who are we, anyway?

Since March 2010, Alex is a public diplomacy coned Foreign Service Officer. After training, a short DC assignment and maternity leave, she arrived in Cotonou, Benin for her first tour. Andy is her husband. He jumped through all the hoops too and is going to be a management coned FSO one of these days, but is waiting until the timing is right so our family isn’t separated. Baby Flynn arrived in Benin at age two and a half months; so far, he very much enjoys spending his days strapped to the back of his nanny. He also enjoys pestering Abbey, the curmudgeonly beagle who hasn’t adjusted very well to no longer being the center of attention. She does, however, enjoy finally having a whole yard to call her own. Except for those darn lizards.

10 Responses to who are we, anyway?

  1. Zachary says:
    March 14, 2012 at 3:21 am

    Hey guys! I am actually an aspiring diplomat (I will be attending Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service next year), and I wanted to know if perhaps we could correspond via email so I could ask you some questions about life as a FSO? Thanks so much!

  2. Peter Thomas says:
    June 11, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    Curious what your experience has been with your child regarding schools and malaria prevention/meds.
    I am scheduled to bring my wife and 2 boys (including 5.5 yr old, 20 month) to Benin soon for health work so any information is helpful.

    Thanks
    Peter T.

  3. Ganessane says:
    June 16, 2012 at 11:18 am

    Thanks for all your posts….. Really interesting to read your narration….
    I am coming to Benin to start a new-life next month….. If possible meet u there.
    till then, take care Alex and Andy and the cute little one.

  4. Mark says:
    July 2, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    I see that you have a dog. My wife and I have two 80 pound dogs. I received an email about applying for the Foreign Service Officer position – economic. Our dogs are our kids (no children).

    Does this position facilitate the safe transportation of pets to new posts? Once there, will housing accommodate them?

    Thank you for your insight,

    Mark

  5. Josh says:
    December 27, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    I have been accepted to the Oral Interview for the Information Management Technical Specialist. I am looking at all options to see how life is like as LDS living around the world. I looked through a few of your blogs and noticed that you are LDS too. Is it difficult finding our church from the places that you have lived?

    Josh

  6. Jess says:
    February 23, 2013 at 10:17 pm

    Hi, I just found your Blog. I was searching for information about a toddler bed. My husband is in the foreign service and we are about to leave DC for our first overseas post. Your blog is very informative and makes me so excited for what the future holds for our family.

  7. Bethany says:
    March 23, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    Hi – I’m a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin right now, potentially interested in foreign service when my service is done. I ran across your blog today – any chance you’d like to get together and chat in Cotonou sometime? I’d love to learn about your experiences. I live up north so I don’t get down that often, but should be there a few times in the next few months. Either way, hope the chaleur is treating you well. No rain up here yet.

  8. Shawn says:
    April 9, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    Hi guys. Really nice blog. I’ve started a new blog on helping people prepare and pass for the Foreign Service Test. If you don’t mind, I’d like to add your blog to my links and would be happy if you could consider adding mine to yours.

    Good luck with bidding. Some people hate it, but I’ve always enjoyed it. I guess it helps I’ve generally gotten what I’ve asked for (not that that is always a good thing…)

  9. Dave says:
    April 16, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    I have enjoyed reading your blog. I will be applying for the regional medical technologist (RMT) position once it opens (hopefully soon) and would like to get first hand experiences of the daily/weekly routine. From what I have found out about the job there are not many RMT’s out there so I’m taking a shot in the dark that you might have met one or know someone who does. I would really appreciate appreciate hearing their thoughts on the job, and the lifestyle both work and family.

  10. Anna says:
    May 22, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    I found your blog today and am extremely interested in conversing with you through email. I desire to become a Foreign Officer for the State Department, however, my only reservation is that I want to have another child within the next two years. Since you are somewhat experienced with this issue, it would be greatly appreciated if you could provide insight and answers to my questions. Thank you.

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