Welcome to our unaccompanied tours (UT) blog, Foggy Bottom Rambles! We can share information, programs, and resources quickly with you and since blogs are a two way street, we (and the other readers) can hear from you. What's in a name you say? This blog reflects how we (back here in DC, Foggy Bottom area) provide information (rambles) to you. Find websites and information, upcoming webinars, programs and events. FLO does not endorse organizations or companies linked-to in this blog, the views they express, or the products/services they offer. Let us know what you think: contribute to the blog or email us at FLOAskUT@state.gov.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Mark your calendars!


You're Invited to The Expat Forum 2010

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010
8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.



Where:
U.S. Navy Heritage Center
701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC
Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial


Clements International presents a panel discussion about contemporary expat life, and the unique challenges and advantages of being an expat in 2010 and beyond. Registration is free and anyone interested
is welcome to attend. Breakfast will be served.
                                                                   Visit expatforum.clements.com for more information.

Deadline to RSVP: Monday, Oct. 4, 2010


The first 20 people to register will receive a
$10 Starbucks Gift Card!

Friday, August 20, 2010

"Life in a Flying House"

Attention all young writers and future college students
Be sure and enter Clements International  2010 Expat Youth Scholarship contest.  The theme this year is "Life in a Flying House" inspired by the idea that expat students spend their childhoods moving between different countries and cultures, consequently they develop rich life experiences.  This is a great opportunity for young people to write about these experiences and to win money to help finance their education.   To obtain additional information and applications visit their site at http://www.expatyouthscholarship.com/
Hope everyone gets busy and submits their experiences !

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ambassador Hill on NPR

Five months after Iraqis voted in a general election, Iraq is having trouble forming a new government even as U.S. troops draw down, but the outgoing U.S. ambassador says the country is making progress.

"I think any country where the election result is 4/100th of a percentage point difference between the winner and the second-place coalition is going to have some pushing and shoving, and that's what going on," Christopher Hill told NPR's Steve Inskeep. "So the question is: Are they getting anywhere? And, I must say, in the last couple of weeks, the pace has really quickened. And there's a feeling that things may be heading in the right direction."
Read the entire article:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129119290


Christopher R. Hill arrived in Baghdad on April 24, 2009, to begin serving as America’s Ambassador to Iraq. Immediately prior to this assignment, Ambassador Hill was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, in which capacity he also was the lead U.S. negotiator at the Six-Party Talks on the North Korea nuclear issue.

Ambassador Hill’s lifelong career as a public servant began in 1974, when he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon. He joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1977.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ambassador Holbrooke speaks on Afghanistan



Richard Holbrooke
Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Treaty Room

Washington, DC

August 9, 2010

AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE: Thank you, Madam Secretary. I’d be happy to take any specific questions you want.


QUESTION: How do you change the mindset of these people? I mean, there’s a lot of talk about trying to reintegrate and reconcile Taliban into society to have a one united Afghanistan with everybody working towards the future of the country. How do you change the mindset that this type of work is what the country needs and kind of build more bridges among these type of people that maybe don’t have opportunity, don’t see this way of life as the way that Afghanistan should be going?

To read the entire discussion please click below:
http://www.state.gov/s/special_rep_afghanistan_pakistan/2010/145824.htm

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Good traveling "place" to eat

If you are working or visiting the State Department and find yourself hungry for some good Indian food you might want to look around for the Fojol Brothers.    These fun, hard working guys drive around the D.C. area serving food out of their family food truck.   To find our their exact location find them on twitter.com look for Fojol Bros.  The last few weeks they have been parking and serving from 21st and Virginia NW every Thursday about lunch time.  The word around here is the butter chicken is yummy but don't worry if you are vegetarian they have lots of selections for you too.
http://fojol.com/find

New OIG report on high stress posts....

A new article in The Cable by Josh Rogin on the Foreign Policy web site talks about a report by the State Department's Office of Inspector General.   The article talks about Deployment Stress Management Program (DSMP) and Offices of Medical Services (MED) plus the personnal posted at the embassies that provide support.  The article goes on to reference OIG's statement that returnees need recognition for their service.


Read the entire article
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/07/28/certificates_of_recognition_can_reduce_stress_state_department_report_suggests