I don't have much to say right now other than...I met Hillary Clinton today!!!! I wasn't really expecting to be able to meet her, as I spent a good part of my morning sitting through a security briefing at the embassy to get my official badge (an interesting process in itself) and didn't think I would get cleared in time.. But life sometimes seems to work things out, and along with my other IIE employees, embassy staff, and their families, I went to her "meet and greet" tonight!!! Pictures to come...

While waiting for hours and hours in a "locked down" windowless embassy room, "Hiliria" Clinton arrived only an hour or so late with a sea of Secret Service men. There were probably 100+ employees (plus many of their children) but I was able to get right up front as she spoke. My view was only somewhat obstructed by a balding, stocky, U.S. commerce official in suit and tie with an enormous camera he must have taken 100 pictures with over the course of her 20 minute visit. There was quite a clamor when she came in- and she made a few short but sweet remarks. She looked just like on tv, maybe just more human. Of her 9 minutes talking, she actually spent many of them talking about how important she thought the work in educational exchanges these offices are doing. She talked about students she had met with from Oaxaca earlier in the day- students my office and boss here worked directly with!! I met one of the students yesterday, and he had gone on a program to the U.S. for a number of weeks last year, and is now back in Oaxaca doing really great work in the areas of social justice and human rights. Everyone I work with was pretty excited when she started talking about that!!! She took some time to take a group shot with all of the children in the audience- she was swarmed with 30 kids giving her hugs and taking pictures.

She made her rounds in the room to shake hands after cutting a ribbon for some formality- and I got a friendly hello (just like everyone else) and a firm Clinton handshake. Pretty exciting for week two on the job! Obama's visit is mid-April....one can only hope for a similar event!!!

Work continues on...our office is insanely busy and the word 'multitask' is taking on a whole new meaning. I can't wait for my weekend escape to a cabaña outside of DF....