Updated O Pix

The Foreign Service

The Foreign Service is starting to become a reality. It's strange because I turned my application in in February 2009 and then nothing for months until I got called in for my "oral assessment". How exciting but how terribly nerve wracking at the same time. When we were in Vegas I flew out to DC for the interview and 26 hours later I flew back. It was an incredibly intense experience. I interviewed for 5 hours and after the interview is over, they seat you in the waiting room while they talk about you and calculate your scores. Needless to say, I texted Eric while I was waiting saying "I did horrible" turns out I didn't do so bad! I passed! Now the three Ali's are in the process of getting medical and security cleared. This can take anywhere from 3 months to one year. Once you and the family get cleared you are assigned to an embassy for a 2 year assignment. I was told through the grapevine that the most common first assignments are in either Africa or India - lots of space to think about - that's for sure.

album 10\12\09 (96 photos), by Stacy Ali

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Holy Smokes...

I can't believe that it has been almost one month since I last posted. Where in the world does the time go? October is half done and what a month of adventure it has been. We drove to Las Vegas to meet my family to celebrate O's first birthday. What a celebration...we ate some amazing sushi and introduced O to his first taste of ice cream, his first balloons and his first time walking "the strip". He even managed to sweet talk the show girls and get a couple of strings of mardi gras beads. The week in Vegas was anything but relaxing - as I was burning the candle at both ends - trying to maximize my time with my mamma and also take in all that Vegas has to offer.

I have a ton more pictures that I will post the link to soon. I promise.