criplomats

The State Department offers a class for people separating from the agency called the “Job Search and Transition Program” (separation can be for retirement, being RIF’d like so many were in 2025, etc.) and I started taking it this week. (I was supposed to have done the class last fall, but it was canceled due to the 2025 government shutdown. Some folks are also able to make the class their last two months of work before they separate.) The first four weeks of the program, they hold classes (now all virtual) and the second four weeks are for people to figure out their next steps, get their resumes together, apply for jobs or volunteer opportunities, start their own business, etc. After busy careers — many of us overseas — it’s an excellent way to get caught up on the latest job search technologies, resume trends, opportunities, etc., and most of all, to have a bit of space to have time to think. People have always told me it’s one of the best things State does for their employees.

The first four days were devoted to financial considerations, benefits, etc. and it was all a good review. Friday we had two good panels of folks who had previously separated from the Department and came back to talk about what they were doing now. The first panel went back to work in “serious” jobs, while the second panel did volunteer work, had hobbies, etc. It was all very inspiring!

The class really kept me busy all week — I’m not used to being glued to my computer all day and the time went by quickly.

Saturday morning we had Bill and Rachel (from the embassy) over for brunch and enjoyed yakking with them.

I finished reading “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” by Omar El Akkad. I think he has a lovely writing style. The book is very political but there is a lot of food for thought. It’s blurb says it’s his “heartsick breakup letter with the west.”

John and I really enjoyed the new Netflix limited series of “Pan Am 103” about the 1988 airplane bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. A horrific event. As a consular officer, we were always very aware of the “no double standard” rule: if the embassy got threats or other information, we were obliged to share it with the public. It’s drilled in our heads and is just a reflex now. But, that rule came about due to the Pan Am bombing. U.S. government agencies had intelligence about a possible bombing on a Pan Am flight, but it was not shared with the public. The bombing also led to improvements in airline safety and the treatment of the victims and their families. So some good things came out of it, but at such a high price.

We had a lot going on this week with four evening events: Peruvian National Day (Monday); Colombian National Day (Wednesday); screening of a documentary about Guyana’s national flower, the Victoria Amazonia or giant water lily (Thursday); and a “Conservation Conversation” with a talk by David Lammy (Friday). Lammy is a member of the British Parliament who previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. Born in England, he’s of Guyanese descent and active in conservation efforts here. He is quite engaging and I really enjoyed listening to him.

Monday afternoon I had a call with a friend of a friend who is joining the Foreign Service. I always enjoy these kinds of calls. I also had a good chat with Lea Tuesday evening. I’m thinking of my good friend Cathy who this weekend is headed to Kiev to start a yearlong tour there.

Also this week I checked in on Mellisa’s apartment and drove her car while she’s away. John and I tried to go to the butcher yesterday morning, but it was closed in honor of Emancipation Day. We made stops to get gas and milk instead, and later in the afternoon we went to see “Spiderman” at the theatre.

We watched the silly but fun “Sheep Detective” last weekend and the meh “Crime 101” this week. I finished (and enjoyed) “Arctic Passages” by Kieran Mulvaney and have started “One Day, Everyone Will Have Been Against This” by Omar El Akkad.

Actually, not a lot! There wasn’t much going on this week. John took Friday off, so we’ve had a nice three-day weekend piddling around the house. Last Sunday we went to the EU ambassador’s house to watch the World Cup finals — I was glad to see Spain win.

John and I watched “Song Sung Blue” and finished “Ponies.” We’ve started a new British crime show called “Gone” that we like so far. We laughed and laughed at “The Dink,” a silly movie about pickle ball (maybe we’ll try it when we’re back in America!).

I sat in on an estate planning webinar and another one on Google Photos, trying to learn a bit here and there. I’m reading a good book called “Arctic Passages: Ice, Exploration, and the Battle for Power at the Top of the World” by Kieran Mulvaney. It’s an interesting history of trying to find shipping routes via the Northwest and Northeast Passages, plus an overview of the current geopolitical interests in the region since climate change is melting the ice and opening more possibilities for trans polar shipping.

John and I have enjoyed watching some of the World Cup soccer matches this week. He went to the Argentine Embassy on Wednesday to watch the game between Argentina and England (I watched at home), then yesterday we watched the third place playoff game between France and England. This afternoon we are headed to the EU ambassador’s house to watch the finals.

Tuesday evening we went to the French Embassy for their celebration of Bastille Day. A nice event even though they lost in the semi-finals earlier in the day.

Yesterday John and I went to the movie theatre (just a stone’s throw from our house) to watch “The Odyssey” and we really enjoyed it! It was my first time at the movie theatre here and I was impressed with the facility — plus senior citizens (!!!) pay around $4 for a movie. Not too bad!

John and I finished “Task” and liked it, and we watched the very violent “Normal” with Bob Odenkirk. I’ve also watched a couple of episodes of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentary (shhhh). I finished “Eden Undone,” the wild true story from the Galapagos and read “The Correspondent.” Thanks to Joan for encouraging me to read it, because I’m normally not a fan of books written in the form of letters, but this one was really enjoyable!

John went for a tour of GuyOil facilities this week – who doesn’t love a hard hat?!

While we see Scarlet Ibis flying overhead daily, I was thrilled when they came to land in our neighborhood field this week! The grass was freshly mown, so they were finding lots of bugs. The first evening around sunset, we had four; the next evening we had eight. I only saw them twice but maybe they will return sometime!

I recovered from my bout with covid but it really took the wind out of my sails energy-wise for a week or so. I got back to my exercise routine on Tuesday. I am still enjoying Wimbledon and especially liked watching England’s Arthur Fery go from being a wildcard to a semi-finalist; he was really amazing to watch! I also enjoyed Eala (Philippines) and Kostyuk (Ukraine) on the women’s side, as well as NY’s Jess Pegula. Better luck to them next time. Overall it’s been a fun tournament.

I went with John to a short program and reception at the Argentine Embassy to mark their national day on Friday.

John and I watched “The Hail Mary Project” this week and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. We finished “Hacks” and we’ve been watching some of the World Cup soccer matches. I’m reading a book by Abbot Kahler, “Eden Undone: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and Utopia at the Dawn of World War II” – it’s a crazy true story of people who moved to the Galapagos around 1930. Judging by the book’s title, it doesn’t go so well!

A few more bird photos!