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.

Jug Night

Working at a ski lodge has only served to re-confirm that I am %100 an introvert. This company has got to be one of the most social and event-oriented companies that I have ever worked for. There is something going on which is ski-related almost every single night of the week: staff night skiing, staff tubing, mixers, theme parties . . . it's like the first few months of college but in the snow.

The biggest night of the week is called "Jug Night" and refers to the night after payday. Every department plans a new and different Jug Night each week such as a dinner out, bowling, drinks, dessert etc. I've asked some of the drivers who have been here forever and they said it's called Jug Night because the numerous bars in Queenstown used to serve up drink specials in large jugs to the masses of ski staff on payday. Now, there are no more jugs to be found but the name stuck and the most common question that can be heard on Thursdays is, "So what are you doing for Jug Night?"

I'm helping out with this evening event and I'm not quite sure what an 'off the hook FMX demo' is yet

I've been to a few Jug Nights and a scattering of other mixers but usually I'm quite content to go home after work, have a cup of soup and read or watch a movie. Sometimes I get hassled about not going out all the time but usually I get a free pass from the peer pressure because a) I'm married b) I'm over 30 and c) I have an increasing amount of gray hair. Trying to keep up with the social Joneses is exhausting.

Read More 3 comments | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

3 comments

Steve Sanderson on August 13, 2012 at 8:43 AM

Sarah, I LOVE your blog postings! First thing I read every morning. Keep them coming! Happy anniversary...HI to Sean. Cousin Steve (Hamerson)
Linde on August 13, 2012 at 2:50 PM

I know what you mean about cozy nights at home. When Joe was still in school there was much more night life with the 20 year olds and I was like an old lady.
:-)
Erica on August 17, 2012 at 10:54 AM

If you're an introvert, what the heck am I?? Maybe you're just not 16 anymore and content with the people and surroundings in your life. Granted I know you have a quiet side, I always thought of you as very social, and obviously, the most adventurous person I know! :)

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

Jug Night

3 comments