tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49613928992983277312024-02-19T03:35:02.123-10:00Aloha FSO (Foreign Service officer)A family living in Hawaii is starting their adventures as they enter the life of diplomacy while serving as a consul in the US Foreign Service.Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-34403289573478766932013-01-13T12:55:00.002-10:002014-03-11T16:56:35.934-10:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Turned in our second tour bid list.<br />
Top 3 are what we really want. Top 8 are acceptable.<br />
We hope not to have to go beyond 8.<br />
The results should be in a week and then we will all know where we will be going next.<br />
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.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-22175196343563311172012-12-31T19:30:00.000-10:002012-12-31T19:30:11.156-10:00Happy New Year 2013!Enjoying the new year in Jamaica.<br />
May 2013 be even better than 2012.Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-39129620572164975092011-10-18T13:54:00.000-10:002011-10-18T13:54:39.903-10:00We're going to..........<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_SBXH8QXsJT0C74Md7Ll1RiFZBBMw_nadABm_o1Wg3_0iPrz2p-8aCoHro1_yDMEKDOjQwXh_eGUraNHGwNzQmKXqfcnoUbcbrQzTGFEinCbn0QfH_CKd9oiQvq4u1KBjbb4S3dWicE/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_SBXH8QXsJT0C74Md7Ll1RiFZBBMw_nadABm_o1Wg3_0iPrz2p-8aCoHro1_yDMEKDOjQwXh_eGUraNHGwNzQmKXqfcnoUbcbrQzTGFEinCbn0QfH_CKd9oiQvq4u1KBjbb4S3dWicE/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jamaica!!!!</div><br />
</div>Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-56329272755906841292011-09-18T09:43:00.000-10:002011-09-18T09:43:39.281-10:00The first weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Finally some time to relax and reflect.<br />
There's some homework to do (yes - reading) and plenty of paperwork to finish (I do want to get paid!)<br />
The group had a party Saturday evening that was extremely fun, though cold (especially for those of us used to Hawaiian weather).<br />
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.<br />
Our biggest concern: When will the apartment building turn the heat on!!!!!!</div>Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-57282877105739819872011-09-14T15:15:00.001-10:002011-09-21T14:42:56.670-10:00It's Official<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We've been sworn into the Foreign Service.<br />
The paperwork is slowing down but still ever present.<br />
Fellow classmates in the 163rd are awesome. Plenty of good people to represent the US in the future.<br />
Bid lists out on Wednesday. A lot to peruse.<br />
I do not foresee any reportable news any time soon so there may not be any posts.<br />
Flag day is October 14 with the showy swearing-in on 10/21.<br />
More info after that for sure!</div>Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-24635810427000487612011-09-09T00:08:00.000-10:002011-09-09T00:08:47.483-10:00A few pictures of our UAB - Unaccompanied Air Baggage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">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....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8FNqfohvsL0oab9cyVMs_zr80ALp5DKHByZrcR5TtuvLgQVXJPgFGNCIugbETuq6c5fnPueXF4C6O-1ce3qiOSG46rZP8XUj0p5jlYi2kOuzqovDgrMwtCyzt5JHfL2Qkyc1uzlWoTQ/s1600/DSCN1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8FNqfohvsL0oab9cyVMs_zr80ALp5DKHByZrcR5TtuvLgQVXJPgFGNCIugbETuq6c5fnPueXF4C6O-1ce3qiOSG46rZP8XUj0p5jlYi2kOuzqovDgrMwtCyzt5JHfL2Qkyc1uzlWoTQ/s320/DSCN1254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MSV8VI_dsRFJml7Bbneu_Ola6S1KthTdyqO3Xf25fyDQTKxttlZx151fnGgu0u8GDBHi2CuAvMmot7MQfjuK6eSwAUTWu1DyqGMKh7S9thAEWIbq3jBwiTOdZwJqP0nN4UMCZ3kdG8I/s1600/DSCN1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MSV8VI_dsRFJml7Bbneu_Ola6S1KthTdyqO3Xf25fyDQTKxttlZx151fnGgu0u8GDBHi2CuAvMmot7MQfjuK6eSwAUTWu1DyqGMKh7S9thAEWIbq3jBwiTOdZwJqP0nN4UMCZ3kdG8I/s320/DSCN1252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-21112153496291146622011-09-09T00:02:00.000-10:002011-09-09T00:02:00.323-10:0013 hours left in Hawaii<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">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.<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprbmeY9utDTL0D_24bodsnpXBH6fQPQAwBV3HBhEmDHtMUtgwfIIUAjeYKBShMViJj9_JWbTa2akf6Htt0hhIf8xWMAWfNXMjZWbjFr0FjNYAWfhfQbM1EnDd0Wo2zSagWqgpWHLF26g/s1600/DSCN1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprbmeY9utDTL0D_24bodsnpXBH6fQPQAwBV3HBhEmDHtMUtgwfIIUAjeYKBShMViJj9_JWbTa2akf6Htt0hhIf8xWMAWfNXMjZWbjFr0FjNYAWfhfQbM1EnDd0Wo2zSagWqgpWHLF26g/s320/DSCN1555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once again, E spent the entire morning at Waikiki Beach.</div>Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-13188965544297551432011-09-04T23:56:00.001-10:002011-09-09T00:04:12.164-10:00The Royal Hawaiian Hotel....Is this what the Foreign Service is like?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">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 <i>leaving Hawaii</i>).<br />
Yes, it is just terrible to be sipping our <i>Blue Hawaiis </i>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.<br />
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.<br />
A few more days to go before we fly out......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxmqJatyqBK-JFJ_ibuPBzsr-AGo9COKt7afLwe9qgERePk3X0QqJ7F4x67ViRQHNGIwCgpOFp2e0Kt0_QWetYvh9IctCxPFO5SoNhmsqL1bYUu-jZmYg57yngHnNF_rWbJFB-JgD3AM/s1600/DSCN1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxmqJatyqBK-JFJ_ibuPBzsr-AGo9COKt7afLwe9qgERePk3X0QqJ7F4x67ViRQHNGIwCgpOFp2e0Kt0_QWetYvh9IctCxPFO5SoNhmsqL1bYUu-jZmYg57yngHnNF_rWbJFB-JgD3AM/s320/DSCN1591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-41689124655741154582011-09-03T22:42:00.002-10:002011-09-09T00:12:24.379-10:00We are on our way...sort of<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">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.<br />
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!<br />
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?<br />
Here are some pictures as we act like tourists.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwXrl2528wpNc40yjJmOXk3HMyFSpNGpwxf80Q8vr3DuBl-JfZEa2et4dXrOguUmlV6azpk7Et-92z4zxI2-wzciFx8XO7adAfdGmFuZctdHfgjynUQSoGisDCyHB0Ug7zp2PX-XaN2E/s1600/DSCN1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwXrl2528wpNc40yjJmOXk3HMyFSpNGpwxf80Q8vr3DuBl-JfZEa2et4dXrOguUmlV6azpk7Et-92z4zxI2-wzciFx8XO7adAfdGmFuZctdHfgjynUQSoGisDCyHB0Ug7zp2PX-XaN2E/s320/DSCN1276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmbW8i8Y6bttAtLBvG9LvRCVZ06Zq9dhN02T9UdkorbcJUh1zShFO377vuSBowlhYJgFofVe5Yq2RRLnHOBSEMHXDtHjhI5KML1Z8O6KPJjJurLeT-BR_zb62taruwoudcaT4WUc6Ioo/s1600/DSCN1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmbW8i8Y6bttAtLBvG9LvRCVZ06Zq9dhN02T9UdkorbcJUh1zShFO377vuSBowlhYJgFofVe5Yq2RRLnHOBSEMHXDtHjhI5KML1Z8O6KPJjJurLeT-BR_zb62taruwoudcaT4WUc6Ioo/s320/DSCN1340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbYMGxDot8Sz1qFElE3mCPl6BDZXshCDR6hFl83tFqWxyS2I1TWsUTXZh9cvzmuiuNHixsB5ZMrkLNwGo6L1JVGengTIm5eftRp-pfo_N3hCilbUnhB7yIDweJ8wjF_slZhNQyKrt_Yg/s1600/DSCN1558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbYMGxDot8Sz1qFElE3mCPl6BDZXshCDR6hFl83tFqWxyS2I1TWsUTXZh9cvzmuiuNHixsB5ZMrkLNwGo6L1JVGengTIm5eftRp-pfo_N3hCilbUnhB7yIDweJ8wjF_slZhNQyKrt_Yg/s320/DSCN1558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961392899298327731.post-59553557774597946022011-07-19T17:58:00.000-10:002011-07-19T17:58:31.601-10:00Our new foreign Service BlogWelcome 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.<br />
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. <br />
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.......Aloha FSOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05403817747157082510noreply@blogger.com0