Memoir
Memoir | Becoming a Federal Government Civil Servant | The U.S. Department of Prominence | Part II of VI
Before starting my role as a federal government civil servant, I had to fill out an extensive Standard Form (SF86), known as the Questionnaire for National Security Positions, to obtain a security clearance.
By Mia Z. Edwards4 months ago in Chapters
Karachi Chronicles Chapter 7
Bringing international cricket matches to Pakistan, even if just a bunch of us old blokes, was a key objective for our trip. From the moment we set foot in the country all the way up until the present, with some help from the power of social media, we most certainly brought some added joy to many Pakistani cricket lovers. No doubt, in return the lives of all touring members were mutually enriched. During the three weeks in Karachi, there were scores of social engagements and meetings with the locals but one in particular felt most special and underscored the ethos of our trip.
By S. J. Leahy4 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Hired as an Information Receptionist | The Library of Congress | II of VI
I maintained my part-time roles at the boutique on Saturday mornings and the restaurant on late Saturday afternoons and Sundays, while also working at the Library of Congress, the James A. Madison Building, Congressional Library, during the weekdays.
By Mia Z. Edwards4 months ago in Chapters
Karachi Chronicles Chapter 6
Saying that cricket in Karachi presents a few challenges, is a bit of an understatement. During the month of September, a big hurdle is the hot weather. Coming from Australia, I am accustomed to warm weather but the heat we experienced on this trip was beyond anything I’ve played under back home. Temperatures hovered around the thirty five degrees Celsius mark and never seemed to dip very much overnight. On top of this, humidity started each day at around one hundred percent and rarely relented, even late in the day. With the scorching sun seldomly having a cloud to hide behind, every moment out on the field rapidly sapped energy and tested resolve.
By S. J. Leahy4 months ago in Chapters
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Imagine waking up feeling this nausea (being this nausea). Trying to cheer yourself up for you, but more for the baby. A baby is growing in your belly – so incredible! You get up, you try to eat something. Tangerines! Everything stinks but they remain so tasty! You devour them, two, three pieces at the time, perhaps four, until you eat it up and immediately afterwards you rush to the toilet. The first vomit of the day. Fair enough. You’re afraid to eat again, so you avoid it, but at least for a moment the nausea is gone. What to do? You have no strength, but you have to. “The baby needs you to be moving” Ok. “Let’s dance, very lightly.” Lately you merely balance your body from one side to the other, but it is ok. And you sing – somehow singing helps. There’s a new world somewhere, they call the promise land… And I’ll be there someday, if you hold on my hand. After a song or perhaps half a song you feel exhausted. Time to rest: sit down, lay down. Did you fall asleep? You wake up with a terrible headache. It’s noon already. You know you have to eat, but you’re afraid. Ok, let’s try again. You have one of those milky things to get some protein – at least they don’t make you throw up. “Is this normal?” You have wondered many times. All your doctors, family, friends have said is, “Yes! It’s normal. It’ll get better later – no worries!” Fair enough. Minutes later: second –or perhaps third?— vomit of the day. You remember the words, “I wish you have inherited my strength.” “I wish so too!” Why couldn’t you be like anyone else? Why does it have to be so hard for you to cope? You wonder how they could go through all this not only once, but twice, three, four times, five… “The other women must be superwomen.”
By Laura Rodben4 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Typing Test | The Library of Congress | Part II of VI
My thoughts were consumed by the prospect of securing a full-time job with a steady salary, envisioning the day I could finally move out of my mother’s house in the projects of Washington, D.C. So, when Jim Cohen recommended that I take the upcoming typing test at the Library of Congress, it filled me with hope for the chance to land a permanent position.
By Mia Z. Edwards4 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Job Hunt | Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. | Part II of VI
Having had a meeting with Mr. Cohen the day before, I embarked on my job search in the Capitol Hill section of the iconic Pennsylvania Avenue, a stretch that extends from Capitol Hill to downtown Washington, D.C. This part of the Avenue, near the Library of Congress James A. Madison Building, was home to two restaurants and bars, a women’s fashion boutique, a bank, a health food store, and a small grocery market. Street vendors also lined up this part of the sidewalk.
By Mia Z. Edwards4 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Mentor Mr. Cohen | The U.S. House of Representatives, The Rayburn House Office Building| Part II of VI
I met with Jim Cohen, a Human Resources expert at the U.S. House of Representatives at the Rayburn House Office Building. Our discussion occurred in the Personnel Office, where I sought his guidance on potential paid job opportunities.
By Mia Z. Edwards4 months ago in Chapters
