Turned in our second tour bid list.
Top 3 are what we really want. Top 8 are acceptable.
We hope  not to have to go beyond 8.
The results should be in a week and then we will all know where we will be going next.
Jamaica will be hard to leave as we are having a great time. The house is awesome, the job is great and the people are wonderful.

Happy New Year 2013!

Enjoying the new year in Jamaica.
May 2013 be even better than 2012.

We're going to..........

Jamaica!!!!

The first weekend

Finally some time to relax and reflect.
There's some homework to do (yes - reading) and plenty of paperwork to finish (I do want to get paid!)
The group had a party Saturday evening that was extremely fun, though cold (especially for those of us used to Hawaiian weather).
Next week there'll be a group trip to the final baseball game of the season and our son's first baseball game. We might also start taking trips to sight see in DC now that we are settling in.
Our biggest concern: When will the apartment building turn the heat on!!!!!!

It's Official

We've been sworn into the Foreign Service.
The paperwork is slowing down but still ever present.
Fellow classmates in the 163rd are awesome. Plenty of good people to represent the US in the future.
Bid lists out on Wednesday. A lot to peruse.
I do not foresee any reportable news any time soon so there may not be any posts.
Flag day is October 14 with the showy swearing-in on 10/21.
More info after that for sure!

A few pictures of our UAB - Unaccompanied Air Baggage

We were allowed 700 pounds to send from Hawaii to DC. The only items we get to see besides what we carry in our 4 carry ons and 8 bags. This what a portion of it looked like before packing....

13 hours left in Hawaii

It's true. We'll be on a plane to Dc in 13 hours. About twelve hours after that we'll arrive at Dulles Airport and search for transportation to our new home in falls Church, Virginia.
We know we'll be at Oakwoods apartment complex, but not which apartment. We do not know what at final destination will be until October 14. Flag Day will held on that day and we will know our future for the next three years.
Our final full day in Hawaii was spent at the Teddy Bear Museum and the Army Museum of Hawaii (opposites you could say). But little E enjoyed both equally.

Once again, E spent the entire morning at Waikiki Beach.