My first few days in the U.S. were spent in Mylinda's new home in Norristown, PA, and here are some quick impressions:
- Meal portions are HUGE.
- There is so much TOILET PAPER.
- People must be hard of hearing because everyone seems to be so loud, and they don't hear me when I speak in my normal voice.
- I didn't know it was harder to jog and breathe cold air.
- It's so damn cold even if its spring, but everyone else must be immune to the brisk wind since they're all wearing tank tops, shorts and slippers.
- Everyone's either really friendly or a war freak.
- Tipping is painful.
- I might have been with a shopping freak, but I saw more malls than anything cultural or historical.
So that's my first few days in a nutshell. I'm amazed at how Mylinda adjusted so well so fast here. I miss the beach and the cheap massages!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
Think Good Thoughts
May 4, 2006
3:30am
I lug my (err, Deepa's) overpacked suitcase into a cab, and ride to the International airport. Amazingly enough, am actually punctual.
4:00am
Cut through the long security line before the check-in counter by assuming I'm meant to line up with the rest of Business Class. The Business Class counter directs me to the Standby counter. Reality bites.
4:45am
Continue trying to keep busy while waiting for my boarding pass by working through 1,400++ unread emails. Got it down to 1,100++ not by reading but by deleting.
5:50am
Told by Check-In counter guy as he hands me the boarding pass that I'll only find out if I get a seat on 6:50am NW Flight 72 to Nagoya at the gate. Gawd!
6:15am
After clearing immigration and numerous security checks, tried to look eager, charming and sweet in the hope that Northwest would give me a mercy seat even in the cargo hold.
6:45am
Northwest lady tells me firmly that all passengers are aboard with no more available seats. They promise to roll me over to the 8am flight.
7:30am
Still tried to maintain my eager, sweet and charming look though my inner bitch was struggling to come out. I wanted to stab passengers who continued to trickle into the plane last minute.
7:50am
Northwest lady tells me I could've made it on the plane if "Mr. Baker" hadn't come in the nick of time. Damn him.
8:00am
I watch plane fly off. Huhuhu.
Ahh the life of a non-revenue passenger. Tricia told me it was tough, but I didn't know how disappointing it would feel to have to claim your luggage at the Northwest office and drag your failed ass home. I even tried to buy a ticket for fear I wouldn't get a seat before Mylinda's wedding, but the travel agent told me that the next available flight to Philly was on May 22! I got so depressed that I hid from the world, turned off my phones, burrowed myself under the covers and drowned myself in sleep and Star Trek: The Next Generation DVDs. Only a couple of thoughts saved my sanity that day. My mantra: "I will fly out tomorrow. I will fly out tomorrow." My private movie reel of an unexpected but mucho delicious thing that happened recently. And my super fun weekend at that tanning salon known as Boracay. Time to take a Bora break...
The 2006 annual Boracay pilgrimage was undertaken by a mixed group of my friends which included Level Up! peeps, surfers, a childhood friend, and my headhunter!
No matter how much I think the crowd and commercialization will get to me, once I face the light blue clear waters, white powdery sand, Jonah's shakes, coconut oil beach massages, drinking nights, and gorgeous Bora sunsets, I'll always fall in love with the island all over again.
Great new finds for this trip, Hawaiian Barbeque (Station 1) for the steaks, Real Coffee (Station 1) for their breakfast of omelettes and muffins, Kayaking over at Boracay Regency, Lemon Cafe (D' Mall, Station 2) for their fusion cuisine and bright, chippy decor, and the Chori-Burger at any beach side vendor (how could I have missed this the last time I went!).
Oh wait, where were we?
May 5, 2006
4:10am
Cab's late. I stick my suitcase in the trunk and take off for the airport. Cab driver entertains himself by telling the dispatcher he's so late he hasn't picked me up yet. Later he tells me he didn't switch on the meter. What an ass.
4:40am
Line up again at Business Class. Hey it helped cut through the long line the day before didn't it? You guys know the drill from this point forward. But so many good omens pointed to that I would be able to fly out that day. Such as:
Check-in Security Lady: "Aba, hindi ba nandito ka kahapon? Di ka nakasakay? Wag kang mag-alala, makakasakay ka ngayong, mukhang mas konti ang tao eh. Pero di ko sigurado, di ako naka-attend ng briefing kanina." (I ignore the last part.)
Check-in Counter Girl: "Ma'am, we're overbooked by 10 people and you're 6th on the waiting list." (Hey, that's better than yesterday's chances where I was 9th on the list in a flight overbooked by 14 people.)
Frisking Girl: "Have a good flight, ma'am!" (Even she knows I'm gonna fly!)
Northwest Lady: "I'm sorry ma'am we have to downgrade you to coach because you're wearing rubber shoes. But we'll be able to board you." (YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!)
6:45am
Plane doors close with me IN THE PLANE. Yeah!
To top it off: They upgrade me to Business Class a Nagoya in time for the 11-hour ass-numbing haul to Detroit.
It pays to think positive!
3:30am
I lug my (err, Deepa's) overpacked suitcase into a cab, and ride to the International airport. Amazingly enough, am actually punctual.
4:00am
Cut through the long security line before the check-in counter by assuming I'm meant to line up with the rest of Business Class. The Business Class counter directs me to the Standby counter. Reality bites.
4:45am
Continue trying to keep busy while waiting for my boarding pass by working through 1,400++ unread emails. Got it down to 1,100++ not by reading but by deleting.
5:50am
Told by Check-In counter guy as he hands me the boarding pass that I'll only find out if I get a seat on 6:50am NW Flight 72 to Nagoya at the gate. Gawd!
6:15am
After clearing immigration and numerous security checks, tried to look eager, charming and sweet in the hope that Northwest would give me a mercy seat even in the cargo hold.
6:45am
Northwest lady tells me firmly that all passengers are aboard with no more available seats. They promise to roll me over to the 8am flight.
7:30am
Still tried to maintain my eager, sweet and charming look though my inner bitch was struggling to come out. I wanted to stab passengers who continued to trickle into the plane last minute.
7:50am
Northwest lady tells me I could've made it on the plane if "Mr. Baker" hadn't come in the nick of time. Damn him.
8:00am
I watch plane fly off. Huhuhu.
Ahh the life of a non-revenue passenger. Tricia told me it was tough, but I didn't know how disappointing it would feel to have to claim your luggage at the Northwest office and drag your failed ass home. I even tried to buy a ticket for fear I wouldn't get a seat before Mylinda's wedding, but the travel agent told me that the next available flight to Philly was on May 22! I got so depressed that I hid from the world, turned off my phones, burrowed myself under the covers and drowned myself in sleep and Star Trek: The Next Generation DVDs. Only a couple of thoughts saved my sanity that day. My mantra: "I will fly out tomorrow. I will fly out tomorrow." My private movie reel of an unexpected but mucho delicious thing that happened recently. And my super fun weekend at that tanning salon known as Boracay. Time to take a Bora break...
The 2006 annual Boracay pilgrimage was undertaken by a mixed group of my friends which included Level Up! peeps, surfers, a childhood friend, and my headhunter! No matter how much I think the crowd and commercialization will get to me, once I face the light blue clear waters, white powdery sand, Jonah's shakes, coconut oil beach massages, drinking nights, and gorgeous Bora sunsets, I'll always fall in love with the island all over again.
Great new finds for this trip, Hawaiian Barbeque (Station 1) for the steaks, Real Coffee (Station 1) for their breakfast of omelettes and muffins, Kayaking over at Boracay Regency, Lemon Cafe (D' Mall, Station 2) for their fusion cuisine and bright, chippy decor, and the Chori-Burger at any beach side vendor (how could I have missed this the last time I went!).
Oh wait, where were we?
May 5, 2006
4:10am
Cab's late. I stick my suitcase in the trunk and take off for the airport. Cab driver entertains himself by telling the dispatcher he's so late he hasn't picked me up yet. Later he tells me he didn't switch on the meter. What an ass.
4:40am
Line up again at Business Class. Hey it helped cut through the long line the day before didn't it? You guys know the drill from this point forward. But so many good omens pointed to that I would be able to fly out that day. Such as:
Check-in Security Lady: "Aba, hindi ba nandito ka kahapon? Di ka nakasakay? Wag kang mag-alala, makakasakay ka ngayong, mukhang mas konti ang tao eh. Pero di ko sigurado, di ako naka-attend ng briefing kanina." (I ignore the last part.)
Check-in Counter Girl: "Ma'am, we're overbooked by 10 people and you're 6th on the waiting list." (Hey, that's better than yesterday's chances where I was 9th on the list in a flight overbooked by 14 people.)
Frisking Girl: "Have a good flight, ma'am!" (Even she knows I'm gonna fly!)
Northwest Lady: "I'm sorry ma'am we have to downgrade you to coach because you're wearing rubber shoes. But we'll be able to board you." (YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!)
6:45am
Plane doors close with me IN THE PLANE. Yeah!
To top it off: They upgrade me to Business Class a Nagoya in time for the 11-hour ass-numbing haul to Detroit.
It pays to think positive!
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