Selamat Hari Raya

Had a long weekend as the Muslims celebrated the closure of their fasting month, Puasa. My family, family-in-laws and friends plan for a drive up to Genting Highlands/Kuala Lumpur. After 6 hr long drive of losing and finding our way, we finally reach KL and was greeted by the usual jam (Raya or no Raya) and a long stretch of bazaar and stalls selling goodies, clothes and artefacts. It's quite different and much bigger from what we have at Geylang Serai. Due to objection from the majority, I was not allowed to join the bazaar and could only watch it from the safety of the car throughout the jam. Feeling quite disappointed, hungry and tired when we finally reach Genting, I was in a foul mood as I had also anticipated reaching Genting earlier and a good supper.

Throughout the next morning, I was periodically upset by the hassle and delay of coordinating the big group of us. Then some thoughts came into my mind .... what is my expectation of the trip, what am I looking for and why am I always thinking of what I want to do next? I recalled what a friend said to me once that it is not the outcome that matters the most but the process. We should enjoy and savour the here and now, be in the process. With that, I've come to realise that the jam, losing our way, waiting is all part of the process ofthis trip and it's up to me what I want to make out of this process. Like most of the things I do, I have always been so focus on achieving the outcome I want that I've neglected the experience, joy, interaction and relationship of making things happen.
For the rest of the trip, I tried to forgo whatever expectations I've brought with me, to enjoy and being in the here and now. So, even though I did not get to shop to my heart's content and had missed quite a lot of the exciting rides, I did have a great bonding time with my family.

Well, I won't say that the trip is great but it had been more enjoyable then if I had hold on to my idea of the trip and be disappointed. Another reminder for me on my next trip will be "no food before a drive downhill"