“A Day in the Life” is a series where we’ll profile a variety of residents to get an intimate glimpse into their day-to-day. These are your neighbors. Get to know them.

If you made a New Year’s resolution to travel more often in 2014, you’re not alone. Many of us want to devote more time to seeing the world, learning about various cultures and (of course) eating a wide variety of cuisines (myself included). Fortunately, there are Consulates with Consular officers throughout the world to help travelers with passport issues and any emergencies or crises they may encounter.

Jacqueline Greenlaw (on left, above) is one such Consular officer who works at the British Consulate-General in Boston. Her days are unpredictable (to say the least), but she is certainly making the most of her time here in the Hub. After the Boston Marathon, the Consular officer spent three days visiting every hospital and hotel in the city, checking on British nationals to assist them during the tragedy.

Here, the Consular officer tells BostInno about her always unpredictable days. She also has quite a few helpful travel tips to help you with your New Year’s resolutions.

What do you love most about living in Boston?

The city is small enough that people are willing to lend a hand, particularly during an emergency. It makes my job that much easier, for which I am grateful. I also love that Bostonians are passionate about sports, and how it brings families together.

How do you spend most mornings?

No morning is the same in consular work and one telephone call can change my whole day. I may need to visit prisons as far away as the Canadian border, issue an emergency passport or assist a family with repatriating human remains to the UK. Alternatively, I might have meetings with state and federal agencies and other officials.

If you could impart one piece of advice to our readers, what would it be?

If you are visiting abroad, PLAN AHEAD! Keep your passport current, carefully review travel advice, visa and vaccination requirements for your destination, and familiarize yourself with the location of your nearest Embassy or Consulate overseas.  Educate yourself; be aware of cultural differences and local laws.

What is the worst part and the best part about your typical day as a Consular officer?

The worst part is seeing British nationals in distress, during their (often long-awaited) vacation, which should be a happy time. The best part is being able to help them resolve their problems and guide them through a very stressful and upsetting period.

What would you do if you were suddenly granted a day off from work tomorrow?

Spend the day at Kripalu Centre in the Berkshires enjoying yoga, meditation, a long walk and a massage.

What’s one TV show you can’t live without right now?

I don’t watch much TV.  But when I do, I am not patient enough to wait between episodes and so I “binge” over the weekend (watching a whole series). I’m hoping to see the new movie Philomena [with Dame Judi Dench] this week, which is showing at Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline.

If you weren’t answering my questions, what would you be doing instead?

Administration… yes, it comes with every job and mine is no exception.