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problematique posted:No cashiers check? Getting that in local currency still took three trips and two days. Trying anything more complicated would have been a nightmare.
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Aug 16, 2013 19:36
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At least you could sell your POV. I had a buyer lined up and just needed one final stamp from the MFA when "new rules" appeared that limited the sales of diplomatic vehicles to non-diplomatic buyers. I'd brought my huge expensive vehicle specifically for sale on the local market (and they still have to pay duty and tax and all that jazz) and really got screwed by this. I'd intended to take the proceeds of the sale home as part of my savings and buy a vehicle for my 9 month TDY, then ship that to my next post. Instead I had to ship my beloved beast back to the US and have to sell it there now. I don't know what I will do for a car during training since I can't ship another POV on these orders and I don't want to deal with trying to sell it as we pack out. I was looking forward to the wheelbarrow of cash I would have had, just for the laugh factor.
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Aug 16, 2013 23:10
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I applied for the FSOT as a student, took the FSOT as a student, submitted my personal narratives as a student, but just last week I finally, officially graduated and just got my letter confirming it this week. Do I urgently need to update anything, and if so what and how much should I panic? Also, is there a State Department or Foreign Service credit union? Getting a flood of post-graduate credit card offers with those obscene APRs is driving me up a wall; I find kinder lines of credit to be a growing part of my little FSO fantasy.
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Aug 16, 2013 23:46
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Ofaloaf posted:I applied for the FSOT as a student, took the FSOT as a student, submitted my personal narratives as a student, but just last week I finally, officially graduated and just got my letter confirming it this week. Do I urgently need to update anything, and if so what and how much should I panic? Congrats on graduating! I don't know that there is anything you can do, as your application is with the Qualifications Evaluation Panel. A degree isn't a requirement, and I know a mid level officer who didn't get his bachelors degree until several years into his FS career. If you're really concerned, you can try contacting BEX and talking to them about it. There is a State Department Credit Union, which lots of people around here use. I've been meaning to switch to it as I've heard lots of good things about them.
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Aug 17, 2013 00:34
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I finally got on that USAA train, that poo poo is great insurance wise (well, at least the rates).
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Aug 17, 2013 03:40
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Tyro posted:Gemstone 3? Because I played that one. Dragonrealms, but both were from Simutronics -- funny story, I played the games as a kid in 1995 and then worked on them as a designer in 2009 Homie S posted:I finally got on that USAA train, that poo poo is great insurance wise (well, at least the rates). I joined after I left, and that was a mistake. Apparently as an FSO you are only eligible while STILL an FSO, e.g. on orders. For me, I was still able to get in as a veteran, but apparently I qualify for different (inferior) rates, because I was enlisted whereas the FSO rate is an officer rate. Certain of USAA's insurers tier their rates so that certain categories get different premiums. So get in as soon as possible. Also once you get in, ask them to set you up with a policy to lock your rates in. You pay basically $35 or so for a one-month insurance policy that then locks you in at that rate (or better) for good. Simply opening a checking/savings account is not enough, you have to have some insurance. Nutrimentia posted:At least you could sell your POV. I had a buyer lined up and just needed one final stamp from the MFA when "new rules" appeared that limited the sales of diplomatic vehicles to non-diplomatic buyers. I'd brought my huge expensive vehicle specifically for sale on the local market (and they still have to pay duty and tax and all that jazz) and really got screwed by this. I'd intended to take the proceeds of the sale home as part of my savings and buy a vehicle for my 9 month TDY, then ship that to my next post. Instead I had to ship my beloved beast back to the US and have to sell it there now. I don't know what I will do for a car during training since I can't ship another POV on these orders and I don't want to deal with trying to sell it as we pack out. I did exactly this and I literally don't know where my car is now. Ofaloaf posted:Also, is there a State Department or Foreign Service credit union? Getting a flood of post-graduate credit card offers with those obscene APRs is driving me up a wall; I find kinder lines of credit to be a growing part of my little FSO fantasy. State Department Federal Credit Union -- it's often compared to USAA, but SDFCU actually has a small number of offices in the DC area (the main one being in Alexandria at the King Street metro -- they're quite helpful there too). I've had mixed experiences with them. Banking has been fine. Their loan department sucked for dealing with my auto loan. However, if you're buying a car before going overseas, a lot of lenders won't let you take the car out of the country. SDFCU does. So you may find them helpful in that regard.
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Aug 17, 2013 06:00
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Funny! I played around the same timeframe, kind of a natural progression from local BBS door games like LoRD. Does that mean non-vets lose their USAA eligibility on separation from the foreign service?
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Aug 17, 2013 13:12
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Tyro posted:Does that mean non-vets lose their USAA eligibility on separation from the foreign service? Huh, I don't know but probably good for me to find out.
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Aug 17, 2013 15:12
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That was USAA's position at least from the rep that I talked to (who had to check with his boss, or look at a handbook or something).
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Aug 17, 2013 16:45
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And the winner is..... I will be spending 2 lovely years in Tokyo, beginning about a year after my start date. I feel SUPER lucky!!!
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Aug 17, 2013 19:26
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Nice! Do you get language?
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Aug 18, 2013 01:39
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d1rtbag posted:And the winner is..... おめでとうございます！ We'll overlap pretty much your whole time here. PM me your name if you have any questions about life here or the language program.
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Aug 18, 2013 07:34
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d1rtbag posted:And the winner is..... Congrats!
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Aug 19, 2013 01:34
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Hey Skan, your head above water?
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Aug 21, 2013 04:43
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Yeah. Something like 50% of the city is flooded, Embassy is going to re-open today. People were already standing in the visa line, in knee-high water...
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Aug 22, 2013 00:21
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Skandiaavity posted:Yeah. Something like 50% of the city is flooded, Embassy is going to re-open today. People were already standing in the visa line, in knee-high water... Sounds familiar. I distinctly recall Dan saying something similar around this time when he first arrived there.
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Aug 22, 2013 02:02
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This was a bit worse, the apartment compound (seafront) was pretty much ruined if you lived on the first floor. I've dropped Dan & some others off - once was when it was 'kinda bad' (not 'real bad' like today). At that time, the parking complex was flooded higher than a bench. I literally had to drive *into* the complex to drop the passengers off. I do feel a little bad for our new IMS, who just arrived yesterday. 
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Aug 22, 2013 07:07
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Looks like it's going to be another beautiful sunny day of 85 
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Aug 22, 2013 12:07
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Just another month and a half before I'm eligible to take the FSOT agaaaaaaaain. Third time's the charm? God I hope so. I'm trying to figure out what I can do this time around to actually get past that stupid QEP phase. Last time, my essay was just barely good enough to pass, so I'm thinking I should try to do a couple practice ones. I probably need to do a bigger world history review as well this time. Any other recommendations from any of the people who read my PNs last time? I'm also starting to think of backup plans (besides just staying at my current job, which I love, but has very little opportunity for advancement/travel right now) including USAID or the UN. edit: I'm also toying with the idea of going political cone this time around. I've done consular the last two times with no success, but even though I know political is more selective...maybe it's more appropriate?? Can't hurt to try! edit: oh wait, I just noticed the public diplomacy track. Is that new?? Because it actually sounds PERFECT for me!! CherryCola fucked around with this message at 13:20 on Aug 22, 2013 |
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Aug 22, 2013 13:13
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Skan, where are you?
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Aug 22, 2013 13:26
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CherryCola posted:Just another month and a half before I'm eligible to take the FSOT agaaaaaaaain. Third time's the charm? God I hope so. I'm trying to figure out what I can do this time around to actually get past that stupid QEP phase. Last time, my essay was just barely good enough to pass, so I'm thinking I should try to do a couple practice ones. I probably need to do a bigger world history review as well this time. Not new. Also at this point selectivity between the cones is not a magic way to get an advantage -- apply for the cone you want.
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Aug 22, 2013 16:59
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Diplomaticus posted:Not new. Also at this point selectivity between the cones is not a magic way to get an advantage -- apply for the cone you want. Oh yeah, I realize that. I'd just thought up until now that the consular cone was the one I'm most suited for. I'm starting to think maybe that's not true. So yeah, I think I'm going to try for Public Diplomacy and see how that goes.
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Aug 22, 2013 17:04
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 Seats confirmed for middle/aisle checked the seat map and saw what it was confirmed Printed boarding passes Window/middle gently caress
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Aug 22, 2013 17:09
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CherryCola posted:
Strictly my understanding; the UN is "handled" by State in the U.S.; it is arguably just as hard to get into as FS. Search on UN GALAXY system for sister/daughter organizations, UNICEF, UNESCO, etc and you'll see the job requirements are quite.. extensive. From personal experience, it's mostly administrative-types of work and there is a thick glass ceiling if you don't have a Ph.D yet. It's also contractual. USAID, Foreign Agriculture Service, etc, can be good Government alternatives. Problematique: currently in Manila.
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Aug 23, 2013 04:51
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CherryCola posted:Just another month and a half before I'm eligible to take the FSOT agaaaaaaaain. Third time's the charm? God I hope so. I'm trying to figure out what I can do this time around to actually get past that stupid QEP phase. Last time, my essay was just barely good enough to pass, so I'm thinking I should try to do a couple practice ones. I probably need to do a bigger world history review as well this time. All the cones are the same up until you're on the register. At least as far as is known, your cone doesn't impact any step of the process (FSOT, QEP, FSOA). Everyone is looked at the same. The registers can be different depths though but if its still anything like what it was when I went through, there are so many people on them that cone remains irrelevant and it boils down to your OA score plus language and veteran bonuses. Don't choose a cone based on the mistaken perception that cone selection will somehow impact your chances of getting through the process. Good luck though!
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Aug 23, 2013 15:08
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You could consider the civil service, as well, as some CS jobs (like mine) let you travel overseas quite a bit. However, again, it's not necessarily easy to go that route, and applying to the CS through anything other than the Pathways programs (for undergrad/grad school recent graduates) seems like it would be pretty Byzantine to me.
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Aug 23, 2013 16:38
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Housing assignment received yesterday! And apparently it has fiber to the home internet (uncapped). Priorities!
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Aug 24, 2013 12:31
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SCRwM posted:Housing assignment received yesterday! And apparently it has fiber to the home internet (uncapped). Priorities!  I'm channeling Port Morsby, Kinshasa, Kampala, Juba, etc. for your next directed assignment. We received ours as well. It's next to a cricket stadium. Ah, DC. I really do like this city during the summer. TCD fucked around with this message at 21:23 on Aug 24, 2013 |
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Aug 24, 2013 16:22
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TCD posted:
Other than the first week here, DC has been gorgeous this summer...
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Aug 24, 2013 22:05
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TCD posted:
It's been incredibly nice and mild this summer. Last summer was loving brutal.
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Aug 25, 2013 18:35
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psydude posted:It's been incredibly nice and mild this summer. Last summer was loving brutal. Had a nice stroll from Clarendon down to Rosslyn.
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Aug 25, 2013 21:53
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TCD posted:Had a nice stroll from Clarendon down to Rosslyn. You were in my hood!
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Aug 25, 2013 22:37
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SCRwM posted:You were in my hood! Same building hood 
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Aug 25, 2013 23:22
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TCD posted:Same building hood !!
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Aug 25, 2013 23:48
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Pretty sure anyways
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Aug 26, 2013 00:09
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I've stayed in all day trying to redo iTunes libraries.  I seriously feel like someone in a mancave cause besides going out today and going to the range yesterday
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Aug 26, 2013 01:18
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If you're in nova I'll buy you a beer.
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Aug 26, 2013 01:45
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Tyro posted:If you're in nova I'll buy you a beer. Same, though you kind of owe me and Bruxism for bailing on that happy hour before. 
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Aug 26, 2013 02:25
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Since Specialist Orientation/A-100 is done should another meetup be attempted?
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Aug 26, 2013 02:28
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I'm around and would totally do it but I'm recusing myself from planning this one as I totally jinxed myself the last time. yes yes first rounds on me for bailing Homie S fucked around with this message at 02:43 on Aug 26, 2013 |
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Aug 26, 2013 02:39
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