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.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
a month past flag day...
...and it is just hitting me that in four months I'll be moving halfway around the world. I am spending today making lists of things I gotta get done and staring at the calendar. I've been in Tamil language training for the past three weeks and have seven more left. After many Sesame Street-esque days I can now recognize the alphabet and sound out words...although I rarely know what the words mean...it still just seems like a bunch of random sounds.
I've had a lot of visitors lately and have gotten to see some new and interesting parts of D.C. A few weekends ago I had some people over for dinner and then me and one of the gals went out salsa dancing...Cafe Havana has three floors, the top two are wooden floored crowded hot sweaty places pulsing with latin music...and men...so many men. I wanted to get my bearings and decided to try to go to bathroom after the floor was decided...three guys tried to make me dance on way to bathroom. Seriously was the kind of place where you could not possibly stand alone for a minute without someone trying to make you dance....so dance I did...it was a lot of spinny spinny crazy arms around the head and spinny spinny some more. Seeing the line of well-dressed latin men along the wall I couldn't help thinking of Anthony Bourdain and wondering if when all the line cooks get off work do they instinctively know to just get dressed up and come to this place? It was nuts.
Last night I went to a place called Dan's Cafe. This was a true dive. Not only was there no lock on the bathroom door but the little waiting area between bar and closet with toilet had a wall of multi-colored chewing gum to complement the very interesting grafitti. I ordered a vodka cranberry at the bar. I was given a bucket of ice, a fifth of vodka poured into one glass, a 16-ounce plastic bottle of cranberry juice and an empty glass....the place is almost self serve...now this ensemble only cost $12 so no real complaints here...well maybe a complaint about the loud jukebox which happened to play sweet home alabama and pour some sugar on me TWICE...EACH...but never quite got to my friend Joan's friend's selections...which was apparently 16 songs in a row of Paula Abdul....hmm maybe I shouldn't complain?
I've had a lot of visitors lately and have gotten to see some new and interesting parts of D.C. A few weekends ago I had some people over for dinner and then me and one of the gals went out salsa dancing...Cafe Havana has three floors, the top two are wooden floored crowded hot sweaty places pulsing with latin music...and men...so many men. I wanted to get my bearings and decided to try to go to bathroom after the floor was decided...three guys tried to make me dance on way to bathroom. Seriously was the kind of place where you could not possibly stand alone for a minute without someone trying to make you dance....so dance I did...it was a lot of spinny spinny crazy arms around the head and spinny spinny some more. Seeing the line of well-dressed latin men along the wall I couldn't help thinking of Anthony Bourdain and wondering if when all the line cooks get off work do they instinctively know to just get dressed up and come to this place? It was nuts.
Last night I went to a place called Dan's Cafe. This was a true dive. Not only was there no lock on the bathroom door but the little waiting area between bar and closet with toilet had a wall of multi-colored chewing gum to complement the very interesting grafitti. I ordered a vodka cranberry at the bar. I was given a bucket of ice, a fifth of vodka poured into one glass, a 16-ounce plastic bottle of cranberry juice and an empty glass....the place is almost self serve...now this ensemble only cost $12 so no real complaints here...well maybe a complaint about the loud jukebox which happened to play sweet home alabama and pour some sugar on me TWICE...EACH...but never quite got to my friend Joan's friend's selections...which was apparently 16 songs in a row of Paula Abdul....hmm maybe I shouldn't complain?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
going to chennai!!!
The past seven weeks have been both the longest and fastest seven weeks of my life. A-100 officially ended on Friday as my class was sworn in by Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg. My mom came to the ceremony and was as impressed as me by the diplomatic reception rooms. I must note though that this time the fancy napkins were not out in the bathroom...security must have known the dilemma I faced the last time! While last time I saw the desk on which the Treaty of Paris was signed (and the treaty!), this time I noticed Thomas Jefferson's desk on which it is believed portions of the Declaration of Independence were written (it looked nothing like the desk in the Family Ties episode where Alex dreamed he was the man....but I digress).
I had told my brother about the reception on Wednesday in the DACOR house, formally occupied by multiple Justices of the Supreme Court, the reception hosted by many retired ambassadors. The DACOR house held the desk that John Adams and then every Secretary of State until the 1950's had used. It led my wonderful brother to describe my A-100 orientation as "From Desk 'til Dawn". Sigh.
Oh, but as my post title claims, I am going to Chennai! Chennai, formerly called Madras, has about 7 million people and was one of my top choices! Monday I start Tamil language class (a fast class to teach me the basics like where's the toilet?), then I have consular training. I will be leaving sometime in July and hope to have a Camping Extravaganza before I depart!
And...my awesome little sister Natalie is going to come live with me!!! I will in fact be calling her my housegirl! he he he. She's trying to find some volunteer opportunities and I'm thrilled she'll be with me as I start this journey.
A-100 was seven weeks of finding out all about how the State Department works, the various agencies with which we interact overseas, the ways to avoid being the dumbass at the embassy, being told to play nice and share our toys, getting to know my amazing and talented classmates (there were 92 of us!), and waiting waiting waiting to find out where we are going...oh yeah and meeting a president, a first lady, two secretaries of state, two deputy secretaries, undersecretaries and many ambassadors....it was a whirlwind. There is a bit of separation anxiety now that it is all over and I know I will no longer be herded into the cramped orientation room with my new bestest buds...but the thrill of starting language training is good compensation.
Now I have to figure out what to put in my consummables shipment...besides 1000 pounds of toilet paper and a long-handled broom......
I had told my brother about the reception on Wednesday in the DACOR house, formally occupied by multiple Justices of the Supreme Court, the reception hosted by many retired ambassadors. The DACOR house held the desk that John Adams and then every Secretary of State until the 1950's had used. It led my wonderful brother to describe my A-100 orientation as "From Desk 'til Dawn". Sigh.
Oh, but as my post title claims, I am going to Chennai! Chennai, formerly called Madras, has about 7 million people and was one of my top choices! Monday I start Tamil language class (a fast class to teach me the basics like where's the toilet?), then I have consular training. I will be leaving sometime in July and hope to have a Camping Extravaganza before I depart!
And...my awesome little sister Natalie is going to come live with me!!! I will in fact be calling her my housegirl! he he he. She's trying to find some volunteer opportunities and I'm thrilled she'll be with me as I start this journey.
A-100 was seven weeks of finding out all about how the State Department works, the various agencies with which we interact overseas, the ways to avoid being the dumbass at the embassy, being told to play nice and share our toys, getting to know my amazing and talented classmates (there were 92 of us!), and waiting waiting waiting to find out where we are going...oh yeah and meeting a president, a first lady, two secretaries of state, two deputy secretaries, undersecretaries and many ambassadors....it was a whirlwind. There is a bit of separation anxiety now that it is all over and I know I will no longer be herded into the cramped orientation room with my new bestest buds...but the thrill of starting language training is good compensation.
Now I have to figure out what to put in my consummables shipment...besides 1000 pounds of toilet paper and a long-handled broom......
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!
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