USA.. I'm Coming.. (part 2)

There are a lot of preparations needed before leaving Indonesia. Passport, gifts, traditional clothes, school, permissions, and many things. Besides, I had to prepare myself physically and mentally. It was quite fantastic and I really enjoyed it yet this was the biggest dream of mine. I never exhausted to thankfully blessed my life. I knew Allah Swt was all behind this. I knew it : If we have DREAM, just BELIEVE that WE CAN ACHIEVE it, then our mind will BRINGS it TO REALITY. I always remembered I've said many times that someday I will go overseas. I always said it in front of my Mom and my brother the most. They are the ones who I wanna make proud of. And now, my dream comes true.

March 17th, 2011
I left Pontianak to approach Jakarta. At that day, all people that I love were there, in the airport. Cleptoners, that's how we named us (my best friends in university) gave me an early birthday present: a book that I can only open if I'm heading to United States in the airplane. I tried so hard to hold my tears. They were all crying over me, especially My Mom. It was the first time I separated from her for a quite long time, 2 months.

I met my other 17 Indonesian friends in Jakarta Airport Hotel; Rizma (Purwokerto), Widia (Cirebon), Abi (Balikpapan), Mira (Jambi), Fiqih (Tegal), Suci (Depok), Uun (Banyuwangi), Tika (Bangka), Zake (NTB), Fandi (Jombang), Sueb (Malang), Yunia (Palembang), Kiki (Pekalongan), Andre (Samarinda), Fery (Tulungagung), Ria (Salatiga), and Hadi (Banjarmasin). I was proud to be the representative from Pontianak, of course. ^^

We all have created the greatest memories in our lovely campus, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. Besides, we are said to be the 18 first grantees of IELSP who studied there. They are like my brothers and sisters. I love you guys!

The routes of my departure --> Jakarta - Singapore - Hongkong - Chicago - Phoenix - Mesa (Arizona, USA)

It was a very looooooonnngg flight. We were accompanied by Bunda Wiati Rahayu from IIEF, she was really kind and mother- like. That's why we call her "Bunda" which means mother.

The first time I stepped on Singapore I felt like wanna screaming and yelling to the world, that "I'm in abroad!" (I know that sounds crazy and villagers- alike. Hahh! Whatever :p)

We spent 6 hours in Singapore, 2 hours in Hongkong, and 4 hours in Chicago before finally arrived in Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona. Since I was in Singapore until I reached United States, I was mesmerized by the TECHNOLOGY and the RESTROOMS.

TECHNOLOGY
They have a very sophisticated technology far different compared to Indonesia. In Singapore International Airport, there is an authomatic foot massager which allowed us to have a relaxation after our long trip. What we have to do is just sit on it and let the machine works. It was very comfortable. So as the water fountain which I found almost everywhere. Especially in Singapore, we only have to step on the certain part of the floor and the water will come by itself without pushing anything. It was really fresh. Then in every airport we found the flat escalator which named as "moving sidewalks or moving walkways" made us feel like walking on the rollerblade without worrying about "falling down".

RESTROOMS
First impression: CLEAN. Honestly, it was really awkward for me to use the dry toilet. For me, Indonesian, water is everything. Therefore, you have to give up on it if you're in abroad. You have to get used to with the dry toilet, translated ---> toilet paper. But later on, I realize that dry toilet is much healthier than the wet one. It keeps the restroom clean and comfortable. Besides, there is always a tap that we can adjust based on our need; hot, warm, or cold water. So after we use the toilet, we are obligated to wash our hands. And there's always the soap and the tissue. On the other hand, that's one of reasons why United States and other developed countries are responsible for the global warming. Imagine the trees for the toilet papers, tissue and napkins.