Category: From Peter

My last week at MED was predominantly attending classes at FSI. Our biggest concern was trying to get the loan check from the Credit Unon (their hours coincided with my classes.). I had a sense of finality with orientation being done, although I still had 4 days of errands.

Dina beautifully highlighted our weekend on the Deleware coast. The only other thing I might add is that the afternoon spent at “Great Falls Park” in Virginia was most memorable. A beautiful panoramic view of the falls and the gorge with a well groomed trail along the ridge top. Stefan really enjoyed jumping off rocks and small boulders plus socializing with neighboring picnicers and kicking a soccer ball. He’s quite the talker.

These past 4 days were also busy. We got our diplomatic passports and visas, notorized our documents, and prepared to send some things through the mail pouch. Carmax (where we bought our car) insisted on doing some body work and picked up our vehicle but of course it took longer to fix than they thought and I had to go pick it up in Rockvillle, Maryland. And I am proud of Dina for doing so well on her french tests at FSI.

Wednesday evening we got dressed up and decided to go out and have our last dinner at a nice restaurant in DC. There is a place in Georgetown that we have walked by numerous times which advertizes a fresh lobster dinner. Dina and I shared a nice bottle of Cote de Rhone with that. Stefan had fries and Camille had a clam chowder she liked. They both dipped marccino cherries in their drinks. It was a relaxing time.

We woke up yesterday to the news that a terrorist plot was thwarted in London (sincere thanks to Amy!) It became clear early on that it made no sense to go to London. MED has temporarily closed down operations there and the Heathrowe airport will be a nightmare for the next few weeks. I was instsructed to schedule another flight directly to Niamey. So we get to stay here in DC for a few extra days — how bad is that? We fly out on Monday evening to Niamey via Paris.

It’s a little dissapointing to not go to London. We were looking forwrd to it. But it’s a good thing that we weren’t caught there right as this whole thing was mushrooming. We’ll have other opportunities to go to London. The good news is that now, becasue our travel time exceeds 14 hours, we get to fly business class on Air France. Our time here in DC has been great. It now seems like an extended vacation.

The week went by rather quickly. I spent the first three days At the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland stuying parasitology and biological and chemical exposures (ie; malaria, worms, giardia, anthrax, small pox, explosive and nuclear exposures). Holy smokes!

Thursday was an assigned day for personal consult and we had a lot to do. We spent the entire day at the State Department trying to figure out advance travel vouchers, travel orders, and opening an account and applying for a car loan. Everything shut down at 4PM and we barely had time to finish what we needed to do. Lana came and picked us up and we went out to a nice Chinese restaurant for dinner.

Friday at work I had briefings on food inspection. It ended with me going to the cafeteria and doing an inspection there. Let’s just say that I’ll think twice before eating at a greasy spoon again. Dina and the kids met me for shots. It was hot when we got out but we walked 14 blocks to the Natural History Museum. The kids had struggled through a monotonous day and they wanted to go there again. The animal displays are so well done. We ate gelatto ice cream and caught a cab home. Pizza for dinner. Dina and I had a fine chilled french rose.

Saturday morning was used up on car reviews and phone calls. The Xterra we had our eye on fell off the internet because it sold the day before. We decided to ride the metro out to Rockville, Maryland to a Carmax (reputable used car dealership) and test drive their Xterra’s. They had two 4WD but only one with manual transmission. We test drove it and didn’t love it. It was hot and we were hungry so we took a break and went to eat. Walking back in the hot sun we decided we would be ok with it for 2 years. We decided to walk the lot and just look at all the SUV’s. The kids sat in the shade while Dina and I did that. I deduced two other vehicles that I felt we should test drive and then choose one for Niamey: a 2004 Land Rover Freelander and a 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser.

After test driving the Exterra and the Freelander, the Land Cruiser won hands down. It was far more comfortable, durable, and safer. We all agreed and bought it. It was built for Africa. The downside is that it is a gas guzzler. We have 6 days should we change our minds.

Although it’s been scorching hot with high humidity, we really haven’t suffered much. Our hotel accomodations are on constant AC and we find ourselves needing long sleeved shirts and a blanket at night. My walk to work is about 15 minutes. Just long enough to feel it but not quite long enough to build up a sweat. And it has cooled down some since our arrival. Yesterday, we got caught in a downpour thunderstorm.

My office overlooks the Kennedy Center. The people at MED have all been really nice. I have had meetings with different areas of the department such as overseas medivacs, medical records, computer training specific to patient care, as well as a meeting with the medical director, his assistant, and the department of psychology. We also had our immunizations started. Ouch! I took my valium to prevent my vasovagal swan dive off the table and don’t remember most of the conversation we/I had with the nurse. All I remember is her name was Porche and she could have been a car for all I know. But at least I didn’t pass out.

In addition to work, we have eaten out at some really good restaurants, shopped at bookstores, and went to a huge mall where we bought shoes and some clothes in preparation for Africa. We aslso walked to the mall to see the monuments and Dina took the kids to the Natural History Museum one day after visiting me at work where we had lunch together.

I was trying to coordinate their arrival and called the hotel. I asked for room “nine-thirteen.”
The voice on the line sounded destinctly foreign. “There is no such room number here sir!”
“But that’s the room my family is in!” I replied.
“I’ve been working here for over 10 years and I can assure you, there is no such room as nine-thirteen sir. How do you spell your last name?”
I spelled him my name and he said, “It’s room nine-one-three for future reference sir! I will connect you.” :—)

We are considering buying a car (not a Porche, my arm hurts everytime I see one). There are primarily Toyota and Nissans in Niger. We visited a large reputable new/used car dealership on line and sort of fell for a Nissan Xterra. This week we’ll look into a car loan as well as diplomatic visas and passports.

We had three weeks, or so we thought. I was going to finish building the deck with my friend Sheri. We were going to take a trip to California; stopping at Mt. Shasta, Davis, Grass Valley, Donner Lake, Lake Tahoe, Paradise to store our car, and then back home via Mt. Shasta. So logical! So well planned! Could we really be doing this?!

Our trip to California was great but with a few glitches. The car had a minor problem which we fixed in Davis. We met up with Luanne, Evan, Logan, and Christina in Grass Valley. The 4th of July, we celebrated at Donnor Lake with Dina’s family. Afterwards, we spent two nights at Lake Tahoe with Dina’s parents and Serge came. It was beautiful. Our drive to Mt. Shasta was uneventful and we stayed the night with Milla before heading back to Portland again.

One last week to go! My colleagues at OHSU threw us a deck party but Sheri and I were still screwing down the last planks after the party began. It was hot and both Dina and I felt sick. Stefan had gotten sick at Tahoe two nights before and started the chain reaction. The final days were preoccupied with selling the car since we decided not to store it after all. Plus packing a month of luggage, obtaining international driver’s lisences, haircuts, and watch repair. Ironically, our neighbors Kathy and Lee Moore will be renting our home. We spent some wonderful evenings with them, marveling at our fate and we all had to laugh since they were the ones who initially were most outraged by our decision to take this position with the Foreign Service. Once they decided to rent our house, they were affraid we might change our mind!

The movers came on Stefan’s birthday, July 13th. A crew of three immediately began boxing up things asking, ” surface, air, or storage?” Within a day and a half, they had boxed most of our belongings including our garage door opener and all the other things we now can’t find. The air freight was slightly over our allotment so Dina made the executive decision to have them remove two of my boxes of clothes and send them to long term storage instead. If you see me in 2006-styled clothing in 20 years when I retire, you’ll understand. A second moving crew arrived with a 75-foot-semi and two guys loaded all of the remaining storage items (furniture, boxes, and golf clubs), working until 6 PM.

We were staying with Dave, Elizabeth, Laura, and Claire Miles (some of our dearest friends). Our last evening in Portland was spent with them. We grilled fajitas and drank some good wine. It was calm and we maintained an up beat mood, ignoring the sadness that we were really leaving for a good long while.

The alarm rang at 5AM. I took a shower and Elizabeth made me a very good cup of coffee. We loaded the car and said our goodbyes. I will remember a lot about our 4 years here in Portland. Especially the good life long friends we made and the comfort of knowing we still have a home where we call home.

Wow!

It was a whirlwind tour. A long three weeks which undeniably flew by very fast. So much has happened. I find myself in that metamorphic state. Caught between the past and the future. Things are changing but I still need to do what I’ve always done.

After my little family dropped me off at the airport and drove off, I fought back tears as I walked through those revolving doors. I wondered if I might get caught in one and never be able to exit. Once inside I discovered that there had been a glitch with my ticket and I missed my flight to Washington DC. Dina rescued me by making all the appropriate phone calls and I managed to get on a flight to DC via SF. I got in to Dulles around 10PM and by the time I got to the Washington Suites it was after 11PM. The room key let me in to what would become my one bedroom apartment on the tenth floor overlooking residential and commercial buildings of Georgetown and a shimmer of the Potomac River in the distance.

Early the next morning, I waited in the lobby in my black suit for my pen pal, Dr. Ed Miron, whom I had never met in person but had established an correspondence with over the internet. We both were in the Foreign Service orientation together and he was kind enough to drive me in since he had a vehicle.

Over the next three weeks, I became close to my colleagues, the 89th FSI orientation class. We learned about the paper work and how the embassies operate and the many roles its employees perform. I was most impressed with the brain power and accomplishments my classmates had. A very ambitious group. All with degrees, language skills, and experiences unique and exciting. High achievers I would say. Office Management Specialists (OMS), Diplomatic Security Agents (DSA), Diplomatic Couriers, one English Language Officer (ELO), one Construction Engineer, and three of us from MED. Dr. Rajesh Vyas is assigned to Islamabad, Pakistan and Dr. Miron is going to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both are one year unaccompanied posts so they will leave their families behind.

My first weekend was spent in Georgetown. Rajesh came over after class and we connected with Ed and his wife Cyndy. We went out to eat at a nice restaurant on the waterfront. Ed and I had the cioppino and we all shared a nice bottle of cabernet. I thoroughly enjoyed their company. Both Ed and Rajesh have such interesting backgrounds. Rajesh worked at the VA in New Orleans and was evacuated during hurricane Katrina to Portland. He loved it so much that he and his wife bought a condo there. He generously offered his place when Dina and I come back on home leave to Portland.

Saturday, I spent walking Georgetown, admiring the old architecture and monuments and amusing myself with the shops and people walking the streets. Dinner was in my apartment. I had discovered a small farmer’s market at Georgetown University and sampled local cheeses, breads, sausages, and fresh strawberries with a crispy french cote de Rhone rose.

On Sunday, I had been invited to a party. One of our OMS was having her 30th b-day and invited the class. It was in Virginia and her apartment is a high rise overlooking the greater DC area. Some of our classmates were there and it was good to socialize and get to know them better.

We had an off site team leading training session out in the woods. It was beautiful there. During the bus ride out, we passed large estates and an old cemetery dating back to the civil war. We were greeted with breakfast and divided up into two groups. We spent the day playing games with lessons we could apply to our jobs working with others in the embassy. I felt closer to some of my classmates and made new friends that otherwise I might not have connected with.

The following weekend was predictably stressful. Initially, I was going to fly to Seattle and celebrate Milla’s 50th b-day but since Nina was dying and wanted us all to meet her sons, we changed our plans and I was headed to Idaho to Papa’s. It was a laborious flight from DC with connections in Chicago and Denver to Spokane. Then a car rental to Bonners Ferry. I was the last to arrive. Alex and Brian were cooking gourmet in the kitchen and the table was set with flowers and balloons. Nina was lying in her bed in a colorful gown. A Russian Orthodox cross around her neck. I kissed her and whispered in her ear that her 5th son had arrived. She smiled and opened her eyes. “How nice,” she said. “you are all here then.” This is what she was holding on for. She slowly detached herself from consciousness. We took turns sitting around her bed, sharing childhood memories and reminding her that we loved her. Papa was somehow able to keep it together and tolerant of the activities going on around her. The door was kept open and she was able to hear the sounds of a party going on around her.

The evening went well with us siblings and Nina’s sons present to celebrate Milla’s B-day. The dinner was fabulous with a delicious roast, garlic prawns, potato salad, beet salad, and crisp asparagus as the main course. There were deserts and needless to say, my family is known for taking part in good food and drink. There was scotch and vodka and fine wines and beer.

Papa asked that I stay with him in case he needed me and I was somewhat surprised she didn’t die in the night. We kept her comfortable with pain medicine and she slipped into a semi-coma. The next day continued with family. I shared a lot of moments with my four dearest sisters, nephews and nieces. Nina’s sons were also present and her sister Helen and nephew Victor were desired company before the day was through.

I was concerned that I would have to return to DC and leave my dad alone with Nina still close to dying and requiring care. I woke up in the early morning hour and was struggling to see my watch in the dark. It was 4:23AM and something stirred me. I knew I would not be able to go back to sleep and was contemplating getting up when I heard my father’s footsteps approach my door. He was frustrated and asked me to help him medicate her. He said that the time before was difficult and she was having trouble swallowing, then gurgling afterwards. When I approached her bedside, I saw her chest slightly rise and exhale. There was nothing more though I waited to see if she would take another breath. She did not. I told pop she wasn’t breathing. “Thank God! I didn’t want her to suffer any longer!” he cried.

Two hours later, I was driving back to Spokane. I flew back to DC. Although the long weekend was exhausting and emotional, it was good. We all had took part in her dream and allowed that closeness to blanket us and solidify the ties that bind us all.

Tuesday was also emotional. We had briefings in the morning and right after lunch, I was scheduled for my Russian language test. I was anxious because I didn’t feel prepared. Everyone said to not worry. If I didn’t receive an acceptable score, I could test again later. But I am the kind of person who wants to give it my all and I was bothered by it. The test is in two parts: a 45 minute conversational section and then another 45 minutes of reading comprehension. there were two interviewers. Both female. One gave out the instructions and the other one acted out the role of interviewer and interviewee. She was young and had a beautiful face and wore a tight suit. It was distracting but she was soft spoken and kind. The hardest part was the reading section. They were intrigued by my vocabulary. They both told me I used words that were often comical and some that they had not heard in many years. My reading was slow but they felt I had fair comprehension. They either passed me out of pity or because I made them laugh. Most likely a bit of both. 2/3+ in Russian.

I ran from there to the auditorium for Flag Day. Our names were announced and they declared which country we are being assigned to. I had already new it was Niger but most of my classmates did not. I was stirred by that Russian/Greek emotion when they called out their names and walked up to the podium to receive their flag. The couriers all got Frankfurt, Germany. The DSA’s all got domestic assignments as well as Mitch Miles, the Engineer. Elizabeth Skopowski got Warsaw. Her OMS colleagues all agreed not to bid on that post so that she could go and be with her husband. The other OMSers are all indebted to Jane Kane who got Nigeria; the only one who requested it. Rachel Martinez was also the only one to request Kuwait City. James Zillinger got Paris and Brian Woody got Beijing. Sarah Cline, who I sat next to the first week or orientation got Reykjavik, Iceland. Valerie Davis, who invited us to her B-day party got Tbilisi, Georgia. My new friend Priscilla Fox whom I had shared some good times with in class and at the team building training as well as the CIA spy museum is assigned to La Paz, Bolivia. Others got Rabat, Morocco, Tokyo, Japan, and Moscow, Russia.

That evening I was invited to a BBQ at a family’s house who is also going to Niger. Tracy and her husband Jim are a tandem couple. The guest of honor was Don Curtis who is here on R&R from Niger. We spent a pleasant evening talking about Niamey.

The remainder of time in DC went by fast. We visited the State Department several times and the CIA. We had a lunch with the Foreign Service union. That evening, Ed and Cyndy invited me out to dinner. His sister and mother were there and we went out to a very nice restaurant; Marcel’s. They served an asparagus mouse with caramelized shallots. I had rack of lamb and Ed chose a delicious Burgundy wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. I asked Ed’s sister Janet if it was surprising that Ed was joining the Foreign Service. She said it was more surprising that he spent the past 23 years in a small town in Callhoun, Georgia.

Friday was our final day in class and we went to the State Department for our swearing in. The ceremony was held in the Benjamin Franklin room on the 8th floor. It was like a museum with parlors and a collection of historical artifacts and paintings. George Staples, the new Director General took Condoleezza Rice’s place to swear us in. Photos were taken and I was generously invited by both Ed and Rajesh to have lunch with their families. I know we will all stay close throughout the coming years. Ed and Cyndy both were so gracious and helpful to me during the three weeks that I was away from Dina and the kids. They insisted I use their cell phone whenever I needed it and Ed let me use his lap top on several occasions. We went out to dinner a few times and one night Cyndy invited me to dine with them in their apartment. I cannot begin to describe how fond of them I have become. Rajesh also was most kind and supportive. I had not yet met his family and accepted his invitation to have lunch. It was most memorable and I met his family and close friends. Rajesh ordered champagne and we had a toast to friends, family, and our future in the FS. His niece came from India and I sat next to his wife Ksharma and his colleague who is contemplating joining the FS. After lunch, we toured the State Department.

Saturday my plan was scheduled to leave at 6PM. I had packed the night before and went out to explore some more of DC. I walked to the Adam Morgan district and had brunch at a charming french cafe (L’ Enfant). The shops and stores around Dupont Circle were fun and I was glad to walk before my long flight home. The final ride to the airport was uneventful. I arrived to Portland at 8:30PM and Dina was there to pick me up. She was wearing a beautiful skirt and a black top. Something about that moment was monumental. All of our dreams to travel and see the world, to work and live in another culture; to go crazy together, are all coming true.

My calendar is black with commitments and prioritized lists. There’s a sketch of an optic neuritis (eye infection) I saw a couple of days ago on one corner of the page and the rest of the calendar is filled in with work schedules, itineraries, and appointments. Anyone looking at the drawing would wonder what the hell it was; a boggy balloon or maybe a donut with sprinkles. I only have two days off between now and the day I fly off to DC on May 14th.

My schedule is full and yet it still feels like I’m in control. Yesterday I gave a lecture at the Urgent Care Conference on “shoulder pain”, went directly to work in the ER and didn’t get home until 2:30AM. I had a strange dream which seemed to start immediately after I lay my head on the pillow about an African boy with a wound infection but I was treating him in secret because I wasn’t supposed to treat any embassy employees. The nurse caught me and was angry and threatening to turn me in. But it turned out to be her brother and I woke up as if I had just read a novel in which I had became the main character. It was 10AM, warm and sunny out. What seemed like a 7 hour dream was really only 10 minutes.

On my to-do list was a concern regarding housing while in DC. Our generous government provides a per diem for housing. Most new FS employees are there for 7-8 weeks but in my case I’m only there for 3 weeks and then 3 more later in July. Nobody wants a 3 week binge. But I was fortunate enough to find an apartment through another FS correspondent (Dr. Ed Miron) who will be in my orientation with me. The apartment manager had a lovely British accent and I explained my dilemma. We talked about all sorts of things and eventually she agreed to rent me the apartment on two separate stints (with and without family). A tremendous relief and a big scratch off my list.

After the first two weeks in DC, I’ll be flying to Seattle for Milla’s 50th birthday party. Then I return to Portland on June 3rd. I will hopefully see Pop soon after and continue to work in the ER and family practice clinic through most of June. Then I fly to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a Comprehensive Adult Life Support (CALS) course. That’s where they teach you stuff like how to evacuate a patient and assist in a premature delivery, etc. I will also have the opportunity to meet NP’s from embassy posts. June 30th will be my final work day at OHSU. We plan to make a trip down to California for the 4th of July, visit with family and store the Saab at Dina’s parents’ garage. A rental car will get us back here to Portland. I will probably work a few more days at the family practice clinic and the movers will come around the 13th (Stefan’s Birthday). We all fly to DC on July 16th.

I may find this boring to read in a few days but it’s actually very exciting. The thing of it is, Dina is just as busy. She has deadlines with Hanna and a huge brochure to produce for the Portland Baroque Orchestra. Camille heads for OMSI camp for 4 days with her class on the Oregon coast. Stefan says “no fair!” Despite the tight time lines, we still find ourselves saying, “Can you believe this?!” It’s important to understand and be aware that the demands made upon us now effect our daily lives. Sometimes it’s intense. I said that I feel in control but sometimes I know that I’m completely losing it.

We had a beverage at Starbucks before the flight and Stefan made friends with an old lady with a cane. They were clearly enjoying each other’s company while Camille drank her orange juice and I watched her eat a lemon cake: long fingers and brown eyes.

In line for the flight, I knew there would be trouble over who should sit by the window. I told them they would need to figure out a way to make it fair and I proposed that each would have a turn each direction but to decide who went first by a coin toss. Stefan called it "heads" and won so he got to choose. Camille was upset and said, "Fine! He always gets to go first!" After a few minutes of sulking, Stefan tried to be friendly but got long slitty stares and a pout which only conveyed the message of, "leave me alone!"

After a few minutes, he came up to her and with his eyes wide open and said, "Ok, Camille! You can sit by the window! Ok?! Do you want to?!"

‘No! It’s ok Stefan." Bizarre behavior from both. And then it was over.

Later, on the plane, the stewardess remarked, "You seem like a very nice boy." To which he replied, "First we’re mean and then we’re nice!"

When the stewardess asked him what he wanted to drink, he said; "The real thing!" He told me he wanted a real Coke before she asked, meaning, not diet, not cherry, or cherry vanilla…

Mike picked us up and I was just as excited as the kids. Of course, when we got to the house, Tanya and Ana were out somewhere, only to prolong the kids agony. When they did arrive, Camille was jumping up and down like a pogo stick and Stefan ran up to Tanya and asked, "You wanna see my trucks?! I’ll show you!" The kids immediately started to play and it was at least two hours later before I realized that they had been playing nicely (including Stefan in their games) without any whining or sagas.

Yesterday morning, we had great coffee with breakfast. Tanya and I completed the camping list. Mike lent me his car (anything I borrow from Mike is special) and we followed Tanya and Lidia to REI. Tanya bought a rack with a space case for her new car. We bought Ana and Camille matching T-shirts with a dog on it.

Camille, Stefan, Ana and I drove to Bob and Valerie’s on Sunday. Grammy and Grampa were already there. The kids mostly played in the yard and later swam in the hot tub. Bob bought burritos and chicitos for lunch. Grandpa was ok but looked disheveled; unshaven and scruffy. He mostly sat quietly as he lately does. Valerie was a joy and we chit-chatted about our kids, trips, and current thoughts about the Foreign Service.

It rained on the drive back to Davis from Sacramento and all three kids fell asleep in the car.

Lidia came over with Bunya for dinner and we had fish tacos. The kids just played and played so nicely together. Camille and Ana made a collage from magazines. Camille’s has pictures of dogs and cats (both wild and domestic) and wrote; "Dogs are active. Cats are lazi."

Mike and Tanya are at work. Bunya is inviting us to lunch and tonight we are all going out to Japanese food. I have errands to run and I want to take the kids out to a park in between rain showers. The kids are currently playing school and Ana and Camille did some homework this morning.

The kids loved your "hot cross bunnies" joke and I can hear Stefan announce he wants to be eight now.

You are my life.

Peter

Today, I received my official FS contract and information. It sort of feels like winning the lottery. But it comes with some anxiety. There are many arrangements to be made. Finding a residence in DC. Figuring out how to have the State Government foot the bill. Paper work. Returning to Seattle for the Memorial Day weekend. Leaving the family behind. Fixing it so that my last day at OHSU leaves me with insurance until we start the FS. Buying staples to take with us to Niamey or wherever it is we end up. Tying up loose ends. And fixing those images of our extended family in our minds so that when we are gone for a time, we don’t forget the pictures.

I expect that DC on my own for 3 weeks will go by relatively fast. And I will see Dina and the kids in Seattle for Milla’s 50th!

Camille is having a hard time accepting the fact that we are leaving Portland. She gets distraught and cries. This pulls at my heart strings and I try to explain to her that we have the opportunity of a life time. The pluses far outweigh the minuses and NO!, I’m not trying to ruin her life! It’s hard. She can’t imagine her world outside of Portland. Sometimes she does say that “when we live in Africa…” So I think she’s coming to grips but still, it’s going to be the hardest on her.

Stefan on the other hand has been a supportive brother. He strokes her and reminds her of all the exotic animals we’re going to see. In her moments of despair, this annoys her but she knows that he is caring for her. A 4 year old trying to comfort an 8 year old. She’s the one that usually supports him.

Everyone knows moves are stressful. Even if the government is moving you and taking care of everything. The emotional wave of excitement and anxiety seems accentuated.

I recall wanting to know how long it would take from start to finish regarding entry into the FS. While you wait, it is mental cruelty.

I sent off my application for the Foreign Service Health Practitioner position on March 4th, 2005. (3-4-05–get it? We thought that date auspicious.) I heard back 6 or eight weeks later, with a message that my application had been looked over and that my candidacy would continue to the next step since I was considered “mentally competent”. My wife got a lot of milage out of that one. In July, I was in France and I received an e-mail from the State Department informing me that my NP license had expired. I faxed my renewal in August.

In mid-September, I got a call from the State Department telling me I was a qualified candidate and they wanted to invite me for an interview. There were two days open to interview in October and one in November. I chose November 7th because that suited my work schedule best.

Naturally, I was nervous. But I did prepare as best I could for the interview:

I brushed up on the 5 paragraph essay. (Choose one side of the topic with 3 supporting points defending your view in the introductory paragraph, use each supporting view in the following three paragraphs and embellish it, then restate in a cohesive manner, your view and how you believe your supportive arguments demonstrated your point). I practiced writing several under the time restraint of 45 minutes. I chose topics such as: Should abortion be illegal? Should we drill for oil in the Alaskan national wildlife refuge? Should we continue with the death penalty?

In addition, I focused on the 13 dimensions sent to me before the interview. They are readily available on the web. I thought of good examples to demonstrate each dimension and rehearsed answers so that if I had a melt down, I could still pop off an answer. Of course, during the interview, I ad lib’d but I was confident that I at least had a quick response and I did use a lot of the examples I had in my brain from that exercise so I really recommend it.

The interview went well and the entire time I was well composed on the outside but felt like my innards were doing summersaults. And there was the stressful but humorous story of forgetting my suit and trying to find an outfit at Chicago airport between flights. It all worked out but I don’t recommend it.

After the interview, I was asked to step out while they commiserated and then when I was asked back in and they welcomed me and told me I successfully passed the interview process of the FS.

Since then, I had to pass the medical and security clearances. More mental cruelty but finally, the clearances took less than three months and I was offered a spot in the March orientation. I postponed due to school, work, house, etc… but I am looking forward to my upcoming orientation.

Like we’re being dragged in. Now it seems like Niger will be our destiny for 2 years. But wait! Perhaps not. There are 5 new posts coming up that require medical providers. Where? We don’t know. But Stefan told Tyotya (aunt) Nina on the phone that when we move to Africa, he will live closer to her. She lives in Juneau, Alaska!

Dina and I are excited to be at this junction. We are figuring out where I stay in DC for 3 weeks for the FS orientation (indoctrination). And then afterwards when we all go in July. Most days and nights are preoccupied with thoughts of what it might be like and how will we fit into the theater and culture of the FS, Africa, and eventually Asia, the far east, or Europe. Do we take a car from here or buy one there? Should we ship our piano? Once we are there, liquid items are difficult to come by in Niger and you cannot order it by mail in your pouch. So how much shampoo and dish soap do we take with us? And how will we survive the heat there?

But besides the anxiety, there is an excitement which makes it obsessive. How will it be? I envision myself seeing patients in a small clinic. The streets are a wild mix of Africans wrapped in brightly colored print linen dresses and wraps around their heads which balances a jug of water. And camels and donkey carts in the streets amongst diesel cars and the lazy Niger river providing a bath for its people. The displaced medical provider arrives with his family and settles into the elite quarters of the embassy housing. And I will walk to work just as my grandfather did in Peking China. And I fantasize about volunteering at the World Health Organization or Doctor’s Without Borders clinic. And my children will learn that we are privileged and be humbled. And every 3 months I will drive the boulderous route to Burkina Faso to deliver my care to the embassy there. And things will drive us crazy. And we will miss the weather and people who we care so much about.

All this and so much more.