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.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel....Is this what the Foreign Service is like?

Not likely. Luckily we are joining the Foreign Service from Hawaii, so we get put up in a hotel in Waikiki for ten days prior to flying to DC for A-100. (The bad part is that we are leaving Hawaii).
Yes, it is just terrible to be sipping our Blue Hawaiis beachside while we wait to swim at the pool after a long morning playing in the waves. Someone has to do it..... for the nation.
Wrapping up over twelve years in the islands is not so easy. Closing an award winning restaurant after seven years, resigning from the Neighborhood Board, and just saying goodbye was not an easy process. The eight thousand pounds of household goods was quite a shocker as well: A two day move out, including a second truck to take over flow. Wouldn't have thought we that much stuff.
A few more days to go before we fly out......

We are on our way...sort of

We have had all our earthly belongings packed up and shipped off to various unknown destinations on the East Coast. We are still enjoying Hawaii as long as we can, currently as tourists in Waikiki. Yes, we are in a hotel with no car and only what we can fit in our suitcases.
We fly out to DC to start training on Friday 9/9. On October 14 we find out what our foreign posting will be. I'll be happy to just survive the paperwork!
After owning a restaurant for seven years, it is very hard to eat out every meal of the day for 10 days. Where do we go? What do we eat?
Here are some pictures as we act like tourists.

Our new foreign Service Blog

Welcome to our life as it expands with our journey into the Foreign Service. I accepted a position as a consular officer on July 15, 2011. Training will start on 9/12/11. In the meantime there is endless paperwork and of course the big move from Hawaii to DC and points beyond.
I took and passed the Written FSO test back in October 2010. Shortly after that I sent in the Essays which I also passed. The Oral Exam was in DC on March 8, 2011. I managed not only to pass, but with a great score of 5.8. The next month was a flurry of activity with medical clearances for the family and my background check. I was placed on the consular register on May 26 and passed the Armenian language test on June 23, landing me a 5.97 and the #2 spot. The invitation for the September 12, 2011 FSO class came the following week.
My spouse M and nine year old son E as well as mother-in-law K are all excited as well. Stay tuned for regular updates.......