Saturday, January 31, 2009
lack of postings
I've been having troubles getting internets and I'm also figuring out just how much about work I can talk about....so I haven't been posting...but still plan to use this spot to keep in touch once I am away....I'll keep trying!!!
VIPs all over!!!
My class is definitely spoiled. During our second week we were told that the schedule would be changed on Thursday. When we got to class Thursday we were told to take ourselves to the buses to go to Main State because THE SECRETARY requested our presence....We got to State and went up the elevators to the Diplomatic Rooms....WOW...pretty darn posh!!! I was so busy gawking that I got a seat in the back...not a problem since it was not a huge room. We waited nervously and chatted and then the music started....and kept going...and going...we waited for a good hour or two...but then...Condoleeza Rice and George and Laura Bush came in...We watched Condi give awards to Laura and George...George calling Condi like a little sister...for one award a whole crapload of impressive ambassadors (really they are ALL impressive) were in the room, I really need to get better at knowing who the bigwigs are (at least I know when the President or Secretary are in front of me!)....then we watched President Bush give the Presidential Medal of Peace to Ryan Crocker....Bush shook hands with many of my classmates who were up front and some made it into the Washington Post picture the next day...pretty cool...I went to the bathroom twice so I could check out the rooms a bit...I went past the desk on which the Treaty of Paris was signed which had the Treaty of Paris sitting on top of it!...I had a five minute internal debate as I thought about stealing one of the hand towels, the fancy napkins people put out now had the presidential seal on it....I didn't do it but later found out that a classmate did!!! Maybe when I am back for the swearing-in...so excited to have my mom there!....
Then we went back to State and had Ambassador John D. Negroponte (then Deputy Secretary of State) talk to us...WOW...finally our class mentor Ambassador Thomas Robertson...what a DAY!!!
THIS Thursday we again were at main State....and Bill Burns, Undersecretary for Political Affairs (the P, at State those high up have only one letter to describe them, Bill Burns is the highest ranking career FSO, fourth in command) spoke to us...then hosted a reception full of high ups...and during that reception in the Treaty Room (so beautiful, the floor is so cool and it is interesting to note how the various secretaries in the paintings had posed and of course to see what books are on the bookshelves) the doors opened up and HILLARY walked in...I swear she glowed...I was pretty close but felt it would be rude to just walk right away from the bigwig I was talking to...luckily he said you need to go over there, go...so I started to do so but there are a lot of, well let's say type A people in my class who pushed their way in front of me, literally, and then wouldn't move out of the way after shaking hands...so I got really close to a handshake but wasn't pushy enough to actually get one...but I was about a foot from her...she is beautiful, much more so than I expected. She talked about smart power being rooted in smart people, said she had looked over our resumes and thanked us all for joining. It was AWESOME!!!!
and no, not every class gets all these brushes during A-100. we just RULE!!!!
Then we went back to State and had Ambassador John D. Negroponte (then Deputy Secretary of State) talk to us...WOW...finally our class mentor Ambassador Thomas Robertson...what a DAY!!!
THIS Thursday we again were at main State....and Bill Burns, Undersecretary for Political Affairs (the P, at State those high up have only one letter to describe them, Bill Burns is the highest ranking career FSO, fourth in command) spoke to us...then hosted a reception full of high ups...and during that reception in the Treaty Room (so beautiful, the floor is so cool and it is interesting to note how the various secretaries in the paintings had posed and of course to see what books are on the bookshelves) the doors opened up and HILLARY walked in...I swear she glowed...I was pretty close but felt it would be rude to just walk right away from the bigwig I was talking to...luckily he said you need to go over there, go...so I started to do so but there are a lot of, well let's say type A people in my class who pushed their way in front of me, literally, and then wouldn't move out of the way after shaking hands...so I got really close to a handshake but wasn't pushy enough to actually get one...but I was about a foot from her...she is beautiful, much more so than I expected. She talked about smart power being rooted in smart people, said she had looked over our resumes and thanked us all for joining. It was AWESOME!!!!
and no, not every class gets all these brushes during A-100. we just RULE!!!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
first few days
I love my job.
The first two days were mostly in-processing. It was really cool to be at the Main State Department Building. I kind of wanted to just walk around with my blissed out look on my face reading all of the captions by photos and looking at the cool diplomatic gifts received - I suppose I will still have my chance but was trying to not let everyone in my class know just how absolutely giddy I am to be there!
Although I don't know why since most people I tak to are just as absolutely thrilled.
And apparently it is very common to constantly think...uh oh are they going to realize they made a mistake and take this all away?
At the meet and greet our speaker said (and I super paraphrase and misquote here):
"Half of you look around and think there must have been a mistake made but are so thankful they let you in the room. The other half think they are really great and are looking around wondering how a bunch of the others got in the room. The second group won't get far."
That was strangely comforting.
I'm a little spooked that essentially when I am overseas I can assume I am being watched by someone pretty much always but eh again it is so worth it.
My classmates are amazing. They all come in with impressive histories and bizarre accomplishments. For example, I rode the metro with someone who used to recruit priests and then had lunch with a former beauty queen and Hooter's waitress. I am enjoying just getting to know them all!
Today was the first day at the actual Foreign Service Institute. The campus is gorgeous and formality reigns. They really know what they are doing with the orientation. The information is fascinating and presented at the perfect speed.
Tomorrow we get our bid lists! Today we were told to go home, pour a glass of wine, read the guide to bidding and really think about our preferences and what we want.
Yes, my homework involves wine.
I am indeed up for that challenge!
The first two days were mostly in-processing. It was really cool to be at the Main State Department Building. I kind of wanted to just walk around with my blissed out look on my face reading all of the captions by photos and looking at the cool diplomatic gifts received - I suppose I will still have my chance but was trying to not let everyone in my class know just how absolutely giddy I am to be there!
Although I don't know why since most people I tak to are just as absolutely thrilled.
And apparently it is very common to constantly think...uh oh are they going to realize they made a mistake and take this all away?
At the meet and greet our speaker said (and I super paraphrase and misquote here):
"Half of you look around and think there must have been a mistake made but are so thankful they let you in the room. The other half think they are really great and are looking around wondering how a bunch of the others got in the room. The second group won't get far."
That was strangely comforting.
I'm a little spooked that essentially when I am overseas I can assume I am being watched by someone pretty much always but eh again it is so worth it.
My classmates are amazing. They all come in with impressive histories and bizarre accomplishments. For example, I rode the metro with someone who used to recruit priests and then had lunch with a former beauty queen and Hooter's waitress. I am enjoying just getting to know them all!
Today was the first day at the actual Foreign Service Institute. The campus is gorgeous and formality reigns. They really know what they are doing with the orientation. The information is fascinating and presented at the perfect speed.
Tomorrow we get our bid lists! Today we were told to go home, pour a glass of wine, read the guide to bidding and really think about our preferences and what we want.
Yes, my homework involves wine.
I am indeed up for that challenge!
Friday, January 2, 2009
forgot...
...that when i went to human resources to get the scavenger hunt final day form i met a woman who is trying to join the foreign service...gave her my info and hope to be able to help someone with their questions...was pretty cool!
last 36 minutes at commerce
today is my last day at commerce...now down to the last 36 minutes
i still have some regrets that i wasn't able to accomplish more and still feel bad about leaving so soon after getting here...in fact it took about 2 1/2 times longer to hire me than i stayed...and i worked with some amazing people here so i feel terrible leaving them in the lurch...if it wasn't my DREAM job and all...the decision was still harder than i thought it would ever be
but all that said...my forms are signed...which did involve going up and down what felt like every corridor of this huge building...and my stuff is out of here...wow was that hard...and now it is done
State here I come!!!
i still have some regrets that i wasn't able to accomplish more and still feel bad about leaving so soon after getting here...in fact it took about 2 1/2 times longer to hire me than i stayed...and i worked with some amazing people here so i feel terrible leaving them in the lurch...if it wasn't my DREAM job and all...the decision was still harder than i thought it would ever be
but all that said...my forms are signed...which did involve going up and down what felt like every corridor of this huge building...and my stuff is out of here...wow was that hard...and now it is done
State here I come!!!
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