This month, for the first time in over half a decade I received a pay raise. It feels good. This is not because I am awesome or because I deserved it, but because every year congress or the President authorizes a cost of living raise, tied to inflation, for all federal employees. I should caveat
Recently, our family had a great opportunity to take an embassy trip out to Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania. Banc d’Arguin is a large UNSECO World Heritage site located on the coast between Nouakchott and Mauritania’s second largest city Nouadhibou. It is a major breeding site for over 108 migratory bird species such a pelicans and flamingos,
One thing you quickly discover when joining the Foreign Service, is you are surrounded by a team of nerds. Being a nerd myself, I quickly acclimated during orientation when I was invited for board game and trivia nights, and it has carried over into Mauritania. Since arriving, I have been able to get a few
This week marks 6 months in Mauritania. I have completed 1/4th of my tour here, and somehow I feel like I just barely arrived. The first batch of officers I met since moving have departed post during the usual winter cycle, and a new group of individuals have recently arrived. I am no longer a
Happy New Year!!! Wow, 2022 was a whirlwind of a year. Thinking back on my entire life, I don’t think there has been a single year that had as much excitement and movement as 2022 did. I entered 2022 working as a hospitalist in Southern New Mexico, my wife had just had our youngest daughter
