ateng_batigol

It was a peaceful night when I was having my
dinner with friends of mine in London School of
Economics (LSE). We cooked and sat together catching
up stories among us that has long been
discontinued. Everyone looked different but above
all it was nice to gather back together in such a
nice place. I came all the way from the US for
several good reasons.

To start with, I was supposed to pursue my degree
level in Imperial College, London when I managed
to secure a place in that prestige institution;
indeed one of the best engineering universities in
the world when I was doing my A level in Kolej
Tuanku Jaafar (KTJ). Even so, if I would have gone
there, I might not be able to be a petroleum
engineer, as that course was not offered there and
the closest was only Geology. There was a conflict
in me whether to take a step further in the
recently ranked third best engineering school in
the world doing Geology or having my dream course
in hand and proceed another 4 years in Colorado
School of Mines (CSM), US (which is apparently a
year longer than in UK). Just like the name
represents, obviously it is not as popular as
Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Texas
University or any other big ATUs. Prior to that, I
was only told by my sponsor, the generous
Petronas, that all petroleum engineering student
will be sent to CSM 3 days after my final A level
exams was over. Cut the story short, I end up with
my latter option and end up in awe when I
discovered that CSM has one of the best Petroleum
Engineering Department in the world.

My trip to Europe started on the 16th of December
2005. I departed from Denver with Arthur, my CSMs
mate, at noon on that day after 3 times being
delayed and stopped at Chicago for my connection
flight.  The flight was estimated to take only a
couple of hours but in the end due to bad whether
and air traffic we end up accumulated another
couple of hours. Sadly, I missed my flight to
Heathrow, London, as Arthurs flight was at 10 pm,
and I had to line up again to book for the next
flight. It was a big hassle as Chicago Airport was
one of the busiest airports in the US. Luckily my
name was put on the waiting list for the next
flight to London but for the slightest hope as my
name was the last one on the 130 waiting list!
Owh Allah, help me. If not I would have to wait
a couple more days stranded in that sardine-packed
airport. I kept on praying until all my
adrenalin expanded with excitement when I heard a
name called, Mr Zulhaimi. Alhamdulillah.

10 hours later I found a city through my window
and I knew it was London. I arrived at Heathrow
Airport with smile but there was one more problem,
my luggage. I had to find it all over the luggage
section and waited for a very long time for a bag
with a pink ribbon tied on it to be visible.
Alhamdulillah. Now, it was 12 noon and I was
expected to arrive 6 hours earlier. What could
have happen to my friend?, is she still
waiting?. I wonder

I walk slowly with my neck extended for a better
view and my head couldnt stop turning left and
right. I couldnt see anyone there waiting for me.
I was about to open my wallet and see whether I
have any coins to make a call..and suddenly there
was someone

TO BE CONTINUED…

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