Since my return from Senegal, I haven't had so much chance to travel. When I do, it's to see family or for work, and I seldom write about American cities, even though there is so much to say about them. Perhaps no one really appreciates their home until they leave. The past weekend, I went to Washington D.C. for a series of interviews. I had applied to be a Foreign Service Officer, and had to go through several rounds of applications--first, a written exam, second a submission of short essays, and third an oral assessment. I had made it to the last round, and did not study or prepare as hard as I should have.
The oral assessment is comprised of three rounds. First, a group interview in which I had to work with four other individuals; each of us got a problem or issue that we had to present, and then as a group, we had to choose how to allocate a resource to the set of problems, knowing that not all problems could be addressed. Second, I had to look through a binder packed full of information, and write a memo to an ambassador giving advice. Third, I was interviewed alone by the board examiners. I did well on my solo interview, but didn't do so well on the other two sections. I wonder if my human rights background made me approach it the wrong way--as more of an advocate pushing for a solution to a global problem, as opposed to a member of a committee dedicated solely to American interests. I didn't pass this time, but if I choose to apply again, I think the second time around will be easier.
I didn't do so much in D.C. aside from hang out with my best friend, and go to a mall. Living in New York, I seldom go to malls, so it was nice to have so many stores, indoors, in one compact area. We went to a bar with a great happy hour--since I don't drink so much, I appreciate food happy hours. This one had half off mussels, chicken wings, and onion rings. I forget the name though, I think it's Anderson's Mussel Bar.
