Bring on the vaccines

"In 2012, US Embassy Bamako had more malaria cases than any Embassy in the world". This is great news. It means someplace else earned that title in 2013!

My arms are permanently sore from all my shots. 

C & B Wed

My summer began and will end with a wedding. An excellent way to get the most out of your last summer in the U.S. is to have multiple friends throw parties and get themselves hitched. A perfect excuse to see friends and family when there are more important things to talk about than your looming departure. Especially when C is the one being wed. Her wedding a few weekends ago was perfection. Yes, it was beautiful. Yes, she was beautiful. But I most loved the looks on their faces as they knelt across from each other and then later as they exchanged vows. I have high expectations of the great things they will do, and I'm certain B will take good care of C while I'm off trekking around Africa.

 Mr. & Mrs. B

T & I happy to be bridesmaiding in CA.

I could eat this cake every day. No joke.

 First dance.

Coordinating fake tattoos.

Sadly, not everyone was thrilled about C & B. My poor 5-year-old nephew J had the following reaction when his mother (also J) informed him he had missed his chance. Though he did make C a lovely Angry Birds wedding picture/card that I stuck on her fridge.

The Black Passport

Things are getting quite official. There is nothing like having multiple passports to put things in perspective. This is real, I'm moving to Africa, and it's a thrill.

What is working for the Department of State like? Honestly, I have no idea. Let's talk about the fact that I've been sitting in a classroom for the last few months. Granted, I like classrooms more than the average person, but there are many days I wish I had some work to do. Productivity would be much more measurable.

Thankfully, there have been a spattering of days when I've had a break.

 A snowy day lunch at the top of the Harry S. Truman building.

 It's almost completely thanks to Colin Powell that I did not quit during the first few horrific weeks of training.

 And yes, stalking my boss in hallways also helped put things in perspective.

 

Once winter ended life improved drastically. I thoroughly enjoy DC. Though the tug of the black passport is always there, reminding me the days here are winding down and it will soon transport me to foreign soil.

You're Shocked, I Know

I posted something!

I'm certain you've all been distraught over my lack of rambling blog posts, rest assured, I don't intend drop the blog. Once I've left the English speaking world you're probably going to wish I posted less. Especially if I start going back through the last 8 months and finishing off the 36 (yes, 36) drafted blog posts I started and never finished.

Where to begin....

If you have not heard I'm headed to Bamako, Mali in August. I've been buying up books on Africa like crazy. Naturally I arrived in DC certain there was no way I was going to Africa by myself. Perhaps, someday, family in tow I'd be happy to go. But alone, no way. Then the short list of options was handed out.

Before receiving said list I'd outlined my priorities for exactly what I wanted, in the hope that I wouldn't be swayed and pick post that I might not be happy with due to things I'd be giving up for a "name". Turns out Mali was the single option that gave me every one of my priorities (at least in part). I can honestly say I'm headed to my first choice of the options I was given. So what were the requirements that have me heading off to Timbuktu (which currently I will not be able to visit as it's considered too dangerous)?

1. There are several different offices I had the option to work in, this job will put me in the office I wanted to be in.

2. Language training. I wanted language training, and it's even better that I'll be taking three months of French so I can build on what I already know.

3. Church. This is the one I fudged a little. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not actually organized in Mali. There are no meeting houses, no wards - but there are members and they do meet informally on at least a semi-regular basis.

4. D&N's wedding. I'm part of the wedding party for D&N's wedding in August and if possible I wanted to stay long enough to be able to participate. Not only because I adore them and want to be there for them, but because of everyone who will be attending. I won't have the opportunity to see friends frequently in the future so being in attendance seemed especially valuable.

5. Student loans. The State Dept has a program where they provide a supplemental student loan payment to employees serving at hardship posts of more than 20% hardship. Mali meets that requirement.

6. R&R time. Mali has 2 R&Rs. Meaning that once a year I can fly home without having to pay for the plane ticket myself. Or I can apply the amount the ticket would cost to a trip elsewhere.

7. Weather. No snow. At some point it will happen. There are plenty of places I'd be happy to go that reach frigid temperatures. This time I wanted somewhere warm.

Those I've talked to who have been posted or lived there love Bamako, and have had nothing to say but good things about working there. I'm grateful it worked out the way it did.

I'm almost halfway through my training and now that winter has finally relented (how did I live in Provo for four winters?) I'm enjoying DC. Virginia is beautiful. Half my days here have passed and there are many unchecked items on my list of things to see and do. I also have a horrendously long list of things to buy, and tasks to complete before I leave. I'm doubly grateful to have time for everything I need and want to do.

You still have three months to come visit in DC. If not, you'll have to come to Mali. Which you can actually do! Just be sure to get your shots, take malaria medication, and don't drink the water.

It will be an adventure.