Los Angeles baby! ( Part 1... and many more parts to go...)

Geez, now only I'm writing about my US trip.. after a month!! i won't be giving any excuses on this, because anything that I had in mind will sound so lame.. let's put it in a way simpler word. PEMALAS.

But, hey.... Who can ever forget that kind of experience, especially for someone like me who have never been abroad in her 27 years of life??( Krabi tidak perlu cerita la. That one is too near to even consider going out of Malaysia). Never in my mind had I thought of ever stepping foot in USA. Honestly? Never! Until 2 years ago when The Hubby( back then) invited me to come holidaying with him in Miami and Los Angeles, for a family reunion. But my Papa, being a protect, objected my request. In a way it's a blessing in disguise, because The Hubby, his sister,L and I agreed that I won't be enjoying much of the trip

, as the group was huge! L said she had

to make 3 trips from her house to Santa Monica Pier or other near store located nearby just to drop The Hubby and his entourage.

Ok! Back to my story..... * Party in the USAAAAAAA*

The Hubby and I started our serious packing the night before we left. Thank God each of us were given by the China Southern Airlines 42kg per person for our bags. Phew!.. we had to bring lots of Christmas gifts from The Hubby's family to my sister in law and her husband. Plus their stuff which they couldn't bring together with them during their Malaysia trip 6 months ago. Our bedroom was like a war of the Bags!!...Both us kept reminding ourselves not to bring any liquid items of more than 100ml in our cabin luggage, knowing it'll be confiscated

, thus be a waste.

Best thing was?.... I brought "Katrina"a.k.a my bantal bucuk, companion since I was 4 years old with me!! Boy was she excited! hehehhee..

December 22,2010....

On the next day, both us left the house at 12 noon, after saying goodbye to Mom. She cried a bit when hugging The Hubby, knowing that he won't be celebrating Christmas with her for the first time and being a mom, she's just being her. The Hubby's sister sent us both to KLIA and we had our last 2010 Malaysia lunch at McD, KLIA... Boarded the Airbus at 2pm and we left to Guangzhou 20 minutes afterward.

Guangzhou was cold, you all!!! I didn't know I had to start using my trench coat straight away when going down the stairways of the plane... Crazy weather!.. Our transit was 3 hours, so we killed our time by playing the iPod la, mp5 la, observing people. The "Guangzhao Asia Games 2010" banners were all over the place, since the game were over few months ago..

Look at the ice at the window pane.. bbbrrrrr..

One thing I gotta say about this airline we boarded to LAX, it sucks!!! The service suck (muka flight attendants, macam sial!.. and sooooo tak peramah okay!), the seats suck, the inflight screen monitor suck...the only good thing about this airline is that it's super punctual. No delay, nothing. If they promise you the flight will take off the runways at 9pm, the plane will be in the air at 9.01pm.

We reached LAX on December 22, 2010 at 6.30pm local time ( Malaysia time: 10am December 23rd).. So many ang moh! and the Latins!... Their airport and customs guard are besar2 and muka garang.. eee...felt so small suddenly..

Both The Hubby and I were stopped by a 6' 5" custom officer before going out the arrival hall. He asked us about the deal with big 4 bags when there's only just the two of us. " It's Christmas, Sir. And I'm bringing all the goodies from home to my sister who's a PR here"... He nodded and let us go.

u'oh.. The Hubby is bringing me out for a yamcha at kedai Cina in KD.. i'll continue soon! :)

One Step Closer..

And I'm one step closer to my US trip! Wee hee. I've been granted a 10 year visa by the US embassy. Phew, boy was I relieved. And it was some kind of experience being interviewed to get something that you've paid for.

The Hubby and I did our interview mock--up over and over again (haha. that's how we call it) ever since I landed in KL last Friday, thus making the pressure even higher than ever when it came to the actual day. You see, I had to fork out RM500(or USD131) to apply for the visa 3 weeks back.. So, for sure la I need to get it right at the first try, no matter what. They will not refund you the money should your application is declined

Off I went to the embassy office last Monday. My appointment time was at 10am and there I was standing at the gate with 10 other people waiting for our turn to enter the building. The Hubby didn't accompany me for this because they only allow those coming with the appointment letter to enter the building, and The Hubby has gotten his 10 years visa 2 years ago. Upon entering the "pondok keselamatan", we were scanned for any misharp and were required to leave our handphones there.

It was a long waiting before the interview. Full fingers scanning and as such. Geez. In total? I got out from the building after 1 hour and 40 minutes! And the interview part? It's like dealing with bank teller at a bank. Each counter will have one interviewer ( American ) and you are to stand facing them, except there's a fully covered glass panel between you. You will have to speak in a higher desibel than the normal chat so that they can hear you, and I basically listened to around 10 or more interviews before it was my turn. (there's 6 counters for interview session)

I got a bit nerveous when I saw this American lady declining a guy's visa application. His intention of entering US was not clear. I got even more freaked out when a Malay lady got declined too. When it was my turn, I was shaky all over, but like normal la, I acted cool. Greeted the Chinese American with huge smile. Gave him all the answers he needed to hear, like my intention of going to US and a bit about my work scope.

This part's funny though..

Him : Is this your new passport? May I have a look at your old passport?

Me : That's the only passport I ever had.

Him : (He flipped through the passport several times). You mean you've never been out of Malaysia?

Me : (I smiled) Never.

Him : Not even Bangkok, Thailand or Phillippines? Even Singapore?


Me : Ehe. No. Not once.

Him : Wow. You've never been out of Malaysia and your first trip with passport is going to be The States? That's impressive.

Me : Well, my husband decided to give me a surprise by doing our honeymoon in LA. Plus it's for Christmas and my birthday.

Him : It's a very good treat, I must say. ( He smiled, still looking awed.. Looking at his computer screen.) Ah yes, your birthday falls on Christmas day.

Me : Yes. It is.

And the interviewed ended when he passed me a pink-coloured small card, asking me to collect the visa at MCA Complex. I almost jumped in joy when he passed me that. And the coolest part is, I didn't have to show him as much document stuff as the rest people who were interviewed before me. Guess working with government does makes everything less complicating huh? They're just one click away from all my personal datas anyway, and therefore they do not need my hardcopy documents.

Thinking I might get a 1- month visa, I braved myself and asked the interviewer.

Him : I'm granting you a 10- year visa. (BIG YAY!). But this doesn't mean that you can stay in The States for the straight 10 years. You have to travel back to your country by 3 months of stay and get your passport check again before entering the country.

I gave him my 1MillionDollar smile.

Him: ( I was starting to walk away when I heard him from the intercom) Congratulations on your wedding and happy honeymoon!

I just can't wait to sing "PARTY IN THE USA" in USA... wooooooo hoooo!