A New Year

Well, duh. Of course it's a new year. Everyone knows that. Except for people operating on a different calendar.

Anyway, today I submitted my registration for the FSOT. This will be my second attempt at the exam, and this time I signed up for the Public Diplomacy cone. I thought a long time about the various tracks, and the reality is, I like more than one of them. But after reviewing my resume and thinking about my work experience, I realized that PD is the best match for what I've already done with my life. It is also a good match for what I hope to do with my life, which is to help cultures build bridges and appreciate one another.

Ugh. I vom a little just seeing myself write that. I mean, I believe it. Deeply. This is what I'd like to do, but it simply sounds like such a Girl Scout thing to say. I was never a Girl Scout.

Needless to say, I'm nervous and excited. I passed the FSOT last time, but I didn't make it past the QEP stage. Now I've picked an ultra-competitive cone at a time when the registers are full, full, full, and the government decision makers are cut-cut-cutting the State Department's budget.

What can I do? Study hard and take the FSOT. Everything else is beyond my control.

I did try for the OMS position again when they reposted it. I wrote a pretty kickbutt series of narratives for the job application, too. Unfortunately, 12 months had not passed since my slapdash attempt at the OMS job in February. Next time. Next time.

I guess... stay posted for further updates. I'm awaiting an e-mail invitation to schedule my test. PD invites have not yet gone out, and as I am a very late registrant, I might not get a seat for the February window. I'd rather not wait until June, but shit happens.