Applying for a US Tourist Visa in Malaysia

Leading up to my US Visa application, I found a few blog entries that were uber helpful. But they were still few. So I'm going to do my part, and pay back to society by contributing my own experience.

I won't go into details about 'how to apply', because a simple google search would give you all the answers you need. But I'm going to go into grandmother story mode about the interview proper.

My appointment was scheduled for 10am. I left my house at 8.15am, thinking to myself "What am I going to do with myself when I reach there early?".

One broken down car in SMART Tunnel, One more on Jln Tun Razak, a massive jam that was worse than the normal KL traffic peak, one frantic and frazzled me later, I drove passed the embassy at 10.10am, found a parking 500meters away, and RAN to the entrance, praying all the way....and I was never so happy to see a long queue. There were people still waiting to get in. And though I had to wait another 50 minutes before I was allowed in, it was a happy 50 minutes of feeling lucky.

Before I was allowed in, I had to queue to approach the 'information window'. While queuing, applicants were chit chatting to each other and even with the guards who were friendly and helpful with enquiries. The queue doesn't keep moving, because they only let people in in batches.

When my turn came, I had to submit my IC and show my interview appointment letter to the lady behind the counter in exchange for a visitor's pass.

And then I queued again.

People were allowed into the guardhouse, one at a time, to go through a security check - x-ray for the bags and person. I had to remove all electronic items (Handphones, car remote control, camera, etc) and checked them in at the counter. The guard then finally let me into 'the land of dreams' (the embassy seemed that way, after the long wait) with clear instructions of where to go.

Here onwards, every step is followed by clear instructions for the next. This efficiency I love, and wish we adopted in our government agencies.

It was 11am. After I entered the building, there is a ticketing machine on the left where I collected my number. The counters and waiting area are through the door on your left with more waiting area through the right.

The counters are like the ones in banks, except the personnel are separated by glass and some of the counters were closed up like a glass cubicle. I presume it was to reduce the noise.

I preferred to wait at the waiting area to the right because it was bigger, had washrooms and a water fountain. Both waiting areas had TV but I people-watched, as usual. Numbers are called while the previous applicant is about to finish, so I didn't have to run to the counter. Plus, it was more efficient because no time in between applicants is wasted. Efficiency, I like!

So, the first time my number was called, I had to submit my
1) photo
2) fee receipt
3) Passport
4) Application Confirmation Form (the one that you receive after submitting the form online)
The lady kept asking me the same question: "Have you been to the US before?"
My last resolute "NO" satisfied her. I wonder if it was a test or she just wasn't paying attention.

The second time I was called was for the biometric scanning. There's a precise method:
1) Place the four fingers of your right hand flat on the screen
2) Do the same with the left
3) Then both thumbs

Then wait some more.

The third time is the interview. Now, this was what I was dreading. I had read from the blogs that some of the interviewers were fierce and rude, and some questions could be tricky.

As I approached the counter, I was greeted with "Hello! And how are you doing today?!"

What a relief! I got a friendly one! The questions he asked me were fairly simple:

1) Why are you going to the US?
2) Where are you going?
3) How long?
4) Do you have any friends or relatives there?
5) Who are you going with? (Answer: my boyfriend)
6) Does he have a visa?
7) Is he Malaysian?
8) What do you do for a living?
9) Do you have a degree?
10) Did you study for it in Malaysia?

And my favourite part was when he said "Ok, no problem. Your visa has been approved", teared off and handed me a stub to exchange for my passport later. He hadn't even ask to see any of the supporting documents I had brought along (I did spend many hours preparing them).

I walked off happily with the stub in my hand, smiling blithely to myself, forgetting to ask 'how many years' and 'when will it be delivered?'.

It was 12pm.

I headed to KLCC nearby and bought a pair of 'holiday' walking shoes.

Update: Two days after my visa Interview, I received an SMS and an email informing me that my documents has been picked up from the US embassy. The following day, which is today, it was delivered to my house. 10 years validity. WhoopDeeDOO!!

2011 Checklist

It's time again to do my annual checklist!

Let's see...for 2011:

Maintained a regular exercise routine Check

Avoid being mistaken for being pregnant Sort of Check, cause the last time I suspected someone thought so was in January when a guy gave up his seat in the monorail for me

Fit back to old clothes Check! Oh yeah!

Travel Check in small fonts because I only went to Manila, and that isn't the usual kind of travel exploration that I do. It was enjoyable, nonetheless, living the life of a pseudo-expat for awhile.

Registered my company, become a Sole Proprietor Check

Own my own property No check :-(  I attempted to purchase a SoHo lot in Subang, but the deal fell through. Price of property was ridiculous in 2011 making other affordable purchases nil. Perhaps next year will be my lucky year.

Become an auntie, again! Check

Spend more time with family and friends Check


I don't make resolutions, but I have hopes and things to look forward to for the year ahead:

• Stabilising my business and achieving my 2012 target revenue
• My two best friends getting married!
• Do some 'serious' travelling, with many countries seeing economic uncertainty, we see more affordable flight tickets and lower exchange rates
• Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle
• Seeing my niece and nephew grow up
• Keeping spending quality time with loved ones

What a Happy New Year I imagine it's going to be!

Zenzi Facial, SS19 Subang Jaya

My initial visit to the salon was promising. Julia was careful in promoting their packages, and recommended that I tried out one of their less expensive facials with a 1st trial offer. I was eager to, mainly because they also used Sothy's products.

Their decor was minimal and practical. There wasn't a cupboard for customers to hang their clothes - only a hook and hanger. But I didn't raise my expectations for a RM108 trial facial.

I was pleasantly surprised that they too have only one person servicing the client throughout the whole facial. Even Leonard Drake has two - a senior to consult and extract, and the junior does the rest. I prefer the former to get that 'exclusive' service and less bustling in and out the room.

I won't go on too long about the facial. It delivered what was expected for that price.

HOWEVER....(and that's in caps)

The extraction was painful. I'm usually able to tolerate a lot of pain for the sake of vanity, but this is the first time I actually jumped at one point and told the therapist to be more gentle.

She said that the pain was due to my dehydrated skin. I do agree that skin is more sensitive when dry, but mine had always been so and I've never experienced such degree of discomfort (except for my first experience with Herbaline @IOI Puchong which was horrendous).

I told her I was extremely sensitive around my nose and jaw areas, and to be gentle. But I did not feel that she paid any extra care in those areas.

So, price wise - good (a package of six facials could be as low as RM108 each). Product wise - great. But unless you are a masochist or have not much in your vanity fund, then 128Faubourg is a much more relaxing experience!

Looking to Britain as role model

They may have colonised us once upon a time ago, but it doesn't change the fact that it is a great nation and there is a thing or two (or how about a million) that we can learn from our past coloniser. Why reinvent the wheel when there are already lessons we can learn from other countries' which had already undergone trial and error, war and bloodshed, denial and acceptance, to finally emerge with fine tuned systems, society and ideologies? I remember during my youth, we were taught the phrase 'pengaruh asing yang negatif' or rather 'semua pengaruh asing adalah negatif'. I hope that our children are no longer taught to be so narrow minded.

The fact is, we are still a developing country. But we need not take as long as present developed countries to reach the elevated status because we can now simply imitate them. We're not creating the wave, we're just riding it from behind,which I believe is the ideal place to be for a young country, business or trend setter. It took Thomas Edison one thousand tries to invent the lightbulb...we only had to buy one, and reverse engineer it.

It took Britian years to figure out that the judiciary, legislative and executive should practise separation of power and they installed the system before relinquishing Tanah Melaya, hoping that we would benefit from their knowledge borne from many years of running their own country. It took us only few years to screw it up, and puppet strings reached out from the executive to the other two.

Recently, reading The Star gets me riddled. There's always something or other that demonstrates our leaders backwardness and close mindedness. They published a piece with the headline that a 'Malaysian Malaysia is against Principles' and the content further spews that it's 'unfair'. Unfair to whom? Are the principles fair in its own sense? Man made laws, our constitution included, specifically Article 153, are not cast in stone.

Source: BBC.co.uk

Last year, Britain amended their succession laws to allow female heir equal rights to inherit the throne. If William and Kate have a female firstborn, she'll inherit throne instead of waiting to see if she has brothers or if they later abdicate. Further to that, while previously the heir may not marry a Roman Catholic, they now can without having to relinquish the throne. The reason that Britain has taken these steps? Because it's common sense in these times to not discriminate. If Britain can change a 300 year law because it's the right thing to do, what's one Article 153?

Scaling down to another issue that perhaps seems less important, but appeals to more and still involves Kate - thrifty fashion. Kate is known as the thrifty princess, who shops at ZARA and Topshop (considered average price retailers in the UK), buys designer pieces on sale, recycles clothes (meaning she wears them more than once, which is an everyday occurance for us 'commoners' but previously a fashion faux pas for celebrities) and even borrows her mum's clothes. It's an excellent example for staying chic during global economy uncertainty and she carries her clothes so elegantly.

Kate, in her mum's cast off
Source: dailymail.co.uk



Source: Huffington Post


Even Michelle Obama shops at Target and looks good doing it.

As oppose to...oh well....you know....our local scandals involving  a ring, a a bracelet and a few handbags, none succeeding in improving the wearer's appearance.

Who are the 'pengaruh-pengaruh negatif' now?

Empire Gallery Subang Reopens; Jaya Grocer has Bentong Ginger

I went back to Empire Gallery for my facial today. They had just reopen for business yesterday after the explosion that occurred barely two months ago.

It looks as good as before from the front:

And some surprise improvements since. I was greeted by bright red panelling at the entrance of the car park, very IKEA-ish.

It's never easy to find parking here during lunch hour, but it was not bumper-to-bumper like its pre-blow up days. Perhaps customers are still wary and many are unaware that Empire Gallery is back in business.

There were still a number of shops not opened. The hoardings, which bear the shopping mall's logo and not individual tenants', give away no clue as to whether the prior tenants have decided to move away, or they are not ready to open their doors yet.

This one used to be the organic food shop, I think.

La Senza is so unprepared, that they even let themselves get caught naked (I mean, the mannequins lah)

Toilets on the ground floor were under maintenance. I wonder how they were affected, being situated at the other side of the mall, away from the gas line that exploded. But what do I know about building structures. Perhaps the lines wind around underground like mating snakes.

On to happier images, they have already begun to bring out the Christmas items for display.

Tiers of teddy bears at the main entrance. Aww.

And the most exciting difference: Royce is finally open! They were still renovating before the incident. RM45 per box worth of well spent money in mini chocolate bricks that melt down your throat as molten bliss (almost having a forgasm thinking about it).

Not forgetting that Jaya Grocer Supermarket has also raised its grill (door). 

I love shopping in Jaya Grocer. Their outlets are always small and cosy (especially the one in Empire Gallery) yet I can always find the things I want or stumble upon unique products (like self-heating cans of choco).

Bentong Ginger was on my shopping list, and since I was there, I thought I'd try my luck. It's not everywhere you can find this ginger, popular as it may be, but my gut told me that Jaya Grocer would have it.

Lo Behold, they DID!

It's more expensive than other places, but that's alright. I'm paying for the convenience and tipping them for how neatly they stack their veggies (pictured in the background) for my pleasurable shopping experience. 

I stood awhile, staring at the cans of pickled lettuce (also on my list) wondering how they can stock up on so much variety yet keep the shelves full. In such a small outlet, to maintain variety, they would be able to display only one or two column of each product (eg. only one column of Heinz baked beans instead of the entire shelf, because the rest will have to go to cap ayam, cap itik, cap bagus, etc). And the problem with allocating such small space per item is that the workers will have to be on their toes, stocking up items as they leave the shelves so that other customers looking for the same item will not be left wanting.

Yes, such operational issues amuse me. I'm boring that way.

At the same time, I'm also thinking (as we womenfolk can think many different thoughts, all different subject at multi directions, all at the same time) about Mr Teng, the founder of Jaya Grocer. 

Now, my brief acquaintance with him happened a few years ago when Sunway opened a pharmacy and we sought his advice and expertise in retail. It's one of those "I remember him, He don't remember me" sort of two ships passing acquaintance - he, the mighty cruise ship; me, the tiny sampan. But he is one of those figures that a young, ambitious executive (like I was then) would look up to.

His father opened the TMC sundry shop, which now still stands in Bangsar, somewhere across the road from Bangsar Village. He told us how he had to work at his father's shop, carrying goods and other labourious errands. Later, the family founded the Giant Hypermarket, which they later sold for lots of money (I don't know how much, but lots).

Mr Teng brought the Ace Hardware brand to Malaysia and later founded Jaya Grocer Supermarket.

When he was serving us advice about retail, which was about three years ago, he brought us to his then newly opened supermarket at Jaya 33, and enthused about the way the vegetables were displayed, the chalkboard they used to display the prices and the way the lights were positioned. I realise now that indirectly he was showing us that success is in the details, along with obvious passion. He was also down-to-earth and friendly, almost unawares of his own success and wealth, as how we like our prominent business leaders to be (I hear from good sources that Tony Fernandes is the same).

So, yes, I was thinking all that and then some while looking at pickled lettuce.

I went to pay my purchases, and 'think' of the devil, there he was! Mr Teng in the flesh, sitting at the deli area looking at some papers. I imagine, figuring out how to minimise his loses from the two month closure.

No wonder the supermarket looked spick and span, the shelves well arranged and stocked, and the cashiers smiling. Boss mali mah.

Back to the reason I was in empire...MY FACE. I'm braving myself to post before and after pictures. Should I? Can I? Dare I?

Old Blossom Box: An Exchange

During my first visit to Old Blossom Box, I picked up a pretty, very feminine and unique cut out piece.

What was once this:

Became this:

The pink material was not colour-fast and stained the white material. 

Jezmine, boutique owner and designer, sent the blouse to her cleaners to attempt a recovery. Unfortunately, it could not be saved. So, Jezmine let me exchange the blouse for another item (Hurrah, for the exchange! Yay, for good customer service! Boo-hoo, for the ruined blouse) 

Old Blossom Box is such a pretty boutique, and puts me in such a retno (retro + nostalgia) state of mind.

I always end up trying many many many pieces each time I visit.

This fabric print makes me think of my Ladybird Classic Books I used to read when I was a 'wittle wittle' girl.

Any girl (and boy?) born in the 80s would have played with paperdolls! 

I absolutely love this Drama Bow blouse. The size of the bow certainly lives up to its name. I could wear this with a black pencil skirt for work or with a full, silver skirt for dinner (both pieces of which I have). 

But I settled on practicality 

(oh, what has happened to the quirky, impractical side of me?! Has age murdered it?)

I picked a light, rayon (I think) dress. 

The most delightful thing about the dress is the little horsies print!

I can wear the dress with a jacket to walk Little Wang, my pet lion or, if you have no imagination, to shamelessly take my own picture with my traditional chinese stuff toy.

 I love the square, old fashion cap sleeves and collar. When I wear my pencil skirt and A-line skirt over, I feel almost Mad Men-ish.

Little Wang wanted a picture of himself as the only face in focus.

I noticed that the horses for the most part are galloping upside down. But whether upside down on my breast, right side up on my collarbone or sideways on my arm, they make a charming pattern. I almost feel ticklish thinking of the tiny creatures prancing on me.

They got the fabric orientation right for this one though:

But I prefer to think (read: deceive myself) that my piece is like a coin or stamp wrongly minted/printed - it becomes a valuable collector's item.

You can subscribe to the Old Blossom Box blog, receive updates, make reservations and purchases through email. But I vehemently advise retno-lovers to visit the boutique and allow yourself to revert to your childhood.

Subang Jaya: Thunderstorm and Hailstones

Here's a bit of resident watch news.

Yesterday, Subang Jaya saw the worst thunderstorm and first hailstone in its history. I missed the entire drama because my Dad warned me against going back to USJ. I had an eerie premonition the night before, dreaming of a first tornado that passed by without causing much harm except items strewn about the home, but suddenly a second tornado appear, and I was filled with dread that lives would be claimed by this one.

I had dismissed the dream, until I saw the citizens of USJ9 gathering on the row facing one of the main roads while I drove to my parents' home. During bad storms, it's not unusual that branches in Subang Jaya would crack and fall. But this time, entire trees, and I stress that it's plural, in a row were uprooted, fell flat across the road and onto cars, fence and walls across the road. The cars were buried under the fallen folliage and the owners were probably anxiously waiting while MPSJ cleared the trees, to access the damage. Insurance will not cover this 'act of God' unless they had opted for 'natural disaster' coverage, which most of us for the most part, in nature-rally uneventful Malaysia, would not.

And I can imagine how the residents were both scared and amused that hailstones were 'plonking plunking' onto their cars and aluminium porch roof. The makeshift aluminium guardhouse was also askew (I can imagine the frightened guard inside during the storm and hope he had found a safe shelter).

Here's pictures taken by my brother of the fallen trees, and the image and video of the hailstones by his friend:

Driving pass today (intentionally, for the sake of kay-pohness)  there was not much clue as to the events yesterday except for particularly damp and darkened ground, and a few workers clearing the remaining branches. The garden walls of the homes were all intact. I suppose the cars would have been towed to the workshop.

Malaysians, brace yourself for a very wet weather in the year ahead, according to our Meteorological Department. Flash floods, heavy storms, maybe more hailstones? It would seem that our piece of sunny earth will not be quite the same.