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zzonkmiles
Mar 3, 2014

Oh, he was just arbitrarily saying stuff.

d1rtbag posted:

It seems very random. I reached out on a Friday and got the same response, then received notice that I was on the register the following Monday or Tuesday. For perspective I had a boring attorney background, with no close foreign friends, so it was about 2 weeks from interview to register. Others have different experiences, including one of my classmates who was the child of a foreign diplomat, and took 1.5-2 years.

Thinking about this post, and trying to find some good in my own situation, if I pass the OA next year, my security clearance should take less time to adjudicate since the foreign addresses of me and my wife would be more than 7 years back in the past. So the investigators won't need to check on that stuff. Hopefully the register will be a little less congested as well!

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Business of Ferrets
Mar 2, 2008

Good to see that everything is back to normal.

zzonkmiles posted:

Thinking about this post, and trying to find some good in my own situation, if I pass the OA next year, my security clearance should take less time to adjudicate since the foreign addresses of me and my wife would be more than 7 years back in the past. So the investigators won't need to check on that stuff. Hopefully the register will be a little less congested as well!

If I remember correctly, the forms say seven years but the investigators have you go back ten.

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen

Business of Ferrets posted:

If I remember correctly, the forms say seven years but the investigators have you go back ten.

Yup. Address and jobs, going back 10 years (or until you were 18, whichever is less).

zzonkmiles
Mar 3, 2014

Oh, he was just arbitrarily saying stuff.

Business of Ferrets posted:

If I remember correctly, the forms say seven years but the investigators have you go back ten.

Ugh, that sucks. I remember filling out the SF-86 forms and they only wanted 7 years of addresses and jobs. I hope that's changed, but I guess it hasn't. Either way, I'll be prepared if (or rather, when) I make it back to that stage. It's probably okay though simply because I've been hearing that only about half or 1/3 of the people on the register (these days) are actually getting called to the A-100 before timing off the register. But I appreciate the heads up anyway.

Also, ChronoGamer, I'm guessing you like Chrono Trigger for the SNES? Excellent game. Much to the consternation of my wife, I'm a pretty hardcore gamer myself. ("But the future refused to change.") What games are you into? Do you even have time for gaming?

maskenfreiheit
Dec 30, 2004
.

maskenfreiheit fucked around with this message at 21:05 on Apr 28, 2019

AKA Pseudonym
May 16, 2004

A dashing and sophisticated young man
Doctor Rope
Doing IT in the Foreign Service involves a bit of a trade off between doing cool tech stuff and traveling around the world and I'm happy with the deal but I completely understand why somebody wouldn't want to take it. There are State Department jobs in infosec, but if their available to Foreign Service they're very few and far between.

I speak nothing but English and some very small smatterings of Russian and French, and that's mostly stuff I picked up after I joined. So no foreign language required.

maskenfreiheit
Dec 30, 2004
.

maskenfreiheit fucked around with this message at 21:05 on Apr 28, 2019

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

GregNorc posted:

Where would you be, if not overseas?

I'd be willing to trade government pay for travel. If I'm going to be in the DC area on a federal salary, I'd probably rather work in the private sector and just take a yearly vacation with the pay difference...

DC for the most part.

There are jobs more in what you're talking about, but a lot of those are domestic and are mix of FS/GS/Contractor.

Also, keep in mind, what would probably be a 20 hour international flight with two layovers can be a 45 minute regional commuter flight if you're living overseas.

And you can take a lot more of them then you could in the private sector. It makes sense for some people, and I also know a few people who've quit after a tour.

psydude
Apr 1, 2008

Heartache is powerful, but democracy is *subtle*.

GregNorc posted:

Are there any IT related jobs that would utilize someone with a good infosec background with the Foreign Service?

Don't get me wrong, the world needs systems admins and guys running cable, but I don't want that to be my career.

I'm currently working on a PhD, but might leave with a master's. I have done a lot of research on increasing the usability of privacy enhancing technologies so people without computer science backgrounds can use them. For example, the Tor Project redesigned their interface based partly on research I did.

A lot of that work is funded by the State Department, so I thought I might look into the Foreign Service or federal government in general. I don't really know of any agencies (aside from the NSA) that would use skills like that, so I thought I'd post and ask for suggestions of things to look into.

One big caveat is I only speak English... is that a dealbreaker for State?

(Sorry for cross posting with the fed jobs page)

Remember that NIST and NSF are also responsible for a large amount of the government's computer science research and have overseas components.

psydude fucked around with this message at 16:08 on Apr 8, 2014

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

TCD's boss posted:

Hey mind staying a little late tomorrow and doing some quick maintenance, should only take a little bit - pretty straight forward

And coming up on hour 5.

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal
Children, may I offer you some advice? Never do two years of EERs in one week. Your mind will susplode.

CAPS LOCK BROKEN
Feb 1, 2006

by Fluffdaddy
So the midwest diplomat in residence just posted that they are about to open the floodgates tomorrow to Limited Non-Career Appointment consular adjudicators (mandarin speaking). Here's my scenario: my mandarin is good enough speaking wise to debate the merits of capitalism vs. socialism with someone from china, but since the language doesn't look the way its spoken (for someone used to the roman alphabet) my writing and reading skills are slow and pinyin dictionary reliant. How good do you need to be when it comes to that, since I understand the government classifies chinese as a very hard to learn language so there's apparently a chronic shortage of people with that ability?

Also if I am registered to take the exam in June how would that work if I do get that position? Serve out the limited appointment then transition to FSO?

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen

zzonkmiles posted:

Ugh, that sucks. I remember filling out the SF-86 forms and they only wanted 7 years of addresses and jobs. I hope that's changed, but I guess it hasn't. Either way, I'll be prepared if (or rather, when) I make it back to that stage. It's probably okay though simply because I've been hearing that only about half or 1/3 of the people on the register (these days) are actually getting called to the A-100 before timing off the register. But I appreciate the heads up anyway.

Also, ChronoGamer, I'm guessing you like Chrono Trigger for the SNES? Excellent game. Much to the consternation of my wife, I'm a pretty hardcore gamer myself. ("But the future refused to change.") What games are you into? Do you even have time for gaming?

Nah, I did my SF-86 just this January and while the forms say 7 years, we received a supplemental instruction sheet that said to do residences back as far as 10 years ago. Jobs I think went back 10 years too, though foreign travel was just 7 IIRC. Just make sure you have all the info gathered together and provide them with the most exact info that you can (although don't be afraid to tell them you just can't remember sometimes).

I do like CT, though I don't game nearly as much as I'd like anymore. But that's not because I'm an FSO; I'm in grad school right now for IR, ultimately hoping to work for the State Dept but likely in the civil service. Maybe DoD instead. But my lack of game time is because of papers and readings and the like.

The Mantis-- Any word? I just heard back from them and got my clearance this morning. SO relieved, I'd heard obnoxious stories of applicants not getting their clearances until days before (or even after) their positions were supposed to start. Now to start looking into airfare...

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005

Peven Stan posted:

So the midwest diplomat in residence just posted that they are about to open the floodgates tomorrow to Limited Non-Career Appointment consular adjudicators (mandarin speaking). Here's my scenario: my mandarin is good enough speaking wise to debate the merits of capitalism vs. socialism with someone from china, but since the language doesn't look the way its spoken (for someone used to the roman alphabet) my writing and reading skills are slow and pinyin dictionary reliant. How good do you need to be when it comes to that, since I understand the government classifies chinese as a very hard to learn language so there's apparently a chronic shortage of people with that ability?

Also if I am registered to take the exam in June how would that work if I do get that position? Serve out the limited appointment then transition to FSO?

my understanding about LCA's is they will only keep you/transition you onboard if it "fits the needs of the service" otherwise it is just that, a limited appointment/job with expiry date.

I understnad they do the first round of testing over the phone, and I would brush up on reading skills at least.

The Mantis
Jul 19, 2004

what is yall sayin?

CronoGamer posted:

The Mantis-- Any word? I just heard back from them and got my clearance this morning. SO relieved, I'd heard obnoxious stories of applicants not getting their clearances until days before (or even after) their positions were supposed to start. Now to start looking into airfare...

Dude! That's loving huge! I hope you're stoked!

I'm still waiting. Studied abroad a bit and travelled a good deal - I imagine that's what's taking so long? Are you FS? I'd love to hear your cone and score if you want to share it via PM.

Congrats again!

CronoGamer
May 15, 2004

why did this happen
No no, I'm not FS- I'm doing the Student Internship program since I'm in grad school right now. Only had to get Secret clearance; do FS folks have to get S or TS? I did Peace Corps, worked in Japan for 3 years, and have been to dozens of countries all over the place, so I was actually surprised by how quickly they got back to me.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

the_chavi posted:

Children, may I offer you some advice? Never do two years of EERs in one week. Your mind will susplode.

Yeah, that's not a good idea :D.

E: Also a pro-tip, watch that 120 day window when you PCS.... don't do 126.

TCD fucked around with this message at 14:33 on Apr 10, 2014

The Mantis
Jul 19, 2004

what is yall sayin?
In related news, just found out I'm a PMF finalist. Pretty stoked.

If anyone has any experience with the program I'd love to chat here or via PM.

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005

TCD posted:

Yeah, that's not a good idea :D.

E: Also a pro-tip, watch that 120 day window when you PCS.... don't do 126.

ooh, now you have to get a MOP! Those are "fun."

Gin and Juche
Apr 3, 2008

The Highest Judge of Paradise
Shiki Eiki
YAMAXANADU

CronoGamer posted:

No no, I'm not FS- I'm doing the Student Internship program since I'm in grad school right now. Only had to get Secret clearance; do FS folks have to get S or TS? I did Peace Corps, worked in Japan for 3 years, and have been to dozens of countries all over the place, so I was actually surprised by how quickly they got back to me.

I wouldn't worry about it so much. I'm not sure they take the student intern clearance investigations too seriously. Mine went through back in February and not a single person had been contacted, and it was done pretty quickly too. The longest step was adjudication since it was around the holidays. Although they did pick up from an investigation from a couple years back too.

Also are there any DS folks available to field some questions over PM? Finishing up my internship next week and I am trying to plan my next move.

Homie S
Aug 6, 2001

This is what it means

TCD posted:

Yeah, that's not a good idea :D.

E: Also a pro-tip, watch that 120 day window when you PCS.... don't do 126.

I sort of love and hate this rule at the same time. Especially if you show up in winter…but your boss leaves in summer...

Bruxism
Apr 29, 2009

Absolutely not anxious about anything.

Bleak Gremlin

The Mantis posted:

If anyone has any experience with the program I'd love to chat here or via PM.

I was a PMF finalist in 2010 and landed a few offers at the job fair, but decided to go with DS instead. Happy to answer any questions about the job fair/hiring process.


Gravel Gravy posted:

Also are there any DS folks available to field some questions over PM? Finishing up my internship next week and I am trying to plan my next move.

Questions about DS or questions about clearances? I'm happy to answer questions about the former.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Skandiaavity posted:

ooh, now you have to get a MOP! Those are "fun."

No, after 120, it's a full blown EER which is even more fun considering you didn't have to do anything if you left a week earlier. If you spend 4 months at post with the same rater after April 15th, you have to do an EER when you PCS. August 15th is that magical day.

TCD fucked around with this message at 08:05 on Apr 11, 2014

Gin and Juche
Apr 3, 2008

The Highest Judge of Paradise
Shiki Eiki
YAMAXANADU

Bruxism posted:

I was a PMF finalist in 2010 and landed a few offers at the job fair, but decided to go with DS instead. Happy to answer any questions about the job fair/hiring process.


Questions about DS or questions about clearances? I'm happy to answer questions about the former.

The former definitely. PM sent, thanks.

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
Congrats to everyone on internships, clearances, PMF, and the Foreign Office.

d1rtbag
Sep 13, 2012

Eternal Man-Child
Just put in for Dip and Personal passports at HST. For a good time, take your unruly 3-year-old to the passport office with 6 applications (3 personal + 3 dip).

When it's time for Visas, I can drop off the paperwork by myself right?

Nutrimentia
Apr 30, 2013

You're a cantaloupe!
Correct, but I think it all has to be dropped off at HST.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

d1rtbag posted:

Just put in for Dip and Personal passports at HST. For a good time, take your unruly 3-year-old to the passport office with 6 applications (3 personal + 3 dip).

When it's time for Visas, I can drop off the paperwork by myself right?

Yeah you can take it down yourself to HST.

Captain Bravo
Feb 16, 2011

An Emergency Shitpost
has been deployed...

...but experts warn it is
just a drop in the ocean.
I hope you guys won't mind me posting here despite not having read much more than the first page, but I've been considering applying as an FSO. I took the practice FSOT, and got a 57 and a 54, so I think I'd have the skills to pass the test at least. I was hoping you guys wouldn't mind answering a few questions for me.

How much does experience matter? I'm currently a news director, have a degree in Radio/Television/Film, and about 5-6 years experience as a broadcaster. I'm hoping to go into the Public Diplomacy track, and am wondering how much of my job experience and education would help me there.

Just how important is a foreign language? I can speak a few sentences in French and Spanish, and could hold a very minimal conversation in American Sign Language, but other than that I have no foreign language skills. I know they teach you the language if you get assigned to a foreign country, and I know they say not having other language skills don't matter... but let's be honest here, is it going to hurt my chances not speaking other languages?

What are the postings like? The big thing I'm wondering is, if I get posted to some remote location somewhere, will I have to go without drinkable water/internet/doritos for long periods of time? Or are the embassies basically like most places in a first-world country, just scattered about the world? Not that it would be a deal-breaker, but when I go a week without SA I start to get the shakes. :v:

What's the pay like? I currently make about $25,000 a year, and my cost of living is about $15,000 a year. If it can beat that, I'm sold.

Edit: Almost forgot, what all can you bring with you? I don't mind leaving my Xbox or gaming PC at home, but if I can't bring my plants with me I'll be sad. (I know that trying to bring animals and plants into certain countries [Australia! :argh:] is it's own bag of worms, but I mean just in general what they'll let you take with you. I'm assuming that the department of state handles transportation and housing for you when you're abroad.)

Captain Bravo fucked around with this message at 08:10 on Apr 20, 2014

Stolennosferatu
Jun 22, 2012

Captain Bravo posted:

I hope you guys won't mind me posting here despite not having read much more than the first page, but I've been considering applying as an FSO. I took the practice FSOT, and got a 57 and a 54, so I think I'd have the skills to pass the test at least. I was hoping you guys wouldn't mind answering a few questions for me.

How much does experience matter? I'm currently a news director, have a degree in Radio/Television/Film, and about 5-6 years experience as a broadcaster. I'm hoping to go into the Public Diplomacy track, and am wondering how much of my job experience and education would help me there.

Just how important is a foreign language? I can speak a few sentences in French and Spanish, and could hold a very minimal conversation in American Sign Language, but other than that I have no foreign language skills. I know they teach you the language if you get assigned to a foreign country, and I know they say not having other language skills don't matter... but let's be honest here, is it going to hurt my chances not speaking other languages?

What are the postings like? The big thing I'm wondering is, if I get posted to some remote location somewhere, will I have to go without drinkable water/internet/doritos for long periods of time? Or are the embassies basically like most places in a first-world country, just scattered about the world? Not that it would be a deal-breaker, but when I go a week without SA I start to get the shakes. :v:

What's the pay like? I currently make about $25,000 a year, and my cost of living is about $15,000 a year. If it can beat that, I'm sold.

Edit: Almost forgot, what all can you bring with you? I don't mind leaving my Xbox or gaming PC at home, but if I can't bring my plants with me I'll be sad. (I know that trying to bring animals and plants into certain countries [Australia! :argh:] is it's own bag of worms, but I mean just in general what they'll let you take with you. I'm assuming that the department of state handles transportation and housing for you when you're abroad.)

Your FSOT scores look good. Practice the essay using the 5 paragraph method and brush up a little on the bio portion and you should pass.
Depending on the post, Internet may suck.
Pay should be fine. There's a chart online so you know what you'll get, but while you're abroad, DoS pays for housing so money shouldn't be a problem (from what I heard).

d1rtbag
Sep 13, 2012

Eternal Man-Child

Captain Bravo posted:

I hope you guys won't mind me posting here despite not having read much more than the first page, but I've been considering applying as an FSO. I took the practice FSOT, and got a 57 and a 54, so I think I'd have the skills to pass the test at least. I was hoping you guys wouldn't mind answering a few questions for me.

How much does experience matter? I'm currently a news director, have a degree in Radio/Television/Film, and about 5-6 years experience as a broadcaster. I'm hoping to go into the Public Diplomacy track, and am wondering how much of my job experience and education would help me there.

Just how important is a foreign language? I can speak a few sentences in French and Spanish, and could hold a very minimal conversation in American Sign Language, but other than that I have no foreign language skills. I know they teach you the language if you get assigned to a foreign country, and I know they say not having other language skills don't matter... but let's be honest here, is it going to hurt my chances not speaking other languages?

What are the postings like? The big thing I'm wondering is, if I get posted to some remote location somewhere, will I have to go without drinkable water/internet/doritos for long periods of time? Or are the embassies basically like most places in a first-world country, just scattered about the world? Not that it would be a deal-breaker, but when I go a week without SA I start to get the shakes. :v:

What's the pay like? I currently make about $25,000 a year, and my cost of living is about $15,000 a year. If it can beat that, I'm sold.

Edit: Almost forgot, what all can you bring with you? I don't mind leaving my Xbox or gaming PC at home, but if I can't bring my plants with me I'll be sad. (I know that trying to bring animals and plants into certain countries [Australia! :argh:] is it's own bag of worms, but I mean just in general what they'll let you take with you. I'm assuming that the department of state handles transportation and housing for you when you're abroad.)

I'll address what I can, as I haven't left for post yet (entered July 2013 - 173rd Strong!).

I think I got in on the strength of my experience as an attorney, and your background sounds great for PD. People have all kinds of interesting backgrounds in the service, and that experience is what gets you through the QEP and Orals.

I had no fluency in any foreign language, besides the standard high school and college minimum, but got into the service within a year of taking the FSOT. I'm gearing up for my first tour (Japan), and am at the tail end of about 8 months of full-time language training.

The experienced folks can provide detail about the postings, but they are everywhere, including countries whose capitals you may not have heard of. When I got my first list, my wife and I were asking "where in the hell is Ouagadougou?" In rough places, you get consumables shipments, and water filtration devices are provided.

As Stolennosferatu said, just google the FSO generalist payscale, and there is even a breakdown based upon education and years of professional experience. You should be fine.

I haven't heard about anyone having problems taking computers or gaming systems, but, for my family of 3, I can take 600 lbs of UAB (Unaccompanied Air Baggage), plus 7200 lbs of HHE (household effects), which is way more than we need.

Good Luck!

Captain Bravo
Feb 16, 2011

An Emergency Shitpost
has been deployed...

...but experts warn it is
just a drop in the ocean.
Addendum to my post: a light skimming leads me to believe that results vary wildly, but how long was everyone's application period, from "I think I'll take the FSO exam" to "Oh, neat, a paycheck."

Tyro
Nov 10, 2009
Two years or so for me.

Zoots
Apr 19, 2007

No passport for you.

Captain Bravo posted:

Addendum to my post: a light skimming leads me to believe that results vary wildly, but how long was everyone's application period, from "I think I'll take the FSO exam" to "Oh, neat, a paycheck."

Just under a year for me.

Ex journalist here, worked the local news beat and joined PD. Thinking of conally rectifying into Consular though.

Captain Bravo
Feb 16, 2011

An Emergency Shitpost
has been deployed...

...but experts warn it is
just a drop in the ocean.

Zoots posted:

Ex journalist here, worked the local news beat and joined PD. Thinking of conally rectifying into Consular though.

News buddy! :hfive:

Was it a big switch hopping the fence? Everything I've heard seems to be less "Here's how we downplay the dead hookers" and more "Here's how we make giving cookies to orphans go viral." Which seems like a much better deal than going PA for a corporation or small government agency. Do you ever have to field those phone calls where you're stalling for time while angrily texting someone to find out just what the gently caress happened last night?

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Captain Bravo posted:


What are the postings like? The big thing I'm wondering is, if I get posted to some remote location somewhere, will I have to go without drinkable water/internet/doritos for long periods of time? Or are the embassies basically like most places in a first-world country, just scattered about the world? Not that it would be a deal-breaker, but when I go a week without SA I start to get the shakes. :v:

Edit: Almost forgot, what all can you bring with you? I don't mind leaving my Xbox or gaming PC at home, but if I can't bring my plants with me I'll be sad. (I know that trying to bring animals and plants into certain countries [Australia! :argh:] is it's own bag of worms, but I mean just in general what they'll let you take with you. I'm assuming that the department of state handles transportation and housing for you when you're abroad.)

Internet is getting better all around the world but, it's still spotty in some countries so don't count on it. I essentially had 56k that worked every few days for an hour or two at my first assignment.

As to plants. Uh. Well, there are some possible customs issues but also, the physical aspect of shipping stuff. Things get put in boxes inside of other boxes inside containers which are subject to wild temperature swings and the contents may not see the light of day for 6 months.

Most electronics can handle that but, plants?

Zoots
Apr 19, 2007

No passport for you.

Captain Bravo posted:

News buddy! :hfive:

Was it a big switch hopping the fence? Everything I've heard seems to be less "Here's how we downplay the dead hookers" and more "Here's how we make giving cookies to orphans go viral." Which seems like a much better deal than going PA for a corporation or small government agency. Do you ever have to field those phone calls where you're stalling for time while angrily texting someone to find out just what the gently caress happened last night?

:hfive:

Not really. I was coming from a 35 market station, so most of our stories tended to be along the lines of "Is your baby trying to kill you? The answer may surprise you, more at 11."

As to work, I was working the cultural side my first tour, so I didn't really have that in my portfolio. The press section tended to handle that shop. Most of my work was event planning and running the exchange programs. That's what got me into consular since I would spend so much time working with the visa section to make sure visits went smoothly.

I did work on social media and outreach during my consular tour though. I had the training and background in media and web design to bolster our online presence, so I really tried to build something useful. That was pretty cool, since Facebook and Twitter gave us extra outlets us to get out messaging quickly to our citizen constituency in our district. Our public affairs shop in Italy was also quite active online and could advise on best practices as necessary.

Zoots fucked around with this message at 22:14 on Apr 20, 2014

The Mantis
Jul 19, 2004

what is yall sayin?
clearance purgatory whyyyyyyyyyyy

/end complaints

problematique
Apr 3, 2008

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it.
Aside from sounding physically painful, how hard is conal rectification? Do you have to retenure or something?

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Nutrimentia
Apr 30, 2013

You're a cantaloupe!

Captain Bravo posted:

What are the postings like? The big thing I'm wondering is, if I get posted to some remote location somewhere, will I have to go without drinkable water/internet/doritos for long periods of time? Or are the embassies basically like most places in a first-world country, just scattered about the world? Not that it would be a deal-breaker, but when I go a week without SA I start to get the shakes. :v:


I highly recommend you consider what it would be like to live in the "worst" possible place you can imagine before applying. But I don't mean "use your imagination", just do some research into some of the poorest, least developed countries on the planet and contemplate living there for a couple years. There's a good chance you wouldn't end up in your least desired post but it COULD happen and I've seen too many people who weren't prepared for it and ended up being miserable and (even worse), making others miserable as well.

As others have mentioned, internet in many places is very poor. You'll always have access via the embassy so it isn't like you're going to be in an internet black hole but you may have to curtail some of your personal browsing in that case. In Abuja, the water wasn't bad but not really safe and all housing units had distillers installed so we had fabulously delicious water! I took my video games, my books, my guitar and beer making equipment which kept me plenty busy. I learned to cook far better than I knew otherwise and made a lot of my own bread and pizza dough. I was never bored and enjoyed the tour immensely even though my family stayed in Japan and I had 30K/sec internet at best during evenings and weekends. There weren't many places to go and security concerns kept us to within city limits for the most part, so we made do with house parties and barbecues at other compounds. There's a lot of lemonade to be made in the Foreign Service some times. :)

All that being said, if you think you can handle it, go for it and best of luck. You likely will have a hard time with the plants though, unfortunately, but it would make for a great project while at post.

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