The magic of time

I left my apartment in Kansas on 28th Jan. morning before 9am. Went to airport in a cab, took two mints from the cab driver's tray. It was about 10degF that morning.

I flew out of Kansas noon, arriving at LA about 2pm, Pacific time. I didn't adjust my watch. After a few fumbling and hauling, I arrived at the LAX international terminal at about 3pm. The culture shock kinda started sipping in. There were many Asians, from south to south east to far east... People taking more than one seats, sleeping on the already limited seats, talking loudly, extremely crowded A counters...

I took a mint to chill my brain. Decided to keep the other mint for my arrival at Hong Kong or Malaysia.

That was the first time I realised that I haven't adjusted my clock, because my stomach started to make noise -- it was about 5pm in Kansas. I need to wait 3 more hours before the check in counter opens. There was no internet access at the international terminal, even after checking in, and went to the oneworld lounge, the internet access was ridiculously slow. I can't even check email. The food wasn't good.

I recalled that the oneworld lounge has shower facilities, so I asked for it, went in and took a great shower. That was the single happiest thing that I had during the entire trip -- the shower room was big, it had a shower cubical, a basin, a toilet bowl and huge mirror. Shampoo, shower gel and towels were provided. The room was secure and clean.

The checkin was reasonable, the flight was fine, I felt hungry throughout the entire journey, but at least I got some good sleep. Arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on 30th Jan. 5am. Struggled to find the airline counters, struggled to find the Travelounge. The signage in the airport wasn't good -- I spent 1 hour walking up and down to find the Travelounge. Took my second shower in the Travelodge, not impressed, because there wasn't even tissues in the shower room, lighting was very poor in the shower room.

The second wave of culture shock came in during my stay in HKIA. I will pass the cultural and common habitual differences we all knew. I noticed the interesting habit of walking among the travellers. Those that come from right-hand-drive countries would tend to stand on the left side of the elevators; while those that come from left-hand-drive countries tend to stand on the right side. Unlike when coming up from the New York subway, almost everyone would choose the same side to stand. Things like this weren't just at the elevator, but also at the hallway. Notice the way different people make a turn. There were at least 10 near-miss "collision" when I was strolling around the airport.

My flight was at 9am morning. I saw the Yangping mountain from inside the cabin. It was like a dream -- I was there few years ago, riding the cable car with my friend, going up that mountain to see the huge Buddha statue. Here I am again today, looking at the same mountain, while my friend is no longer in HK. I couldn't feel the temperature difference, but the announcement mentioned that it was 9degC that morning. And I thought, I had not only travelled across the time, there was also the change of temperatures and units. I am lost in the units and couldn't comprehend how cold was 9degC at that time. Everything felt surreal when you are lost in time and units.

The entire journey was surreal, as the golden clouds above HKIA reminded me of my flight from Kansas to LA at the beginning of the journey. When I looked back, it was already two days ago.

I arrived Malaysia few hours later, the rain had brought down the temperature. From that point onwards, I have been terrified by the left-hand-drive traffic in Malaysia -- I tend to turn into the opposite traffic lane even until today. It made things worse when I am sitting on the passenger seat...

Anyway, I feel lucky and blessed that despite all the natural disaster around the globe, I managed to get home safely to spend the Chinese New Year with my family and friends.

Finally, the moment has come...

From the day I sold my car, canceled my insurance, bank accounts, drove the rental car to returned the rental car...

From the day I started having farewell lunches with every group, to attended the annual dinner on my last day of work...

From the day I had exit interview, to distributed thank you notes and said good bye to everyone...

From the day I spoke to the shipping agent, packed stuff at home, until the moving agent came by to pick up the goods...

It didn't occur to me that I am leaving so soon, until my shipments were collected, until I returned my car. The apartment suddenly seems so empty and impersonal again.

I am feeling very sad to leave Kansas. I have met a lot of amazing people here, and learned a lot from them. I also felt more comfortable in my own skin here, and I managed to have some good night sleep here.

I am feeling very anxious about going back to Malaysia, because I will face those stupid nonsense office politics there, and losing my freedom and sleep at home.

Nonetheless, the moment has come. Things that happened over the past 10 months cannot be repeated again. Even if it were repeated, it would never turn out the same anymore.

Though I felt that I am still desperately trying to hold on to every chance to learn and absorb everything from everyone. But it is time for me to let go. It is a good time for me to go back to the office and re-establish my image in front of those office bullies. It is time for me to apply what I have learned in Kansas.

I may stumble and fall, I may be hurt, but I must walk this path to be more mature in managing myself and handling situations. It will be a fruitful year of rabbit.

A Gift from USA

Got a cute gift from the group I worked with over the past 10 months.

I guess since Valentine's day is around the corner, there isn't much choice for gift. It is a bear wearing red jumper that has a heart on it, and it carries a bag of heart shaped Godiva chocolates.

I distributed the chocolates to everyone in the group, and carried the bear back home.

Also, I made a snow angel with my colleague from the other group, at the end of the last day of work.

The one on the right is me. My colleague is bald and he didn't wear a hat, so his one is kinda like a headless angel...

Last day at work

Spent the night before the last day of work finishing all the thank you notes to people I worked with. Spent three quarter of the last day distributing the cards.

Some come back with me with comments, some just kept quiet. I don't know if it is appropriate to send cards like this or not.

When DT (a Malaysian colleague of mine, who is employed by the Kansas office) got to know the cards (before I sent it out), he became sacarstic and thought I have taken too much attention from others.

I thought of many ways to show my gratitute since summer 2010, from making souviniers to sending thank you emails, it turns out this is the way that suits me well. Words that sounds cliche to say it, turn out alright when written in a card.

I thought hard about DT's words, and decided to ignore it. That is because, being the first person sent from overseas to the headquarters for long term assignment, I already grabbed a lot of attention from others, whether I like it or not.

So I guess I shouldn't worry about the side effects, because no matter what it is, there is always a good and bad side.

My last day of work also coincide with the company's annual dinner, which was hosted together with some other companies in Kansas. Most people in the dinner was from our company though.

I felt awkward to go alone, and wasn't feeling well due to the headache that comes from lack of sleep. Nonetheless, I was happy, and had some fun. I guess I would have had more fun, if the headache wasn't there, because I could then have a clear mind to join the gambling tables.

Sold my car

Just sold my car, cancelled my insurance policy and now ploughing through some pre-departure paperwork with a very sad mood.

I feel sad not only because I lost a huge chunk of money selling the car, but also because it symbolises that I am going home for sure, real soon.

The Corolla though wasn't new, but accompanied me without much complaints. I have a lot of first time memories of that car -- interacted with junky car sales man, venturing to unknown places, made a wrong turn to opposite traffic, driving in snow, etc.

I scraped the Corolla every morning, and took real good care of it. I remember every scratch on the car, every sound of the car. I know I will forget one day, but I can't help to feel sad.

For the remaining days in Kansas, I am having this Ford Taurus. Huge and stink of sugary drink spill.

First time driving in snow

It started snowing since Saturday night, through Sunday until now. Nonstop.
I drove the first time in snow on Sunday. It was a short distance, the snow wasn't thick, my car skid a little when I made a 90 degree turn, but was managable.

It got worse this morning, when I need to drive about 15km to go to the mechanic's shop to have my engine oil change. It took me more than 1 hour to get there.

My car skid a few times, because I didn't know how fast I should drive. The brake hardly works when it gets about 40mph. I had to quickly switch lane so that I don't bump into the car in front of me. Also, when big truck drove pass me, I could feel that my car skid a little.

Things that I took for granted in Malaysia got to me now. Windshield wiper, I never thought they could stick onto the screen so tight.

Water on the windshield could freeze in seconds that it actually scratched my wiper rubber.

Air conditioning becomes so valuable at this time, because it helps the back of my car to stay clear. (I don't have a wiper at the back)

Can't see the road, can't see divider, can't stop properly, can't drive straight well enough. The pond behind the office was frozen since November and it is now covered with snow. I wonder if anyone would think it is a flat land.

The snow was about 4 inches thick this afternoon, I think it will get thicker tomorrow. Worse thing is, since the ice on the car melted halfway when I drove it, it is going to get harder when it re-freeze tonight. I am starting to think if I should walk to work tomorrow.

May be I have gotten used to the temperature here, I don't feel that cold. I never experienced less than -3degC before, and I was outside when it was -11C these few days... I guess without wind-chill effect, things become more bearable.

Crazy Couple

OK, I thought it was my colleague's gf that was crazy enough to send me the nonsense email. I obviously forgotten that it takes two hands to clap.

I created a pdf copy of that crazy woman's email, and send it to my colleague, hoping he would take over from there. Then I got this from him:

Hi,

I think there has been a misunderstanding between all of us. I think this general confusion was initially created by our trip to the Rockies. I was in a relationship, I still am, and I just would like to clarify this.

Have a good start into 2011.

D

I was unhappy about his sly reply, which makes me look bad. I wrote this to both of them:

D and T,

D, the reason I forwarded your partner's email to you instead of replying to her, is because I don't think I have anything to do between you two.
The clarification below is devious. I know you are in relationship since the first day of knowing you. I don't think there is any misunderstanding between us.
I always treat you as a colleague, and was grateful for your help. It is strictly professional, which I don't think there is anything to explain about.

To T, it is rude and disrespectful to initiate such allegation. If you were sincere in your relationship, you should have confronted your partner and have confidence in yourself, instead of sending harassment email to your partner's colleague.
You have also put a bad image to yourself by disrespecting your partner's privacy, and insulting his colleague.

I do not want to be involved in any discussion between the two of you, and certainly do not want to be disturbed again by receiving anything senseless in the future.

I dare not hope for an apology, and I kinda feel that there would be some continuation from this, because I am dealing with two lunatics now.

Though I shouldn't be feeling this way, but I am getting a little panaroid now with my interactions among other colleagues.