Saturday, November 25, 2017

Fall 2017 Updates

I'm definitely slacking this year with my blog updates, on track to have the least number of posts in a year since 2007. Been busy with work and travels ever since we returned from our trip, and the last 3 months flew by just like that. It's time to catch up on some updates over this long weekend before work gets hectic again soon.

Sept 3 (Sun): Gathering with relatives.


Was traveling back and forth Tampa, FL for 6 weeks in Oct and Nov.


Fully utilized my United Club membership at the lounge in Atlanta airport.

Spent a good number of nights in hotels.

Views from the hotel.

Traveling for work means eating out...


a lot...

and fixed my cravings for Asian food.

'Test drove' these cars over the last few weeks, as if I'm looking to buy a new car...lol!

Oct 21 (Sat): Pumpkin carving party with the family at SIL's new place.

Continued with meal prep routine even though I was traveling, I'm a good wife...haha! =P

Nov 18 (Sat): Made curry chicken for Thanksgiving potluck party with friends here in Huntsville. The bottom two photos are my best attempt for Thanksgiving dinner...lol!

Friday, November 24, 2017

Thankful for 3 Years - Work Edition


1 Dec 2014...the day I pressed the 'reset' button and started my career anew in this country. It's hard to believe that 3 years have flown by since then! 

I was on a Friday evening flight home after a week-long work trip recently. As I looked around, I can't help but to notice that most passengers were American men traveling for work. I don't usually think much about this but it struck me that day that I am traveling on a path less traveled (not unique though). Being a female who came from a developing country where English is not my first language, I have been incredibly fortunate to be where I am today and to be able to do what I am doing now. Looking back at all the things I've accomplished done over the past 3 years, I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. 


1. Thankful for a smooth relocation

Apart from lucky, I can't think of a better word to describe my entire transfer/relocation process. I was lucky to be working with an American boss who was on tour in Penang, and he was the one who suggested me to do an inter-company transfer. He even helped to find out about this client in Huntsville and hooked me up with the HR from our Birmingham office. Coincidentally, they were looking for a senior based in Huntsville, tell me about luck! 

The US company took care of the relocation process, including my work visa application. All I had to do was to provide all the necessary information and attend the visa interview at the embassy. I received a relocation allowance (more than enough to cover my flight),  and the company also arranged a relocation management company to assist with the logistics of my relocation, but I didn't use it because I had hubby to help. =P

I vented about having to redo all the little things like applying for social security, opening new bank account, taking driving test, driving on the other side of the road, and applying (and getting denied because I had no credit history) for credit cards, but I really shouldn't be complaining because I received so much help along the way. For that, I'm thankful.


2. Thankful for a perfect assignment

As mentioned above, I was fortunate that the assignment in Huntsville was looking for a senior and I fitted right in. What are the odds that the only tech client we have in our small office is actually located in Huntsville and is a public company, basically a perfect match for my previous experience! Best of all, my commute to work takes only 15 minutes with zero traffic. Another good thing about this assignment was that it kept me busy and in town for at least 60% of the year, so I was able to stay home and work remotely for the most part. So thankful with how things worked out so perfectly for my first 3 years here!


3. Thankful for a great boss
I always tell people that whether or not you enjoy your work depends not so much on the work you do, it depends more on who you work with. The nature of our job is such that we don't really get to choose who we work with, and it really depends a lot on luck. The company hire good people in general, but everyone has different personalities and work styles, and I've been lucky to work with bosses that fit my style and appreciate my hard work. Over the past 7 years, I've really only worked with 3 partners, which is considered very few for our industry. In some way or another, they've helped me progress professionally and personally. I've enjoyed working with and learning from them, and I'm truly thankful to meet these great bosses throughout my career.


4. Thankful for good team members

Being the only Asian in my office, people hasn't treated me any differently, which I take as a compliment probably because my English is good enough. =P Coming in as someone new, I had to establish new relationships and build trust with others in my team. My motto is that nobody owes you anything, and seniority doesn't necessarily mean you are more knowledgeable, smarter, or more superior than others. Respect is earned and being conceited will get you nowhere. Gratitude goes a long way and I constantly remind myself to keep both feet on the ground, be humble, and be willing to learn. I'm thankful to have worked with team members who are nice, helpful, and responsible (for the most part). =P


5. Thankful for the opportunity to travel

I enjoy traveling for work and I'm one of the rare ones in our office that raises my hand for any travel opportunities. I clearly remember how excited I was to travel on my first work trip to Shanghai back in 2011. Over the last 3 years, I've been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to 12 cities for various types of work - Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Tampa, New York, Dallas, Orlando, Auburn, Minneapolis, Tyler, Ohio, and Atlanta. I don't get paid more for work travels, but the points and miles makes up for it. =P


6. Thankful to work on a special project

I spent two months traveling back and forth Dallas for a special project last year. It was related to the work I worked on back in Penang so the team asked if I wanted to help out. The manager and partner on this project were people I used to work with back in Penang 3 years ago. It's weird how all of us ended up working together again in the same team despite working in 3 different states in the US. Even weirder, one of the client came to the US from Penang just to work on this project and we've known each other since college. This is a 'special' project indeed! From Malaysia to the US, it's amazing how small the world can be! You never know where life will take you and who you will cross path with, so always put your best foot forward in everything you do. You may not notice it but people do remember and recognize your good work. On a side note, these two months of travel pretty much funded our round-the-world trip this year and getting a special bonus was icing on the cake. =P


7. Thankful for completing CPA

It was frustrating that my UK-based professional qualification is not accepted in the US and I had to take all 4 CPA exams to be certified and licensed here. Being the only person in our office with a foreign qualification, I had to navigate my path through the exams and getting licensed in Alabama myself with almost no help from HR. I lost count of the number of nights I stayed up till 3-4am to study after a full day of work, but I'm just glad to be able to pass all my exams without failing (with an average score of 89). =P 


8. Thankful to be promoted

I came here knowing nothing about jargons like 10-K, 10-Q, or 8-K. It was a steep learning curve but I'm glad I was given more time to learn and pick up all the new things here in the US. It took a little longer (than in Penang) to get promoted to Manager because of this whole transfer thingy but I'm still thankful to be promoted before turning 30. =P Slowly but surely. It was actually a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to spend more time in town over the last 2.5 years. 


Be thankful for what you have, while working for what you want. ​- Hellen Keller

I sound like I have the perfect job, but there are certainly times when I get stressed or frustrated with work. Most of the time, they are 'human-created' problems. However, I constantly remind myself that I can't control how others think or behave, but I can control how I look at things. I'm thankful just to be able to have a job that pays fairly well.  Work is a long marathon, and at some point it may break your heart, but gratitude will keep us going. Always remember, things could always be worse. =P

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Around-the-World 2017 ✈ Penang

I've always been fascinated by the idea of traveling around the world, and I'm thankful to be able to fulfill a realistic version of this bucket list item for my 30th birthday. =) Our Round-the-World adventure brought us to 5 countries, 4 continents, covering 36,000 miles in 20 days. It was a great trip and I'll chronologically share about our adventures in the next few posts, so follow along!

Day 13-15 and 18-20
KL & Penang, Malaysia


A trip around-the-world certainly wouldn't be complete without making a stop back HOME! When I left 3 years ago, I set a goal to make a trip home at least once a year and I'm glad that I've been able to do so. Even though I didn't get to stay as long as I'd like to during this trip, I was glad to be able to spend the final week of this RTW trip with my family. Unfortunately, hubby didn't have enough vacation days to take another week off work so we parted in Tokyo and I flew this final leg solo.

21 Aug 2017 (Mon): Tokyo - KL

Used 22,500 Enrich miles + $27 taxes to redeem my flights from Narita - KL - Penang on MAS and 'strategically' added a free layover for a few hours in KL to run some errands. Lost count of the number of red-eye flights we took during this RTW trip. Even though it's not the most comfortable way to travel but at least it's efficient. Gotta make the most of our limited vacation days and do crazy things like this while our body still allow us to. =P

Landed at KLIA at 4am, took shower at the airport lounge, stored my backpack at the luggage storage, then took a free cab (Citi Premier Miles complimentary free ride home) to the US Embassy. One of the most important 'mission' for this trip is to get my work visa renewed within 5 days, which explained why this was the first thing on the agenda as soon as I touched down in Malaysia. Made it to the embassy ahead of my 8.30am appointment and fortunately everything went smoothly and I was done by 9.30am.

Headed back to KLIA to continue my journey back to Penang. Grandma and grandaunt didn't know that I was going back so it was a good surprise when they saw me at the door. =)

22, 23,26 Aug 2017 (Tues, Wed, Sat): Penang

Home is all about...

Family (celebrated big bro's birthday in advance)...

Friends (glad to be able to meet up with some friends despite my short trip home)...

...and Food! Yumsss!!

Finally had the chance to check out my apartment that was completed since last Oct.

27 Aug 2017 (Sun): Penang - KL


Thanks to bro and sis-in-law for driving back from KL over the weekend and drove me down to KL catch my flight. I paid my 'Uber' fee by helping to replace their tire on the way. =P

28 Aug 2017 (Mon): KL - Tokyo - Chicago - Huntsville

The week went by really fast and it was time to say goodbye again. =( Thanks to mom and dad for waking up super early to send me off at the airport! I was surprised to be able to get into the Plaza Premium Lounge (printed on my boarding pass), probably because of my UA Gold (temporary) status.

Had some extra time before my 7am flight so decided to lounge-hop to the SIA lounge next door using my United Club membership. This lounge is much smaller and quieter.

Glad to get front row seat again for the flight from KL to Narita. ANA's service is ichiban!

Spent my 2-hours transit at Tokyo Narita airport at the United Club lounge, making full use of my United Club membership. =P Got myself some sushi and played with the automatic beer machine. There were a lot of people at the lounge but the lounge was spacious with plenty of seating areas so it wasn't too bad.

Was happily chilling at the lounge and mistaken my boarding gate (thanks United for also having a flight to Chicago at the same time) so I ended up running to my boarding gate. My final long-haul 12 hour flight for this RTW trip was rather uneventful. ANA service was good and I loved that they had self-service snacks and beverages at the galley throughout the night. =)

Arrived Chicago at 3pm and spent my 4-hour transit at the United Club at Concourse B (near Gate B18). Including the 2 United Club that we visited on our way to London, I successfully visited all 3 United Club that I had access to in Chicago airport. =P 

It's a wrap for this Round-the-World series! Glad to finally complete all 6 posts after 2 months, slowly but surely. =D 

✈ Around-the-World 2017 ✈

As mentioned on my header, I'm extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to embark on this crazy adventure right before turning 30. Of course, doing all these for almost free made this trip even more awesome! From Europe, to South Africa, to Asia, we've seen and experienced a wide variety of sights, scenery, and cultures. So where shall we go next? Well, gotta get back to work and save more money, points, and miles first. =P At the meantime, I'll have to catch up on editing our GoPro clips from this trip.