Spring is here! As March 20th heralds the official beginning of spring we can commence making our plans for the coming gorgeous weeks. We can get outside and enjoy the parks and gardens. We can fly kites at the Mall, enjoy the squirrels, marvel at the cherry blossoms, bid adieu to our bulky coats, scamper on the green grass, smell the roses, and enjoy the ripples on the unfrozen Potomac River. Ah! the possibilities seem limitless…. This month our cover page and our articles reiterate the theme of starting new and also building on the old to reach new heights. Our lead article talks of a very innovative pilot program, the appointment of Country Liaison Officers (CLO) to help spouses and partners with their relocation to a Country Office,that is being implemented at the Jakarta country office. We continue our series on volunteering and this month we bring you another satisfied volunteer who brings to the readers her volunteering experiences at the WBFN. Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life but it can turn mind-boggling when she is in a new place trying to figure out what is what. Read this very insightful article on how some of our members went down this road thought it was necessary to help others who find themselves in a similar situation. Our article on Trailing Spouse is a positive take on situations where one finds herself mumbling “What else to do?” As Asmin says in her article, “Keep in mind that rather than limiting yourself to being only a trailing spouse, there are ways for you to become a prevailing spouse.” It is merely looking at things in a new way…a positive way. Finally, for those of you who are thinking of what to do, know that as the world celebrates International Women’s Day (March 8) there is still so much to be done when it comes to working on Women’s issues…why not make a new beginning on this front?

Vidya Rangan