That thank you note that I saw every time I stepped into a room to perform my duty as a housekeeper. Iowa House Hotel, Summer 2011.
No matter how tired you are from cleaning the very messy room with smell of beer, coffee stains, dirty toilet and rubbish all over the floor, it is paid off when you saw that thank you notes (and sometimes a small amount of tips).
My first job in Malaysia, I had that. thank you notes. They made me smile.
For some people, it does not matter. For some others, those little act of kindness, make their day.
What would be your reaction when you heard someone said that?
I was speechless. But proud at the same time.
So we were in a meeting yesterday, where we are going to conduct a video recording and the requirement of the other party is that it has to be multi-racial. My boss and I disagree because of some valid reasons, but the other party just kept on insisting it. Then suddenly, a lecturer told us,
“I’m not a Chinese. I’m Malaysian. There should not be an issue of having multi-racial. We are all Malaysian what.”
that left me speechless. I’m proud of that statement, because not all Malaysians could say that.
I did not really enjoy planning for travel. For our family, we let kakak do it for us. But things changed when I went to US. Because there is no kakak there. So yes, I had to do it myself.
Our East Coast trip was kind of an ad hoc plan. Initially we were planning on a road trip to the West (for my second time) to attend a muktamar there. But last minute, there was a changed of plan, so we decided to look for a cheap flight ticket to anywhere, we didn’t mind as long as we could go somewhere!! So that night, fortunately, ticket to New York was quite cheap, less than $200 return. Without a proper planning, we just booked our return ticket (Chicago – New York). We have the dates, but not any plans!
So from there, we divided our task. Accommodation, transportation, places of attractions, and so on. Every day, I’ll check on the cheap bus ticket or flight for our in between states travelling, look for accommodation, just in case there are offers available, so that we can save on our stay. Luckily, we managed to find a place to stay at Philly (at a friend’s house) and MARA hostel at D.C. But until last minute, we could not find a place to stay at NYC (I had no idea about airbnb during this time). So I emailed almost every Malaysian Society / Student Society / Mosque / Malaysian Individual / Malaysian Tourism nearby NYC, but I received no reply. Sad it is.
But alhamdulillah, I received a reply from Imam Shamsi Ali, an Indonesian who have stayed in the USA for so long and he let us stay at his house which is in Jamaica (if I’m not mistaken), about 40 minutes from Manhattan. A stranger, who believes in helping a muslim sister. That is the beauty of this religion. Love.
So done with accommodation, and as for transportation, it is not that difficult to get a cheap price bus ticket. We managed to save A LOT on this. Iowa City – Chicago, NYC – Philly, Philly – D.C, and D.C – NYC, we took the bus (Megabus and Greyhound). Which cost us less than $20 for each trip. of course, after almost every hour checking up the websites for cheap tickets.
and for sightseeing in Philly and NYC, we took the City Pass, which saves a lot and you can go to their main attractions with that pass. We bought online, of course. Except for D.C, we did not take any pass because most of the museums are free and the main attractions are also free!!
We spent, less than $400 for the three cities, inclusive of food for 4 travellers. Yes, we saved a lot as well because we took light meal for lunch and just heavy for dinner (and mostly because our breakfast and dinner in NYC, was prepared by ummi. Thank you ummi <3)
It was a gamble trip, the unplanned plan, which usually works the best. Indeed, it is, for four of us. and surely, without HIS blessings, it will not work out as we have planned.
Next time, adventure begins in Philadelphia, the historic city. Love love love that city!
Bettendorf, Iowa.
Pre-winter trip. Spent some quality time with Auntie Khadijah and these awesome girls from Palestine. I miss that beautiful city – Bettendorf, Iowa –
I could not agree more. Once, I used to do things wholeheartedly. But not anymore. Now, I go to work, not because I want to work, but simply because of the social pressure and financial pressure. Yes.
But they say if we do things from our heart, people can feel it. What if I’m not?
These kind words which I will always remember. Because it was who I used to be.
The last words. I could not agree more.
I’m worried. Yes I’m worried for my daughter, to grow up in this crazy society. May Allah always protect her, us.
So yesterday, a colleague of mine came to me and gave me the black and gold (or looks like yellow) pen to me.
“A gift for you” he said with a smile.
I was shocked then I looked at the engraved on it. it says ‘The University of Iowa’
I looked at him, and he said “I went to US last April and I dropped by at Iowa City.”
How can I not be happy? That is just a pen, but it is from the place that I have been missing so much. and the fact that a friend actually remembers you, to take the effort to go upstairs just to share with you the memory, is essentially heartwarming. You know what I mean, right?
It is the small act that made me smile
It is that kind of thought that made me shed a little tears
It is that simple words “I remember you” that touched me
people have been making fun of me, just because I am still missing (and I will always be) Iowa City. If only you know why, then you will understand.
I’m sorry. I am just missing that place. Again. April in Iowa is still cold, but you can bear it with just a jacket, or thick shirt with a scarf would be fine as well.
Magical Realism 