The Foreign Service Journal, January 2006

stant touch with my WAE coordinator (for WHA) and other bureaus and offices to let them know my interest and availability. It has not been very encouraging! I’m not quite ready to be a “stay-at-home retiree,” but because an overseas WAE assignment is my first choice, all my other options are on hold. For example, I would like to finish course work toward my B.A. degree (I am a senior at a university), but can’t register for classes in the event I do get called for an assign- ment. I live in Brentwood, Calif., approximately 45 miles from San Francisco. The Bay area is home for me; it’s where I grew up and have family and friends. I am so happy that just before I retired I made the decision to buy a house — a small house in a three-year-old Del Webb active adult community development, a gated community that reminds me of living inside a country club — in spite of the fact it was comparatively expen- sive. It helped that before I retired I knew people who lived here and was very familiar with the lifestyle. The weather is wonderful, there’s a lot to do and a lot of people to do things with (if I want!). I enjoy aerobics, tennis, hiking and walking — all easily accessible in my neighborhood. The negative aspect: now I have to pay for this house, which is another reason I would like to do WAE work! I couldn’t attend any of the Retirement Seminars due to time and cost constraints, but would no doubt have benefited. When I had general questions about retirement, I did not feel there was anyone I could talk to. There was plenty of information on the retire- ment paperwork process, but when I was confused about something I didn’t know whom to contact. If I e-mailed someone, I did not get a reply; when I called, usually no one was there, and my message was never returned. It was frustrating, and it took a lot of time (at post) to constantly follow up with the Retirement Division. I am, however, impressed by the efficiency with which I receive my annuity and TSP annuity payments. The instructions are straightforward, and when they say a payment is going to be made, it is there — the check is in the mail. I am also impressed with RNet, and the effort being made to ensure that all retirees receive the same information. Muriel Luck Brentwood, Calif. utu Life Is Good! I fall into the category of being truly retired and liv- ing outside the D.C. area. My career in the Foreign Service was from 1970 to 2000, and other government employment made for 35 years of service. Although I am from Wyoming, I chose to retire in Red Lodge, Mont., after visiting an aunt during a few home leaves. It was just too friendly to believe. In fact, the town voted not to have the mail delivered to individual addresses because the Post Office is also a daily stop to visit with people. I suppose I should start by saying that it is actually impossible to truly retire in a small town — the oppor- tunity for volunteer and civic involvement is huge and varied. Red Lodge is an engaging town with a popula- tion of about 2,500 that has a touristy side, with a ski mountain and the Beartooth Pass leading to Yellow- stone National Park in its back yard. It is also a work- ing town for local ranchers, farmers, small business enterprises and construction and service-type trades. It is in a beautiful setting, attracting artistic and active outdoor people of all ages. I looked upon Red Lodge as another posting, and from the outset took time to eat a meal in every restau- rant and go into every shop, where I would chat with the staff or owners. I attended City Council meetings, read the newspapers word for word, became certified as an emergency medical technician for Red Lodge Fire and Emergency Medical Service, and participated in speaker evenings at the Friends of the Library and Historical Society. I took Red Cross classes, was appointed by the mayor to work on the Resort Tax Review Committee, helped organize a local women’s health conference, served drinks at fundraising events, became a domestic violence advocate and got involved with the Carbon County Democrats as secretary. I worked the Planned Parenthood booth at the State Fair in Billings, went to Helena during the legislative ses- sion for Women’s Lobbying Day, sterilized instruments at the annual Nip and Tuck (spay/neuter) Clinic, joined a hiking group, played tennis, completed weather spot- ter training and more. On a national level, some of my activities led to going with the Red Cross to Florida in the 2004 hurri- cane season, and responding to a “fire-hire” with F O C U S 60 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 6