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.

Tiny appliances = better portion control?

Sean and I have been on a bit of a tiny appliance shopping spree and it's been so much fun (even if every edible product from said machines are mini versions of the American size). Some of the appliances we found used at second hand stores and others we got at the local "J-Mart". My favorite one is the waffle maker which makes mini waffles about the size of your palm. It has been nice for making relaxing bunches on the weekend and also for making extra batches, freezing them and then toasting them in the oven for weekday breakfasts in a rush.

Our second purchase was a tiny air popper. We don't have a microwave and microwave popcorn isn't really a thing here so when we saw the popcorn maker we snatched it up. It makes a small bowl of popcorn and can hold 1/4 cup of seeds. Our most recent purchase was a tiny pink electric hand mixer which we've already put to use making Halloween cookies and cupcakes. It's called "La La Cute" which seems appropriate. One might think that tiny appliances should logically lead to smaller portions without even trying but so far this is proving to be untrue. Let the holiday baking commence!

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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

Tiny appliances = better portion control?

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