Wednesday, January 23, 2008

I survived day 1!!!!

Yesterday morning I woke very early to start getting ready-I was very fashionable in my black and white checked blazer and pink button down. I met some other nervous but very nice Foreign Service Specialists on the shuttle to the Foreign Service Institute. We all gathered (about 65 of us) in the lobby for our swearing in service. I began looking around and realizing that the State Department "uniform" does not include pink shirts much less black and white checked blazers, it is much more of a muted dark suit, white shirt "uniform"! I stood out like the only Human Resource Officer that I was, my fears were substantiated when the speaker stated he always liked to see a class of dark suits, then he knows that the evaluators have done a good job of recruiting the best and the brightest! I could only imagine what he that of the fashion don't in the back of room in her checked blazer. Needless to say today I am wearing a lovely dark brown suit-but I still have a little bit of fashionista in me and I am wearing (gasp) a light blue button down!

There are a number of Foreign Service Agents (Security) a couple of Diplomatic Couriers and quite a few Office Specialists. Everyone is very friendly and we are al in the same boat which makes for some bonding.

Well I had better go-I have to make an introduction of an ambassador today-no pressure (but hence the brown suit!)

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Adventure Begins.....part II

Well I have made it to Washington DC and I start training tomorrow. I must say that I have the "first day of school" butterflies: will I be able to sit at the cool table at lunch, will I be wearing the right clothes?

I am moved into my studio apartment. The State Department has a contract with a complex called Oakwood. It is very interesting, it is one big room with a couch, sitting chair and 2 tvs! (Plus the bed taking its half out of the middle of the room!) there is also a small kitchen fully furnished. A maid is provided one day a week, for those that know my housekeeping skills (or lack thereof) know that this is a benefit that has no equal! The other benefit is that there is a Target 1.3 miles away.

All of my worldy possessions were packed up and are currently stored in Maryland. I must say it was a little sad to pack everything up when I have no idea when or even where I will see all of my things again. I figure one of two things can happen: 1)it is so long until I am settled an can unpack my clothes that they are out of style or 2) it is so long until I am settled an can unpack my clothes that they have gone out of style but have made it BACK into style!

I had better get go over my check list for tomorrow again-I want to make sure I don't forget anything. I should have my list of choices tomorrow so I will update soon.

Friday, January 4, 2008

The Adventure Begins.....

I am new to the world of blogging (I know that comes as a surprise to many of you..) but I decided this would be a great way to keep in touch as the adventure begins (truth be known I just want something to come up when I am googled!).

For those of you that don't know, after 2 long years of waiting and worrying the chance of a lifetime is here. I will be leaving Stillwater on January 17th to head to Washington D.C. and begin Foreign Service Specialists orientation at the George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. Upon arrival in D.C. I will be staying in a furnished studio apartment provided by the State Department. During the first week of orientation I will recieve a list of upcoming vacancies from which I can request my choices. I will have an opportunity to research my "bid list", hopefully that research will provide information on who has ESPN reception and if there is a local branch of Tiffany's (could I be THAT lucky). Keep in mind that one of my conditions of employment is worldwide availablity so I am prepared for anything and everything. I have to say the more exotic the better! But then again what could be more exotic than Stillwater? After orientation I will have HR training at least until April 28th (which means I will Stateside for March Madness which is of great importance). Depending on where I will be going I may stay in D.C. to learn a language. That is everything I know for now, when I get to DC and I have more information I will continue to update.