Waiting for the Bid List

The bid list is the key to your future. No words could be more true. And here I sit, anxiously waiting for the knowledge it contains, much to no avail.

Sometime in November, my career development officer (CDO) informed the OMSes of the 124th Specialist class that the bid list would be coming out in December. Well, December passed and no bid list. We finally heard from the CDO that the list would come out on January 7 (EST) and bids would be due February 15. Huzzah!! Knowing the time difference, I prepared in advance and came in early this morning only to find an email from the CDO saying:

It appears that there are problems in FSBid with the EL Specialist Winter Bid List.  Hopefully, it will be functioning tomorrow morning. 

Hopefully. With over one hundred anxious OMSes waiting for this list, you'd think that they could give us something more than "hopefully." 

Either way, I have my dream list of places I'd love to go. But in reality, the things that top my priority list are:

• Close in proximity to Front Office (if not working directly for a DCM [ie deputy chief of mission], I'd like to work in POL or ECON)
• Bigger post (Embasssy vs Consulate)
• Warmer weather (I'm hoping WHA or EUR)

The first two items will set me up for my third tour, which "hopefully" will be with the Executive Secretariat (ie The Secretary of State). Fingers crossed.

More update tomorrow, "hopefully" with more information.