Becoming real...
There's only about 2 months left until I leave for Zambia, and I'm definitely feeling nervous and excited much more often lately. I haven't written much lately about my preparations, so there's a little bit more of the boring details
I finished all the appointments for my medical clearance from the State Department, and should be booking my travel this week (I hope). I am still aiming to leave around the middle of July, and probably a few days before my first work day if I'm able to add a couple days of leave onto the trip. I still have to tackle the travel rules and figure out where my layovers will be before I'll decide if I even want to take a couple days of leave during a layover, but that's my next project.
I've also finalized my Statement of Work, or my workplan for my assignment. I'll now be focusing almost entirely on the Country Operational Plan (see old post for background) and taking a larger role working with other agencies and groups, and probably less time on the tax agreements and other projects I mentioned earlier. I probably won't be neck-deep into the COP for a few weeks after I arrive, so I may have a chance to work on other things right when I get there. I also extended my total assignment into mid-November, so I'll unfortunately miss the election and probably get back the week afterwards
I'm now trying to read as much as I can about Zambia and our programs there (though not finding as much free time at work to do that as I'd like), and trying to get my life in order for my move and the trip. I've started packing for my move, and will start buying some stuff to bring with me after I get back from my trip home.
I've been looking at condos with my realtor to try to determine if I'll be able to buy right when I get back. The likely answer is no, because I'll be financially able but I don't want to rush it, so I'm really just learning as much as I can about the market in the D.C. area and all the little things I'll need to know before I buy. Not sure yet where I'm going to live right when I get back in November, but a couple people at work have generously offered up their spare rooms, so I'm sure I'll be ok. I'll probably end up renting for 6 months or a year first, so I'm thinking about what area I'd like to live for that period. I definitely want to be closer to work, but I might try to live somewhere interesting but different from where I'll eventually look to buy, and give myself a taste of another part of D.C.
That's about all that's new with me; most of my time is focused, probably inefficiently, on thinking and planning for the rest of the year. Hopefully soon I'll be able to wind down a few projects at work and have a bit more free time there too as I stop taking on new work.
My first day of work in Lusaka will be July 21st. I'm taking the week after next off work to come home to see my family for (probably) the last time before I go. My week isn't planned out yet, but I'll be driving up this Friday the 23rd, staying in Hartford Friday night, and going to my sister's graduation at UMass on Saturday morning. Then probably Pittsfield through Wednesday and then headed to Boston and anywhere else that strikes my fancy. Let me know if you're around, I'll be doing my best to see as many folks as possible.
Lastly, I've been asked by some friends and colleagues to keep a blog of my trip. I'm happy to oblige, but there's a lot that I write here on LJ that I'd prefer not to be read by a wider audience, especially comprised of folks I work with but don't know that well. I've set up a second blog that I can use for that purpose. I'll cross-post everything I write in both places, so if you read me here you won't miss anything. I'll probably write more here that I don't post there as well. Feel free to comment either place, but please don't mention this blog while commenting on the new one.
I finished all the appointments for my medical clearance from the State Department, and should be booking my travel this week (I hope). I am still aiming to leave around the middle of July, and probably a few days before my first work day if I'm able to add a couple days of leave onto the trip. I still have to tackle the travel rules and figure out where my layovers will be before I'll decide if I even want to take a couple days of leave during a layover, but that's my next project.
I've also finalized my Statement of Work, or my workplan for my assignment. I'll now be focusing almost entirely on the Country Operational Plan (see old post for background) and taking a larger role working with other agencies and groups, and probably less time on the tax agreements and other projects I mentioned earlier. I probably won't be neck-deep into the COP for a few weeks after I arrive, so I may have a chance to work on other things right when I get there. I also extended my total assignment into mid-November, so I'll unfortunately miss the election and probably get back the week afterwards
I'm now trying to read as much as I can about Zambia and our programs there (though not finding as much free time at work to do that as I'd like), and trying to get my life in order for my move and the trip. I've started packing for my move, and will start buying some stuff to bring with me after I get back from my trip home.
I've been looking at condos with my realtor to try to determine if I'll be able to buy right when I get back. The likely answer is no, because I'll be financially able but I don't want to rush it, so I'm really just learning as much as I can about the market in the D.C. area and all the little things I'll need to know before I buy. Not sure yet where I'm going to live right when I get back in November, but a couple people at work have generously offered up their spare rooms, so I'm sure I'll be ok. I'll probably end up renting for 6 months or a year first, so I'm thinking about what area I'd like to live for that period. I definitely want to be closer to work, but I might try to live somewhere interesting but different from where I'll eventually look to buy, and give myself a taste of another part of D.C.
That's about all that's new with me; most of my time is focused, probably inefficiently, on thinking and planning for the rest of the year. Hopefully soon I'll be able to wind down a few projects at work and have a bit more free time there too as I stop taking on new work.
My first day of work in Lusaka will be July 21st. I'm taking the week after next off work to come home to see my family for (probably) the last time before I go. My week isn't planned out yet, but I'll be driving up this Friday the 23rd, staying in Hartford Friday night, and going to my sister's graduation at UMass on Saturday morning. Then probably Pittsfield through Wednesday and then headed to Boston and anywhere else that strikes my fancy. Let me know if you're around, I'll be doing my best to see as many folks as possible.
Lastly, I've been asked by some friends and colleagues to keep a blog of my trip. I'm happy to oblige, but there's a lot that I write here on LJ that I'd prefer not to be read by a wider audience, especially comprised of folks I work with but don't know that well. I've set up a second blog that I can use for that purpose. I'll cross-post everything I write in both places, so if you read me here you won't miss anything. I'll probably write more here that I don't post there as well. Feel free to comment either place, but please don't mention this blog while commenting on the new one.