That's right - we're going to Recife, Brazil!!!!!
Brazilian flag courtesy of 4 International Flags
April 29, 2011
Flag Day Stories
Today is our Flag Day (and of course Royal Wedding Day!).
We are all anxious and antsy - many of us aren't sleeping quite as well as usual.
We won't find out until the end of the day. In the meantime - Alex over at Travel Orders has a great post that links to many wonderful Flag Day Stories. It will give you some of an idea of what our day will be like.
We are all anxious and antsy - many of us aren't sleeping quite as well as usual.
We won't find out until the end of the day. In the meantime - Alex over at Travel Orders has a great post that links to many wonderful Flag Day Stories. It will give you some of an idea of what our day will be like.
April 25, 2011
Not the Woods - we went to Camp!
There is a legendary part of A-100 class that's been called "the Woods" because it's held off site at a place called - you guessed it - the Woods.
Unfortunately, the Woods closed this year - so our class got to go to Camp!
2 nights in West Virginia at a Training Camp. It was great! It was an opportunity for us all to get out of our business suits and into some more relaxed clothes and have team building and leadership exercises. We had our version of the infamous Follies (flag-day, flag-day . . ., hula skirts, egs-tc.). We had karaoke, dancing, foosball, pool, etc. at the Liberty Lounge. And I had what's been my biggest cultural experience thus far - who knew that pudding was a mainstay on the salad bar??? I had thought it was a big vat of mayonnaise!
Our vibrant coordinators planned a great off-site for us. We went into the experience a great group and we came out with better and tighter bonds and more trust in ourselves and each other. I am so incredibly lucky to be part of this class!
Unfortunately, the Woods closed this year - so our class got to go to Camp!
2 nights in West Virginia at a Training Camp. It was great! It was an opportunity for us all to get out of our business suits and into some more relaxed clothes and have team building and leadership exercises. We had our version of the infamous Follies (flag-day, flag-day . . ., hula skirts, egs-tc.). We had karaoke, dancing, foosball, pool, etc. at the Liberty Lounge. And I had what's been my biggest cultural experience thus far - who knew that pudding was a mainstay on the salad bar??? I had thought it was a big vat of mayonnaise!
Our vibrant coordinators planned a great off-site for us. We went into the experience a great group and we came out with better and tighter bonds and more trust in ourselves and each other. I am so incredibly lucky to be part of this class!
April 21, 2011
Patrons of Diplomacy
I got to do the most amazing thing!
I got to be a member of the audience for the first in a series of interviews between current Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and former Secretaries of State. This first one was between Secretary Clinton and Dr. Kissinger! It was hosted by Charlie Rose - here's the link. This series is in honor of the lovely rooms that the State Department maintains for diplomatic purposes. The event was held in support of the Patrons of Diplomacy.
Needless to say it was incredible! To be there in the presence of such intelligence and talent was unbelievable! The last few days in class we've covered public speaking and composure under fire - this was seeing it all put in action. Truly a remarkable experience. My colleague has described it very well here.
Of course, I can't let the description go without commenting on the food (foodie alert!). The cocktail reception following the event was quite lovely. The champagne was quite smooth, the company interesting (to say the least!). The hors d'oeuvres were tasty - a nice cheese platter, tasty grilled veggies and sweets (petit fours, truffles, cookies and traditional macaroons). I think there was even some muhammara! The passed tidbits were tasty as well - perfectly cooked chicken satay, lobster / caviar cones, and assorted canapes.
Not only was this a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it took place in the fabulous Benjamin Franklin Room. Here's some information about it that one of my colleagues found in Ambassador Mary Mel French's new book United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette:
I got to be a member of the audience for the first in a series of interviews between current Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and former Secretaries of State. This first one was between Secretary Clinton and Dr. Kissinger! It was hosted by Charlie Rose - here's the link. This series is in honor of the lovely rooms that the State Department maintains for diplomatic purposes. The event was held in support of the Patrons of Diplomacy.
Needless to say it was incredible! To be there in the presence of such intelligence and talent was unbelievable! The last few days in class we've covered public speaking and composure under fire - this was seeing it all put in action. Truly a remarkable experience. My colleague has described it very well here.
Of course, I can't let the description go without commenting on the food (foodie alert!). The cocktail reception following the event was quite lovely. The champagne was quite smooth, the company interesting (to say the least!). The hors d'oeuvres were tasty - a nice cheese platter, tasty grilled veggies and sweets (petit fours, truffles, cookies and traditional macaroons). I think there was even some muhammara! The passed tidbits were tasty as well - perfectly cooked chicken satay, lobster / caviar cones, and assorted canapes.
Not only was this a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it took place in the fabulous Benjamin Franklin Room. Here's some information about it that one of my colleagues found in Ambassador Mary Mel French's new book United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette:
The Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room
The largest of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms was named after Benjamin Franklin, who is known as the “Father of the American Foreign Service.” This room was completed in 1985 after an architectural redesign by John Blatteau.
A portrait of Benjamin Franklin, painted by David Martin in London in 1767, hangs at the far end of the room. The room’s long walls are lined with full-standing scagliola (colored and polished plaster) Corinthian columns; engaged columns (columns embedded in a wall and projecting from its surface) adorn the short walls. The decorative plaster ornament of the entablature and the coffered (decorative sunken panels) cove above the entablature are gilded to enhance the appearance of the room. The Great Seal of the United States, formed in plaster and coated in gilt, decorates the center of the ceiling. Eight Adams-style cut-glass chandeliers shine brilliantly to illuminate the room’s features.
The floor is covered with Savonnerie-style carpet designed especially for the room. The carpet’s design elements include the Great Seal of the United States, symbols of the four important crops of the early republic, the four seasons, and in the field, fifty stars representing the states of the Union. Both foreign and American guests are entertained in the impressive State Dining Room.
I have the best job ever!
April 18, 2011
GLIFAA Lunch at FSI
Today was the GLIFAA lunch for incoming A-100 members - and anyone else for that matter.
There were a number of us from our class - allies too! We got to learn about the work that GLIFAA has been doing and what strides Secretary Clinton and her team have made. Things still aren't equal across the board, but the envelope has been pushed out about as far as it can be under current law.
It's important that all of us stand together and work towards equality for all. This is a great organization and I encourage everyone to support the work they do.
And - if you come - you just might get to meet the famous Digger!
There were a number of us from our class - allies too! We got to learn about the work that GLIFAA has been doing and what strides Secretary Clinton and her team have made. Things still aren't equal across the board, but the envelope has been pushed out about as far as it can be under current law.
It's important that all of us stand together and work towards equality for all. This is a great organization and I encourage everyone to support the work they do.
And - if you come - you just might get to meet the famous Digger!
April 16, 2011
Halfway through A-100
This weekend marks the halfway point for my A-100 class. We've got 3 weeks under our belt and 3 weeks left to go.
The past three weeks have been amazing. I've met and become friends with some pretty cool and interesting people. Some of my classmates have blogs that I'd been following for quite some time. I was quite excited to learn that I'd be in a class with her, and her, and her. And then there are the others that I've gotten to know in class and then found their blogs - here and here. There's also a fellow Californian here and a fellow foodie (who's been giving out some great recommendations) here.
The A-100 orientation team does a tremendous job. Imagine taking a group 60-90 accomplished and competitive individuals from a variety of backgrounds and facilitating their introduction to the State Department and working for the Federal Government. And then add in that one of the goals is to create a bond and trust amongst these varied individuals that will provide them with a solid foundation so that they can excel in this new lifestyle they're beginning.
It's a tall task and the orientation team pulls it off very well. I came into this very excited about joining the Foreign Service and now, at the halfway point, I am even more excited about this new journey I'm taking.
The past three weeks have been amazing. I've met and become friends with some pretty cool and interesting people. Some of my classmates have blogs that I'd been following for quite some time. I was quite excited to learn that I'd be in a class with her, and her, and her. And then there are the others that I've gotten to know in class and then found their blogs - here and here. There's also a fellow Californian here and a fellow foodie (who's been giving out some great recommendations) here.
The A-100 orientation team does a tremendous job. Imagine taking a group 60-90 accomplished and competitive individuals from a variety of backgrounds and facilitating their introduction to the State Department and working for the Federal Government. And then add in that one of the goals is to create a bond and trust amongst these varied individuals that will provide them with a solid foundation so that they can excel in this new lifestyle they're beginning.
It's a tall task and the orientation team pulls it off very well. I came into this very excited about joining the Foreign Service and now, at the halfway point, I am even more excited about this new journey I'm taking.
April 07, 2011
Homesickness
Last week we attended my son's 1st grade play in his new school. Great school, great teachers, great kids, great play.
But it made me sad. It made me realize how much I miss our old school. The South Berkeley community where we lived is so rich and diverse - it's truly reflective of its citizens. I've known those kids since they were babies and I've enjoyed watching them grow up.
I know I will see them and reconnect each time we come back for home leave. And I know that as we live in various places around the world, we'll get to know the communities there.
But nothing will ever supplant those kids I've known forever. They are very special to me!
But it made me sad. It made me realize how much I miss our old school. The South Berkeley community where we lived is so rich and diverse - it's truly reflective of its citizens. I've known those kids since they were babies and I've enjoyed watching them grow up.
I know I will see them and reconnect each time we come back for home leave. And I know that as we live in various places around the world, we'll get to know the communities there.
But nothing will ever supplant those kids I've known forever. They are very special to me!
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