Yes I am still alive-sorry for the delayed blogging...

مرحبا والسلام عليكم أصدقائي وعائلتي

Just a quick note to say hi to all and let you know that I have not melted away. How am I going to live in the Middle East when I just might not survive the Washington DC heat??

All is good-just busy studying and struggling with Arabic. Things are coming along, but wow I have a whole new understanding for my students and how homework can really get in the way of living LOL The schedule is tight for me right now, but I am enjoying it on the days I'm not banging my head against the wall.

I have a colleague who is already in Amman and I love hearing about my new home in his updates. I'll try to fill you in as I hear things of interest. I have attached, just for fun, a video of Queen Rania of Jordan-good humor, the more I learn about her and her efforts the more impressed and excited I am to serve in this country-enjoy...

Four weeks of Arabic completed- 8 months to go...

Sorry for the extended break in posts-I have completed my first four weeks of Arabic and WOW this language is difficult and challenging, but really exciting to learn. I have my doubts that I will ever shake my Arabic with a Minnesota accent speech impairment, but I am trying to get the sounds as authentic as possible. Last Friday, we (a class of 6) put on our first play using the Arabic we knew after our first two weeks- it was an exciting, edge of your seat thriller- (Spoiler alert-girls meeting boys in a coffee shop, exchanging pleasantries, and all going to the movies after a bit of flirtation- most likely with a sequel to follow after phase 2-perhaps even a marriage)-stay tuned...  After I got comfortable being uncomfortable learning and struggling with the language has become really interesting and fun. I am now in a class with just me and another student- so far so good.

In addition to Arabic, we have a lot of area studies. This encompasses the entire Middle East and is really interesting. I never realized how little I actually knew and I love that we are being exposed to the culture, the politics, and the foreign policy- good times!

DC is great, lots to do, but wow it's warm-I feel like my skin is going to start bubbling at anytime. Just trying to get into my groove. I am working on kayaking on the potomac and getting some use out of my bike. There are some beautiful areas and great paths to explore. I broke down and got a navigator so I can stop driving aimlessly through the district and honestly everywhere else- I really do have a terrible attention span LOL. I took a great cooking class designed for diplomats and learned how to have a successful dinner party- apparently drinking fishbowls of Cabernet did not make the good idea list. Clearly I have been doing something wrong my entire adult life.  I hit the golf course last week which is probably what began my homesick week. The course was rough to say the least (not challenging-rough where I thought I might lose the wheels of my cart) and I definitely need to find a better one. I miss Minnesota and everyone there-wish I could be living two lives at once!

Salaam

It's official for the 2nd and final time...

Hi all- what an incredible week! I took the oath of office on Friday and was sworn in by none other than Secretary of State herself  Hillary Clinton. For those of you who know me well you know that this was an incredible moment for me as I have long respected Clinton.

It was an exciting ceremony and now I will be beginning Arabic and area studies. Can somebody pinch me please??

Salam

On my way to Amman, Jordan "En'shallah"

Exciting and happy news...

I am so thrilled to have received my flag for my first post-Amman, Jordan! An amazing place and the position I will have is in public diplomacy (my cone) so I will be on track in the work I want to focus on-perfect fit!

Friday was flag day and my first tour will be in Amman-one of my top choices! I have a lot of work to do to learn Arabic, but there is an excellent language program available at the institute so I am putting myself in their hands-poor teachers LOL. I'll post more info on Amman, but for all you Oprah lovers Queen Rania was just on her show this past week-great interview!

I'll follow up with more information, but just wanted to share the great news!

 Salam

3 down and 2 to go...

Hi all-I returned this weekend from the leadership retreat. Overall it was a pretty good time and a great way to get to know people better-some good, some not so much LOL We spent most of our time doing outdoor leadership activities and a major operation called "Death Star- I was a leader for our group and the entire operation was actually amzingly smooth. We solved the death star and got the keys to the chest which held the torch of knowledge- so Star Trekky I almost expected Captain Kirk to beam in at any moment, good times and a welcome relief from 8 hours inside a classroom! Recap for the week: we worked again on writing Foreign Sevice style- apparently not my forte as I received my first cable back with an awful lot of red marks- makes me feel like one of my students. What was interesting is that we were able to watch footage of an envoy touring Rwanda during the genocide and read sample cables that reported back on what was happening there as a U.S. group of officers toured the area. It was an important reminder of how powerful those cables can be in certain times and places-literally life changing.  One of the other highlights was a panel discussion with FSNs (foreign service nationals) who were in town for training. These are local folks to the country where the Embassy is located. They shared some pretty funny stories about new officers and the blunders we make. I made a list of what to avoid!Wonderful folks and a true asset to our work. Cultural understanding and exchanges were also emphasized this week and the guy who taught the course was awesome- made me reflect on the many mistakes I've made over the years. Friday is the big day and is referred to as "Flag Day"-we find out that afternoon the country we will be assigned to for the next 2 years. I cannot wait and have the flags I hope to see memorized! 2 weeks to go...
Peace

Incredible 2nd week...

So the 2nd week has come and gone of A-100. It has been amazing so far with lots of new information to absorb and think about. There are 93 people in my class so it has been really nice getting to know everyone- a truly amazing group of people with incredible talents. I had my meeting with my career development officer and reviewed choices for placement. I have gone over the bid list a million times as there are some incredible posts to consider and also worked on narrowing my preferences. There is a lot of information to research on every post so my free time has been consumed by this process. Basically we will submit our ranks on Tuesday and wait until flag day (April 23) to find out what the next couple years of our lives have in store for us. I also have to take a language aptitude test this upcoming week- argh I fear I might stand out as language challenged (personally I think pig latin should count for something) LOL  Missing Spring in Minnesota and learning quickly that thick humidity will be my new norm-must acclimate... Peace

First week in DC...

Ahhh-Happy Easter!  My first week in DC is complete and overall it has been good. Training is really interesting and I am excited to be moving along. We received our bid lists for our first posts, which was definately the highlight. There are about 100 spots and 93 of us, so most will get filled. I've spent a lot of free time researching the various posts and determining the pros and cons- they all seem like great spots for so many different reasons. I think I just need to examine my preferences and narrow it down. Regardless the research is fasicnating and I certainly am getting a crash course in geography!  I've finally unpacked and set up shop in my temporary housing-nice to not be climbing over boxes and suitcases, although I have not even received my air freight and my apartment is pretty full- who knew an Escape could hold so much stuff. By the way if you subscribed via e-mail, you can respond to the e-mail you receive and it comes right to my private e-mail and does not pop up in the comments section. Heading out to the Cherry Blossoms and feeling jealous of what I've heard is an amazingly beautiful perfect Minnesota Easter day back home-enjoy and I'm with you in spirit!

Safe and Sound in DC

Hi all- I arrived yesterday in DC/Arlington and am just busy settling in. We had a first meet and greet tonight and I met met some really nice folks-looks like a good batch for the 152nd (that's what we're called). Tomorrow is the first day at Main State, but it sounds more like an administrative day-benefits, photo for badge, rules etc. Biggest observations so far...
*4 inch heels are not compatible to brick sidewalks and Metro travel
*People still think it's funny to set alarm clocks to 3 a.m. in the 2nd bedroom
*I must look like a sucker as everyone is asking me for money-in fact tonight a guy on the Metro claiming to be a Marine who lost his wallet and needed help asked me for $150.00-a little much for pocket cash- although to my surprise a plain clothes Metro Cop interjected and took the guy-nice to know they are there!
*DC blocks are long-especially in 4 inch heels (can you tell my feet hurt!)
*I am a turtle
*There might be a chance that for all those years people claimed I was a bad driver they were right- wow 3 accidents barely avoided and one drive down a one-way during heavy traffic (always embarrassing) and it's only been 1 full day.
*Minnesota really is a clean place :-)

Miss you all-

Peace

On the road...

Today is the day that I am hitting the road and heading to DC. A special thanks to Susie for her amazing and obsessive map reading and road research (and to MJ for keeping the debate alive)- I think I have every available route and hotel for the next 1000 miles organized by day, distance, how tired I might get, and alternatives- you rock sister! My class at the Foreign Service Institute starts on Monday so the plan is to arrive on Saturday and unpack the unbelieveable amount of stuff that can fit in an Escape and set up house. There is a meet and greet on Sunday evening and then the journey officially begins Monday morning. This move is so exciting, but I have to say I could not imagine a group of more amazing people that I have to say "see you later" to- familiy, friends, Divas and others- you're the best-thanks for the amazing support and good wishes and for all those you have been around for the pack out a huge thank you! Keep your fingers crossed that the road is clear with no mishaps -here is to safe journeys and new adventures...

4 Day Count

Hi all- the time is here (way to soon by the way) to make my departure from what I believe to be the greatest city on Earth-St Paul- and head to DC. I'll start blogging on the regular (mostly simple, personal, only interesting to those who love me sort of stuff-so no complaints taken for lack of depth LOL).  Stay tuned...

Hysterical video of my new "hood"

When I move to DC I'll be staying in Arlington, VA. One of my classmates posted this video-too funny! At least I know there's a Starbucks ;-)

http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D4T1RMuoQnKo&usg=AFQjCNE-G8S4T7uKGjcAv6tLowrMTVcPWQ

On the road to DC...

I received my official offer and invite to the Foreign Service Institute for March 2010-oh and yes I accepted! I will be heading to DC in March, attending the A-100 training class for new officers, and then further training in my area of expertise and language studies, depending upon which Embassy I will be sent to for my first assignment. I still have many details to figure out and too many unknowns I must accept, but I feel like a monkey, a very fat monkey, is off my back now that I know I am definately going and when. Now on to organizing my "stuff"-thank god for the label maker...

New Year's Resolution

O.k. I am normally not a huge New Year's resolution kind of chick, but I seriously need one for the first quarter of 2010. Here it is...I resolve that I will not check my rank status every 30 minutes to see what action could have possibly taken place since the last time I checked 30 minutes ago. I am starting to work my own nerves-  Happy New Year everyone!