G%ood news : Lug5g5ag5e bag5 found. (^.^)
Not so g5ood news : Accidentally spilled water onto keyboard. Now my g5 and h6 are beh6aving5 funny. (T.T)
Showing posts with label america. Show all posts
Showing posts with label america. Show all posts
Friday, July 08, 2011
Saturday, July 02, 2011
windy city p5
when i first read in our mail that we would get a ride from the airport in a limo, i thought it must be the kind of limo that we have in klia - just a glorified version of the normal cab.
you can imagine my skepticism because i made the call just after i filed a claims for my luggage. feeling really down all i wanted was to get some rest after the 20+ hour journey, and try to look for the luggage later. so the lady on the other line did mention a white stretch limo would be there just outside the luggage claim area.
i only believed it myself when i stepped out 10 minutes after that call was made to find a chauffeur coming out to greet me. it was a lady chauffeur, looking all professional with a uniform, cap and gloves. she was ready to take my luggage to the boot, but was surprised when i mentioned i didn't have any other than my hand carry.
i had the whole limo to myself - had to almost pinch myself to believe it.
kinda felt like a superstar for awhile! i thought they would've received this for large groups to make it worthwhile. oh well, since it was arranged for me, i might as well enjoy it while i can.
not cheap though, this cost me almost USD70 for one-way trip. would have been great if i had the mood to turn on the tv or blast the radio, or even have some bubblies waiting for me. was a good thing i had the sense to buy some hot chocolate from starbucks, so that sustained me a bit until i reached the training centre.
our small but functional rooms. just nice for a single occupant with almost everything you need. set my expectation low, so was pretty happy they even had toiletries and towels! oh well, better than nothing, so i'm quite thankful.
you can imagine my skepticism because i made the call just after i filed a claims for my luggage. feeling really down all i wanted was to get some rest after the 20+ hour journey, and try to look for the luggage later. so the lady on the other line did mention a white stretch limo would be there just outside the luggage claim area.
i only believed it myself when i stepped out 10 minutes after that call was made to find a chauffeur coming out to greet me. it was a lady chauffeur, looking all professional with a uniform, cap and gloves. she was ready to take my luggage to the boot, but was surprised when i mentioned i didn't have any other than my hand carry.
i had the whole limo to myself - had to almost pinch myself to believe it.
kinda felt like a superstar for awhile! i thought they would've received this for large groups to make it worthwhile. oh well, since it was arranged for me, i might as well enjoy it while i can.
not cheap though, this cost me almost USD70 for one-way trip. would have been great if i had the mood to turn on the tv or blast the radio, or even have some bubblies waiting for me. was a good thing i had the sense to buy some hot chocolate from starbucks, so that sustained me a bit until i reached the training centre.
our small but functional rooms. just nice for a single occupant with almost everything you need. set my expectation low, so was pretty happy they even had toiletries and towels! oh well, better than nothing, so i'm quite thankful.
Friday, July 01, 2011
windy city p4
since i never had the chance to do non-work stuff, i decided to skip the drinks that everyone else was going for and spent some me-time.
feeling a bit better and having gotten a refreshing nap, here are some stories i've been wanting to tell since i landed.
first, a shot i took in the SFO-ORD flight. first time i'm surrounded by big americans. it's very different for me because even when i was in australia, it didn't feel like i had left asia!
after the luggage incident, and being cramped in an old plane, i appreciate asian airlines even more. also, asian air stewardess who work very hard, or at least they make the effort, to serve their customers.
while i understand the equality policy that does not discriminate against certain age group and gender, i honestly think american stewardesses have it much easier than their asian counterparts.
on my almost 4 hour flight, all i got was a cup of orange juice. and i had to ask for it myself.
the stewardess just walked out from the back with a tray of juices, but never said a word. whoever wanted one had to put up their hand and ask for it. nothing like "ma'am, what would you like to have?" or even if options were not part of the flight ticket, something as basic as "orange juice, anyone?" would suffice.
after that one brief round of her silently walking down the aisle too cramped for the average american, she just went to the back of the plane and read newspapers.
those who know i have to eat every 4 hours will know that i was feeling quite uncomfortable, especially after 2 transits on a long journey across the pacific ocean. even if they wanted me to pay for some cookies, i would have gladly done so, but there was no such thing.
i'm not sure if their international flights are any better, but this plane was old, had monitors on the ceiling of the aisle, and for someone as petite as me, really cramped seats. i don't know how the americans travel like this if they're double my size!
what a nightmare - and a terrible way to end the journey to what could have been an adventure that i would have been proud to share.
feeling a bit better and having gotten a refreshing nap, here are some stories i've been wanting to tell since i landed.
first, a shot i took in the SFO-ORD flight. first time i'm surrounded by big americans. it's very different for me because even when i was in australia, it didn't feel like i had left asia!
after the luggage incident, and being cramped in an old plane, i appreciate asian airlines even more. also, asian air stewardess who work very hard, or at least they make the effort, to serve their customers.
while i understand the equality policy that does not discriminate against certain age group and gender, i honestly think american stewardesses have it much easier than their asian counterparts.
on my almost 4 hour flight, all i got was a cup of orange juice. and i had to ask for it myself.
the stewardess just walked out from the back with a tray of juices, but never said a word. whoever wanted one had to put up their hand and ask for it. nothing like "ma'am, what would you like to have?" or even if options were not part of the flight ticket, something as basic as "orange juice, anyone?" would suffice.
after that one brief round of her silently walking down the aisle too cramped for the average american, she just went to the back of the plane and read newspapers.
those who know i have to eat every 4 hours will know that i was feeling quite uncomfortable, especially after 2 transits on a long journey across the pacific ocean. even if they wanted me to pay for some cookies, i would have gladly done so, but there was no such thing.
i'm not sure if their international flights are any better, but this plane was old, had monitors on the ceiling of the aisle, and for someone as petite as me, really cramped seats. i don't know how the americans travel like this if they're double my size!
what a nightmare - and a terrible way to end the journey to what could have been an adventure that i would have been proud to share.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
windy city p3
its been almost the end of the week and my training will be ending tomorrow. and yet, the luggage is yet to be located. i think i'm traumatised for life - no more trips to this part of the world!
i have had to make many calls and check online for the status of my luggage (don't think i can classify it as delayed anymore, but plain lost!), reaching out to as many people i can think of who may be able to help. i don't remember the number of times i had to excuse myself from special topics held during lunch times or when i couldn't stay long to chat more just because i had to go back to check.
adding to that stress, i have to also work from here. it's a bit difficult when my dependable teammate has just resigned the left the day i travelled for this training. with only a month's notice, there was even shorter period of handover to the new teammate, and it made it impossible for me to even handover part of my job.
the other-alternative-teammate was nice to help out, but she too was away on leave this week. that threw back the bulk of the work back at me, as i couldn't just leave everything to drop.
so right after intensive full-day trainings, i had to try to do some shopping to at least get a luggage bag and some necessities. after coming back, had to continue working till almost midnight. by the time i'm done it's too late to do anything else.
have been missing out on the outdoor sports and mingling around for the past few days, and it's really a waste because it's beautiful spring weather!
so i'm planning to stay back tomorrow to do some of that. hopefully it will stay beautiful.
i have had to make many calls and check online for the status of my luggage (don't think i can classify it as delayed anymore, but plain lost!), reaching out to as many people i can think of who may be able to help. i don't remember the number of times i had to excuse myself from special topics held during lunch times or when i couldn't stay long to chat more just because i had to go back to check.
adding to that stress, i have to also work from here. it's a bit difficult when my dependable teammate has just resigned the left the day i travelled for this training. with only a month's notice, there was even shorter period of handover to the new teammate, and it made it impossible for me to even handover part of my job.
the other-alternative-teammate was nice to help out, but she too was away on leave this week. that threw back the bulk of the work back at me, as i couldn't just leave everything to drop.
so right after intensive full-day trainings, i had to try to do some shopping to at least get a luggage bag and some necessities. after coming back, had to continue working till almost midnight. by the time i'm done it's too late to do anything else.
have been missing out on the outdoor sports and mingling around for the past few days, and it's really a waste because it's beautiful spring weather!
so i'm planning to stay back tomorrow to do some of that. hopefully it will stay beautiful.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
windy city p2
training has been quite well, with lots of relevant nuggets that could be applied at work.
luggage still not located.
think i'm still having jet lag. feeling sleepy and tired, maybe i just need to sleep more to catch up on all those previous weeks of late nights.
everyone tells me to cheer up and to treat it as a shopping excuse. but it's difficult when its not just your clothes, shoes, toiletries are missing, but clothes on loan from a friend, and also accessories which were gifts from friends. worse still, gifts wrapped in love from my aunt and uncle meant for my cousin.
even if i get reimbursement, i can't get those exact same items back, it would just be too much hassle. not to mention the countless calls i've been making trying to get help on this.
the upside to this is the abundant food we have on campus. yes it really does feel like being back in school with timetables, lecturers, classrooms and attendance sheet!
the weather is lovely too, made me miss japan all over again. like how the skin touches the cold porcelain of the toilet bowl, those who've experienced heated toilet seats would appreciate that nifty japanese invention!
if not for the multiple trips i've had to make to the shopping mall, i would have loved to go outdoors, do a bit of cycling & photography and just enjoy the spring weather.
but i'll take what i can get - the opportunity to be in a totally new continent, having travelled for more than 24 hours, making friends from all over the world, being surrounded by food, and the ability to learn and discover.
i'm still very blessed.
luggage still not located.
think i'm still having jet lag. feeling sleepy and tired, maybe i just need to sleep more to catch up on all those previous weeks of late nights.
everyone tells me to cheer up and to treat it as a shopping excuse. but it's difficult when its not just your clothes, shoes, toiletries are missing, but clothes on loan from a friend, and also accessories which were gifts from friends. worse still, gifts wrapped in love from my aunt and uncle meant for my cousin.
even if i get reimbursement, i can't get those exact same items back, it would just be too much hassle. not to mention the countless calls i've been making trying to get help on this.
the upside to this is the abundant food we have on campus. yes it really does feel like being back in school with timetables, lecturers, classrooms and attendance sheet!
the weather is lovely too, made me miss japan all over again. like how the skin touches the cold porcelain of the toilet bowl, those who've experienced heated toilet seats would appreciate that nifty japanese invention!
if not for the multiple trips i've had to make to the shopping mall, i would have loved to go outdoors, do a bit of cycling & photography and just enjoy the spring weather.
but i'll take what i can get - the opportunity to be in a totally new continent, having travelled for more than 24 hours, making friends from all over the world, being surrounded by food, and the ability to learn and discover.
i'm still very blessed.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
windy city
It's close to 11am here - So I've finally arrived in Chicago! I love the crisp spring air despite it being a little colder than I had expected. I guess the warm tropical weather has distorted my memory of four season temperatures. I had packed clothes meant for the Malaysian weather since many have told me that it was going to be hot & humid. >.<
Speaking of clothes, I'm left with only the clothes I wore when I left home. My luggage couldn't be located :( I think it had something to do with the fact that my HKG-SFO flight got delayed and I only managed to check in at the San Fran airport minutes before the call to board. Was trying to not to rush through immigration and customs and only got into the plane with 5 minutes before the plane took off.
The only consolation is I got a ride to the training centre in a stretch limo. If not for the frustration at having lost my luggage, I would have felt like a superstar travelling in a white limousine with a driver in suit and cap. Too bad there weren't any bubblies waiting for me inside.
Since the windows were tinted, I took the pleasure of observing the cars around me as we whizzed past in the expressway. No one seemed to be surprised at the limo, the cars were a lot bigger and wider than the ones back home. In fact, everything here is either tall, wide or just bigger than anything I've seen.
Reminded me of the trip down to Sydney, when Tze drove me around the suburbs. I commented on how expansive everything was - the houses, gardens, roads. It's really quite refreshing having so much space around you.
I tried to take in the sights around me, while enjoying the ride being chauffeured, pushing the thoughts of work behind. Even though this was partially for work, I hope the vastly different environment would give me a different perspective, and perhaps a little break from what has happened.
Think the sight of large Americans around me would be a good distraction. Speaking of which, this is the first time I'm being surrounded by predominantly black and white people. It's like what you see on American TV!
Speaking of clothes, I'm left with only the clothes I wore when I left home. My luggage couldn't be located :( I think it had something to do with the fact that my HKG-SFO flight got delayed and I only managed to check in at the San Fran airport minutes before the call to board. Was trying to not to rush through immigration and customs and only got into the plane with 5 minutes before the plane took off.
The only consolation is I got a ride to the training centre in a stretch limo. If not for the frustration at having lost my luggage, I would have felt like a superstar travelling in a white limousine with a driver in suit and cap. Too bad there weren't any bubblies waiting for me inside.
Since the windows were tinted, I took the pleasure of observing the cars around me as we whizzed past in the expressway. No one seemed to be surprised at the limo, the cars were a lot bigger and wider than the ones back home. In fact, everything here is either tall, wide or just bigger than anything I've seen.
Reminded me of the trip down to Sydney, when Tze drove me around the suburbs. I commented on how expansive everything was - the houses, gardens, roads. It's really quite refreshing having so much space around you.
I tried to take in the sights around me, while enjoying the ride being chauffeured, pushing the thoughts of work behind. Even though this was partially for work, I hope the vastly different environment would give me a different perspective, and perhaps a little break from what has happened.
Think the sight of large Americans around me would be a good distraction. Speaking of which, this is the first time I'm being surrounded by predominantly black and white people. It's like what you see on American TV!
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