I just can't imagine what Utah is like. When i was asked to go for this working trip i wasn't know what to aspect. I have relatively a good idea what's to come professionally, that is lots of work to deal with our new partner based in American Fork, Utah ( a world renown Certification company), but the least of what Utah would be like?
Looking the map of Utah doesn't help at all, it give you an impression of desert and empty space. I was dead wrong! Utah is very interesting. The people, the environment, the fresh cool air, the vastness, and the view is just fantastic, one of the best on this god given earth. The food (being Malaysian...an important criteria) simply represent most parts of the world.
Professionally i met some of the most wonderful people i've ever met in my working life. I'm sort of a difficult person to engage with immediately on first meeting, but that changed my view when in Utah. I met this sweet lady Sunny our host, an American of Korean lineage, made you like her as if you are at home in this foreign land! Another lady Marnae, the editor came to explain things but made me think, as if, hey! i known her for years. We talked on professional things, but already know of her whole family...uncommon in most parts of the world other than Malaysia. So do Quinn, David, Joe, Dave, Sarah, of course Ray and others. Hmm! I can now appreciate the plurality of Utah community whom most are devout Mormons.
I learn some wonderful insights from David, a professional psychometrician, Sinead and Steve on the product development commitment, Joe and Dave on the items...even when i've done this some years ago. We learn a lot of the technicalities from Marcus in item authoring using his SCO editor, only to spoil his scheduled three day slots to a day and a half. I appreciate the sensitivity to provide us a space to pray too. How i wish i can show them the Malaysian hospitality.
The last thing is, i have a glimpse of Utah wonderful natural history, their National Parks. Being there to appreciate the Arches and arches in formation in those highlands of canyons simply made you wonder the gift of god to us. I'm going to see the great Salt Lake!
hamid
Sandy, Utah
