The start of my fellowship

Hello from the States !!!



Just a few days on the start of my fellowship. Arrived on the Thursday last week and still recovering from the Jet Lag.



Just in case you ask.. what I am doing in the States..and also asking "fellowship ???".. is this like the fellowship of the rings ?


Nope.


What is the Eisenhower Fellowship (EF) ?


Eisenhower Fellowships engages emerging leaders from around the world to enhance their professional capabilities, broaden their contacts, deepen their perspectives, and unite them in a diverse, global community — a network where dialogue, understanding, and collaboration lead to a more prosperous, just, and peaceful world.


EF has various programs and my trip is under the Multi Nation Program.


The Multi Nation Program, the oldest and largest, brings together 25 emerging leaders from as many countries for two months of individually planned professional agendas. The Fellows travel throughout the United States to meet with relevant leaders in business, government, NGOs, journalism, and academia.


From Malaysia, we have Lat, Dato Johan Raslan (PWC) and Kamal Khalid (Prime Minster's Office) as fellows.


The past few days has been relaxing and it started with a introductory briefing on Friday with my Program Officer (PO), Dan Geisler who happened to be attached to the Malaysian embassy in the 90s. The President of Eisenhower Foundation is John Wolf who used to be the US ambassador for Malaysia in the early 90s.

So these people knows Malaysia very well.

We had a tour of Philadelphia on Saturday and dinner at Dan's place on Saturday night. Met his lovely wife, Christian - who is from France, David from Sudan (Dan is helping him out to form an association for the Sudanese in Phili), Lowena (Friend of Christian) and Susie (a Fellow from Sri Lanka)

(L to R): Christian, Lowena, Susie, Dan and David...I was the cameraman...so not in the picture





Sunday was a free day, so I took the time to finish my outstanding work form Malaysia and catch up on the Heroes. Malaysia is behind on the series, so I needed to catch up to the series here in the US.

After my trip to Borders, I found out that I can watch Heroes for free at http://www.nbc.com/. Thank god for the Interactive media and the web strategy by NBC. Something Media Prima can do also...hmm.

Walking about, getting lost and Malaysian Restaurant



Sunday was a free day, so took the time to walk around. My main objectives is to go to the Phili's Hard Rock to get the fridge magnet, my sis-in-law keeps reminding me about and go the Readings Terminal Market (the local pasa-malam)..but naturally I got lost.



Don't ask me how I got lost in a simple grid design city..duh !



But hey, blessing in disguise. Found a Malaysian restaurant called "Banana Leaf" that serves Teh Tarik, Nasi Lemak and Roti Canai. Awesome !



The owner is Mr. Chong from Subang Jaya and the cook - Fang from Ipoh.



Fang - Roti Canai in the making






















Mr. Chong the owner of the restaurant


















China Town, Philadelphia

















After a good Teh Tarik and Nasi Lemak, I continued my exploration.


Woops ! Wrong kind of Cinema


Being a movie buff, naturally my eyes caught a small hidden place of a Cinema on Sanson Road. My thoughts was hmmm...nice cinema, cozy and clean. Good place to burn some time.


When into the cinema...woops its Gay Cinema. Maybe NOT !!



Looks innocent right ??

















Continued my exploration further and decided to head back. Passed the majestic City Hall of Philadelphia. What a beautiful building.






The best way to explore a place....is to get lost !!!