Around The World In 72 Days - Bragging On Venerable Pulisha

 DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE...only two more China posts to go!

I do a lot of teasing of Daughter #2 on this blog. But in reality, she (and her husband) hold down very responsible jobs representing our country around the world as members of our Foreign Service. They have both accomplished much more than anyone might have expected looking at their earliest young adult years. We are very proud of them. 

We had the opportunity to see #2 in action. If you pay attention to the news you will see various government people running around the world meeting all kinds of other people. All of these trip require incredible amounts of coordination involving people on the ground in the country, people in the foreign governments of all levels, people in our government back in the U.S. As you can imagine there is more than one large ego or Prima Donna on has to deal with. There is more than one person who thinks they know what to do even if their information is decades out of date. And the higher ranking a person is, the more complex the coordination, and the more likely the one doing the coordinating will get the blame if something goes wrong. It is a very stressful assignment. 

There are people who actually have this as part of their job description in the Foreign Service based at each embassy and consulate. When the one of the highest ranking officials of our government (and your boss) is visiting your consulate which is in one of the most consequential country relationships affecting our country, it is a big, big deal. And when the Ambassador who oversees this important relationship personally requests that you handle the Secretary of State's visit over many other potential candidates, it is a big deal. And a massive load of stress.

#2 found out about this assignment the day before we were to leave on our trip. And the even took place during our last week in China. Wife and I only got a glimpse of all the communication she was doing day and night the whole time we were there...and still trying to be the dutiful daughter. At the very end of the visit, the Secretary of State does a meet and greet with his employees and their families at the Consulate. He's their CEO and it's important to any organization that the rank and file feel they've been seen and heard by their leaders. 

Truth be told, I resisted MIGHTILY going to this. I have a genuine and deep dislike of the trappings of power and HATE having to take part in what I feel is a sop to egos. 2B and I had a real to do over this for days. In the end, (as 2B beat into my consciousness) it meant a lot to #2, he, and the family that their work and commitment be recognized. So off I went. 

And if I am to be equally honest, a lot of the proceedings struck me exactly where my preconceived thoughts lay. Almost no one had chairs (though 2B secured those for Wife, and I, and the kids). The majority had to stand for about an hour waiting for the motorcade to arrive. And there was this absolutely hilarious (though it was not meant to be) MC. It could have come right from Saturday Night Live. Music is blaring. Everyone is there simply to see, hear, and show respect for the Secretary of State. She is telling everyone to keep on partying and having a good time when all everyone wants is for the SoS to arrive. And to top it off she keeps saying, "We want you to be relaxed, natural, and unscripted." And then proceeds to tell everyone EXACTLY what they are to do, where they are to do it, and when they are to do it!.

But, I will be equally honest and state, I was very glad to have the opportunity to hear Secretary of State Blinken talk. I was impressed that a person of power,  involved with negotiations of the highest level, could talk in a manner that was direct, appropriate for the audience, and with real meaning.

 

2B in Full Professional Regalia

"de-I, you behave or else...here's a beer to keep you quiet."

2B was insistent, INSISTENT that we hide our phones and not take pictures.

And where was the star of our family show? The one behind the scenes making it all happen? See the tallest person with the bald head? Her head can be barely seen at his shoulder.

After the Secretary's talk, they invited the children of the Consulate's employees to come up on the stage. Somehow our grandchildren managed to get their own slot right next to the Secretary and Ambassador Burns on Stage. That's 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 right next to him.

We gave 2.2 a load of grief for her 'schmoozing up' the Secretary