Lunch with Anita

Wednesday was usually a free morning for me. So, after spring out some stuff at the ward, and finished a meeting, it was time to head into town. I needed to pick up my passport - freshly printed with the US visa - at the Wisma MCA.

Anita and Irfan would then join me at Suria for lunch. I parked the car at Suria, and walked across to pick up my passport. That took only 10 minutes although entering the place was a bit on the scary side security-wise. I had to register at the entrance, took the lift up to the 19th floor, had a metal-detector subjected to my body, before picking up my visa.

By the time I was done, Anita was waiting for me at Suria. We had lunch at Yuzu, which is a rate occasions for us. Even though I have free mornings - which would stop next month with the opening of SDMC Desa ParkCity - it was seldom that I get to meet Anita. She was always busy with the children.

I finally had to leave for the afternoon clinic after a hearty lunch ....

And It Was Done

It was a longer wait than expected, and should I need to apply or the visa again I would be sure to arrange for earliest appointment. Even though I was slotted for 10am, it was more or less first come first served basis.

I arrive at the embassy 45 minutes before the appointment time, queued up for security and then again for my number. Then I was called to hand in my passport, and my photographs were taken away then.

10 minutes later, my fingerprints were taken. And waiting for the third time to be called was the longest. It was close to an hour, but at least the TV was on. We weren't allowed electronic devices or phones, so that was may be the reason I felt the wait was longer.

The third time I was called was for the interview. Very direct and to the point. I stated the reason for going, and after a few more questions, I was told my visa was being approved.

Since it was Friday today, I would be able to pick up my passport with the visa stamp on Monday afternoon. Looking at my schedule, it would likely be Wednesday morning for me.

All in all, it was not a problem at all. The staff there were courteous and we were informed every step of the way what was going to happen next, which makes a lot of difference. Even the local security staff employed by the Embassy seemed to be nicer than your typical jaga. They must be paid well then I supposed LOL.

So, I guessed I could start packing then ......

More on my Atlanta trip here.

To the Embassy

Yes, if everything goes well, I will be attending the American Society of Haematology Scientific Meeting scheduled for December in Atlanta, Georgia. Things had been arranged, and I would be attending an interview at the embassy tomorrow morning.

Tickets, passport, hotel bookings, conference pass, and sponsor confirmation were already in the bag. And the last thing I needed to sort out was the 2 by 2 inches photograph for the visa. And that was taken earlier at Bangsar Village. I was glad that the moment I mentioned that the photos were US visas, the lady behind the counter knew exactly what I meant.

I have cancelled the morning clinic, and I would be doing a later rounds than usual tomorrow. The driver would be taking me there, so, I did not have to worry about parking and transport. I picked up a 10 am slot so as not to rush in during the peak traffic hours. Hopefully things could be sorted out in time so that I could be at the hospital before noon.

I really didn't know what to expect, so, I just brought with me all my documents and hope for the best ......

More on my Atlanta trip here.

Not Done

It was a frustrating evening actually. I had been trying to sort out my visa application for the coming Atlanta trip in December, but the website crashed. The sad thing was, it did not save my applications details, and I ended up having to start from the beginning. I also realised that I needed a few more documents, ass well as new set of photos to be scanned and uploaded.

With me being on call tomorrow, it looked like I had to delay it until Friday at the earliest. So, it won't be ready before this weekend. Sigh!

It was a good thing as well, as it would allow me time to get the other documents in order. I am not getting apprehensive about entering the US with all the stories about the interrogation at the Immigrations. I would think that entering Myanmar might be easier .....

More on my Atlanta trip here.