Match and Set

A-100 is over, POL/ECON training wrapped up, got my Diplomatic Passport, applied for the Korean visa, and now, I’ve got my flight set. In the wee hours of June 23rd, I’ll be boarding a plane, most of my effects having preceded me, to start my first post at Embassy Seoul.
It’s a month away, and I waver between, “can’t get here fast enough” to “wait! I need to tie up everything here neatly with a little bow!”

But that never happens, does it? The latter, I mean. You do you best, but time waits for no one and you’ve gotta go then they call for boarding. Cheers to that!

Swearing in and beyond

Today is May 3rd, and the first day of my post-A-100 training.

On April 30th, we, the 152nd A-100 class, stood in the Acheson auditorium in the Truman building, and was sworn into the Foreign Service by Secretary Clinton.

Yes, we were sworn in on the first day of A-100, but this…. it was really freakin’ cool, that the Secretary of State came to administer the oath in front of our friends and family, to usher us into our new careers with State.

Next up, 7 more weeks until my expected departure. I’m still waiting on official paperwork so I can get some more paperwork running. While I wait, I’m in additional training, more specific to what I’ll be doing in Seoul. POL/ECON tradecraft, as they call it.