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"Livelines" Email Discussion Group
Whether you have a crisis that you are not sure how to handle, questions on what to do with that strange-looking fruit in the market, or the desire to find out what a possible post is really like, there are times when it would help to talk to other Foreign Service family members around the world. With over 1,200 subscribers and counting, AAFSW's email discussion group, Livelines, lets you to do just that.
To subscribe to Livelines, simply enter your email address in the box above and click the "Yahoo! Groups Join Now" button. Once your application is approved by our Livelines moderator, you can start passing on your favorite Foreign Service tips or asking those deep, philosophical questions, such as "How do I keep the movers from wrapping up the garbage and sending it to Malawi?" or more seriously "How do I care for an ailing parent back home?"
The simplest way to get more information is to subscribe to Livelines and send your questions to the group. To get a taste of Livelines, read what people have to say about it and some sample Q&As or review our Frequently Asked Questions. Email our Livelines moderator at Livelines@aafsw.org for additional information.
Once you have subscribed to Livelines, you can reach everyone on the list immediately (thus the name "live" lines) by emailing Livelines@yahoogroups.com. You will receive messages sent by other subscribers at your email address. You only need an email address to participate, not even access to the Web. If no one sends messages, you will not receive anything--it is up to us to make the service useful and interesting!
As a subscriber, you will also have access to the Livelines archives. All past messages are at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Livelines/ (sorry, but to help maintain our privacy, non-subscribers cannot view the archives). This service is totally free. Go ahead and sign up! You can always "unsubscribe" if you decide the service is not for you.
Livelines members can now contribute and edit reviewed links to share with other members at the Livelines Yahoo groups links page.
Livelines is restricted to members of the U.S. Foreign Service community. You must be a U.S. Foreign Service officer or a family member to join. Retired FSOs and their families are also eligible. You may also be eligible if you have passed the oral exam and are waiting for appointment to the Foreign Service. Email Livelines@aafsw.org for more information.
What people are saying about Livelines:
I could never, and would have never, agreed to this little adventure
had I not been following Livelines for over a year prior to our departure
from our home state. I know you have heard this over and over again but
this forum is great. Over the past four months when I have been unable
to speak to anything but voice mail and then been reduced to tears of
frustration I have always been able to count on Livelines. In these past
four months I have moved my family, buried a loved one, packed everything
I have ever valued into storage not to be seen again for who knows how
long, followed my husband like a puppy during A-100, moved again, and
then to my dismay found that we are now going to someplace that could
be pretty damn dangerous, and leaving early at that. Then as icing on
the cake, because we have to leave early language training (even for him)
forget about it, not possible...The only thing that has kept me from going
nuts is knowing that you have all "been there done that", and
that when I get desperate there is a way to cry for help. THANK YOU ALL
SO VERY, VERY MUCH!
--Courtney Benson, State Department spouse
Sample discussion from Livelines
In this excerpt, Patricia Linderman answers questions from new Foreign Service spouses. Questions are included in the text.
Welcome Judie, and hello again, Linda! You are doing exactly the right thing: asking questions. Foreign Service life is different in so many little and big ways from life back home, and the more prepared you are, the better.
Meanwhile, as you can see, you are not alone -- there is a whole community of us out here in the world ready to pitch in and help you.
I will take a stab at some of the questions nobody has addressed yet this round.
What about electric appliances in the other countries: washer, dryer etc? What about a freezer? A microwave? Would it be senseless to take these with the power outages? Do these things run on different voltages outside the U.S. also?
You will be provided with a washer and dryer, refrigerator and freezer, sometimes a dishwasher. You own the other appliances. But, of course, voltage is different around the world. Appliances will NOT run on the "wrong" voltage. So what can you do, if the voltage of your new post is different from the U.S. system? Some of your options are:
Put your U.S. appliances in storage or sell them and buy new ones at post.
Bring your U.S. appliances and run them off transformers (usually a few are provided).
Invest in switchable, multi-system appliances that you can take with you most anywhere.
I think most people end up doing a combination of these things. Last summer I moved from Cuba (U.S. voltage) to Germany (220 volts). Before leaving Cuba, I sold a number of appliances (blow dryer, blender, toaster oven, microwave) that were getting old anyway, and bought new ones here in Germany. If we go back to a 110-volt country next, I'll probably just sell them here at post (taking a monetary loss, but making life easier).
Some things I run off the two transformers that were provided to us:
our electric piano, my cake mixer. They work fine, but the transformers
are a pain to lug around; they are VERY heavy.
We also have several 110-220 volt switchable items: computer, printer,
stereo, boom boxes, and our multi-system TV and VCR.
My example may give you some ideas about the best solutions for you.
Lamps WILL run on the "wrong" voltage, if you switch to local
lightbulbs and use a plug adapter. At furnished posts, lamps are provided,
but you may have a few of your own you want to bring.
Electric clocks often WILL NOT run properly even with a transformer, because
the electricity cycles are different. Get a switchable alarm clock, use
a battery one, or buy one at post.
Power outages are a problem; they are very damaging to appliances. In some Third World countries, it is worthwhile investing in an UPS (uninterruptible power source) for your most important appliances (computer, TV, etc.). Make sure the UPS can handle the wattage of your appliance; if not, it will just overload and turn itself off. Don't forget surge protectors too.
Do I really need to transport a car? I have a nice sedan probably not suitable for most locations. Do I need to get a 4 wheel drive or a truck?
The car situation REALLY depends on the post. There are funny restrictions on some of them, like you can't bring a car more than 3 years old, that sort of thing. Cars are one of the subjects that Foreign Service couples tear their hair out over. We personally have been really lucky, twice being able to sell our cars at the end of a posting for practically the original sale price. Others have had really bad experiences.
When you find out where you are going, communicate with the Administrative office about any restrictions, and get good advice. Shipping your sedan may be your best bet, or it may not even be possible.
You can find further discussion about cars in the Livelines archives -- we went through some car questions a while back.
How do I provide car insurance in another country?
I think most people use USAA or Clements and Company for insurance. Check their ads in the Foreign Service Journal. They will write policies for about anywhere (we used USAA in Havana). In many countries, you also have to buy local liability insurance.
What do I do about a checking account and paying US bills when not in the US?
You get used to paying late fees, for one thing. Mail service can be excruciatingly slow in many places. It is wise to keep track of bills such as credit card expenses and pay them even BEFORE you get the statement. You should also set up as much as you can to be automatic, such as automatic withdrawal of mortgage payments from your account, if you own a house.
You should maintain a checking account in the States, either through
State Dept. Federal Credit Union or your regular bank (or both). This
is what you will use to cash checks, pay credit card bills, etc.
In some countries, you will also need a local bank account for everyday
bills (I need one here in Germany to pay preschool fees, the phone bill
and our Internet connection). People at post will advise you about setting
up an account after you arrive.
I have a teenage daughter (15.) Are you happy with the high schools in other countries? Are there resources on the web for her to begin emailing other teenagers of foreign service folks for some moral support. She is excited, but scared too, corresponding with others her age who have "survived" may help.
Posts REALLY vary in the quality (and even existence) of schools. Get
as much information as you can. (The Overseas Briefing Office and Office
of Overseas Schools will help.) Look in the Livelines archives for more
discussion of teens overseas (and even a great note from a Foreign Service
teen).
The Foreign Service Youth Foundation has two organizations for Foreign
Service kids: AWAL (Around the World in a Lifetime) for teens, and Globe
Trotters for preteens.
What about tools? Do we have any need for them beyond DC? Is yard work contracted out (if you have a yard at all) or will we need a mower to keep the jungle under control?
By all means keep a basic tool bag of hammer, screwdrivers, etc. You will probably not need power tools, since the General Services Office (GSO) takes care of most home repairs. Yard tools will depend on your post. In many places where labor is cheap, hiring a gardener is the way to go. But it is not so cheap in other places. And be cautious of promises in the Post Report that lawn mowers are provided -- at two posts we have been to, this has been stated in official materials but has not been the case.
If I wanted my king size bed at post (as someone suggested would've been nice), could I expect it to fit in the accommodations I'm given, or is there anything I can do to assure that the living arrangements provided will accommodate the things I choose to bring? And what if they don't? Is storage available at post?
At furnished posts, you will get a queen-sized bed for the master bedroom and twin beds for other bedrooms. This is standardized around the world. My tall husband and I also like a king-sized bed. We have had luck in some places pushing two twins together to make a king, and putting the queen bed in the guest or kids' room.
But beware of bringing your own bed. It means you have to get rid of a bed that is already there. While some posts may be accommodating about this, many are not. They may have a rule about keeping sets of furniture together, or they may not have a suitable storage facility (as at our present post). Keep in mind that NO post will store YOUR extra furniture for you.
We bought a bunk bed for our kids, but the Consulate wouldn't take back the twin bed frames that were in our apartment, so we have to store them here. At least we can use the mattresses on the bunk bed. It might be an idea to take your king-sized bed FRAME and put two twin mattresses on it from your furnishings at post.
And what if I need different things at my second post -- how do I get those things?
Keep a detailed inventory of what goes into storage (I know this is hard when things are hectic!). Then, with that, you can just give the order later to ship items 49, 72 and 99, or whatever, to your second post. You can have separate shipments from your first post and from storage, as long as the combined total doesn't go over the weight limit. *
Good luck!! You'll get the hang of it. Soon you'll be on Livelines giving advice to the next newcomers!
Patricia Linderman (Trinidad, Chile, Cuba and now Leipzig, Germany)