in service

This week has been a strange one. With the killing of the U.S. Ambassador and 3 other U.S. Officers in Libya and the many ongoing uprisings in the Middle East, there has been a lot of media attention focused on this career that is still oh so new to me. Most people know that we have a Secretary of State and some number of Embassies overseas. But when asked about the Foreign Service or diplomacy, I'm sure that the average American pictures old white men in suits sitting around smoking cigars, drinking wine, or something along those lines. Fortunately, times have changed and so has the nature of this profession.

We are younger, more diverse, and way more female than just a few decades ago (though we still have some work to do). And while we still entertain and build connections at receptions over wine, we are just as likely to ride hours along a dusty road to go meet leaders in a small village way off the beaten path. Like any government agency, I don't think the State Department is above criticism, and it is always productive to examine our institutions critically, but the last week has been a little crazy. Rather than try to expand my own thoughts, it's probably safer to turn to a few of the many news pieces that

Our Diplomats Deserve Better - New York Times Op-Ed by Ambassador Prudence Bushnell
I had the great pleasure and honor of attending a small leadership seminar where Ambassador Bushnell came and spoke. Her experience during the Kenya Embassy bombing and work at the Department during the Rwandan genocide is heartbreaking. But, even after all of that she believed in the mission and work, and her words were what inspired me to pursue the Foreign Service.

A couple other good reads:

The Thankless Task of the U.S. Diplomat - Foreign Policy by Colum Lynch

America's Other Army - Foreign Policy by Nicholas Kralev

Foreign Service Families Know the Risk but Believe in the Work - Washington Post by Janice D'Arcy

http://servicecentered.blogspot.com/

a moment of reflection

This morning not much was known about the goings on in Libya and Egypt, but by the time I got to FSI it was confirmed that Ambassador Christopher Stevens and 3 other officers had been killed. I'm sad and more than a bit shocked by the senselessness of this violence. I am also appalled by the political rhetoric that has come out in regards to this tragedy. Our work overseas is complicated, difficult, and risky. And diplomats make sacrifices while working for our country and these sacrifices should be honored. Period.

Whenever I get discouraged by these kinds of politics, instead of retreating I go straight to the middle of it all, the center of our Nation's Capitol.  Riding my bike along the newly reopened reflecting pool on the National Mall is a good reminder of what it means to be American, and why I still feel proud to serve in the government. The mall is a place of unity and patriotism, and as I watched tourists and veterans participating in their own reflections at the various memorials, I thought how much of a difference it would make if politicians and pundits could also take a few moments to walk quietly along this historic pond. 

As I was getting back to Main State to meet a friend for lunch, President Obama's motorcode was just leaving. He had come the few blocks over to Foggy Bottom to participate in a memorial service open to all employees. My friend went to hear him speak and she said it meant a lot that he came over to talk to State Department employees. I admire this and appreciate the support, even though I didn't know any of those killed personally.

Below is a video of Secretary Clinton's public remarks (or go here to see it on web).

thoughts

As I head towards the sanctity of the Foreign Service Institute this morning, a place where all U.S. Diplomats spend a significant chunk of their career, my thoughts are with those in Egypt and Cairo. There are many unconfirmed reports from all the major news organizations that several U.S. embassy staff, including possibly the Ambassador, were killed in Benghazi. These reports are a reminder that this job, while often amazing, has it's very real risks. I hope for the best for everyone involved.



http://servicecentered.blogspot.com/

Norskkurs

After a full week of Norwegian language class (norskkurs), I can happily report that I'm absolutely loving it. In total, the class if made up of 4 very enthusiastic language learners/future colleagues, and it's been so much fun to see just how much of the language I remember. So far things have been easy, but I can see that the pace of the course is fast enough that I will soon be in new territory. I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to spend 6+ hours a day fully devoted to language study. It's such an amazing gift and a major perk of this pretty awesome career.

The past couple of weekends I was also lucky enough to have my friends' car while they traveled back out west. This meant getting down to the beach and taking in some polo. Ahhh, the freedom of transportation!

Beach Scene: North Beach, Maryland 

Walking along the beach in Southern Maryland

Polo Ponies

http://servicecentered.blogspot.com/