Good lord, the amount of info that they shove at you during A-100 is astounding!!! I am completely worn out. You'd think that I'd be somewhat less stressed than some of my colleagues, since I don't have to worry about federal employee health benefits, retirement, TSP, etc.--got that covered as a transfer employee, thanks--but NO, you would be WRONG. It would make me dizzy to go over it all now and I'd like to keep DSS off my ass for any security violations. (Thank you, Agent X for scaring the crap out of all of us). Suffice it to say that I feel like I've thrown into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim. I know I'll survive, but man, this is going to be a busy six weeks.
The absolute highlight of my 1st day, though, was meeting my new best friend and partner-in-crime. We met on the Metro on the way in on our first day, after I shamelessly eavesdropped and inserted myself oh-so-diplomatically (ha!) into her conversation with another fellow student. We recognized each other from our apparently mutual blog-stalking, so it felt as if I was meeting a friend, not a total stranger. Yay!! Plus she is just as much of a back-row trouble-making smartass as yours truly. So, while the next 6 weeks may be insanely busy, they will be highly entertaining, thanks to a certain someone who has promised to make me paneer tikka and who is already predicting that I will be assigned to the Bahamas and marry an Ambassador.
Tomorrow's highlight? BID LIST!!!!!!
Welcome!!!
ReplyDeleteAh yes! That briefing scared the crap out of me too.
I think the entire back row is a bunch of trouble makers. I keep getting glances from the coordinators from cracking up so much!
ReplyDeleteWell I'm not an FSO but a soon to be a wife of an FSO in the 160th. I have enjoyed reading your blog and plan on starting ours about this life of ours as well. Hopefully meet up at one the future happy hours/mixers.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations--welcome to the club! We'll definitely have to meet up at some point.
ReplyDelete