Training Update and Other Stuff

I just realized it's been three weeks since my last posting.  Time flies!  

My cohort of new financial management officers (FMOs) and I started our management trade craft training (MTT) at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) on August 3, 2015.  I have a great group of new FMO compatriots (six of us, total) and look forward to calling them all friends and colleagues.  

Six FMOs were hired in July and all six of us will be posted domestically for our first assignments.  Three of us (myself, included) are going to Charleston, SC to work in the Office of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS).  The other three are staying in Washington, DC and will work in the Office of Budget and Planning (BP).  Don't worry, we've been assured that we'll go overseas for our second assignments.

We've had instruction in fun topics such as:

• Appropriation Law
• Accounting*
• Budgeting
• Working with ICASS (International Cooperative Administrative Shared Services)
• Vouchering and Certifying
• The Federal Reserve System
• General Management
• Management Controls
• Embassy Week**
• Cashiering Operations
• And tons of other stuff still to come

It's been a lot of information, but generally fun.  Although, if I never see another PowerPoint presentation I'll be a happy man***!

I went back home for Labor Day weekend and got to hang out with Mark and Cosmo.  That was great!  I also got to pull together all of the things that I want shipped down to Charleston.  That part was sad.  I realized that the house I've spent nearly 15 years in, the home that Mark and I have made together (along with Jojo, Sydney, and Sonya as well as Cosmo), won't really be my home anymore.  Sure, I'll be back from time to time -- I'm planning Thanksgiving travel back home now -- but I won't really "live" in that house anymore.  When we do go overseas, I don't know if we'll keep the house and rent it or if we'll sell it and move on.  Either way, it's sad to say goodbye to it.

Mark with most of my stuff

OK, before I get too lacrimose...Last weekend I traveled to Charleston.  It was my first time there and I was pleasantly surprised.  It's a charming city.  I spent all day Saturday apartment hunting -- looking at 10 places.  I had decided on the downtown area and I'm glad I did.  It's busy and lively with locals, tourists, and students all day and through much of the night.  It's also fairly compact which makes walking and biking really easy.

Here's a sampling of places I looked at:

Blah!

Nice kitchen upgrade!

Great balcony...

...overlooking the pool (full of college kids in the summer)

Charming old building

With a tiny kitchen and attached bathroom

Gorgeous studio...but that's all the space you get.

Nice place on a quiet dead-end street.

Not afraid of color!

I so wanted to like this place...

There was a "Wow" factor upon entering (sorry for the blurry pic)

But a purple, bead board kitchen with dirty linoleum?

And this??  Uh-uh!

Great neighborhood of nice (pricey) houses

Good space, but with no w/d and no parking and the most expensive...I think not.

Pretty much the range from older to newer, clean to dirty (yes, that is a dead roach in one picture), large to small, good neighborhoods to "not so good" neighborhoods.

I chose this one, which, of course, turned out to be the first place I looked at on Saturday morning:

Upper floor, two bedroom apartment on a quiet, narrow street in the Elliotborough neighborhood of downtown Charleston. If you know Charleston, it's the area roughly bounded by Ashley Ave to the West, King Street to the East, Cannon Street to the South, and the "Crosstown" to the North.  It's a cute little area of older homes, many of which have been renovated fairly recently.  It's a nice mix of old-timers, young professionals, and some students from the Medical University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston.  There are a lot of small restaurants, bars, and cafes close by.  It will be easy to drive to work and easy to walk around and bike to further points in downtown or Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley, or even Folly Beach (maybe).

More pics:

Front entrance.

Living Room

Kitchen

Bathroom

Guest bedroom or office

My bedroom

Exclusive-use side porch!

And, at the end of the street is the Elliotborough Community Garden...

I've only got two more weeks of training, then I'll move down and start working.  The good news is that the State Department is shipping all of my furniture and things (called HHE or house hold effects).  Mark is driving the car down to me in Arlington and then we'll continue on to Charleston.  I'll only need to worry about what I'll need with me for a week or two before my HHE arrives.  I'm also getting excited about decorating and have started a WayFair board here if anyone's interested.

_______________

*Not really anything like the accounting courses I just took in my MSA program.  Really should be called "Accounting".

**A four-day week of case studies where us FMOs formed embassy teams with human resource officers (HROs) and general service officers (GSOs) and management officers (MOs) who are also in their training classes at the same time as us.

***This will not happen!

A little enlightenment on the bike path...

An interlude from the Foreign Service...

One of the highlights of being in the DC area for orientation and training is taking advantage of how bicycle-friendly the area is:  trails, paths, dedicated lanes, etc.  It's great!  I've been riding most weekends and I'm even contemplating riding from my apartment to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) some days.  Not there, yet, but I've done a trial run to get a feel for it.

I was out last Sunday for a ride out to Great Falls.  I rode the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal path from Georgetown.  It was on this path that I had an "ah-hah" moment.

Some of you may know that I've been flirting with Buddhism for years.  While I wouldn't actually call myself a Buddhist (I have no idea how the various forms of the religious rituals are practiced), the philosophy of Buddhism resonates with me.

So, I'm riding along the bike path, seeing other bikers, runners, walkers, joggers...and it hits me:  this bike path is a great metaphor for our lives.

• What looks like one path is really a individual path for everyone on it.  My experiences and perceptions are in no way the same as anyone else's on that path.
• Everyone had to "navigate" that path themselves -- sometimes they had help from others or signs -- but each person had to fundamentally do it themselves; no one else could ride my bike for me, just as no one else could walk, or run, or stand still for anyone else.
• Some parts of the path were smooth and easy; others were rough or hilly.  Some were sunny, some shady, and some a bit murky -- even scary.  Sometimes the path was very wide but other times it was quite narrow.  Very much like life itself.
• Sometimes the path was very crowded, especially around areas with parking lots nearby.  Other times it felt like I was nearly alone.
• People were constantly coming and going, moving along in both directions, crossing over and back.  
• Sometimes the path intersected with other paths and sometimes it crossed right over them.
• I always had to be aware of the path and others on it.  I was part of a larger thing.

So, what does all this mean?  Maybe not much in the grand scheme of things. But it was quite interesting to me while it was happening.  It made me realize that this path -- my life -- is my experience;  others will come in and out of my life -- some for nearly the whole path and others for only a brief part.  While I have to navigate this life myself, ultimately everything is one.  Plus, it was cool to have that "zen/zoned out" athletic experience that I've never quite seemed to have before -- or maybe I was just dehydrated.  Who knows?

Anyway, the ride to Great Falls is quite lovely.  And, coming back it's all downhill!  Another metaphor?

I'll leave you with this:

Flag Day

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 was flag day for the 138th Foreign Service Specialists Orientation Class.  Some of my colleagues got some really great places:  Podgorica, Dhaka, Vienna, Freetown, Addis Ababa, and Dushanbe.  There was even Kingston, Tegucigalpa, and Seoul.

My first posting:

Yep, South Carolina.  Specifically, Charleston, South Carolina.

Full disclosure:  I knew from my offer letter that I would have a domestic posting.  I also know that it would be either Washington, DC or Charleston, SC.  Our first (and also our second) posting is directed -- meaning that the needs of the Service come first -- so I wasn't sure exactly which domestic posting it would be.

DC would have been nice.  It's close to Boston, making it easy to get back home to Mark and Cosmo (or for them to come see me in DC).  I also like DC and I never tire of the views.

However, I think Charleston could be a lot of fun.  First, I've never been there, but have wanted to for a while (combined with Savannah, GA).  Second, after living in Boston for 20 years, Charleston will be almost foreign.  Third, it is an award winning foodie city -- and Lordy knows I likes me to eat!  Finally, it's warm enough year round to ride my bicycle so maybe I can work off some of those award-winning calories.  It's close to the ocean and beaches and I do love living near the ocean.  It looks absolutely charming, too.  Plus, I think people will probably want come visit me there.

Am I disappointed?  Maybe a little.  I did sign up for the FOREIGN Service.  However, domestic tours are actually a vital part of a full foreign service career (and are actually encouraged, especially for specialists).  It would be nice to say that I'm on my way to Gabarone, Vientiane, or Vilnius, but I think this job in Charleston will be a great first post and stepping stone into the Foreign Service in financial management work.  I'll be able to see first hand how U.S. Missions around the world are supported; I'll meet FMOs from posts and from senior leadership from domestic bureaus; and I should be able to get my name and good reputation out and about in the foreign service world.  And probably more so than if I went directly to an overseas post.

So I'm looking forward to Charleston.  It will be a lot of work but should also be a lot of fun.  Y'all come see me, y'hear!

PS:  I'm trying to perfect my Boston accent before I go.  Something like this:

or, this:

First Week in the Foreign Service

My first week of orientation in the US Foreign Service is done.  What was it like?  Well, first there is my class.  It's large -- although I'm not exactly sure how big the class could be -- but I think this class is up there.  It's varied with lots of different specialists, which is nice.  The best part, though, is as I'm getting to know my fellow specialists, I'm extremely impressed, and slightly humbled, by just how great these people are.  I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since we all had to go through the same rigorous recruiting process.  I'm definitely looking forward to becoming friends as well as coworkers with my classmates.

Everyone else I've met at the Department of State has also been kind and courteous.  On the shuttle to the Foreign Service Institute in the mornings, I've talked with foreign service officers training for their first tours as well as those getting refreshers and then on their way to their eighth post.  It's been fun so far.

Lots of information -- LOTS.  I actually needed to take a nap today, not from physical exhaustion, but I think from mental.  Thank goodness we have weekends off!

My only complaint...the heat and humidity.  Since we have to wear suits and ties every day (which, in a way is fun), I usually start sweating about 10 seconds after leaving my building.  I know Boston can get hot and humid in the summer, too, but it's a much more pervasive, and constant humidity here.  Besides, I haven't had to dress up like this for a long time.  I'm sure in time I'll get used to it.  I hope so, because as a financial management office, one of my potential postings is Charleston, SC.  I suspect it's even hotter and more humid down there.  The up side is that I'm usually about 3 pounds lighter at the end of the day that at the beginning.  And since orientation started, I've actually lost 5 pounds total.  Not too bad.

No photos of orientation or inside State property.  But, here are pics of me before the sweating begins:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

FSS Orientation: Day 1

So, today was the day.  Something that started years ago finally came to pass.  Today was the first day of Foreign Service Orientation (specialists) for me and 80+ other men and women from all different backgrounds, specialties, and areas.

The day started early because, basically, I was awake by 4:30 am.  Since I didn't want to be late on the first day -- and be "that guy" -- I went ahead a got up.  It was nice, though, because I did some yoga, which I think helped me calm down and center.  Shower, coffee, breakfast, and out the door by 6:40.  Metro, Rosslyn to Foggy Bottom, and a walk down 23rd Street and there I was:  outside the Harry S. Truman Building, a.k.a. Main State, and greeting some of my fellow members of the 138th Foreign Service Specialist Orientation class.  

(stock photo from the internet)

Talking with a new colleague, I realized that I forgot my passport.

WHAT?!?!

Yep, I forgot my passport.  I put it specifically out on the counter to remember to bring it, and don't you know went out of my apartment without it.  About 10 seconds of panic thinking I needed to go back to Rosslyn to get it, and then I realized I did remember to bring the original of my birth certificate.  Go figure!  I spoke with one of the HR people helping us and my birth certificate with my MA driver's license would be just fine.

WHEW!  

Did I mention that it was so humid this morning that I was melting inside my suit?  Well, I was.  Good news is that so was everyone else -- it wasn't just me.

Day 1 outfit:  charcoal suit, blue and white striped shirt, red, white and blue rep-striped tie.

How to describe the first day?  Very administrative.  I won't lie -- being inside the Department of State building felt really, really cool.  Definitely.  But today was all about paperwork.  Lots and lots of paperwork.  And PowerPoint.  And lots of information that doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense right now, but will in a bit.

Oh, and having problems with PowerPoint presentations seems to be universal.

We took the Oath of Office* this morning, learned lots of stuff, got lots of handouts on health insurance and retirement, and had a great (and a bit intimidating) security briefing.

Then...we got our badges!  Once I had that and was walking back to the Foggy Bottom Metro station with one of my new FMO colleagues, it really hit me.  

I am diplomacy.  And this is going to be really cool.

*This was taken administratively in order to get on the payroll and receive our badges.  It still has meaning.  Our swearing-in ceremony will be at the end of orientation and we will take the Oath again.

The Adventure Begins...

Today was the day for my move to DC/Arlington, VA.  Everything went smoothly:  airport, flight, landing.  Into a cab for a quick ride from DCA to my temporary apartment at the Slate building of Sedona-Slate.  A quick check in and unpacking and it, kinda, feels like home -- for a while, at least.

The apartment is quite nice.  It's a one-bedroom, furnished and outfitted for temporary stays.  It's got a good view of Clarendon Boulevard in Rosslyn (if you like urban landscapes, it's great).  As a bonus, it has a "den", which is another small room with a closet, but without a door.  So, not quite a 2-bedroom.  I've got the apartment through Oakwood as part of the lodging program with the State Department.  I'll be here through my orientation, which starts July 13 and runs for three weeks.  During the third week of orientation I'll find out how much training I'll need for the job I'll find out about, which will let me know how much longer I'll be in this apartment.

Here are some pics of the apartment:

Outside:  bike lanes!

After settling in, I decided to explore my new neighborhood a bit.  Headed out to find the Rosslyn Metro station, but it started raining, so I went back to get my umbrella.  Headed back out and found the station -- then found that I forgot my wallet.  Returned to my new apartment once more.  I thought that since I'm going out, I might as well find a grocery store to get a few days worth of food (not much, since no car).  Internets told me that a Trader Joe's is located two metro stops at Clarendon Metro.  So, back to the Rosslyn station.

One caveat:  make sure you take the correct train.  I accidentally took the Blue Line and had to turn around at Arlington Cemetery.  OK, back to Rosslyn and the ORANGE Line this time.  Luckily, I found it

YAY!  And, this one has beer and wine -- Hello, La Ferme Julien Rosé!

A little exploring of my building:

Lounge and Billiards Room

Rooftop Terrace

Rooftop Pool

Fitness Center (yes, I did go inside, but forgot to take the pic in there)

As you can tell from some of the pics, it did rain.  Actually, the skies opened up and it poured.  Luckily just after I returned from Trader Joes.

Tomorrow I'll explore around the neighborhood, maybe use the fitness center and the pool, and figure out how to join Capital Bike Share.

First Pack Out Done

On Wednesday, I had my first Foreign Service Pack Out.  Not all that exciting, really.  Some movers came -- very promptly, I might add -- put my stuff into airfreight boxes, had me sign some papers, and then took it away.  I don't know if it's already in DC or if it's sitting at Logan airport, or in some warehouse in Lawrence.  But, I'll trust the process that it will make it's way down the East Coast and get to me sometime before my orientation is over.  Hopefully, it will be there sooner.  Here's what my life distilled to...

A "15 Cube" air freight shipping box

The scale is important, since I get 250 pounds -- including the weight of the containers.

All boxed up and ready to go!

Last Saturday, my husband (I have to get used to calling him that), Mark, threw me very nice Patriotic/July 4th-themed going away party.  It's been a custom for us that wherever we travel we try to buy a flag of that country or state or city.  So, we have lots of flags that I sometimes fly along with our American Flag.  For the party, Mark made "flag poles" that he attached to our fence and created our own private "Hall of Flags"

In this picture, L to R:  Albania, Quebec, France, British Virgin Islands (from Tortola), the HRC banner, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Mark is holding the flag of Curaçao, behind it is Turkey, and behind that is Montenegro.  Not pictured, but flying, are Argentina, Macedonia, California, Laos, and Indonesia.

It was a lovely, and touching, party with many of my friends from the area.  A nice send off to DC and then points onward.