the very important work project to give you this post.
I'm working on something really important at work, so of course I can't concentrate on it. I'll be honest, the project is scaring the crap out of me. I'm writing the speech for the Ambassador for our Hail & Farewell party (a yearly event welcoming newcomers and sending away departing employees with love). A lot of people think it's not a big deal, and they're probably right. She's going to take what I write, chew it up, and spit it out anyway, but good lord! Some people know I'm writing this, and I don't want it to just be adequate. I want it to be amazing. I want her to have to not chew it up and spit it out.
I don't know where this drive (to have a great product - not so much to do it quickly) came from. This is not how I was in High School, or the two years I spent in Bible college. I think John might be an influence though. It's a bit encouraging and scary for when I start school because I know that I'll want to hand in great quality work, but it will probably take me a long time to do it!
The good thing about this project is that the people I've been asking for help have been very helpful today. Thank you people!!
Baby update: Friday I'll be 34 weeks along which means I'm 3 weeks and 2 days from being full term - yikes! The bassinet is set up in our room, and the crib is ready in the nursury. The only necessary tasks we have left to do are buy diapers, wash his clothes, and pack the hospital bag. Wow...
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Where Do I Start?
Well I'll tell you where I won't start. That major seizure event that I told you about, that's now 16 days in the past? I've written it all down in a very lengthy and detailed story of the event. I'm on the third page in Word, single spaced. I moved it from notepad because I was getting annoyed with notepad. However, we don't really have Word on this computer, so it's not registered, so I can't copy, paste, add, subtract, do anything with it. So for now the very detailed description is on hold. I'll just tell you, Malachi's fine. He started a new therapy that night that has taken full effect in his blood and we haven't seen any (and I mean any) seizure activity in about a week.
So I'll start with training in NOVA/D.C.. I love FSI, that's right Drng Adventure, I said it. I've loved it since John started there. For me it's a symbol of the beginning of a new life. John had so many good times there, and now so have I. The training was intense. It was very overwhelming, I know I just used a superlative in front of overwhelming, but I feel like I can and any other person that goes through that training would agree. Today I finally was able to put it into words - it was 40 hours of training, but it was more like 50 or 60 hours of training all crammed in. There's so much more to the job than I thought. I now have a great respect for CLO's, and will never look down on one - unless they suck (I've heard that happens).
Right now I'm a CLO Assistant (CLO/A), and my main responsibility is the newsletter, with that I also keep up the paper files, and make sure the welcome books and welcome packets are taken care of. I also make the flyers for our events, I also do the finances for CLO (yikes!), but that's not very involved. Other than that, I really don't do much. I'll take messages for the CLO, and I keep the office open on Wednesdays. But there's so much more to the job than that!
Our CLO plans our events, does all of the work for families and the area schools, is the CLO rep. on the Emergency Action Pannel (the people at the Embassy who are in charge during an emergency), helps the EFM's with employment inside and outside the mission, and more! She does so much in only 32 hours a week.
She's leaving this summer, and I've applied for the job. I feel like after training, I have so much to offer that position. I came home with almost four pages of ideas and reminders, most of them one liners, only about seven personal. I wasn't even able to touch that list at work last week to organize it, hopefully I can do that this week.
I made some good connections there too. One of the Co-CLO's from Buenos Aires and I hung out the last two nights doing a bunch of shopping and eating at Chipotle (both nights). I wanted to take her to Dogfish Head Alehouse, but the wait was already 45-60 minutes by the time we got there. I passed around a piece of paper at training one day and got everyone's contact information, and then put it together in Excel when I got to work on Wednesday. We now all have 23 connections we didn't have before.
I had so much fun being in the States, and being at job training. But I learned, as John did when he went to Thailand by himself last August, that home is where our family is. I couldn't wait to get home on Saturday morning. That's a whole other story...have you looked up MIA yet? You should.
So I'll start with training in NOVA/D.C.. I love FSI, that's right Drng Adventure, I said it. I've loved it since John started there. For me it's a symbol of the beginning of a new life. John had so many good times there, and now so have I. The training was intense. It was very overwhelming, I know I just used a superlative in front of overwhelming, but I feel like I can and any other person that goes through that training would agree. Today I finally was able to put it into words - it was 40 hours of training, but it was more like 50 or 60 hours of training all crammed in. There's so much more to the job than I thought. I now have a great respect for CLO's, and will never look down on one - unless they suck (I've heard that happens).
Right now I'm a CLO Assistant (CLO/A), and my main responsibility is the newsletter, with that I also keep up the paper files, and make sure the welcome books and welcome packets are taken care of. I also make the flyers for our events, I also do the finances for CLO (yikes!), but that's not very involved. Other than that, I really don't do much. I'll take messages for the CLO, and I keep the office open on Wednesdays. But there's so much more to the job than that!
Our CLO plans our events, does all of the work for families and the area schools, is the CLO rep. on the Emergency Action Pannel (the people at the Embassy who are in charge during an emergency), helps the EFM's with employment inside and outside the mission, and more! She does so much in only 32 hours a week.
She's leaving this summer, and I've applied for the job. I feel like after training, I have so much to offer that position. I came home with almost four pages of ideas and reminders, most of them one liners, only about seven personal. I wasn't even able to touch that list at work last week to organize it, hopefully I can do that this week.
I made some good connections there too. One of the Co-CLO's from Buenos Aires and I hung out the last two nights doing a bunch of shopping and eating at Chipotle (both nights). I wanted to take her to Dogfish Head Alehouse, but the wait was already 45-60 minutes by the time we got there. I passed around a piece of paper at training one day and got everyone's contact information, and then put it together in Excel when I got to work on Wednesday. We now all have 23 connections we didn't have before.
I had so much fun being in the States, and being at job training. But I learned, as John did when he went to Thailand by himself last August, that home is where our family is. I couldn't wait to get home on Saturday morning. That's a whole other story...have you looked up MIA yet? You should.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Six Days
Only six more days...
To some couples this is a drop in the bucket. But we're not those couples, and I miss John terribly. His absence has really made me realize how much I love him. I can't wait to cuddle with him and watch Better Off Ted.
Simon has really gotten good at moving around in his walker (which stays downstairs, for the information of the concerned grand parents). And he's so good at it he doesn't get stuck very often. He goes into the guest room, the laundry room, the kitchen, the dining room. He has so much fun with it.
The other day Malachi fell asleep on the couch while Simon was in his walker. Malachi was snoring a bit and Simon thought it was hilarious and laughing made his way over to his brother.
I caught him right before he actually touched his brother.
Tonight after I got home from work Malachi was really clingy. And loud. While I was skyping with my brother-in-law and his wife he was yelling a lot. I told him to stop yelling which was followed by a yell. So he lost his Wipeout privileges tonight. So after dinner, which he didn't really like, he went to bed Wipeout-less. And he's been looking forward to it for so long (since the last episode on Thursday).
Work is really busy right now. We have a lot of arrivals in the next couple of months, which means a Newcomer's reception. Of course we have school starting so we have a Back To School Party for 6th - 12th graders with make your own pizza. The very next day we're having a Play Day for the younger kids with decorate your own cookies, ice cream, and water games. Costa Rican Mother's Day is this month so we're going to have a Bazaar to showcase some American small businesses in the area and give the Locally Employed Staff the chance to buy their presents right at work. Should be a good time.
And amidst all that I'm still putting together the Embassy Newsletter. This is a Sensitive But Unclassified document which means that only the people I send it to can have a copy. So if you don't get it from us already then I can't send it to you...so stop asking!
John we all miss you, please come home safe and sound.
To some couples this is a drop in the bucket. But we're not those couples, and I miss John terribly. His absence has really made me realize how much I love him. I can't wait to cuddle with him and watch Better Off Ted.
Simon has really gotten good at moving around in his walker (which stays downstairs, for the information of the concerned grand parents). And he's so good at it he doesn't get stuck very often. He goes into the guest room, the laundry room, the kitchen, the dining room. He has so much fun with it.
The other day Malachi fell asleep on the couch while Simon was in his walker. Malachi was snoring a bit and Simon thought it was hilarious and laughing made his way over to his brother.
I caught him right before he actually touched his brother.
Tonight after I got home from work Malachi was really clingy. And loud. While I was skyping with my brother-in-law and his wife he was yelling a lot. I told him to stop yelling which was followed by a yell. So he lost his Wipeout privileges tonight. So after dinner, which he didn't really like, he went to bed Wipeout-less. And he's been looking forward to it for so long (since the last episode on Thursday).
Work is really busy right now. We have a lot of arrivals in the next couple of months, which means a Newcomer's reception. Of course we have school starting so we have a Back To School Party for 6th - 12th graders with make your own pizza. The very next day we're having a Play Day for the younger kids with decorate your own cookies, ice cream, and water games. Costa Rican Mother's Day is this month so we're going to have a Bazaar to showcase some American small businesses in the area and give the Locally Employed Staff the chance to buy their presents right at work. Should be a good time.
And amidst all that I'm still putting together the Embassy Newsletter. This is a Sensitive But Unclassified document which means that only the people I send it to can have a copy. So if you don't get it from us already then I can't send it to you...so stop asking!
John we all miss you, please come home safe and sound.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Simon is Better!
Simon's much better. He did end up having another dirty diaper that night so I talked to the nurse. I called her at home, and I felt really bad, but after talking to her I decided to go out to the store and get some Pedialyte. They didn't have any at the grocery store so I went to the pharmacy. I originally thought the pharmacy was closed because I was mixing up closed and open. Luckily before I went home I remembered that Abierto means open, not closed. I bought some there after talking to the Dr on site with her broken English, and my broken Spanish.
I gave Simon a full bottle of it that night and sent him to bed. Yesterday he woke up already doing better. And all yesterday P gave him an ounce with each feeding. During his last feeding I gave him two ounces. He had fewer dirty diapers yesterday and they're more solid too. Today he woke up and his rash was better and they're still solid. He's still going to get an ounce at each feeding today. Hopefully we can take him off of it after today because you're only supposed to use it for 24 hours after opening the bottle. So if we still need to treat him we'll have to buy more. We'll see how he does tomorrow.
I'm sitting at my desk at work right now waiting for the Management Counselor (the big boss in the Management Section) to come back with this weeks newsletter approval. I'm actually quite proud of this one. I feel like it's much better than the last one I did. I also feel so much better about it because I wasn't putting it together from scratch, so I felt a lot less stressful. I was able to just replace some items with newer ones. I had to do very little page design.
I have to admit though, that it can be a bit like pulling teeth to get this put together because it relies on people sending me certain things. They're supposed to send me these things by end of business on Monday so I can put it all together on Tuesday. HA! I actually went to the Travel office today and I had to run around looking for a guy to send me a picture (in his defense it was still on the camera that was being carried around by someone else who's doing a project). They both sent me the items in a timely manner though - thank God!
Here's a wonderful Malachi story for your enjoyment:
We were in the car the other day and we passed a sign that said BAC. All of a sudden we hear from the back seat: "back! buh-a-ck. back!" We cheered on our amazing son. This was the first time I heard him read something with out being prompted or helped. He's so wonderful! I can't wait to see his progress in school this year.
UPDATE: P said he did really well today. He hasn't had one dirty diaper since he woke up! Yay!!!!
I gave Simon a full bottle of it that night and sent him to bed. Yesterday he woke up already doing better. And all yesterday P gave him an ounce with each feeding. During his last feeding I gave him two ounces. He had fewer dirty diapers yesterday and they're more solid too. Today he woke up and his rash was better and they're still solid. He's still going to get an ounce at each feeding today. Hopefully we can take him off of it after today because you're only supposed to use it for 24 hours after opening the bottle. So if we still need to treat him we'll have to buy more. We'll see how he does tomorrow.
I'm sitting at my desk at work right now waiting for the Management Counselor (the big boss in the Management Section) to come back with this weeks newsletter approval. I'm actually quite proud of this one. I feel like it's much better than the last one I did. I also feel so much better about it because I wasn't putting it together from scratch, so I felt a lot less stressful. I was able to just replace some items with newer ones. I had to do very little page design.
I have to admit though, that it can be a bit like pulling teeth to get this put together because it relies on people sending me certain things. They're supposed to send me these things by end of business on Monday so I can put it all together on Tuesday. HA! I actually went to the Travel office today and I had to run around looking for a guy to send me a picture (in his defense it was still on the camera that was being carried around by someone else who's doing a project). They both sent me the items in a timely manner though - thank God!
Here's a wonderful Malachi story for your enjoyment:
We were in the car the other day and we passed a sign that said BAC. All of a sudden we hear from the back seat: "back! buh-a-ck. back!" We cheered on our amazing son. This was the first time I heard him read something with out being prompted or helped. He's so wonderful! I can't wait to see his progress in school this year.
UPDATE: P said he did really well today. He hasn't had one dirty diaper since he woke up! Yay!!!!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Guests
Our guests didn't have a great night on Sunday night in San Salvador. They missed their 3 am bus and didn't make the next one at the other bus company. I felt really bad for them. Happily they were able to enjoy a little pampering yesterday and got themselves a pedicure and one hour massage at a price they wouldn't find in the States (and probably wouldn't have found here either).
So they're on their way right now. In fact...if their bus is on time, they'll be here in under two hours. I'm so excited to see them! I hope we have a good time and they enjoy Costa Rica.
I filled out a lot of HR paper work today. Got it notarized in the Consulate and everything. I did get to go behind the scenes in the Consulate which is pretty special apparently. Then HR gave me more paperwork. This time it's easy, direct deposit and W-4. Not nearly as confusing as the benefits paperwork. Oh yeah! I get benefits, even though I'm only part-time. I get the same benefits, just on a different scale. So when I officially start, I'm going to be putting away for retirement and I have life insurance too. I don't think I've had life insurance since John got this job, so that makes me happy. I know now that it won't be a big burden on him if something should (God forbid) happen to me.
I picked up Pizza Hut for dinner. I think it made a bigger mess than if I would've made myself a sandwich. Oh well, it was pretty tasty. Not exactly like home, but pretty good.
I'm IM'ing with my brother-in-law as I type this and he asks: What do you eat? I laughed and thought that was a very funny question. And I realized that we eat basically the same stuff that we did in the states. At least when we cook we do. We tend to go to the really really nice store and spend the money for the atmosphere. Plus it's the closest and I like it more...stop judging me! But we're still making spaghetti, and broccoli chicken braid, and grilling steak and chicken.
My maid does cook for us though, and I really like that. She makes a mean gallo pinto. She's making a big Tico breakfast for us tomorrow, so I'm pretty excited about that.
I'm tired and I need to rest and clean up dinner before they get here.
BTW click on the flickr link on the right side to see some more pictures of the fam.
So they're on their way right now. In fact...if their bus is on time, they'll be here in under two hours. I'm so excited to see them! I hope we have a good time and they enjoy Costa Rica.
I filled out a lot of HR paper work today. Got it notarized in the Consulate and everything. I did get to go behind the scenes in the Consulate which is pretty special apparently. Then HR gave me more paperwork. This time it's easy, direct deposit and W-4. Not nearly as confusing as the benefits paperwork. Oh yeah! I get benefits, even though I'm only part-time. I get the same benefits, just on a different scale. So when I officially start, I'm going to be putting away for retirement and I have life insurance too. I don't think I've had life insurance since John got this job, so that makes me happy. I know now that it won't be a big burden on him if something should (God forbid) happen to me.
I picked up Pizza Hut for dinner. I think it made a bigger mess than if I would've made myself a sandwich. Oh well, it was pretty tasty. Not exactly like home, but pretty good.
I'm IM'ing with my brother-in-law as I type this and he asks: What do you eat? I laughed and thought that was a very funny question. And I realized that we eat basically the same stuff that we did in the states. At least when we cook we do. We tend to go to the really really nice store and spend the money for the atmosphere. Plus it's the closest and I like it more...stop judging me! But we're still making spaghetti, and broccoli chicken braid, and grilling steak and chicken.
My maid does cook for us though, and I really like that. She makes a mean gallo pinto. She's making a big Tico breakfast for us tomorrow, so I'm pretty excited about that.
I'm tired and I need to rest and clean up dinner before they get here.
BTW click on the flickr link on the right side to see some more pictures of the fam.
Monday, June 7, 2010
It's official
and is no longer a secret. I've been hired by the US Embassy in San Jose to be the Assistant CLO. Woot!
Friday, April 30, 2010
One Week
Today we've been in Costa Rica for one week! Today also happens to be the day we got our internet and cable hooked up! Yay!! I'm so happy to be connected to the rest of the world again!
We've been really busy since we got here. Our sponsors (someone the Embassy asks to help us out for a while) have been so great. The wife took me shopping last Friday for groceries at the Wal Mart owned store called Hiper Mas (Malachi calls it the Whale Store because of the whale logo). It was so overwhelming for me because my Spanish is so poor and I'd been in CR for about 20 hours. None the less I picked up a lot of cleaning supplies but not much food.
That night we went to our sponsor's house for their son's 10 year birthday party. It was great for us to meet people. Saturday was the big Embassy yard sale. We were looking for a crib but didn't like the one we saw. I did get a Baby Bjorn carrier for $20 - it's great!
Sunday our sponsors invited us to their church, but we decided to chill. We got bored though (in case you don't know the sun rises at about 5:15 here because they don't observe daylight savings time) so we took a walk into the central area of the town we live in. Just from that hour long walk Malachi and I got sun burned, we're so close to the equator and we're a bit higher in elevation too. Next time Malachi went out to play he had sun screen on. Luckily I had aloe with me, that really helped us.
John went grocery shopping and got a ton of stuff that afternoon while the kids and I napped. He was not overwhelmed at all by Hiper Mas.
Monday the kids and I went to the Embassy for a couple of meetings. We went to see the nurse in the MED unit and the Community Liaison Officer who works between the Embassy and families. They were both so nice and great to meet. I'm actually applying to be the asst. CLO. It would be only Wednesdays at the Embassy and about another 8 hours at home. The application is in, and I'm waiting to hear if they're going to schedule an interview. I have no idea how long that'll take. If I get the job, I get to have a Top Secret Security Clearance!! That'll make me feel really cool.
Tuesday I went back to the Embassy for a meeting with the Security Office about how to stay safe in the country. The crime threat level is high, but as long as we stay smart I think we'll be ok. There are certain areas where the crime is prevalent and he just told us where they are and to avoid them, seems easy. Also most of the crime here is geared toward tourists and rental car companies.
Yesterday we got our UAB!!! What a great day! It was so awesome to get our stuff. It came right before John came home (I had just opened the first box when he walked in). We went through the boxes and then set up our Wii! John, Malachi, and I had some fun with that and the Wii Fit before going to bed last night.
And today. Oh today...getting the internet and cable installed was so awesome. I had no idea that 8 days with out internet would be so hard. I was really starting to feel very isolated, but having internet really, really helps with that. And our cable is great because we have several channels from Denver, CO. Tonight we watched Survivor! Next week we'll watch LOST on TV instead of having to figure out a way to get around international restrictions online.
Our house is great! John's birthday present to me (a Nikon DSLR) will be arriving on Monday, so once I get that together and take some great (and security safe) pictures, I'll get them uploaded so you can see (parts of) the house, neighborhood and the town we live in.
I'm off to bed, Simon's done eating and the sun will be up in about four and a half hours. Ick!
We've been really busy since we got here. Our sponsors (someone the Embassy asks to help us out for a while) have been so great. The wife took me shopping last Friday for groceries at the Wal Mart owned store called Hiper Mas (Malachi calls it the Whale Store because of the whale logo). It was so overwhelming for me because my Spanish is so poor and I'd been in CR for about 20 hours. None the less I picked up a lot of cleaning supplies but not much food.
That night we went to our sponsor's house for their son's 10 year birthday party. It was great for us to meet people. Saturday was the big Embassy yard sale. We were looking for a crib but didn't like the one we saw. I did get a Baby Bjorn carrier for $20 - it's great!
Sunday our sponsors invited us to their church, but we decided to chill. We got bored though (in case you don't know the sun rises at about 5:15 here because they don't observe daylight savings time) so we took a walk into the central area of the town we live in. Just from that hour long walk Malachi and I got sun burned, we're so close to the equator and we're a bit higher in elevation too. Next time Malachi went out to play he had sun screen on. Luckily I had aloe with me, that really helped us.
John went grocery shopping and got a ton of stuff that afternoon while the kids and I napped. He was not overwhelmed at all by Hiper Mas.
Monday the kids and I went to the Embassy for a couple of meetings. We went to see the nurse in the MED unit and the Community Liaison Officer who works between the Embassy and families. They were both so nice and great to meet. I'm actually applying to be the asst. CLO. It would be only Wednesdays at the Embassy and about another 8 hours at home. The application is in, and I'm waiting to hear if they're going to schedule an interview. I have no idea how long that'll take. If I get the job, I get to have a Top Secret Security Clearance!! That'll make me feel really cool.
Tuesday I went back to the Embassy for a meeting with the Security Office about how to stay safe in the country. The crime threat level is high, but as long as we stay smart I think we'll be ok. There are certain areas where the crime is prevalent and he just told us where they are and to avoid them, seems easy. Also most of the crime here is geared toward tourists and rental car companies.
Yesterday we got our UAB!!! What a great day! It was so awesome to get our stuff. It came right before John came home (I had just opened the first box when he walked in). We went through the boxes and then set up our Wii! John, Malachi, and I had some fun with that and the Wii Fit before going to bed last night.
And today. Oh today...getting the internet and cable installed was so awesome. I had no idea that 8 days with out internet would be so hard. I was really starting to feel very isolated, but having internet really, really helps with that. And our cable is great because we have several channels from Denver, CO. Tonight we watched Survivor! Next week we'll watch LOST on TV instead of having to figure out a way to get around international restrictions online.
Our house is great! John's birthday present to me (a Nikon DSLR) will be arriving on Monday, so once I get that together and take some great (and security safe) pictures, I'll get them uploaded so you can see (parts of) the house, neighborhood and the town we live in.
I'm off to bed, Simon's done eating and the sun will be up in about four and a half hours. Ick!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Still Sick
This cold is really taking a toll on me. I haven't been able to fully train for my 5k which is on Thursday. I did finally make it to the track, but I just walked a bit over a mile.
My friend Melissa is coming over at noon to take care of Malachi. Then I'll work until 5. This way I get a bit more than five hours a day for three days this week. Friday I'm back to 8-12 because she's working that afternoon. I'm so blessed that she's going to help us out this week.
This morning I'm going to rest up before going to work.
My friend Melissa is coming over at noon to take care of Malachi. Then I'll work until 5. This way I get a bit more than five hours a day for three days this week. Friday I'm back to 8-12 because she's working that afternoon. I'm so blessed that she's going to help us out this week.
This morning I'm going to rest up before going to work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)