Magnolia

Magnolia

Monday, August 31, 2009

Where In The World Will I Be Next May?

About a week ago, I completed and submitted my “bid list” for my next post. The first 2 tours are directed by your Career Development Officer (CDO) in Washington DC. After that, you pretty much find your next post by making contacts and through emails and recommendations.

About a month ago, I received the email with 41 posts listed and I was to select 20 and then rank them, favorite to oh, dear God, please don’t send me there. Fortunately, there were some pretty nice places on my list…which is not always the case. For my first post, I am here in Tegucigalpa and work in the Diplomatic Security office, also known as the Regional Security Office. It’s probably one of the best sections to work in as there is always something going on. There is never a dull moment and time flies! It’s been made even better by the guys I have worked with…the DS Agents and my Regional Security Officer. They have set the bar high and I can only hope that my next post has the same caliber of people to work with.

Anyway, the list below is what I selected and ranked as my Top 20. So it boils down to this…in May of next year, I’ll be back in the states for a month or so and then off to one of these places for the next 2 years. Here’s the list:

1. Munich, Germany RSO
2. Frankfurt, Germany RSO
3. Dubai, UAE RSO
4. Muscat, Oman RSO
5. Nairobi, Kenya RSO
6. Paris, France
7. Hanoi, N. Viet Nam
8. Vienna, Austria
9. Wellington, New Zealand RSO
10. Brussels, Belgium
11. Beijing, China
12. Berlin, Germany
13. Tel Aviv, Israel
14. London, England
15. New Delhi, India
16. Tokyo, Japan
17. Jakarta, Indonesia
18. Buenos Aires, Argentina
19. San Jose, Costa Rica
20.Seoul, Korea

I marked the ones that are RSO and the rest are in other sections of the Embassy. My CDO has pretty much assured me that I can go to another RSO section so it’s pretty much down to the 6 marked as RSO. That is...if she keeps her word! Remember…no guarantees.

I should know sometime in October. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Munich because it’s right there in the middle of the best parts of Europe and I hope to do lots of traveling while I’m there. If I’m sent to Wellington or Beijing or one of the other far reaching places, the cost to travel will pretty much hinder my ability to see that part of the world like I want to.
Time will tell. I need to just try to not think about it until October. Yeah, right….

10 comments:

Tambopaxi said...

Ah, life in the FS... If you weren't a gambler when you got into the game, you learn to become one with time... Btw, you don't have to worry about Iraq or
Afghanistan?

Debi said...

A gambler, yes I am! For 5 months I thought long and hard about volunteering for Baghdad. But what finally made up my mind was hearing about the emotional problems so many people are beinging with them after leaving there. I don't need that, no matter what they pay. I want Europe...to travel, to enjoy being outside and not worry too much about being mugged, like here in Tegucigalpa. I can't wait to find out where I'll call home for the next 2 years!

Unknown said...

I know Germany is more centrally located but I love London. Very much. I hope you get London or Costa Rica if you don't get to work in Germany.

Debi said...

Everywhere on the list would be great but since I can only do this for 5 more years, Germany seemed the likely choice. If I am there, I can skip all over that part of Europe and see the sights for the next 2 years. I'll know in about 4 weeks where I go....

Larry in Mazatlan said...

Off topic, but some of us up here have been wondering. Have you been silenced? Or maybe you're just being careful.

Debi said...

Larry, I think I've been more cautious in what I post lately. It's hard, though, when I just can't understand why things are happening/being said/being done they way they are. I'm going to post Mary Anistacia O'Grady's article from the Wall Street Journal in a minute. As usual, she has nailed the situation.

I'm glad you're reading me..and i promise to do better with good information...'they' can't get mad at me for posting interesting artlcles, can they? :o) I'm doing my best to keep anyone who reads my blog informed, as well as my friends and family back in the states.

Larry in Mazatlan said...

You're a popular read in Mexico because you seem to speak with common sense from an agency that a great many expats are ashamed of. Most of us just shake our heads in wonderment at what comes out of DC and in the northern papers about Latin America. Where do they get this stuff?

As an aside, I sure hope the US had nothing to do with Mel's return in any way, shape or form. I apologize enough already to my vecinos.

Debi said...

Larry, I'm thrilled that I have 'fans' in Mexico. I can't remember if I mentioned this, but I lived in Mexico City for 4 years when I was 11-15 years old and I loved it. I have a special place in my heart for Mexico!

I'm fairly certain that the U.S. had nothing to do with bringing Mel to Honduras. His last attempt was called "wreckless" by Secy. Clinton. I work in the Diplomatic Security office and when we first heard 'he was in town' we scrambled to get the facts. In a place where nothing in print or on the TV or radio can be trusted to be true, it wasn't easy. We were hearing so many different versions: He's in Washington, He's in Nicaragua, He's it the United Nations Building (in Tegucigalpa) and finally we confirmed he was at the Brazilian Embassy. Within minutes, the crowd there grew from a report of 50 to over 8000. From a window on my floor at the American Embassy, we can see the Brazilian Embassy and could see most of the crowd. To my knowledge, there was never a moment when he was coming to my Embassy. At 3:30, the announcement came over the TV and radio that there was a 4PM to 7AM curfew. Everyone scrambled to get home.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. He could be arrested, there could be violence or he could decide to just hunker down in the Brazilian Embassy for days. It wouldn't surprise me if the Micheletti expelled the Brazilian Ambassador. I'm anxious to hear what comments my government will have on today's activities. Just my thoughts in words.

It was quite a trip home from work. Normally, it takes me 5 minutes. Today, it took 2 1/2 hours. More on that in my blog!

Shannon said...

Good luck on the bidding. We are in the middle of it too, as in we are in the wait, wait, and wait some more phase. Your list reminds me of our last list. Frankfurt was our number two and that's what we got. If you have any questions about post I would be happy to answer them for you.

I found your blog doing research for Honduras for our own bid list and continued to follow your adventures. I enjoy your blog and look forward to seeing where you will go next.

Debi said...

Thanks Shannon! Tegucigalpa has been a wonderful post. Well, except for the last 3 months anyway. Political crisis tends to put a damper on life!

The wait to find out where I go next is so hard. I guess the political mess here is helping to make the time go by quicker, except when we're confined to our homes due to curfews! I'm trying to not get to focused on my #1 choice, Munich, in case I don't get it. It's all an adventure!