So many little things remind me that our life with the Foreign Service will be different from our life before. We plan to arrive in Venezuela in December of this year - essentially one year away. Simply holding that knowledge provides a peaceful sense of stability that I haven't felt in years.
And the paperwork has already begun for our move. I've completed a housing questionnaire. I've told someone that I'd like to have a balcony and plenty of natural light. I've set a short commute as my highest priority, and given preference to the neighborhood within a gated community where we can safely go for walks and play on the playground.
This evening I filled out the CLO information sheet. The CLO is the Community Liason Office, and essentially runs the community center for the Embassy. Here's a better description, from the State Department's website:
Don't worry - my expectations are not set too high. And honestly, someone meeting us at the airport with a box of cookies would be a step up from our greeting in Shanghai. But rumor has it that the employees and families living within the Embassy communities tend to provide a welcoming community, and this little info sheet certainly adds some weight to the rumors.
And the paperwork has already begun for our move. I've completed a housing questionnaire. I've told someone that I'd like to have a balcony and plenty of natural light. I've set a short commute as my highest priority, and given preference to the neighborhood within a gated community where we can safely go for walks and play on the playground.
This evening I filled out the CLO information sheet. The CLO is the Community Liason Office, and essentially runs the community center for the Embassy. Here's a better description, from the State Department's website:
The CLO is among the first points of contact for newly assigned or arriving employees and family members, and provides pre-arrival information, orientation, and assistance with settling in at post. CLOs identify the needs of their community and respond with effective programming, information, resources, and referrals. They serve as advocates for employees and family members, advise post management on quality of life issues, and recommend solutions and family-friendly post policies....
The CLO program is charged with building community spirit and enhancing morale at post. CLOs do not have official funding for morale/recreational events or programs and rely on self-supporting events or fundraising activities. CLOs depend on the volunteer efforts of employees and family members to share their time and their talents to address community needs.
They asked our names, ages and basic contact information. They asked about the capacities in which I would be willing to volunteer (I said yes to nearly everything). But they also asked some great stuff about the girls - favorite activities and hobbies, favorite foods, favorite colors. These leave me somewhat encouraged that we will get a warm welcome when we arrive.
Don't worry - my expectations are not set too high. And honestly, someone meeting us at the airport with a box of cookies would be a step up from our greeting in Shanghai. But rumor has it that the employees and families living within the Embassy communities tend to provide a welcoming community, and this little info sheet certainly adds some weight to the rumors.
No comments:
Post a Comment