After swearing in and my week of self-study/crazy storm/4th of July, I started the 2-week course for new ESTH Officers (stands of environment/science/technology/health and falls under the Economic portfolio). I'm in the middle of the second week, and so far it's been an interesting class that has really demonstrated the very wide range of issues that I'll be covering once I arrive in Oslo. It's also been a really great chance for me to brush up on the State Department perspective on a few things I've already worked on and to see some friends and colleagues come through as presenters.
In addition to learning about climate change, water policy, biotech, the Arctic, Rio +20, wildlife trafficking, HIV/AIDS, hazardous waste, and scientific cooperation, we've also been able to take a couple of really interesting field trips. Last Friday we got an exclusive behind the scenes peek at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. We learned about the work they are doing to collect and archive samples of the world's biodiversity, and were able to see up close examples of birds species that are now extinct or very rare. Their collection is astounding, with cabinets filled floor to ceiling with species that could be nearly 100 years old.
Today we had another field trip to the Calvert Cliff Nuclear Power Plant. This was a great visit, and I learned all kinds of things about nuclear power that I never knew, and feel much more prepared to talk about this issue with my colleagues and counterparts at post.
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| The (sadly) now extinct Passenger Pigeon. |
Outside of class I have been immersed in hot, but still beautiful DC summer. Lots of evenings on rooftops, drinks with friends, eating outside, and trying to stay cool. As much as I complain about the heat (which really does suck), I love the summer for its abundance of things to do. Also, since my workout routine has gone downhill thanks to my really long commute to FSI, I'm experimenting with riding my bike into Main State, cleaning up in the shower rooms there, and then heading to school on the shuttle. So far it seems like it will work great, and makes me feel more accomplished at the end of the day knowing I've done a good workout and saved on my commute time.
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| A great rootop sunset |
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| Exploring the new waterfront park in SW DC called the Yards (where on Friday evenings you can also find jazz and yummy beer). |
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| Gathering at the Half Street Fairgrounds near Nationals Park for Truckeroo. |
