False Start

So I registered for the October FSOT when registration opened, but then subsequently decided that I could not get the day of  for testing & canceled it. I'm still not happy in my current career, but after much self-reflection I realized that now is just not the right time to pursue this dream. Maybe I'll register for the January test next time.

Yes, I'm Still Alive

*Tap*Tap*Tap*

Is thing still on? Yes, I'm still around. I've been working hard in my normal 9-5 while being simultaneously bogged down by being a first-time homebuyer. I honestly haven't given a whole lot of thought to the Foreign Service lately, but I suppose I should register for the October test when registration opens...more to come on that when it happens, I guess. :)

Still Trucking Along

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I'm still trucking along. I'm working on studying and improving my EE scores, while simultaneously working on my history knowledge for the JK portion of the exam. Since there really isn't much to report on regarding the Foreign Service, I don't expect a lot of blog entries over the next few months, but rest assured, I'm still around and working on improving myself.

Ok, I was knocked down yesterday, and in typical fashion, I'm back up on my feet today. I went to the library to check out some books that I thought would help me to pull up my FSOT score when I retest in October. The bright side of this "failure" is that I have 9 months to prepare and be really ready for the test and be more competitive. A lot can happen in 9 months and a LOT can be learned in 9 months. Judging by the info posted on the Yahoo Boards by those who passed the PNQs, their FSOT scores were MUCH better than mine were (by at least 20+ points) and most had language skills that I don't have, so I've decided that the best place I can start to being more competitive is by concentrating on bringing up my FSOT score while simultaneously 1) striving for more and better quality stories for the next PNQ submission round and 2) working on fluency in a 2nd language.

Oh and some foreign travel probably wouldn't hurt either. :D

Damn :(

I wrote too soon today. I got off work early today and came home to relax. My boss had posted a link on Facebook earlier today asking people to join her in sending mittens to injured koalas in South Australia and I opened my laptop to show my daughter (the resident crafter in my house) to get her on board to help, not even thinking about the FS for the first time in weeks!

When I booted up the computer, I opened Outlook and saw alerts popping up from my inbox from the Yahoo group reporting that PNQ results were in. So, I rushed to the Pearson-Vue website to see if my results were in, too. They were and, just as I was afraid of, I received the "we regret to inform you" e-mail. Honestly, I am really disappointed, but I'm not totally devastated. I knew from the outset of this journey that this was not an easy pursuit and that it was going to take some determination and stamina to make it through the gauntlet of the hiring process for the Foreign Service. In case you don't know me personally, there is absolutely no doubt that I am a damned determined woman. I will continue to keep trying until I reach my goal. I can retest in October, so you can be darn sure I'll be right back into the saddle then. In the meantime I know that I need to focus on pulling up my written score and work towards some leadership experience. Maybe a missions trip this summer could help.

Not Yet

No results came out yesterday and the speculation amongst the Yahoo Boards is that they will be released the week of the 19th, since this is historically the timeframe for prior Oct FSOT cohorts receiving their results. The official timeframe is 7-8 weeks from the PNQ submission deadline, which would technically be next week, so I'm hoping that the agony of waiting for results will come to an end next week (even if the agony of having to go through this process again begins at that time).

Hurry Up & Wait!

I know, this is going to be the story of my life in my pursuit of Foreign Service Life. waiting for results just.....well.....sucks! Maybe it is just the stress of being back to work after a long vacation (I say "long" in a tongue-in-cheek mannner, because 2 weeks is not "long" when you technically get 6 weeks of annnual leave on paper, but have a schedule & under-staffing issues such that it is damn near impossible to use it in any increment longer than a random 3 day weekend here & there). The perk about being a government "drone" for most of my (short) career as a state government attorney, is that I have learned how to do more with less & I think this skill will transfer perfectly into my intended career change.

*Sigh* I digress... mainly I'm just posting to describe my pins & needles anxiety awaiting QEP results. I have my calendar marked as tomorrow being the 7 week mark & the forums on State's website says they will be released "mid to late January". I'm hoping sooner rather than later, but I will try to be patient.

A Case of *Blah*

Today was the last day of my vacation and I'm already looking forward to my next one. I completely dread going back to work tomorrow. It is such a soul-sucking atmosphere that the only way I can survive is to start planning my next getaway. Sad, isn't it? I long for the day that I can truly enjoy the work that I do and not feel like I'm only showing up to collect a paycheck.

Luckily, QEP results should be back very soon. I'm hoping that by next week I am distracting myself from the drudgery of my daily schedule by planning a quick trip to DC for the OA and a visit to the Smithsonian Museum of American History (which we skipped on this past trip due to the kiddos not cooperating). I'm not going to get my hopes up too high, but at least the release of QEP results will help me set my course for the rest of the year.... either towards the OA or towards an FSOT retake in October. If I am doomed to the latter, then I need to find ways in the meantime to enhance my resume in each of the Six Precepts and get started on drafting fresh and better PNs for the next go round.

One of the things that attracts me so much to the Foreign Service is that once you are in, it seems as though EVERYONE starts on a level playing field, meaning that the school you went to, your GPA, and who you know, no longer matters because we ALL start at the bottom. Everyone comes from diverse and pretty impressive backgrounds, but those who make it in strike me as the type who do not toot their own horns and broadcast how much better they are than everyone else. That is really my kind of gig and, perhaps, the reason I struggle to like my current profession.