through this website, AAFSW receives a small percentage to help fund out activities and services. AAFSW is also affiliated with 
Foreign Service Blogs
If you are a member of the U.S. Foreign Service community, contact us at webmaster@aafsw.org to list your site on this page. The website may be a personal or professional home page, however, we do ask that the site contain some personal information--in other words, it must be more than just an advertisement. Please include your name and agency affiliation for verification purposes, along with a URL and a brief description of the site.
Livelines members can access or add even more links at the Livelines Yahoo Groups page. If you would prefer to share your blog only with other members of the Foreign Service, please list your blog there.
Personal/Family Home Pages and Blogs
Avuncular American
http://avuncularamerican.typepad.com/blog/
An expatriate view from Europe from Gerald Loftus, retired Foreign Service Officer.
DiploLife
http://diplolife.blogspot.com/
A family of four (a foreign service officer, a spouse, a one-year old and a 102-lb Labrador) adjusting to life in the U.S. Foreign Service. Our blogs starts at the acceptance email and continues through to our various posts.
Dead Men Working
http://deadmenworking.blogspot.com/
Blog by several high-level career Foreign Service Officers whose careers have been damaged or ended by unresolved cases regarding suspension or revocation of security clearances.
Life After Jerusalem
http://lifeafterjerusalem.blogspot.com/
Reflections on life in the Foreign Service from a second-tour officer.
FSO Globetrotter
http://fsoglobetrotter.blogspot.com/
The world through the eyes of an FSO posted to Chile.
FS Husband
http://www.livejournal.com/users/fshusband/
Brian Neely, an Eligible Family Member currently posted to Kazakhstan, maintains an online journal.
Karla Thomas Solomon
http://www.ktsolomon.com/
After 10 years abroad, an "eligible family member" writes about returning to the U.S., establishing her own art career, the endless search for balance, and the stress of bidding and relocation.
The Kolodner Family
http://www.kolodner.com
Jen and Michael Kolodner's personal site, with the story and photos of their Foreign Service tour in Yemen and subsequent evacuation.
The Perlman Update
http://www.theperlmanupdate.blogspot.com/
Follow the chaos as we share our tales of life abroad.
Prince Roy
http://www.princeroy.org
Prince Roy is a self-described ex-law school inmate now serving as a US diplomat.
Something Edited This Way Comes
http://www.somethingedited.blogspot.com/
Zoe Friloux, a former newspaper editor, writes about her family's life on their first tour in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Tasman's World
http://tasmansworld.com/
A Foreign Service family serving their first tour in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Tumbleweeds
http://editfish.blogspot.com/
Titled "Tumbleweeds," this is the anonymous author's "collection of thoughts, experiences, insights, and epiphanies gathered along the way, as I make my slow ascent toward the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service." First-hand descriptions of the evaluation and hiring process.
Well, Let's Talk About it!
http://wellletstalkaboutit.blogspot.com/
Devoted to supporting diplomatic outreach and collaborating on how to build effective American dialogue with the global community. Written by Foreign Service spouse Stephanie Tansey.
Whirled View
http://www.whirledview.typepad.com/
Patricia Sharpe and Patricia Kushlis, both retired Foreign Service Officers, along with Cheryl Rofer, a retired chemist and specialist in nuclear energy, weapons, and cleanup, co-write this blog which focuses on public diplomacy, diplomacy and national security issues.
World Adventurers
http://www.worldadventurers.com/fs/
Mike Edwards writes a weekly chronicle on his Foreign Service experiences,
beginning with A-100 training.
World Crafters
http://www.worldcrafters.com/
Concerned Foreign Service Officers is a group of current and former employees of the U.S. Department of State who are concerned about recent abuses of the security clearance process in the Department of State.
yrstruly - world wanderer. world wonderer.
http://www.yrstruly.net/
Blog of a junior officer
who will detail the process of getting into the Foreign Service, life during A-100, ConGen training and subsequent language training. She will be
heading out to her first post, Dhaka, Bangladesh in April 2006. This site includes a blog that is password protected.
To read it, simply send an e-mail to the owner requesting access and stating who you are. She is happy to give out the information
Business/Professional Home Pages
The Ausamerican
http://www.ausmerica.com/blog/
Jeff Porter blogs about the employment issues facing "trailing" spouses.
Baci Jewelry Designs
http://elizabethbaci.com/
Elizabeth Bacigalupo, State Department spouse, offers handcrafted and vintage jewelry for sale on her website.
BPS Photography
http://bpsphoto.com/
Brian Neely is a State Department spouse and professional photographer. His site showcases a growing body of reflective work, all of which is available for purchase.
Cynthia Farrell Johnson
http://www.cfjfinearts.com/index.html
A retired Foreign Service Officer offers an online gallery of original art featuring scenes depicting daily life from home and abroad (Africa and the Americas), still life, landscapes, and abstract designs. Many of these images are also available in note and greeting cards--some featuring poetry by FS spouse Ruth Obee--as well as posters and limited edition digital prints. Originals and reproductions are available for purchase.
David Greedy: Photojournalist
http://www.davidgreedy.com/
This freelance photojournalist and partner of an FSO has worked
extensively in Eastern Europe and South East Asia for major publications. He is available for editorial or feature stories and will be moving to South Asia in April 2006.
The Expert Expatriate
http://www.expatguide.info
Melissa Hess and Patricia Linderman, two State Department spouses, successfully collaborated via email to write The Expert Expatriate: Your Guide to Successful Relocation Abroad, published by Intercultural Press in 2002. Their website has information about both the book and its authors. The two also co-edited Realities of Foreign Service Life, published by AAFSW.
Hess Create!
http://www.writehess.com
Victoria Hess, State Department spouse, offers website design and editing services.
Kate Goggin
http://www.kategoggin.com
Kate Goggin is a Foreign Service spouse (FAS) and freelance writer. Currently relocating to Washington, DC, she is available for short and long term writing assignments.
Kelly's Web Studio
http://www.midurafamily.org/design.htm
Kelly Bembry Midura, State Department spouse and AAFSW webmaster, offers website design and management services.
RNG Educational Consultants
http://www.rebeccagrappo.com
Rebecca Grappo is an educational consultant and Certified Educational Planner with 23 years of experience with Foreign Service life.
The Swimming Lizard
http://www.zazzle.com/wendyqzx*
Wendy Welsh, a Foreign Service spouse, has a gallery of original photography and designs featuring travel scenery, wildlife, flora, and more. Cards, gift items, apparel, and home and office accents are available for purchase. A percentage of the proceeds is donated to AAFSW!
Spy Thrillers
http://www.sigma-books.com/fritzgalt.html
Fritz Galt is a State Department spouse and author of various published
novels in the espionage/thriller genre. Visit his website to read excerpts
from novels written in Yugoslavia, Taiwan, Washington, Switzerland, India,
China, and elsewhere around the world.
Starpoint Woodworking
http://www.starpointwoodworking.com
Douglas Kerr, State Department spouse, owns and operates Starpoint Woodworking,
a custom furniture and cabinetry business.
Tania Teschke Photography
http://www.taniateschke.com/
This Foreign Service spouse specializes in family and children's portraits as well as travel photography.
For more commentary on Foreign Service life, please visit our Articles and Advice section. Visit the State Department's official blog at http://www.blogs.state.gov