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.

Christmas in Changzhou

There might not be any snow outside but the Christmas season is in full swing inside my apartment. A few weeks ago I sent out some Christmas cards, started playing Christmas music and made a list of some Christmas DVDs that I want to see (Home Alone, Elf and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) to jumpstart the holiday season.

I also bought a little tree, some tinsel and some cheap and horribly tacky ornaments to decorate the tree complete with a star on top. The lights that I bought have an impressive eight settings that range anywhere from quick twinkle, slow twinkle, alternating twinkle, all-fade, slow-fade, and one random and spastic setting that I can't figure out quite yet.

My Christmas season has had a little help from my peeps back home and I am thoroughly enjoying the detailed handmade snowflakes that currently reside on my windows and doors (thanks Ben, Ally, Hannah and Sofia!). There are wrapped presents under the tree and stockings hanging above my desk (thanks Mom and Dad!) and we have been receiving surprise Christmas packages from friends (thanks Em!). I got a package from my parents today and it made me giddy with excitement for the rest of the night. It is going to be sooo hard not to open stuff before the 25th! I think I am most excited about the hand-sewn stockings for all of the English teachers - so cool! I hope that I am just like my Mom and Dad some day =)

All of the English teachers are going to have a Christmas party together this year. It should be pretty low-key and fun and there is talk about a "white elephant" gift exchange which should be entertaining. The university is also throwing a Christmas banquet and there are rumors about possibly going caroling afterwards in the dorms. We'll see what happens. Until then, we're wishing you a Merry Christmas from half a world away!

Read More 2 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

2 comments

David on December 14, 2009 at 12:50 PM

You MUST go caroling.
Amanda on December 14, 2009 at 2:20 PM

Hi Sarah,

Just wanted to let you know that I LOVE reading your blog! I guess you're a long ways away from the Rockettes. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Mandy

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

Christmas in Changzhou

2 comments