One Week Down

Well it's been a full first week of orientation.  Learning a lot about the State Department and the Foreign Service.  I'm stoked to be part of an organizations that does so much good in the World.  I've got some incredible class mates, many who already have embassy and/or overseas experience.  We've had presenters from different levels at the State Department and have gleened a little insight into what they do and how it supports the Mission abroad.  I got my bid list, sorry can't disclose the details, but I'm excited about the possible locations me and the family will be heading to.

Today is laundry day, I really miss my laundry fairy...

Also there are a few of us heading to the Mall and the National Holocaust Museum.  Since we are here we want to take in as much of the local history and culture we can.  This is a practice we plan on following where ever we wind up calling home. 

Time to check the "whites"

One Day Down

One day down, lots of HR stuff and getting to know my classmates.  Other than that, not much else to say.  Up early and very tired now.  Gonna go to bed early.

Getting Settled In

Starting to get settled into my new place, it’s a studio apartment.  Not bad, I just wish the wireless was a little faster, but hey I’m a geek right.  Those of you future students coming on, make sure that you stay at Oakwood, so far the customer service has been excellent and the places are nice.  Okay now I need to make a shopping list.  Can’t afford to eat out for every meal, prices are a little higher here than central Iowa.  Coffee is number one on the list!  Let’s see my room is on the second floor with a nice little patio as well. 

This is the view from the kitchen

 This is the view from the sliding glass door

So here are a few pictures of my room.  As you can see Tom the Tabby is on the bed.  Funny story behind Tom, I should start with we have a couple of cats and one of them would usually sleep with me at night.  He would lay next to me with his head on my arm and expect me to pet him all night.  Well you get used to the warm little fur ball next to you at night and the purring is actually a little hypnotic… but back to the point, many years ago I was away on a business trip and one night I was talking with my daughter on the phone and she asked how I slept.  I said it was okay, I missed Snickers (the cat) sleeping next to me.  So, when I got home at the end of the week, Jolene and Crystal had gone to Build a Bear and I had Tom the Tabby waiting for me.  So happens that I was on travel over Father’s Day and Tom was my Father’s Day/Welcome back gift.  So now whenever I travel anywhere I always take Tom with me!
Tonight we have a welcome reception for the new class, officially the 120^th Specialist Class.  So tonight I will be able to meet some of my class mates.  I’ll share how that goes later.

As he prepares to leave

Well the day for his departure is quickly approaching. As his things are laid all over house while he separates what he is taking and what the packers are taking. I am very excited for him and think this will be a great opportunity for our all family. I wish we could come with him but on the same note I am kind of glad we aren’t. This gives us more of chance to wrap things up and we won’t have to have our daughter change schools for a month. It worked out better for us this way. I too am on leave for the next three days (I also work for the government) so we will get to spend them together. I don’t think we are going to get the big date night without the angry birds. Some things are just too important and our daughter has her first home track meet on the night we were planning to go. Since Crystal is a big dad’s girl that is just as important as the father/daughter day that is taking place on Friday. As Mike stated in his posting Crystal and I have our church family who will be looking out for us so Mike has no worries there. Just as it sounds like Mike will be meeting our new family as he goes through orientation. That helps me knowing he will have people around him who care, so I know he won’t be alone. Thank you for that. Now we just have to ride out the next few weeks as we find out where our new adventure could take us.

Getting closer

For the past nine years (give or take) I have been with the USDA in Ames, IA.  I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many different people, not just in Iowa but in other locations as well.  Many of the people I have met and worked with have developed into meaningful friendships that I believe will last.  I will truly miss my coworkers.  We’ve had some really good times over the past nine years. But alas, it is time to move on and make new friends and have new adventures and new work.  Officially, my last work day is Friday, but I will be on leave Wednesday through Friday so tomorrow is my last day actually in the office.  Exit interviews packing up my desk, turning in electronics and saying my “See you later” and “Take Care” etc…

On the home side of things is our Church Family.  There too I have had the opportunity to forge some great friendships.  And the number of people that have offered to help the wife while I’m in training is really a blessing.  I will definitely miss our extended family.

Okay past the sentimental stuff.  I am really looking forward to getting out to DC and starting this new career.  There’s a flurry of other emotions, anxious, excited, worried, happy, and probably a few others I can’t identify.  It will also be nice to put some faces to the emails and blogs that are out there.

Guess I should start getting my suitcases ready…

Where can we go?

As we talk to people and let them know we are moving on to a new chapter in our lives, one of the most common questions we get is
"Where are you going?"
And we typically respond with "I don't know, could be anywhere in the world."  Well anywhere is a bit of an exaggeration, here is a map of where we could wind up.




source: http://careers.state.gov/officer/where-we-work

  
For a more detailed list you can check out individual sites here: US Embassy and Consulates. 

I hope this helps.

Just An Update

Well we’ve overcome the budget issue, nothing like a little extra stress just before you start a new job. Since the wife and I both currently work for the government, a shutdown would have upped the stress level even more. Well crisis averted we are now good till next fiscal year.

So what else is new? Not a whole lot really, we’ve had a couple showings of the house; one came back for a second look. It would be really nice to get the house sold and have that stressor gone. Keep your fingers crossed for us. Last night we had a nice time out with friends at Old Chicago. I actually finished my World Beer Tour; it only took me 3 years to complete it… Yeah, I’m not much of a drinker, but I do enjoy the different beer varieties out there. I will miss our “Beer Fridays” and hanging out with friends. But, I know we will be making lots of new friends and building more memories.

Well I have less than two weeks before I fly out to DC. I’m really looking forward to finally getting started down this next path. I got the wife set up with Skype on her computer so we’ll be able to video chat. Isn’t technology great! I was informed thought that if my wife found out where we were going on from this blog first, I will be great trouble. So I will have to call her first before I post on here. But after I call her and let her know where we will be posted first I will get it up on here. So make sure you check on May 10th.

We’re watching the movie Twister now, great movie especially if you live in the Midwest. Okay, topics are bouncing around so I guess it’s time for me to finish of the entry for tonight.

Next Mile Marker Comming Up Soon

So this entry is meant for those new to this blog.  Since I’m getting ready to head off to orientation and I recently shared this address with former co-workers and friends, I will give a high level overview of this next milestone in our lives.  Okay so I’ve joined the Foreign Service as an Information Management Specialist (IMS) you can read about the hiring process in an earlier posting HERE.

Duties and Responsibilities of an IMS (This is an excerpt from the job announcement):

Foreign Service Information Management Specialists (IMS) are responsible for information resource management programs and information technology worldwide. The work is diverse and challenging. IMS are responsible for end user and customer support, application support, data and knowledge management, managing and administering a worldwide telecommunications network, maintaining the telephone and radio programs at overseas embassies and consulates, managing the Diplomatic Pouch and Mail operations and performing other duties such as supporting visits of high-level officials, including the President.

At various times, and at posts around the world or at domestic locations, the following are examples of the types of duties and responsibilities assigned to Information Management Specialists. The duties vary according to the size of the post and the requirements of the specific diplomatic mission. This list is neither exhaustive nor in priority order:

·         Provide assistance to users of information management services, including configuring and optimizing software; train users in the use of new software applications and provide guidance/assistance with new or amended information technology-related policies and procedures; promote end user involvement in technology and technical decision-making; and improve and support connectivity with US Government foreign affairs partner agencies.

·         Administer and operate classified and unclassified computer networks; install, operate and maintain new hardware and software applications; and ensure IT operations are consistent with Department of State and federal government operating and security policies and practices.

·         Administer and operate classified and unclassified telecommunications network equipment including cryptographic equipment, multiplexers, modems, routers, switches and satellite equipment; install, operate and maintain network hardware and software; and troubleshoot and restore outages within the network.

·         Administer the Embassies’ and/or Consulates’ classified and unclassified telephone and wireless programs including installation of new equipment, maintenance and repair of equipment, and guidance/assistance to personnel in the proper use of these systems.

·         Administer the Embassies’ and/or Consulates’ emergency communications network, including the installation, testing, maintenance and deployment of various wireless and satellite emergency communications systems.

·         Administer classified and unclassified Diplomatic Pouch and Mail programs at overseas locations, including managing Embassy/Consulate mailroom operations. Process the sending and receiving of official correspondence through the Diplomatic Pouch program, and assist Diplomatic Couriers.

·         Monitor and implement security controls on State automated information systems both overseas and domestically. Support operations in the area of cyber security, contingency planning, general security operations and risk management.

·         Serve as part of the Embassy/Consulate’s management team. Perform additional duties outside normal information resource management activities as determined by Embassy or Consulate management or as dictated by specific circumstances.

So as you can see there are a wide range of duties and possibilities associated with this position. 

So this takes me to the upcoming 120^th Foreign Service Specialist Orientation Class, which starts on April 25, 2011.  This is where I will be inundated with paperwork.  But also what is called the Bid List.  This is a list of current needs of the State Department.  This list is sensitive so I will not be able to share what is on the list.  I will rank the cities on the list with a High, Medium, or Low based on whatever criteria I choose.  (By the way when I say “I” it really means me and my family)  Anyway, we plan on ranking posts based on educational opportunities for our daughter.  She will be starting high school so that will be an important criterion in ranking the Bid list.  On the third Tuesday of orientation there is a ceremony called “Flag Day,” this is where you are presented with the flag of the nation you will be assigned to.

After my initial three weeks orientation I will start on 12 weeks of IT specific training.  Right now I really don’t know what it will include, but I’m really looking forward to it.  Also, depending on my posting language requirement there may be a need to attend language training.  But I won’t know anything for sure till I get through orientation.

Once all the training is done we get all packed and ship off to the new post.  And well not exactly sure what to expect at that point but we’ll be sharing on this blog so make sure to check and see how things are going.  This blog won’t be too much about the Foreign Service, but rather the life style and experience we make our journey!