Let me off, please! I'm getting motion sick!

With the passing of my Spanish test, I was really hoping to get OFF this part of the roller coaster. Yes, I realize that life in the FS is somewhat like a roller coaster, anyway, with intense highs and intense lows and all that. That's one of the reasons I am so attracted to this lifestyle- never a dull moment.

But this applying to the FS roller coaster? Not so fun.

For the May, June, and August classes, I know that they invited people with lower ranks and scores than me. I now have a 5.57 and they invited people with 5.4s and lots of 5.47s and 5.5s. But those people were ranked in the 20s- only 1 or 2 were in the 30s, that I know of (reminder- I'm #30, although that can change daily). So it seems that the Consular register, like all the other registers, is growing very quickly, adding people at the top as well as the bottom.

For those unfamiliar with the FS, training classes are held every 6 weeks or so. Approximately 18-20 people per cone (Consular is my cone) are invited. They start from the top of the list and start inviting until they reach their quota. But a number of people on the list might be unavailable to get a call (we term it "Do not call" status) or might turn it down. So if there are enough DNCs (10-15 or so) on the Con list, I might get an offer for Sept. Or I might not.

Honestly, when I explain this stuff to friends and family, I feel ridiculous. "So does this mean you'll definitely get an offer?" they might ask. A matter of fact question, no?

But my answer, if I'm truthful, is: "Well, yes, if there are a lot of DNCs and they start extending offers soon and not a lot of Pickering fellows choose to join this class, and they authorize the class to start, and they approve the FY11 budget, and pigs don't fall from the sky..."

Seriously, it's absurd. And slightly embarrassing.

Invites for the Sept. class are supposed to go out sometime in July. I'm very, very grateful to be closer to making the cut. But honestly, maybe I won't. It really is a roller coaster.

(one final note. I want to thank everyone who commented on my blog recently and especially yesterday. The support of this community has been so heartwarming. Thank you.)