But wait!

So there was a change of plans and I don't have to travel to Asia after all. And thank goodness because I think I am finally over jet lag from Africa. The post that needed help magically didn't need help any more when Washington said they would send someone to help. That scenario of "we're from the government and we're here to help" also scares the living daylights out of other government employees, even if we really do mean to help. I mean, there is a reason this scene in E.T. is so horrible.

I totally get it. My dream assignment is a place that nobody cares about where no one from Washington ever visits. You know those places that you have to Google to find out where they are? Like Yerevan, or Ouagadougou, or Bandar Seri Begawan? That's where I want to go. Listen, if people can't pronounce it, they can't come visit and then they will leave you alone to do your job. Yes, I am a bit of a Grumpy Old Woman tonight. Maybe I'm not over the jet lag as much as I think.

It's the beginning of Hail and Farewell season and we went to our first farewell tonight. These are people we have known for years and keep running into but now it's much less likely because like Artemis, they are deserting me and moving across the country. It's very sad. Thank goodness for facebook. I mean, I am not a Mark Zuckerberg fan, but his invention has revolutionized the Foreign Service because now it's not so foreign. Wherever we go, we can still chat with our friends and look at their photos of cats.

You know what is better than a brownie? Meteor showers.

So goodnight. I'm going outside to look at the sky and wonder. I hope you do, too.