Life in the Land of Stars & Stripes

It has been 2 weeks since the day I first set foot in the United States. I could still vividly remember the torturous 25hrs flight with a rushed transit at the SFO airport. I was so glad that me and my luggages arrived at the United States without any glitch. We settled at the hotel Residence Inn by Marriott, a place I've been calling home for the past 2 weeks.
Our 1st 2 weeks were spent with a hectic search for apartments for rental and shopping for things to buy for our new apartments. We have been driving around a lot, been to Washington DC for the 4th July Independence Day celebration and also to the outlets shopping at Virginia. We have also shopped at Walmart, Giant and even the Korean/Asian Mart Lotte at Germantown for groceries to make our own dinner. Our DIY dinner always didn't turn out too well but I'm sure we'll improve with time..LOL.
We've started our 1st two days of orientation at our new place of work. The people there were rather nice and friendly. But it seems like we've got a lot to learn as we go along. Let hope we could all intergrate into our new work environment asap. :)
Well.. I'm still feeling rather sad at times when I start missing home, my family n friends back in Singapore. Looking forward to CNY next year so that I can go back to Singapore to visit them. :)

The Marmalade Pantry @ Ion Orchard

Had a great afternoon with friends enjoying nice food and quality time together... :)

Latest Updates

Ok, my visa interview is scheduled on the 15th June and my flight is booked on the 24th June. Finally having some updates. Even with all the gradual clearing up of things, I still feel rather nervous. Our two group discussions so far have yet to settle issues like cars and accomodations. There are still a lot of things to discuss and find out before we jet ourselves off to the States.
I think I'm still having the "I-miss-my-family-and-friends" kinda mood... hmmm..
Now I think I'm having problem with the baggage I need to bring through to the US. We are strictly only allowed 2 luggages 20kg EACH, no adding up of the luggage weight requirements. Well, it's all myself to blame for not reading the requirements carefully and happily bought a BIG new luggage thinking I could stuff all my things in and save the hassle of taking a 2nd luggage. Bummer... :(

Finally...

Good news!! Our H3 visa petitions are finally approved! One more hurdle to clear-- our visa interview at the US embassy. Good luck peeps! :)

My Latest Gadgets! =D

Tada... the latest addition to my personal collection... The Samsung ST60 ultra-slim camera. Such a beauty. I wanted to go for a Panasonic Lumix initially but can't help getting swept away by the looks of this new Samsung model. Let's hope it works as well as it looks.


Next up, the new Samsung Monte. It's a touchscreen phone with Wifi. I've gotten it free through the recontract of my M1 line. :)

Ok there, I know what u r thinking... But no, I'm not a big Samsung fan.. haha, that was just pure coincidence. :p

Dental Visit

Image taken from http://www.gibbleguts.com

I just went for a last minute dental visit today for scaling and polishing of my teeth. I hate having to book appointments because there are always limited slots available and by the time u got the appointment, u dun feel like going anymore. Well, it really takes the guts to go visit the dentist for me..:p Fortunately, there was a dental clinic near my house which does not have much patients and best of all, u do not need to book any appointment. All it takes is just to pop in at the spur of the moment and do your teeth. As usual, it was a painful experience when the dentist started digging at your teeth and gums to clear the "debris"... OUCH!! :((

I remembered that I used to be afraid of going to the dentist when I was a child. It was due to my bad experiences with the school dental nurse. My memories of the dental nurse was that of a fierce woman who wouldn't stop nagging at how we are always not brushing our teeth correctly and so on... At that moment, I just can't help feeling she's venting her frustrations on my teeth by causing so much pain... haha. However, as I grow older and understand the importance of taking care of my teeth, I will still force myself to go visit the dentist once in a while... :> Anyway, the dentists are not really as terrible as I thought.. well, at least they dun really nag anymore... :p

Tired...

I'm so tired... Have been feeling rather down recently. I wonder whether it's because I worry too much, or I'm just feeling plain uneasy about how things are going recently.
I have just rejected a job interview today. The HR person on the other end of the line sounds rather unhappy. She didn't even bother to answer me as I explained to her that I have got another job offer and won't be coming down for the interview. I think she's pissed off, but I'm even more pissed off at her attitude. Oh come on, at least I bothered to send her an email as well as give her a call to explain why I reject the interview offer. She should have at least acknowledged me. So much for the attitude of the HR people. I really wonder how she got the job in the 1st place.
As though a follow-up to the bad beginning of my day, my supervisor wants me to hand in my resignation letter by tomorrow because she needs to settle some admin issues so that the HR side can grant her permission to start interviewing candidates. I have already told her I will tentatively be tendering in mid-May but in the end I would have to tender in advance before my visa is confirmed. I can't help feeling sad because it seems like they are pushing me to resign... :(
There are no news regarding my visa yet. I really hope the people involved will approve it asap so that things will get going. Maybe when all that is settled, my negative feelings and uneasiness will go away...
In the meantime, I really need to cheer myself up a little. Hate to see all the negative entries in this blog but I guess I really need a place to vent my frustrations. Well, things will be going well soon. I'll just need to be more patient...