its been awhile since i wrote a post.  i found out today that there will be no january training class for FSS..I must say I am glad in a way.  Our house is still under construction. 
We have the kitchen mainly done, but the master bed/bath was put on hold. So, we have to get back to that.  In true, R&J fashion, we are over budget and over our due date for completion.
Oh well, I guess it is what it is.
So, now to wait and see if there will be a Feb or Mar class for me to attend.
The register seems to have topped out at 62 OMS's and I am #15. So, I think I have a good chance at getting into the next class.  Hopefully!
I'm holding up so far.  Have had a couple moments lately but I am trying my best to stay positive and press on.  Thats how I roll.
Until next time-:)

The final countdown....

Yes, it has me singing Europe songs in my mind. The final countdown has indeed begun. I am finally on the OMS rregister and will in one of the upcoming orientation classes.
Could be January or March or ?????
This is where it gets tricky. The end of the fiscal year is upon us Federal worker types and we must wait and see what the 2012 budget news will be.  Chances are we will be on a continuing resolution, which means last years budget numbers, and we will be ok.
I know there are 32 on the register and I am somewhere in the top 12, i think.
Then, after classes are announced, they take the first ones on the register.  There is no guarantee how many they will take per class. So, I will keep everyone posted..
In the meantime, WOHOOOOO! I made it:))
My momma would be proud..

Whew!! A little bit closer now:)

Well, I was finally granted my looonggg awaited Top Secret clearance. I am so happy!
Now to pass through the final suitability review and get on the register.
Then I wait some more until there is another class confirmed (probably in January).
So, there will be more anxiety in my future, but for now I am so relived and overjoyed:)
I am very thankful to all of my friends and family who helped me with this process.  Many of you took time out of your day to speak with my investigator and others just listened to me complain and stress out for 2 months. Either way, you have helped by being there for me:)
Wohoooooo!! Time for a celebratory dinner and dip in Lake Superior with my new snorkeling gear.
Its really warm today but is suppose to be in the 60's the rest of the week so I have to take advantage now!!!!

I'm bored so I will blog

Hmmm. Sept 7th. Today I am still waiting. I want to email security just to have some action and a connection to my possible new reality.
Last night I was determined to wake up at 5:30 this morning and do yoga. Fail. I got downstairs at 5:45, laid out my mat, laid face down on my mat, and went back upstairs to cuddle in bed with the hubby for another 30 minutes.
Oh well. I'll try again.  I ordered the stuff to do an aryuvedic cleanse for 7 days. Its nice to detox before the beginning of fall. Seasons change, body needs to change.
I'm still dreaming of a new life in the FS, but I know that even without it, I am happy.
I have so much that I am grateful for.  I have love, family, amazing beauty surrounding me everyday. I'm good.
But......I still want this and I'm certain that it will come.  I just have to wait like everyone else. After all, its only been 2 months and 6 days (who's counting) since my security investigation was initiated. 
I know that the federal govt is busy and backed up.  So, it not me-its them. 
This is the first exercise of many to come in the area of waiting and the unknown.
So, all of that yoga that I used to do is sure coming in handy.  All of the awareness and calm intention. Now to get back to it.
Tonight.

trying not to be a freak

ok, so i am still waiting for my security clearance. My target date was August 30th and now it is Sept 6th.  The sept class starts on the 26th and is the last for the year. Last I heard there was one spot left in it.
So, I'm kinda blue. I was really hoping to be starting this journey sooner than later.  Now I am wondering if I will be getting a clearance at all.  Its driving me nuts and I have been emailing security like a psycho..
Not good.
I have to just stay clam and not panic. I know that I have been a good person and should have nothing to worry about. This is my destiny. Right? Okay. relax, enjoy the jobs you do have, and dont freak out:)

lady in waiting

Yes, tis true.  I am still waiting to hear about my security clearance.  I was granted a worldwide class 1 medical clearance on August 19th..Once I have my top secret, I can move on the final step, Final Suitability Review.  Then, I will get my firm offer and be off to D.C. for at least 6 weeks.  I am trying to brush up on using "the secret" to make things happen and move faster. I'm visualizing myself with a big TS on my chest and a black passport. Sounds odd to some I'm sure, but it works.
So, for now, we are fixing up the house for sale, I have my car on the market, and have decided whats coming and going.
I'm preparing as if I will be leaving on Sept 24th for D.C.!!
Now to get the lil dogs travelling kennels and whatnot.
Rick will be going on tour for 2 weeks from the 15th-30th. So, I will be on my own if I do get that FedEx with the long awaited letter to leave.
All good...I am able to do what I must..As always..With a smile and poitive energy.:)))

clearance is no joke...

Well, all I can say is that I have been a good person.  I help others and try and do the right thing.  I just said goodbye to security investigator.  He has one more person to talk to and he will start his report.  He was the nicest and most hard-working person.  He must have spoken to at least 20-25 people overall in this area.  But, there are also other people talking to other contacts in different states that I have lived.  I'm glad that the U.S. takes this stuff so seriously.  It makes me feel safer, but also is stressful for me.  I have tried to go with the flow and not stress, but that is pretty hard to do when you have someone evaluating your life and past. 
My target completion date is August 30th.  Let's see what happens:)

Ok, I'm doing this...

So, I have been considering doing a blog for awhile now.  I started one, stopped, and now I'm starting again.  A true tribute to my nature.  But really, I'm beginning a new journey and I figured that I should make it official by blogging.  Now all of my friends and family can keep up with my new adventures.  I'm sure you are all super excited. lol

So, I went to Washington, passed the oral assessment, and I am now in the LONG and tedious process of getting clearances.  To be a diplomat, you have to have a class one medical clearance and a Top Secret clearance.  Sounds important...But really, it is to ensure the safety of the U.S. and I totally get this.  I have met with my investigator already and he was very nice.  He has been all over the U.P. talking to everyone, I'm sure.  I think I should be OK:) I'm a good person and have lived a pretty boring life here in the USA.  When he looked at my passport he was surprised I'd never even been to Canada.  It was kinda funny.  I told him that I have been dreaming of travelling my whole life and he seemed touched.  It's true! I have wanted to travel around the world as long as I can remember remembering..

This journey started on March 1, 2011 when I began writing my essays and personal narrative for the OMS (office management specialist) position with the Foreign Service.  For those of you who don't know what that means, just google the State Department, and look it up.  Hillary Clinton will be my boss.  Hopefully!

So, I was invited to the oral assessment in D.C. and went there on June 28, 2011, at my own expense, and went through a very rigorous interview process.  Not too many people make it this far, so I am very proud of myself.  I know that my hubby is excited as well and has been hoping that I would get a Federal job overseas for years.  It has been our dream and it is close to coming true.

It will be sad to leave my family and friends here in MI, but I know that are all happy for me and hoping for some free trips to somewhere awesome:) Will do!!!

This has been a very rambling first blog.  Please forgive my random writing style. Peace and Love:)