Name that flag! Kudos to the first person to post the answer. Additionally, priority visiting rights to the first person to correctly name the city where I will be posted.
So what are you waiting for? Post a comment already!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Flag Day!
I lived through the ordeal and am quite satisfied with the result:
Name that flag! Kudos to the first person to post the answer. Additionally, priority visiting rights to the first person to correctly name the city where I will be posted.
So what are you waiting for? Post a comment already!
Name that flag! Kudos to the first person to post the answer. Additionally, priority visiting rights to the first person to correctly name the city where I will be posted.
So what are you waiting for? Post a comment already!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
He Does Exist!
Thursday morning our class was bussed over to Main State for an event. We had been kept in the dark about the nature of the event until that morning. Apparently President Bush was going to be on site for a briefing and wanted the chance to meet our class while he was there. When the President beckons, you come.
We got there about an hour and a half before he was due to speak to us. It took a while to get 90 State and 45 USAID entry level officers through security, and then we meandered our way through the ceremonial suite to the Benjamin Franklin room, where the President would address us. The President's staff arranged us on bleachers for a class photo with him and then let us relax until they got word that President Bush and Secretary Rice's meeting was concluding. Then it was back to attention, waiting for him to join us.
He came peaking around the corner and into the room. Everyone applauded. The first thought in my mind was "He does exist!" Not to say I didn't think he existed before, but you'd be surprised how it strikes you after seeing someone in the papers and on TV for years. It's quite a different experience. He looks much younger in person than on a television screen. He took pictures with both the USAID and the State classes and then stood around to answer questions for a few minutes. The whole thing was very down to earth. According to our instructors, it's been a couple of years since the President last greeted an entering class like this.
In other news, the weather is getting crisper (love it!), but the leaves have yet to really change color (please be in full swing for Mom's visit). My aunt spent yesterday morning baking muffins for church today, and the warmth and smell in the house when you walked in from the morning chill was perfect. We're really getting into fall (leaves aside), and that means the holidays are coming up. In my mind that's always meant lots of family and the food, warmth, and happiness that comes from being with them.
That means the holidays are starting early this year for me. There will more than 30 family members in town by this weekend. A whopping grand total of one will be coming to Flag Day with me (thank you, Mom!). To be fair, I'd really like to be at the wedding with everyone, but, alas, I have yet to master the art of being in two places at once. I'll settle for the family brunch on Saturday, even if they do plan to thwart my brilliant plan. I had hoped to show up to brunch on Saturday with my flag and make them figure out where I'm going, not unlike what my class will have to do on Friday to figure out where each of us will be going. No go. My uncle's made very clear that I am expected to call Friday night between the wedding ceremony and the reception to tell them where I'm going. As I'd rather not jeopardize my invitation to Saturday's brunch, I shall acquiesce.
I'm much more excited about Mom's chicken and buscuits on Thursday and the big family brunch on Saturday than finding out where I'll be going on Friday, anyway. Come Friday, I'll have a(n approximate) deadline to leave DC, and I'm not overanxious to leave. I'm enjoying my time with family and classmates. Games, dinners, cooking lessons, chit chat, and more, all with such good company. Really, what more could I ask for?
We got there about an hour and a half before he was due to speak to us. It took a while to get 90 State and 45 USAID entry level officers through security, and then we meandered our way through the ceremonial suite to the Benjamin Franklin room, where the President would address us. The President's staff arranged us on bleachers for a class photo with him and then let us relax until they got word that President Bush and Secretary Rice's meeting was concluding. Then it was back to attention, waiting for him to join us.
He came peaking around the corner and into the room. Everyone applauded. The first thought in my mind was "He does exist!" Not to say I didn't think he existed before, but you'd be surprised how it strikes you after seeing someone in the papers and on TV for years. It's quite a different experience. He looks much younger in person than on a television screen. He took pictures with both the USAID and the State classes and then stood around to answer questions for a few minutes. The whole thing was very down to earth. According to our instructors, it's been a couple of years since the President last greeted an entering class like this.
In other news, the weather is getting crisper (love it!), but the leaves have yet to really change color (please be in full swing for Mom's visit). My aunt spent yesterday morning baking muffins for church today, and the warmth and smell in the house when you walked in from the morning chill was perfect. We're really getting into fall (leaves aside), and that means the holidays are coming up. In my mind that's always meant lots of family and the food, warmth, and happiness that comes from being with them.
That means the holidays are starting early this year for me. There will more than 30 family members in town by this weekend. A whopping grand total of one will be coming to Flag Day with me (thank you, Mom!). To be fair, I'd really like to be at the wedding with everyone, but, alas, I have yet to master the art of being in two places at once. I'll settle for the family brunch on Saturday, even if they do plan to thwart my brilliant plan. I had hoped to show up to brunch on Saturday with my flag and make them figure out where I'm going, not unlike what my class will have to do on Friday to figure out where each of us will be going. No go. My uncle's made very clear that I am expected to call Friday night between the wedding ceremony and the reception to tell them where I'm going. As I'd rather not jeopardize my invitation to Saturday's brunch, I shall acquiesce.
I'm much more excited about Mom's chicken and buscuits on Thursday and the big family brunch on Saturday than finding out where I'll be going on Friday, anyway. Come Friday, I'll have a(n approximate) deadline to leave DC, and I'm not overanxious to leave. I'm enjoying my time with family and classmates. Games, dinners, cooking lessons, chit chat, and more, all with such good company. Really, what more could I ask for?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Countdown
We're still two weeks off from Flag Day. (Okay. Eleven days, but who's counting?) People keep asking if I'm anxious to know where I'm going. Honestly? No, not really. I'm much more interested in seeing all the family flying in for my cousin's wedding--which I must miss, alas, because it is occurring simultaneously with the Flag Day ceremony. I'm not pleased about that. At least there's the family brunch the next day, and I will most definitely be in attendance then. I'm also much more interested in another cousin having her baby. So much is changing for my family in the next couple of weeks. It's very exciting.
Now, Flag Day is also exciting, don't get me wrong. I really want to see where all my classmates end up, watch their excitement as the next chapter unfolds for each of them. But as for where I end up? Eh. They'll send me somewhere. Life's bound to be interesting, wherever I go.
Now, Flag Day is also exciting, don't get me wrong. I really want to see where all my classmates end up, watch their excitement as the next chapter unfolds for each of them. But as for where I end up? Eh. They'll send me somewhere. Life's bound to be interesting, wherever I go.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Week 4
After three days of playing outdoors last week at work last week, our return to PowerPoint culture all of this week has been rather anticlimactic. This weekend is definitely making up for it, though.
Yesterday, we drove out to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. It was very, very sunny, but aside from that a pleasant way to spend the day. My 6-year-old cousin was quite taken with a dog that could say "Mama" on cue: "Who's the boss, mama or papa?" "Mama." I always knew dogs were smart. The costumes were something, as they always are at a Renaissance festival. Some were gorgeous, others made you do a double take, despite your better judgment. And the food! I'd never seen such variety at something like this before. Everything from the mandatory turkey leg to steak on a stake, falafel, hot potato chips, gooey yam fries, croissant sundaes, and more. It was quite something. Food aside, the 6-year-old got knighted by Henry VIII and had his face painted (a very manly fire-breathing dragon), and we saw several of the shows going on throughout the grounds. A good time was had by all. I forgot my camera, but my aunt and cousin took lots of pictures, so I may be able to get some from them.
Today, we headed out to the Blueridge Mountains for a country breakfast and apple festival with extended family. The coffee cake and cinnamon apples were awesome. I found out that I've missed fresh biscuits, too. There was this nice hill outside the lodge where we ate that that little ones had fun running around on. The 6-year-old also got a kick out of throwing rocks into the stream at the bottom of the hill, which is apparently an annual tradition. I stuck around the festival long enough to watch the 6-year-old climbing a pile of hay bails and help one aunt pick out apples to top off their box. Then said aunt and corresponding uncle absconded with me to their house (with a detour to Safeway and down their mainstreet to show me around town) where the rest of the group would join us for lunch. My uncle barbeques a mean chicken breast, and my aunt makes a very tasty chicken salad and chocolate cake. And it was so peaceful sitting out on their deck, enjoying the view of their large, sloping lawn and the treeline at the bottom. Once more, a good time was had by all. I was sent home with a large helping of assorted cut vegetables, thanks to me and my vegetarian tendencies, and samplings of several varieties of apples. When I got back to my other aunt and uncle's house (my regular weekend haunt and Family Central on this coast) this afternoon, with said aunt and uncle, I napped and finished a book.
Could this weekend get any better? It's had outdoor excursions, great food, down time, lots of wonderful family. Could really get any better? Oh, yes. Tomorrow is a holiday. Thank you, Federal Government, for observing Columbus Day.
Yesterday, we drove out to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. It was very, very sunny, but aside from that a pleasant way to spend the day. My 6-year-old cousin was quite taken with a dog that could say "Mama" on cue: "Who's the boss, mama or papa?" "Mama." I always knew dogs were smart. The costumes were something, as they always are at a Renaissance festival. Some were gorgeous, others made you do a double take, despite your better judgment. And the food! I'd never seen such variety at something like this before. Everything from the mandatory turkey leg to steak on a stake, falafel, hot potato chips, gooey yam fries, croissant sundaes, and more. It was quite something. Food aside, the 6-year-old got knighted by Henry VIII and had his face painted (a very manly fire-breathing dragon), and we saw several of the shows going on throughout the grounds. A good time was had by all. I forgot my camera, but my aunt and cousin took lots of pictures, so I may be able to get some from them.
Today, we headed out to the Blueridge Mountains for a country breakfast and apple festival with extended family. The coffee cake and cinnamon apples were awesome. I found out that I've missed fresh biscuits, too. There was this nice hill outside the lodge where we ate that that little ones had fun running around on. The 6-year-old also got a kick out of throwing rocks into the stream at the bottom of the hill, which is apparently an annual tradition. I stuck around the festival long enough to watch the 6-year-old climbing a pile of hay bails and help one aunt pick out apples to top off their box. Then said aunt and corresponding uncle absconded with me to their house (with a detour to Safeway and down their mainstreet to show me around town) where the rest of the group would join us for lunch. My uncle barbeques a mean chicken breast, and my aunt makes a very tasty chicken salad and chocolate cake. And it was so peaceful sitting out on their deck, enjoying the view of their large, sloping lawn and the treeline at the bottom. Once more, a good time was had by all. I was sent home with a large helping of assorted cut vegetables, thanks to me and my vegetarian tendencies, and samplings of several varieties of apples. When I got back to my other aunt and uncle's house (my regular weekend haunt and Family Central on this coast) this afternoon, with said aunt and uncle, I napped and finished a book.
Could this weekend get any better? It's had outdoor excursions, great food, down time, lots of wonderful family. Could really get any better? Oh, yes. Tomorrow is a holiday. Thank you, Federal Government, for observing Columbus Day.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Bidding
On the first day of training, we were given a list of the places and positions people in our class would be sent to fill. We were given a week and a half to do our research on the posts and put together a draft bidlist, indicating whether each post was a "High," "Medium," or "Low" preference. We each sat down with our career development officer (CDO) at the end of last week to discuss our priorities and reasoning in ranking our bids. Our final bidlist was turned in last Monday at the start of the day.
We headed off to West Virginia on Wednesday for three days of leadership and team-building exercises. The best part of the experience? Jeans and sneakers! And three days of outdoor activities. You can imagine how nice it was to be out of the suits and the lecture hall and doing something hands on. I also had the chance to work with classmates I've only seen from a distance in the classroom. Overall, it was mostly a positive experience. I can't say I'm overeager to be back in a suit tomorrow, but it's just for four more weeks.
At any rate, while the ninety of us were divided up to bond in smaller groups during the trip, our CDOs were sitting around a table deciding where to send us, based on our final bidlists and the information gathered from us during our individual meetings. I can't say I was terribly helpful in the process. I signed up for worldwide availability and I mean it. I want to go everywhere! One place at a time, of course. So I don't really have my heart set on a particular geographic region, position type, language, or other priority. I just want to go somewhere new, and I figure no matter where that is and what I'm doing, I'm bound to learn something. Add to that the fact that I keep hearing over and over again that the best tour people have served was the one they were sent to kicking and screaming, and I don't think I can pass judgment on an particular post.
Generally, people seem to be more focused in their bidding. For example, they give high priority to posts with good schools, since they'll be brining children along; or to posts where their spouse will be able to find independent employment; or to quarantines and whether they'll be able to bring the family pet. None of these are concerns for me at this point. Other people really want a French African post, or to learn Spanish, or to go to East Asia. Their bidlists and discussions reflect these preferences. I don't have any of these sorts of preferences myself. I'm still not sure how big a fool this proves me to be.
Through various activities and discussions about the bidding and placement process, I have determined that where you are sent has a certain element of uncertainty in it until you're actually there. So there doesn't seem to be much point in getting your heart set too firmly on any criterion.
Someone asked a couple weeks ago, while trying to help me figure out what my priorities should be, whether I had anything like dice or a dartboard that I could use to help me out. I replied that I had a CDO. There is certainly an element of randomness there. Your placement depends on the abilities and preferences of your classmates, the advocacy of your CDO (and you through your bidlist and accompanying narrative), and the final group decision of all the CDOs, which can change right up until Flag Day.
By dinner on Thursday, the CDOs had cast the die for the ninety people in my class--though the results are only in pencil right now. They know, tentatively, where I'm going for my first tour. And they won't tell me a thing for another three weeks--on October 24th, or Flag Day. I really could be going anywhere, so there's not much hope of figuring it out ahead of time. I'm just not going to think about it. October 24th is bound to be here before I know it, anyways.
We headed off to West Virginia on Wednesday for three days of leadership and team-building exercises. The best part of the experience? Jeans and sneakers! And three days of outdoor activities. You can imagine how nice it was to be out of the suits and the lecture hall and doing something hands on. I also had the chance to work with classmates I've only seen from a distance in the classroom. Overall, it was mostly a positive experience. I can't say I'm overeager to be back in a suit tomorrow, but it's just for four more weeks.
At any rate, while the ninety of us were divided up to bond in smaller groups during the trip, our CDOs were sitting around a table deciding where to send us, based on our final bidlists and the information gathered from us during our individual meetings. I can't say I was terribly helpful in the process. I signed up for worldwide availability and I mean it. I want to go everywhere! One place at a time, of course. So I don't really have my heart set on a particular geographic region, position type, language, or other priority. I just want to go somewhere new, and I figure no matter where that is and what I'm doing, I'm bound to learn something. Add to that the fact that I keep hearing over and over again that the best tour people have served was the one they were sent to kicking and screaming, and I don't think I can pass judgment on an particular post.
Generally, people seem to be more focused in their bidding. For example, they give high priority to posts with good schools, since they'll be brining children along; or to posts where their spouse will be able to find independent employment; or to quarantines and whether they'll be able to bring the family pet. None of these are concerns for me at this point. Other people really want a French African post, or to learn Spanish, or to go to East Asia. Their bidlists and discussions reflect these preferences. I don't have any of these sorts of preferences myself. I'm still not sure how big a fool this proves me to be.
Through various activities and discussions about the bidding and placement process, I have determined that where you are sent has a certain element of uncertainty in it until you're actually there. So there doesn't seem to be much point in getting your heart set too firmly on any criterion.
Someone asked a couple weeks ago, while trying to help me figure out what my priorities should be, whether I had anything like dice or a dartboard that I could use to help me out. I replied that I had a CDO. There is certainly an element of randomness there. Your placement depends on the abilities and preferences of your classmates, the advocacy of your CDO (and you through your bidlist and accompanying narrative), and the final group decision of all the CDOs, which can change right up until Flag Day.
By dinner on Thursday, the CDOs had cast the die for the ninety people in my class--though the results are only in pencil right now. They know, tentatively, where I'm going for my first tour. And they won't tell me a thing for another three weeks--on October 24th, or Flag Day. I really could be going anywhere, so there's not much hope of figuring it out ahead of time. I'm just not going to think about it. October 24th is bound to be here before I know it, anyways.
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