I am now in my 23rd month in Jakarta and it is time to start winding down and preparing to head off for my next assignment. That means not only doing my day job, but also making sure that I have all my stuff ready to be packed, all my records in hand, bills paid, training plans in order, Home Leave arranged, and plane tickets booked to return to the states. It's also time to reflect on all that I have learned and all that I have gone through.
The memory of my first moment on the ground in Jakarta is indelibly burned into my nose and my brain. The feel of the damp air, the moist heat of tropical humidity, and the smell of cloves and jet fuel. Walking into my first apartment and seeing the tiny little Christmas tree my sponsor had bought so my my girls could have a tree. The first day that I walked across eight lanes of the worst, most polluted traffic I had ever seen in order to get to work. The torrential downpour that soaked me through as I walked home. The first, tentative words I would try and use with the taxi drivers to try and get somewhere. My girls learning a new culture and starting in new schools in an alien world.
Learning my job as a First Tour Officer while having to run a major operation in the embassy, hiring, firing, reprimanding, and generally handling most or all of the day-to-day decisions that go into the personnel operations in a Mission as large as Indonesia. Meeting new people, working with people I only get to meet over the phone. It is truly amazing to me, all the things that go into running an embassy, and I ended up involved in a lot of them. Decisions on travel, assignments, pay, health care, and policies that will affect the Mission for years to come.
Along the way there was my separation and the end to 20 years of marriage, coupled with an opportunity to spend six months with my oldest daughter, just her and I. An amazing time that I will treasure forever. The pain of being away from my twins, and then the eventual return of my oldest to the states to live with her mother. From there, the beginning of a new relationship filled with joy.
And then there are the feelings of loneliness,of being away from family and friends. After 13 years in Oregon, I had made many lasting friendships and now I had to learn how to maintain them while on the other side of the world. Other friendships became challenging, mostly because of the divorce and new relationship, but I am confident that all will smooth itself out and go back to a new version of normal that will be better and stronger than ever before.
These past two years have been filled with nothing but change and challenge, and I am the strongest I have ever been. I have grown, been beaten up, fallen down, gotten back up, and continued to step forward into this bright future. In a few short weeks I will get on a plane to travel back across the Pacific for the last time for at least a few years, and I am looking forward to all that is in front of me.
I move forward with confidence and joy, knowing all is well in my future.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Motorcades Don't Organize Themselves
Ever see a motorcade going down the street and wonder how it works? After, that is, getting over your frustration at being stopped until it passed. Well, prepare to be educated.
Motorcades do not spontaneously create themselves, but are formed through a great deal of work and stress, and there are an amazing array of things that can go wrong at any point in the process.
- First, you need a logistics person to figure out what vehicles are needed, where the motorcade will go, and how it will get there.
- Second, you need to know how many people are riding in the cars, what their job is, and what car each will sit in.
- Third, you need the cars, with drivers who are capable of listening without imposing their own thoughts on what they are doing. It doesn't matter if they actually know better, they just need to listen and follow instructions.
- Fourth, you need to arrange for all the police to assist with riding in front of and behind the motorcade, to insure that cross streets, stop lights, and stop signs can be gone through without slowing.
-Fifth, you need some poor sap to ride near the back of the train who is in charge of getting the cars lined up correctly, and to keep an eye on the whole process while it drives along. When everyone arrives at the final destination, it is also this person's responsibility to keep the whole thing together in case some over-eager traffic cop decides to tell a driver in the middle of the motorcade to go somewhere they should not go.
In six days of managing a motorcade, that consisted of anywhere from 15 to 35 vehicles, had 20+ total movements, as many as three Very Very Important Persons in any one movement, and only about half of the movements went as planned. Not only were we contending with up to 40 other motorcades and a dozen other governments, there were a number of logistics challenges with local communication. At one point I had to jump out of my vehicle and sprint after another one that was several cars forward of me. in another instance I was forced to jump into a moving vehicle in order to insure that the group stayed together and another motorcade didn't get into the middle of mine. From having heated words with police and armed soldiers, to apologizing to others for those same strong words, it was an exercise in never-ending chaos. Possibly the most memorable move was when we had to park the majority of the package in a scrub forest with cattle roaming around because there was no street parking within 500 Meters of the drop zone.
All-in-all, the best lessons I learned was that no matter what the cost, get radios for every car, and make sure that the drivers understand from the beginning that they are to ONLY listen to the officers in charge of the motorcade and not pay attention to any other instructions. Unless they point guns at you, and then you can listen.
Motorcades do not spontaneously create themselves, but are formed through a great deal of work and stress, and there are an amazing array of things that can go wrong at any point in the process.
- First, you need a logistics person to figure out what vehicles are needed, where the motorcade will go, and how it will get there.
- Second, you need to know how many people are riding in the cars, what their job is, and what car each will sit in.
- Third, you need the cars, with drivers who are capable of listening without imposing their own thoughts on what they are doing. It doesn't matter if they actually know better, they just need to listen and follow instructions.
- Fourth, you need to arrange for all the police to assist with riding in front of and behind the motorcade, to insure that cross streets, stop lights, and stop signs can be gone through without slowing.
-Fifth, you need some poor sap to ride near the back of the train who is in charge of getting the cars lined up correctly, and to keep an eye on the whole process while it drives along. When everyone arrives at the final destination, it is also this person's responsibility to keep the whole thing together in case some over-eager traffic cop decides to tell a driver in the middle of the motorcade to go somewhere they should not go.
In six days of managing a motorcade, that consisted of anywhere from 15 to 35 vehicles, had 20+ total movements, as many as three Very Very Important Persons in any one movement, and only about half of the movements went as planned. Not only were we contending with up to 40 other motorcades and a dozen other governments, there were a number of logistics challenges with local communication. At one point I had to jump out of my vehicle and sprint after another one that was several cars forward of me. in another instance I was forced to jump into a moving vehicle in order to insure that the group stayed together and another motorcade didn't get into the middle of mine. From having heated words with police and armed soldiers, to apologizing to others for those same strong words, it was an exercise in never-ending chaos. Possibly the most memorable move was when we had to park the majority of the package in a scrub forest with cattle roaming around because there was no street parking within 500 Meters of the drop zone.
All-in-all, the best lessons I learned was that no matter what the cost, get radios for every car, and make sure that the drivers understand from the beginning that they are to ONLY listen to the officers in charge of the motorcade and not pay attention to any other instructions. Unless they point guns at you, and then you can listen.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
So I think I am back...
It's hard to believe how long it has been since I last posted anything, and a lot has happened in that time. So while this blog is about the major changes that happened when I turned 40, the hardest changes have been since then. I'm not complaining, I'm happier now than I have been in a very long time and the world is a brighter place because of it.
Frankly, there is so much that has happened that I am going to skip right past it all and focus on what is most recent and in the immediate future. Yes, that might disappoint a few people but oh well. :)
Last weekend I finally got to spend some time in Singapore, outside of the airport. It is amazing how big the differences are between different countries in Asia, despite no real distance between them. Singapore is certainly the most rigidly controlled, yet best organized city I have been to recently. The roads a perfect, there is good traffic control, and well developed public transportation. Kuala Lumpur, in comparison, is moving in that direction yet still has a ways to go, but is pushing hard to get there. Jakarta, in contrast, has a massive distance to cover and will not get there anytime soon without some significant social and political changes. While some of the roads here are decent, they are few and far between and end up being thoroughly messed up by the intersections with the tiny goat-path sized roads along their lengths. You can tell a lot about a city by the way it handles its infrastructure.
Singapore is not a place to travel if you are looking for anything truly inexpensive. Much of what you might think of as cheap tourist stuff is much more expensive in Singapore than it is in Indonesia or in Malaysia. That isn't to say that you can't get Singapore-specific swag for cheap prices, but if you want to find low-cost mementos, don't plan on a shopping trip in Singapore. That said, there was some great stuff to be found anyways with a few notable locations to visit. Chinatown is one location for some fun shopping and good eats, but beware, what you think might be a simple lunch can easily climb close to $100 US. What I saw of Little India didn't have all that much to recommend it, but Haji Lane is a wonderfully kitchy/hipster place for those looking to find something more unique or special.
We visited the Art Science Museum while we were there too, and were lucky enough to see three different traveling exhibits. First was a display of 50 of the best National Geographic photos ever taken. From the girl in Afghanistan to Jane Goodall, the photos were enlarged and well curated to display them without interference from other photos. Second, was a mummy exhibit on loan from the British Museum of National History. Again, the exhibit was well curated and took visitors on a trip through the mummification process and showed a very good 3D movie of CT scans of the mummy. Finally, and surprisingly our favorite exhibit, was a wonderful display on the works of Charles and Ray Eames. From their early days before being married, through the end of their lives, the exhibit showed many of the different items they created. The famous Eames Chair. The Eames Deck of Cards and the Hang Everything. Some of the different houses they built, and a few of the movies they made. All in the service of their vision and process. All-in-all, it was inspiring and educational, without being in the slightest bit boring or tedious.
Looking forward, I am now less than 80 days from leaving Indonesia and preparing or my next assignment. It has been a tour filled with joy and laughter, tears and sorrow, victories and failures, and a whole hell of a lot of learning. I am not the same person that arrived here in 2011, and I am thankful for that. I have a clearer vision of who I am and what I want, and my goals for the next few years of my life are clearer. My life has even bigger changes in store for me, more great adventures, and further opportunities for me to dance across the world.
Frankly, there is so much that has happened that I am going to skip right past it all and focus on what is most recent and in the immediate future. Yes, that might disappoint a few people but oh well. :)
Last weekend I finally got to spend some time in Singapore, outside of the airport. It is amazing how big the differences are between different countries in Asia, despite no real distance between them. Singapore is certainly the most rigidly controlled, yet best organized city I have been to recently. The roads a perfect, there is good traffic control, and well developed public transportation. Kuala Lumpur, in comparison, is moving in that direction yet still has a ways to go, but is pushing hard to get there. Jakarta, in contrast, has a massive distance to cover and will not get there anytime soon without some significant social and political changes. While some of the roads here are decent, they are few and far between and end up being thoroughly messed up by the intersections with the tiny goat-path sized roads along their lengths. You can tell a lot about a city by the way it handles its infrastructure.
Singapore is not a place to travel if you are looking for anything truly inexpensive. Much of what you might think of as cheap tourist stuff is much more expensive in Singapore than it is in Indonesia or in Malaysia. That isn't to say that you can't get Singapore-specific swag for cheap prices, but if you want to find low-cost mementos, don't plan on a shopping trip in Singapore. That said, there was some great stuff to be found anyways with a few notable locations to visit. Chinatown is one location for some fun shopping and good eats, but beware, what you think might be a simple lunch can easily climb close to $100 US. What I saw of Little India didn't have all that much to recommend it, but Haji Lane is a wonderfully kitchy/hipster place for those looking to find something more unique or special.
We visited the Art Science Museum while we were there too, and were lucky enough to see three different traveling exhibits. First was a display of 50 of the best National Geographic photos ever taken. From the girl in Afghanistan to Jane Goodall, the photos were enlarged and well curated to display them without interference from other photos. Second, was a mummy exhibit on loan from the British Museum of National History. Again, the exhibit was well curated and took visitors on a trip through the mummification process and showed a very good 3D movie of CT scans of the mummy. Finally, and surprisingly our favorite exhibit, was a wonderful display on the works of Charles and Ray Eames. From their early days before being married, through the end of their lives, the exhibit showed many of the different items they created. The famous Eames Chair. The Eames Deck of Cards and the Hang Everything. Some of the different houses they built, and a few of the movies they made. All in the service of their vision and process. All-in-all, it was inspiring and educational, without being in the slightest bit boring or tedious.
Looking forward, I am now less than 80 days from leaving Indonesia and preparing or my next assignment. It has been a tour filled with joy and laughter, tears and sorrow, victories and failures, and a whole hell of a lot of learning. I am not the same person that arrived here in 2011, and I am thankful for that. I have a clearer vision of who I am and what I want, and my goals for the next few years of my life are clearer. My life has even bigger changes in store for me, more great adventures, and further opportunities for me to dance across the world.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
A Long Absence
It's been a very long time since I posted to this blog, and I really need to get back on it.
The Right Turn at 40 was nothing compared to the turn at 41. After 19 years of marriage I am getting a divorce. My ex and two of our daughters are returning to the states and our oldest will at least finish the school year with me, in Jakarta. ife never seems to go the way it is planned. Yes, that is a very brief way of encompassing yet another life-event but that's about all I will ever say about it in this forum.
So enough of that.
Most everyone I know is aware of the saying "thrown into the deep end." As a former swimming instructor and Lifeguard, I know exactly where the saying came from and how hard it really is. At least so I thought.
Back in October I posted about having my assignment changed while still going to the same post. What I didn't say was that I had been assigned as Deputy human Resources Officer (HRO). What I learned after I got to post was that I would in fact be the Acting Senior HRO.
In a Mission with ~1500 employees.
For 10 months.
That's right, the deep end called and said it wasn't deep enough, and the shallow end was too close for comfort, so please just go ahead and drop him in the middle of the Pacific with a couple of arm floaties.
I survived! What an adventure that was!
I learned more about what I didn't know than I knew I didn't know. And the list of what I don't know keeps expanding. *sigh*
But in November, I finally began the job I was supposed to have and let me tell you, it is fabulous. I finally get to learn all the little State Dept. secrets and procedures and practices and peculiarities, and culture from a senior officer instead of having to run face first into them like I have been. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself and have a wonderful staff that helped me through, and great support from the rest of the Mission, but that doesn't change the fact that I was learning a new career and job three pay-grades above mine.
I am really looking forward to this next year, but also to finding out where my next post will be. My bid list is due in 24 hours and then I get to wait for word on where I'm going and what language I'm learning. I know the job, Consular!
So, that's it for today. But I'm back, so will return to boring all of you with my thoughts.
Be well, Neighbors.
The Right Turn at 40 was nothing compared to the turn at 41. After 19 years of marriage I am getting a divorce. My ex and two of our daughters are returning to the states and our oldest will at least finish the school year with me, in Jakarta. ife never seems to go the way it is planned. Yes, that is a very brief way of encompassing yet another life-event but that's about all I will ever say about it in this forum.
So enough of that.
Most everyone I know is aware of the saying "thrown into the deep end." As a former swimming instructor and Lifeguard, I know exactly where the saying came from and how hard it really is. At least so I thought.
Back in October I posted about having my assignment changed while still going to the same post. What I didn't say was that I had been assigned as Deputy human Resources Officer (HRO). What I learned after I got to post was that I would in fact be the Acting Senior HRO.
In a Mission with ~1500 employees.
For 10 months.
That's right, the deep end called and said it wasn't deep enough, and the shallow end was too close for comfort, so please just go ahead and drop him in the middle of the Pacific with a couple of arm floaties.
I survived! What an adventure that was!
I learned more about what I didn't know than I knew I didn't know. And the list of what I don't know keeps expanding. *sigh*
But in November, I finally began the job I was supposed to have and let me tell you, it is fabulous. I finally get to learn all the little State Dept. secrets and procedures and practices and peculiarities, and culture from a senior officer instead of having to run face first into them like I have been. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself and have a wonderful staff that helped me through, and great support from the rest of the Mission, but that doesn't change the fact that I was learning a new career and job three pay-grades above mine.
I am really looking forward to this next year, but also to finding out where my next post will be. My bid list is due in 24 hours and then I get to wait for word on where I'm going and what language I'm learning. I know the job, Consular!
So, that's it for today. But I'm back, so will return to boring all of you with my thoughts.
Be well, Neighbors.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
It's Been Awhile
since I've posted, so I thought I had better let you all in on how things are going. I spent the last five weeks in DC going through training at FSI, and while it was extremely valuable, I really didn't like being gone for so long. It turns out that my job in Jakarta is so busy and complex that every issue we were taught in class the first week, I had handled at least once in the seven weeks before beginning training. Frankly, I had dealt with most of the personnel issues that we discussed in class, so it was nice to know that I was on the right track. After the five weeks in DC I began the long trek back to Jakarta.
38 hours of travel!
Arrive early to Dulles. (I do NOT like this airport!)
Fly to Minneapolis, MN (Surprisingly good shopping there.)
Wait five hours.
My jacket was stolen when I wasn't looking. Normally this would REALLY piss me off, but I don't have any use for a heavy bomber jacket in the tropics so it was just one more thing to carry. What really ticked me off was that my headphones were in the pocket so I had to buy a new set while on the airplane since I didn't discover THAT loss until we were in the air.
12 hours to Narita.
Had just long enough to transfer to the other end of the terminal for my connecting flight.
Six hours to Singapore.
Six hour layover.
I really like Changi Airport. Especially the transit hotel where I was able to shower, shave, and sleep before my final leg to Jakarta.
Hour and a half flight to Jakarta.
Walking off the airplane, I was greeted by the warm, damp blanket of the tropics and the smell of clove cigarettes. After those five weeks in DC where the temp got down to the low 30s, I was very happy to be back.
Since being back I was able to go to school conferences, the annual 3rd grade health clinic, put on BY the 3rd graders, and go to the local amusement park, Ancol, where we went to what we thought was going to be something very akin to SeaWorld in the U.S.
WRONG!
What it was, was a rather nice aquarium. There were several excellent exhibits, including a huge seawater tank with walking tubes through it so you could see the animals swim around you, sharks, piranha, a pair of manatees, and several different open tanks where you could handle some of the less dangerous sea life. It took the girls a bit, but they finally were willing to pet the sea turtles, pick up a starfish, and even Ms. K was wiling to touch a ray. The other big attraction in the park was US. I don't think I saw more then five other westerners (read Caucasians) so we stood out pretty well. Especially our giant blonde girl. At one point, a woman turned around and took a picture of her, with her friend standing just behind her so that they could have a picture "with" the big blonde. A and I thought is was funny, but the oldest was NOT amused. :)
It turns out that Ancol is a series of different parks that include the aquarium, a more "SeaWorld-like" park with animal shows, a roller coaster park, water park, paintball, and who knows what else. Each park has its own entrance fee, but none are very much by U.S. standards. $6 to get into the aquarium during the week. $10 for the animal shows. Not sure what the other parks charge, but I doubt it is much more than $10 per person. We will go back another day and spend more time at at least one or more parks. It just means getting there earlier, and staying a bit later, despite the awful traffic to get back home. One hour to get there, two to return!
Traffic is its usual nightmare but you just have to sit back and either sleep, look at the people, or veg out with a book, or one of the many electronics at your disposal. It is still the rainy season here, so most every day between two and four it starts to rain, often with close lightening and very loud thunder. I love electrical storms.
Needless to say I am happy to be back and am trying to fit back in to my job and the routine at home. My jet lag is over, my sleep schedule is mostly back to local normal, and things are good.
Be well, my friends.
38 hours of travel!
Arrive early to Dulles. (I do NOT like this airport!)
Fly to Minneapolis, MN (Surprisingly good shopping there.)
Wait five hours.
My jacket was stolen when I wasn't looking. Normally this would REALLY piss me off, but I don't have any use for a heavy bomber jacket in the tropics so it was just one more thing to carry. What really ticked me off was that my headphones were in the pocket so I had to buy a new set while on the airplane since I didn't discover THAT loss until we were in the air.
12 hours to Narita.
Had just long enough to transfer to the other end of the terminal for my connecting flight.
Six hours to Singapore.
Six hour layover.
I really like Changi Airport. Especially the transit hotel where I was able to shower, shave, and sleep before my final leg to Jakarta.
Hour and a half flight to Jakarta.
Walking off the airplane, I was greeted by the warm, damp blanket of the tropics and the smell of clove cigarettes. After those five weeks in DC where the temp got down to the low 30s, I was very happy to be back.
Since being back I was able to go to school conferences, the annual 3rd grade health clinic, put on BY the 3rd graders, and go to the local amusement park, Ancol, where we went to what we thought was going to be something very akin to SeaWorld in the U.S.
WRONG!
What it was, was a rather nice aquarium. There were several excellent exhibits, including a huge seawater tank with walking tubes through it so you could see the animals swim around you, sharks, piranha, a pair of manatees, and several different open tanks where you could handle some of the less dangerous sea life. It took the girls a bit, but they finally were willing to pet the sea turtles, pick up a starfish, and even Ms. K was wiling to touch a ray. The other big attraction in the park was US. I don't think I saw more then five other westerners (read Caucasians) so we stood out pretty well. Especially our giant blonde girl. At one point, a woman turned around and took a picture of her, with her friend standing just behind her so that they could have a picture "with" the big blonde. A and I thought is was funny, but the oldest was NOT amused. :)
It turns out that Ancol is a series of different parks that include the aquarium, a more "SeaWorld-like" park with animal shows, a roller coaster park, water park, paintball, and who knows what else. Each park has its own entrance fee, but none are very much by U.S. standards. $6 to get into the aquarium during the week. $10 for the animal shows. Not sure what the other parks charge, but I doubt it is much more than $10 per person. We will go back another day and spend more time at at least one or more parks. It just means getting there earlier, and staying a bit later, despite the awful traffic to get back home. One hour to get there, two to return!
Traffic is its usual nightmare but you just have to sit back and either sleep, look at the people, or veg out with a book, or one of the many electronics at your disposal. It is still the rainy season here, so most every day between two and four it starts to rain, often with close lightening and very loud thunder. I love electrical storms.
Needless to say I am happy to be back and am trying to fit back in to my job and the routine at home. My jet lag is over, my sleep schedule is mostly back to local normal, and things are good.
Be well, my friends.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
I'm Baaack
Yes, that's right, I'm back in DC or a few weeks of training. I can't say that I am too thrilled about it, no matter how necessary it is. I arrived Friday night after 34 hours of travel, way too little sleep, and some seriously cramped legs. My favorite part of the trip was definitely the 11 hours from Narita to Atlanta, and the woman in front of me who spilled her drink off the armrest of her chair and onto my laptop, and continued to put her arms behind her head and reach over the top of the seat back and cover my tv screen. Yeah, that was special.
Oh wait! Not!
For all that I love traveling, and Id better since I took a job that requires world-wide travel, I am not a fan of these long haul flights. The food is better than domestic flights, certainly, but there isn't enough of it and I really don't feel like drinking myself into a stupor, so it either means try and sleep, read, or watch a lot of movies.
But enough of the whining.
Yesterday (Saturday) I took the Protocol Overseas class at FSI and had a great time. Several of my A-100 classmates were also in attendance so it was a nice reunion, and we all got to learn the proper way to hold our cups, glasses, and utensils, how to make proper seating charts, give toasts, and generally not make fools of ourselves out in the world. I had a lot of fun, but it was hard to focus through the jet lag, and I am sure I missed a lot more than I might have otherwise.
Ok, time for a bit more whining.
It is COLD here. Not sub-zero cold, but just generally cold. Well, it is sub-zero cold if you use Celsius so yes it is cold. Especially after seven weeks in the tropics where it hasn't dropped below 75°F. I miss the tropics already. I don't miss the traffic or the pollution, but I do miss the weather. And I miss the low cost of all things in Jakarta. It cost e more to GET IN a taxi at Dulles than it does to get half-way across Jakarta. Madness. The cost of food is also a reminder of just how different the two societies are too. What cost me $3 in Jakarta, cost me $15 in Narita Airport, and costs me $10 in DC. Global economics on a personal scale.
Anyways, I will be here for a few weeks while my family settles into our new place in Jakarta. It is much closer to the girls' schools, has kids in the neighborhood, a pool and playground, and is close to shopping and a more vibrant social life for my wife. They will be fine, but I miss them and would rather be there right now. On a high note, I am in the land of Happy Hour and will be partaking of all things social while I am in DC.
Be well, neighbors!
Oh wait! Not!
For all that I love traveling, and Id better since I took a job that requires world-wide travel, I am not a fan of these long haul flights. The food is better than domestic flights, certainly, but there isn't enough of it and I really don't feel like drinking myself into a stupor, so it either means try and sleep, read, or watch a lot of movies.
But enough of the whining.
Yesterday (Saturday) I took the Protocol Overseas class at FSI and had a great time. Several of my A-100 classmates were also in attendance so it was a nice reunion, and we all got to learn the proper way to hold our cups, glasses, and utensils, how to make proper seating charts, give toasts, and generally not make fools of ourselves out in the world. I had a lot of fun, but it was hard to focus through the jet lag, and I am sure I missed a lot more than I might have otherwise.
Ok, time for a bit more whining.
It is COLD here. Not sub-zero cold, but just generally cold. Well, it is sub-zero cold if you use Celsius so yes it is cold. Especially after seven weeks in the tropics where it hasn't dropped below 75°F. I miss the tropics already. I don't miss the traffic or the pollution, but I do miss the weather. And I miss the low cost of all things in Jakarta. It cost e more to GET IN a taxi at Dulles than it does to get half-way across Jakarta. Madness. The cost of food is also a reminder of just how different the two societies are too. What cost me $3 in Jakarta, cost me $15 in Narita Airport, and costs me $10 in DC. Global economics on a personal scale.
Anyways, I will be here for a few weeks while my family settles into our new place in Jakarta. It is much closer to the girls' schools, has kids in the neighborhood, a pool and playground, and is close to shopping and a more vibrant social life for my wife. They will be fine, but I miss them and would rather be there right now. On a high note, I am in the land of Happy Hour and will be partaking of all things social while I am in DC.
Be well, neighbors!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Safari
Apparently it's been longer than I thought since my last post!
There has been a lot going on out here in the tropics, so much so that I am going to focus on the trip we took to the Taman Safari outside of Jakarta. We had the brilliant idea to go the day before Chinese New Year and even though we had planned for traffic, we planned POORLY! The trip is 50 miles, we left around 7:30 a.m., and we were at a dead stop 30 minutes later. Around 10:30 we finally pulled up to the main gates, along with all of Jakarta, Bogor, and the rest of West Java. Our driver for the day said that this was the most crowded he had ever seen the park and was surprised it was so bad.
Along the way we stopped and bought a branch of bananas and a few dozen carrots to feed the animals with. Yes, that's right, a branch of bananas. And they were yummy too! Only about five inches long, they were sweet and tasted better than any banana I have ever had in the states. Our driver did the bargaining since we didn't want to pay the "foreigner" price, and then we were on our way. Of course one of the kids wanted to try and charge us for providing a parking spot on the side of the road, but we didn't feel it was warranted. :)
The safari is a classic wild animal park with a road through the park and the animals roam freely in many of the spaces, often right up to, or in, the car window. We will have to go back when we can move at a pace that is better and with fewer cars, since there were basically two lanes of bumper to bumper traffic winding through the park. Also, we will spend the night at the local hotel since we had to leave so early to get home at a reasonable hour (3 hours to get home). The park also has animal shows, a zoo-like section, and a number of rides, restaurants and shops.
Overall we had a wonderful time, the kids enjoyed themselves, the adults enjoyed themselves, and it was WONDERFUL to get out of the city and the pollution. Ms. K had no problem with her asthma, considering that in town, she can't walk three blocks without getting tight, and the weather was a balmy 20º C and just totally pleasant. As we were driving back we were able to see how the jungle came right up to the houses, kids bathing in the river, and all sorts of other interesting sights.
Pictures of this whole adventure are below.
There has been a lot going on out here in the tropics, so much so that I am going to focus on the trip we took to the Taman Safari outside of Jakarta. We had the brilliant idea to go the day before Chinese New Year and even though we had planned for traffic, we planned POORLY! The trip is 50 miles, we left around 7:30 a.m., and we were at a dead stop 30 minutes later. Around 10:30 we finally pulled up to the main gates, along with all of Jakarta, Bogor, and the rest of West Java. Our driver for the day said that this was the most crowded he had ever seen the park and was surprised it was so bad.
Along the way we stopped and bought a branch of bananas and a few dozen carrots to feed the animals with. Yes, that's right, a branch of bananas. And they were yummy too! Only about five inches long, they were sweet and tasted better than any banana I have ever had in the states. Our driver did the bargaining since we didn't want to pay the "foreigner" price, and then we were on our way. Of course one of the kids wanted to try and charge us for providing a parking spot on the side of the road, but we didn't feel it was warranted. :)
The safari is a classic wild animal park with a road through the park and the animals roam freely in many of the spaces, often right up to, or in, the car window. We will have to go back when we can move at a pace that is better and with fewer cars, since there were basically two lanes of bumper to bumper traffic winding through the park. Also, we will spend the night at the local hotel since we had to leave so early to get home at a reasonable hour (3 hours to get home). The park also has animal shows, a zoo-like section, and a number of rides, restaurants and shops.
Overall we had a wonderful time, the kids enjoyed themselves, the adults enjoyed themselves, and it was WONDERFUL to get out of the city and the pollution. Ms. K had no problem with her asthma, considering that in town, she can't walk three blocks without getting tight, and the weather was a balmy 20º C and just totally pleasant. As we were driving back we were able to see how the jungle came right up to the houses, kids bathing in the river, and all sorts of other interesting sights.
Pictures of this whole adventure are below.
 |
| Can I haz bananananana? |
 |
| Move along |
 |
| Om nom nom nom nom |
 |
| Jungle river |
 |
| What-a-beast? |
 |
| Streeeetch |
 |
| Eww, antelope boogers |
 |
| Lion around |
 |
| lounging |
 |
| Gimme, gimme, gimme |
 |
| Yes, that is a free-range tiger |
 |
| No, the 12 year old is not standing on a rock, she is that tall. |
 |
| Are you my dinner? |
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Adventures in shopping
Jakarta has a huge shopping addiction. Seriously, the city needs an intervention in every way. So far we have visited five different malls and there are still at least five to go until we have seen the biggest malls in the city.
Yes, I realize that going to five different malls might mean that I have a shopping addiction too, but it is rude of you to say that. I consider it a fascination.
These malls take up hundreds of thousands of square feet, air conditioned, filled with food courts that include Starbucks, KFC, Burger King, Kenny Rodgers Roasters, etc. Every one of them has at least one grocery store in the basement, sometimes two. Some have an Ace Hardware that is filled with the greatest stuff, but there are also Louis Vuitton stores, Ferragamo, Gap, you name it. And then there are the pastry shops, sketchy cell phone and computer stores, and certain malls are filled with bootleg movies and video games where you can negotiate the price. Two of the malls we have been to have multiple buildings, and one had a Segway course and a area filled with artificial snow.
It's just staggering how much money is spent in these places and how much is spent on keeping them cool.
My most interesting adventure so far, however, was on Saturday. We had finished shopping and were leaving the grocery store, when I saw a man begin to collapse in the hallway. Having spent the last four years as a Lifeguard and a CPR/First Aid instructor, I immediately went to his aid. He passed out, collapsed to the ground, staggered to his feet, then collapsed again. A huge crowd formed as I started to check him out, and though it looked like he might be having a seizure, it quickly showed itself to be shock. After he started coming to, he told me that he had slammed his finger in the car door, and after he came into the mall he started feeling faint. An Indonesian gentleman and I monitored him for awhile, I spoke to his wife on the phone, and made sure to pinky-swear with his daughter to let her know he would be okay. He was able to get up and keep his color, and never threw up, so I took that as a good sign. Since he refused any further care I let him go on his way, picked up my part of the groceries, and we headed out into the rain to wait for a taxi. The oldest was bent out of shape that I helped him (more like scared out of her mind) and was a pill the whole way home, but I wouldn't have acted any other way.
I really hope that collapsing bules, pronounced boo-lay (Caucasians) aren't a common occurrence while I am here, because that would really suck.
Be well
Yes, I realize that going to five different malls might mean that I have a shopping addiction too, but it is rude of you to say that. I consider it a fascination.
These malls take up hundreds of thousands of square feet, air conditioned, filled with food courts that include Starbucks, KFC, Burger King, Kenny Rodgers Roasters, etc. Every one of them has at least one grocery store in the basement, sometimes two. Some have an Ace Hardware that is filled with the greatest stuff, but there are also Louis Vuitton stores, Ferragamo, Gap, you name it. And then there are the pastry shops, sketchy cell phone and computer stores, and certain malls are filled with bootleg movies and video games where you can negotiate the price. Two of the malls we have been to have multiple buildings, and one had a Segway course and a area filled with artificial snow.
It's just staggering how much money is spent in these places and how much is spent on keeping them cool.
My most interesting adventure so far, however, was on Saturday. We had finished shopping and were leaving the grocery store, when I saw a man begin to collapse in the hallway. Having spent the last four years as a Lifeguard and a CPR/First Aid instructor, I immediately went to his aid. He passed out, collapsed to the ground, staggered to his feet, then collapsed again. A huge crowd formed as I started to check him out, and though it looked like he might be having a seizure, it quickly showed itself to be shock. After he started coming to, he told me that he had slammed his finger in the car door, and after he came into the mall he started feeling faint. An Indonesian gentleman and I monitored him for awhile, I spoke to his wife on the phone, and made sure to pinky-swear with his daughter to let her know he would be okay. He was able to get up and keep his color, and never threw up, so I took that as a good sign. Since he refused any further care I let him go on his way, picked up my part of the groceries, and we headed out into the rain to wait for a taxi. The oldest was bent out of shape that I helped him (more like scared out of her mind) and was a pill the whole way home, but I wouldn't have acted any other way.
I really hope that collapsing bules, pronounced boo-lay (Caucasians) aren't a common occurrence while I am here, because that would really suck.
Be well
Monday, January 2, 2012
Scooters!!!!!
I am going to take a moment and discuss scooters. As a kid, my dad had a green Honda scooter that I occasionally got to ride on with him. In High School my mother bought a blue Honda, or maybe a Yamaha, and I rode that from time to time too. They were fun to ride on, easy to maneuver, and generally safe for riding around town. I have also owned a couple of motorcycles, and consider myself an acceptable rider. I learned how to lane-split in California on the Interstate while traffic was stopped, and while it was scary at first I became comfortable, but not complacent, going 25mph between semis and other vehicles.
Pretty normal stuff, I thought.
Then I arrived in Indonesia.
I am not as good, or brave, a rider as I thought. These people take it to a whole new level. I mentioned it in my last post, but it bears repeating. They carry enormous loads on their bikes, weave in and out of traffic, go cross-ways to traffic, against traffic, on the sidewalk, run red lights, make random U-turns, and I have not seen a single accident yet.
Amazing!
This was taken the other day, please notice the large sheet of plywood in the passenger's arms.
This is the line-up of scooters at a red light. I cross this street on the way to work.
And they're off!
As I say, Madness!
One of these days I will take video during a taxi ride. Or maybe not, since it will terrify most people in the states.
Be well!
Pretty normal stuff, I thought.
Then I arrived in Indonesia.
I am not as good, or brave, a rider as I thought. These people take it to a whole new level. I mentioned it in my last post, but it bears repeating. They carry enormous loads on their bikes, weave in and out of traffic, go cross-ways to traffic, against traffic, on the sidewalk, run red lights, make random U-turns, and I have not seen a single accident yet.
Amazing!
As I say, Madness!
One of these days I will take video during a taxi ride. Or maybe not, since it will terrify most people in the states.
Be well!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Jakarta!
Wow!
That really has to sum up my first three days in this city. So far we have gotten most of the suitcases unpacked, walked back and forth to the embassy a few times, gone shopping, and seen the Oldest's school. That may not sound like much, but let me tell you, that is a lot for right now.
The first thing we all noticed was that the airport is not your typical glass and concrete bunker, but rather a series of tile-roofed buildings that Think 2 claimed to look like buildings in China. That she saw in a book at school about Mulan. I love 8-year olds. The second thing we noticed was that it was HAWT! Yes, I spelled it that way on purpose because "hot" just doesn't seem to cut it. And it was (still is) sticky. We were met at the ramp by our sponsor, Bu C. and headed off to immigration. I tell you, the Diplomatic line for immigration was a whole lot shorter than all the others. I can certainly get used to that. We sailed through immigration and headed off to baggage claim where, surprise, ALL our luggage showed up (21 bags). From there we went to customs where I was assured by Bu C. that we would not have to have anything inspected, except the young guard looked at our passports and said to start loading the bags on the belt. Luckily, a more experienced guard looked again, waived us through, and reprimanded his colleague that we were diplomats. After loading our stuff into the embassy van, the real adventure began.
If you have never been to Jakarta, and before this week I had not either, be prepared to think that you are going to be in a major traffic fatality in the first five minutes of getting in any car. Cars drive on the lines, around the lines, between the lines, on the shoulder, the wrong way, every way! And the scooters are 10X worse. Swarms of them, everywhere! I can't even describe it so will have to post pictures or video one of these days.
We made it to our place without incident (surprisingly) and began the process of unloading. Three flights of stairs, 21 full-sized bags plus carry-ons, three tired kiddos. It took a bit, but the place was spacious, tiled wall to wall, and just right as a temporary home for my family.
I will write more later, but figure this post is a week late so will finish here.
Be well my friends!
That really has to sum up my first three days in this city. So far we have gotten most of the suitcases unpacked, walked back and forth to the embassy a few times, gone shopping, and seen the Oldest's school. That may not sound like much, but let me tell you, that is a lot for right now.
The first thing we all noticed was that the airport is not your typical glass and concrete bunker, but rather a series of tile-roofed buildings that Think 2 claimed to look like buildings in China. That she saw in a book at school about Mulan. I love 8-year olds. The second thing we noticed was that it was HAWT! Yes, I spelled it that way on purpose because "hot" just doesn't seem to cut it. And it was (still is) sticky. We were met at the ramp by our sponsor, Bu C. and headed off to immigration. I tell you, the Diplomatic line for immigration was a whole lot shorter than all the others. I can certainly get used to that. We sailed through immigration and headed off to baggage claim where, surprise, ALL our luggage showed up (21 bags). From there we went to customs where I was assured by Bu C. that we would not have to have anything inspected, except the young guard looked at our passports and said to start loading the bags on the belt. Luckily, a more experienced guard looked again, waived us through, and reprimanded his colleague that we were diplomats. After loading our stuff into the embassy van, the real adventure began.
If you have never been to Jakarta, and before this week I had not either, be prepared to think that you are going to be in a major traffic fatality in the first five minutes of getting in any car. Cars drive on the lines, around the lines, between the lines, on the shoulder, the wrong way, every way! And the scooters are 10X worse. Swarms of them, everywhere! I can't even describe it so will have to post pictures or video one of these days.
We made it to our place without incident (surprisingly) and began the process of unloading. Three flights of stairs, 21 full-sized bags plus carry-ons, three tired kiddos. It took a bit, but the place was spacious, tiled wall to wall, and just right as a temporary home for my family.
I will write more later, but figure this post is a week late so will finish here.
Be well my friends!
Monday, December 19, 2011
An Ending that is a Beginning
Today marks the ending of a significant portion of my life. Yes, I know that I have been training for the last three months at FSI, but on my way to Jakarta, I went home to help get the family ready to join me. But today is my last full day in Oregon, and the last day that I will be in my house for what is likely to be many years.
My house.
A and I have lived here for the last 10 and a half years. re-roofed it, re-sided it, re-painted it, re-floored it, and re-designed the backyard several times, just to list a few projects. Our children grew up in that house, and are quite sad to leave it.
So am I. So is A.
But in order to have this new beginning with State, I have to move on, and the family is coming along for the ride. I need to leave all that is familiar behind me and reach out for the unknown, the unexpected, the new, in order to grow and thrive in this new life I have chosen. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about this and can't wait to start my new job in Jakarta. It is going to be amazing and I am ready. Or at least as ready as I can be.
Our oldest is very sad and upset about leaving her home, her friends, and her school. I know she will get over it eventually and love all the adventures that are in front of her, but right now she is just angry and upset. And makes sure that I know about it. The twins are a little more excited, a little less nervous, but still sad to be leaving. They have never known anywhere else as home. But we will be having Christmas in our temporary housing and the presents are all in the suitcases, ready to be put under the tree.
Some days I am not as confident about this change, but I know, as surely as I know anything, that I have found my people and I am ready for this new beginning.
So to the rest of the world, and all the challenges that are in front of me, I only have one thing to say.
"Bring it on, if you think you are hard enough!"
My house.
A and I have lived here for the last 10 and a half years. re-roofed it, re-sided it, re-painted it, re-floored it, and re-designed the backyard several times, just to list a few projects. Our children grew up in that house, and are quite sad to leave it.
So am I. So is A.
But in order to have this new beginning with State, I have to move on, and the family is coming along for the ride. I need to leave all that is familiar behind me and reach out for the unknown, the unexpected, the new, in order to grow and thrive in this new life I have chosen. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about this and can't wait to start my new job in Jakarta. It is going to be amazing and I am ready. Or at least as ready as I can be.
Our oldest is very sad and upset about leaving her home, her friends, and her school. I know she will get over it eventually and love all the adventures that are in front of her, but right now she is just angry and upset. And makes sure that I know about it. The twins are a little more excited, a little less nervous, but still sad to be leaving. They have never known anywhere else as home. But we will be having Christmas in our temporary housing and the presents are all in the suitcases, ready to be put under the tree.
Some days I am not as confident about this change, but I know, as surely as I know anything, that I have found my people and I am ready for this new beginning.
So to the rest of the world, and all the challenges that are in front of me, I only have one thing to say.
"Bring it on, if you think you are hard enough!"
Friday, December 9, 2011
Almost Time
One more week in Falls Church. That's it, just one more week and the first leg of this right turn is over and the next leg begins. It's hard to believe that I've only been away from Oregon for three months. It feels like so much longer. It's even harder to fathom that I am going to be living in Indonesia in two weeks.
Oddly, there isn't all that much for me to do in the time I have left. I have applied for all the visas, I pack out on Wednesday, I have three more days of training at lovely FSI, an evening meeting next week, a few more shots tomorrow, personal packing to do, turn in my fob, wave good bye, and fly home. I am the lucky one.
My wife has to get the entire house ready for pack out, on her own, for next week, move herself and the kids into a hotel, ship the cats to LA to then be sent on to Jakarta, continue to get the house ready to rent, and stay sane. Maybe I should bring her back some booze. Or take her out to the bars to get really drunk. Or flowers. Maybe chocolate. Or take the kids somewhere and let her nap. Something.
Later, I will tell all of you the adventures of the USPS and the Dip passport.
Be well
Oddly, there isn't all that much for me to do in the time I have left. I have applied for all the visas, I pack out on Wednesday, I have three more days of training at lovely FSI, an evening meeting next week, a few more shots tomorrow, personal packing to do, turn in my fob, wave good bye, and fly home. I am the lucky one.
My wife has to get the entire house ready for pack out, on her own, for next week, move herself and the kids into a hotel, ship the cats to LA to then be sent on to Jakarta, continue to get the house ready to rent, and stay sane. Maybe I should bring her back some booze. Or take her out to the bars to get really drunk. Or flowers. Maybe chocolate. Or take the kids somewhere and let her nap. Something.
Later, I will tell all of you the adventures of the USPS and the Dip passport.
Be well
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thanksgiving and 3 More Weeks
Thanksgiving is a time for family, no matter how dysfunctional, now matter how far apart, it is a time to be together and celebrate. But what do you do when you are 3000 miles from home? Or 5000? What about when you are half-way around the world? This is the world that our military members live in when they are deployed. It is also the world that our diplomats live in as they serve in remote posts around the world.
And then there are those of us who are here in D.C., training to go to our first posts. It is kind of hard to go home when you have to work the day after Thanksgiving. Not impossible, but prohibitively expensive. So, what do you do? Well, I'll tell you. You make your own family with all your friends, and have Thanksgiving pot-luck. 40 of us from the 163rd, plus some visiting family and friends, got together and had a wonderful night. We brought way too much food, too much drink, had a food drive for a local homeless shelter, and basically had a dinner to remember.
I missed being with my family.
I missed being with friends.
But I tell you, the only way it would have been a better night, was if my family had been here with me.
So yes, I am very thankful that I had so many friends to spend this Thanksgiving with, and it is also a good reminder that family isn't always blood. Often it is the people you are with. And they might be more dysfunctional than your Uncle Theo.
____________
That's right, three weeks to go until we are supposed to touch down in Jakarta. Looking at the weather there on my iPhone, I think I am seeing a trend. Monday, thunderstorms, 91 deg, 80% humidity. Tuesday, the same. Wednesday, the same. Thursday, same. Fri...same. Well, you get the picture.
Things left to do before leaving:
Get visas
pack out my apartment
pack out the house in Oregon
get schools finalized
breathe
ship the cats
get tickets
finalize housing
sell the car in Oregon
buy a car in Jakarta
rent the house
breathe again
The list goes on, as does the outlay of cash. I know that those readers who are part of the Foreign Service, with kids, understand just how many suitcases you need, but I never really considered it before joining the ranks. I mean really, who actually owns two full-sized suitcases for every member of the family, plus a carry-on, and a personal bag? With three kids and my wife, that comes to 20 bags.
20!
I'm going to need a Greyhound bus to pick us up from the airport! Or a fleet of vans. Something bigger than a taxi, that's for sure.
And then there are those of us who are here in D.C., training to go to our first posts. It is kind of hard to go home when you have to work the day after Thanksgiving. Not impossible, but prohibitively expensive. So, what do you do? Well, I'll tell you. You make your own family with all your friends, and have Thanksgiving pot-luck. 40 of us from the 163rd, plus some visiting family and friends, got together and had a wonderful night. We brought way too much food, too much drink, had a food drive for a local homeless shelter, and basically had a dinner to remember.
I missed being with my family.
I missed being with friends.
But I tell you, the only way it would have been a better night, was if my family had been here with me.
So yes, I am very thankful that I had so many friends to spend this Thanksgiving with, and it is also a good reminder that family isn't always blood. Often it is the people you are with. And they might be more dysfunctional than your Uncle Theo.
____________
That's right, three weeks to go until we are supposed to touch down in Jakarta. Looking at the weather there on my iPhone, I think I am seeing a trend. Monday, thunderstorms, 91 deg, 80% humidity. Tuesday, the same. Wednesday, the same. Thursday, same. Fri...same. Well, you get the picture.
Things left to do before leaving:
Get visas
pack out my apartment
pack out the house in Oregon
get schools finalized
breathe
ship the cats
get tickets
finalize housing
sell the car in Oregon
buy a car in Jakarta
rent the house
breathe again
The list goes on, as does the outlay of cash. I know that those readers who are part of the Foreign Service, with kids, understand just how many suitcases you need, but I never really considered it before joining the ranks. I mean really, who actually owns two full-sized suitcases for every member of the family, plus a carry-on, and a personal bag? With three kids and my wife, that comes to 20 bags.
20!
I'm going to need a Greyhound bus to pick us up from the airport! Or a fleet of vans. Something bigger than a taxi, that's for sure.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
The other thing that I forgot
When last I posted, I had forgotten the other thing that I wanted to talk about. Now I have remembered. Actually, I remembered on Tuesday but I've been a bit lazy so I am posting today. Two weeks ago I got to go on a White House tour. This may not seem like a big thing to some of you, but if you have ever tried to get on a tour, it is quite the process. Honestly, it really was interesting to walk through. There are amazing pictures, a mix of beautiful furniture and stuff I wouldn't put in YOUR house. Two things stand out the most from the tour: first was the Army First Sergeant that proposed to his girlfriend in the Blue Room. Turns out that you can arrange it with the Secret Service to pop the question in one of the nicest rooms in the White House. The second thing was that we got to see the First Lady walking the First Dog on the South Lawn. I know, I know, it's kind of lame to be excited about this. But really? How many Americans can say the same thing?
But while these things were cool, and I enjoyed my tour, it was what happened before the tour that was the most interesting. Walking up to the White House, there was a fire truck and an ambulance parked INSIDE the fence. This was, obviously, concerning. What happened? A shooting? Beat-down? No such luck. Just some random tourist that was so moved by the experience of touring the White House she fainted right there.
The second cool thing was, in fact, a beat down. Sort of. As we got to Pennsylvania Ave. there was a large group of police surrounding someone on the ground, and more police were showing up by the second. We didn't see it happen, but some protestor had chosen to get in an argument with the police, and instead of following directions, chose to turn and run. Moron. Seriously people, when across the street from the White House, DO NOT try and run from the police. You WILL get jacked up and be at the bottom of (Ok, I'm really sorry about this, but the pun writes itself) a pig pile.
Yes, I said it, but didn't any of you play pig pile? I'm just hoping you weren't drinking anything when you read that last bit, and did a big spit take all over your computer, cause I'm not liable for damages.
Any-who, our protagonist was trussed up and dealt with in some fashion or another, because he wasn't there when we finished the tour. After the tour, my friends and I headed off to Founding Farmers for a wonderful breakfast, good company, and then went our separate ways for the rest of the weekend.
Tomorrow, if you're lucky, I will tell you about my experience at the Newseum.
Be well neighbors.
But while these things were cool, and I enjoyed my tour, it was what happened before the tour that was the most interesting. Walking up to the White House, there was a fire truck and an ambulance parked INSIDE the fence. This was, obviously, concerning. What happened? A shooting? Beat-down? No such luck. Just some random tourist that was so moved by the experience of touring the White House she fainted right there.
The second cool thing was, in fact, a beat down. Sort of. As we got to Pennsylvania Ave. there was a large group of police surrounding someone on the ground, and more police were showing up by the second. We didn't see it happen, but some protestor had chosen to get in an argument with the police, and instead of following directions, chose to turn and run. Moron. Seriously people, when across the street from the White House, DO NOT try and run from the police. You WILL get jacked up and be at the bottom of (Ok, I'm really sorry about this, but the pun writes itself) a pig pile.
Yes, I said it, but didn't any of you play pig pile? I'm just hoping you weren't drinking anything when you read that last bit, and did a big spit take all over your computer, cause I'm not liable for damages.
Any-who, our protagonist was trussed up and dealt with in some fashion or another, because he wasn't there when we finished the tour. After the tour, my friends and I headed off to Founding Farmers for a wonderful breakfast, good company, and then went our separate ways for the rest of the weekend.
Tomorrow, if you're lucky, I will tell you about my experience at the Newseum.
Be well neighbors.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
What a Wild Week
There are times when people or organizations tell you they have a motto, but really it is just some snide little statement that either makes them feel important or they came up with because some consultant told them they needed one. Other companies, like Nike, have one that they embrace in every level of their culture. State has a motto, or at least maybe a philosophy, that seems, when you are new, to fall in the first category: Be Flexible. This isn't an official statement that appears on our business cards. It isn't part of the logo. It isn't splashed across the top of every Power Point slide. We are just reminded of it, constantly.
Side note; I think State uses Be Flexible because the Boy Scouts already had a lock on Be Prepared.
For those of you that read other Foreign Service blogs, this line of thought should come as no surprise. For those of you that are part of the Foreign Service, either as employees or families, I have a feeling you are cringing at this point, waiting for me to get on with it because you know the other shoe is going to drop and it will sound familiar or with the question of "what happened this time?"
Not even three weeks after Flag Day, I have been reassigned.
Where am I going? To the same post.
What am I doing? Different job.
When do you want me there? NOW!
I'm sorry, what was that last bit? You want me when? How much training do I get? Oh, that little? I see. Well, OK, I'm flexible. Let's do it!
Frankly, this has caused a lot of stress in my household because the family had only just applied for their blue passports, the kids hadn't applied for the new school yet, and frankly, they were in the process of getting ready to move out to Falls Church in December, three time zones East, instead of nine time zones West.
So we are working hard at getting ready to move to Post in December. The kids applications are in, the cats are being prepped to fly, the house prepped for renting, an accountant hired, passports and visas applied for, and expectations are being managed. I have to say that everyone involved in this process has been extremely helpful. Post has been wonderful at answering my wife's questions, and very responsive to my questions. The Bureau has been very helpful and is working closely with me to get as much training as possible in the five weeks I have left in DC, before heading to Post. And the kid's new school is being very helpful with all of the things that we need to get done in such a short time.
I am very excited about my first position, and I can't wait to start this next phase of my career. My family is excited and even the oldest has become excited about it too. She found the schools website and looked at all they had to offer, with no prompting from me or her mother. This is VERY encouraging!
I know I had more to write about in this post, but I started it last week and got sidetracked by something, so that is it for now. My next post will be about my visit home to Oregon and the joys of good coffee and excellent Indian food.
Be well world.
Side note; I think State uses Be Flexible because the Boy Scouts already had a lock on Be Prepared.
For those of you that read other Foreign Service blogs, this line of thought should come as no surprise. For those of you that are part of the Foreign Service, either as employees or families, I have a feeling you are cringing at this point, waiting for me to get on with it because you know the other shoe is going to drop and it will sound familiar or with the question of "what happened this time?"
Not even three weeks after Flag Day, I have been reassigned.
Where am I going? To the same post.
What am I doing? Different job.
When do you want me there? NOW!
I'm sorry, what was that last bit? You want me when? How much training do I get? Oh, that little? I see. Well, OK, I'm flexible. Let's do it!
Frankly, this has caused a lot of stress in my household because the family had only just applied for their blue passports, the kids hadn't applied for the new school yet, and frankly, they were in the process of getting ready to move out to Falls Church in December, three time zones East, instead of nine time zones West.
So we are working hard at getting ready to move to Post in December. The kids applications are in, the cats are being prepped to fly, the house prepped for renting, an accountant hired, passports and visas applied for, and expectations are being managed. I have to say that everyone involved in this process has been extremely helpful. Post has been wonderful at answering my wife's questions, and very responsive to my questions. The Bureau has been very helpful and is working closely with me to get as much training as possible in the five weeks I have left in DC, before heading to Post. And the kid's new school is being very helpful with all of the things that we need to get done in such a short time.
I am very excited about my first position, and I can't wait to start this next phase of my career. My family is excited and even the oldest has become excited about it too. She found the schools website and looked at all they had to offer, with no prompting from me or her mother. This is VERY encouraging!
I know I had more to write about in this post, but I started it last week and got sidetracked by something, so that is it for now. My next post will be about my visit home to Oregon and the joys of good coffee and excellent Indian food.
Be well world.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Snow Storms and Throat Singing?
So, living on the east coast is a very different animal than living on the west coast. For starters, who knew that the sun actually rose OUT of the ocean? I mean, it's only right and proper place is to set INTO the ocean, isn't it? Then there are the houses and apartments in the area. I have never seen so many brick buildings in one place. Or ones clad in granite. Or marble. Or whatever else kind of stone they use out here. Very strange, houses are supposed to be built out of wood or stucco. And oddly, when there is an earthquake, a lot of those bricks either fall off or the mortar is cracked. But they never have earthquakes out here right? Right?
Oh. Yeah.
And then ther was Saturday's surprise storm. It dumped almost three feet of snow on New England, but down here it just made a mess. Lots of snow that didn't stick, lots of rain that just made things wet, and a bit of a cold snap to make things interesting. So what did yours truly do during the surprise snowpocolypse? played video games, ate cold pizza, filed papers, and was generally a slug all day.
It. Was. Wonderful!
Not that I am likely to repeat it, but once in awhile it is ok to do absolutely nothing, and like it.
So that meant that Sunday was shopping day, and get-other-things-done day, followed by dinner and a concert with friends. I didn't go see Jimmy Buffett, Cowboy Mouth, The Beastie Boys, Iron Maiden, or any one else that I know and love. Oh no. When you have 100 new friends that have all traveled the world and seen many things, you end up at a concert of Tuvan throat singing. Right, I'd never heard of it either. I will admit to being skeptical but I had to get out after Saturday, so this was the perfect opportunity. The band's name is Alash Ensemble, and is a quartet of Master Singers from Tuva, and their talent proved it. To say that I was impressed is an understatement. The music was haunting, and like nothing I had ever heard before. I have heard musicians use their bodies as an instrument (Bobby McFarrin, Take 6) but never heard someone create more than one sound from their throat at the same time.
All I can say is that it was amazing. If you get a chance to hear them, or others like them, I highly recommend it. You can hear their music on iTunes, or on their website. Either way, give them a try, and listen closely. When you hear a lonely, high note that seems to be coming from nowhere, you will be hearing a person creating two notes at the same time.
Oh. Yeah.
And then ther was Saturday's surprise storm. It dumped almost three feet of snow on New England, but down here it just made a mess. Lots of snow that didn't stick, lots of rain that just made things wet, and a bit of a cold snap to make things interesting. So what did yours truly do during the surprise snowpocolypse? played video games, ate cold pizza, filed papers, and was generally a slug all day.
It. Was. Wonderful!
Not that I am likely to repeat it, but once in awhile it is ok to do absolutely nothing, and like it.
So that meant that Sunday was shopping day, and get-other-things-done day, followed by dinner and a concert with friends. I didn't go see Jimmy Buffett, Cowboy Mouth, The Beastie Boys, Iron Maiden, or any one else that I know and love. Oh no. When you have 100 new friends that have all traveled the world and seen many things, you end up at a concert of Tuvan throat singing. Right, I'd never heard of it either. I will admit to being skeptical but I had to get out after Saturday, so this was the perfect opportunity. The band's name is Alash Ensemble, and is a quartet of Master Singers from Tuva, and their talent proved it. To say that I was impressed is an understatement. The music was haunting, and like nothing I had ever heard before. I have heard musicians use their bodies as an instrument (Bobby McFarrin, Take 6) but never heard someone create more than one sound from their throat at the same time.
All I can say is that it was amazing. If you get a chance to hear them, or others like them, I highly recommend it. You can hear their music on iTunes, or on their website. Either way, give them a try, and listen closely. When you hear a lonely, high note that seems to be coming from nowhere, you will be hearing a person creating two notes at the same time.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Swearing In and Seeing Family
It's official. I have been formally sworn in as a Foreign Service Officer in the US State Department after six weeks of initial training. From here I will learn how to be a Consular Officer and how to speak Bahasa (Malay Indonesian.) Honestly, I can't wait! There is little in this world that I have looked forward to more than this opportunity to serve my country. I am amazed and humbled by this honor and am confident that I will have a wonderful time in this new career.
Aren't I lucky!
To top it off, the Momma-beast came to DC to watch me get sworn in and today we drove southwest to visit "A", whom I haven't seen in 15 years. What a wonderful day it was! We had a great lunch in Luray, VA at Gathering Grounds, shopped a bit, and then visited some more. While the trees weren't at their most colorful, none the less they were beautiful and the drive was very scenic. The really nice thing is that with "A" living so close, it is likely she will come visit a few times before I move to Jakarta.
Aren't I lucky!
To top it off, the Momma-beast came to DC to watch me get sworn in and today we drove southwest to visit "A", whom I haven't seen in 15 years. What a wonderful day it was! We had a great lunch in Luray, VA at Gathering Grounds, shopped a bit, and then visited some more. While the trees weren't at their most colorful, none the less they were beautiful and the drive was very scenic. The really nice thing is that with "A" living so close, it is likely she will come visit a few times before I move to Jakarta.
Monday, October 17, 2011
And the answer is...
Jakarta, Indonesia!
That's right folks, I am going to be spending two years in Jakarta, after I finish ConGen (I will define this another day) and half a year of language training, learning Bahasa (Malay Indonesian).
This is really an awesome assignment and I am looking forward to it. Jakarta was one of our top choices as a family and everything that I have heard is that it is a great post. Lots to see and do. Lots of travel opportunities. I can't wait!
That's right folks, I am going to be spending two years in Jakarta, after I finish ConGen (I will define this another day) and half a year of language training, learning Bahasa (Malay Indonesian).
This is really an awesome assignment and I am looking forward to it. Jakarta was one of our top choices as a family and everything that I have heard is that it is a great post. Lots to see and do. Lots of travel opportunities. I can't wait!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Almost there!
After three tests over eight months.
After my past being scrutinized with a fine-toothed comb.
After having physicals and and lots of medical tests to insure I am healthy.
After months of answering the same question over and over.
After two weeks of sorting through names of cities.
After two more weeks of waiting.
I am almost there.
Two days and a wake up left.
68 hours to go.
Flag Day is almost here!
Finally I will know what country I am going to for my first post.
What city my family and I will be living in for two years.
Flag Day is almost upon me.
Flag Day, the day that every new Foreign Service Officer waits for with anxiety, fear, hope, dread, longing, anticipation, and excitement.
Flag Day, the day that every other Foreign Service Officer remembers for their entire career.
I'm almost there!
(The sad thing is, all I can see in my mind's eye is the final battle with the Death Star in the original Star Wars and Red Leader saying "Almost there." Yes, I am a geek. And lucky you, I am also the geek that will represent US interests abroad. Your interests! Isn't that exciting?)
After my past being scrutinized with a fine-toothed comb.
After having physicals and and lots of medical tests to insure I am healthy.
After months of answering the same question over and over.
After two weeks of sorting through names of cities.
After two more weeks of waiting.
I am almost there.
Two days and a wake up left.
68 hours to go.
Flag Day is almost here!
Finally I will know what country I am going to for my first post.
What city my family and I will be living in for two years.
Flag Day is almost upon me.
Flag Day, the day that every new Foreign Service Officer waits for with anxiety, fear, hope, dread, longing, anticipation, and excitement.
Flag Day, the day that every other Foreign Service Officer remembers for their entire career.
I'm almost there!
(The sad thing is, all I can see in my mind's eye is the final battle with the Death Star in the original Star Wars and Red Leader saying "Almost there." Yes, I am a geek. And lucky you, I am also the geek that will represent US interests abroad. Your interests! Isn't that exciting?)
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