I think I've finally learned how to bite my tongue appropriately.
This is great news. I'm known for dishing out advice to people...often its welcome but often its not. I'm proud of this recent development of mine. Adults do not need to hear from me...unless they want to. And even then, I've become so much more reluctant to share how I see something...and I think this is a good thing.
Knowing when to say something and when not to is a very difficult skill to master. I'm getting better everyday. I'm learning very quickly how work place conversations are not always as private as one seems. Better that I learn that lesson here than in a couple years.
Also...no more female friends from now on. I've got enough. Applications are not being accepted anymore.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Foreign Service Test
Received approval this morning to register for the US Foreign Service exam.
I went to register for a seat in Frankfurt or in Brussels.
No seats available for February 2009 at either location.
There is a seat on a Tuesday at The Hague, Netherlands...a mere four hours away.
Beat by the system...again.
I went to register for a seat in Frankfurt or in Brussels.
No seats available for February 2009 at either location.
There is a seat on a Tuesday at The Hague, Netherlands...a mere four hours away.
Beat by the system...again.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Motherland
After one year of not being in the States, I was ready to go home. For weeks on end I prepared for the glorious moment when I would be welcomed back into American society by a 'friendly' immigration officer in Cincinnati. Instead, he frowned while processing my paperwork (not a good sign...) and let me in grudgingly.
Small town American greeted me with long lines, cold, cold cold weather and good food. Meals for small armies were prepared at our residences and it was nice to once again have good American food. Typical Christmas stress ensued, last minute shopping, family stress, etc but that's to be expected. I'm also trying to fit in one years worth of visiting in the span of ten days just doesn't work. It doesn't matter how long one has been gone, long visits aren't the answer. In the December 2008 GQ Magazine (a magazine I used to have a standing subscription with when I lived in Florida) there was an article about coming home for the holidays. It stuck me where it hurts. Next Years holidays.....Christmas in Greece (ok, probably not but the idea is nice). My family played excellent hosts (sans excessive chatting about unimportant topics) and lovingly invited my German friend who tagged along into their homes and successfully integrated him and made him a part of the family. Both sides learned invaluable lessons.
I realized that I missed a lot of things about American living, shopping, culture etc but I also was able to identify what I don't miss. At all. After a few days home I missed good bread and good wine among other things.
Our next stop was the greater Baltimore/DC area . In five days I managed to meet with half of my friendship circle...those closest to me made treks across the Mid-Atlantic States to come and visit...even if just for one day. Although 19 months had passed since our last visit...it seemed like only yesterday. True friends are able to pick up like nothing after just such a time...and that made me happy. Learned a few things about friendship actually.
The best conversations, by the way, are done at six am watching the sun come up through the window of the living room.
Delta Airlines...you fail me. MIMI CHANG of Regan National Airport...you are on my permanent list-o-darkness. How dare you LIE TO ME at the airport? Do not tell me that there is a delay due to weather in Cincinnati when you want me to fly to CVG from Dulles! I'm taken aback at your failure to be a decent human being and Delta employee. You didn't even try to reroute me through a thousand possible connections from Washington. EPIC FAIL. Your superiors will be receiving a letter from me.
What's up with this economy? Am I going to be able to find a job in the States? I really would like to.
Small town American greeted me with long lines, cold, cold cold weather and good food. Meals for small armies were prepared at our residences and it was nice to once again have good American food. Typical Christmas stress ensued, last minute shopping, family stress, etc but that's to be expected. I'm also trying to fit in one years worth of visiting in the span of ten days just doesn't work. It doesn't matter how long one has been gone, long visits aren't the answer. In the December 2008 GQ Magazine (a magazine I used to have a standing subscription with when I lived in Florida) there was an article about coming home for the holidays. It stuck me where it hurts. Next Years holidays.....Christmas in Greece (ok, probably not but the idea is nice). My family played excellent hosts (sans excessive chatting about unimportant topics) and lovingly invited my German friend who tagged along into their homes and successfully integrated him and made him a part of the family. Both sides learned invaluable lessons.
I realized that I missed a lot of things about American living, shopping, culture etc but I also was able to identify what I don't miss. At all. After a few days home I missed good bread and good wine among other things.
Our next stop was the greater Baltimore/DC area . In five days I managed to meet with half of my friendship circle...those closest to me made treks across the Mid-Atlantic States to come and visit...even if just for one day. Although 19 months had passed since our last visit...it seemed like only yesterday. True friends are able to pick up like nothing after just such a time...and that made me happy. Learned a few things about friendship actually.
The best conversations, by the way, are done at six am watching the sun come up through the window of the living room.
Delta Airlines...you fail me. MIMI CHANG of Regan National Airport...you are on my permanent list-o-darkness. How dare you LIE TO ME at the airport? Do not tell me that there is a delay due to weather in Cincinnati when you want me to fly to CVG from Dulles! I'm taken aback at your failure to be a decent human being and Delta employee. You didn't even try to reroute me through a thousand possible connections from Washington. EPIC FAIL. Your superiors will be receiving a letter from me.
What's up with this economy? Am I going to be able to find a job in the States? I really would like to.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Schriftliche Verkehr
I know.
I'm way late on updates and I need to inform Pechvogel's reading circle about what events and revelations came up on me in the last weeks.
-2009 has got to be better than 2008.
-Delta Airlines started the year off to a bad start.
-I miss Washington, D.C. and those occupants in the surrounding areas.
-Cold, cold everywhere.
So much to write, profess, etc and yet so little time and motivation.
I'm way late on updates and I need to inform Pechvogel's reading circle about what events and revelations came up on me in the last weeks.
-2009 has got to be better than 2008.
-Delta Airlines started the year off to a bad start.
-I miss Washington, D.C. and those occupants in the surrounding areas.
-Cold, cold everywhere.
So much to write, profess, etc and yet so little time and motivation.
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