It is indeed a very exciting new chapter of my life as I reached Utah, U.S.A as of last Wednesday, 13 Feb 2008 (Utah Time). Many things have happened to me. From being in awe of my nice apartment to figuring what groceries to buy. From being lost on the roads in my rental car to changing a burst tire at a petrol kiosk…
Wow, it has been a week staying here in Utah and how should I update regarding my life here leh? It is quite tough so I need to gather my thoughts and keep them as organized as my company HQ FAB here in Utah. Haha…
Ok, first thing is my apartment here in Utah. It is SUPER NICE and I simply do not believe that I am staying in such nice apartment. Arriving here in Utah last Wed (Utah Time), all of us are greeted by a heavy snowstorm which has not been seen at all for the last 15 years in Utah! Thank God we managed to reach our respective apartment after some 6 to 7 hours on the road. All I felt at that time was I am cold and thirsty…
On the next day due to the heavy snowstorm, the only road to my company HQ was closed, so in the end we did not manage to go back to go through the company orientation. All we did was having our breakfast on the bus and then headed to Wal Mart and a SuperChina mart to do our groceries shopping. And that was my 2nd day in Utah.
3rd day in Utah was going for my driving lessons and collecting my rental car. Driving in Utah certainly needs orientation as it is a left-handed drive and whenever the instructor wanted me to turn left or right, the car wiper would be on as the signal lever is on my left instead while the right lever is the wiper control. In addition, keeping to the right lane also needs time to adapt to me. There was even once when I turned into the wrong lane at night where there was heavy opposing traffic. Thank God that He has kept me safe. I also experienced a burst tire and have to settle down at a nearby petrol kiosk to change it with my spare tire before I can drive home. This coming Sat, I will be going back to the rental office to change for another car.
4th day in Utah, there was an intercultural class in company where we are taught on how to interact with our U.S counterparts and also about the LDS culture in Utah. It was a great time of discussion as we observed the differences in an Asian context versus an American context. The LDS discussion was also very interesting as I learnt more about the beginnings of Mormonism and a brief history of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. At least under the leadership of the LDS church, Utah state has the highest percentage of educated residents (High school or higher) and the lowest percentage of crime rate in the whole of U.S. I think this is something which put us to shame, isn’t it?
5th day in Utah, I managed to find a church where I can worship and fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters of the Universal Church. Jordan Valley Baptist Church is a small Christ-centered family church. My colleague and I entered the church finding the congregation having Sunday school (which was in fact their Adult bible study session). The service was refreshing as they sang old hymns with the worship team playing violins and pianos. There were only hymn books and all of us would just turn to the desired hymn for the lyrics with music scores.
I truly give thanks to God for His protection and providence as I begin a new chapter of my life here in Utah. I pray that may He teach me new lessons from His word as I go through my short stint here in the midst of mountains and valleys. God bless! =)
Wow, it has been a week staying here in Utah and how should I update regarding my life here leh? It is quite tough so I need to gather my thoughts and keep them as organized as my company HQ FAB here in Utah. Haha…
Ok, first thing is my apartment here in Utah. It is SUPER NICE and I simply do not believe that I am staying in such nice apartment. Arriving here in Utah last Wed (Utah Time), all of us are greeted by a heavy snowstorm which has not been seen at all for the last 15 years in Utah! Thank God we managed to reach our respective apartment after some 6 to 7 hours on the road. All I felt at that time was I am cold and thirsty…
On the next day due to the heavy snowstorm, the only road to my company HQ was closed, so in the end we did not manage to go back to go through the company orientation. All we did was having our breakfast on the bus and then headed to Wal Mart and a SuperChina mart to do our groceries shopping. And that was my 2nd day in Utah.
3rd day in Utah was going for my driving lessons and collecting my rental car. Driving in Utah certainly needs orientation as it is a left-handed drive and whenever the instructor wanted me to turn left or right, the car wiper would be on as the signal lever is on my left instead while the right lever is the wiper control. In addition, keeping to the right lane also needs time to adapt to me. There was even once when I turned into the wrong lane at night where there was heavy opposing traffic. Thank God that He has kept me safe. I also experienced a burst tire and have to settle down at a nearby petrol kiosk to change it with my spare tire before I can drive home. This coming Sat, I will be going back to the rental office to change for another car.
4th day in Utah, there was an intercultural class in company where we are taught on how to interact with our U.S counterparts and also about the LDS culture in Utah. It was a great time of discussion as we observed the differences in an Asian context versus an American context. The LDS discussion was also very interesting as I learnt more about the beginnings of Mormonism and a brief history of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. At least under the leadership of the LDS church, Utah state has the highest percentage of educated residents (High school or higher) and the lowest percentage of crime rate in the whole of U.S. I think this is something which put us to shame, isn’t it?
5th day in Utah, I managed to find a church where I can worship and fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters of the Universal Church. Jordan Valley Baptist Church is a small Christ-centered family church. My colleague and I entered the church finding the congregation having Sunday school (which was in fact their Adult bible study session). The service was refreshing as they sang old hymns with the worship team playing violins and pianos. There were only hymn books and all of us would just turn to the desired hymn for the lyrics with music scores.
I truly give thanks to God for His protection and providence as I begin a new chapter of my life here in Utah. I pray that may He teach me new lessons from His word as I go through my short stint here in the midst of mountains and valleys. God bless! =)
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