Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Hop, Skip, and a Jump

Nils took a quick trip back to the United States a few weeks ago. Why would he make such a trip in the middle of our Peace Corps service... without his WIFE? For a job interview!

When it comes to preparing for the future, Nils is always one step ahead. He submitted an application to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last Fall and was invited to interview with them in January. Nils and Emily carefully considered purchasing an international plane ticket on our small Peace Corps budget for a short 1-week trip and decided that regardless of the outcome, it would be a worthwhile investment. As luck would have it, the trip was actually paid for by the agency, so our Peace Corps budget is back to normal (no need to continue the food storage regimen). It did feel good, during the period in which we thought the trip was coming out of our own pocket, to realize that we were not only willing to make such an investment in the future, but that we could.

The trip was successful (and packed full!). He got to spend a day in Madrid on the way over and a few days in Utah with his family (thanks Mom and Dad Bergeson!!). Since the interview was in Washington, DC, Toby and Sharole (Emily's brother/sister-in-law) were kind enough to host Nils in exchange for a few hours alone without the kids (as I understand those hours were spent doing errands??). Upon Nils' return he made sure to stock up on contraband (the best of which were tortillas and salsa!!).

For some lovely pictures of the Toby and Sharole O'Hara family, click here.

We'll be sure to keep you posted as we find out the results of the interview and our plans for the future. As always, we feel so blessed to be where we are, right now, and intend to make the most of what we're given (which is a lot!).