bummed that ariana, the girl I me my last day at Commerce, did not pass the orals. I convinced my cousin Jenn to apply though and am hoping she gets in. She wants to be a specialist not a generalist and is super qualified but we shall see. Tamil class has gotten better, am now able to make some very simple sentences and have a tiny vocabulary. This past week I missed classes because I hurt my back....and then had to wade through the crazy health care system.
I could not get an appointment with a doctor, unfortunately do not have a primary, so I had to go to the ER at George Washington University. A) they made me take a urine test before letting me go into the treatment area, B) they had someone come in and offer me an AIDS test after I'd been laying there crying in pain for an hour and a half w/o treatment, C) they really didn't examine me, just prescribed pills....then the CVS pharmacist, a complete power-mad, obviously very tiny-united creep named Youssef Sakr, refused to fill my pain medication...he would fill 2 of my 3 scrips (all from same doctor prescribed at same time) but apparently decided I am a junkie and wouldn't fill my percocets. Even after talking with the GW ER. Ugh.
But the back is getting better and will go to class tomorrow. Sadly missed the Friday field trip to see the Cherry Blossoms. Last weekend got to go home. However, rented a car...an electric blue PT cruiser....AAAAAAAH....After all my rants about my severe hatred for the PT cruiser it must be divine retribution. However I couldn't figure out how to work the window so had to open the door (after locking and unlocking it several times) to show my ID to the security guard at FSI. UGH. I also couldn't figure out how to open the trunk. So I kept popping the hood. When I tried to get away from rest stop the car started a circus...blinking the interior light and giving me a crazy message saying "GATE AJAR"...seriously pretentious PT...the PT is an AMERICAN car it should say trunk open...eeeegads.
The CLO/FLO (Community/Family Liason Officer) from Chennai sent me a questionnaire to fill out so that I can be featured in the newsletter. The first few questions asked about my kids and then a question asked "What do the parents like to do?" Apparently they meant what does the FSO like to do but it raised my ire since I am already sensitive to feeling discriminated against in the foreign service for being single. So I replied by telling them what my mom, dad, stepmom and stepdad enjoy doing. I really need to grow a thicker skin and suck more up.
I also finally got my travel orders!!! However I am going to have to get them altered b/c they do not have a layover per diem allowed....since we are not allowed to fly first class and since my back is acting up I absolutely need to take the layover day. Apparently the travel techs never put them on unless they are requeste even though if the flying time is over I think 12 hours you are entitled to one. So it is a nuisance but should be easily resolved. I also got my diplomatic passport!!!! YAY!!! And my apartment complex has put the diplomatic clause in my lease so I'll be able to get out early!!! WOO-HOO!!!
Now I just have to start tackling my three page to-do list (and still growing) in earnest. EEEK.
