We are moving to Malibu!

The Malibu housing complex in Abuja, that is.  Pictures to come.

On the balcony of the Newseum

We had a great time this last weekend with Mallory and Steve - I think the highlight was our use of the Capital Bike Share program - we biked all around the city - from the Eastern Market past the Supreme Court and Capitol to the Newseum to the White House to the Washington Monument to the Jefferson Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial  - we saw a ton and it was a lot of fun too!  Plus I know Mallory and Steve wanted to see my mad skills on the segway but I'm pretty sure my graceful way of riding a bike sufficed.

At Arlington National Cemetery

Mal and me at The Gibson for drinks Sunday night

So much going on right now!  We have a little over a month left in town and it already feels like we are running out of time!  Busy busy busy!  Fun things to look forward to:

1. Lizz is coming for Thanksgiving!

2. Just bought tickets to the Joffrey Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center!

3. Lauren is coming the first weekend in December!

4. A tentative trip to New York City with some friends, including a possible visit to our friend Tom's family home, which given his fabulous New-Yorker accent and attitude should be an experience in and of itself.

5. Bought my ticket home for Christmas!  Flying home the 17th so I imagine that by the time the 26th rolls around my family and I will be ready for me to move to Nigeria.

Not so fun things to look forward to:

1. Rabies #s 2 and 3, Meningitis, and Polio vaccinations (Last Tuesday I got Yellow Fever and this Tuesday I got Rabies #1).  I did get Polio as a child, but since Nigeria is like one of two countries where Polio is rampant I have to get a booster.  And while I got the Meningitis vaccine before college, it only lasts for 4 years so I have to get another.  And this doesn't count the Typhoid pills that I have to take next week (apparently they make you sick as a dog but are worth trying to get through because they last for five years and the shot is only good for two), or the Malaria pills that Joey and I will have to take every week in Nigeria.

2.  Multiple vet visits wit the dogs.  George got his new Rabies vaccination Wednesday, Max gets his Monday and Moe gets his Tuesday.  Each dog also has to be seen in December too, 48 hours prior to our departure.  Not sure how that's going to work, what with Joey and me both returning from Des Moines the 26th, packing out the 27th and flying the 28th, and we probably won't even have a car then - but we'll figure it out. 

3. Spending money like its going out of style.  Oh my God, seriously.  We had dinner on Tuesday night with John and his wife, who just returned from Abuja.  John was the GSO there and now they are moving to Colombia (their first choice).  John told us we will save a ton of money living in Abuja (they saved enough for their son's college in two years), but we have to plan it right because everything there is so expensive.  This means we have to buy every consumable we think we will use for the next two years now and the government will ship it over for us.  So huge outlay of cash now (think all the shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning products, beer, dog food, the list goes on forever, that you use in two years), but that is basically all there is to spend your money on in Abuja.  Not many restaurants, not much shopp
ing, so I guess it is what it is.  Not to mention that we had to buy the dogs new kennels (airline approved for each of them) and the new car (because my Eos just isn't going to cut it in Nigeria) and about a million other things...

Anyway, back to our dinner the other night with the couple that just got back from Abuja - they said they really liked it there.  That they knew the guy who wrote all the nasty post reports and that he went in with a bad attitude and really didn't make friends.  They said they had a great experience and that sometimes they actually miss it.  So that was very reassuring!  They also offered answers to our million questions, which was so helpful. 

Since Joey got yesterday off for Veteran's Day (got to love working for the government), we decided to take a day trip to Annapolis.  The weather was crisp and sunny and the trees were in their full fall splendor - bright, candy apple red, burgundy, pumpkin orange and warm gold, yellow mixed in with pine trees - it was just gorgeous.  We wandered around town all day, explored the Naval Academy, and even met some of our friends for a lunch of fresh blue crabs.  All in all I would say it was a perfect day.  Thanks to all you Veterans, especially you, Papa, for your sacrifice so that we all can enjoy days like that.

The darling row of Captains' houses at the Naval Academy

Joey and his crabs at lunch

The Fleet Reserve put on a little ceremony yesterday at 11 AM (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) for Veteran's Day.  I didn't realize it when I took this picture but that poor Marine marched around a whole traffic circle with his face accidentally enshrouded in the flag.  A testament to his marching skills I suppose.

"Inside the State Department" Premiers Tonight on the National Geographic Channel

Joey sent this to me today - I thought you may find it interesting:

Tune In: "Inside the State Department" Premiers Tonight on the National Geographic Channel at 9:00pm EST

Inside the State Department premieres Monday, November 8, 2010, at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on the National Geographic Channel (NGC). The special provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the mission of the U.S. Department of State, its leader Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and a staff of 60,000+ professionals engaged in operations spanning the globe, including hot spots like Pakistan and Afghanistan. National Geographic cameras capture the moments behind closed doors with world leaders and top officials as Secretary Clinton and other key U.S. diplomats juggle pressing global issues facing the United States, pressuring and persuading allies and adversaries alike.

In a world of conflict, the United States faces challenges like never before. Confronting these challenges head-on are the dedicated and hardworking 60,000+ U.S. State Department employees in over 190 countries with an annual budget of more than $16 billion. International diplomacy knows no rest, so they are in constant motion. The State Department’s role on the world stage has never been more important and the stakes have never been higher. Its leader is arguably the most famous woman in the world, with a traveling staff providing 24/7 support. Now, the National Geographic Channel goes Inside the State Department to open a window into the efforts of the men and women representing critical U.S. interests abroad.

 “This job is both a great privilege and an extraordinary challenge. We live on the balance beam of war and peace, of terrorism and stability, of poverty and prosperity,” Secretary Clinton tells National Geographic Channel in a one-hour interview for this documentary.

A top-notch State Department team works with Secretary Clinton to ensure the success of her trips to some of the most embattled regions on earth. We embark on a 20,000+ mile journey with the secretary as she makes stops around the globe, meeting with citizens and leaders face-to-face, including in New York City, Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, Jerusalem, Morocco, Egypt and Afghanistan.

“I am fortunate that at the State Department — with these more than 60,000 people — there’s a wealth of talent,” Secretary Clinton tells National Geographic Channel. “There are so many people who have the cultural understanding, the language skills, who know the history, and who are ready at a moment’s notice to drop anything in order to serve.”

We begin on U.S. soil in New York as Secretary Clinton and her team prepare for the U.N. General Assembly meeting. Our cameras follow the intense efforts of Diplomatic Security as agents transform two floors of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel into a secure facility and test-drive her route looking for potential choke points and ambush sites. Back in the hotel - temporary headquarters for the State Department staff - we take you inside as Clinton’s team prepares her for meetings with foreign leaders.

Next, we board the secretary’s military plane - nicknamed SAM for Special Air Mission - for a high-priority international journey. The first stop is Pakistan, where Clinton spends three days speaking directly to Pakistanis and holding formal meetings with the country’s leading officials. We follow along as Clinton visits an Islamic holy site, and then appears on an unscripted talk show with a live Pakistani audience. Watch as Clinton fields tough questions from Pakistani journalists in a candid exchange intended to help break barriers and move public opinion.

Next on the itinerary, Secretary Clinton visits Abu Dhabi for peace discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Clinton meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to persuade him to resume direct peace negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom Secretary Clinton meets during the next stop in Jerusalem. Secretary Clinton ends her trip with an unexpected stop in Cairo, Egypt, where she visits President Hosni Mubarak, a key player in Middle East peace.

“I believe strongly that the United States has to play the leading role in the world today on behalf of peace, prosperity and progress,” Secretary Clinton tells National Geographic. “It’s not easy and there’s no magic formula for it, but I have seen the benefits of our engagement and our investments in other countries.”

We hear insight from members of the press corps who travel with Secretary Clinton on each trip. The New York Times’ Mark Landler comments, “Secretary Clinton, for starters, is not just a celebrity, but she’s a sort of mega-celebrity. She’s arguably the most famous woman in the world and it puts her on a different level when she meets with foreign leaders because they remember her when she was first lady and they recognize her as a political powerhouse in her own right.”

Back in Washington, D.C., we tour the “gift vault,” where items presented to foreign dignitaries on behalf of the president and secretary of state are stored, and meet one State Department staffer who handles the gifts. Containing some of the most intriguing and unique presents, the gift vault’s contents range from unique jewelry designed for princesses to sports memorabilia including personally autographed Shaquille O’Neal basketball shoes and Derek Jeter baseball bats.

Just days after returning to the U.S., Clinton’s staff prepares for their next trip abroad, including a stop in Kabul, Afghanistan, for the inauguration of President Hamid Karzai. With tens of thousands of active troops in Afghanistan, the U.S. needs a reliable strategic partner in Kabul. Spending only one night in Kabul, Secretary Clinton speaks directly with President Karzai about stability in Afghanistan, and how the government can deliver services and build confidence and loyalty among the citizens of Afghanistan.

“It is astounding to witness the brutal 16- to 20-hour days worked by Secretary Clinton and her team,” said Steve Hoggard, executive producer, who filmed Clinton on her trips abroad. “They only get a few hours of sleep and are constantly working at a rapid pace traveling from one destination to the next. I have truly been in awe of what they do to represent our county across the globe.”

Following Afghanistan, Secretary Clinton and her team prepare to depart again into a world of increasing complexity. Feverishly planning the next round of international travel and crucial diplomatic meetings, who knows what next week will bring?

Inside the State Department is produced by Hoggard Films for the National Geographic Channel (NGC). For Hoggard Films, director and executive producer is Steven Hoggard and producer is Daphna Rubin. For NGC, executive producer and executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.

Please visit www.natgeotv.com/state for more information.

I Love You Guys!

I'm getting really excited - Mallory and Steve are going to be here in a couple hours!  I can't wait to show them where we've been living the last few months and the town that is starting to feel more and more like home.  Even Joey said last night that DC is finally starting to grow on him (our friend James has been driving him to work this week so Joey's road rage toward DC must be dissipating).  I have a fabulous itinerary planned for the four of us, involving some shopping, sightseeing, and most importantly, eating.  Tonight Joey, Steve and I are headed to Zula, an Eritrean restaurant, for dinner.  I know my earlier comments about Ethiopian food were not exactly brimming with compliments, but our African dinner with Joey's classmates was really tasty so I'm looking forward to dinner tonight.  Hopefully Steve will like it - if not, the dining experience is worth it and we'll be eating every few hours so he won't go hungry!  After dinner, Joey and Steve will hit up some brew pubs while I drive to Baltimore to pick Mal up and then its off to the only Buddah Bar in the US.  They serve dinner until 1am which is perfect since Mallory's flight doesn't land until 11:16!  Then tomorrow its even more eating, as we head to the Eastern Market for some blueberry/buckwheat pancakes, Five Guys Burgers and Fries for lunch and a fabulous foodie dinner at Oya.  Sunday morning have reservations at Masa 14 for all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunch, then its pizza for lunch in Georgetown and to the Mexican "Oyamel," one of celebrity chef Jose Andres' restaurants, for dinner.  YUUUM-MY!  As such, I decided last night that my post-marathon rest was over and went for a run (otherwise the fit of my clothes could quickly become an issue).  Just an easy 3 miler but man it felt great to be back pounding the pavement.  (The consumption of 4 chocolate chip cookies yesterday may have also been a factor - I made a whole batch for Joey's birthday from scratch and they were way too good).

In addition to the food mentioned above, thanks to my mom and dad, Joey and I now have 9 lbs of ice cream to eat.  Not that this is a bad thing.  The flavors range from The Buckeye State (dark chocolate peanut butter) to Praline to Lemon -yum.  Mom, I have to admit, Joey loved his birthday present but I think he was even more excited about the dry ice that came in the packaging.  He stood over the sink for an hour yesterday playing with the it.

"What? This part of my gift!"

This weekend is the start of all of the fun visits we have planned.  A couple more weeks and Lizzie will be here and then the week after that Lauren is coming and then Bill!  I am so thankful that my sisters and friends could find time in their busy schedules to come visit us before we leave the country for two years!  My family's (this includes our friends) support has been so important to Joey and me through this process and even though goodbyes at Christmas are going to be hard and I'm going to miss you all like crazy in Nigeria, I know that distance and time are pretty irrelevant when it comes to the tight bond that we have.  We'll make it work.

Rant

Our neighbors are freaking annoying.  Right now the guy above us is having a party and everyone up there is stomping around like freaking elephants.  I am about a minute away from going over to the buzzer outside and just holding it down.

The people below us do not like our dogs.  Twice now we have received notes about the dogs barking but guess what?  They forgot that thin walls work both ways.  Last Friday while laying in bed, Joey and I were treated to the sounds of their half-hour sex session, including moans, groans and several "Oh my Gods!"  Not to mention that she is ugly so that really makes for a nice image in my head.

As much as I am not exactly excited to go to Nigeria, I am so excited to move out of this loud, unfriendly, dirty, cramped rowhouse!  At least in Nigeria we will have a big house with no shared walls and nice neighbors!

Marathon Woman

Side note: I wrote this post yesterday; however, I didn't want to post it until I uploaded my pictures.  Yesterday I was too lazy to get up to get my camera from the other room, which is why I'm posting this today.

If you look just below the T in "START" you'll see a lady in red on the platform.  That was Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill, who announced the start.

I am writing from my bed.  You know that phrase, "I feel like I ran a marathon yesterday?" Well, I did.  And I am hurting.  Laying down is good - until I need to switch positions - bending my legs hurts like hell.  Standing up is okay and sitting isn't too bad either its just the transition that sucks - a lot.   I look like an old lady, slowly bending my knees and wincing as I try to position myself.   Now imagine me at Mass last night at 7:30 - stand up, sit down, kneel - ow ow ow!!! 

The many, many runners waiting to start.  I crossed the starting line almost a full five minutes after the canons marked the official start of the race.

Yesterday's weather was absolutely perfect for running.  Not much of a breeze, a crisp 40 degrees, sunny.  One mile in and I was perfectly comfortable in my capris and short-sleeve "technical" tee.  The course was packed!  30,000 people ran the Marine Corps Marathon yesterday and it was pretty hard to maneuver.  At some points it got a little frustrating because I wanted to run faster and couldn't get around enough people to break away.  I had a fabulous run until about mile 22.  At mile 20, I felt great.  I'd maintained less than a 9 minute mile and was easily within reaching my goal of finishing in under four hours.  Somebody had a sign that said "you own this bridge" and I thought hell yes I own this bridge.  I thought only 6 more miles - no big deal - its all mental from here - just keep on going.  Then I crossed the huge highway bridge - and it just felt like it was never ending.  And people started dropping like flies.  Everywhere around me people started walking and I was like, no, I'm good, I'm going to keep on running.  Then around mile 21 fatigue started to set in and mile 22 was straight up tough.  I passed the 23 mile marker and thought "I'm going to throw up."  I kept running and the nausea didn't stop and so I gave in and walked for about 2 minutes.  I walked to the water station, had a big sip and then started running again - and that's where the pain started.  When I stopped running all that lactic acid caught up to my legs so when I started again it felt like they were on fire.  But I ran anyways.  For about a mile.  And then at about 24 I felt like I was going to puke again and had to walk for another few minutes.  I looked at my watch and the four hour mark was starting to creep closer and since the nausea had passed I started running again - holy crap it hurt.  I ran - which felt more like stumbling at a brisk pace - all the way to the finish - at 4:02.  I missed my time by two minutes but God it felt so good to cross the finish line and I honestly almost started crying I was so proud when the Marine put my medal over my head. 

Exceptionally unflattering picture of my hips.  I blame the pants and the photographer (cough, Joey).  But I think this was about mile 17 and I was sick of trying to pull my shirt down over my ass.  Just beyond the trees in this photo is the Washington Monument.

So was it worth it?  Hell yes!  One of the Marines sayings is that "pain is weakness exiting the body."  Another sign I read yesterday that I think sums it up perfectly said "Pain is temporary, pride is forever."  I am officially a marathoner now and I have to admit, I am pretty proud of myself.  Lets be honest here, if I told any of my grade school or high school gym teachers that I was going to run a marathon, they'd never believe it.  I mean, I really am not that coordinated.  But for some reason, running works and although I won't be going for a run for the next few days, I can't wait for my next marathon.

Sunday was also Halloween - so quite a few runners dressed up.  Now the question is whether the devil chose his costume before or after he was assigned his 666 bib  number.

Thank you again to everyone who donated to St. Jude's to help me run my marathon.  My four hours of exertion yesterday definitely doesn't even compare to the months and years of treatment that St. Jude's patients have to endure.  I also have to say there is no way I could have done this without my amazingly supportive husband.  In addition to all my long runs where he rode his bike behind me, Joey woke up with me at 5:30 am yesterday, rode the Metro with me to the Pentagon, walked the mile to the start line with me and even waited in line with me for 20 minutes for the porta-potty.  Then he trekked all across town to cheer me on at as many points along the course as he could.  After the race he helped me waddle back home and even went to buy me some Epson salts for my bath. 

Nothing like waiting in line for a porta-potty before dawn

So where's the next one?  Probably in Africa!  We had a few of Joey's classmates over for dinner Thursday and two of them had run marathons - one in Ghana and another in Istanbul - so its possible!

Bib	FName	LName			Div	Age	Sex
10844	MELISSA	SODA			FEMALES 25-29	26	F

ChipTime	ClockTime	Overall	SexPl	DivPl	AgeGrade
4:02:37	4:07:30	4981	1193	319	55.8%

Ctz

5K

10K

15K

20K

Half

25K

30K

35K

40K

Pace

Congratulations, Shannon and Ryan!

Wow it felt sooo good to see everybody over the weekend!  I have missed you all tremendously and was in major need of hugs.  A weekend was definitely not enough time - it was really weird to leave knowing you all were going back to Des Moines and I was going back to DC but Joey and I have such a jam-packed schedule coming up, Christmas will be here before we know it!  This weekend is my big marathon (getting nervous!), next weekend Mal and Steve are coming (yay!), then two weeks after that Lizz is coming for Thanksgiving (yay!), the next weekend our friend Lauren is coming (another yay!) and then Christmas is only three weeks away - and our move to Nigeria!  And one of the few empty weekends in there I think our friend Bill is coming to visit too so time is definitely going to fly.

Shannon, you were a beautiful bride and I loved your dress!  The wedding was intimate and gorgeous and Joey and I were really glad to have been able to be there.  And Ryan, the blueberry cupcakes were awesome!  We also really enjoyed our weekend in New Orleans.  What a cool city - from the stunning architecture to all the different street performers, from the rich food and unique cocktails to the coolest cemeteries I have ever seen, New Orleans and all of her charming residents were a welcome change from the "Northern charm and Southern efficiency" (JFK) of DC!

A "2nd Line" Procession

The preparation of "The Green Fairy" cocktail, made with Absinthe!

The taste of "The Green Fairy" cocktail

Seriously, does it get any cooler than this?

From a balcony on Bourbon St., about midnight.   People were just getting warmed up.

MMM!  Yummy beignets at Cafe du Monde tasted like funnel cake - perfect with chickory coffee!

When I returned home Monday, it was business as usual.  Moe had locked himself in the bathroom (went in for a drink of water and accidentally shut the door behind him with his cone) and somehow managed to claw the door frame beyond recognition.  His tail was also kind of bleeding through his bandage, and the vet recommended bringing him in, so after Joey got off work in Virginia (4 pm), he drove home to DC (5 miles, 40 min), picked up Moe and me, drove back to Virginia (5 miles, 30 min) to the vet.  The vet said everything was okay and actually moved up his appointment to get his sutures out to Thursday instead of next Monday - yay Moe doesn't have to wear his cone all weekend!  So then we drove back to DC (5 miles, 40 min), where we dropped Moe off, picked up some African beer and headed back to Virginia (you got it, another 5 miles, 40 min) for the 156th African potluck.  Just another day in the life!

Our dinner was actually quite enjoyable.  All of the people in Joey's A-100 class who got posted to Africa were in attendance, and most brought food from their country or the region.  I have to admit - I liked everything I ate!  Everybody shared their hopes and anxieties about their postings and it was really reassuring to know I'm not the only one who is apprehensive.  I also heard an even worse could-be-worse tale that I thought I'd share because this one makes Niger sound tolerable.

Single woman, 24, sent to Central African Republic.  Post size: 5.  Other 4 Americans?  Middle aged men.  Living situation?  Studio or 1 bedroom apartment, shared with another FSO.  Computers: None.  Not even in the embassy.  Apparently they are always stolen so no computer, no internet for two years - in the middle of sub-Saharan Africa!  Told to bring a gun.  Also told not to go anywhere alone or she will be raped.  Finally, told to bring all of her food for two years.  That's right.  Canned food.  Canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit.  Two years.  Nigeria is starting to look pretty nice!  (By the way, this woman is apparently in Joey's training and he says she is exceptionally positive about her move - she said everyone keeps asking her how she's doing and she says she is fine - no big deal - she is ready.  I can tell you straight up right now - no flipping way.  If that was Joey's post?  Honey, I love you, have a great time in Africa.  I'll see you in two years.  She is a waaaay better person than I.  That is probably why she is a diplomat and I am not.)

I thought I would start sharing some facts about Africa.  Today I got a Sherman's Travel Bulletin with the Top 25 Travel Deals for the week.  One of them was a Kenyan safari.  So I looked to see how much a ticket from Abuja to Nairobi would cost.  $1600!?!  Why?  Well, I looked at a map and Kenya is on the opposite side of Africa as Nigeria.  Which is 2137 miles.  Just to put that in perspective, the driving distance from San Francisco to Chicago is 2135 miles, and on American highways that would take you 31 hours and 18 minutes.  And both Nigeria and Kenya are situated where the African continent starts to narrow out.  Here's a great map I found to provide a frame of reference. 

How Moe Lost his Tail

A tired Moe and his little nub

Moe lost his tail yesterday.  He still has a little nub - a little longer than George's - but the long, bloody whip that was his tail is gone. 

When we went to pick him up at the vet, the technician sat with us for about fifteen minutes to go over all of his medications and care for his wound.  After explaining everything, she went back to go get him.  Moe and his giant cone burst through the door, flailing everywhere and dragging the poor little technician behind him.  While she was doubled over with both hands on the leash trying to hold onto him, he had already managed to lose his bandage.  So after a quick greeting, the technician picked the bandage up off the floor and took Moe back for bandaging round two.  When he came flailing through the door the second time, she was holding the cone - she suggested that maybe one of us sit in the back of the car with him to prevent him from licking his tail - and she told us to feel free to call in fifteen minutes when the bandage came off again.

A very sleepy Moe snuggling his very sleepy Daddy snuggling his very adept, contortionist photographer wife on our very small couch

Banging his cone into the door

We took Moe for a little walk before putting him in the car; he kept wobbling off curbs.  We're not sure if its the cone, the loss of his tail or the drugs - probably a combination of all three - but his balance was pretty off.  Today it seems better and so far the bandage has held, but man he hates the cone.  Last night he just stood there and kind of moaned whenever he was wearing his cone.  Today he alternates between pouting and running around the house trying to smash it off - banging it into the doors, walls, furniture - much like he used to do with his tail come to think of it...

This morning, pouting.