Lone Time, No Postage
Last I’ve written anything for this meagre blog, it was only to catch up on what I’ve done recently. Now, for over half a year later (?), I’ve rekindled writing only after some downtime with extended family overseas.
Yes, I am overseas for all four occasions – Christmas, New Year’s, my sister’s 14th, and Lunar New Year, all with the extended family here in Indonesia.
I’ve come back to write to reflect on a few things, whether it was through travel or experience, or both, I’ve learnt a lot about myself – good and bad – and also about some of the world I’ve come to know a little more about.
My travel here has led me to revisit old family members again, those I cherish and can only visit every three years. Along with them is the growing family of stray cats my uncle looks after, all of them allowed to roam the house only when he’s around – and when he allows it. Right now, my sister is playing with the playful duo – two ginger cats, both brothers, who are the most energetic and affectionate of the cat family here. By far my favourites. Now you would know where my love of cats come from. Each one of them have a personality of their own, and some times, it makes them human to me that they are a part of the family, despite them being from the streets.
Along with revisiting family members, I’ve come to see how much has changed and how much they have grown in many ways. I’ve learnt recently before my travels that a cousin of mine (one of the older ones) had married. Another cousin (the quietest one of them all), has himself a girlfriend. Many younger cousins have grown to my height, which kinda amuses me so. My grandmother is perfectly healthy after learning of a cataract operation some years ago. Things have changed, just as much as we have in three years. It’s during this time that I cherish the time I spend here. It’s a pity that I lose one month due to my school priorities back home. I haven’t even touched anything about my school work except only revisualising and thinking about it in my head, which I think is a miracle in itself. My sister had said that I was turning into a workaholic. And so had sworn not to talk about school TOO MUCH, (which I did break every now and then, including today, but only for short bursts).
I’ve also learnt about myself on this trip, and realise that I continue to do so every time. I’ve learnt that no matter how much repellant you use, you’ll still get bit by the mosquitoes that hang around. I’ve learnt that I can conquer illness, at least a little better than the last few times I’ve travelled before. I’m not afraid of heights as I had originally assumed – I’m afraid of falling from them, especially if a glass floor is present. I can withstand heavy rain without an umbrella, but not without a little whine about it every now and then. Acclimatising to the heat and the cold had been a long run, but my body is stronger than I thought it’d be. And then, most amusingly (and embarassingly), I scream like a girl. Literally. Never get me into a horror house unless you want to hear me cuss almost every time I squeal.
Having the Lunar New Year edging closer, and also the end of my trip following after, it makes me think that I really don’t want to leave. Not just yet. True that I’ll feel better once I reach home. There would be better plumbing, my own bed, my car… but I think about how much my extended family has done to make our lives a little more comfortable here. I remembered when I was younger, we had to shower with a bucket and a pail. Toilets weren’t really toilets. The family overseas aren’t wealthy. They live in modest housing and are fairly low-to-middle class, and now they have installed showers and working toilets for us, and of course for themselves. It makes me feel grateful for what I already have, and grateful to my family for doing these things for us.
It has been a great mental holiday. Creativity has been on a high overtime and coming back will only make me work harder than ever. But despite any priorities I have when I return, nothing can comprehend everything I’ve learnt again here, overseas, with family. I regret nothing.
