Nate and all his A-100 classmates are officially diplomats!
The swearing-in ceremony was a few weeks ago at the FSI. I guess the swearing-in ceremonies usually happen at the main State Department building in downtown DC, but the Africa Leaders Summit got in the way. So instead the ceremony was held in the same room as Flag Day, which was nice for me since I already knew how to get there!
Nate’s dad and I showed up just as the ceremony was starting, and it only lasted about 30 minutes. I definitely got a little teary-eyed when they said “Congratulations to the USA’s newest diplomats!” and everyone erupted into cheers, but it was a nice ceremony and it’s fun to see how excited and enthusiastic everyone is.
Afterwards everyone went to a nearby restaurant with their families, and the class had purchased heavy appetizers for everyone with the remaining funds left from dues paid by class members. I don’t know if it’s the Peace Corps volunteer in me or what, but if someone says “free food,” I’m there in a heartbeat.
Nate and I kept the celebration going over the weekend by getting brunch at Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown on Sunday morning. We’ve eaten there numerous times, and the service can range from alright to down-right awful. However, the brunch is all-you-can eat and you serve yourself, thereby eliminating the need for pretty much any waitstaff (aside from the coffee, cinnamon rolls, biscuits, and eggs benedict that they walk around offering to tables). I ate so much, I could barely walk. It was utterly pathetic. Needless to say, their brunch is highly recommended!
Now we are doing my least favorite activity of all time (besides cleaning and putting clothes away): we are waiting for May 2015. I think it’s easier for Nate than it is for me, but I’ll write more about that in another post.
According to Athena 