In the beginning

I've been here a full week now, and I love my job!  This week has been a whirlwind, and I don't expect that it will slow down much in the next several weeks.  To be honest, I'm doing more learning than doing at this point, but I am very impressed with the work that we'll be doing, as well as with my new classmates and all of the people higher up in the service. One day we discussed the mission of the dept, and I was struck by the thought that this is what I will be doing - this is part of my job description!

Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system.

In other news, I took the language test this week, and came in just below the proficiency I need to get off language probation.  So... that means that I'll have to take a few months of additional language training before I go to post, which is probably good for me.  I think I really had the ability 3 months ago, but I slipped a little from lack of practice.

Speaking of going to post - we got the bid list this week.  Nearly 100 places around the world to choose from, and one place on that list is where I will be by the end of the year. Ahh - the suspense!  There are only a handful of places that require my language, though, and more of us who have a requirement to serve there, so I may be headed somewhere else this first time. (BTW - I took a phone test in my language in January, which gave me the extra points to move up the waiting list and get an offer, so I have to serve two tours in a position that requires the language. It doesn't seem like much of a requirement to me - I'm more than glad to go there!) No matter, I'm just excited to get started.

J has been keeping himself busy.  He attended a day of training this week for spouses, and also has been taking care of a million details involved in moving.  Not to mention, my hard drive died this week, so he took care of the warranty issues and got it replaced (yay!).  We got to meet up with one of his friends last night, and will see another tomorrow, so we're keeping busy here.  Will try to write more this week!