Posting from the United States of America

Monday, 2 February 2009

Posting from the United States of America

For this month, SJ Echo takes us all away from the regular jottings from Hannah. Instead we bring you jottings from Hannah who is in the United States of America attending the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). In this issue, she tells us about her program and also her “close encounter” with the new American President Barack Obama during his presidential inauguration.

This article is actually coming to you from the United States of America. I'm here on an official trip, having been selected and sponsored by the United States Department of State for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on Transition of Power in the U.S. Federal System.
Sixteen participants comprising politicians, lawmakers, government officials and senior members of the media from all over the world (including India, Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt, Turkey, UK, New Zealand, Nepal, Norway, Papua New Guinea and others) and my friend Steven Sim, special assistant to the Penang State Exco were selected for this program to study the following:
1. To examine the transition of power in a civil society from one administration to another;
2. To enhance understanding of the origins and development of the U.S. federal system of government;
3. To address the separation of powers and the divisions of authority and responsibility at the national, state and local levels of government.
My first stop was at Washington, DC. Excitement for the President Inauguration 2009 was record high. I was hopeful to stand amongst the millions to witness this once-in-a-lifetime-for-me event provided I could withstand the cold winter (maximum 3 degrees Celsius and can go down to -5 degrees Celsius).
We participated in the official welcome concert. Both local and international superstars performed to celebrate the inauguration. We went there early to find a good spot but only managed a spot about 400m away from the stage. We stood in the cold winter for close to 6 hours (inclusive of the long waiting hours due to the massive crowd) and my legs were numb. Each time I tried to move my legs, the numbness caused me great pain. The fantastic line up of stars including Jon Bon Jovi, Tom Hanks, Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, U2, Ashley Judd, Josh Groban and many more got the crowds excited. However, it was Barack Obama’s appearance and speech that were the true highlight of the event. Being 400m away from President Obama did make me forget the numbness on my legs for a while, just a little while!
I feel privileged to be chosen to participate in this leadership program and also to be able to witness the historic inauguration of America’s first black president. On inauguration day, I was awake by 3:30am. Clearly, I was still affected by jet lag. I did a phone interview and by then I realised I was down with flu and was feeling feverish. Nevertheless I still wanted to give myself a chance to experience the excitement on the streets and have a taste of the inauguration fever (never mind the body temperature)! Throngs of people filled the streets and tried to find their way to the National Mall. Many streets were closed and we observed absolute tight security everywhere. Police siren pervaded the city. I walked street after street but realised that the National Mall was already very packed with people. The crowd gathered as early as 4am. Crowds were so large that portions of the National Mall were already closed by 9am, three hours before the inauguration ceremony started.

I knew then that I was not fit enough to endure the freezing winter for hours. It was wiser to turn back (a special room has been prepared in our hotel for all international guests of the United States Department of State to witness the ceremony indoor). On my way back, I managed to buy some Obama souvenirs for my family and close friends. The Obama souvenir craze was very evident on the streets!
When I got back to the hotel, I was informed by my friends who have gone early to the National Mall at 7:30am that they were not allowed to re-enter the National Mall after visiting the portable toilets. There were millions of people, hence the tight security. My husband rang me from home as we were watching the ceremony, a friend in Australia sent sms informing me that he too was watching it from there. What a global affair indeed!
The next day we were taken on an insider tour of the Capitol Building (equivalent to our Parliament building in Malaysia) where President Obama was sworn-in as the 44th President here. We were briefed on the role of Congress in the American System and also had the opportunity to learn from their research advisor on domestic and foreign policy priorities. When we arrived, we noticed that the inauguration logistics were still in place and we grabbed the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the historical venue.
We were then assigned to a smaller group and I flew to Orlando, Florida together with representatives from Ukraine, Ivory Coast and Macedonia. I spent the last 3 days in Orlando, Florida studying the transition of power at the local level. I had the opportunity to meet 2 mayors, one special assistant to the Congressman and the assistant of a City Manager. We were also treated to a post-inauguration celebration by the local Democrats supporters. I think the people of Orlando are very blessed to have beautiful vivid colours in their sky especially during sunset.
When I arrived in Orlando, Central Florida Malaysians contacted me after reading from my blog about my trip here. 5 of their members took me out to Dr. Phillips Community Park at Buenavista Woods Blvd for an afternoon snack and chat. When they heard that I had to spend my Chinese New Year reunion dinner by myself, they treated me to a lovely meal at Walt Disney World. They made me feel very at home in Orlando - thank you so much gentlemen for your kind hospitality! I feel honored that there are people from this side of the world who are reading my blog and before we said goodbye, they encouraged me to persevere in my pursuit of good governance and bringing change to Malaysia.
I am now concluding this article from the airport, waiting to catch my flight to Raleigh in North Carolina. This is my final week in America. I have learned much from this program and upon completion of it at Raleigh this week, I should be able to gather all my thoughts together and pen them down for your reading pleasure. To all residents of Subang Jaya, supporters and readers who are celebrating Chinese New Year - HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR AND HAVE A JOYOUS CELEBRATION WITH YOUR LOVED ONES. FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRAVELLING, DRIVE SAFELY!