I can drive!

Took to the roads for the first time on Sunday since I got my driving license last Wednesday.

I. Can. Finally. Drive. 

Needless to say, I was excited about driving on my own outside of driving school and without an instructor telling me what to do or where to go every few minutes. 

Nick was my passenger. I asked how he felt about being driven by me, no less, for the first time. "Awesome", he said. He was down with flu and less than enthusiastic when he said it. But I still felt great.

He has always been the one driving me around. Time for a switch. Heh. 

I drove us to church - my first journey on the road! - and nearly wanted to drive to town (Shaw house or Cine) for a movie but if sick Nick said no - the car park was too challenging for someone who hasn't experienced parking in a confined space with a tight lot and plenty of waiting cars who won't hesitate to blow their horn at a slow driver. I figured his reasons were too valid so I let him drive and I did my best to observe the route. 

I came to realise, after being a driver, that it's not that difficult to navigate the roads. I used to marvel at friends who have great navigational skills. It comes so naturally to them and I bet they haven't walked as much as I have in terms of making wrong turns. But I've to say, I commit a lot of routes to memory because even I don't trust my navigational skills sometimes. 

Times like this I wish I have an inbuilt GPS so I'll never get lost. Hahaha. 

Since Nick drove us to town, we agreed I should drive us to my place in Woodlands. Nick could tell I really wanted to drive. First time I took to the expressway, Nick told me to stick to the left lane cos I was too slow. Oops. First boo boo I made after I parked the car (at church), I forgot to lock the door! Nick stared at me for a good ten seconds before he said "Do you want to lock the door?"  Yup, typical Michelle moment. 

And the funniest thing was what he said about me when I was straddling two lanes (think my mind was on the route more than the road). 

"Do you remember how you used to hate people who straddle two lanes, and you always point them out to me? Now you're just like one of them. Control your car."

Wow. 

*slow clap for my cleverness*

The Goh Family

Something extraordinarily amazing happened today. Stuff that dramas are made off. And I thought it only happens on TV. 

I never truly knew the joy of having relatives on both sides becos really, I only ever have 1 set of relatives from my dad's side. They're all I've ever known from birth. For 30 years, I've known only the Wans. 

YET, TODAY MY MOM FINALLY FOUND HER REAL PARENTS AND SIBLINGS AND I FOUND ME A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER COUSINS. 

I am so excited. And terribly happy for my mom who fulfilled her wish. 

What an awesome start to 2015. Too many happy news to report lately. I'm feeling really good about life after 30s. We're so blessed. God is so good all the time. 

Found myself a few more aunties, uncles and cousins to love, care and laugh with. We've so much catching up to do! Can't tell you how overwhelmed I am. I'm shocked we managed to locate them so quickly. Unbelievable. Social media is awesome. 

Meeting them next week. So freaking cool. 

For the longest time, I thought I was pure Cantonese because mom's foster parent (my grandma; they were neighbours when my mom was given to my gramps) is Cantonese and I thought all Cantoneses live in the same kampung. I'm not. Mom's of Hokkien blood so I'm Cantonese-Hokkien. 

And here's a picture of my actual grandma. She's too cute!

My mom looks so much like her!

Last thing, I've 2 aunts and 5 uncles to familiarise with. 

That's a big family and it excites me. 

HPY

With no way of reaching out to you, I do hope you still read.

I haven't been the best friend I should be, I know that. But I still wanna believe there's an explanation for the misunderstandings we've created in our midst. 

Today you've made a decision to let go though I don't understand your rationale for doing so. I'm pained by your choice to leave. 

So many times, I waited for you to tell me what's happening. So many tales I heard. So many people who thinks I'm delusional for believing in you. And yet, so many benefits of the doubt I gave. For I knew, everyone has their reasons for what they believe in. 

It never happened. And still, I waited. 

(Yes I can be a huge softie)

Took me awhile to realise...maybe you aren't coming back. I thought, well, you must've moved on and I'm happy for you. But months passed and you asked for a favour which I turned down becos I wasn't in the best position to help. And then the next month, you asked Nick for a favour and he turned you down as well. 

Do you think we had forsaken you becos of that? Would you let us in if we asked what was wrong? 

What have changed? Our lifestyles have altered drastically. We've formed friendships and relationships outside of our hpy-ship. Our outlooks have definitely changed. But I never believed our bond has changed. 

Till now, I've no clue what happened between us. And I know you must have your reasons for leaving. But I just want you to know you always have the option of coming back. 

I haven't been a good friend to you, hpy. Forgive me. I could've done better. This door is open, if one day you feel like coming home. 

I'll be waiting, with two cups of coffee, to hear all about your stories.