Whining to Janet and Sarah about writing a blog: "It's so much pressure. I don't know what tone to take... I don't want to brag...."
They assured small bits are ok and just a note here and there is fun.
Today, I find myself in a hotel in Dubai, in transit back to KL from my first medical education conference with colleagues in Lisbon. Last year, we were in San Diego, and I had no idea what it would mean to be managing a medical unit or the medical challenges I might come across as I listened to our infectious disease expert or the other disaster scenarios to consider working in embassies. I have now survived a couple of crises and have my own vision of what matters and what I need to learn.
So cool to see my mentor, now in Addis Ababa, and my link to the job, a pro from Kiev moving on to Oman next year... And to receive the list of next openings and dream of where we might go in 16 short months.
And have I said Lisbon is COOL? Craig got out to explore a lot more than I did, hitting the streets with his favorite spouse co-conspirator, Tia. He found the perfect Valentine's dinner spot at a castle overlooking the bay. Every neighborhood has winding streets with impossibly quaint houses, some covered in beautiful tiles. Even the tourist knick knacks are tasteful. Seriously.
After classes ended, we took the weekend to drive south to Faro and had a one-day bicycle tour with Algarve Bike Tours. The weather cooperated, so we were treated to more quaint villages, endless vistas of puffy clouds, and tidal rivers as we followed Paul (our guide) through a maze of country roads, shoreline bike paths, and cobblestone streets.
And, best of all, our new Ambassador presented her credentials to the King of Malaysia this week, so we can look forward to amazing leadership through our stay in Kuala Lumpur!
Craig will post pictures soon, I promise.
He is off in Chamonix with Kai, skiing today: 'nuf said!
