American Dream - Part 1

march 23, 2008 6:30am. i arrived from a one-week US vacation.

that was a fulfillment of a short span american dream which started when the US Embassy bestowed trust and confidence in me by granting me a tourist visa.

Flashback:

December 3, 2007 was a big day for me. for the first time in my life i felt like i'm in a beauty pageant contest and spot lights were on me. my fate lies on the result of the question and answer portion. my heart trembled and i hid it as much as i could by flashing the best smile i could give. "for henry, i need to pass this interview..."

"stay confident ate," said Joan.

"Just answer the questions directly, the consul doesn't need too much information," said Henry.

"Exude the aura like telling them that 'hey, you don't have a choice but to give me a visa'," i told myself.

while seated in the waiting area, i picked number 2926. I noticed number 26, wow, henry and i were born on the 26th of January and November, respectively. it could have been a lucky number.

2926... geezz... i just turned 29 last November 26. I felt shivers down my spine. It could be a birthday gift for me.

Consul: welcome to the United States of America!
Mich: why... that's it??
Consul: Yup
Mich: EEEeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no i didn't shout. i wish i could. i felt like rubbing the glass window with my handkerchief and kneeling down before the consul and sing to him songs of praises. geeezzz!!! when i went to delbros to fill out the delivery form for my passport and visa i swear to God i couldn't write, my hands are trembling... no.. it was my whole body trembling.

perhaps i was just too lucky. some office colleagues said my boss was denied with a US visa twice even though the purpose is for training. some colleagues said i should go for an Asian tour first (Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong, etc.). eat your hearts out!!

as soon as i hailed a cab, i called henry. i knew he was very happy.

i felt that all the universe conspired to give me all my aspirations. my stars aligned perfectly. i admit i just exerted little efforts for these gifts. all i did was to simply go with the flow, prayed hard and focus.

it worked this time.