What a day today!

Last night I went to bed at 4.00 in the morning after I finished the research paper and submitted to my instructor. Today, I was scheduled to have an individual conference with her at lunch time. My to-do list also includes going to the bank to cash a check and open a bank account at the Bank of America.

I needed a passport to cash the check, but I started the morning looking for the disappearing passport in my room. Oh my god, that was so irritating! And I only had 10 more minutes before the appointment. I calmed down and decided to leave the room for the appointment. As I walked, I was so worried, and all in my head was passport and passport. At individual conference, I managed to have a good and fruitful time speaking with Sheila, my instructor, about the paper I wrote. Upon finishing the meeting, I walked back to the room to find the passport, trying to go through things slowly and carefully. Not long, I found it in a small pocket of my backpack, and then I remembered that I had kept it there so that it was safe and no one could find easily. Well, it was certainly not easy for one to find, including myself.

With the passport, check, and other possibly required documents in my bag, I walked 25 blocks to the bank. I wanted to do so because I would take advantage to explore the city. I brought my umbrella so that I could use it walking in the sunlight. I smiled because I now was better organized, unlike this morning. I think I should make a copy of the check for my record, so I went to the library where I could do so. I was proud I was really well-organized. Done with copying, I set off on foot to the bank. It was a nice walk though it was a bit too far. I observed a man fishing by the river got a fish, but he freed the fish because it was not a big-enough size for fishing. That was interesting! In my country, fish of any size will be caught and cooked, though it is as small as my thumb. That’s good to learn.

After 45 minutes, I came across a friendly policeman, very tall and large, and asked him where the nearest bank was. Having a look at his handbook, he pointed at the direction I should go, and he seemed very good at that. I remembered in Siem Reap people gave me 3 different directions for that only one destination and how the name and number of streets do not usually make sense. No choice, I moved into the direction he gave, and yes I found the bank just 3 minutes later. So, he really knew what he told me. I went in and felt the pleasantly cold air from the air-conditioning, but it did not last long before I sweated again. I opened my bag, the check was not there. What the heck? I then realized I stupidly left my check in the photocopy machine at the library! I could not believe I did that.

Actually, No one would be able to cash the check because it was under my name, but it was a shame to go back to my boss who issued me the check and mentioned the situation to him. I wanted to find the check no matter what. Walking out of the bank immediately, I waved my hand and a taxi picked me up. I told taxi driver who was a friendly man from Pakistan to drive me to University to Pennsylvania. While driving, he talked to me and I tried to speak to him in order to control my anxiety. The cap arrived at the campus, and as its door opened, I ran as hard as my leg could carry me to the library. A few minutes before that, a middle-aged woman found the check and was about to bring it to the information counter, and I got her just in time. She gave me back the check and we had a few words. She was so glad to know I am from Cambodia because she was there once a few years ago. She was a very nice and sweet lady.

Now I had the check. I re-did the 25 blocks to punish myself for messing up the day. This time I got to the bank, cashed the check, and opened a bank account with assistance from a very welcoming staffer. At the end of the day, it was at least good to complete what I had planned to do. The evening, however, was better as my Fulbright mentor brought me by subway to Chinatown for dinner. After the delicious meal, we walked a dozen of blocks to a museum where she works. It was nice chatting and sightseeing with her and we took a bus home.

That’s it for today. I learn that if we mess up one thing or two, it does not mean we will mess up all the other things.