My Day in the UN. Episode 1

Many may wonder how I do start and end my day.

I open my eyes in the morning, saying

“It is a new day, get ready for surprises Samar,” I swear I say this. It is not something said for my blog.

I wake up at 6:00 a.m., except in the weekends. I read the daily Jordanian and Arabic News. Then I grab my New York Times newspaper dropped in front of my door at 6:30 am. which I read till 8:00 a.m.

The time of exercising the most boring part of my life comes and I think about what-shall-I-wear-today question. I have to be in suit. And of course, I do iron my cloths in the morning like most of the girls.

I have no breakfast, but I may drink rea with mint or sage. Hunting my keys and my UN ID pass is a daily 30-minute exercise that makes me late for my work most of the time. I take the bus M15 to work. It is a 15-miute trip. I used to bike, but I am a sweating phobic so I do not bike anymore. By the way New York is the best place for biking. Many of you may disagree with me, but I will try to prove it in my coming episodes.

I read the UN daily journal. I jot down the meetings I have to cover while praying that I will have none. Serving for two years in the UN helps you to identify which meetings should be attended and which will have nothing new. The UN has morning and evening sessions, and a two-hour break. Some meetings may fall in the break, which is considered the most heinous act against humanity. UN's work is considered relatively dead durning Summer. But the peak of its work is through September to December of each year.

I read the UN Daily News in order to be aware of UN activites.

And the time comes to my ambassador to call me to his office to follow up the pending issue. We discuss the latest developments on the matters that I cover, which include: (women, children, person with disabilities, youth, …etc.).

Now. It is the time to go to the UN but final things have to be done.

I wear my highh-heel shose and change my bag. I make sure that I have my notebook, my purse and my UN ID pass. I attend the meeting and write down everything. I intervene when it is necessary to state clearly the postion of Jordan on a certain issue or when I have clear instructions from Amman or the ambassador to do so.

That's sound coll so far. But it is much tougher when I have 3 or 4 meetings at the same time.It is a real challenge where my good contacts with other colleagues from different missions help.

By the way what comes around in the UN goes around. Therefore, being kind is a gold rule that helps diplomats to go around.

I do not mind a quick cup of tea with with some colleagues before going back to the mission.This helps to keep yourself up with what is going on around you.

I come back to the mission. I change my high hell shoes to my walking shoes. Then I report back to my capital either just to notify them with the results of my meetings or to seek further instructions when it is required.

To be continued.