My going-away party in the blue house

It was my last night in Hiawassee and I had a party in the blue house. I invited everybody from McDonald's Hayesville and I'm so thankful that almost half of them came and most importantly, for those people I really really appreciate came and we had a great time together. Both my store managers made me cry the moment they came (and ofcoz they were crying too). I was glad to hear when Rhonda told me, she has never been to any of the party for the previous groups and she really appreciated me to be there.



That night really meant a lot to me. I'm really greatful for having Brooke, Matt, Rene, Rhonda, Princess, Katie, Amber, Nikki, Philip, Junazen and Mindy to came over for seeing me, and of course Janice who came see me the next morning before I left.

Well, for the past few posts, I might seen not really enjoying my working life in Hiawassee but in fact, there's a lot of happy moment as well just that maybe I'm just not "rajin" enough to write it out. =p I had a very fun trip to the Duke Creeks Waterfall with Rene, Brooke, Matt and the girls from Thailand on the last Sunday. My feeling status was "complicated" during my last few days at work...


The day before my last working day, I spent 3-4 hours writing 28 appreciation cards for all the coworkers and all the people that care for me and went to bed at 4am. On Friday night, I went to the dance club and hangout with Kim for the last time and then when I got back home, I talked with the girls from Thailand till 3:30am then only went to bed and then woke up at 7:45am the next morning to have breakfast with Bill, as he has to work the whole day. Brooke and Matt came and took me to Walmart for shopping for the ingredients I need for the steamboat dinner for the party and immediately after I got back, I started preparing and cooking and didnt even pack my luggage...




I really really appreciate Pla and Peggy for helping me preparing Tom Yam soup and Green Curry Rice, and even helping me slicing all the meats for the steamboat. Brooke and Matt, ofcourse, were the best and 2nd best people that I have ever met. They helped me and care for me unconditionally, and I am really blessed to have them around me most of the time throughout my stay in Georgia. They always clean out the mess for us, bring us out, help us up, and even came early in the morning helping me pack my luggage and see me right before I leave... I was crying so badly on that morning, hugging everybody (Brooke, Matt, the Thai girls, Janice and Rene). The Thai girls washed and cleaned up the dishes for me (as I started to feel stomach bloated and had diarrhea) and they even stayed up late after the party just to wait for me to get changed and took plenty of pictures with our McDonald's uniform.



Rene hugged me and kept telling me to come back next time and stay with her, and if I have not enough $, call her. LOL... (well, of course I wouldnt want that to happen =p but I really really appreciate for that)

So when I hopped onto John's truck, I was still crying and I think he tried to distract me by start talking about my trip and telling me where to go and where's nice place to eat and play and everything. We talked throughout the whole 2.5 hour trip to the airport even though I didnt have enough sleep. He brought me to the "Little Malaysia" in Doraville and gave me a treat. I ordered all three specialty from the Malay (Nasi Lemak), Malaysian Chinese (Char Kuey Teow) and Indian (Roti Canai) for him to try and he gave good comments on it. Hehe... felt so happy (because I got to eat Roti Canai =p). He was kind of worry when I told him to go eat Malaysian food because he had watched a TV show, showing even the most brave traveler dont dare to eat durian... =.=



But anyways, reached the airport and checked in 1 hour earlier and then waited with my extremely tired soul for another 1 hour due to flight delayed and reached Miami with super duper tired body, reached Miami Beach Traveler Hostel and waited for anohter 2 hours for Lee Yiung and Li Wei to get here and check in together. Very poor thing huh? LOL... But immediately I turned energetic and excited when I saw them, we checked in, went dinner and talked and talked and talked and had so much fun on our first night in Miami. =) Due to my tiredness, I had 2 Panadols and slept early for yesterday night and thank god I'm perfectly alright for today.

Went shopping in Ross and got lots of cheap stuffs back and then went to the beach for 2 hours, and then walked around in the most happening streets in Miami after dinner. Tomorrow will be our shopping day again and we planned to wake up early for the sunrise eventhough I'm still up at this time (2am) and writing up this post =.= kakakaka... but I do really wanna write this post and let u all know, I AM GOOD and I HAD A GREAT TIME and EXPERIENCE in the United State. =)




to be continue with my next stop - Walt Disney World, Orlando...

It's unfair

These few days my mood swing greatly. Plus with the unfairness I've been through in McD, it made the situation worst. I was really unhappy about the unfairness. All the toughest and hardest work are given to "foreigners".


I've been cooking for 2 months, everyday, before I got trained at the window. They told me after I'm good at cooking then will put me to table (assembly) and window and slowly "progress". And now? The new people came in, firstly was the mexican brothers, Lino and Alvero, they took over my cooking place so that I can move on to assembly. But instead, I've been the "fries person" during rush hour and well, I know that's because I did a good job on that and I really dont mind as long as I'm not being keep at the same spot - cooking, all the while.


Then a black girl, Tonia came in. She's been trained cooking for 2-3 days, then I think they thought she's not very good at it and thus trained her at front counter. Since then, she's been doing the front counter and ofcourse, I'm still categorized under the grill crews. It then comes the girls from Thailand. I know it's necessary to train some of them at the window and some at the grill. But somehow I just feel very unfair. Why I can only stay at the table or window after 2 months cooking and they can just do it right away, without even knowing how to assemble the sandwiches? I still remember how hard I've been trying to memorise and help at the table when I'm a cooker, hoping that I can be "upgraded" to another level and trying to prove I can do good at any site ( but well, I think I'm still a cooker for now). Why they can skip the cooking part and just learn how to do the table and window (which is much much easier job)? It's just not fair!


Moreover, some people (the american), they came in just being train for front counter and drive through taking order, and thus, they know nothing about the grill, not even knowing how to cook the fried products (which is just simply put the meat in and press the corresponding timer). So everyday they've been doing the same thing over, over and over again. I dont like it. To me, a crew person working in a fast food restaurant should be trained at all the different position and their job should be rotated instead of letting the same person doing the same thing over and over again. Firstly it's VERY boring to do the same thing the whole time for 8 hours or sometimes more. Secondly, some tasks are very easy while some require VERY hardwork. Isn't it unfair?...


Oh well... I'm leaving in 1 week time, I'm tired of these. Tired of being treated unfairly. But what can I do? ONLY Tolerate! The worst thing is, they bringing the Thai girls to the waterfall this coming Sunday after they arrived like... what? not even 2 weeks. And me? where they've been brought me to? No where. This feeling isnt nice. Although they always been telling me, oh Celeste is good, we like Celeste, Celeste cant go home, stay with us forever and ever.... Bla bla bla...


So here comes the second issue: I cant trust their words. It's really disappointing to say so but I really do not dare to put much hope on what they told. I've been trying to look at the bright side everytime when disappointment comes. When I was depressed, I find nobody that I really trust and I can depend on to talk to. I can only find back my Malaysian friends and chat with them online. I guess I can fully understand how Zoe feels in China right now...


It's definitely a great experience for me to be here, alone. I've learnt the different things that happened outside my world. I've seen so many different people, some are ok, some are just too crazy, some are just too fake and so and so... And I'm still learning, learning along the way...

Two more weeks in Hiawassee

It's been more than a week since the last post... oh well... I was too lazy to update sometimes and I was just too busy last week =p

I had Monday and Saturday off last week and I ended up working in Hiawassee on Monday. 8 girls from Thailand came on Wed and we had a good time on Thu night having dinner together and playing Twister. They look innocent and young although only 2 of them are under 21, the rest are about the same age as me.




On Saturday morning, Bill took me and Jiliam to Atlanta for the Auto Show. We took Marta (same as the MRT) to the town instead of driving all the way. It's a very very long and hectic day for me and Jiliam as we gotta get up at 5am in the morning, had breakfast in the Huddle House before we departed. The cars in the auto show are all very shiny and nice. I think I get attracted to red sporty cars most of the time. Haha... The whole day just taking pictures with all the nice cars (as if I own them :S) and we had lunch in the Applebee's. The food there were really nice but the service was not as satisfying.




Throughout the whole way back, I didnt sleep at all in the car but talking with Bill. Oh well, I cant say he's weird or anything because he really takes a lot care for us who came from far far away and appreciates friends a lot. However, one thing I do really learn here was, most of the families in the united states are having different problems. A lot of youngsters like me starts working in very young age, had complicated relationships, had kids at very young age, had been in the jail because of some stupid reasons and etc... These facts are kind of unacceptable for me sometimes but, oh well, I dont know how to say, just feel sorry for them and feel truely appreciate of what I have, a warm and happiness family.


We got home around 6pm and rest till 10pm before we went to Mermaid again. This time, I really had fun and dancing like crazy in the club with everybody. I think the main reason was 3 thai girls were with me and I felt more comfortable to dance and have fun with someone I know and as crazy as I am. hahaha...



After the club, we went back home and I got shocked because there were other people in our house who want to have after party. I was not very happy about that because they had waken up those poor Thai girls who were actually in the middle of sleep. Fortunately, Travis and Jimmy managed to get everybody out from our house and leave us peace... I went to bed at 3:45am, woken up by phone call at 7am on Sunday morning and ended up, I went to work in Hiawassee from 8am to 11am and them 12:30pm to 7pm in Hayesville. Tired~


Frankly, I dont dare to trust anybody here. Espeacially the american guys. To me, I just cant figure out what they said is true or a lie. Therefore, everything they said, I will just listen and leave it aside. Ofcourse there are also really nice people here and I really do enjoy my time in McDonald's more than what it was 2 months ago. Everybody in Hayesville McD are friendly to me and I can see that they slowly accepted me as part of their life already. =) I'm really glad to hear them saying "we'll be missing u when u go back" and I know they meant it.


I've took videos and photos with some of them and gonna upload to facebook soon =)
The nearer to the date to leave this place, the more complicated my feeling is right now... :S
oh well... it's LIFE.... I know. Right now, I just hope we can fix a date to go Gatlinburg, Tennassee for snow tubing/skiing and maybe go walk around in Helen before I leave. I have only 2 weeks left and I would really like to do whatever I can when I'm still here. =)

non-stop partying was tiring

Oh well.... I'm sooooo tired after 3 nights continuously partying :p

On Wed night, we had a little party for Henrique and Camila before they leaving. I think I'm kind of lazy to write anything right now so... just let the pictures tell the story ok?





Then on thursday night, I went to the biggest club in atlanta called Wild Bills Club to have a look. Well, didnt dance much on that night, didnt drink as well, just to have a look. =p It's different from clubs in Malaysia, plenty of seats, lots of hot, crazy girls. It's real big but the rest is basically the same. haha...

On Friday night, it was Kimberly's birthday party, so I brought Jiliam along with me. We went to the Yacht Club, I had a Jager Bomb (first time ever, felt so scary before I drink because I had nothing for dinner) and a cup of long island. The taste of Jager Bomb was alright, basically I can taste the red bull more. LOL... The we went to 2 clubs in Helen (30 mins away) and ended up went back to the Mermaid in Hiawassee... swt... Just because there were not as fun. And I met a lot of my customers from Huddle House in Mermaid. It is a really small club though... (der~ in such a small town like Hiawassee, what do you expect??) and the whole place is just like this>>>






Birthday girl, Kimberly (I finally can treat her as a woman... LOL)



Basically I've forgotten what to write for this post... haha... so many things happened in this week, and right now I'm in lazy mood... so...

Anyway, Silvia just left this morning and right now, there's only me and Jiliam staying in this big blue house... =( I wonder how the Thai girls will be when they move in in about a week time... Hopefully everything will be ok. And seriously, I can't wait to home....

By the way, I had a nice chat with Zoe last night and this morning, as well as my dear... I miss him.

Officially done with job in the Huddle House

Today I had a wonderful dayoff after a terribly tiring weekend.

Friday 11am-7pm in McDonald's, 8pm-9pm in a cool theatre watching show called "the problem with pluto". It's a cool show by using digital projection onto the dorm at the top and thus, it looks like a 4D motion movie instead of just a normal screen. I got a little bit dizzy at first but overall it's still a cool show in which I really amazed by the technology.

Then I had to go in and work in the Huddle House at 9pm-6am because 1 girl called out sick. On saturday morning I work 11am-7pm again in McDonald's and 10pm-6am in Huddle house as always. The only tiring part was, I gotta work in McDonalds again on Sunday 12pm-8:30pm, having schedule in the Huddle House till midnight as well. Well ofcoz, in the end, I was so exhausted, I didnt go and continue to work till midnight, I went back home rest instead. >.<

It was so freaking busy in McDonald between 7:30pm to 8pm and we have not enough people working. The manager was busy counting $ for the drawer, left me making sandwiches on the table and Philip cooking, Carrie at the drive through taking order. So, in the end, I run like crazy, making burger, making french fries, drinks and handing them out at the drive through window; while philip cooking the hamburger meat and taking order from the front counter. OMG I'm so proud of myself for doing all those neh! Finally it was over and I got off at 8:30pm, Josh took me home and before that, I droppedby Huddle House and talked to the manager so that I can go back home and rest and luckily I have Lori to stay 2 more hours to cover my shift.

Today finally I have a full day off and I'm happy that I've got a lot things done. I got my laundry done, booked room for Miami, ticket from Miami to Orlando and some research for flight to Miami and accommodation in Orlando. Then I went to the bank and bank in my cheques and cash from my tips. However the restaurant that I wanted to go was close at 2:30pm for lunch hour and only open at 5pm for dinner, therefore, I went to Asiano with Brandy and Denny instead. They are the assistant managers in the Huddle House where they are actually getting in the Huddle House same time as me. I've finally got to talk to the owner of Huddle House and gave him a 2 weeks notice for me to quit. However, he "set me free" right away. Meaning, I'm officially done with the waitress job and no more night shifts for me. =p

I don't know how should I feel at the moment, but, it's definitely good for me, for my health and for the "party" that will be going on this weekend. =p Henrique and Camila are going back to Brazil and I've got time to spend with them on Wed night since I'm no longer on schedule. I'm able to attend Kimberly's birthday party in the Yart Club and stay until 12am since I'm no longer need to work 3rd shift on Friday. I'm able to have a lot more fun before I leave Hiawassee since I'm no longer need to work all the time.... The only thing that I need to take care now is to spend wisely since the travel plan to California is still on after I talked to Lee Yiung this morning.

Tonia, Richer and Eddie came over to the blue house and hangout with us just now when I was in the middle of writing this post. She is the nicest and friendliest manager so far and she really care of what we need. Unfortunately, she left mcDonald's a couple of weeks ago when we were down in Orlando. Anyway, she will be coming here again and maybe she will bring us out to the club on Thu =p. See, I quit at the correct time so that I wont miss the fun! Hahahahahaha....


Oh well, I think there's something else that I wanted to write but I guess I've already forgot what was it... So... gotta go sleep le. Night....

Daytrip in Atlanta to CNN, World of Coke and Mall of Georgia

Today was a very happy and fun day to me =) totally relax!


We had so much fun during the CNN tour and visiting the World of Coca-cola. Surprisingly, the CNN in Atlanta is the biggest in the whole united state and the one in New York city is the 2nd. 40% of the news were broadcasting from CNN Atlanta and I feel it's very interesting and fun to learn something about TV broadcast =)




The World of Coke was just amazing. We got to see the Coke history and watch a cute introduction of "inside the happiness factory" and then took some photos with the Coca-cola polar bear.




We had a 4D movie of Coke's secret and after that was to get a real and close view of the bottling process and then the last part was to try out the Coca-cola over 64 countries all around the world. They were categorized into Asia, Latin America, North America, Africa and Europe area and the one from Italy called Beverly is a must to try. (everybody said so that's a must to try... LOL..... )



Those from Africa really have their specialty and style because most of them have fruity flavour added. I like the one with pineapple flavour, it's good =) I like peach too. The coke with peach flavour are sold in Brazil and today only I heard from my boss, John, that peach is a simbol for Georgia because they grow a lot of peach trees in Georgia. No wonder during new year eve they dropped big peach to count down and celebrate. Haha...


After that we went to have truly american food (not fast food). LOL... always I have the impression of american food = fast food. But today the restaurant we went, was really really good. But I think the most happy part of today was meeting an american guy who was born in Indonesia and had stayed in Malaysia (Pulau Pinang) a couple of years before. We were talking about how we missed our Malaysian food and things like that. It was a very wonderful "lunch" and I'm really really happy for the whole day trip.


Then we went to the biggest shopping mall around the south part of US, the mall of Georgia. However, I still think that maybe Sunway Pyramid is still bigger than this mall. LOL... Anyway, I enjoyed my shopping today and bought lots of souvenirs for my family and friends =)


Well, here comes to the not-so-happy part of the day. I was late for 15 minutes after shopping and the Brazil kids get mad at me. WTH. Always I'm the one who is punctual and waited for them 30 mins also never say anything mean or get mad at them. This time because one of the girl need to buy her laptop and scare will be late for going Best Buy, so everyone of them go back to the meeting point on time except me. The way she talked to me was not good at all and after that we dont have any conversation at all.


I know what time the shop close and thus I know I can afford to be 15 minutes late. I dont think I deserved to be treated that way but, I dont care. I dont give a damn.

Some little facts in the usa for share

Today first time I called in sick for my second job, lol.... not really sick but felt a bit dizzy at mcD around 5pm, so I decided to call in and not going for work tonight. Moreover, the business was so dead that I dont think it's worth to go work for $2.5 per hour with only $10+ tips. Therefore, I ended up watching movie in the cinema with my brazil friends. hahahaha....


That's how I got this time to update my blog. =p Staying at home and chill is the best! =p


I've been here for almost 3 months. Time flies.


What I've learnt the most was: not to put too much trust on anybody. Whatever they said, true or not, sincere or not, it all depends. Seriously. It's just their culture to greet you nicely and sweet talk with you, whether or not it comes from their heart, it's up to your ownself to judge.


Anyway, I'm not trying to say that I dont like the people here or whatever. Just writing out what I've seen. There are nice people who are really nice here. =)


The second thing that "amaze" me was, the divorce rate. It seemed to be very normal to have a "ex-wife" or "ex-husband". I'm really speechless for this. And it seemed to be normal for a girl to have a lot of bf at the same time as well. @.@ what world is this???


Oh ya, another thing, people in america like to talk on the phone and smoke when driving. I'm surprised that it is legal to use hp while driving in such a "strict law-dependant" place while it is illegal in Msia. The legal age for getting a driving license is 16 over here and a 14-year-old kids can even drive with a companion with license @.@ I wonder how the accident rate would be...


Working in Huddle House made me meet a lot of different people. As practical as the other job like a sales person, the main aim is $$$. A sales person will lie and try to "trick" you in order to get higher sales. Same goes to a waitress here. How do you get good tips? Ofcoz by serving them nicely, greet nicely, take care of their need all the time... but other than this, what is their trick? Here it is:

1. when a whole table of guys came in, flirt as much as you can.
2. when a couple came in, talk to the girl, not the guy.
3. when a whole family came in, flirt with the kids.


Maybe there's a lot more, but these are what I've heard from them so far.