Work Life.

Our office in Beijing is my organization's single largest office in the world. Kind of gives you the impression that the U.S. perceives China as important, doesn’t it? In Beijing alone we have a staff of over 70, while our numbers total 140 throughout China. Many of these employees are Chinese who are bilingual and assist us in making connections with the local business community.

That's my office on the top floor.

I am currently working on the 31^st floor of a high rise building in downtown Beijing. The U.S. Embassy building is just a few blocks away, but space there is limited. A brand new Embassy building is currently being constructed, and when it is completed in 2008, all U.S. personnel will be consolidated under one roof. With the Olympics around the corner, it seems as if everything currently under construction is set to be completed before the games begin.

The view from my office, showing off the best air quality since i arrived.

Foreign service officers rotate to their new posts during the summer months and gaps between officers are a regular occurrence. I am currently filling in the gap for an officer who recently left for Australia, while the next officer prepares to arrive from DC in August. It is a fascinating life, and the officers i am working with are all very dynamic.

The view on an "average" day; on a "poor" day, i can't see ANYTHING!

In addition to the Foreign Service officers, we work with quite a few Chinese. My Chinese colleagues are quite savvy and their dedication is inspiring. They also have made every effort to make me feel welcome. My first week, several of my new colleagues offered to take me out for lunch to a famous local restaurant. The food was fantastic!

Our male colleague who was invited couldn't make it.. seriously!