A quick update

Hope you are having a great summer. I know I have not made many updates here. Will get better about that. But if you found your way here, just know that most of the updates I do come in videos on my YouTube channel. Check those out when you have time. The Department just release…

Thailand!!!

I am getting behind in my blogging but am doing what I can to keep posting. Ana and I went to Thailand last month and had an absolute blast. We had to fly through Bangkok on our way to and from Phuket, Thailand. Bangkok was so developed and full of life. I definitely want to…

Cultural Affairs in Siem Reap

Just a great week in Siem Reap recently. The town is hit hard from covid as the majority of its revenue is based on tourism. Made a video talking about what I was doing there. Special thanks to World Monuments Fund Siem Reap Director Ginevra. Take a look. Stayed at Sofitel: and also the Anantara…

Foreign Affairs Day

What is Foreign Affairs Day? ‘Each year on the first Friday of May, the Department of State observes Foreign Affairs Day, the annual homecoming for our Foreign Service and Civil Service retirees. This day also commemorates the members of the Foreign Service who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives serving the United States…

Hello from Asia

I have to admit that I have never had to stay in one building, apartment or house for two straight weeks but I guess this is just another weird part of 2020. We made it to post last last Thursday night and have been in our apartment since. Our beloved Frenchie did not make it……

Summer study

Summer rolls on and so does the studying. Language continues to take up most of my time but I do get a 3 week break because of public diplomacy training. I am still studying language for one hour in the AM and on the weekends. People often ask me what I will be doing in…

Pittsburgh Proud

What was going to be a post about what a great rest and relaxation I had in my hometown of Pittsburgh, has now turned into a tribute of sorts. As many of you know, 11 people were killed in the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last week. Words cannot put into reality how sad I…

Birthday blessings

Life just seams to be flying by. The time since I last posted has been AWESOME. Before I dig into all of the happenings I want to shout out to all the people in France who read this blog!  Rien que de l’amour pour tous les Français et surtout pour les parisiens qui lisent ce…

Solitude

The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. – Albert Einstein #reflection is important and boy has #brazil provided the places for it. #earth is too beautiful and diverse for there not to be an infinite #energy beyond the fleeting things we know as our day to day lives. #motherearth #canyons…

Con Gen

So it seems my Portuguese could use a little more work. Unlike some of my rock star classmates, I did not get what I needed on my language test.  6 more weeks for me. Not ideal, but not the end of the world either.  I am working hard to make sure I speak the language…

Portuguese test

I test next week.  Not much else to say other than that’s all I been doing is studying. Need a 3/3.  What does that mean? ILR Level 3 – Professional working proficiency Professional working proficiency is rated 3 on the scale. Level 3 is what is usually used to measure how many people in the…

What a time to be alive

Where do I begin with this smorgasbord of a post.  I think my Pittsburgh Penguins going back to back as Stanley Cup Champions is as good as any to start! Mario Lemieux jumping into Sidney Crosby’s pool fully clothed. Let the summer of Stanley Cup celebrations begin. Mario Lemieux jumping into Sidney Crosby’s pool fully…

Swearing in, area studies, and meeting a legend

Time is flying by and I am not doing a great job of updating this blog.  But in the last month I was sworn in as a Foreign Service Officer by Ambassador Tom Shannon (who was the acting Secretary of State while Sec. Tillerson was awaiting Senate confirmation), done area studies to include Brazilian studies…

My FSO timeline

Many people trying to become a U.S. Diplomat, often like to know how long it takes.  Below is my chronological path to becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO).  Keep in mind that many people go through this process several times, stalling at any certain point.  I consider myself fortunate to have gone completely through on…