FS update

I did not pass the OA. However, it was a lot of fun and I wasn't nearly as nervous as I had expected.

Starting my SF86 today

Today, I created a login to my Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP), to begin the electronic paperwork (called Standard Form 86, or more affectionately, SF86) necessary to complete my security clearance. I need to fill out the entire (reportedly, long) questionnaire before my late January OA in Washington, D.C.

If I pass the OA, then that same day, I review my responses on SF86 with a security officer. This form contains my background information, like where I have worked and lived, and any foreign friends/contacts I may have.

Scheduled my OA for late January 2015

I decided to hold off on studying for the FSOA until late November. I have too much going on at work, and hardly a moment of free time.

In the meantime, I will be buying my plane ticket and booking the hotel. A friend from high school has never been to D.C. and plans to accompany me.

Last meeting with my Japanese Conversation Partner

Met for dinner with K. He handed me a gift-wrapped box, saying, "This is a present for you, from my girlfriend." His girlfriend from Japan had visited the week before.

I asked, "Why did she give me a gift?" I hadn't even met her.

K. replied, "She is grateful that you have been my friend."

I was very touched, and said so. It was a bottle of Yazushu, a citrus sake--what a unique and thoughtful gift.

FS Personal Narratives: passed

Just got the email today, saying I passed!

In two days, I can sign up to choose my Oral Assessment (OA) date. The location choices are Washington, D.C. or San Francisco. I would rather go to SF, but there are only a couple dates to choose from there.

I am more than a little excited...

Time to study!

Japanese Conversation: Israel/Palestine

During last week's meeting with K., my Campus Conversation Partner, we walked downtown to dinner. People on the campus quad were protesting against Israel in the present Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

K. asked what was going on. Explaining that one was trickier than I could have guessed. I asked him if he knew the country Israel? No. Where Jewish people settled after WWII? No. Palestine? No. Muslim? No. Islam? No. I asked what religions he knew about. He mentioned neither Islam nor Judaism. I listed nearby countries--Syria, Egypt, Jordan. No, no, no.

I said, "They want one country to stop bombing another." He knew what that meant.

PNs submitted!

Fingers crossed! Feeling a little more optimistic than I did last year at this time. I revamped all my responses compared to the prior year's submittal.

I took the day off work today, since there has been so much (unpaid) overtime recently. Spent a relaxing day gardening, cleaning the garage and going to a tag sale.

Japanese anti-gun laws

My Conversation Partner, K, and I went to the mall. He bought some books and, at the  big sporting goods store,  sandals. As we passed the hunting section, K said that guns were basically illegal in Japan and he didn't know anybody who owned one.

When I arrived home, I told my 18-year-old son about this conversation. He already knew all about Japanese gun laws, which I later looked up on the Internet, where I learned that most years, Japan has fewer than 20 gun-related deaths, and usually, far fewer than that.

Still working on PNs

PN responses not due until July 31. I have been working on them 15-20 minutes most nights. Pretty close to completion. Then, I will ask a friend or two to edit my mini-essays.

Tomorrow is a "Hawaiian Luau" themed lunch at the university. I am going with my daughter.

That  evening is dinner with my Japanese Conversation Partner. I think he wanted to see the indoor ice skating rink, so maybe we will have a meal nearby.

Passed FSOT, onto the PNs

FSOT scores released for the June test cohort today.

                 Last year's score         This year
Biographic
Questionnaire       55.52                64.32

English
Expression            52.22                61.4

Job Knowledge     61.60                60.14
                                                                
Total                   169.34              185.86

Essay                        6                       7

You need a total score of 154 for your essay to be scored. You need a 6 (out of 12) on your essay to receive an invitation to the next round.

Next round: answering six short essay questions, called the Personal Narrative (PN).