Working for the man

I mentioned in a previous post that I had a VIP that I was going to be controlling the hell out of! in the first few weeks of January and that is the primary reason why I haven't had time to update since late December. 

This was a really important visit for the embassy, as it was the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela who was traveling to Argentina during a politicaly sensitive time - right in the wake of the Wikileaks fiasco, in which a disproportionate number of Argentina cables were released to the media, and just after the creation of a new Security Ministry and appointment of a Security Minister who has a reputation for antipathy towards the armed services (this is relevant because we have a strong U.S. military presence at the Buenos Aires embassy that does reach out to Argentina's military and needs the cooperation of the new Ministry to conduct any sort of bilateral relations).  The last time Valenzuela visited Argentina was in December 2009 and he received quite a bit of negative press for that visit, so we had to be particularly careful in planning this trip.

With a great amount of luck, and a lot of help from every corner of the embassy, I received a lot of kudos for my role as control officer - from the Ambassador on down.  The visit went off without a hitch, and the Assistant Secretary had a number of succesful meetings with the Foreign Minister, the Buenos Aires provincial governor, and even the new Security Minister.  I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I am really proud of this visit.  This kind of work really suits me, with its focus on organization and logistics and details.  I definitely look forward to more of this.

On Argentine men, the New Year's Eve addendum

On New Year's Eve, my friend John said that his greatest hope for 2011 was to find love.  It is important to this story to note that John is gay, as his follow-on comment had to do with the fact that, from what he'd heard about Argentine men, however, he wasn't sure that they were prime boyfriend material.

Later in the evening/very early in the morning of New Year's Day, our Argentine friend Pablo was sitting with us on the couch and this conversation resurfaced.  Pablo told John that he should definitely date Argentine men and then he turned to me and asked if I was dating, to which I answered no.  He said that I, too, should be dating Argentine men.  I replied, "What is so great about Argentine men, Pablito?  Convince us that we should date them." 

His brilliant response?  "Just try them."

I said, no, convince us.

He repeated that we should try them.

This back and forth went on for several minutes until he finally, probably in exasperation, said, "Porque son fogosos!"

Neither John nor I knew what fogoso meant, so I yelled out to the room full of the hardiest New Year's drinkers: "Anyone know what fogoso means?!!"

Someone yelled back, "Fiery!"

And as soon as Pablo heard that we received our definition, he slyly added, "...en la cama!!!"  (The Spanish equivalent of  ye olde classic Chinese cookie fortune addition, "...in bed!!!")

Oh yes, those fiery Argentine lovers.  Yet somehow within the next twenty minutes of convincing, I found myself promising to try a fiery Argentine out by the end of 2011. 

I think I may have lied to Pablo and then shook on it.  I am so going to hell for this.

2010, the positive review

I once read a book called The Celestine Prophecy and one of the things that stuck with me from this book is the idea of self-fulfilling prophecies.  Basically, that boils down to this: if you think something bad is going to happen, it will.  And vice versa.

I really think this is true, to a certain extent, so I do strive to put more positive energy out into the world than negative.  And this applies to the current moment, forward-looking, and reviewing my past.  Part of the thought process in reviewing one's past is letting go, forgiving, and accepting - all simple enough terms, but really difficult goals when you get right down to it.  Who doesn't know a parent who experienced a difficult time letting go of a child and allowing that child to make his or her own life decisions, with all the consequences that come with transitioning into adulthood?  Who hasn't themself experienced a moment in which you just couldn't forgive and forget?  And who hasn't looked at themself in the mirror, focusing on all the flaws instead of just accepting that you are beautiful, just the way you are?

Keeping this in mind, I'd like to take a look at 2010 and remember all the beautiful things, the things that made me laugh, or the things that made me cry tears of joy, or just the moments that brought me good news.  So, without further ado, the awesome that was 2010:

• January.  When I first opened my eyes on New Year's Day 2010, my vision was full of ribbons and balloons, which was a really intoxicating, intimate experience that reminded me of the joys of childhood, especially when Ali (who was sleeping on the air mattress next to me) started laughing to the point of breathlessness and grabbing at all the balloons with her hands and feet.  The Lucchesi brothers had stolen the balloons from some bar in San Francisco on New Year's Eve and wandered all over town with them for the rest of the night, only to spy us sleeping in the basement when they returned home - they thought it would be a fun present.  It was.
• February.  After being unemployed and uninsured for over a year, I finally started my current job as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State.  Although I know plenty of people who are content to be a housewife or house-husband, I was never really happy when I wasn't working.  There aren't enough positive things to say in my world about receiving a paycheck and health insurance.  Moreover, I don't have the words to express how satisfying it is to be productive and hopefully be making a difference, and to get paid for the privilege.
• March.  Although I had, at the time, completely removed myself from the process and was eagerly discovering where all my new friends would be living and working for the next two years, one of the most unexpected and truly gratifying gifts I received this year was my assignment to Buenos Aires.  Someone, or many someones, was looking out for me when they selected me for Argentina.  I absolutely love it here.  And I think the number one reason for that is the people - there are such great people working here at Embassy Buenos Aires, Americans and Argentines alike.  I have made such good friends, learned a lot on the job, experienced quite a bit of the city and some of the other provinces, recieved quite a few ego boosts from Argentine men, developed a minor crush on one Argentine man in particular (since there is nothing to tell, I'm not spilling!), and learned to love living small, within my own boundaries, at my own pace.  Perhaps the joy is just a natural result of my insistence on making the best of whatever comes my way.  But regardless, I am happy here.
• April.  My first Cherry Blossom Festival in DC.  I avoid crowds like the plague, but Marilyn had a suggestion that beat all get out: she, Stephanie and I arose before dawn to walk down to the Tidal Basin and see the sun rise over the cherry trees.  There aren't a lot of people on the streets in DC at 6AM, which meant that it was fairy tale perfect.  And I finally crossed off another life list item: sit on Einstein's lap!
• May.  The most important thing in my life are my friends (and family!).  I may be one of the world's worst correspondents and I freely admit to hating the phone, but I think of you all the time, day in and day out, hoping that you are happy, wondering what new adventures you are up to, remembering the times we shared together, and looking forward to the next time I get to hug and squeeze you (or, in Andrew's case, get my revenge and throw you in a garbage can).  In May I was visited by two of my dearest friends (Mel, Estee, you know I am looking at you!), I celebrated the Kentucky Derby and Stephanie at her Kentucky Derby birthday party with all of our new Foreign Service friends, I said goodbye to the most infamous carpool ever (geez, Max, Emma, Sean, I actually miss those godawful cds Max used to play for us on our way into work - R. Kelly, anyone?), I spent an afternoon hiking with the Spouse family at Great Falls, and I attended Morgan's wedding in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  If there is anything that the "jet-setting" lifestyle of the Foreign Service teaches you, it is to take advantage of what you have when you have it.  (The flip side is to also learn when you've had enough and it's time to say "no.")  Guys, how I do so love taking advantage of you...wait, I meant that in a really nice way, I swear!
• June.  How many ivy league grads does it take to blow up an air mattress?  Seriously, guys, how many?  We discovered that it was precisely 5.  The same number of ivy league grads you can fit into a deliciously tiny one-bedroom DC apartment for a weekend.  Plus Maggie.
• July.  I moved to Argentina.  I experienced new sights, new sounds, a new culture, a new take on an old language.  It was difficult.  It was exciting.  It changed my life.  And I love, love, LOVE IT.
• August.  I discovered Oui Oui.  I like to eat, and I like to eat the way Americans eat for breakfast.  None of that croissant, a coffee and a cigarette bull-poop Argentine style of eating breakfast.  And none of that weak, soggy ham and cheese, plus yogurt and unripe fruit European/continental style breakfast either.  Give me waffles, pancakes, eggs, bacon, homefries, toast, and a side of scrapple, if you please!  And Oui Oui delivers, baby, Oui Oui delivers.  Except for the scrapple.  That was just me going overboard.  Did I mention that I love Oui Oui?!!
• September.  Kaitlin and Matt, my first two visitors.  I really enjoyed hearing about their experiences at their posts, and really learned from their stories.  More importantly, to me at least, I found the support I didn't know I needed.  Even though everyone in my Foreign Service class is doing vastly different jobs, there are still Junior Officer experiences that we all share, can learn from, can kvetch about, and can grow from.  That, and Kaitlin and Matt just plain rock.
• October.  The tradition continues!  The Ladies Lunch Club of Lima has now morphed into the Ladies Brunch Club of Buenos Aires.  Our inaugural brunch was on Argentina's Mother's Day at the Evita Cafe.  We shared stories, dirty jokes, an afternoon full of laughter, and it was good.  Really good.
• November.  Hands down, no question, November was AWESOME.  It always rocks because it is the month that contains Thanksgiving, but in 2010 I turned 31.  While dancing.  On a glacier.  In Patagonia. 
• December.  And this brings me back to the last post...New Year's Eve.  I can sum it up in one short sentence (in case you missed it last time): 360 FREAKIN' DEGREES OF FIREWORKS.

So yes, indeedy, you have a good life, Ms. Ryan...

Happy 2011! (whenever that was...)

Although I have never been a huge fan of New Year's Eve, as I've gotten older, I've developed a new respect for the idea that it marks the beginning of a new year, with new prospects and renewed hope for something better.  I still don't like the way it appears that most Americans pass the holiday - en masse, with overpriced food and drinks, but drunk nonetheless - nor do I believe that I will ever feel comfortable with the idea of creating a resolution just because it's New Year's (after all, if you see a change that needs to be made in your life, why wait until New Year's?).  However, living overseas is slowly changing my feelings towards the holiday.

For Argentines, New Year's Eve is very similar to Christmas Eve, in that everyone gathers at a relative's home, eats a late meal, and then enjoys the fireworks that start around midnight.  Then all the clubs and bars open around 2AM and the younger crowd joins up with friends.

Unlike Christmas Eve, I did not adopt an Argentine family for New Year's.  Instead, my friend Jason had reserved me at least a month prior, telling me that I was his for New Year's Eve.  He hosted such a wonderful New Year's Eve party that it rivals all other New Year's Eves I have ever had.  (Although I am pretty sure that I will never ever forget the New Year's at the Shore, Ty-Ty and Saleah!  And I know that in my heart of hearts, my favorite is still watching the Kathy Griffin marathon on t.v., then watching the ball drop in Times Square with Dick Clark, and then turning out all the lights in Anthony's twenty square foot apartment so we could see all the illegal firework displays over the Hudson River in New Jersey.)

In most respects, Jason's party was your average party - there was good music, excellent food (some prepared by yours truly!), wonderful people, plenty of flowing alcohol, and the like, but the real kicker was the view.  At 11:30PM, we all traipsed up to the 35th floor of Jason's apartment building to exit to the roof so we could have a 360-degree view of the Buenos Aires city skyline.  We screamed out a countdown and then it started: THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY DEGREES OF FIREWORKS.  I can't begin to describe how incredible it was.  Fireworks are legal in Buenos Aires and any fool with some disposible income and an inclination towards blowing things up can buy as much as they want.  So Argentines flock to their nearest firework supply store, invite all their family over, eat well, drink a lot of champagne, and then set fireworks off from their nearest street corner, balcony, rooftop, or window (hey, for all I know, this could be true).  And I benefit from this madness.

I have never seen anything like it before and, even if I am in Buenos Aires for New Year's Eve again this year, it probably won't be the same.  The pure magic of that first time might be a little diminished, or Jason won't be here and I won't have access to his roof. 

Irregardless, New Year's Eve 2010 was one for the record books.

Me, my unused camera, and the host.

Self-portrait!

The gang's all here! 
L-R: Pablito, Neal, moi, Jason, Petra, John, Arin, and Sandra, front and center.