GTD (getting things done)

I somehow thought I'd have lots of time to blog while the family was away. Sure, maybe...if I hadn't been preparing for packout. I've been shopping and making big messes- I mean piles- everywhere. I thought I'd do some project every night, but I have now learned that I just don't have organizing energy on weeknights, even when I'm free at 6pm and not 9. I am a morning person.

So, tomorrow's my last day w/o the family. I've been cruising down my to-do list like there's no tomorrow. Actually, there is a tomorrow- packout on Thurs- and it is quickly approaching.

Today, during my 3 hour ConGen lunch break, I did the following:
- visited the post office to mail packages
- dropped off 4 bags at Goodwill
- went to the doctor
- submitted my final voucher
- confirmed that Santo Domingo will accept my car documents
- and a few more extraneous tasks.

I must say, I was terribly efficient. My mama will be proud.

My babies come back tomorrow night. I can't wait to snuggle them tight. It's been a little too long, but it sounds like they had a wonderful time with their family in Oregon.

I should probably go find something packout related to do.

3 weeks and counting

Sitting at home waiting for the pre-move surveyor to come. We pack out in 2 weeks. ACK! Before writing that, I didn't actually realize. Deep breaths.

My family left for Oregon yesterday. We usually go there every summer to visit with D's parents and 3 sisters, one of whom lives in Alaska w/ her husband and 3 kids. They will be gone for 11 days, which is the longest I've ever been separated from my babies. I'm sad I couldn't go with them- I am one of those lucky people who loves her husband's family and enjoys spending time with them. I also love Oregon and especially Sunriver, OR,  where they are renting a home. My kids are going to enjoy some good old-fashioned American fun with their cousins- bike-riding, walking on trails, playing in the woodsy playgrounds...as we like to say in the B household, 'doesn't get much better than that.'

But the good news is that 1) I'll have uninterrupted time to get ready for packout, and 2) I love my job! I'm not sad in the least about having to go to school every day.

Consular training continues to be awesome. We have been doing interview role plays to prepare for the real thing, and although the first day was mildly terrifying, by the third, I felt pretty good. We finished non-immigrant visas and will soon start learning about American Citizen Services, i.e. all the ways we can help (or are unable to help) Americans in trouble abroad. I'm really hoping to be able to do a rotation in ACS while I'm in Santo Domingo.

Let's see, what else? We sold our little car in about 1.5 days. Nice work, D! Goodbye, Goldie...we will miss you. You were our first car and brought our little M home from the hospital. Thanks.

Still trying to ship the new one. What a nightmare of a process!

We have some 158th classmates leaving this week- goodbye and good luck, friends! See you next time!

Ok, off to review my to-do list!

One month away

I blinked and 3 weeks of ConGen passed. It's been busy and exciting and overwhelming. I love the spirit and the pride of the Bureau of Consular Affairs and feel that I definitely chose the right cone. I really think I'm going to enjoy my job.

I'm also overwhelmed at how much I need to know, though everyone says I don't have to memorize it, just have to know where to find it. I can't imagine being proficient at this work, but everyone tells me it happens in just a few months. So I'm just doing my best to trust them. It's not easy.

Suddenly we are a month away from departure. How did this happen? And why did I wait to do so many things? Doctor and dentist appointments, most of all. We bought a car, but I won't breathe easy until it's shipped. We rented the house- our tenants move in Friday. We have orders and plane reservations. This morning I woke at 3:30am and couldn't fall back asleep. Too many things and worries and to-dos running through my head. I have a feeling this is going to be the norm until we get there.

Happy Birthday, America!

We've watched the fireworks from home the last few years, as I wasn't really sure about taking my littlest one. But this year, I was determined to have a real 4th of July, as apparently, once you join the Foreign Service, the 4th takes on a whole new meaning. U.S. Embassies abroad generally throw a big party, often a formal one, which FSOs work for months to plan. I believe there is often a community party which is more casual, but often neither of these events actually fall on the 4th of July. It just doesn't have the lazy pool day and bbq feeling that the 4th has here. Not to mention- I don't think there are fireworks.

So despite the fever that 5 year old M spiked around 5pm, and despite the rain that trickled down most of the time, we packed a picnic, loaded up the car, and enjoyed a real fireworks show, complete with concert band and patriotic songs, courtesy of the city of Rockville. We loved having Grammy with us!

And I will admit, looking around at my fellow Americans, of all colors and backgrounds; standing with my son to sing the Star Spangled Banner; watching the red, white and blue fireworks decorate the sky, I definitely had a 'moment.'

I am so grateful for the chance to represent this country that I love. Happy Birthday, America.