Well, the bidding season is over for another two or three years; and I can't say I'm sorry about that. I have to say, though, that I'll kind of miss the unknown and all of the adrenaline rushes that go with it. My husband was able to lobby his way into our number one choice: Albania! We'll be there for two years with a one-year stopover in D.C. for language training. I can't believe that he was actually able to do it. Lobbying is tricky; there's no doubt about that, and he pulled it off spectacularly.
Now, I have to say that the first question we're usually asked--including by my own family--is, "Why Albania?" Well, for those relatively new to government service--especially those with small children and a trailing spouse without his or her own career--just don't make much money. For those who fall into that category, while London and Paris are the ideal, they are by no means practical. For instance, I can pay a housekeeper around $20+ an hour in Paris, or I can pay $4 an hour in Albania. Economics is/are economics. There's no way around that.
Anyone who has ever known me knows that my biggest and longest-held dream is to live in Paris, France one day. Well, why in the hell would I want to live in Paris now? I couldn't afford a babysitter; therefore, I wouldn't be able to really LIVE in Paris. So, hopefully, one day, I'll get to live that dream. Until then, my hubby found a job that will allow us to live in Europe but not on the Euro. We'll be a few miles from Greece by car and about 80 miles from Italy by ferry. I can't think of anything more exciting!
Lobbying is a big part of the bidding process once you're no longer entry level; and lobbying might get you to Paris. But I'd rather us go there when we can afford to enjoy it.
So--Albania!!! I've been researching it a lot; and while it looks like the language is going to be a beast to learn, I truly believe we're going to have so many opportunities there. Living in Canada has been amazing. It's completely first world all the way, which entry level government workers are lucky to get in the FS; but it's just so expensive to do anything with the kids. A round of mini golf for a family of four is $50; so we don't get to do that much. I'm looking forward to cheap travel (Ryanair anyone?) and new cultural experiences. I've loved living in Canada, but I am definitely at the FIGMO point or almost anyway. For non government people, FIGMO means: F#ck It, I Got My Orders! :) It's okay to laugh; we all do.
Language training means a whole year in DC, where my oldest will go to school in the U.S. for the very first time. It's kind of weird to say that this will be his fourth school, and he'll only be in Kindergarten! Then we have to think of daycare for the youngest, life sharing a small apartment, etc. It's just going to be a whole new world for our family! I'm planning, planning, planning; and, of course, I'm getting nowhere :).
