My 18-hour journey to the Unites States is over. I am finally here--safe and sound. However, this isn't the end of the journey. This is merely the beginning and I know that there are a lot more things to come--more experiences. More stories to tell. More complications. New learnings and realizations. At this point, allow me to give you a glimpse of my whereabouts (so far) and a brief narration of my journey.
It was 5:00AM (Philippine time) when my alarm clock at the BSA Suites hotel rang. I had a hard time lifting myself off the bed. I am still very sleepy. I barely had a sleep. Michael and Kuya Vincent (yes, Michael of CHARM and Kuya Vincent of COE) brought me to Music Box that night for a send-off party. It was sweet of them. I was very glad to know that Ronilo (of MSU-HP, the quizzer and Kusina Entertainer) was one of the most sought-after performer of such comedy and karaoke bar. He was extremely amazing. You'll never deny him a standing ovation whenever he performs. By the way, he uses the screen name "Celina Brocka". Funny right? If you happen to visit Manila, go and watch him at the Music Box. You'll be proud of this Mindanao State University-Marawi talent. Someday somehow, he'll have his own sit-com soon. =)
Michael and Kuya Vincent accompanied me to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (I forgot to tell you that both has joined me at the BSA Suites that night). We left at around 6:00Am since my flight was at 9:00AM. After the hugs and the reminders, we finally parted. I entered the airport, alone, yet very brave.
After the never-ending checks and X-Rays, I boarded my flight to Japan via Japan Airlines. I traveled with Ella, a UGRAD grantee from Xavier University. Like me, she's also going to Montana State University. However, we were not seated together. It was because she checked-in earlier than me. Anyway, I was seated by the window. In the course of my 4-hour flight to Japan, I never really have talked to my seat mates. I don't know why. Silence. That's all. The food that they served on board wasn't that appetizing. I starved myself, yes.
We arrived at Narita-Tokyo airport past 1 o' clock in the afternoon. We immediately proceeded to our next connecting flight--to San Francisco, California. Narita airport is huge that we have to ride a bus to get to Terminal 1, where we'll board our plane to San Francisco--flight 852 via United Airlines. Ella and I have to wait for the next flight. We were quite early, so we battled boredom by roaming around the airport. We haven't taken pictures though. My camera broke-off a day before my departure. Sad. :( Around 6:00PM, we were all on board. "Good luck to both of us Elle", I told Ella. We were seated together this time. I asked United to do us that favor. Why good luck? We'll be traveling for 9 hours. Imagine that.
I thought it would be nine boring hours. Good thing it wasn't. Thanks to the Disney Channel and the movies that they have on board. Each seat is placed with a mini TV where you can choose what channel (or movie) to watch. We were provided with headsets too. You may also opt for the 'audio' where the top 20 songs are played. Listening to the songs made me melodramatic. "Tattoo" is my sister's favorite song (Rasheda). "No Air" is Ced's favorite song. I heard him sing the song all the time. Then there's "Bleeding Love". The songs they played constantly reminded me of the things and the persons that I'll be living without, for a year. So, I shut the AUDIO down and tuned to the Disney Channel. It was a lot better. Most are comedy Shows--the likes of Hanna Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (I'm not sure with the title) and a lot more. Ella and I ended up laughing together while watching the show. We also watched "The Spiderwick Chronicles". However, went asleep so I ended up bothering Ella to tell me how the story ended. Haha. Suddenly, I felt hungry. I waited for the flight stewards and stewardesses to serve us our meals. I waited long...really. But it was the worth the wait. They served chicken and guess what--RICE with Magnolia ice cream, salads and fruits. Take note: RICE. It's been just a few hours and yet we were already deprived of RICE. Good things United Airlines served rice in one of their meals.
Few minutes before we arrived at San Francisco International Airport, we filled-out our Customs and I-94 forms. Urgh. I thought filling-out forms are over. Hindi pa pala. But they said those forms are very important, so I did. We were about to land when I saw a very familiar structure by the window. I can't believe my eyes. The infamous Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco!Too bad, we can't get out of the airport. We still have much time pa naman. San Francisco was our first point of entry to the United States, so we faced the Bureau of Immigration there. It was quite thrilling, for those immigration officers can still deny you entry and send you back to your country should you fail present yourself well in the interview. But then again, we were traveling under a State Department program, so it was way easier for us. Waz Cha jud xa. Then, we got our baggages and have them re-checked again.
From San Francisco, we flew to Denver, Colorado where we took the plane to Bozeman, Montana. While in San Francisco airport, Ella and I (again, just to kill time) busied ourselves roaming around the airport. We met A LOT of Filipinos working in the airport. It was such a relief (and so so good) to talk with people who speak your tongue. It made me realized that indeed, I am not alone in this part of the globe. We also met a UGRAD grantee from Malaysia who also happens to be enrolled at Montana State. Tatlo na kami. Ang saya-saya! It was also in San Francisco airport where I bought a copy of Stephanie Meyer's "New Moon". Tickee and I have been looking for a copy in the Philippines, but there was none. I was really happy, I finally have one. It made me thought of Tickee.
We left San Francisco and flew to Denver. Nothing important happened in Denver. It was waiting...waiting and waiting. Our flight from Denver to Bozeman was extremely delayed. We were suppose to arrive at 11:40 in the evening. We ended up arriving at 1AM! Gracious Lord! Ms. Debora of the Office on International Programs waited for us in the airport and drove us to the university. She sent us to our respective residence halls and waved goodnight. Just for this summer, I'll be staying at the Roskie Hall, room 1026. I'm alone in my room. I wish I have a room mate. I'll be moving as soon as the Fall Semester starts. I hope to have a room mate by then.
I woke up around 10:00AM, that was when my phone rang. It was a call from Gem, a Fulbright scholar from UP-Los Banos who is taking her doctor's degree in Microbiology here (nosebleed noh?). She said, she's treating Ella and I for lunch. So, I immediately hit the shower and fetched Ella. She stays at the North Hedges Suites, few blocks away from my place. We ate lunch, visited the Office on International Programs (our homebase here) and have our CatCard--our IDs! The ID is what we use in eating in dining halls, entering our residence halls and buying some products. Swipe lang ng swipe!
Tonight, I'm planning to call my family back home. I miss them so badly. I'll purchase a phone card and talk to them. That's going to end my night...say my day. July 24 is over. More to come, I promise.
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