Return from Summer Asia 2010
Got back from my summer study abroad in Asia (Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia) a few days ago. Time went by so fast that it, once again, felt like I left just yesterday. I was so preoccupied the last month in Malaysia with finishing my partner and I's project that I had no time to really explore the place - which is a real shame. Lesson learned, or should I say once again the reminder to: get things done in the moment and don't think time will be available in the future.
Now back here in LA and need to find myself a job since I'm only taking one course this semetser (the summer program was for credit). One year left of school now, and I've moved back to Ellendale street (where I lived when I first transferred to USC); kinda like the end is the beginning sort of thing.
A little interesting encounter at the LAX immigration checkpoint...
I go to the visitors arrival section and was wondering which line was the shortest, so I asked the two staff standing there which line was the shortest. They disagree on the line so I take the advice of the one who seemed to be a bit more convinced about her choice. While waiting they actually come up to me - just me - and lifted the retractable barrier to let me go to a shorter line that they found.
I was called upon by this female officer, Choi, - who I would be talking to for the next 15 minutes - and showed her my documents. She asked me about how long I've stayed in the States and my major. After a friendly start I told her that I've hardly seen a female officer before, and I guess that lead to more talking... She told me about her son (about my age) who majored in criminology and wanted to be a detective. And then we started talking about God, which I don't remember how it started, but the primer was that I asked her a question that lead her to mention something about God and then she asked me "what about you?" (she was Christian) This convo was obviously getting long so I turned around head to look for my classmates, then she told me that I was the last for her shift so there was no need to rush. I told her about my investigative position and experiences - and her colleagues would drop by to say bye every few minutes. Anyhow, the conversation ended with a handshake and a "God bless." Certainly my most interesting experience at the immigration checkpoint.
Now back here in LA and need to find myself a job since I'm only taking one course this semetser (the summer program was for credit). One year left of school now, and I've moved back to Ellendale street (where I lived when I first transferred to USC); kinda like the end is the beginning sort of thing.
A little interesting encounter at the LAX immigration checkpoint...
I go to the visitors arrival section and was wondering which line was the shortest, so I asked the two staff standing there which line was the shortest. They disagree on the line so I take the advice of the one who seemed to be a bit more convinced about her choice. While waiting they actually come up to me - just me - and lifted the retractable barrier to let me go to a shorter line that they found.
I was called upon by this female officer, Choi, - who I would be talking to for the next 15 minutes - and showed her my documents. She asked me about how long I've stayed in the States and my major. After a friendly start I told her that I've hardly seen a female officer before, and I guess that lead to more talking... She told me about her son (about my age) who majored in criminology and wanted to be a detective. And then we started talking about God, which I don't remember how it started, but the primer was that I asked her a question that lead her to mention something about God and then she asked me "what about you?" (she was Christian) This convo was obviously getting long so I turned around head to look for my classmates, then she told me that I was the last for her shift so there was no need to rush. I told her about my investigative position and experiences - and her colleagues would drop by to say bye every few minutes. Anyhow, the conversation ended with a handshake and a "God bless." Certainly my most interesting experience at the immigration checkpoint.