AIZA SURAYA Welcome to my blog!

Monday, 23 October 2017

Trip to Chicago

Assalamualaikum and hey there!

Last week I had a wonderful trip in the windy city, Chicago! Chicago had been on my travel list since last year. I saw my seniors posted their photos at The Bean on Instagram and I was intrigued by that! I knew that I actually took a risk once I decided to travel alone in a big city. That was a last minute planned trip. Thank you very much to Kak Syahirah for hosting me throughout my stay in Chicago. Thank you to my parents for trusting me to travel by myself this time. Also, thank you to my roommate, Syahirah for helping me out with my itinerary. I only spent the maximum amount of $200 for this trip. The Greyhound roundtrip bus ticket was $67 and the CTA 3-Day Pass with unlimited rides (buses and trains) was $25. Anyway, here's my itinerary!

Thursday, Oct. 19

  • 9.35 pm: Depart from Minneapolis (Greyhound Bus)


Friday, Oct. 20

  • 5.30 am: Arrived in Chicago
  • 6.30 am: Went to kak Syahirah's apartment.
  • 7.00 am: Breakfast
  • 9.00 am: The Bean at Millenium Park.
  • 11.00 am: Navy Pier and Lake Michigan
  • 1.00 pm: Lunch at The Halal Guys
  • 3.00 pm: Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (admission fee: $23)


Notes: My waiting time to go up to the Skydeck Chicago was only 30 minutes which was considered lucky enough because it was Friday. It can take approximately one to two hours during the weekend.

Saturday, Oct. 21

  • 9.00 am: Breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien
  • 10.00 am: Navy Pier again (Initial plan was to take an architectural boat tour: $39)
  • 11.00 am: Chicago Riverwalk
  • 1.00 pm: Luke's Lobster
  • 3.00 pm: Epic Burger
  • 5.00 pm: 360 Chicago (admission fee: $20 + tilt: $7)
  • 7.30 pm: Union Station

Notes: Epic Burger has certified halal beef! I would say that it's a must try. For 360 Chicago, I waited in line for 45 minutes and went up at dawn. Alhamdulillah the timing was just perfect. I got to see the sunset from the top of the 360 Chicago. 

Sunday, Oct. 22

  • 10.00 am: Dropped by at The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. 
  • 12.00 am: Dropped by at the Art Institute of Chicago
  • 1.00 pm: Walked around Millenium Park
  • 2.00 pm: Bought some souvenirs at "Bye Bye Chicago" shop.
  • 4.00 pm: University of Chicago campus tour
  • 9.55 pm: Went back to Minneapolis (Greyhound Bus)

Notes: The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium are very close to each other. However, I didn't go into those attractions. But the places around there are very nice to take pictures. 


Day 1 - The Bean 

Day 1 - Skydeck Chicago

      
Day 1 - View from the top of Willis Tower (Level 103)
Day 1 - Navy Pier

Day 2 - Navy Pier


Day 2 - Chicago Riverwalk

Day 2 - Chicago Riverwalk 

Day 2 - Downtown Chicago


                                      
                                                                              Day 2 - 360 Chicago

                                       
                                                                                        Day 2 - 360 Chicago


Day 3


Day 3 - Bought this chocolate at "Bye Bye Chicago" shop

The Halal Guys checked! (Google photo)
Epic Burger! ($8.00)
Lobster roll at Luke's Lobster ($16.50)


Tuesday, 17 October 2017

Life update

Assalamualaikum and hello guys

I've been staying in the United States for almost two months and alhamdulillah I enjoy my life here. It is even better than what I expected. I have a few things to share anyway.

  • First, I just finished my midterm exams yesterday and alhamdulillah I did pretty okay I guess. 
  • Second, I'm working at Boynton Health Service (on-campus clinic) every morning from Monday to Friday. The monthly allowance from Petronas is more than enough but I wanna make more money to travel the world!
  • Third, I was selected to be part of NAMSA 17/18 under the Program & Strategies Department. This is really unexpected. At first, I only thought that I wanna join either NAMSA (National Assembly of Malaysian Students in America) or PERSISMA (Persatuan Siswazah Malaysia in Minnesota) during my sophomore year. But since NAMSA was recruiting members, I just sent my resume and eventually get accepted after being interviewed by the Board Members.
  • Fourth, I'm the food director (katanya) for the upcoming Malaysian Night event. Delicious Malaysian cuisine guaranteed.
  • Fifth, I've found someone to sublease my room during the summer break next year. InsyaAllah I will be going back to Malaysia for three months break.
  • Sixth, I'm volunteering at Pratt Community School every Friday as an Art classroom Assistant. They spelled my name eye-za. So cute.
  • Seventh, I will be traveling to Chicago on this weekend and Colorado during the winter break!














Wednesday, 6 September 2017

A brand new chapter

Assalamualaikum and hello guys!

I'm here in Minnesota for two and a half weeks yay! Life has been good so far. Alhamdulillah I kinda enjoy being here in the Land of over 10,000 lakes because there are lots of nice places to visit. And the people in Minnesota are nice too! By the way, I just started my classes in Fall semester yesterday. Tercapai jugaklah hasrat nak duduk sebelah American dalam kelas :P Most of the people here are very friendly and approachable. You won't hesitate to ask them questions. Also, studying abroad is really a life changing experience. My thoughts every morning has changed from "where to eat today" into "what to cook today". Thanks mom for teaching your daughter how to cook from the very basic. The Malaysian seniors in U of M too are very very helpful. They even let me and other juniors stayed at their apartment temporarily before we get to move into our own apartment. Nothing more than I can say except thank you very much to kak Atiq, kak Tia, kak Anne, kak Farina, kak Aqilah Hanis, kak Ainaa Afeefa, kak Tutti, kak Nabiela and kak Jojo. May Allah bless you all!


Spot me! #ProudUMN

University of Minnesota Twin Cities



Thank you girls for the late night surprise birthday party. Saya sangat terharu. 

Aidiladha gathering

Masturina, Zahra and Aiza

Mississippi River

City of Minneapolis

Pride and Spirit night with the Somali-American Muslims
Here are some of the best places for shopping in Minnesota! Rasa macam nak jadi personal shopper pulak. PM me if you're interested in business collaboration :P

Image result for twin cities outlet malls
Twin Cities Premium Outlets (google photo). Checked!
Image result for mall of america
Mall of America, the biggest mall in the USA. (again, google photo). Checked!
Image result for albertville premium outlet
Albertville Premium Outlets (google photo). Checked! 
I think that's all for now. Bye!

Monday, 31 July 2017


Sunday, 23 July 2017

Dear seeking sister..

Related image

"My dear seeking sister,
You will meet a lot of men in your life. 
Please don't settle. 
Wait. 
Wait for the one you would want your sons to be like.
Find him, and then wait if you have to.
Wait for the one that treats you like a queen.
The one you can depend on to protect and take care of you.
Wait. 
Wait if you have to."
 -Yasmin Mogahed

Meanwhile, let's focus on self-improvement.
This quote doesn't mean that you have to wait for perfection. Nobody's perfect. And "Treating you like a queen" has nothing to do with money. It's about how he takes care of, protects and cherishes your heart. How he values you as a human being. I think that's my whole point of being single at the moment. (Who cares?)

Here's a simple truth that we have to face up, "the person that we meet at the wrong time is actually just the wrong person."

All rights reserved.

Friday, 21 July 2017

Packing Checklist


Assalamualaikum and Hello guys!

Do not know what to take with you to the States? Here's the checklist that I got from a senior in the US. Hopefully, this checklist will help you stay organized!

Packing
image taken from Here

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

  • Passport and Visa
  • Form I-20 
  • Sponsorship letter and contract
  • Financial Affidavit
  • University offer letter
  • Medical or Immunization Records
  • Medical Checkup Form
  • Malaysian License (if any)
  • Identification Card (IC)
  • College Official Transcript
  • Passport Picture (optional)
  • Off-campus Housing Lease Agreement
FINANCIAL
  • Cash $500-$1000
BAGGAGE
  • Two Check-in Luggage (23 kg each - check with the airlines)
  • Hand Carry Luggage (handbag/backpack & 7kg cabin-size luggage)
  • TSA padlock for Check-in Luggage
CLOTHES
  • Casual Clothing (10)
  • Formal shirt (1)
  • Skirts/ Jeans/ Casual Pants (5)
  • Slacks (1)
  • Kain Batik/ Pelikat (2)
  • Pyjamas (3)
  • Traditional Clothing (1)
  • Undergarments (10+)
  • Slippers (1)
  • Comfortable Shoes (1)
  • Socks (5)
  • Tudung/ Shawl (6+)
  • Handsocks (5)
  • Headscarf / anak tudung (5)
  • Brooch/ Pin (10+)
  • Telekung (2)
  • Sejadah (1)
  • Kopiah/ Songkok
  • Sweater/ Coat
p/s: Better to buy the winter gear in the US.

PERSONAL STUFF
  • Medicine (Panadol, Kool Fever, Ointment, Vitamins, Ubat Mustajab Pati Halia etc)
  • Personal Medication
  • Medium-sized Towel
  • Face Towel 
  • Toiletries (Traveller's set to put in the hand carry luggage)
  • Eyewear and prescription (10 pairs of contact lenses / 2 pairs of glasses)
BOOKS AND STATIONARIES
  • Al-Quran and Ma'thurat (For Muslims)
  • Religious Books
  • Pens (5)
  • Mechanical pencils (2)
  • Pencil lead (5)
  • Erasers (5)
  • Calculator (1)
p/s: No need to bring A4 paper. 

ELECTRONICS AND GADGETS
  • Laptop
  • Mobile Phone
  • Camera (optional)
  • Charger
  • International Plug Adapter (2)
  • Power Bank (optional)
p/s: Do not bring electrical items unless they are 110 volts

FOOD 
  • Brahim's
  • Instant noodles/ porridge/ etc (3 packs)
  • Kiub Pati Ikan Bilis (3)
  • Kiub Pati Ayam (3)
  • Perencah Nasi Goreng (1 big pack)
  • Perencah Tomyam/ Sup Ekor etc (3)
  • Perencah Rendang (1)
  • Rempah Sup (1)
  • Rempah Kurma (2)
  • Rempah Kari Ayam & Daging (2)
  • Serbuk Kunyit (1)
  • Sup Bunjut Adabi (1 big pack)
  • Asam Keping (1 pack)
  • Asam Jawa (1 pack)
  • Belacan (1)
  • Sos Cili (1)
  • Ikan Bilis (1kg)
  • Keropok Ikan (1 pack)
  • Spices (bunga cengkih, kayu manis etc)
  • Kerisik
  • Nasi Impit
  • Kicap (1)
  • Sos Tiram
  • Daun Limau Purut
  • Daun Pandan
  • Coconut Milk Powder (as many as possible)
p/s: Repack food products in packaging containing animal graphics/ pictures.

For more information about what is allowed in carry-on luggage, visit the US Transport Security Administrative (TSA) website at www.tsa.gov 

Wednesday, 7 June 2017

US Visa Application and Interview


Assalamualaikum and hi!

I just went back from my visa interview this morning and I hope this will help.


1st step: Receive I-20

Get the Form I-20 from the university that you're going to attend.


2nd step: Complete the DS-160 form

Fill in DS-160 form and submit it online. Click Here


3rd step: Pay the Visa Fee

F-1 visa fee is $160. There are three options for visa payment:
a) Electronic Funds Transfer
b) JomPay
c) Cash at Ambank

I paid my visa fee at Ambank. Before going to the bank, I printed out the applicable "U.S. Visa Application Deposit Slip" available Here

Please note the expiration date on the deposit slip. Do not make the payment by using the deposit slip that has expired.

After making your payment, you will get a receipt from the bank. Keep your receipt. You will then schedule your appointment using your Bill A/C No. (receipt number).


4th step: Pay the SEVIS Fee (I-901 Fee)

For the non-immigrant student with Form I-20, the SEVIS fee is $200. You can pay the fee using a credit card. Click here or here

After making your payment, please print out the SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation because it is needed during the interview at the US Embassy.


5th step: Schedule An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, you will need these documents:
a) A valid passport
b) Visa application fee payment receipt (Ambank & SEVIS fee receipt)
c) DS-160 confirmation page
d) Email-address

You can schedule your appointment Here


6th step: Attend the interview at the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur

What do I need to bring?
  • Interview Appointment Confirmation Letter
  • DS-160 Confirmation Page
  • F-1 visa applicant: Original Form I-20
  • Fee receipt from Ambank
  • Proof of Payment of SEVIS Fee Receipt
  • Passport and IC
  • One recent photo (white background only)
Suggested supporting documents:
  • Current school results / ADP Transcript
  • TOEFL and SAT score report
  • Bank statement / Financial Affidavit (important)
  • University offer letter

Based on my experience this morning, 

1. My appointment session was at 8.30 am and I arrived at the US Embassy around 7.30 am. I waited outside the US Embassy before being called by the police (or the guard, whatever..) fifteen minutes prior to my visa appointment.

2. I surrendered my I/C and handphone at the guard house and went through the security scanner before entering the US Embassy.

3. I queued up at the counter for document checking (I-20, passport, SEVIS fee payment confirmation etc.). It was super efficient here! It took only two minutes to verify my documents.

4. After that, I lined up again for the interview session at another counter. There were three counters opened for the interview. I just waited in line for 10 minutes before my turn. 

During my turn, the consular asked for my Financial Affidavit (FA), Passport and I-20. She went through my FA and began to ask me a few questions such as "Since you're a Petronas scholar, so are you bonded with Petronas? If yes, for how long?" "Are you doing 2+2 year program in ADP?" "Which University did you attend previously?"

"Okay your visa is approved"

Alhamdulillah my visa interview went smoothly and quickly.  I entered the US Embassy at 8.25 am and went out at 8.45 am. The procedures were arranged systematically! Yass soon I can pursue my dreams in Uncle Sam's country :)

Oh ya, they will keep your passport in order to process your visa for a few days. You will receive an email when your passport and visa are ready for pick up or delivery. 

That's all guys! Goodluck for your visa application!






Monday, 29 May 2017

ADP Friends & Memories

Assalamualaikum and Hi!

Memandangkan sekarang aku tengah cuti panjang setelah selesai satu tahun program persediaan sebelum berangkat ke luar negara, jadi aku nak buat flashback sikit memori-memori indah sepanjang aku berada di Taylor's University.

Welcome Freshies! Waktu ni baru habis ADP orientation.
                                                                                                    Tayloraya                                          

These two girls are so kind! Tak pernah berkira untuk tolong aku from the beginning of our first sem. Thank you Uni and Thank you Mira! Jaga diri dekat Purdue University nanti. I would definitely miss you guys after this.

Housemates in da house! Husna and Saniika. Thank you Husna sebab selalu ajak solat jemaah. Husna is gonna my roomate pulak dekat minnesota. 
(From right: me, Husna, Uni, Aina, Wani, Jun, Teha, Rania, Mira, Sakinah and Aliah)
Ohana Circle, usrahmates <3

(From left: Fikri, me and Uni)
Our last performance, "A thousand years" during the last day of Music class. Thank you Uni for helping me a lot along this course. Same goes to Fikri, Thank you sebab bagi kerjasama untuk econ, statistics and music groupwork. Goodluck weh dekat Ohio State University!
Teha's birthday
One with Amie! Thank you Amie belanja saya makan dekat Snowy!
"Member belanja makan" is the best moment that I will never forget in my life.
ADP Farewell Party at Kapten Steamboat and Grill

(From left: Amie, Jun, Me, Teha,  Uni, Mira and Jasmine)
These are the people (Husna too) who I have spent the most time with.
To Amie, Goodluck for your Foundation in Business at Taylor's Uni!
To Jun, Goodluck for your degree in Petroleum Engineering at Colorado School of Mines!
To Teha, Uni and Mira, Goodluck for your degree at Purdue University!
To Jasmine, Goodluck for your degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison!
See you guys in the US!

Thank you to all my ADP friends for all the great memories we've created together. I am forever grateful for the joy, laughter, humility, grace, and friendship you bring to my life. Even we can't be together after this, I'm glad that you guys were a part of my life. Also, I'm happy that we were helping each other throughout a year in Taylor's University. All the best in the US!