Magical April (Wrap Up)

It's been 2 weeks since I have arrived from US. I think this time I just type it to wrap it up!
I will tell you what the trip has given to me.

So, you might have known that I flew by Korean air from SBY to DPS to ICN to ORD. Not bad actually because I had a minimum time of layover. I love the food in Korean Air because I do love Korean food and they served wines. However, I got a narrower seat, so that's the problem. I couldn't have a good sleep.

Green tea poridge

never tired of bibimbap

The famous Deep Dish Pizza

Anyway, as I said, I passed the immigration nicely and arrived at the hotel safely. By the help of a nice United Airline's stewardess, I found my way trough CTA (Tram) to the hotel from the airport. The hotel was nice, but I got a little misunderstanding which was solved in no problem. I got myself to meet with one of the students I sent to Chicago. Had a nice dinner with her, and I put myself into a deep sleep in no time. The next morning, I went to my appointment. A respected hospitality school in Chicago. I love hospitality school, they sure know the word 'hospitality' meaning. I had a good lunch and I enjoyed myself in a hot bath tub later on that day. The next day, I treated myself to have little shopping. Chicago was famous with Willis Tower, Millenium Park, Deep Dish Pizza, and MICHIGAN AVE. Well, it cannot beat Manhattan nor Rodeo Drive, but still it's a nice long road full of shopping craze. I always got back to hotel with soar feet.

hey chipotle

I reminisced the most in Chicago because I did have a lot of time by myself. I ate Panda Express while I was looking for Chipotle, of course I did eat Chipotle, I had a little me time at the Corner Bakery, regular trip to the Bean :D, and finally, I watched a musical. I claimed myself as a musical fan now. I crave for more.  I also had a priviledge to visit a city campus. It is just like Chicago. Old and New buildings.

 Who wants to reject the view of Lake Michigan and BUckingham Fountain while they are in library or study room? I wont. haha.

Michigan Lake and Buckingham Fountain

I actually went to the mass in Chicago. The church was located in the heart of downtown, in between the tall buildings. It was a flat church, there's no bell tower, it's definitely looked like a city church. Neat. I had a chance to do architectural tour as well. Got into the cruise and went trough the rivers to see the buildings,. It showed that Chicago is indeed a city with old and new side by side. You could find a building built in 1900s, next to a modern look glass tower. It was the first meeting with the group that I would be at the rest of the trip. In the end of the day, I fell in love with Chicago even more. Nope, I did not want to leave. I wanted to just stay.

However, I could not wait to see my dream place, D.C. DC was a traditional city. Not old, but traditional is more suitable. It has similar buildings across the streets, not too tall because buildings cannot be taller than the capitol state building. I love the museums and monuments though. My heart was for Lincoln Memorial Hall. I was ecstatic to see it from a far. I could not stop smiling, and oh Mr. Lincoln was so handsome sitting there. You could also see the monuments from a far. I could not believe myself that I finally was there. In DC, I had enough of sandwiches and cold salad, so me and 4 other people went to Chinatown and had some Asian food with decent rice. The university that I visited also gave me a traditional feeling. All the faculty buildings were looked like big mansions. It's a huge university. But, one thing that I didn't like about DC, its traffic. Yea baby. Traffic.

oh Dear handsome Mr. Lincoln, I heart your statue

Chinatown, DC

on Amtrak

Next, I enjoyed our ride on AMTRAK from DC to Philadelphia.We passed Baltimore, Maryland which I just figured that it was an industry city. In my mind, Philadelphia was a small city, and I am sorry to think like that. I surely underestimated Philly, and awed by it. It's a modern city even though it still has its 'old city'. Oh you could see many historic places in Philly. The first hospital, Benjamin Franklin's place, Liberty Bell, and the old flag of America. I just could not get enough. We only spent 2 days there, it was surely not enough. I went to UPenn though. An IV league school. Well, maybe I am biased, but I think UW and UofM are more beautiful. hahahaha. Maybe because it was so hugeeeee, and it's just like a city.

first hospital

a museum

UPenn - University city

My UofM

Coffman Hall, UofM

Last place, the place I heart the most, the place that I want to stay forever, was Vermont. Burlington, Vermont. It reminded me a lot like Duluth, MN. Small peaceful city, with lake Champlain and mountains around the city, I could just stay there forever. Okay, I sound too much. The thing is, Burlington is very peaceful, very pretty, very small. The downtown's size is like one factory outlet. You could find almost every big franchise like Panera Bread, M.A.C, Urban outfitters, and Starbucks. But, not as many as in other places. There's only one Mc Donald. haha. Burlington focused on their local products more. Thus, you could find cute little coffee shops or boutiques along the street. University of Vermont was taking my breath away. Who could dream to be studying with the view of mountains, but you just realized that you are actually in a city, not village. I mean, there's business going on, there's big companies, but yes, not as busy as other cities. Just, a perfect place to study. If you get a little bored, hop on the train and off to Boston or maybe Montreal, Canada? And, what made me more excited was Von Trapp Lodge. As a die hard fan of Sounds of Music, I was just crazy about eating lunch at the lodge. it was indeed a beautiful lodge. Oh I just loved it loved it.

church street

church street

Von Trapp Lodge

Lake Champlain

The view from UVM

SO!!?? The conclusion is? Do I like Chicago, DC, Philly, or Vermont? or Seattle? or Minneapolis?
hahahaha

The conclusion is, America has different places. Different states different stories. Different faces. Different things going on. It's not like Indonesia which is also has different tribes even languages, but every places has their own thing. I had traveled from West to East coast. This East Coast trip made me believe that there's so much more about America. It has its conservative people, modern look, traditional look, histories, and the list is on and on.

taken in 2013

Off to Wisconsin in 2013

LA and San Fransisco were my first cities that I visited in USA. I went trice to LA, but still not a big fan.I went there to visit my uncle and to let my parents had a little taste of Hollywood. I have visited Miami and disliked it, I guess Bali was way better. I have lived in Seattle, WA for 2 and a half years. I visited Portland for 2 days, also visited Wisconsin for a few hours drive. I stayed in Minneapolis for 1 and a half year, and called it my second home. My so-called hometown. Minneapolis was one of the two cities I called home. Makassar and Minneapolis - home. I still love Chicago! Never get tired to get back there. I could claim it as my favorite city in the world! DC was still adorable with its museums and monuments. Maybe I would go back there in 10 years? Philly was nice as well, but comparing Chicago and Philly, I already fell in love with Chicago. I might go back there again to explore more on its arts museum. But, Vermont oh Vermont. It is just a peace little town. People were nice, views were beautiful. I am basically not a big city girl, so to live there? I think I will not get bored. hahahaha Oh my!

Gas Work Park, Seattle, 2011

I could say this trip was an A satisfaction. I got a very good overviews with the schools I visited, met a lot of inspiring people, ate Eistein Bros bagel - Everything with strawberry cream cheese (My college favorite food), I enjoyed my 'me' time, I have made friends, met my old friends, and got to know more about America and myself. It is always true, that you could find yourself when you travel. I find a piece of me whenever I travel. This time, I found a 'fusion' in me. Well, I have been Westernised, even the American woman who helped us trough this trip said that I was the most American person that she has ever met (from South-East Asia). hahaha I took that as a compliment. Yes, I am different from many of my colleagues or friends in Indonesia. Now and then. But, I just knew that I have adapted well. Adapted in an individualist culture, and adjusted my self in collective culture. Not perfect, it was a rough start at the beginning for both places. My first time in America or when I was in Indonesia for good, but I have been doing well. This is very meaningful to me since I am at the point where I feel exhausted to adapt in a new environment again. Nonetheless, next month, in June, I will have to adapt some more. I will be moving again. Guess what. These are cities I have lived; Makssar, Seattle, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Makassar (again), Surabaya, and next...? Malang. hahahaha you see the sequence? I will be moving to Malang with everything new. New place, new coworkers, new environment, new position, and new rented room of course. Still in the same company and same area. Believe me, moving to a new place has never been easy even I have done it many times. But, I guess, I will do it alright because I have done it many times anyway :). Well... this trip personally has made my way to be prepared, to be aware of what I should do in this new environment again. Because new environment might require new strategy. 

Once upon a time in Chicago - SPring 2011

me and mambo in Hollywood, 2011

Wish me best of luck, and till we meet again America.

One other thing that this trip has given to me. It made me want to do a solo traveling. I guess many places in South-East Asia are waiting for me ;).

So, hopefully, soon I will be able to type my other adventure.

CVB

Dear mambo, your little girl has been doing quiet well she guesses. She is now going to a place where you love. Malang. Just because the weather is so you. Please always guide her just like you have always been doing. She might feel a little scared, a little tired, and a little worried, but you had made her become a survivor hadn't you? So, she should be fine, don't you think? Just like you had always said to her, "if something new comin tru, just close your eyes and 'cambok saja' (Just do it). Things will never get wrong unless you are stealing or not telling the truth" 

So I guess, I will just do it...

 your daughter