Magical April (continue...)

It is surreal. Period.
Cold breeze, the sun, spring smell, dollar bills, store-keeper greets 'How are you.' I strangely feel just like at 'home'. It is always good to be back here in the States. Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, or California, wherever we go, it is different yet the same. It is the right place to be individualist, escape from those 'kepo' questions. It is nice to be alone for a while. What's even better about it, because I am not entirely alone. I am blessed to have good friends, to meet new friendly people, to be with a nice companion during this trip.

Arch Diose of Chicago

I arrived here on April 16th, in the morning. I passed the immigration smoother than I thought. It was only 3 minutes process. I did not need to prove any more documents. I was a bit worried about the immigration, just because in 2013, I got a hold. I needed to wait for an hour an a half in the immigration room, and it was not fun at all. This time was smooth. I got a little problem checking in at the hotel. But, hail to the hospitality school (it was a hospitality school who sponsored my accommodation), they know the word 'hospitality' really well. They solved it in a minute, and I had so much fun in the schools I visited. People were nice, and I got to say hi to everyone. Here is the thing. For most Western people ( I think more American, in this context), they don't have a particular attitude to give a name card, unlike Asians, where we usually give out name cards with both hands. For those (Americans) who have dealt a lot with Asians will do the same. It is just daring to see those lol. I know I just caught on small details that probably not really appealing for you.I just found it fascinating.

Book of Mormon

For the fun part, I had a multiple visit to the Bean. It is just a stupid steel shaped like a bean, but I just love it, and never get sick of it. Especially when you have good companions with you. The skyscrapers are new and old hand in hand. I fell in love with Chicago at the first sight. I visited this city in March 2011. It was a very short trip, was only about several hours, not even a day. On top of that, there was some unfortunate events happened that made me 'galau' even more in my senior year. NONETHELESS, I figured that I love the city, and promised myself to go back, to experience it for real, so I could not remember the bad thing happened before. And yes! It's answered. I had so much fun, I had enough sun in the weekend to see the city clearly. I had friends coming down from Minnesota. I finally had a chance to watch musical for the first time in my life, and I could confirm that I am a fan of musical. You guys have to watch Book of Mormon. It was hilarious!!!

the Bean

I am overwhelmed for all these things that are happening. It is a blessing indeed. I am blessed, you don't know how grateful I am.It is too much till I don't know how to express my gratitude. One more thing that makes my April is even more magical. 2 days before my departure, a new announcement came. We are not going to Maine as planned, we detour to..... *drumrollllllll* WASHINGTON DC! My dream place. Ah! I have told many people that I want to go to DC! and here it is, in front of my eyes. I am just overwhelmed.We will have a chance to go to the Monuments and the White House.

In contrary, I am a bit afraid because everything is just so perfect. BUT! I decide to just accept everything with gratitude. As my papo said, just give thanks before you even get the thing that you want. Thus, here I am, say Thank You every single day, and do good. Yap, do good.


In the end of the day, I feel I am well-fitted here. I don't want to leave. Do you think I take things for granted? Maybe.

Sweetest Handjajas

Ah 'home'. Where is home anyway? There have been so many places that I have lived, but only in the place I feel accepted, I call it home. I found home when I met my friends, D'Handjajas. I felt like home when I talked to my super CA, Katie on the phone. Home, where I can do whatever I want and not feeling watched. But, lastly, home is where I grew up. Where I could meet papo and Gassing and Echong. Laughed with my cousins, or simply had a meal in my rented room in Surabaya. So, where is 'home' anyway?














Breathe Chen, breathe...
Enjoy every beat of it.

Tomorrow, we'll be flying to DC, and I don't want to leave Chicago.

Hey Chi-town, I am mad about you... ;)
Could I promise myself to go back to you someday?

On this trip, you cure my heartache, you make me feel loved! I couldn't ask for more.
Thank you

Love
CVB

(Always) Magical April

Today's the 10th day of April, first post in April, but what I can say, let's just talk about April.
Aside from it is the month of my birthday, April is always fun, but this year is exceptionally blossom.. I am gladly saying to you that I will be travelling soon. It can be said as a birthday trip. In fact, it is actually a business trip to U.S.A. Yeah baby United States of America, my so-called second home. This time, I am going to different states. Just exciting! I will be in Chicago for about a week,a couple of days in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

The story behind this trip is actually something that I want to talk more.

So... as you might know that the company that I work having partnership with various schools overseas. We often get invitation for a FAM Trip (Familiarize trip) or agent conference. I am so blessed that I got this opportunity. Actually, I was also in for another FAM Trip to Europe, but I voluntarily out of the line, and voted for US trip.
The reason why I chose US over Europe because it's just magical. It started with a simple daydreaming. I happened to do "I wish" a lot in the beginning of this year. "I wish I can experience winter again" "I wish I can eat Chipotle again" "I wish I can go to US again". I merely wondered to do stuff that I missed to do in the States. I missed some food, I regret not doing 'this' and 'that' in my last trip in 2013. It started simple. Soon, not long after those "I wish", an email came to me at one night. Asked whether I wanted to go to US FAM Trip or not. Jaw dropped.

I think I am sane enough to take it although I am a US graduate. The purpose of this FAM trip is to be FAMILIAR (duh! heck ya) with the education system, schools, and surrounding. Once, US trip was given to another colleague because my boss said that "let's just give another (country) to Chendani" (heartbroken, #notreally). So, I am surprised that I got this trip. I was totally excited and retreated from the Europe trip because I will be going to the states that I never been to. Most of them are in Northeast. Perhaps, that's nothing much in South Virginia or Vermont. But, different states has different things. I like to explore more. Can't go to Washington DC, can go to Pennsylvania. Can't go to Minnesota, can go to Chicago. I am just excited with more States are put on my list. I am just excited that I can do what I haven't had a chance to do while I was in US or in my last trip (2013). Ah, I never got enough of US. I still have US visa on my passport until 2017. Who knows, I can make one more trip. I tell myself to go to Seattle again someday. US might be not the best country in the world, but you can never explain why you are in love with something can't you?.

Another "dream come true" moment. My favorite airline so far is Korean airline. I like the food, I like Incheon airport, I like the movies on the plane, I like the musics, I even love the blanket. Guess what. An email came on Good Friday; an itinerary.

SUB - DPS; Garuda Indonesia

DPS - ICN; Korean airline

ICN - ORD; Korean airline

I cried

Thank you
Because this trip is so smooth and well-planned unlike my Batman Adventure last year which was rushed but FUN. Hopefully, the trip goes smooth on the D-day as well. Travelling never been easy. I still get nervous for an overseas trip. Especially, when I need to catch multiple flights in short amount of time. Nevertheless, I am ready for the 10,000 miles or so trip, despite the sexy rate of dollar currently.

Today is also exceptionally blessed. Many good news come.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you



CVB