A million things have happened since my last post. I signed up to take the language test for the Consular Fellowship and needed to obtain at least a 3 in Speaking and a 3 in Reading. I expressed fear in my previous post that the scheduling would happen while I was on vacation, little did I know it would be worse than that. The only times available to take the tests were WHILE I was on an island in Honduras at the mercy of others for good internet and phone signal. I took said tests and didn't feel like I knocked them out of the park due to technical issues and my own inability to come up with an entertaining story on command.
Vacation was nice and I recognize how lucky I am to have had the experience so I can't complain. Upon my return from paradise I learned that I only obtained a 2 in Speaking and a 2+ in Reading. I attributed it to not being a true native speaker as I have lived in the US most of my life and I do sometimes struggle to find the word I want in Spanish conversation. I was a little bummed but I've looked at the Consular Fellowship as my back-up plan so at least I wasn't totally road blocked.
On September 1st I read in the Yahoo Forum that those who had applied in May and had received a 2/2 or higher could reapply and would receive an Oral Assessment invite. My back-up plan was back in play. I immediately reapplied and the posting closed yesterday so hopefully I will get that invite soon. Not sure why that happened but I thank my lucky stars that it worked out!
The very next day I got an email about the status of my application for the Specialist position. My relative ranking was high enough (whatever that means) to be invited to take the Oral Assessment. 2 amazing pieces of news 2 days in a row!!! My OA is December 5th. YIKES!! I later heard new dates were opened up sooner but I'd already booked my flight and hotel so I didn't move it up. Plus, I've been really busy with the house and that'll give me time off during Thanksgiving to prepare.
Things around the house have been moving at cyber speed since the good news dropped. Mom got an apartment and moved out. Just this weekend my precious Shih Tzu, Grenade, was relocated to be with a new family. His new mom, Anne, is very sweet and I think they will be wonderful company to each other. *Wiping a tear.
As far as remodeling, I'm hoping I can get what's needed completed in the next month. I vividly remember working on my kitchen floor on Halloween night back in 2009 when I bought the house. I have no idea what the house will look like this Halloween but I'm hoping it's empty like it was 7 years ago.
Now I'll write about the crazy thing I've done. I've purchased a travel trailer that I intend to live in until I get a job in the foreign service. I've always wanted to live in an RV and I didn't want to pay rent which is ridiculously high in Nashville right now. I also want to enjoy living solo so roommates are not an option. I considered many scenarios and the RV felt like the most right thing for me. It'll be a learning experience, for sure. I should also mention I had to buy a new (to me) vehicle to tow my new trailer. I've had my Miata for 11 years and I had to upgrade to an SUV 3 times bigger. I'm still adjusting. So many changes.
Stay tuned...
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