photo credit: @gaellemarcel via Unsplash
Hi friends. It’s time for a little life update. My parents were here for (almost) three weeks! That’s the only news I really want to share. They couldn’t have come at a better time and they’ve just been the distraction that I needed. I am planning to share a more detailed recap post, but I can already say that we had the best time together. We didn’t travel much, but this was the whole point: to have them stay at our home, hang out, take day trips, go shopping and do day-to-day stuff.
My Mom’s birthday was at the beginning of the month and I was so thrilled we got to celebrate together. My dad spent time at a local golf course a couple of times, and my mom and I explored Sacramento and its vicinity by visiting Apple Hill, walking the Johnny Cash Trail, and going on a walking tour around downtown to see some of Sacramento’s many, many murals. We also went to Napa Valley for a day and later that evening met up with my cousin and his girlfriend now-wife in San Francisco (during their layover on the way to Mexico). Sadly, my parents left on Sunday and I am trying to readjust to life without them here.
In other news, the Government Shutdown in the US is happening and we’re officially entering the 4th week today, which makes this the second-longest shutdown in history. (The longest one was in 2018/2019 and lasted 35 days.)
Because some of you have asked; yes, I – and a bunch of other federal employees – have been furloughed since October 1.
In case you’re not familiar how government shutdowns work, I’ll brieflly explain. When Congress fails to pass funding legislation (appropriations bills or a continuing resolution) by the start of a new fiscal year (October 1) or before current funding expires, parts of the federal government stop operating. Agencies must cease all non-essential operations until a new funding bill is signed. The shutdown happened because lawmakers couldn’t agree on whether to extend health-care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, how much to cut domestic and foreign aid programs, and general spending levels for key government programs.
During a shutdown, federal employees are put into two categories:
a) ‘non-duty, non-pay status’ where we may not work at our workplace or other alternative worksite unless and until a continuing resolution or appropriation is approved. We will also not be paid during that time.
b) ‘excepted status’ where we are expected to work without pay performing work that is considered ‘excepted work’. Excepted employees are technically not furloughed but are working without pay.
Common examples for excepted work are:
- Law enforcement (FBI, federal police, prison guards)
- National security (military operations, intelligence)
- Emergency medical care (VA hospitals, urgent health services)
- Air traffic control and aviation safety
- Border protection and immigration enforcement
- Disaster response (FEMA workers during emergencies)
- Protection of federal property
- Certain IT and cybersecurity roles essential to ongoing operations
Impacts of a shutdown:
- National parks may close or operate with limited staff
- Passport and visa delays
- Delays in federal loans or permits
- Research, grants, and some health programs pause
- Economic Impact (shutdowns can shake consumer and business confidence, affecting stock markets and overall economic growth).
In my agency, there are not a lot of excepted employees and most of us have been furloughed.
I’ll be honest: I didn’t care too much when my parents were here. I was more than happy to spend time with them and NOT worry about work for once (also, I am tired and I needed the break).
I was a bit bummed that I couldn’t attend (and present my research) at at conference that was happening at the beginning of October, but we found a work around (my colleagues and I recorded our presentations in advance), so that our work could still be presented to our peers. I still very much believe in the work that I do, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to work for this administration regime which is playing with all of our livelihoods.
I am in support of Democrats taking a stand and not rubber-stamping partisan bills. It’s insane to me that the official White House Website (which I won’t link – go google it) blames the Democrats for the shutdown, when Republicans are the ones who are not willing to govern and negotiate.
I am not in support of fighting this out at the expense of federal workers and regular people. Keep in mind, federal workers are furloughed despite doing their jobs while Congress is being paid NOT doing theirs. (It’s truly mind-boggling how many times we’ve been through this, and how the regime is now trying to use the shutdown to also implement more RIFs (reductions in force). You might not be feeling the impact yet, but trust me, you will soon enough.
As 2025 has taught me, I’ll be taking it one day at a time. What else is there to do? (Oh, besides joining protests and attending town halls.)
Melissa
October 22, 2025 at 2:51 pmSan, I’ve been thinking about you while reading about this in the news. It doesn’t seem like the republicans are making any effort at all to keep the government going. The visit by your parents certainly came at the right time, though, since you were able to spend time with them when you would have normally been working. It sounds like you made the most of it.
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:31 pmThank you, Melissa. I definitely tried to just focus on the precious time with my parents while there were here. It’s not like there was anything else for me to do ;)
J
October 22, 2025 at 4:27 pmI’m so sorry that the shut down has affected you, and so many others. I am glad that if it was going to happen, it happened at a time when your parents were here to help take your mind off of everything, and that you were able to enjoy your time with them and ignore work responsibilities.
I have a Canadian friend who called me months ago, upset because the news there was making it look like everyone supported Trump. Uh, NO. I was happy to let her know that there are a LOT of us here who are VERY UNHAPPY about all of this. We are not OK.
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:32 pmYes, I agree, at least the shutdown happened when I was thoroughly distracted by my parents’ visit. Definitely a silver-lining.
Allison McCaskill
October 22, 2025 at 5:18 pmWow, this is a real high and low post. So glad your visit with your parents was so amazing. So sorry this government is constantly finding new (or old) ways to screw its people. Working without pay while they don’t work and get paid – unbelievable (except sadly not really).
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:33 pmThank you, Allison. I appreciate your support.
Lisa’s Yarns
October 23, 2025 at 4:23 amI have been thinking about you as I assumed you were furloughed. I really wish the parties could come together and reopen the government. It’s maddening that our poor federal workers are going without pay! I am so angry on your behalf! And then to hacd government websites blaming one party? Sigh.
I am glad you had your parents visit to focus on, though. It sounds like a wonderful trip! Staying close to home is always nice and you have so much to do within driving distance!
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:33 pmThank you, Lisa. I appreciate the emotional support. This is all so maddening.
Jenny
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 amWait. How is it fair that “excepted” employees are expected to work without pay? What if they don’t want to? Are they reimbursed when things are up and running again? Anyway… glad your furlough coincided with your parents visit at least- and it sounds like you had a wonderful time with them.
Fingers crossed that this is all resolved soon.
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:34 pm“Fair” is no a word I would even remotely use with this administration – nothing is fair! Technically, federal workers will be reimbursed when the shutdown is over, but who knows what else FDT is going to come up with.
Birchie
October 23, 2025 at 5:38 amI’m so glad that you had the time with your parents. My job is paying people, so it’s mind boggling to me that that can just be shut off.
I hear you with “you might not be feeling the impact yet, but trust me, you will soon enough”.
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:35 pmThanks Birchie. It’s truly mind-boggling that people are not being paid while the legislators are not doing their jobs!
Michelle G.
October 23, 2025 at 5:53 amI’m sure that having your parents visit was a very nice distraction at a difficult time, and how wonderful that they could come for three weeks! I really hope that the shutdown gets resolved soon. Yes, we will all be feeling the impact, federal worker or not.
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:35 pmThanks for the support, Michelle. It means a lot.
Suzanne
October 23, 2025 at 6:19 amOh San. What a roller coaster. The government shutdown is so wild. Thank you for the explanation — it was much clearer than anything I’ve read thus far. I don’t even know WHAT to hope for, except that you are able to resume getting an income.
What a wonderful time for your family to visit, though! I bet that was a fantastic distraction, and nice to be able to spend time with them without having to worry about / go to work.
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:35 pmYou’re so right, Suzanne. I don’t know what to hope for either… it’s all such a sh*tshow.
Nicole MacPherson
October 23, 2025 at 12:36 pmWowza. As a Canadian who tries to pay as little attention to the goings-on of the US as possible, I had no idea that there was such a thing as an excepted employee and that such a person had to work without pay. There’s another name for that, and it’s not a nice one. I’m sorry that you are furloughed, that must be extremely stressful on every level. I’m happy to have this explanation because when I hear “government shutdown” I just kind of sing LALALALA WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW because everything is so terrible and ridiculous. So I didn’t really know what it all meant, and now I do, and it’s still terrible and ridiculous, but at least I have some understanding of it.
That said, what great timing for your parents to visit. I’m sure it was wonderful to have them here.
Something that crossed my mind – and this may be way too personal for the blog – but I wonder if you would ever consider moving back to Germany? I don’t know if your skills are transferrable but I figure they probably are, you are a smart woman. Now that Jon’s mom has passed, it seems to me that you might not have a lot of family around, and maybe…I don’t know. Germany seems like a better option right now (of course, I say this with no actual research or knowledge, just a feeling).
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:38 pmI don’t blame you for not paying attention, Nicole. This is all so maddening and I wish I could just ignore all of it, too.
To answer your question, I have thought about moving back to Germany (it’s always a plan X in the back of my mind and I love that we have the option) but it sounds easier said than done. I’ve been here my whole adult life and I love California, but yeah, at least we have options.
ernie
October 23, 2025 at 1:26 pmWow, on the one hand – hooray for a great visit with your folks. I can only imagine the adjustment you have after they’ve left, especially when it was such an enjoyable time. I’m happy that their visit served as a nice distraction from the government stuff.
Thanks for explaining the background and the details of govt. shutdowns. What a load of crap. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I agree, it makes no sense for one party to blame another here. I wish there was more of an effort to work together. That would make too much sense. ugh.
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:39 pmIt’s always so hard to say goodbye to my parents, regardless of them visiting here or me visiting home, but I am so thankful for the precious time we had.
The shutdown is a sh*tshow and I wish we wouldn’t have to deal with this mess.
Daria
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 pmHi San,
Thanks for taking the time to explain this issue so well. I am very sorry you have to deal with this unfair and infuriating situation. You’ve been on my mind since I knew you are a federal worker.
I am happy to hear you have had quality time with your parents. That is just wonderful. I have not been able to speak to my parents (only message) since what’s app stopped working in Russia :/
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:40 pmThank you, Daria. I appreciate your thoughts… and I am so terribly sad to hear that you haven’t been able to speak with your parents because Whatsapp stopped working in Russia! Is there no other way to reach them at all? This must be so hard!
Tierney
October 24, 2025 at 5:53 amI’m so glad you had such a nice extended time with your parents! I’m looking forward to heading out to Sacramento in December- I have a loose plan to check out the “Fabulous 40s” neighborhood decorated for the holidays.
Another thing about the shutdown that some don’t realize is that it impacts Americans across the country. The federal government isn’t just the “baddies in DC.”
San
October 24, 2025 at 1:41 pmThank you, Tierney! And the “Fab 40s” around Christmas time are wonderful – I am so glad you’re planing to visit! Be prepared for some crowds! :)
Tobia | craftaliciousme
October 26, 2025 at 3:58 amArghhh this is so so frustrating.
I am sure while your parents were around it wasn’t too annoying (besides the not getting paid stuff) but now…
Thank you for explaining what is happening.
I know some similar thing is sometimes happening in Germany but it doesn’t affect people as in not getting their pay. But projects suffer tremendously. I am part of an association living from these funds and last year lots of projects were on hold.
Anne
November 8, 2025 at 12:08 pmI am so frustrated for you and your coworkers. You do not deserve this. At all. No one does. The dysfunction just builds, day by day. Thinking of you and Jon and hope that you are finding a bit of light in a really, really challenging stretch of time. <3