A Magic Day: The Return of the Keys

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Jan 26, 2007 was a magic day when I got my keys back after a long time separation. 

It was one month ago, upon my departure for Singapore. My passport and other papers were mistaken to others’ luggage while I was helping one shanghai couple for translation and to organize their luggage. It took us a long time searching for my papers after we had called back the luggage from the airplane. What an irony for a guy who was getting married. Other passengers in this pier were very empathized about my scratch and gave me their blessing. Fortunately, I got them back and proceeded to the security check where a long long queue awaited like the Great Wall. It is where my keys got lost.

The U.S avian security has been leveled up ever since 911, making the process even endless. All my luggage got to be opened up; every item got to be investigated. One more thing to mention is that I stayed up over night before the departure, simply because I naively thought it would be easier way to deal with jet lag. Thus,  lack of sleep, tedious security check made me remember to put my set of keys in the tray but failed to take it out.

The last item the security lady searched was my engagement ring. She apologized for all the mess and said, “I hope she is not here”. Dengfu had no mood to flirt her. I just felt being helplessly bullied in this foreign country but too exhausted to fight. I put away all my stuff –without the key—and rush to the gateway like crazy. But the plane to SF was gone when I got there. The UA officer rerouted me to Chicago. Only at Chicago airport could I realize I had my keys lost which worth more than 120$, not to mention the cost to hire a locksmith.

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After the long flight, with 4 movies and 3 meals, I arrived in Singapore, met my wife-to-be and happily got married. My search for my lost keys began. I contacted BWI lost and found department who said they didn’t find the keys but referred me to the TSA lost and found  department. Because TSA doesn’t offer contact email address,  I could only contact them after my coming back to U.S.

At the very day of my return, I searched to the TSA but only got turned away: off-office hour. They gave me a number which turned out to be a stupid voice mail box saying that if and only if we found your property could we call you back. What a S**T! If and only if someone is the god could he know you take pains to look for them. (Dengfu: later I know I was wrong about them. The are really professional and responsible people.)

What makes things worse is I don’t even have a phone. The only thing I did here was to leave my friend’s number hoping for their call. It is not good, definitely: just wait without doing anything. I decided to go to TSA by myself without any invitation card.

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A chance of occurrence is right before I was about to go to the airport, I was told by my friend some BWI guys left a message on her cell phone. The message reads “please call back” . I just ignored their sweet advice and headed to the airport.

The TSA officer  agreed to contact the lost and found department for me after a small “argument”. After 20min waiting, I was faced with one funny puzzle:

Q1:      How many keys are there?
A1:       8 or 10
Q2:      What items are with your keys? 
            A. Medicare card B. Giant Membership Card C. Superfresh Membership Card
A2:       B and C.

 “OK, they have got your keys”, The officer said.

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The message of Dengfu’s recovering the long lost keys began to spread after my return to Maryland Hall, like a fairy tale in this 2007 Baltimore’s winter. Cited with Kalina’s words, “it is a miracle”, “but it occurs” I added up.

Yeah, miracles do occur. This mini story is a good lesson to all of us.

Miracles do occur, as the true love does exist in real life. The first step to realize it is to be true to what you believe and ready yourself at any moment.

Major catstrophes are always the accumulation of series of tiny errors. Once it occurs, it takes efforts to recover. Persistence is the key. Hold the  key fast and you stand the chance to make a difference.

Argument is an integral part of routine life in U.S. This country is a battle field for all F1's. The essence of free country means everything you gain here is bound to be earned. Everyone is default to speak out their mind loudly, pursue their quest aggressively and defend themselves with efforts. Life here is a war and we are soldiers.

If you quit as losers, they win.

<THANKS SHOULD GO TO THE TSA DEPT OF BWI WHO ASSISTITED DENGFU TO RECOVER THE LOST PROPERTIES>