So, I have survived the first week. So far it has been long days, with lots of new information. I am meeting lots of great people and have gotten to be an old pro at riding the metro. I am looking forward to a weekend of rest. My UAB arrived today, so I have lots of unpacking to do, but it means that my kitchen knives have arrived. This thrills me more than any of the other stuff. I am meeting up with Uncle Cliff this afternoon so that I can make a trip to the market. Hopefully a nap will also be in my future. I can't wait to be able to share my onward post with everyone; I should know in another couple of weeks.
Quite weekend, no homework and NO SUIT!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
I'm Here!
Well, I'm here. Today was the first day and while there was some new information, all in all, it was a typical orientation type day. I should know, I have led an awful lot of orientations over the last 10 years. I can't give a lot of details about the job aspect, so let me tell you about the great meal that I had, after the first day.
After we left the building, we (a new friend that I have made, I will call her J) walked up 23rd Street and stopped at a restaurant called Circa at Foggy Bottom. It definitely seemed to be a cool place and they have patio dining which was fabulous, since the weather is gorgeous right now. They had happy hour which was nice and were even offering $5.00 wine and 1/2 off bottles of wine. This is an excellent way to try new and different types of wine. J and I both tried the cheese plate, which was extraordinary. The 6 varieties of cheese were served with bread, crackers, nuts, jam, and honey, which brings out lots of flavor in the different varieties. J next had the Mac and Cheese and I had the Lobster Ravioli. They were both small plates, so we each got enough without overdoing it. Which turned out to be excellent planning since we walked home from the metro stop, which is about 1 mile from the apartment. We walked off all that cheese and enjoyed the lovely spring evening.
Altogether, it was an excellent first day and I look forward to tomorrow's surprises. See you next time!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Final Week Prep....Continued
Okay, so I hit publish before I was ready so here is part two of the update.
Ever wonder what 250 lbs of stuff looks like? Well, I suppose that 250 lbs of potatoes looks very different than 250 lbs of feathers, but in real people stuff? Just because I know that you are curious, here you go.
That's it....six boxes. 250 lbs of stuff. Mostly clothes, lots of clothes, and the hangers that those clothes are on. And shoes, did I mention shoes and the shoe thing that the shoes go in. And bath products, girls have a lot of bath products and I am no exception. Just FYI...for those of you who know that I like to cook. I also snuck in my good knife set, my favorite hand grater, two spatulas and a couple of other neat kitchen tools that I didn't want to be without.
So here's what happens next. They take the six boxes and turn them into two boxes...
Wow, that's it. That is just 2 boxes and they hold 250 lbs of my most precious possessions. Since it is my first UAB (Unaccompanied air baggage) pack-out, I probably included plenty of stuff that I don't need and didn't include lots of stuff that I will need, but you live and you learn. The next time I pack UAB, it will be in preparation for our first overseas posting. I can't wait. I will be a pro by then, right?
On a more somber note, I hate to think about Al having to get the entire rest of the house packed out. I hate it for him, but there is a small part of me that is really glad that I won't be here. Al and the packers will probably be very grateful that I am not constantly looking over their shoulders, too.
Well, that's it for now. My flight leaves on Saturday so I am going to enjoy one last visit with my friend Felica tonight and will enjoy the day tomorrow with my sweet Al.
Until we meet again..............
Final Week Prep
So I wanted to give everyone an update on where I am in the process, but....
First things first- Sofia got a new haircut and it is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. I wanted to share it with everyone.
First things first- Sofia got a new haircut and it is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. I wanted to share it with everyone.
This is the before hair...yes, it is very pretty and very wild and very difficult to manage. But yes, very pretty.
This is the after hair. It is gorgeous and very tame and very easy to manage. I am thinking of her daddy having to be alone with her for two months. This haircut is much better suited to single father life.
 |
| So cute and sweet! |
 |
| The consummate entertainer |
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Final Week in Gulfport...
I have been debating about whether I wanted to post anything today because honestly I am pretty sad. I had to say goodbye to Garden Park on Friday, which has been my work home for the last 4 years and I really love the people that I worked with there. It was comfortable, it was good, it was safe.
Brandy Spencer Rea came down yesterday and we spent a really nice afternoon and evening saying goodbye (for now). A great meal and a little dancing, we had fun the way we have many times before, during college. It was comfortable, it was good, it was safe.
This afternoon, I got together with some of the greatest women that I have ever known. Known with affection as, "The Crows", these women have taken me into their group and taught me that friendship can be forever. I see that theirs has been for each other and I am blessed that I am now a part of this group. It was comfortable, it was good, it was safe.
I am beginning this journey with the State Department that may not end up being any of those things; comfortable, good or safe. At least not all three at the same time. I am excited and terrified and going between feelings of elation and utter fear.
But something happened today at Nugent United Methodist Church; the pastor, Lance Presley, talked about the fact that sometimes we have to give up good things, because we believe something better is coming. Or that the things that we are giving up are keeping us from reaching the better things in our future. I know that he was talking about the time of Lent and the preparation leading up to Easter and the Resurrection, but this really hit home for me. Although the things that I am giving up are comfortable and good and safe, the fact is that I believe that God has a different path for me right now and I have to give these things up or I will never follow this new path.
So, I have cried and hugged and been sad, but I am also happy and excited about the future.
Well, enough of my ruminations, duty calls. Baths must be given, books must be read and lullabies sung. My family needs me and that is a great thing.
I will leave you with a picture of a couple of crows....I am so glad that I am a part of the flock!
Brandy Spencer Rea came down yesterday and we spent a really nice afternoon and evening saying goodbye (for now). A great meal and a little dancing, we had fun the way we have many times before, during college. It was comfortable, it was good, it was safe.
This afternoon, I got together with some of the greatest women that I have ever known. Known with affection as, "The Crows", these women have taken me into their group and taught me that friendship can be forever. I see that theirs has been for each other and I am blessed that I am now a part of this group. It was comfortable, it was good, it was safe.
I am beginning this journey with the State Department that may not end up being any of those things; comfortable, good or safe. At least not all three at the same time. I am excited and terrified and going between feelings of elation and utter fear.
But something happened today at Nugent United Methodist Church; the pastor, Lance Presley, talked about the fact that sometimes we have to give up good things, because we believe something better is coming. Or that the things that we are giving up are keeping us from reaching the better things in our future. I know that he was talking about the time of Lent and the preparation leading up to Easter and the Resurrection, but this really hit home for me. Although the things that I am giving up are comfortable and good and safe, the fact is that I believe that God has a different path for me right now and I have to give these things up or I will never follow this new path.
So, I have cried and hugged and been sad, but I am also happy and excited about the future.
Well, enough of my ruminations, duty calls. Baths must be given, books must be read and lullabies sung. My family needs me and that is a great thing.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Two weeks and counting....
Saturday morning, two weeks out from D day, Departure Day. Here's where we stand so far....
1. I have a fully furnished apartment reserved in Washington DC at Oakwood Falls Church; small problem, they called me this week and said that some of the people scheduled to check out have extended and so the 2 bedroom apartment that we are supposed to get will not be available when I get to DC. They have a 1 bedroom available and they will move me into a 2 bedroom, as soon as something is available. This is a small inconvenience, but nothing major. Al and Sofia won't even be in Washington for a couple of months, so maybe by then, we will have the bigger apartment. If not, we will just be up close and personal, all cozy...didn't the Ingall's family from Little House on the Prairie all sleep in one room?
2. I spoke with the packing/moving company this week. We have our pre-pack survey on Wednesday afternoon. This means that someone from the moving company will come and walk through the house with me while I point out which things will need to be packed and moved. Seems easy enough, but since a large portion of our stuff is being given away or sold, this presents a challenge in explaining things. Example: We want the stuff in the cabinet, but the actual cabinet is not to be shipped. They told me to stop packing things myself. They may have to undo everything that I have done, if it is not packed to appropriate specifications. So I am relegated to sorting stuff and making piles. My house is a nightmare. Don't look mom!
3. On the work front, I am turning over the reigns next week to my replacement. She will get to work with me for the whole week, which should mean that is at least 1 area of my life where I still have some control. I am thrilled with my replacement, she should be excellent and I am confident that I am leaving the hospital in competent hands. I am surprised to say, but I am actually sad to leave. I love Garden Park Medical Center and I will continue to be a strong supporter of this amazing facility that has meant so much to me.
4. Finally, my grandparents are on town. Henry and Shirley Richmond have made the drive down from North Texas, just to help if they can. Mostly what they are going to do is help me keep my mind off everything. We are going to play dominoes and other games and just enjoy some family time. It should be great and an appreciated distraction.
What will the next couple of weeks bring? Stay tuned to Arriaga's Adventures for breaking news.
1. I have a fully furnished apartment reserved in Washington DC at Oakwood Falls Church; small problem, they called me this week and said that some of the people scheduled to check out have extended and so the 2 bedroom apartment that we are supposed to get will not be available when I get to DC. They have a 1 bedroom available and they will move me into a 2 bedroom, as soon as something is available. This is a small inconvenience, but nothing major. Al and Sofia won't even be in Washington for a couple of months, so maybe by then, we will have the bigger apartment. If not, we will just be up close and personal, all cozy...didn't the Ingall's family from Little House on the Prairie all sleep in one room?
2. I spoke with the packing/moving company this week. We have our pre-pack survey on Wednesday afternoon. This means that someone from the moving company will come and walk through the house with me while I point out which things will need to be packed and moved. Seems easy enough, but since a large portion of our stuff is being given away or sold, this presents a challenge in explaining things. Example: We want the stuff in the cabinet, but the actual cabinet is not to be shipped. They told me to stop packing things myself. They may have to undo everything that I have done, if it is not packed to appropriate specifications. So I am relegated to sorting stuff and making piles. My house is a nightmare. Don't look mom!
3. On the work front, I am turning over the reigns next week to my replacement. She will get to work with me for the whole week, which should mean that is at least 1 area of my life where I still have some control. I am thrilled with my replacement, she should be excellent and I am confident that I am leaving the hospital in competent hands. I am surprised to say, but I am actually sad to leave. I love Garden Park Medical Center and I will continue to be a strong supporter of this amazing facility that has meant so much to me.
4. Finally, my grandparents are on town. Henry and Shirley Richmond have made the drive down from North Texas, just to help if they can. Mostly what they are going to do is help me keep my mind off everything. We are going to play dominoes and other games and just enjoy some family time. It should be great and an appreciated distraction.
What will the next couple of weeks bring? Stay tuned to Arriaga's Adventures for breaking news.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
3 weeks and counting
So we are in the final stretch...at least for me. In less than 3 weeks time, I will be on a plane headed for Washington DC and my new job with the Foreign Service. Al and Sofia are going to wrap up first grade here in Mississippi and then join me in early May. The house is a wreck; trying to sort everything, figure out what to keep, what to give away, what to throw away, it is a little overwhelming. I have a one way plane ticket, also a little scary and an apartment that I have never seen. At this point, I am praying that everything comes together. Funny thing about praying, it usually works.
I am down to less than two weeks at my current job, which honestly makes me a little sad. It is truly the best job I have ever had. In fact, I am privileged to have worked with the staff and administrators at Garden Park Medical Center and will always be grateful for the amazing learning opportunities that I have had there.
Our family is really excited and we can't wait to learn where our first assignment abroad will take us. Stay tuned for pictures and announcements. We will take you on our adventure.
I am down to less than two weeks at my current job, which honestly makes me a little sad. It is truly the best job I have ever had. In fact, I am privileged to have worked with the staff and administrators at Garden Park Medical Center and will always be grateful for the amazing learning opportunities that I have had there.
Our family is really excited and we can't wait to learn where our first assignment abroad will take us. Stay tuned for pictures and announcements. We will take you on our adventure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)