Patience

If not because of a very impatient & inconsiderate driver, I'd have enjoyed my 1st weekend as a new (& nervous) driver.

After work on Fri evening, I went in search of a P-plate.. it's either not available or sold out in DIY shops & supermarkets. No choice, I waited till nearly midnight & drove to the nearest petrol kiosk. Earlier on I'd called & found out which station sold it. Felt both nervous & excited as I was driving for the 1st time after I passed, & alone.

When I was about to pay for my P-plate, there's this uncle before me who'd just made his purchase, looked at the triangle I placed on the counter & then looked at me. I pretended I didn't know he's staring & looked away slowly. But he's curious enough to start asking me:

Uncle: "(pointing at the P-plate) For yourself?"
Me: "Yep"
Uncle: "Just passed?"
Me: "This morning."
Uncle: "Congratulations!"
Me: "Thank you."
Uncle: "So (pointing at our Airwave outside) is that your parents' car? Or your boyfriend's?"
Me: "My husband's. He's overseas so I've to drive myself to buy the P-plate. Only dare to come out at this time before I display (showing the orange triangle) as there're lesser cars."

By then, he's about to leave the counter. So I said another "thanks" to him & he left the store. When I returned to our car shortly after, uncle was still there, in his Volvo S60 (or maybe S80, I'm not sure). He gestured to let me go first. So I drove off first & he followed behind. Then I took the left most lane to turn left & he went straight. When his car drove past, we waved at each other. That's not bad at all on my first, though short, drive. Hee. If only everyone is as friendly & patient as the Volvo uncle. When back, it didn't take me too long to park the car at its original lot, which is next to a Santa Fe. Quite happy with myself as the lots are relatively small at our place & furthermore the next car was a big one. But I definitely need a lot more practices & gotta be prepared to inflict some scratches on 黑仔. Hubby said before he's already well prepared for that.

Saturday afternoon, sis & family came to our place as I asked my BIL to teach me to do parking. But they requested to go for a ride first so I drove them to Lower Seletar Reservoir. Initially they're all very uptight & held on to the handle. But once we started out, they're kinda relieved. BIL even said I drove quite well which actually boosted my confidence as he's usually rather critical & seldom agrees to the things I do. He, who's a very experienced driver of more than 20 years, also taught me reverse parking patiently. The night before, he advised me not to drive to the airport. But after the ride, he encouraged me to do so & I was actually more assured with his support.

Sat night I was having a relaxing bubble bath with some soft music when C sms me & suggested a night ride. After more than an hour, she who came all the way from Alexandra, parked her car at our place & I drove her out. I made a trial drive to the airport so I could familiarise myself with the route. It's a smooth-cruising one on the expressway & I didn't realise I went up to 100km/h (finally know how it feels to be driving at 100km/h!) & had to constantly keep the speed at 90km/h. We're glad that I was prepared for the next day's drive. When I thanked C for accompanying me, she replied that it didn't take her much to do so.. her life only. Haha. C is really a great friend & sure has a sense of humour. She then came to our place for a light supper & chatted till 4am!

Sun, mum came back from church without taking her lunch. So I drove her to Sun Plaza. I couldn't wait to fetch hubby as I had so much to share with him. Then in the evening, the tailgating driver totally spoilt my day. I wasn't even driving too slowly.. if you're familiar with Yishun Ave 2, the traffic (esp. between Yishun & Khatib stations) is usually pretty heavy in the day/night.. I was driving at around 60km/h & he's been following closely for a distance. Then I slowed down in case the traffic lights ahead changed. But he had no intention to do so. The lights did change & I stopped but he didn't. What an idiot.

Both were uncles.. but one could be so nice & the other, a bully without brain.