Never Say Never – NEVER!!!

I know I’ve said it over and over again, as has just about everyone else. But it bears repeating – NEVER EVER, EVER, SAY NEVER – EVER!!  Especially when one is part of the Diplomatic Corps wandering the globe.

Exhibit #1:

“I will NEVER do a posting in the Middle East.”

Result:

Our second posting was in the Middle East even though logic dictates that our bids for west African countries should have been shoo-ins. (Assumptions about logic in the FS and the quagmire that is the reality of “hard and fast” rules about this life and job are a WHOLE other blog topic.)

Exhibit #2:

“We will not get anymore pets while in the Foreign Service.” (Which is a lot like saying NEVER. The universe doesn’t bother with semantics)

Result:

We ended up keeping the boxer we were babysitting in Zambia because he was too “vicisious” for anyone else to take on when the owner contacted us and said he couldn’t ship him to the US. Then we were devastated when he had to be put down right before our move to NZ (which was going to cost us an arm and a leg, or our first born, to ship him there).  So guess what?  We now have a new dog to replace the old dog.  I am completely smitten with said new dog and the kids are claiming that I greet him with more enthusiasm than I greet them.  All decisions about my future are now determined by whether or not the dog can be accommodated and all will be changed accordingly.  “No schools at this post?  OK, but can I bring my dog?”

Exhibit #3:

“I will NEVER eat horse meat.” (I could insert a lot of things here – it’s been a strange culinary journey, thankfully devoid of fried scorpions)

Result:

After days of eating greasy mutton and rice in Western Mongolia, I didn’t even ask what type of meat was in that last stir fry until after the meal.  I was just so thankful it wasn’t mutton – again.

These are just a few glaring examples from my life in the FS.

I guess what I’m trying to say is:

“Be careful with your words, lady!”

It’s too bad that these sorts of statements don’t work for weight loss – “I will NEVER be able to fit into that dress.”

Gratuitous pic of my third child – Notice proximity to me. He was only this far away because he was so happy with his Christmas presents.