Consolation Prize

As many of you probably saw on the news, Secretary Clinton came to town last month. Most people at the consulate were tasked to support the visit in some capacity. A select few were specifically assigned to keep things working as normal at the consulate--believe it or not, regular affairs do not go on hold when a high level visitor makes an appearance. Yours truly was chosen to be a part of this elite "hold down the fort" team.

I had absolutely nothing to do with the Secretary's visit. Given how stressed some of my colleagues were in the weeks preceding the visit, I can't really say I mind.

The week of the visit, I was asked to go to Pune (pronounced POO-nay) for a 2-day trip. The original officer who was supposed to go was embroiled in visit details, but the trip had to go on.

Well, gee. When you put it like that. I suppose I could do it, if that's where you need me to be.

Fieldtrip. Score!

Pune is the 8th largest city in India. It's about a 2-hour drive from Mumbai. Pune is very much a college town--the Pune University campus is huge and sprawling and green. That said, the buildings themselves on campus reminded me of the university in Siena: dark, lovingly worn by countless scholars, though hardly up to snuff with modern technological innovations; it was like stepping several decades into the past. I found it charming, really. All things considered, it's quite a testament to the dedication and ability of the people who come out of these schools, given the limited facilities they have to work with. I mean, I haven't seen a computer that old since my Dad bought one right before we went to India the first time!

Perhaps ironically, the tech industry has also established a firm foothold in Pune in the last 15 to 20 years; their employees makes up a significant portion of the work visa applicants we see at the consulate in Mumbai.

Pune is also a motorbike town and reminds me a lot of Bangkok in that way, though Pune isn't nearly so tall or massive a city.

I attended several events in those 2 days. There was an energy efficiency panel discussion, a women's rights panel, and a culmination ceremony for an ESL teachers' program. Speakers ranged from green energy entrepreneurs to a women's rights activist who served in the Indian Parliament for many years. It was such a pleasure to get out and meet so many intelligent and motivated individuals, and the students who attended these events were as pleased as I was, I think.

It was a really neat trip. Interesting people, interesting discussions, and a break from Mumbai. Way better than freaking out in anticipation of the Secretary's arrival. ;)

And finally, here is an image that's stuck with me from Pune:

Don't let the picture fool you. This guy is a good 8 feet tall. This is the statue at the front of Symbiosis University in Pune (a very good private school here), whose law school hosted panel discussion on women's rights. With that nose and those tufts of hair, I was intrigued. Who could this possibly be? I've done a bit of poking around online since I got back, and apparently this is a staue of R. K. Laxman's Common Man, a famous Indian cartoon character. It's said to be the tallest metal statue of a cartoon figure in the world. Go figure.

Very cool, Symbiosis.

A Very Long Week

A couple of weeks ago, my aunt told me to invite anyone from my A-100 class who didn't have a place to go to come spend Thanksgiving with us. A couple of days later, I sent out an e-mail to my 89 classmates telling them as much.

When my aunt found out, her eyes got real big. "I told you to invite your class, not the whole State Department!"

In the end, 5 decided to join us for a grand total of about 24 people. The food was great; the company couldn't be beat; and there were games aplenty to top off the afternoon. I can't think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, I'm sure everyone has seen the recent happenings in Mumbai. I had hoped nobody in my family would notice until after the holiday. That was a bust.

I spent Wednesday and Thursday fielding inquiries from all sides. What did I think of the situation? Was I surprised? Was I scared to go now? Could they just lock me in a closet so I wouldn't go into harm's way?

It's downright tragic. I certainly didn't expect something like this to happen. No, I'm not afraid to go. No, I will not live in a closet for the next two years (I appreciate the concern, though).

I don't know how to react to something like this. I don't like these things. I wish this hadn't happened, that much I know. But it has happened, and there's really not much I can do about that. I spent a lot of time the first couple of days trying to stifle a persistent feeling of helplessness. When the instructors announced on Friday that they needed caseworkers this weekend, I jumped. Truth be told, I would have jumped no matter where the crisis had occurred.

So I've spent the majority of my waking hours this weekend at the Department, helping American Citizen Services provide support to the Consulate General in Mumbai and trying to account for U.S. Citizens who might have been affected. It has to be some of the most rewarding work I have ever done. People are grateful to get a call from the Department of State to verify that their loved one is safe, and I am equally grateful to know that in my little way, I have been of service. That's why I'm in this line of work, after all.

Am I tired? You betcha. Did I get much else done this weekend? I was late to my cousin's birthday celebration, but I did make it eventually and had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. Other than that, I accomplished virtually none of my the tasks on my list for this weekend. And how am I feeling now? Sleepily satisfied. I didn't make everything magically better in Mumbai, but I'd like to think I've made some small contribution. That's all I really need.

Recovery

I like weekends.

Two Months

Two months ago yesterday was my first day in the Foreign Service.

In the past two months, I have completed A-100, I have made some lifelong friends, I have found out where I will serve my first tour, one of my cousin's has gotten married, another cousin has had a baby, and I have completed an intensive South Asia area studies course.

I have no idea where the time has gone.

And in just a couple more months, I'll be on my way to India. How the time flies.

Civic Duty

Two of my classmates hosted an election party Tuesday night.

There was curry, pasta, two kinds of chili, chips and salsa, and a plethora of the usual sweets. There was a hand drawn map of the United States on one wall, red and blue markers waiting on a nearby table for us to color in each state as it was called. There was a chart on the opposite wall where people could keep track of their predictions of results for the whole country as well as select "swing" states. There were at least a couple of dozen people in attendance, representing--quite vocally--both sides of the political aisle. And there was a good time had by all.

When my area studies instructor turned out to vote in 2004, he waited in line for an hour and a half to use the single voting machine at his polling place. This year, he waited for more than two hours for his turn at one of eight voting machines, and he had never seen nearly so many young people at a polling place in his life.

Regardless of anyone's political affiliation, it's heartening to see young people turn out to vote, actively taking a stake in the future of our country. It's such a small thing to do, and yet it has such far and long reaching consequences.

I am firmly of the belief that if you are eligible to vote and don't, that you cannot complain about the outcome. I don't care who you decide to vote for. I just ask that you take your civic duty seriously and make an informed decision when choosing a candidate. If you don't vote, you effectively forfeit you right to disparage the result. You have given up your voice. And in a nation where free speech is so highly prized, not having your say in deciding the outcome of an election is nothing short of tragic.

Perhaps one vote won't change things, but just imagine the result if each person raised their little voice, if they each voted.

So. Thank you for voting.

Humbled

Completed A-100 on Friday. Starting Monday, my remaining training at FSI is geared toward my job in Mumbai. I'll get South Asia area studies, consular training, and miscellaneous safety seminars before I'm shipped out in February. I am off on my own adventure! My classmates all begin their own individual training schedules, too. They're a truly amazing group, and I know I've made some lifelong friends in the last 7 weeks.

When our course coordinator pointed out that, starting Monday, each of the 90 people in our class will be going in 90 different directions, all in the service of our country, I felt a little shiver go down my spine. I'm one of those 90 people. Not just some nameless, faceless person in the back of a classroom, but an individual--one of 90. I am a member of the 141st A-100 class. I am an official representative of the Government of the United States of America.

Wow.

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!