The Journey (Part 2)

I called Drake U when our flight got cancelled just to inform them that we would be arriving on the later flight. The woman in charge told me that she would try and send someone to get us but if there was no one, we could always take the taxi. Since our flight was delayed twice, I already prepared myself to go and get a cab after we arrive. When I was walking to the baggage claim carousel, my friend was like "Hey! There's someone here to get us!". I quickly turned in his direction and whoa...someone was there to pick us up alright. Standing there holding up a folder with my name and my friend's name printed on it was this hunky looking Asian dude.

Yes, you heard me correctly...a hunky looking Asian dude! He introduced himself as Ali/Eli and after talking to him, I found out that he was a MS student, studying Business Administration. "Hmm....older guy....I like!", I thought. At first, I thought he was Filipino but I was wrong. He's from Kazhakstan, speaks 5 languages, is tall, dark and handsome and lastly, studying at Drake. He was very nice, taking us to the hotel in his car and helping us with our bags. At the hotel, I found out that I was staying at the second floor. There are only 2 storeys in the Holiday Inn Express and no elevator. If you recall my giant bags, think about how much it would weigh...He helped me carry all my bags up to my room in addition from carrying them out of the airport, into the car and out of the car into the hotel.


When I opened my room door, I got a shock. There was someone sleeping in one of the 2 beds and there were bags on the floor. Uh oh..there is someone in my room which I have to share it with. After thanking Ali/Eli and saying goodbye to him, I took a closer look at the bags of this sleeping person; then I looked as hard as I could at the person but she (apparently!) was asleep in bed with a sheet over her face. She looked awfully familiar. It was no one other than Grace! Haha...apparently, she asked the front desk lady to put us in the same room.


It was really cold when I arrived, -2 degrees. It was so cold that my lips went numb in the wind so much so that I couldn't speak properly. It was a good experience, to see how winter is really like. It is beautiful but bare. The trees look naked but grass grows. I woke up this morning and went down for breakfast. Grace's friend came over at 10 to take us out. He is a former INTI student and I do mean it when I say people look better over here. He is good looking and for a Chinese guy, actually looks good in a beard/stubble. Unfortunately, he is a little on the short side and younger than I am.


Anyhow, he was really nice. He took us around to get things done and on a tour of Drake U. According to him, it is small in comparison to other campuses but to me, it is big! He took us to get our ID done, to see my advisor, to hand in our health form, to the store and out for lunch. I had a little trouble locating my advisor but the moment I met him, I knew I'd like him. He dresses like a biology researcher on a field trip. Flannel shirt and jeans. He spent almost an hour talking to me and discussing what would be the best option for me, to stay in Bio 001 or to start a different class. Apparently, they don't really know anything about A-Levels. I could see that he was really concerned about me, in case I couldn't cope with the classes if he put me into a higher level class. He took me to meet some of the faculty members who happened to be some of my lecturers and yeah, they come in checked flannel shirts, jeans and hiking boots. :)

The good news is, I don't have to take Bio 001 but am going to take Iowa Environment instead. The bad news is, I would be having classes everyday! Gah...hate that. But, I have a feeling that I am going to enjoy myself very much. After getting everything done, Eng Tai (Grace's friend) took us for lunch at an authentic African restaurant. The food is not bad and service was really good. It was also a lesson for me in tipping. It feels quite weird to tip because back home, everything is included so I don't tip. Here, it's something that I'd have to get used to.

He also taught us how to save money and get the most out of things. But I'd have to tell you that another day as it's getting late...almost 3am and I need to get to bed.