My Washington DC Tried and Trues

I lived in DC for six years before starting this Foreign Service life. I had some of my most fun, formative, lonely, educational, frustrating, exciting, lovely times of my life here and coming back, not surprisingly, makes me so darn nostalgic. I just stroll around and picture 22-, 24-, and 26-year-old Emily walking home afterContinue reading “My Washington DC Tried and Trues”

I’ve Got a Real Pants-Wearing Job

Just when I was complaining about how lazy I am, I got the call: My security clearance finally came through and I could begin work at the government job for which I was hired ten months ago. So, last week I bid farewell to the Diplocats and the blue velvet sofa and I ventured out of myContinue reading “I’ve Got a Real Pants-Wearing Job”

Our New Home, Jerusalem

We’ve been in our new city for 10 days now and each day I decide to put off blogging a little longer until I get a better feel for the place that will be our home for the next three years. “Jerusalem is a complicated place,” everyone keeps telling us. I’m already seeing a bitContinue reading “Our New Home, Jerusalem”

What I Won’t Miss About Madrid

There is a trend among Foreign Service bloggers right now to write about the pros and cons of their posts. It’s summer bidding season, which means this is the time when Foreign Service Officers and their families pore over lists of open jobs in countries far and wide. We “bid” on a different cycle soContinue reading “What I Won’t Miss About Madrid”

What I’ll Miss Most About Madrid

Our Spanish tour is on its last legs. Soon, it’ll be hummus and ancient history in Jerusalem in lieu of siestas and tapas. I’ve got two months left here, and you can bet I’ll be savoring my favorite Spanish things during that time. Here’s what I’ll miss most when I leave: 1. Cheap (and Good)Continue reading “What I’ll Miss Most About Madrid”

And Our Next Post Is…

  …Jerusalem! Surprised? Remember back when I painstakingly outlined all the pros and cons of moving to seven different cities and asked ya’ll to vote? Well, the winner, Lima, Peru, and all the rest of the places for that matter — London and Papau New Guinea among them — didn’t pan out. We were withoutContinue reading “And Our Next Post Is…”

Vote on Our Next Post!

It’s Bidding Season! In Foreign Service land, this is the time of year when a list comes out with all the places Mr. Dame in Spain, and myself by association, could be posted to next. Imagine seeing a list of cities, some of which you’ve never even heard, and knowing “One of these will beContinue reading “Vote on Our Next Post!”