Waiting for my Hubby

     I have not felt this miserable for a very long time already. Today, I had to temporarily part with something which is extremely precious to me. It has been with me for the past 8 years, seeing me through my days, whether they were happy or sad, boring or exhilarating, mundane or extraordinary. It has been my constant companion as I muse about life and all its ups and downs, always silent but its presence appreciated. I am, of course, talking about my car.

   
      A Korean designed compact car, my Naza Sutera was the first car I have ever owned. Paying off the car loan took 5 years, but all of it was my own hard-earned salary. Being a new model at that time, it was rather popular among car buyers looking for a compact yet practical car. Little did I know that I had to spend so much later on for maintenance and spare parts replacements, so much so that I was quite sure I would buy a new car soon.

   
     However, the longer I drove the car, the more attached I felt towards it. After all, being a person who loves driving, I have driven this car from one end of Malaysia to the next, even driving it across the border to Singapore! It has never failed to bring me to my destination, not even once. This, coupled with the familiarity and comfort it provides me, is the reason why I have long since changed my mind about selling it off for a brand new car. Sure, it looks a bit worn, but it's my own dear Hubby!

   
     Early this morning, I sent my car to my mechanic, Mr. Tan, to fix a problem with my radiator. He had detected the problem earlier on, but since I had to drive it to work, he had advised me to bring it in as soon as I got my holidays. It turns out that the whole repair would take around a week to complete! 

   
     To cut the story short, I feel like I have just lost my pair of legs. Here I am with plans on places to go during the holidays, driving my trusty car all over Ipoh, and the next thing I know, I'm left stranded at home. Sure, I can drive my mother's car, but that would mean working around her schedule as well. Not to mention that I don't have much affection for it... Oh well, at least when I get this radiator problem fixed, I won't suffer the fate of being stranded on the road when I actually need to get to somewhere. Prevention is better than cure, right? Okay, I'll start crossing out the dates on my calendar, till the day when I can meet my Hubby again! ;)   

Rain - Music to My Ears

     It's been raining today for as long as I can remember, and that's really saying something, given that it's almost 2 a.m. now. In fact, it's been raining quite a bit lately, which of course, is a refreshing respite after a record-breaking dry spell all Malaysians had been put through just recently. 3 months of clear skies and hot sun is too much for even Malaysians to bear. Although the weather changed for the better almost a month ago, I believe the memory of it is still fresh on everybody's mind, especially Selangoreans who had to put up with water rationing for a month or so as the reservoirs dried up. Maybe that is why nobody is complaining yet about rains which come like clockwork every day in the evenings nowadays.

     I, for one, enjoy the rain. Not when I'm caught in it and get drenched to my bones by it, of course. People may think I'm weird, but I like driving in the rain, no matter how heavy the rain gets, for the simple reason that I enjoy the challenge, and that the heavier the downpour, the more dirt it washes off my car! When I'm not on the move, I like being cosy at home, cuddled up in my bed or reading a novel, while listening to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof and windows, and taking in the sweet smell of wet soil. If it rains in the early morning, well, fat chance of seeing me up and about until at least a couple of hours later than usual!

     I feel joyful whenever it rains. If it's a thunderstorm, I feel grateful that I'm in the comfort of my home or car, being protected from the raging storm outside. If it's a drizzle, I thank God for the coolness it brings, and also the calming effect that I experience whenever I hear the sound of raindrops falling onto the ground. I have a feeling that the trees and flowers are also thankful for the nourishment as well.  For me, the rain is a symbol of hope, change and newness of life. It washes away impurities and encourages growth. It is the essence of life. God's gift to humankind indeed.

     It's past 2 a.m. now, and the rain has finally stopped, leaving behind the cool air as evidence of its presence. Let's see if it comes again tomorrow. I certainly hope so.