The other day, I was making a visit to the US Embassy at Jalan Tun Razak to apply for a US visa. My 2006 US Visa already expired.
The plan was, for me and an office colleague to make a trip to the Americas.
Firstly to Calgary in Canada, for a visit and discussion with the Trade Representatives of the Government of Alberta, some meetings with Canadian telecommunication companies, and another meeting with PETRONAS Canada.
Secondly, from Calgary, we shall take a flight to Houston.
Yes Houston. The big Texan city which I have visited twice before, in 2006 and 2008. This time around my team and I will be joining the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) there. It will be held at the Reliant Center in Houston. Previously, I was there at Reliant to visit Houston Auto Show, after I finished my working visit at Honeywell.
Anyway, after making the necessary online application and getting the visa interview date and what not, I went to the Embassy to submit my passport. There was a large crowd of visa applicants, most of them Chinese looking. That morning was kinda hot. It took me about half an hour to get to the visa interview counter, after a very long queue and after I got my fingers biometrically printed.
I was greeted cordially by an American gentleman at the counter.
“Good Morning, how are you Sir?’
“Good Morning, I’m good,” even tough I was a little bit hungry as I haven’t had my breakfast yet, and not to mention, I was slightly sweating.
“So, what’s the purpose for your visit to the States?”
“Well, I’m planning to attend the OTC in Houston,” so far so good.
“What do you do in Malaysia, wait … so you did your degree in the UK, and you were the Corporate Director of an aerospace company.” Seems that, he already answered his own question.
“Now, you are working as the Industry Expert in Oil & Gas. Whoa, life must be good !”
“Ha ha, I guessed,” at that very moment I felt that I’m not so very sure why he’s saying what’s he’s saying.
“That will be all, your visa will be ready in 2 to 3 days.”
I felt relieved, and expressed my thanks to him. The whole interview session lasted about 3 minutes.
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