This emotional diplomatic life

This chart came from DiploLife, a wonderful blog written by another foreign service spouse (which may be primarily responsible for our interest in India). Being a therapist, I find this intellectually intriguing. Being someone who is currently experiencing the pre-departure ups and downs, I'm glad to see that this emotional roller coaster eventually levels out, and am looking forward to the honeymoon. 

I'm aslo looking forward to living in Falls Church with the other new foreign service families. The diplomatic community appears to be very supportive, and most people who are interested in this life seem to share the characteristics of friendliness and flexibility. It's encouraging to know that we're all in this together.

Preparing for life in the foreign service

I keep telling people at work that we're not risk takers--because we're not. I live a block away from the hospital in which I was born. But we're lucky. Perhaps we create our own luck, or maybe we can just recognize an opportunity when we see it. Either way, our family: myself, my husband, Grace the growly dachshund, and Julie the butterfly chasing vizsla are heading to Washington, D.C. to train for a life in the foreign service.

The last few weeks have been a frenzy of packing, farewell parties, transferring our responsibilities at work, and trying to give our stuff away. Brian starts A-100 training on February 16, and we leave Florida on February 13. I'm still looking for a taker on the popcorn maker I inherited from my in-laws. I swear it works.