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.

How to speak like a Skiwi

In our Crew Handbooks, there is a section entitled, "Say What? - A quick guide to terminology." Not only am I learning lots of fun and different slang and phrases from Kiwis and Aussies, but I'm also exposed to all the lingo and jargon that the serious shredders and carvers use. Here's just a few (word for word from my handbook) of the terms that we are encouraged to memorize and use:

Traveling up the "magic carpet" at the Remarkables

Piste: A marked ski run or path down a mountain for skiing or snowboarding. In North America this would be called a trail, a slope or a groomed run. Advanced skiers and riders can travel "off-piste."

Cat: A snowcat is a tracked vehicle used for maintaining and preparing trails. Also called a groomer.

Corduroy: When a cat freshly grooms a trail it will leave a finely ridged surface which is called corduroy. Corduroy is nice for laying out clean turns.

Magic Carpet: A type of surface lift (commonly called a conveyor) used to transport skiers and snowboarders up the hill.

Bluebird day: A beautiful sunny day after an overnight snowfall. It's a perfect skiing day with a clear blue sky, bright sun and fresh snow.

Yard Sale

Powder day: A day after/during an amazing snowfall on the mountain where the ski area is transformed into a slice of heaven by light, fluffy, dry snow. Many area businesses allow their employees one or two paid "powder days" in their contracts.

Jib: Jibbing, or "goofing around" on a snowboard or skis; doing small technical tricks in a playful manner. The act of riding on something other than snow i.e. rails, trees, garbage cans, logs etc.

Steez: Style with ease

Corduroy snow

Snake: A term used to describe someone who cuts in front of you in th elift line or drops in front of you in the terrain park.

Yard sale: Bad spill that strips you of your hat, gloves, goggles, glasses, backpack etc.

Grommet (Grom): Another name for a small, young snowboarder

Punter: This is a swear word. As with all swear word, please refrain from using.

One of the biggest current fads is to ski/board with a "GoPro" or a small camera attached to your helmet especially while doing tricks in the terrain park. Here is a video one of the staff made of some of the regulars showing off at the Remarkables.

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

1 Comment

ARSwolverine on July 30, 2012 at 9:54 PM

I hope you haven't been having too many yard sales!

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

How to speak like a Skiwi

1 Comment