We arrived at the Embassy at about 1.30 pm after we checked in at Hilton Hotel @ Washington. Albeit we arrived a bit later than what we had expected but we managed to sneak into the embassy without no fuss. I was tired and a bit exhausted if I may say, but I didn't want to rush things off.
As I walked into the room, the Director of Malaysian Student Dept for East Coast region, Dr. Z, greeted me. Later Uncle Zamzanin stopped by and we had a good chat. By the way, he is the Political Advisor for the Ambassador. Quite a heavy responsible for a small stature man like himself, I suppose. However, this will not be long because he will end his tenure next month and he is heading home pretty soon. From the rumors I heard, he will be appointed as Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha at Wisma Putra once he comes home.
The meeting with the Premier only starts at 4 pm. He was late because the meeting of him with Mr. President was somewhat extended from a scheduled 30 minutes to 45 minutes meeting. When PM Abdullah Badawi walked in, everybody stood up as we were briefed earlier by the Director of MSD. Ah well, talking about being polite and in protocal! Accompanying him were Foreign Minister, Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar and the Ambassador, Dato Ghazzali Sheikh Khalid to the stage.
Syed Hamid Albar was invited to initiate the program by delivering his introduction speech and later, invited PM Abdullah Badawi to deliver his address. I was there, sitting next to Rais, a Cornell University student on the second line from the front, listening to every bit of his word. I wasn't actually admire him as the premiere, but I was there simply to see and if possible, to observe him.
As usual he in his casual way, adressed himself as Pak Lah in front of 185 Malaysian students from all backgrounds and races, invited us to join him in pursuing his "Cemerlang, Gemilang & Terbilang" agenda. He commented his previous meeting with Mr. President as successful and he enjoyed very much for the US's hospitality. He couldn't talk much due to his hectic schedule but again and again, he kept stressing on achieving the very best for our country. His final plead in that afteroon was, "please come back to your home country and help up build the country!". Some of us smiled, some of us were quite irked and some of us remained reserved. After he wrapped up his speech, we all went out for high tea and all of us took the opportunity to shake hand with the PM.
There were few familiar faces I saw in the great hall. One of them is Shazlan aka Gonjeng. We were classmates back in PPP for Calculus II course. I tell you what, he's one hell of a student! Previously sponsored by JPA and now he is doing his Master, fully sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University down in Florida. A genius in making I must say.
And then I took the opportunity to meet with Consulate General in New York City, Uncle Shahizan and Ambassador, Dato Ghazzali Sheikh Khalid - exchanging greetings and engaged in short conversations. I pretty understood everybody was busy at that time tending the PM. The security was extremely tight with presence of Secret Service provided by the White House and PM's bodyguards. A lot of other students did not let a chance to snap a photo with Pak Lah but me in contrast, refused to take picture with him. IMHO, I will only take a picture with him after he 'walks the talk'. The duration of which he holds the premiership is still too early to appraise him as one of the successful prime ministers. Therefore, I keep my Kodak for another time for him.
The meeting was officially ended at 5.30 pm but students together with the staffs were still there - busy 'tapauing' the foods and if possible, to rob those silver plates as well. Me on the other hand, busy meeting up with friends of old time and making new friends as well. Meeting Lani from Ohio State University, Uncle from Morgantown, West Virginia and a few others. To me this is the time to make network and if possible, to get to know some of the potential students. Who knows, later in our life, we will cross path again on another stage, right?
For more photos, feel free to look up at my fotopages.
No comments:
Post a Comment