So, what do you DO?--or--how I became NiCLO

I have received several emails and messages from friends and family asking me;

"So, what do you DO exactly?"

This was a big question before I moved overseas. Many people would ask me "What are you going to DO?" Usually my answer was <with a very straight face> "I am going to look REALLY pretty, all the time." <pause for effect> Now most people know me and would laugh, but this was most entertaining when people didn't know how to respond.

This is one of the misconceptions of a diplomat's wife. People think that we buy a lot of dresses and go to a lot of parties and hobknob with fancy people all day. However, it's different. Being a diplomat is a tough job. In light of the recent attacks in Libya, there are a slew of amazing articles on the incredible men and women in the Foreign Service. If you have time, I suggest you do some googling.

--ANYWAY--

Back to me. What do I DO?

Recently a colleague called me out on something that diplomat spouses do frequently; I was asked what I did before "we" joined the Foreign Service and I responded by naming everything that my husband did beforehand. Not me. Whoops. Luckily, my friend J was there to call me out on it in a polite way, but I don't know why I did that. Perhaps it's because us dip-spouses are also known as "trailing spouses"-we follow our spouses around the world and make jokes and call ourselves "LOLs"(Ladies/Lords of Leisure) and make up other silly acronyms. We also "give up" our careers or take them with us. We speak of when "we" joined the Foreign Service, because it's a Lifestyle change for the entire family. I know that we, myself and Hubs, would not have it any other way, it's a great life(6 weeks into our first post overseas), but I must say it's also very challenging.

Despite the challenges, the Embassy does it's best to make everyone as happy as they can be. They reserve jobs within the Mission just for AEFMs(Appointment Eligible Family Members=the REAL acronym of what American spouses/partners/young adult children are called), then if no one applies, then it opens to Americans, then local staff. Thanks to one of these extra special jobs; I am gainfully employed!

The job I currently have is one of the BEST jobs at the Embassy. Ever since I heard about it at my Spouse Orientation three days into DC, I started manifesting that I would be a CLO someday.

My position is Community Liaison Office Coordinator aka "the CLO" aka "NiCLO" as a dear friend named me after I applied. 

I have Eight Areas of Responsibility, here's the cliff notes version of what I do:

• Community Liaison: Develop and Maintain relationships within all agencies in the Mission
• Crisis Management and Support Services: Share relevant security information with Mission members and be the POC for the Family Liaison Office during an Evacuation/Crisis
• Education Liaison: Develop and Maintain relationships with local schools available to Mission families and educate them on all of their Education options
• Employment Liaison: Support family member's employment by advocating for them within the Mission and educating them on their options at post outside the Mission
• Events Planning: Plan & execute events for the Mission community(Halloween party, Holiday party, Wine & Cheese, Thanksgiving pot luck, etc) 
• Guidance and Referral: Direct members of the community to support that they need in areas beyond my expertise, be a confidential ear for them to vent/discuss their challenges
• Information and Resource Management: Keep track of important information regarding post and relay it to the community, while maintaining a variety of information regarding post within the Mission via the Mission newsletter and other channels
• Welcoming and Orientation: Welcome new arrivals, assign sponsors, hold newcomer orientation, and assist people in their departures

For the extended version of my job description read here.

I am VERY fortunate to also have a full time Administrative Assistant and a part time CLO Assistant to help me. Many posts only have a CLO, while some have 4+ people in their office.

So, that's what I DO all day. It's a lot. It's a lot of fun. 

In the meantime, I also work on being REALLY pretty all the time....hehehe

Me on our rooftop before the Marine Corps Ball

Who knew a smoggy sunset could be so pretty?