During our time in the Foreign Service, we have been assigned to many of the capitals of the world. In each of these places we were provided with a safe and secure place to live. We stayed two or three years at each location and became very familiar with what we could see from our …
The news this week was filled with stories of people who died while attempting to cross the sea from Libya to Italy. Hundreds of people trying to escape lives of oppression, war and poverty only made it to a watery grave. Those desperate people paid huge amounts of money to be smuggled in cramped vessels …
The Embassy Community Liaison Office in Beijing planned a special shopping bus trip to some highly recommended furniture shops in Beijing. The trip was scheduled for Sunday when we normally attend Church. Susan was in a dilemma. She was invited by her close friend, and this was a chance to spend the day with her …
I tried to do it my way, but that didn’t work. I tried to be good and failed. I tried to follow the rules, but that didn’t last long. I tried to be what everyone expected, but fell short in their eyes and mine. I tried to do better, but couldn’t. I tried the latest …
Most people tend to be open and sociable if they like the attention you give them. If you inquire into a subject that is embarrassing or they don’t want to make public, they will tell you to mind your own business. What exactly is “my business?” I understand the desire for privacy. Some things aren’t …
