Flying Back to U.S. – for a Holiday!
It’s time to return to the U.S.! Beware: dangerous levels of excitement!
After an almost colossal screw-up with my tourist visa application (shan’t bore you with the disgraceful details), I salvaged the situation and got it approved this morning! Which means, after more than 2 months since I left the U.S. and returned to Singapore, I’ll be returning to the west as a tourist to attend this year’s graduation commencement at University of Michigan.
Why all the way there? For one, my girlfriend is still there and I miss her. A far second would be President Obama’s attendance as the speech-giver. This would be my only chance to see Obama in person. This would be my 3rd Michigan commencement (incl. my own) and fourth overall. While Ann Arbor, Michigan may not be a bustling metropolis, it’s a very heartwarming place where you always feel like returning, lay back and take in everything in stride. The photo above was taken by me sometime in the fall of 2007. Can you feel the pull of the place?
I think with all the stress that’s going on with job search and this business, it’d be swell to just dive back to the wonderful memories of college life.
No New York City this time, though. I’ve visited the place about 5 times and even lived there for a year, so I should explore other places. It’s California this time, baby! Funny how I’ve been to many parts of the U.S. (even Alaska and Hawaii), but not the highly desired Cal. Of course I’d like to hit all the major stops there — LA, SF, Yosemite, San Diego — and as a bonus I get to visit my own friend from Columbia too, who is a LA native.
Everything for the trip seems to be going well now – please let it stay that way!
