Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Settling In

I ran into the Orthodox Jewish men in the elevator again today. This time we conversed a bit more, first in Hebrew and then in English. They were very nice and invited me to visit their synagogue. They apparently knew the last occupant of my apartment and were disappointed they had left without saying goodbye.

Today it was meetings, meetings and more meetings. But I think it is a good thing...I am getting up to speed on what is going on and what is expected of me. My section has a lot on its plate...we have a busy few months ahead of us. But I also know we are up to the task.

I am trying to get back into the habit of using my Estonian. The guards are great...they chat with me a bit in Estonian because they know I want to work on it. And today I had a reasonably long conversation in Estonian, and I understood most of it. Even the numbers. Which are HARD. Especially when they involve times, because the way of telling time is different. For example, what is translated directly as half four means 3:30. I always have to think about it conceptually as well as linguistically.

We should just start everything exactly on the hour.

Tomorrow, I have a bunch more meetings. My calendar fills up quickly! But the one I am most excited about is with the movers. They are bringing me my stuff. Just my UAB, but still, it will be nice to have some more clothes and other stuff here.

Yay stuff!

2 comments:

Kitty Non Grata said...

If I remember correctly from when I met you back at FSI a really, really long time ago, this is your first PD tour. If my memory is right, welcome to being PAO! I'm "breaking in" a new PAO right now, and he is feeling the same way with an instantly busy calendar and the section having tons of plans for the next couple months already! You're going to love it. :)

Digger said...

Second PD tour actually, just the first overseas one. But I already think the work will suit me!