Last Sunday, 10th February 2008, 2-3 million Malaysians and I were stuck on the North South Expressway for about 8-10 hours trying to get back to work the next day in the city from various parts of Malaysia, mine being Penang island. I left my parent's house in Tanjung Bunga at around 3:30pm and reached KL at a little past 12 midnight! Now if that ain't a jam, I don't know what is.
Spending 8.5 hours on what normally would be a 4 hour journey from Penang to KL is something maybe I'd not want to try again next year. However it definitely taught me a lesson or 2 in time management. I reckon the best lessons in life are learnt when you put your hand in the hole or when you get burnt trying it out for the first time. But wait a minute, this isn't my first time getting caught in the jam going back to KL, I remember back in 2000 and 2001 when I was driving a much smaller car and still being subjected to the same congested experience.
Well, in spite of all the chaos, I guess I must really thank my lucky stars that I had arrived at my destination in one piece and blessed with the ability to go to work early the next morning. The side effects of sitting in the car for almost 9 hours was the fatigue and tiredness which really took a toll on my health.
That aside, the week long break in Penang was well worth the trip back. I managed to unwind and set my direction straight as I charge forward into 2008. For many of us chinese, I guess that the year haven't really started until after the festivities of chinese new year. It is when the real 2008 starts, after the feng shui master's predictions, the exchange of red packets, the long mahjong sessions that stretch into the night, all the food and the reunion dinners and after all the hampers has been opened.
However, a day after the long trip, here I am back by the window on the 20th floor writing this entry while hoping and praying that this year would be much different in terms of opportunities, experience as well as social wise and career wise. And I also hope that the fatigue would eventually wear off by tomorrow and I would be in top form again.
