Phase 1 : The Invitation

"You really got to go to US, it's amazing! You will have more opportunity and you can hone your skills. God, you should just visit if you don't want to live there. It's going to change your life!"

And I go like, "Oh really?"

I met this man on a chat room, and it didn't took long before he decided I would have a better chance in US. He was probably right, but I love my country soooo much that the thought to move away to another country never quite won me over. And yes, getting the visa to very strict US will be quite impossible for a simple girl like me, or so I thought. It was a fun thought though, if not a bit Fairy Tale-ish: where the heroine got rescued by her Prince Charming and spirited to land far far away to live happily ever after with him. The End. Then present day calling and the imagination bubble burst.

But as I got to know Prince Charming more and more the thought become more real and less dreamily every single day. As any love-struck woman would feel, the hours I spend texting him felt more real than the actual hours I spend talking and interacting face to face with people in my part of the globe. I know where he eats, his daily activities and thoughts about his American culture and news; in a way, our extended long distance relationship that goes on for months break me in and prepare me of "what to expect" in regards to America.  Therefore, when he actually popped the question, the thought of moving there to be with him no longer felt weird or imaginative. It was just another part of our journey.

I naturally think the visa will be the most difficult part of our journey. I am an avid news reader and it didn't escape me that there has been a growing sentiment against Islam in western world, and as Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, getting a visa to US will not be easy. On the other hand, I jump into conclusion that once I am there adapting will be a cinch since I have adequate English and well versed in dealing with foreigners as a result of working almost 5 years in wedding business in Bali. I have never been more mistaken. I got the visa in a breeze (albeit a long painful 10 months breeze), but for the life of me I still can't fathom why salad costs many more than a huge chunk of grilled chicken in US, nor why my tablet is not considered as phone when I can use it so easily to call and text in Indonesia.

Oh well, live and learn, I always say. Maybe someday I can mastered those stuff and finally understand why Top Gun is considered as the best American movie ever. I can probably even finished watching it! Till then, stay close, dear readers!