take control

i have always been a passenger. actually, i prefer being a passenger. so, i do not need to know all the twists and turns of every corner. nor do i need to be alert throughout the (sometimes) long trips. and the best part: i can sleep!!!

but suddenly, i found myself thrown into the driver seat. both of my older brothers (who have logged way more miles in the driver seat than i) had to leave earlier so i had to be designated driver for the remainder of the Christmas break.

i’m not the best driver. i think mainly due to lack of experience (i hope, hahaha). that and the fact that the car is automatic. before dec 29, 8 km was the farthest distance i drove from our house and i have done it only about 10 times tops.

so to drive 50 km (again still not too far) is like a million miles for me. it doesn’t help that i really haven’t paid attention to any of the details of the road in the n times that i have passed there. it gets worse. people here do not actually care about “traffic rules” or simply “being careful.” commuter buses and jeeps stop at the middle of the road to load and unload passengers. people in bikes drive in the middle of the street. people cross roads without doing what every school kid do: “stop, look, and listen.” my heart skips a bit every time i notice someone almost crossing the road with paying attention to traffic. good thing someone invented the horn. but still…

thankfully, everything went well. but my foot hurt from pressing and releasing the pedal. and that’s just about an hour of driving (anyway, my first time). all my respect to all professional drivers! especially those who got me safely to all my destinations while i slept for hours.

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similarly, i used to be just a passenger in the journey called life. just going with the flow. but realized that i need to take control. i’m scared if i’m doing the right thing but i hope things will turn out great.