Philantropist-wannabe: June 2013

I filled in the leave form much earlier. I rearranged my work schedule. I’ve just got to be there on that day.

“Make sure you are here on Friday 14th June..!!”

Hoh.hoh..ho… That warning of hers lingered in my mind since then. That was her last word before we depart, about a couple of months ago.

True enuff….on Friday the 14th, as early as 7:30am, my hubby and I , together with the VVIP (my parents inlaw, who stand on the top level in the family hierarchy) left for the bride’s house. We just didn't want to miss the occasion.

Talking about ‘her’………. within 2 years, Facebook plus our meetings on a few occasions, have grown our relationship closer. I addressed her as elder sister, although we are not biologically related. Her openness and fun-to-be-with character somehow matches the chemistries between us.

Kak Ani, with her meaningful punchlines tickled my hubby too. At times, she could be a great joker, if you could read in between those impromptu lines of hers.

We get along well, at least up to the time this journal is written. May our relationship prolong forever.

That Friday was not just any Fridays. Its was a special Friday for the family, when her only daughter was announced as married woman, witnessed by close relatives and close friends.

That day, I could not get hold of the Bride’s Mom and Dad together though, as they were too busy to stay put.

So.. I went ahead with my own business capturing photographs and hush..hush..( sneaked in to the kitchen and enjoyed the best ‘Nasi Lemak’ in town)

Pretty door gift were perfectly prepared. HUAAAAaaaa…!!!! I didn't get one…!

That night and the night after, there were also special reception for the bride and groom. Poor couple ….. having to stay handsome and pretty posing to the camera continuously for 2 days.

While for the invitees, that was a good time to meet up amongs….

relatives …..

……….brothers and sisters…………

…friends…….

Indeed, it was a busy occasion for the hosts.

owww…it was a good time for a sweet chat between a romantic couple too…

Thank you for inviting us, Kak Ani and Nana Din. We feel truly honored. Judging from the deco, I could tell how much time and effort you have contributed to the big day. Bravo !!! to my BCF. You did your part well as the bride’s Mom.

Congratulation ..!! to the newly wed, Deena and Eddie.

In your daddy’s speech, he did say “ Eddie, thank you for taking over our job” That was a very strong word. Do keep that in mind, dear.

It was election time in Malaysia. May 5th 2013, when my family and I could have enjoyed our vacation to Manila. The long awaited trip had to be cancelled due to the unexpected date of the polling. So, instead of Manila, I ended flying back to my hometown, Lahad Datu.

Avoiding a long queue, my siblings and I decided to go right after lunch, while many would be having their lunch then. Happily, we joined the line.

Within less than half hour, I went home with a colored finger. WAIT..!!!! Dont be mistaken..THAT IS NOT A MIDDLE FINGER…!

4 days later, I was already boarding another flight to Los Angeles, with a very short transit in Narita.

It was such a long haul of about 20hrs journey that I was not in a mood to snap photographs until I touched down at

Tom Bradley International Terminal, LA. Good to have another 2 of my colleagues, Gina and Anuar travelling with me.

The 1st thing attracted our attention was the vending machine that sells computer gadget, including camera and mobile phone, placed by the entrance of LA airport.

8 hours to our next flight to Atlanta gave us so much time to venture the airport area. Everything seemed expensive. The cheapest we could find was key chain About USD6 x 3= RM18. We bought some as souvenirs.

Next we walked out to search for checkin counter, but all we found were checkin kiosks. We did our checkin and enjoyed the outside weather.

Look !! a restaurant that looks like one in Star Track..!! My colleague pointed.

There, we went………..

I looked at my time. It was 6am Malaysian time, but in LA,it was almost dinner. Hmm… lets just order something light.. Clam Chowder USD8x3=RM24 and Edamame USD8x3=RM24. That how our mind was calculation whenever we looked at price. We ended paying USD37x3=RM111

At the end of the 8 hours waiting, we boarded Delta Airline to Atlanta. Another 4.5hrs flight.

No…no… that was not the final destination. We had to board on a small airplane (Fokker) From Atlanta to Ronoake. Another 3.5hours to sit in flight. huhhh…. It was 8:30am on Saturday when we landed in Ronoake.

Tim was there waited patiently for us. He was the same nice guy who fetched us during our last trip to this place 3 years ago. Tim looks as young as our last meeting, while me and my partner are aging like nobody’s business :-(

It took 45 minutes drive to our final destination, Blacksburg, passing by Christianburg, Virginia, the shopping place.

It was yet a time for shopping. That day was for time and mind bearing adjustment.

As soon as we reached Blacksburg, we walked about half a mile to the grocery store, Kroger.

Milk, shrimp cocktail, pickled gherkins, strawberry, cereals and instant noodles are among those in our shopping bags.

uhhh..!! heavy, but lucky for us…it was a nice cooling weather.

The rest of the Saturday evening was for ZZzzzz….zzz….

The next morning (Sunday)..free at leisure…!! but we didnt have transport and it was raining and ggrrrrr….rrr….colder than the day before. so… Zzzzz..zzzz…..

Wake up..!! its time to meet the boss…….!

Nabil, our colleague from Barcelona gave us a wakeup call. By 4pm we have got to be at our boss’s house.

Wow…….that's all I could express as we reached the ranch.

We received a very warm welcome from the host and his family.

By 6pm, we were all seated and ready for dinner at one of Indian restaurant in town.

The following day, we were awaken by a loud speaker asking all hotel guests to go out of the hotel. I was in the washroom trying to figure out what to wear on that 1st day of work. The voice from the loud speaker helps indeed. I grabbed the shirt, got myself dressed, grabbed the shawl and rushed out.

A few were earlier than me. In a few minutes, a fire truck arrived.

False alarm…

Upon getting an ‘okay’ from the loud speaker, we all rushed back to the room and got ready for work.

That day and the day after…and the day after…and the day after…. were strictly business, from breakfast to dinner time.

Discussion…

Discussion………..

Discussion……

Dinner..

We hardly have time to mingle, except in between, during the break or early morning before the meeting start.

Everyday we kept on wondering if we ever get a chance to shop.

On the 3rd day, at last, Nabil, was willing to drive us to Christianburg.

Passing by the houses reminded me of Terre Haute, Indiana.

The University buildings are looking great and neat.

15 minutes later we reached the departmental store, The Ross.

“OK guys 20 minutes only…we don't want to be late for dinner gathering….” Nabil instructed.

hah..??!!!! what could be stuffed into the trolley within 20 minutes???

We all rushed all over the store looking for anything that is made in USA. None! We ended with items made in China, Cambodia, Indonesia and also Malaysia. Not much we could bring to the cashier.

That was called shopping.

On the 4th day, we left the office earlier. Others went shopping, while Gina and I could not join as our time were booked to meet up with our Finance Director. He and his wife, Sharon treated us for dinner.

Thanks Sharon and George..!.