Passed Word Certifcation

Part of the OMS process is submitting a MS Word certification. Well, I took the test today and passed. I procrastinated and am doing this last minute...

Let me tell you though... it was harder than I thought it would be. I suggest preparation for anyone going to take it out there. I got lucky.

India



"It is hot and humid all year round"



Another door opened up. I got offered an internship in Chennai, India with another agency (in the Foreign Service). I can do it either in the Summer or in the Fall but housing is unfortunatly not provided. If I do decide to take it, I am thinking in the Fall as I will have more time to save up money.

A little math for 3 months (not that you people care)*:

Airfare- $1,400 R/T (give or take a hundred)
Housing- $160/m up. I feel like I'd end up paying a lot more since I am not a local and doing only 3 months.
Food-  Cheap meal is about $2.00
Spend-???

*Cost of living in Chennai

Is it worth it? Or should I wait to see if the State Dept (with housing provided) comes through for the Fall.
I should pick up a good travel book on India and see whats up. A lot to think about.

And if you are wondering why I am looking at internships if I passed OA... that will take a few months to even be on the register and then I may wait quite a while for an invite, if ever. So, I want to keep moving forward and pretend that OMS won't ever happen. Easier said than done. 

BBQ Diplomacy

People have asked me why the blog is called "French Fry Diplomacy." First off, its a catchy name. Second, and more important, I was referencing BBQ Diplomacy. LBJ's first state dinner as president was a Texas style BBQ rather than a black tie super formal gathering. 

Now, I love me some pulled pork but the take away for me was the casualness that diplomacy can work in. People think of Diplomats as very straight edge black tie kind of people. Maybe there lies some truth to that. Diplomacy on the other hand is more than the protocols and rituals, though.  To me, nothing is more casual than french fries (with some Heinz 57, of course). Also, nothing is more American.

So... little more than a catchy name. But still, I didn't put too much thought into it.

OMS OA PASSED!

YEP. Talk about nervous. For those who haven't done an OA before... it was enough to churn my stomach. But guess what? I passed.

My day started at 5 AM. I woke up (didn't get much sleep) and prepared myself for the long morning. I got to the testing location at abut 6:40 AM. I signed the NDA and other forms and then the assessment began.

I will go into more detail if people want it but I think its been talked about at length elsewhere. Let's just say, I wish I practiced the writing portion more. It was harder than I thought and I didn't pass it. I assumed the prompt would be simplier since we were given 45 minutes. I wasn't exactly right about that. The Structured Interview went very well but I am curious what I scored on it. I think the key is to really know your resume and to talk about your actions

Anyhow, I am in a great mood. I scored a 5.3 which means I need a plan to get Chinese to level 2 within 18 months.

Until next time....  再见

A lot of Nerves.... and Bad News.

Well, lets get it out of the way now. I didn't get an interview for the JET Program. I swear I am not that person but I am honestly surprised. It is a very competitive program but I was sure I'd at least get to the interview stage.  You can't take anything for granted!

This certainly doesn't help that my OA for OMS is tomorrow at 7AM! I am a ball full of nerves and the JET interview list coming out the night before was poor planning by the universe.

You know what? I am just going to brush it off and keep going. I've had set backs before and I've lived. I am going to wake up tomorrow and get it my best shot. I'll let the universe figure it out. :)

I will update on OA at somepoint. Until then, take care!