Was invited out to lunch by Brunei Officials who work for the United Nations! Had to use a cab TAXi to their office as I had NO IDEA how to get there. (It turned out that it was really easy, the New York street system are all in grids so it was just a matter of walking down the right block!)
The driver was from Namibia and had been living in New York for 38 years! He said New York is unlike any other city in America, it is so culturally diverse that if you took the time to look long enough, you will find someone from every country in the world living and working in New York! He also gave me some valuable advice, always look down when crossing the street.. Many first time visitors spend so much time looking up at skyscrapers, many are mowed down by traffic!!
Finally arrived at the United Nations Building for my lunch date, was shown in to the Brunei Office and I have never been so proud to be Bruneian. The office was AWESOME and it was right infront of the UN building! Quickly took this picture when no one was looking!
Met up with the Brunei officials who took me to lunch at a nearby Thai restaurant. One of them really stood out, he was an old student of my mums and my sister’s friend. He is well travelled having been to so many countries before working in New York, infact he ordered our food in perfect Thai!
He asked about my family and talk revolved around my dad. He has gone through something similar and offered kind words of advice that touched me. He was also terribly intelligent and conversation moved on to bigger things like politics and education. I thoroughly enjoyed the intensity of our conversation. However, we did end on a much lighter note as we talked about Giant, the latest humongous supermarket in Brunei. This well travelled intelligent man was impressed that indomee cost 10 cents there!! 
They dropped me off at the UN building as I couldnt resist doing some major exploring. Been researching on the UN a lot in January to get my students ready for the BGIC ISB Global conference and here I was! In the building where it all actually happens!!
Sabrina, a nice girl I met at the office offered to take me around and I am glad she did! The place was HUGE!! Outside the building were many many beautiful sculptures looking out on a river! We then went inside and went to the gift shops first where I bought UN piggy banks for Odie, Amar and Ka DIna. Then we went up to see a show on political cartoons and other exhibits. The UN does so much good for the world, it was an amazing feeling to be in the same space where people meet to change the world everyday. I felt humbled and wondered how I change the world by just being an ordinary Secondary English teacher… Well, it took me this far didn’t it??
Some photos of UN
Have noticed that my English is turning American much to the dismay of my darling usband! Just to annoy him, I shall say elevators, garbage cans, erbs, faucets, preesentations, taxis, sidewalk , gonna, wanna, hafta and yankee! (Evil Laugh)
**This bed was seriously comfy although the pillows were too small to be comfortable with. Solved this by sleeping with two extra pillows!
