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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.

Marmite


One of the things that many Kiwis really like to eat is a spread called Marmite. Marmite is a sticky brown spread that comes in a jar. Kiwis like to spread it on buttered toast, sandwiches or on crackers. Marmite is made from yeast extract which is a by-product of brewing beer. There are a few versions of Marmite: one from Britain, Australia and New Zealand. The version in Australia is called Vegemite.


It is said that concerning Marmite, most have a love/hate relationship. I can say with confidence that I definitely do not love Marmite. It tastes strong, salty, and yeasty - it's what I would imagine sucking on a beef bouillon cube would be like. At work, there are jars of jam, honey, Marmite and peanut butter to spread on your toast and Marmite is definitely a popular choice. Maybe the flavor has to grow on you.


New Zealand Marmite is only manufactured in one factory in Christchurch. Due to the earthquakes and recent strong aftershocks, the company has shut down creating panic-stricken Kiwi Marmite fans. When the news of imminent shutdown reached the nation, mass buying of Marmite ensued and now people are selling it on NZ's version of eBay for over 200x the original price. When we went to the supermarket yesterday I saw the "Marmite Shortage" signs all over the place. I'm thankful that I don't need a Marmite fix to get through my morning, but I'm sad for the other housekeepers that do.

Thank goodness that there isn't a similar Nutella shortage . . . now there's a spread that I am learning not to live without!
Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson edit post

1 Comment

  1. FilthyMcNasty on April 11, 2012 at 10:44 PM

    Did you happen to notice the brand of that Marmite? Sanitarium! Is that too funny?!

     


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    Sarah Sanderson
    I am currently in Mandarin language training as a new diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. Sean and I depart for Wuhan, China in November 2019 for my first tour in consular affairs.
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