Road Trip

I've only just returned from a 2-day visit to Pathanamthitta and Kozhencherry to meet my only surviving grandparent, and my uncle and family. The trip was an awesome learning experience, and the first time I'd had to spend only one of those tiresome travelling hours in the passenger seat. It was a refreshing experience, as I was able to test my endurance and concentration for the first time. Driving had been a pleasure to me for a long while, until a minor scrape near my home ended up deflating my confidence! Since then, my attitude towards driving has changed slightly : whether due to that particular incident or the loss of that feeling of novelty, I can't say. Going into the trip I had my share of self-doubt, but gladly, I surpassed my own expectations. I drove much for nearly 3/5ths of the way there, and brought us safely home after a 4-hr long drive today. My concentration didn't waiver : the music helped sustain that rhythm. My confidence grew with every passing minute, so much so that I dared to fool around every now and then (the old "look mommy, no hands", "what's the time?" and "tabla on the steering wheel" gags) to make the minutes passing by seem less monotonous or repetitive.

Having survived my own driving, I'm glad to say the confidence is back, and now firm enough to take on any challenges I face on city roads! Even though my license has been valid for more than a month, the practice I've had with my own Alto has made me far more self-assured and confident behind the wheel than before! Next Mission : To practise riding a 2-wheeler, which I hope to do in my first year of college, courtesy some of the friends I might make @ my hostel!

I've tentatively laid out plans for a farewell party to be held at my house for my friends. The guest list is ready, and almost everyone, I believe, is available. Having to leave on Tuesday evening, I've scheduled the party for Sunday afternoon : not only will it serve as an occasion to eat and chat for hours on end in a manner I may never again be able to, I'll also get them acquainted with my parents and allow them a rare tour of my home (not that it's an architectural marvel by any means.....it's rare due to its distance from the city!). I hope the plan comes to fruition, though many of the invitees are as yet unaware of key details(including whether or not they're invited!:D)......there is only so much I could accomplish after reaching home @ 9:30 pm. To whoever reads this blog (as if anyone ever does) and is bitterly disappointed at having missed the gathering (...yeah RITE! :D), I offer my deepest regrets : last-minute plans are seldom well-thought out!

If all goes as planned, I shall have a final lazy afternoon to cherish and preserve in my photographic folklore, before I attempt to essay a new era in my yet uncharted life in a new city!