Dear BMDG Reunion Attendees,
Thank you everyone for sending in the information requested and the photos for the International Directory. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the BMDG Reunion Organizing Committee for their many months of hard work and personal time spent to make this reunion happen.
I would like to inform you what is happening and what will be happening, at the reunion and around the reunion. Please read them and find out what you can do to make your trip more memorable. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any one of us, most of whom you are familiar by now, even though you may not know personally in the past.
- Burmese Medical & Dental Reunion in Los Angeles, California-The day for reunion event is September 6, 2009, Sunday. The venue is scheduled at Hilton Hotel, 225 W. Valley Blvd in San Gabriel, California 91776. Reunion Program starts from 5 pm and is scheduled to end around 11 pm. We may continue the program but has to end before midnight.
- Dress Code-'Formal'. Tie is required for men. Dinner jacket optional.
- Parking- Valet park or self park. Parking fees may apply. There is also parking across the street at Shopping Plaza or at shopping center next to Hilton.
- Registration and Check-In-There will be a registration desk where you will check-in when you arrive. You will get your name badge, international directory, souvenir, raffle ticket and photo ticket. You will also receive your table assignment at the desk. There will be table plan displayed inside and outside the dining room. We will also arrange some ushers from the reception committee.
- International Directory-You will receive your copy with the other items during the check-in process. We apologize to all the graduates since we still have some graduates with incomplete information as well as missing photos. We have made many attempts to get as much information as possible for the directory.
- Table Plan-Dr. Winnie Thein Han is in-charge of the table and seating plan. To accommodate all the requests received she will take time to get the seating plan done. Tables will be assigned by lotto drawing. The 4 tables placed on the dance floor will be removed after the dinner, 4 tables from the dining room will be also removed and all the chairs will be placed together. Those who register late will be arranged for seating at one of the outside 6 tables. We will have live video feed for better viewing for our attendees sitting outside. You are certainly welcome to join your friends and classmates as long as they will share their seats.
- Social Hour-5 pm to 6 pm. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with other attendees, meet your professors, make new friends and also to get your portrait photo taken. There will be music to entertain you, video and slide show. Appetizers will be served during the social hour. This is the best part of the reunion where you will be meeting everyone, taking photos, chatting with your friends and time to celebrate and reunite. Don't forget to bring your camera, or your video-cam. We do have professional photographer and videographer who will be going around taking the photos and videos. These will be available in DVD format and will be mailed to the graduates after the reunion.
- Portrait Photo-We have setup by Ko Kyaw Swar from G-Swar video and photo to take your portrait photo. Each graduate attendee will receive a free portrait photo. You may also take more photos at extra charge. We certainly will setup and upload the photos and videos at a website for viewing and downloading, ordering photo prints. We will make announcement when the information is available. We recommend everyone to get to the reunion as early as possible and get your portrait taken before the line gets long.
- No Host Bar-There will be a no host bar to serve alcoholic drinks. We would like everyone to have a great time and would also like to ensure safety of our guests. Please drink responsibly and arrange for a designated driver if you intend to drink alcohol. If you bring alcohol from outside, Hilton has a corking fee of $20 per bottle of wine, $65 per bottle of hard liquor. Soft drinks are included and will be served with no additional charges.
- Dinner Time and Menu-The dinner is scheduled to start around 7 pm and finish at 9 pm. This will be a 10 course Chinese Menu.
- Entertainment Program-Our official entertainment program starts just before the dinner will start.
We are proud to present our B.M.D.G. Live Music Band. The music band is headed by Dr. Khaing Myint (Keyboard) and Dr. Pyi Soe (Base Guitar). Dr. Min Swe (Lead), Dr. Aye Ko Ko (Second Lead), Dr. Zaw Naing (Rhythm), Dr. Zan Mra (Base Guitar), Maung Win (drums), and Paul Lapine (Sound). They will entertain you with live music throughout the event.
We will have Burmese Solo Dance performed by Dr. Jenessa Oo, graduate from UCLA-Dentistry school. This will be followed by Burmese Cultural Dance performed by California Myanmar Cultural Dance Group.
We will be entertained by famous Burmese Singers-May Sweet and Ni Ni Win Shwe, with their beautiful vocals and familiar Burmese Songs. Comedian-Ko Yin Htwe will also entertain us following the singers. Many of us from United States are familiar with him and he will treat us with heavy dose of laughing medicine, for the doctors, dentists and guests.
There will be belly dancing and ball room dancing performed by professional dancers.
Social dancing will start after the entertainment program and we would love to have everyone get down to the dance floor to stretch their legs, show off their dancing skills, after all the food and entertainment. May Sweet and Ni Ni Win Shwe will continue to entertain us while we do the foot work. Polish your dancing shoes and polish your ball room skills and don't forget to bring your dance shoes.
We have selected 2 'Reunion Theme' songs. The songs are 'Those were the days' with modified lyrics (Dr. Mg Mg Kyi, IM 1 Yangon, 1977 graduate) and 'Mann Taung Yeik Kho'. I have the lyrics attached. Please join us in celebration of the success of the reunion and sing these songs together at the end of the entertainment program.
- Raffle gifts and Centerpiece drawing-This will be done in between and you can win something that will be useful for your daily lives and is worth to look forward to winning one of these raffle items or the centerpiece. You have to be present to win the raffle item.
- Activities around the reunion-We have many activities that are scheduled around the reunion. Please check the website and call the contact person listed to join any of them. CME program is scheduled at the Hilton Hotel by BMA-NA on Saturday. Many social activities are all open to attend sponsored by our local Burmese American Medical Association, Burmese American Dental Association, Dr. George Hlaing Mya, Dr. Winnie Thein Han. You can also join the golf or tennis tournament and win one of the trophies, which will be presented during the dinner event. Joggers can join Dr. Denny Lee to go jogging in Crystal Cove, one of the many beaches in Orange County, California. We have pre-event tour to Yellow Stone National Park and post-event tour to Grand Canyon-Las Vegas, or half-day City Tour.
Eddie Lim has prepared a summary with necessary information for everyone to read. It is attached with this email separately.
- Getting Around-You can arrange your local transportation through Eddie Lim of Achiever Vacation Inc. or use one of our local taxi service. Ko Han Win Aung is available for local transportation and can be reached at 626-736-0471.
- Where to Stay-Hilton Hotel and Comfort Suites are the preferred local hotels listed. If you are still looking for lodging please check with Eddie Lim if rooms are still available. He can be reached at 626-285-9739 or email him at 2achiever@gmail.com.
Here are some alternative lodgings available around the area-if you are looking for a price to fit your budget.
Motel Name Address Phone Number Rate Per Night Website Budget Inn San Gabriel 1924 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776 (626) 280-0957 $45 www.budgetinn.com Golden Motel 6353 Rosemead Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91775 (626) 285-8991 $42.56 Garden Inn Hotel 5318 Rosemead Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776 (626) 285-8866 $60 gardeninnmotel.com Motel 6 1001 San Gabriel Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770 (626) 572-6076 $55 www.motel6.com New Century Inn 1114 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776 (626) 285-0921 $60-65 Champion Motel 130 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776 (626) 571-6888 $60 We believe this summary gives you most of the information regarding the reunion and events that are scheduled. If, for any reason you have to change your plan and may not be able to make it to the reunion, please contact Eddie Lim and provide him with the information as soon as possible. See you at the reunion.