And our next assignment is...

Kathmandu, Nepal!

I'll be the Information Systems Officer there, which means I'll supervise the local staff and ensure the functioning of the unclassified computer systems. Up until now I've been working mostly on classified systems.

Nepal has great hiking, trekking, white-water rafting, and other outdoor adventures that we enjoy. We also know several colleagues who have loved it there, and the USAID Country Director was in Ethiopia with us. The school has a great reputation as well.

Three tours, three continents... we're stoked!

Environmental Responsibility coming to a Federal Government near you

It occurred to me that while there's overwhelming scientific evidence that human activities are causing the release of greenhouse gases, and that these greenhouse gases are causing climate change, it doesn't really matter anymore whether you believe Al Gore or not. At least it doesn't matter if you work for or deal with the Executive Branch of the U. S. Government:

"...It is therefore the policy of the United States that Federal agencies shall increase energy efficiency; measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from direct and indirect activities; conserve and protect water resources through efficiency, reuse, and stormwater management; eliminate waste, recycle, and prevent pollution; leverage agency acquisitions to foster markets for sustainable technologies and environmentally preferable materials, products, and services; design, construct, maintain, and operate high performance sustainable buildings in sustainable locations; strengthen the vitality and livability of the communities in which Federal facilities are located; and inform Federal employees about and involve them in the achievement of these goals."

Source: Executive Order 13514 of October 5, 2009

My bid list is in!

Yesterday was our bidding deadline, so here's what we submitted, in alpha order:

Antananarivo, Madagascar
Hanoi, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Jakarta, Indonesia
Kathmandu, Nepal
New Delhi, India
Quito, Ecuador
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

I've heard some good vibes from a few of them so we'll see how it all shakes out. We'll probably have a "handshake" offer in the next two weeks.

Depending on where we go, we'll probably leave Buenos Aires in June and spend a few months in the U.S. on home leave and training before heading to our onward assignment. School schedules figure greatly in the calculus, of course!