I left a good job last June. I was happy there, I enjoyed what I was doing, I made decent money. However, I could not see myself staying there for another twenty or thirty years. I was ready for some excitement. I was ready for a change. I stumbled upon the OMS opportunity and stumbled over all of the hurdles until I finally crossed the finish line.
It was hard to say goodbye to my colleagues. They had become like family to me.
My parents wished me well on this new chapter in my life. Thankfully, they are in good health and were very proud of me. My older son had started his own adventure in the military and did not look back often. I decided it was my time to have some fun too. My younger son chose to come along for the ride.
Orientation and Training: What a ride! State was cramming gobs of important information into my brain via PowerPoint while I was still trying to figure out where the nearest grocery store was, how to have my suits dry-cleaned, how to get around without a car, and how to fnd Georgetown Cupcake. I met many nice women in my class and consider each of them a friend. It was great to meet up with people I had previously chatted with online and get to know them in person.
Directed Tour: My first two tours are directed. I can give an opinion as to where I would like to be sent, but in the end, you are told where you are going…like it or not. Most people in our class were assigned to places that were high on their bid list. I was happy to hear that J and I were heading to Wellington – it was number two on my list. Once I was given permission to reach out to post, I reached out to the CLO to ask about schools for my son, and sent off the standard notes to my new bosses. Shortly after, I received emails from my future colleagues welcoming me. Then came the emails from my sponsor – who hooked me up with others in the community to answer all of my questions. It was such a great welcoming feeling – everyone seemed so happy to have us join the team. It is now my turn to sponsor a new family. They are arriving this summer. I hope to be half as good to them as Joe was to us.
Arrival at Post: After a two day trip, J and I finally made it to Wellington. We were met at the airport by our sponsor and work colleagues. It was a beautiful sunny day. Joe took us to our temporary apartment and helped us settle in. We then drove around what would be our neighborhood, Joe took us to the grocery store, and had us over for dinner. In the early days, he even test drove a few cars for me as I was still nervous about driving on the left. I did not go in to the embassy the day I arrived, but needed to go in and meet the Ambassador and the RSO the next day. Wouldn’t you know it that the apartment had no power adapters, so I had no hair dryer, flat iron – nothing. I looked lovely that day…still have my id badge to prove it!
The job: Some days are more exciting than others. There are times when I just really cannot reformat another cable, and then there are days when things are humming right along. I still struggle with E2 – I forever step right into each booby-trap laid out before me. Payroll is a mess – there never seems to be a week when everyone just shows up for work the way I want. Someone has to have OT, HO, SL, SLA, AL, XA, XD, FQRPLKIUHKL….good grief!! Initially I sometimes felt left out when everyone was working on a project or event that I did not have a role in. They all just talked around me. I guess this is why Elizabeth kept repeating that we need to insert ourselves. I have done that, and it has paid off. I have played small roles in the Pike River mining disaster, the two earthquakes in Christchurch, the Secretary’s visit, the Partnership Forum. We have 4th of July, the Pacific Islands Forum, Rugby World Cup, and National Elections coming up. I expect to have small roles in these as well. I was asked to cover for the Ambassador’s OMS while she was on leave for a month. I was a bit nervous, but anxious to gain the experience. Everyone missed the Ambassador’s OMS while she was away, but I did not set the building on fire, so I am calling it a success!
Opportunities: My request to attend OMS training on PPT and Excel was turned down. Naturally, it was disappointing to see colleagues going to Frankfurt/Bangkok to obtain required qualifications and I was denied the opportunity. I will try again next time – keep your fingers crossed that my next request is approved. I did start some Distance Learning in a language. I sucked. I will not give up though, I am a glutton for punishment. I have volunteered for a few positions at post such as CFC Coordinator, Federal Women’s Program Coordinator, Gifts Coordinator, etc. I also volunteer with our employee association and with some of the events sponsored by J’s school. Lot’s of opportunities to learn new things, meet new people, and make a difference. I encourage you to do the same…wherever you are.
Small Community: It is nice to have a built in small community. There is always someone to have dinner with, go hiking with, etc. But that also means that whatever you open your mouth and say will be repeated. If you do not want your business to be repeated throughout the embassy, don’t say anything to anybody. Period. That is tough for some of us. :-) Get out and meet the locals. They will gossip about you in their own circles and you don’t have to work with them. Another point about small communities: you get to know people quickly (we are all gossiping about each other, remember?) It is tough to say goodbye to those who touched your heart. My colleague, Adam, just said yesterday that we often see our American colleagues at future posts or in Washington - but we often don’t see our local colleagues ever again. That is just so sad.
All in all, it has been a good first year. As much as I am enjoying my time here, I can’t wait for the bid list to come out and see the possibilities for my next directed tour. I imagine this second year is going to fly right by.
