It is 23rd Dec today, the day I just come back from my short, short Southern region trip. Although personally, I don't find it short at all.
Five days in total, that's how long I've been away.
In a nutshell, our trip was made up of exploration, navigation, and squeezing inside a Toyota Vios. Six people alright, and Vios ain't that humougous - at least not as spacious as the Hilux. And to make the discomfort continuous, I was all the while the passenger - rear passenger, constantly being squashed up against the door (thank god it's always shut). Because we didn't manage to get the 'P' stickers in time, so I, being just a 'P' driver, cannot lay hands on that stering at all. So there I was, sitting with two eleven year olds and a sixteen year old, at the back of the car.
So basically we spent a night at PJ with a little excursion and adventure at the Curve and its Xmas decoration. The next day we found ourselves cruising on the North-South Highway heading towards Port Dickson, and later that day we ended up in the Portuguese Settlement after a laborious drive from PD and rounds of stopping over to ask for directions. In the end, I have to admit it was worthwhile, because the houses were so fancifully decorated that you'd think you entered the Christmas wonderland you've always fantasized about. Good lord, and there was this guy who dressed as Santa and acted like he's just another Santa statue. So when the kids went to take a photo with him, he suddenly jumped around. I must say, it was a chain reaction because the rest of us jumped too.
After that it was basically going round Malacca town. Unless you're really into history and culture, that place is but confusing roads and, most importantly, never ceasing traffic. The next two days was in different parts of Selangor, before we boarded the bus (which we were late for thirty minutes! All thanks to the massive traffic flow in KL) and headed back home.
And so I am now, here, recounting my story of my disappearance to you.
As you may know, I'm not exactly a religious person. So I pick up teachings from various religions to guide me and serve as my moral compass, without committing fully to that religion itself (which I am a little guilty to admit). Yet today, in a Christian gathering to celebrate Christmas, they thought me something meaningful. With that, I begin to see some issues which bugged me for quite some time, which tied my pumping heart down like a rock would, in a different light. Under this perspective, it's as if I've found a pair of scissors and cut that binding rope, and my heart is pumping lively again.
The weight has been lifted, and somehow I know I won't be tied down the same was as I did again.
I found joy. Could it be the work of, like they say, God? Whichever way you say it, I'm grateful that at this special occasion, I was shown enlightenment. Whicnever religion you are from, I'm sure there are similar teachings - just, presented in different ways.
