Long distance(s): a random muse

I never quite understood why kids get cranky during long car-rides.

I must have been quite abnormal as a child. 

I loved long car-rides. For some funny reason, I looked forward to family vacations, because I knew it would involve a long car-ride of some sort. The more hours we were required to spend on the road, the better. Which is why I never fancied trips to Port Dickson or Genting Highlands (both of which are just an hour away from my hometown). Poor dad ~ those days we never flew (no Air Asia) ~ dad drove. I am grateful that he was OK with all that driving. It was a lot of driving, all right.

Why long car-rides? Well, everything about journeys fascinated me (even though it involved stopping at some stinky public toilets). The scenery outside the windows, the greens we often take for granted in the city, the yummy snacks, the books, the music, the car-games Zoey and I played, the breaks, the pictures that I had captured in my mind so that I could write about them in my "holiday journal" later (this was a delicious holiday hobby indeed), and the anticipation of the destination ~ although I didn't want us to arrive so soon. The only time I did not appreciate the long journey was when my mom made me do my math homework in the car. So traumatising. I can't even remember why she did that!

I also looked forward to organ classes during the weekends ~ because the school was quite faraway from my house. Dad occasionally let me choose the "route" that he was to drive. There were the "long way", "medium-long way" and "short way". I am ashamed to admit now that I always chose the "long way" even though I knew that my dad would have much preferred the "short way". And what did I do while my dad maneuvered us through the traffic? Eat, listen to music, enjoy the scenery and read a book. LOL. So spoilt!

Today, my hubby jokingly complains to my dad that I am making him drive long distances too (when I am in the car). I love driving long distances myself. I would certainly do it more often if I had more time and if my hubby doesn't nag me about my carbon footprint. I still listen to music, enjoy the scenery and think deep thoughts. Sometimes eat and read (kidding) too. Some things will never change.

A last thought: I am beginning to realise that perhaps I was wired that way so that I would have all the resolve and endurance I need to study for many, many, many years without stopping.