One year ago, on a warm Friday afternoon, I was handed a Washington, D.C. flag and learned I'd be staying in Washington for my first assignment. It was not at all what I expected and I was sure it would be a tough year.
Today, on a warm Friday evening, I left my office after fond farewells with two bags full of stuff that I had to take home. I nearly cried because it has been such an incredible year with such incredible people and I was not ready to leave.
I am so thankful that this was my first assignment in the Foreign Service. I have learned so much, but my biggest takeaway is that sometimes the thing you think you don't want is going to be the best thing for you. I am looking forward to the next step (long-term language training!) and I hope my future tours are as awesome as this one. I have the distinct feeling they will be :)
Showing posts with label Washington D.C.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington D.C.. Show all posts
Friday, August 16, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
One year ago today
On April 27, 2012 I woke up in my parent's basement in a room without windows (I called it the "dungeon;" truth is, I prefer it over the adjoining room because I like to sleep in total darkness). I was in Colorado because I was finishing my last class for my master's degree; Scott was still in Ohio because we'd moved there in January. It was a Friday morning and the next day was my very last classroom session for my degree. I was headed back to Ohio on Sunday afternoon.
I grabbed my phone, as I do most mornings, and checked my email. And there was an email from the Department of State. I was invited to be in the July A-100 class for the Foreign Service. I was in shock. I had stopped paying attention to the Foreign Service message boards months ago and I knew I was going to expire off the register in July. In the back of my mind, I always thought it would be nice to hear from them, but I had honestly given up hope.
Here I am a year later. I live in Washington, D.C. and I am a few months away from finishing my first assignment (first tour DC positions are only one year tours). I've met former Secretary Clinton (on more than one occasion) and now Secretary Kerry. I've visited Timor-Leste and Indonesia as a representative of the United States, places I never thought I would see. I got to bid farewell the Ambassador from Timor-Leste at a reception at Blair House (its an awesome place - http://blairhouse.org). Soon I may be working on the credentials for a new Ambassador from Timor-Leste as well as preparing our Ambassador to Timor.
If you had asked me on April 26th how the next year was going to look, it would have included a lot of discussion about rural Ohio and looking into how to get a teaching job out there. Now, my coming year includes learning a language I know little about (Cantonese) and preparing to move to Asia.
It all just keeps getting better and better. I can't imagine what two years from now will look like.
I grabbed my phone, as I do most mornings, and checked my email. And there was an email from the Department of State. I was invited to be in the July A-100 class for the Foreign Service. I was in shock. I had stopped paying attention to the Foreign Service message boards months ago and I knew I was going to expire off the register in July. In the back of my mind, I always thought it would be nice to hear from them, but I had honestly given up hope.
Here I am a year later. I live in Washington, D.C. and I am a few months away from finishing my first assignment (first tour DC positions are only one year tours). I've met former Secretary Clinton (on more than one occasion) and now Secretary Kerry. I've visited Timor-Leste and Indonesia as a representative of the United States, places I never thought I would see. I got to bid farewell the Ambassador from Timor-Leste at a reception at Blair House (its an awesome place - http://blairhouse.org). Soon I may be working on the credentials for a new Ambassador from Timor-Leste as well as preparing our Ambassador to Timor.
If you had asked me on April 26th how the next year was going to look, it would have included a lot of discussion about rural Ohio and looking into how to get a teaching job out there. Now, my coming year includes learning a language I know little about (Cantonese) and preparing to move to Asia.
It all just keeps getting better and better. I can't imagine what two years from now will look like.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Christmastime is here
A year ago...
I was preparing for my husband to come home to Denver for a three-day break from training in Oklahoma City. It was the only time he was flying home during the three months so we were praying for good weather.
I was living in my parents basement so there was no planning when it came to spending time with the family over the holidays. My parents and I were heading to Ohio in two weeks to look for a house in the Mansfield/Ashland area. Scott and I were moving there in a month and I had no idea where we were going to live but I was really looking forward to exploring the new city and countryside. We were expecting to live there for the next three to five years, so I knew I had to pick a pretty decent place.
This year...
I just left DC for Ohio and in two days we'll be heading back to celebrate Christmas. We prayed for good weather for the drive here and we are praying for the same on the way back.
We were able to go home to Denver to see the family over Thanksgiving but we couldn't do it again so soon. Instead of our presence we sent presents in packages to our families. Hopefully we will Skype on Christmas Day and be able to see everyone.
I am living in a place in DC and Scott is still living in our place in Ohio. We are doing all we can to be reunited but we will close out 2012 the way we closed 2011, apart. Although physically we will probably ring in the new year together, a day later we will spend the night alone because this is our reality right now.
As somber as this may sound, we have a wonderful life. Our jobs are fascinating and we love the work we are blessed to do. Every few days we are overjoyed to be in one another's presence, how many couples entering their seventh year of marriage can say the same? I know we will look back at this time as one of our least favorite, but we will also look back on it with a little fondness as a time when we overcame challenges and were happy.
Merry Christmas
Monday, September 10, 2012
That look
Its week 3 of my DC job, and its a lot like A-100. Everyday I know a vast amount of information I did not know the day before. Only this time, its serious stuff. Like arranging high level meetings and going to meet people who actually make those really important decisions. Its not like I didn't know this is what people in the State Department do, I just can't believe I am a part of it.
I saw the latest A-100 class as they were entering the building this morning. I stopped to talk to them for a moment and the two I spoke to stared at me with a look of bewilderment and confusion. I remember that look. I remember that feeling; just two short months ago I was in their shoes. Walking into the building on my first day was overwhelming. Did I go through the right door? Is this where I am supposed to be?
Talking to them made me realize I used to have look. I don't anymore. I now have a completely different look of confusion on a whole other level. I just hope I am keeping it in check when I need to!
I saw the latest A-100 class as they were entering the building this morning. I stopped to talk to them for a moment and the two I spoke to stared at me with a look of bewilderment and confusion. I remember that look. I remember that feeling; just two short months ago I was in their shoes. Walking into the building on my first day was overwhelming. Did I go through the right door? Is this where I am supposed to be?
Talking to them made me realize I used to have look. I don't anymore. I now have a completely different look of confusion on a whole other level. I just hope I am keeping it in check when I need to!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
A Flag Day Tale
I have read a lot of flag day stories. They are usually ones of joy and excitement or of anger and frustration. This is neither.
When I woke up the day didn't really feel like a big deal. I had slept well the night before and yet I wanted to keep sleeping. But I got up and was kind of excited for the first order of the day, a trip to the CIA building.
The past week had been really intense. Part of that was because the skills we were learning were pretty difficult but I also think it was because they wanted to keep our minds completely occupied. It worked. Friday was like a reward. A trip to the CIA followed by flag day. While the morning was interesting, I was ready to move on and get the to main event.
My family was there which I was really excited about. My parents tried to come to Ohio a couple months ago but it didn't work out so I hadn't seen them in a while. My grandpa and aunt came too which was great.
All week people had been asking each other, "what is your number one choice?" and I had latched on to Mongolia. In all honesty I was really attached to all of my top choices but Mongolia just became an easy go-to answer. I would have been a little sad not to go to all of them which is one reason I was so looking forward to flag day. I was genuinely excited to find out where everyone was going because if I could not be the one to go to each awesome place on our list I wanted to find out who would.
When we got in the room it still didn't feel real. I saw the projection saying, "welcome to flag day" and it still didn't feel real. I chose my seat next to my dearest friends and it still didn't feel real. Then we did the wave as we sat in our seats; well that was just silly. And then they brought the flags in. Ok, this is it.
I am the kind of person who wants to know everyone. I know the first and last name of all 90+ people in my class as well as our coordinators and a few other people who have been involved in our training. I was genuinely thrilled to write down where each person was going so I could be excited for them and keep a list for my own reference. Starting the event off with a bang, one of my best friends was called first. It was exactly the country she wanted to be in and I was so excited for her. As the names and countries of the rest if my classmates were called I kept up with writing each one down. I was hardly registering whether or not I wanted the posts that were being called, I was just keeping track of who was going and where.
And then the Washington, DC flag appeared on the screen and I was already looking at that post on my list for some reason (DC posts were on the second page). As soon as the announcer started reading the job I closed my eyes. It was going to be mine and for some reason I knew it. He called my name and it took me a second to not write my own name down before I got up to collect my flag.
I was overwhelmed and a little in shock. I took my flag and folder in a daze and walked to the back to hug Scott. He was smiling for me and as I glanced down the row at my parents my dad mouthed, "Is this good?" I nodded and kept a smile on my face (at some point I may share the photo my mother took of me at this moment. I look exceedingly ridiculous with my crazy smile). I cried, but went back to my seat to keep writing down where everyone else was going. The tears were not out of sadness or joy but just from the emotion of the event.
This was absolutely not on my radar. But it's going to be great. I am excited about getting to know the city and the people. My biggest concern at the moment is finding a place to live because they are kicking me out of state housing and DC is expensive!
As for the job itself: I am thrilled. It's exactly the bureau I want to be in and it also happens to be the subject I know the most about. I start really soon and although it would maybe have been more exciting to be heading overseas right away I will be bidding next month on my first overseas position!
When I woke up the day didn't really feel like a big deal. I had slept well the night before and yet I wanted to keep sleeping. But I got up and was kind of excited for the first order of the day, a trip to the CIA building.
The past week had been really intense. Part of that was because the skills we were learning were pretty difficult but I also think it was because they wanted to keep our minds completely occupied. It worked. Friday was like a reward. A trip to the CIA followed by flag day. While the morning was interesting, I was ready to move on and get the to main event.
My family was there which I was really excited about. My parents tried to come to Ohio a couple months ago but it didn't work out so I hadn't seen them in a while. My grandpa and aunt came too which was great.
All week people had been asking each other, "what is your number one choice?" and I had latched on to Mongolia. In all honesty I was really attached to all of my top choices but Mongolia just became an easy go-to answer. I would have been a little sad not to go to all of them which is one reason I was so looking forward to flag day. I was genuinely excited to find out where everyone was going because if I could not be the one to go to each awesome place on our list I wanted to find out who would.
I am the kind of person who wants to know everyone. I know the first and last name of all 90+ people in my class as well as our coordinators and a few other people who have been involved in our training. I was genuinely thrilled to write down where each person was going so I could be excited for them and keep a list for my own reference. Starting the event off with a bang, one of my best friends was called first. It was exactly the country she wanted to be in and I was so excited for her. As the names and countries of the rest if my classmates were called I kept up with writing each one down. I was hardly registering whether or not I wanted the posts that were being called, I was just keeping track of who was going and where.
And then the Washington, DC flag appeared on the screen and I was already looking at that post on my list for some reason (DC posts were on the second page). As soon as the announcer started reading the job I closed my eyes. It was going to be mine and for some reason I knew it. He called my name and it took me a second to not write my own name down before I got up to collect my flag.
I was overwhelmed and a little in shock. I took my flag and folder in a daze and walked to the back to hug Scott. He was smiling for me and as I glanced down the row at my parents my dad mouthed, "Is this good?" I nodded and kept a smile on my face (at some point I may share the photo my mother took of me at this moment. I look exceedingly ridiculous with my crazy smile). I cried, but went back to my seat to keep writing down where everyone else was going. The tears were not out of sadness or joy but just from the emotion of the event.
This was absolutely not on my radar. But it's going to be great. I am excited about getting to know the city and the people. My biggest concern at the moment is finding a place to live because they are kicking me out of state housing and DC is expensive!
As for the job itself: I am thrilled. It's exactly the bureau I want to be in and it also happens to be the subject I know the most about. I start really soon and although it would maybe have been more exciting to be heading overseas right away I will be bidding next month on my first overseas position!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Week Four begins
I cannot believe three weeks of A-100 have already passed. It is just amazing. Tomorrow is Monday and before I know it the weekend will be here again and it will finally be the all important week five....the week of Flag Day. But more on that another time.
This past week was a rather short one because it was the week of the offsite trip. They took our class out of the classroom for a couple days so we could get to know each other and work on some leadership and teamwork techniques. It was a lot of fun. The only thing I would have changed was the weather. It was terribly hot and all of the activities were outdoors. I miss the dry heat of Colorado. I also miss how it cools down in the evening. D.C. is lacking both of these qualities.
I never cease to be amazed at the history and experiences of my classmates. This weekend I spoke to people in my class I had never spoken to before. Its a little odd. I know their name and handful of facts about them but we have never had an actual conversation. There is still a handful of people I've never had a real conversation with. I am hoping that this will change over the next three weeks but I fear that there is a good possibility I will leave the swearing-in ceremony without knowing some people in my class.
Flag Day is less than two weeks away!!!!! Ahhh!! So crazy. Less than two weeks until we find out where we will next call home. I am so excited but so nervous at the same time.
This past week was a rather short one because it was the week of the offsite trip. They took our class out of the classroom for a couple days so we could get to know each other and work on some leadership and teamwork techniques. It was a lot of fun. The only thing I would have changed was the weather. It was terribly hot and all of the activities were outdoors. I miss the dry heat of Colorado. I also miss how it cools down in the evening. D.C. is lacking both of these qualities.
I never cease to be amazed at the history and experiences of my classmates. This weekend I spoke to people in my class I had never spoken to before. Its a little odd. I know their name and handful of facts about them but we have never had an actual conversation. There is still a handful of people I've never had a real conversation with. I am hoping that this will change over the next three weeks but I fear that there is a good possibility I will leave the swearing-in ceremony without knowing some people in my class.
Flag Day is less than two weeks away!!!!! Ahhh!! So crazy. Less than two weeks until we find out where we will next call home. I am so excited but so nervous at the same time.
Friday, July 27, 2012
This moment
Oh so what am I doing right now? Just taking a short walk from work down past the Washington Monument and the Vietnam War Memorial wall. You know, everyday things.
(!) awesome.
(!) awesome.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Washington, D.C.
We have arrived! Unfortunately we left Ohio a little later than I was hoping and arrived in Washington, D.C. around 1:45am. The drive was not too bad. We encountered a little rain in Pennsylvania but because Scott plans well not a single item in the bed of the truck was wet when we arrived. In case you hadn't noticed, he is pretty awesome.
I am staying in the apartments paid for directly by the State Department and so far it has been great. The night security guard was amazingly helpful and walked me through the check-in process despite my being half asleep. He then got us a luggage cart to unload the truck and replacement keys for the apartment when the door would not open.
The apartment itself is pretty great as well. It is completely furnished including awesome artwork on the walls. There is even a fake tree and you know a place doesn't feel at home until there is a fake tree. I look forward to hosting some visitors on the hide-a-bed in the couch! (hint hint to all of you)
Tonight was the meet-n-greet hosted by the 166th A-100 class. There are so many people in my class that there was no way I could meet them all in two hours. However, the people I did meet were fascinating. I keep thinking that at some point since I was invited to this class they are going to call and rescind my offer and tell me this has all been a big mistake and they never meant to extend me an offer. And after meeting my fellow classmates I am expecting it even more. Everyone has such interesting stories about their lives and their experiences; I cannot wait to meet everyone else and learn their stories as well.
Tomorrow is my first day and I have a lot to get together before I will feel prepared enough to go to sleep. Hopefully it will go well and I won't forget anything important!
I am staying in the apartments paid for directly by the State Department and so far it has been great. The night security guard was amazingly helpful and walked me through the check-in process despite my being half asleep. He then got us a luggage cart to unload the truck and replacement keys for the apartment when the door would not open.
The apartment itself is pretty great as well. It is completely furnished including awesome artwork on the walls. There is even a fake tree and you know a place doesn't feel at home until there is a fake tree. I look forward to hosting some visitors on the hide-a-bed in the couch! (hint hint to all of you)
Tonight was the meet-n-greet hosted by the 166th A-100 class. There are so many people in my class that there was no way I could meet them all in two hours. However, the people I did meet were fascinating. I keep thinking that at some point since I was invited to this class they are going to call and rescind my offer and tell me this has all been a big mistake and they never meant to extend me an offer. And after meeting my fellow classmates I am expecting it even more. Everyone has such interesting stories about their lives and their experiences; I cannot wait to meet everyone else and learn their stories as well.
Tomorrow is my first day and I have a lot to get together before I will feel prepared enough to go to sleep. Hopefully it will go well and I won't forget anything important!
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