U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad. The work that diplomats do has an impact on the world as they serve at one of any of the more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.

The duties of a Consular Officer include to provide emergency and non-emergency services to American citizens and protect our borders through the proper adjudication of visas to foreign nationals and passports to American citizens. We adjudicate immigrant and non-immigrant visas, facilitate adoptions, help evacuate Americans, combat fraud, and fight human trafficking. Consular Officers touch people’s lives in important ways, often reassuring families in crisis. They face many situations which require quick thinking under stress and develop and use a wide range of skills, from managing resources and conducting public outreach to assisting Americans in distress.

Birthday number 25

Even though I was far away from home, I had a really good time on my birthday and my Chilean family and friends made me feel special and loved. On Friday morning, June 9, my mom had told me that I needed to be back home that night at 8:30 pm for a big family dinner for my birthday and I promised her I would be there. I had a really good day on Friday: we had fun in track and field in the morning and then I spent the rest of the day with my language partner, Natalia at the big art exhibit in town (Goya, Picasso, Miro) and then we went out for coffee.

When I opened the door of my apartment at about 8:45 pm I was surprised to see all of my friends and my family sitting in the living room with balloons and lots of food. The night was filled with lots of joking, toasts, great food, music and gifts. The boys brought me flowers, Katie made me chocolate banana cake, Brittany made me fudge, my family gave me some great chilean looking jeans and the whole group got together to give me an authentic chilean bag and socks filled with lots of candy.

After the fun at home we walked down to the corner to the Plaza Nunoa where one of our favorite bars -Hachi Biachi- is located and spent a few more hours talking and sharing stories.

All in all it was one of the most memorable birthdays I have ever had and I feel lucky that I have such a cool group of friends and family here. Thanks guys! I love you all!

Read More 9 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

9 comments

Wendy on June 12, 2006 at 5:10 AM

Wait a sec, Sarah, your birthday's on the 9th? Really? How did we not know that? (That's Nick's b-day too, so it's my double favorite day now.)
Wendy on June 12, 2006 at 5:11 AM

And it goes without saying, "Happy Bithday! Wish we were there!" ;p
Anonymous on June 13, 2006 at 3:36 PM

Sarah,

How awesome is that!!!! Happy birthday. I must have missed the notifier on Facebook. Oops :) I'm so glad you had such a great time!!!!! :)
Anonymous on June 13, 2006 at 3:37 PM

Above comment by Tally.... yeah.. hehe :)
Anonymous on June 13, 2006 at 8:16 PM

Sarah,
I missed calling you this year on your birthday! It looks like you had a great 25th. I was in Michigan for my brother's wedding a couple weeks ago, so I thought of you while I was there. Happy birthday!

Lovin' from Philly,
e
Katie on June 16, 2006 at 5:19 AM

Sarah,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I've missed you bunches, but I'm glad I have been able to live vicariously through your blogspot.
Love ya girl!!
Anonymous on June 19, 2006 at 10:05 AM

Sa!!!

YouR HAir IS lOVelY!!! I liKE iT... And DenG U SuRE HAd a pAr-Teeh!!!! HappY BiRthDay!!!!

In ITAlY RiTE noW,
W (^_*)
Anonymous on January 24, 2007 at 3:53 PM

oye gringa... porqué has dejado de escribir?
Natalia desde Chile on February 16, 2007 at 12:06 AM

Hola lokilla!!! tanto tiempo me lei todo tu blog..completito!! jajaj espero que estes bien y supongo que trabajando a full( asi se dice aca) jjaja no escribo en ingle spor que me da miedo jajaja imaginate digo algo mal? todos tus amigos sabran!1 que verguanza galla me mato!!! jajajaja ya mi niña espero que estes bien cuidate y saludos

Wanderlust

In Mandarin: 旅遊癮 (lǚyóu yǐn)

According to my Mandarin teacher, the term 'wanderlust' can best be translated as 'a travel addiction or craving'. In the above translation, 'yǐn' has several meanings such as 'a strong impulse', 'a longing', or 'a desire'.

U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

Birthday number 25

9 comments