criplomats

Laundry Day

I feel like we’re very gradually moving into a slightly more normal time. COVID in Liberia has subsided for the time being, officers are returning to post from the long hiatus, and new officers are arriving. We went to a socially distanced welcome party last night for the new political chief and his wife (she’s coming to work with us in the consular section!) – the party even included some foreign diplomats from the EU, so it actually felt like a party.

Friday night we had a small get-together downstairs to welcome another new officer – we meant to play Catan but didn’t stop talking long enough to get a game going.

I had a good video chat last weekend with Ann, Pamela, and Jackie. John worked last weekend and this weekend at the office – it’s year end, so his financial folks are quite busy. I also worked, but was able to do it from home, which was nice.

We watched “Young Wallander” this week, a Swedish crime show that we enjoyed.

On a sad note, Pamela’s poodle Gus passed away this week unexpectedly after a short illness. It’s so hard to lose our companions after they’ve been our buddies for so long. Rest In Peace, Gus.

Remembering RBG

I fear the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and the ensuing fight over her replacement will further divide the United States. I’m not sure how much more our country can take, as it is already stretched to the breaking point. I hope the chaos following her death will not overshadow the chance to celebrate her amazing life and intellect.

The work week was pretty normal. We are handling some visa cases as a result of a court order, and we opened routine passport appointments. I had a conference call with colleagues in China to discuss adoption best practices, as I move forward with an adoption case here. More new officers are rotating in and coming to the embassy after completing their quarantine.

I had a nice chat with old college friends Jamie and Jackie last weekend, and John and I dropped off groceries to a new officer in quarantine while we were out shopping. We continue to enjoy the rainy season, and had a couple of very rainy days this week. John has seen some incredible birds outside his office window – I’m jealous!

Sunset

I spend an inordinate amount of time on realtor.com. While some people are addicted to games on the computer, I am equally as bad when it comes to houses. My friend Muffy has joined me in scouring listings in Arkansas (sometimes I venture to Hawaii or Santa Fe) and we’ve talked multiple times over the last couple of weeks as we walk through photographs on-line and critique houses one by one. While John and I are a ways off from retiring, it’s fun to look around!

Last weekend I had my bi-weekly video with Muffy, Ann, and Jackie – Ann took us on a walk through the beautiful (and deserted) Hendrix campus (they are 100% on-line this fall). I also talked to Tammy back in DC (she has me dreaming of retiring in the Caribbean!). I love being able to connect so easily with friends.

Last Monday was the Labor Day holiday (I’m still wearing white, shoot me, it’s hot outside). John and I went to do some grocery shopping, he talked to Stoker, and I read “The Art of War.” (Not pretending I understood it all.)

Friday we observed a moment of silence at the embassy in honor of 9/11. It’s hard to believe it was so long ago. I was doing a modeling gig in North Little Rock when the first plane hit.

Last night, we went to the embassy to watch “Hamilton” with a small group of folks, hosted by the Charge and her husband. It really was fun and clever, and we really enjoyed it. The first act was especially captivating – we had it on the projector with big screen, and subtitles helped me follow the very wordy rapping.

Congratulations to John on a group Superior Honor Award he received via Zoom this week for his work standing up a diversity council for WHA last year (ahead of the curve). We also found out he was on the list to be promoted but the numbers ran out before they got to him on the list – argh. But it’s wonderful news and hopefully bodes well for next year!

This was a relatively quiet week without much to report. I enjoyed staying in all day yesterday, chatting on the phone with Muffy for a long time as we searched online for the perfect house for her back home. I spend an inordinate amount of time looking at houses in Arkansas – usually lake houses for John and me, but lately also for Muffy. It’s a fun way to pass the time and think about retirement, and what that might look like for us. I also read “Pride and Prejudice” this week, so I did do something productive!

John and I have been engrossed in the French intelligence series, “The Bureau” and finished it last night. It is so well done and subtle – we really enjoyed it.