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.

Million Dollar Cruise

It didn't cost a million dollars but rather $15 each on the internet coupon site "GrabOne". The fifteen dollar "Million Dollar Cruise" consisted of an hour ride around Lake Wakatipu with a guided commentary from the boat's captain.

I had wanted to do this ride since we got here so when I saw the coupon I snatched it up and booked a spot on our next joint days off. Sean was less than enthused to go on a boat ride in the middle of winter but tolerated it in a similar fashion to how he will probably tolerate the ice skating voucher that I picked up this week. Can't wait!

We lucked out with a beautiful day though it was quite cold and windy especially standing and posing for pictures while exposed at the front of the boat. We saw the different neighborhoods of Queenstown from a different perspective, the historic steamship the Earnslaw and of course the fabulous Hilton Hotel.

On our way back into town we had to go and sit inside the boat to thaw out and met several of the other passengers. They all happened to be from Michigan, of course, and we had a great time chatting with them and hearing about their travels in New Zealand.

It was a great day for a boat ride, but next time I'm not going to book one in winter.

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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

Million Dollar Cruise

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