or political science so I was better prepared for this job. I really didn't plan for this to be my career so I operated as if I was going to go into teaching/writing history, which I am still happy with. I worry for those who make getting into the FS their only goal at this age and then get frustrated when it continues to not happen for them. I was glad I had other goals and other futures to focus on. I was moving toward getting my doctorate when I got the A-100 call and there is a good chance that when this is over, I will move back into that arena too. But really, it all depends!" 

“The biggest reasons I'm in the Foreign Service, though, have nothing to do with age--I want to serve, and I want a job that keeps me on my toes. Being young and single just makes it easier.”

“I'm going to go down this road as far as God would lead, whether it's just one tour or all the way to Ambassador. If at any time it seems like it's no longer the right place to be, that's okay - there's not one single job that can only make me happy. But this one seems pretty great so far!”

“Ultimately, everyone can have a long and fulfilling career in the FS and age should not be viewed as an advantage/handicap. From being with our A-100 class for over six weeks, I have met impressive people from age 24-59 and would be glad to learn from and work with all of them.” 

I found this last sentiment particularly true. It was refreshing during A-100, and even now in our further training, to continually learn from, and be surprised by, the accomplishments of ALL my new ELO friends, regardless of age.

So, the bottom line is that whether you’re 40+ or 24, there simply isn’t one way to come into this career, nor one way to take it once you’re in. Which is good, because the State Department needs people to take on the job of diplomacy at all levels of the hierarchy, in all subject matters, in all living conditions and in every country (save a few) around the world. Pardon the extra serving of corn here, but there certainly are many roads to Rome!

But what I meant to say was...

Me again,

I'm noticing a bit of stage fright when I find this blank blog screen. I dribble out some stuff and only later do I remember what I wanted to say. Okay, now Toby is sitting on my left hand (he's 16 lbs) and so this is becoming increasingly difficult to type, but I wanted to add some stuff that I thought of while writing to an OMS pal, Laila. Here it is:

Having a nice night of listening to some old tapes (yes, tapes, as we only have a little tiny boombox left for entertainment. Oh, and the $20 TV that Tim broke down and bought at Goodwill tonight after ours was packed up while he boasted, "I don't need no stinkin' TV - think of how much reading I'll get done!") I digress. Anyway, it's the Guess Who and old Doobies tonight to help make me feel all sentimentally 'merican (or Canadian... details, please).

Can you tell I've had a pint of cider already?

My pack out is done. I had only 150 lbs of air baggage and barely the minimum of household effects to go on the slow boat. I may be the first person I know whose stuff is taken by pirates on some unnamed cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden. Anyway,  the mover guy had lots more boxes, packing material and - apparently - time, 'cause when he was all done he said, "Well, is there anything else you want to add?" which prompted me to scurry about the house gathering a paltry armful of random items like Steve Martin leaving home in "The Jerk."  Of course, now that he's gone, I'm finding all sorts of things. Like my tape collection.

Yes, this timeline feels like skiing (okay, you didn't say that, but many of you said that time goes by quickly):  At first it's all slow and you're pushing on your poles to get moving, and then before you know it the slope gets really steep and you're moving far too quickly.  So now it's the second-to-last night in Snohomish. Two more showers in my favorite bathroom. Okay, in my only bathroom. I think I joined the Foreign Service solely in the hope that someday, perhaps if I'm really, really good, I will live in a home with two bathrooms. Maybe. Yes, truth be told -THAT is why I joined the FS, to get a cool free house. In Djibouti.

I learned today that there will be 12 OMSers in my Specialist Class. This means that our bid list will have 12 cities on it. I was hoping for a few more, but it seems that the supply is smaller than the demand. In fact, they just opened the OMS position AGAIN, which makes three times in one year. I'm tellin' ya' - this is a really, really cool opportunity and all you have to be is a US citizen and between 20-60 years old... it's worth a look: http://www.careers.state.gov/   The OMS window is open through the end of the month, I believe. Any of you with office or administrative assistant experience should consider it and maybe you, too, will have two government-supplied bathrooms.

In Chad.

Okay, 'nuff said. Wonderful Tim is waiting on the couch where we can watch our new TV.

It's Getting Closer

There is just today (Thursday) and tomorrow and then Saturday morning will find me, three pieces of luggage, a laptop bag and two cats en route to SeaTac. My stuff within the house has been packed, to include the TV and DVD player (sorry Mike!) and my mother and I spent the day yesterday color-coding stuff for Tim's pack-out this summer. I'm living out of my suitcases now which, oddly, is a nice relief. When there are so few choices (what to wear, eat, do for fun), I find I'm relieved of the whole decision-making process. I have two pairs of pants now that aren't business-attire: jeans for today, black cords for tomorrow, jeans Friday, black cords Saturday... repeat. What to watch on TV? Well there's no TV now, better finish that book instead. It's kinda' nice.

On a more sentimental note: I just read my pal Heidi's entry from today (see "Foreign Obsession" in the links to the right) and all I want to say is: ME TOO! 

For those who have heard me talk about this whole Foreign Service idea, then plan, then the details of the exams and essays ad nauseum - I think you all will understand how much this means to me to be where I am now. I don't have to knock on wood anymore when talking about the prospect; it's real. Tim and I confidently say, "We should do this or that when we get to post" and unless I do something really, really stupid -it WILL happen. Heidi noted in her entry today about seeing the roof of the White House while she was in DC for her final oral assessment, and I felt the same way upon seeing the Capitol. I looked at it and said, "I will be back!" (Not like Ah-nold does, though. More like Reese Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde," but not in heels. Anyway...)  I told my examiners that day that I wanted to serve the US in some capacity, and that since I was too old for the military and too slow for the Olympics - the Foreign Service could be my ticket. I love being on the Varsity Team now, the Major Leagues; I am filled with pride to be moving on towards this new challenge.

Before any of you lose your lunch due to the sappiness-factor here, please know that it is all you all's fault!  My friends, family and co-workers (and most of you fit into at least two of those categories) who have encouraged my gypsy ramblin' ways and who never told me that I couldn't do something.

You're all coming with me in ways both big and small, and probably ways that you're completely unaware of.

Next stop: Eastern time zone.

Procrastination

The movers are coming tomorrow, and not just for the survey - for the real thing: all my belongings in cardboard; newly empty rooms in the house; final decisions made of what I need now and at my first post; borrowing Tim's toothbrush and wearing the same socks for the next six days (I might need to rethink that last bit). Also, I have to do a dry run on my luggage packing to make sure it all fits in the suitcases that will go on the plane. The rest will go in my UAB (unaccompanied air baggage - NOT, as Tim notes - the University of Alabama - Birmingham!) or my HHE (household effects - the stuff I won't see until post). But you may notice that instead of doing these fun, fun tasks - I'm here at the kitchen table writing this instead.

To back up a bit: the trip to California was great. I got to see four of five siblings, my dad and my step-mother, not to mention my second home-town of Sonoma. Saying goodbye to Pops in the driveway left me a crying mess. My sister Eden took me to the bus-station sized Charles M. Schulz (yes, of Peanuts fame) airport in Santa Rosa, and sent me on my way with a baggie of homemade cookies and a snapshot of the two of us with the larger-than life-sized Lucy statue.  I took one last big breath of warm California air and got into the little plane for Seattle. My flight was ten minutes early in landing and my bag hit the carousel as I walked off the plane - all was moving smoothly.

And then I got to my truck in the off-site parking area and got screwed.
No, really, there was a massive screw stuck into the tread of my left front tire and the tire was flattened down to the rim. Tim, coincidentally, had a flat while I was away, too, but his was discovered while driving on 405. (Could this have something to do with the ongoing feud that has recently heated up with our neighbor over her free-range chicken? Hmmmm....) Fortunately I've kept up with AAA and they had me back on the road in less than an hour.

My new in-cabin cat carrier arrived while I was away. It will be Dodger's little personal RV for our flight on Saturday. It's sized to fit under the seat, and technically, Dodger does fit inside it. And by "fit" I mean as my foot fits in my sock, but with some creative tail placement, I think he'll be okay. I've been putting cat nip and treats inside the carrier and leaving it on the living room floor in an effort to make it seem comforting, familiar and inviting to him for when The Day comes. Yeah, it's not working so well.

I'm also torturing myself with the "last-time" blues: Last time Tim and I watch "Amazing Race" on the couch together on Sunday evening; last time I prune my roses; last time I watch the fog drift in past my kitchen-window; last time I ... oh, knock it off and go pack your stuff!

Over the hump

So, the day I'd been dreading is over: saying goodbye to my friends and co-workers at EPD. It's actually a relief to have it over with and to know that I've left my job in good hands (thanks Kathy!) and that my friends won't vanish just beause I'm not there to visit with them in the hallways.  We're not falling off the earth, and perhaps my adventures will provide some interesting lunchroom fodder? Half of me wanted to just slip out the back door, and the other half was sad realizing, "Oh, but I missed saying goodbye to so-and-so..."  I've read and re-read your cards, tearing up equally each time.

But I can now focus on the task at hand: preparing for this new life. And more immediately: what to pack for the short-term (I have 250 lbs allotted); for the long-term (18,000 lbs!); what to give away and what to store because we just can't part with it/don't know what else to do with it (anyone need an accordian?). We want to bring things that will make our home a home, while keeping in mind that if the angry mob storms the embassy (stay low - they shoot too high, right? I remember what you said Duvall!) and we have to make a break for it with only the clothes on our back and our cats in pillowcases - we won't be losing family treasures. With all the turmoil in Northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula now, it's not unthinkable that we could get posted to a country that gets evacuated.

So I'm now starting to meet the other Specialists in my orientation class via a Google group the class before us set up. We've all swapped introductions and I'm learning that they're diplomatic security and doctors and IT and office and facilities managers from all walks of life. It's becoming more real as we all talk about converging on the island on March 12. We'll have three weeks of orientation together (which has already been dubbed "Death by Powerpoint" in full business attire) and then we break up into our specialties for specific training. After that - we all ship out to our various posts to actually DO the job we've been working so hard to obtain.

Okay, I want to keep any readers I may have and not blather on too long about the boring details.  Thank you for getting this far!

It's snowing and peaceful outside now, very nice.

G'night for now.

It all started with The Plan

When Tim and I met in January of 2002, our conversation consisted first of his kids, and then of travel: first of my (then) upcoming trip around the world, and then to his years in the Central African Republic in the Peace Corps. He proposed to me in Paris during that trip and we spent 17 days touring through the French countryside with the ring still fresh on my finger. At that time Mike and Samantha were just 8 and 10 years old respectively, but we formulated a vague plan that when the kids were safely tucked away in college, or otherwise on their own, we would once again live and work overseas in some capacity.
We've referred to this as "The Plan."

Over the years, jobs have brought us new opportunities and we've settled into our Snohomish life, watching the kids (and cats) grow and developing new friendships along the way.  But we've checked in with each other now and again that The Plan was still on our distant, undefined horizon.

In May of 2009, Tim saw an ad for a recruiting event in Seattle being held by the State Department. We took a half-day off work to attend and listened to Foreign Service Officers and Specialists speak of their jobs in embassies and consulates worldwide. With each speaker, I grew more and more convinced that this path was bringing into focus our misty horizon. Determined to make it a reality, I devoted the next 18 months to studying, testing, studying some more, interviewing and generally going through all the rigors of the Foreign Service hiring process. I have now accepted an offer to join the 119th Specialist Class as an Office Management Specialist at the Foreign Service Institute, starting bright and early Monday, March 14, 2011, nearly two years after first hearing of this opportunity.

So that sets the stage. I hope this blog will let me (us) share our travels and adventures with the group of friends and family that we so sadly leave behind. This is the hardest part. People ask if I'm excited, and while one side of me is (a very small side currently), it feels like all tunnel and no lights right now.

Stay tuned for updates from the start of my Specialist Class where we learn our bid list of potential postings and later for Flag Day (the Big Reveal).

Thank you all for reading.