Hi all,
It's been a while since I've posted anything, so first, Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great holiday season!!
So far, 2009 looks like it's going to be interesting for me! I've taken a job with my current employer in Ethiopia. I'll be the Program Officer and will be there for at least a year or two. The job entails monitoring programs (we fund NGOs to implement water/sanitation, health, food security, etc programs) and working with NGOs on proposal development as well as providing some technical support--so it will be great to use my MPH skills!
I'm hoping to eventually move to a similar job in Asia, but for now, this is great! I have a bunch of friends in the area as well as my sister in Tanzania so I'll have visitors and people to visit!! And I'm trying to talk people in the US into visiting me but so far that's been less successful!!
I'll be heading out in mid-February. It's kind of a domino system...so nothing can happen until I sign my actual contract (which starts on 2/2), then I get a invitation from the office in Ethiopia to live there, and THEN I can schedule my move date. It's such a process!! In the meantime, I'm trying to learn about taxes, find someone to rent my condo, organize my stuff, and buy fun things to take with me like a wii!
The sad thing is I've decided to give up my dog Lily. While I could take her with me, Ethiopians are in general petrified of dogs. And because of the housing shortage for US staff it looks like I'll be living in a hotel for a few months. So that's not a good combo. But then, even when I'm in my apartment or house, there wouldn't really be a place to walk her, or for her to play with other dogs, or swim (which is one of her most favorite things). So a doctor in my sister Sarah's practice is adopting her. She's super excited so that helps ease my worries. Lily will have a great Mom and Allison's son Evan, 12, is also really excited! So I'm taking her up there next weekend.....it's definitely sad, but for the best.
So I think this answers most of the questions I've been getting...but let me know if you have others!! Once I'm there I'll definitely be blogging more often so sign up for the feed!!
Later,
Jane
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
My friend's new business!!
Hi all,
My site-mate from Peace Corps Stephanie, and her husband Michael, have started a business called My Wonderful Walls. They design fun and unique kids murals or nursery murals!
Check it out....
I'll have more news soon....there's a big change coming in the new year.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Back home
Well--it's been ages since my last entry....Here's the rough blow by blow of my trip....
Saturday 9/6:
1st: went to Notting Hill to peruse the market on Portobello Road,
2nd: went to Oxford Circus to search for the same kind of duvet on my hotel bed (that thing was MAGIC I tell you),
3rd: I met up with Taylor (an OFDA colleague joining me on the "European Tour" as it was to be known and had lunch at a proper pub
4th: went to the Tower of London for 2 1/2 hours--that place is huge!!
5th: walked to St Paul's Cathedral along the Thames
6th: went to Covent Garden to met a friend of hers for dinner
7th: took a pedal cab home (instead of horse drawn--it's person riding a bike pulling you home)
Sunday 9/7:
1st: went to Buckingham Palace for the tour--set for a state dinner---totally cool!!!
2nd: went to Harrod's
3rd: went to Westminster Abby
Monday 9/8: meetings in London
Tuesday 9/9: traveled to Oxford for all day meetings (cool, beautiful place from what I saw. It would be nice to spend more time there!!).
Sadly--my time in England was at an end....I loved England. And if the election doesn't go my way in December, I'm going to see (seriously) if I can emigrate.....
Wednesday 9/10: traveled, at the crack of dawn, to Dublin. After checking in to the hotel, we went to Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Done Leary if you can believe it). then in the afternoon we took a little bus tour of dublin with a stop at the Guinness factory. I gotta say, I'm not a fan of the Guinness. I liked Dublin. I could live there.
Thursday 9/11: Traveled by plan, train and automobile to Lausanne, Switzerland and enjoyed a nice night with a stroll by the water.
Friday 9/12: Back to back meetings with two partners and the on and off rain kicked back in. I did have dinner with a friend of mine from college who now lives in Zurich and works for FIFA (I know--cool right!). Though we both claim to have been at the 10th college reunion--we somehow didn't see each other....so it's been 13 years!! Crazy!! Anyway, a dinner and a few pints later and all is right with the world! I like Lausanne---but by golly it's expensive!!!
Saturday 9/13: Traveled by train to Paris. Finally got cash (what kind of train station doesn't have an ATM in this day and age!!!!) and got to my hotel. I settled in and quickly set out for a bite to eat and a strong in the garden between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
Sunday 9/14--the anniversary of my mother bringing me into this world--I got up and made my way to the Musee d'Orsy. I was there for about 3 hours--part of which was relaxing in the cafe having brunch. From there, I walked to the Eiffel Tower where I was joined by Taylor--who treated me to my trip to the tippy top. Since it was a beautiful, clear sunny day (my first since that first day in London) we had a spectacular view in every direction. Absolutely amazing!! After a quick stop for a crepe-to-go, we hopped on a boat for a 1 hour ride on the Seine. Then, I walked and bussed down to Notre Dame and then made my way back to my hotel. Taylor and I went to dinner at an Italian place (groan--I know I know--but for a vegetarian in Paris my options were very limited!)
Monday 9/15--two more meetings while negotiating my way around the city
Tuesday 9/16--my last partner meeting, followed by my last chance to buy little presents for friends/family at home! And at night, I jammed everything into my suitcase and prepared for an early start.
Wednesday 9/17 (yesterday)--I traveled home, without incident and with ease. I made it home by 3 pm and was able to keep myself awake until almost 9 pm!
Today was my first day back in the office. It's nice to go back after a break, for sure, but I wasn't really done with Europe. I'll have to figure out a way to live there at some point. either through school, work, or marriage! (still looking for that Scotsman (see earlier blog entry)).
So--It's 8:45 pm now and I'm almost asleep again. I'll try to post photos tomorrow or soon thereafter...not enough energy for tonight.
A bientot y bon nuit,
Jane
Saturday 9/6:
1st: went to Notting Hill to peruse the market on Portobello Road,
2nd: went to Oxford Circus to search for the same kind of duvet on my hotel bed (that thing was MAGIC I tell you),
3rd: I met up with Taylor (an OFDA colleague joining me on the "European Tour" as it was to be known and had lunch at a proper pub
4th: went to the Tower of London for 2 1/2 hours--that place is huge!!
5th: walked to St Paul's Cathedral along the Thames
6th: went to Covent Garden to met a friend of hers for dinner
7th: took a pedal cab home (instead of horse drawn--it's person riding a bike pulling you home)
Sunday 9/7:
1st: went to Buckingham Palace for the tour--set for a state dinner---totally cool!!!
2nd: went to Harrod's
3rd: went to Westminster Abby
Monday 9/8: meetings in London
Tuesday 9/9: traveled to Oxford for all day meetings (cool, beautiful place from what I saw. It would be nice to spend more time there!!).
Sadly--my time in England was at an end....I loved England. And if the election doesn't go my way in December, I'm going to see (seriously) if I can emigrate.....
Wednesday 9/10: traveled, at the crack of dawn, to Dublin. After checking in to the hotel, we went to Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Done Leary if you can believe it). then in the afternoon we took a little bus tour of dublin with a stop at the Guinness factory. I gotta say, I'm not a fan of the Guinness. I liked Dublin. I could live there.
Thursday 9/11: Traveled by plan, train and automobile to Lausanne, Switzerland and enjoyed a nice night with a stroll by the water.
Friday 9/12: Back to back meetings with two partners and the on and off rain kicked back in. I did have dinner with a friend of mine from college who now lives in Zurich and works for FIFA (I know--cool right!). Though we both claim to have been at the 10th college reunion--we somehow didn't see each other....so it's been 13 years!! Crazy!! Anyway, a dinner and a few pints later and all is right with the world! I like Lausanne---but by golly it's expensive!!!
Saturday 9/13: Traveled by train to Paris. Finally got cash (what kind of train station doesn't have an ATM in this day and age!!!!) and got to my hotel. I settled in and quickly set out for a bite to eat and a strong in the garden between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
Sunday 9/14--the anniversary of my mother bringing me into this world--I got up and made my way to the Musee d'Orsy. I was there for about 3 hours--part of which was relaxing in the cafe having brunch. From there, I walked to the Eiffel Tower where I was joined by Taylor--who treated me to my trip to the tippy top. Since it was a beautiful, clear sunny day (my first since that first day in London) we had a spectacular view in every direction. Absolutely amazing!! After a quick stop for a crepe-to-go, we hopped on a boat for a 1 hour ride on the Seine. Then, I walked and bussed down to Notre Dame and then made my way back to my hotel. Taylor and I went to dinner at an Italian place (groan--I know I know--but for a vegetarian in Paris my options were very limited!)
Monday 9/15--two more meetings while negotiating my way around the city
Tuesday 9/16--my last partner meeting, followed by my last chance to buy little presents for friends/family at home! And at night, I jammed everything into my suitcase and prepared for an early start.
Wednesday 9/17 (yesterday)--I traveled home, without incident and with ease. I made it home by 3 pm and was able to keep myself awake until almost 9 pm!
Today was my first day back in the office. It's nice to go back after a break, for sure, but I wasn't really done with Europe. I'll have to figure out a way to live there at some point. either through school, work, or marriage! (still looking for that Scotsman (see earlier blog entry)).
So--It's 8:45 pm now and I'm almost asleep again. I'll try to post photos tomorrow or soon thereafter...not enough energy for tonight.
A bientot y bon nuit,
Jane
Saturday, September 6, 2008
The thing about England is.....
So after my first full week here I've decided the following:
1) I love cheddar and pickle sandwiches (particularly from pret--something about that pickle!)
2) I don't love the trend of women wearing short skirts or shorts with tights and flats....it just looks wrong!
3) Some food choices are just wrong....for example
---boiled egg on pizza
---corn in tuna fish (and corn on pizza....eww)
---a Haggis Mac (available on at McDonald's in Scotland at special times of the year--BLECH)
4) there's just too much to see in a few weekends--especially with the wonky hours
5) the little gardens off of peoples houses are lovely
6) it's super expensive to live here (what I thought was a months rent and thus comparable to DC is actually the per week rent!!
7) I had no desire at all to try the "vegetarian haggis" or lump of bread pudding on Portabello Rd this a.m.
8) Beefeaters and the bearskin hat guardsmen look pretty rad in their uniforms
9) It'd be pretty cool to be married at the Tower of London (as someone was today when we were there)
and lastly,
10) I would LOVE to live here----if only I could get a job--or better yet, a nice Scottish husband (it's really the best accent)
Photos will be posted tomorrow night....
Night love!
1) I love cheddar and pickle sandwiches (particularly from pret--something about that pickle!)
2) I don't love the trend of women wearing short skirts or shorts with tights and flats....it just looks wrong!
3) Some food choices are just wrong....for example
---boiled egg on pizza
---corn in tuna fish (and corn on pizza....eww)
---a Haggis Mac (available on at McDonald's in Scotland at special times of the year--BLECH)
4) there's just too much to see in a few weekends--especially with the wonky hours
5) the little gardens off of peoples houses are lovely
6) it's super expensive to live here (what I thought was a months rent and thus comparable to DC is actually the per week rent!!
7) I had no desire at all to try the "vegetarian haggis" or lump of bread pudding on Portabello Rd this a.m.
8) Beefeaters and the bearskin hat guardsmen look pretty rad in their uniforms
9) It'd be pretty cool to be married at the Tower of London (as someone was today when we were there)
and lastly,
10) I would LOVE to live here----if only I could get a job--or better yet, a nice Scottish husband (it's really the best accent)
Photos will be posted tomorrow night....
Night love!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Bearskin hats in London!
Hello all...Here's an update of the last couple of days.
On Sunday--I slept in until 11 a.m.!! I think waking up at 6 or earlier every day for the past three weeks was taking it's toll and I just pooped out. After waking up and eating some brunch I took the tube to Waterloo station and walked along the Thames. That actually took quite a while...but there's a lot to see. Much to my mom's dismay I walked right past the Tate and other museums without a second thought. I've just enjoyed walking everywhere.
After a quick stop home, I met up with "Dr. Jill"--someone I met in Darfur while she was working for an NGO who is in London finishing up her graduate degree. We walked to a little Thai restaurant and made it just before the heavy rain!
Monday my nutrition course started. We're an interesting mix. There are a lot of Brits and other Europeans here but who general focus on Africa. There is a lone New Zealander, an Omani, and someone from the Solomon Islands....and I'm the lone American. The course is going well so far!!
Last night I walked down to Oxford street and took a look around, then stopped for a bite on the way back. I'm finding British t.v. very enjoying so far...particularly a show called "The Dragon's Den"--the dragon's being five rich British entrepreneurs who listen to pitches by random people and decide whether or not to invest (usually for some share of the business).
This morning, the news was focusing on Gustav missing New Orleans, the downturn of the British economy, the expense of school shoes, and perhaps most shockingly to me, that they're looking to a few designers to use synthetic fabrics for the Royal Guards bearskin hats. Who knew those were still real bearskin? NOT ME that's for sure. I'm totally appalled. Tons of poor little bears have died just to be these hats?!?! I hope this is an easy call for the decision makers. Surely Vera Wang can come up with an appropriate solution!
Oye
On Sunday--I slept in until 11 a.m.!! I think waking up at 6 or earlier every day for the past three weeks was taking it's toll and I just pooped out. After waking up and eating some brunch I took the tube to Waterloo station and walked along the Thames. That actually took quite a while...but there's a lot to see. Much to my mom's dismay I walked right past the Tate and other museums without a second thought. I've just enjoyed walking everywhere.
After a quick stop home, I met up with "Dr. Jill"--someone I met in Darfur while she was working for an NGO who is in London finishing up her graduate degree. We walked to a little Thai restaurant and made it just before the heavy rain!
Monday my nutrition course started. We're an interesting mix. There are a lot of Brits and other Europeans here but who general focus on Africa. There is a lone New Zealander, an Omani, and someone from the Solomon Islands....and I'm the lone American. The course is going well so far!!
Last night I walked down to Oxford street and took a look around, then stopped for a bite on the way back. I'm finding British t.v. very enjoying so far...particularly a show called "The Dragon's Den"--the dragon's being five rich British entrepreneurs who listen to pitches by random people and decide whether or not to invest (usually for some share of the business).
This morning, the news was focusing on Gustav missing New Orleans, the downturn of the British economy, the expense of school shoes, and perhaps most shockingly to me, that they're looking to a few designers to use synthetic fabrics for the Royal Guards bearskin hats. Who knew those were still real bearskin? NOT ME that's for sure. I'm totally appalled. Tons of poor little bears have died just to be these hats?!?! I hope this is an easy call for the decision makers. Surely Vera Wang can come up with an appropriate solution!
Oye
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Ahh--London. My Anglophile roots remain!
Well--I arrived in London at 6:30 this morning. My flight from Dulles wasn't the worst I've ever taken, but it wasn't the best either. I've definitely grown accustomed to taking flights longer than 14 hours so being able to upgrade. This was rough. I had two kids in front of me that keep jostling around and asking for more food from the flight attendants, and two Irish high-schoolers next to me that were trapped in and traveling with a couple other girls that kept coming over to talk. Then, I seemed to be surrounded in general by the entire geriatric crowd going on a Carnival cruise. Of for the love of peter, paul and mary!
Anyway--I arrived, quick trip on the Heathrow express and a taxi ride and I was happily ensconced in my hotel. A shower and a nap do a lot to revive you!! So I slipped on my keens and started walkin'. A few hours later I'd covered Covent Garden, Leicester Square to get theatre tickets and whatever neighborhood I'm in (near University of London). I also caught up with a friend from Darfur who's here finishing up school. I went to see Wicked--an early birthday present to myself (and if I don't really eat much here for the next week I should be able to cover my ticket with my perdiem). It was fantastic. Lots of Americans there......And lots of people in really weird and IMHO inappropriate clothing for the theatre. The weirdest thing was that it looked like a movie theatre when we left---water bottles and candy wrappers all over the floor. Strange, strange, strange.
Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to hit Regents park and maybe the Thames.....it all depends on if the weather is as lovely tomorrow as it was today!
So, I'm off to bed....
Cheers mate,
Jane
anglophile
Anyway--I arrived, quick trip on the Heathrow express and a taxi ride and I was happily ensconced in my hotel. A shower and a nap do a lot to revive you!! So I slipped on my keens and started walkin'. A few hours later I'd covered Covent Garden, Leicester Square to get theatre tickets and whatever neighborhood I'm in (near University of London). I also caught up with a friend from Darfur who's here finishing up school. I went to see Wicked--an early birthday present to myself (and if I don't really eat much here for the next week I should be able to cover my ticket with my perdiem). It was fantastic. Lots of Americans there......And lots of people in really weird and IMHO inappropriate clothing for the theatre. The weirdest thing was that it looked like a movie theatre when we left---water bottles and candy wrappers all over the floor. Strange, strange, strange.
Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to hit Regents park and maybe the Thames.....it all depends on if the weather is as lovely tomorrow as it was today!
So, I'm off to bed....
Cheers mate,
Jane
anglophile
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Oye--I really need to sleep!!
Well--for those of you who don't want the minutia of my life....skip this one!! It all started last Monday.
I took Lily to the vet for some nasty skin infection. And, after a mere $180, we are on the road to recovery. But, the antibiotics she's on for two weeks increase her water intake and (apparently) decreases her bladder. On Tuesday, I came home from work and discovered Lily had peed on the stair landing. Hmmm. So on Wednesday I blocked the stairs...hehe. Not so much, she peed in another spot on my carpet. Blech. So I blocked her in the kitchen on Thursday with a "target" in case she had to pee and her dog bed. She peed all over the dog bed. Eww. Friday I blocked her in the kitchen with nothing, and she peed on the floor. Now I can't really feel angry becuase she can't help it!! But she's also unable to make it through the night either. So she's woken me up at 3 or 4 a.m. every night.
I thought things would be better over the weekend becuase I could let her out. But I foolishly signed up for a sprint triathlon run by my tri club on Saturday. So I had to get up at 5 a.m. Lily wanted to make sure I was awake so she woke me up at 3:30.
On my way home from the race, my duty officer blackberry rang. For those of you not in the know (and why would you be), each of us has to be on duty for 1 week every six months. We answer USGS earthquake notifications and alert staff, and are available for others as international disasters are identified. So I was on the receiving end of a call from USAID-Tbilisi (Georgia) where Russia has decided to attack. Oye. After dealing with that, I came back, took Lily to the park, and took a nap. I woke up hungry and decided to have some edamame from costco. Bad move, something didn't sit right. By 4:30 pm I was on the floor of my bathroom, sweating so hard my clothes and the bathmat were soaked! And let's just say I cleared the edamame, and all other food, out of my system.
After a few more hours of resting, I settled in to watch the Olympics. I walked Lily multiple times and let her out at midnight after watching the women's 4x100 relay. (My friends Stefanie and Mark are there--so cool!!!) So I had a chance of making it through the night---if it weren't for that pesky war! The State dept operations center called me to find out what our response plan to the disaster declaration would be. Apparently, some people weren't communicating as well as they should!! So, up at 4, I figured I would be proactive and took Lily outside. After a few more hours of sleep, the blackberry rang again.
So it's Sunday a.m. and I haven't slept through the night since last Monday a.m. I'm so tired. And Lily has another week of antibiotics so I'm not in the clear until at least next weekend. Yikes.
Well--at least the tri went well....though I have a lot to do before IronGirl in a few weeks!!!
Maybe I'll go take a nap---it's only 8:20 a.m......
Jane
I took Lily to the vet for some nasty skin infection. And, after a mere $180, we are on the road to recovery. But, the antibiotics she's on for two weeks increase her water intake and (apparently) decreases her bladder. On Tuesday, I came home from work and discovered Lily had peed on the stair landing. Hmmm. So on Wednesday I blocked the stairs...hehe. Not so much, she peed in another spot on my carpet. Blech. So I blocked her in the kitchen on Thursday with a "target" in case she had to pee and her dog bed. She peed all over the dog bed. Eww. Friday I blocked her in the kitchen with nothing, and she peed on the floor. Now I can't really feel angry becuase she can't help it!! But she's also unable to make it through the night either. So she's woken me up at 3 or 4 a.m. every night.
I thought things would be better over the weekend becuase I could let her out. But I foolishly signed up for a sprint triathlon run by my tri club on Saturday. So I had to get up at 5 a.m. Lily wanted to make sure I was awake so she woke me up at 3:30.
On my way home from the race, my duty officer blackberry rang. For those of you not in the know (and why would you be), each of us has to be on duty for 1 week every six months. We answer USGS earthquake notifications and alert staff, and are available for others as international disasters are identified. So I was on the receiving end of a call from USAID-Tbilisi (Georgia) where Russia has decided to attack. Oye. After dealing with that, I came back, took Lily to the park, and took a nap. I woke up hungry and decided to have some edamame from costco. Bad move, something didn't sit right. By 4:30 pm I was on the floor of my bathroom, sweating so hard my clothes and the bathmat were soaked! And let's just say I cleared the edamame, and all other food, out of my system.
After a few more hours of resting, I settled in to watch the Olympics. I walked Lily multiple times and let her out at midnight after watching the women's 4x100 relay. (My friends Stefanie and Mark are there--so cool!!!) So I had a chance of making it through the night---if it weren't for that pesky war! The State dept operations center called me to find out what our response plan to the disaster declaration would be. Apparently, some people weren't communicating as well as they should!! So, up at 4, I figured I would be proactive and took Lily outside. After a few more hours of sleep, the blackberry rang again.
So it's Sunday a.m. and I haven't slept through the night since last Monday a.m. I'm so tired. And Lily has another week of antibiotics so I'm not in the clear until at least next weekend. Yikes.
Well--at least the tri went well....though I have a lot to do before IronGirl in a few weeks!!!
Maybe I'll go take a nap---it's only 8:20 a.m......
Jane
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