The trip to Ipoh...

My second and rather impromptu trip of the year. But also an unforgettable one in terms of a series of events that lead to this already short getaway. My first ever time I double booked myself, to a trip and to a performance. -_-''' I really facepalmed myself. And... it was shocking because I found out when I was on my way to the rehearsal. And I suddenly remembered why I was more insistent on the other date at the start of the planning. The booking of air ticket was too sudden and rush that I didn't give the date another 2nd thought. And it was too late.

Then came the part on the decision. If I really had to choose 1 only, I had to give up the trip, it's sad but that's what I thought at that moment. But anyway I didn't tell anyone at that point, not laoshi, not any other performers, only the travel buddies, because they should know anyway. Of course, some told me to just say no to the performance, but if I had really done that then I'm no different from other people who just find many excuses to not be involved. But to me, I still love playing, still love music, and there aren't a lot of chances to perform anymore. So I really wanted to perform. I won't blame her for saying that so quickly, and thankful for others who understood. Afterall, I found my own solution and all, I don't really have to answer to anyone right? 

Just that it wasn't so easy. The only other flight in to Ipoh goes off before the performance ends, so no hope. No flights early next day as well, not even the same timing they took. Didn't know frequency was that low. So alternatively, I had to take a bus lor, night bus to be specific. Luckily it isn't too much top-up to begin with. And with the car we rented in Ipoh and their willingness to pick me up early in the morning, we are more or less settled, only I had to miss the first day with them. So my getaway was shorten to 2D1N, with the traveling time increasing from 3h (incl. check in all that) to at least 7h. 

And then, I don't know what I was expecting, but maybe if I haven't said it then I won't feel the way I felt after that. And so at this point of time, I still didn't tell anyone, until much later, I only told Hongqing I think. Anyway I didn't have the courage to tell laoshi lah all along.

But at the end of the performance, while wanting to let him know that I will come home on my own, I suddenly blurted out that I had to rush for a night bus that day. But, dang!, he said nothing, other than a short laugh. No words of appreciation. I thought about this whole saga about people not coming, that the orchestra is just difficult to sustain and that people are not appreciative of what he has done all these years. Rather than seeing it as a whole group effort, he chose to think that he put in the most. Yes, it could be true and none of us could exactly say that we put in our live to do it, but well, he got paid. right? And if he expects the appreciation to be only one-sided: he expects to be appreciated but doesn't expect himself to be appreciative of others, then this will not work as well, which is exactly what is happening to this orchestra. Praises should come from others, not always from yourself. 你伟大, 也没有那么伟大. 有一点小失望.... If you think that you have done the most and others haven't put in as much as you did, as time goes by, no one will want to work for you. 

Yes, it was my own fault, but you could have better handled it, or at least allow me to feel more appreciated. So after all, I have no more guilt towards this thing anymore because there is only so much he care about.

So it's my first time going out on my own, I was a little nervous actually. But things like that only makes people stronger, isn't it? But I really did something stupid, at the sg custom, even I don't believe it. HAHAHA! I alighted the bus with all the others and went into the hall and just followed blindly behind the crowd past the automated machines and joined one of the lines to the counted. For the longest time ever, I was thinking how come the queue is so slow, after like 10min, I saw another group of people coming into the hall and most of them went to the machines, that was when I really took a good look and thought the logo really looks familiar. 😅😅😅 That was when I realised that people around me are all holding msia passport and I should have gone to the automated machines. But it was too late, the queue was too narrow for me to head out again and I'm one person away from the counter. But I felt slightly embarrassed at that moment. LOL! I went to the counter and immediately I apologised, and at the same time he looked at my passport and laughed at me, asking if I knew I could have use the automated machines instead of waiting so long for the queue. (the waiting time was really long) I must have looked really sheepish at the counter, both of us laughing at myself. :x He is quite good looking I must say. 

Then I nearly went to the counter that says 'malaysia passport' at the msia custom afterwards, because all the other passengers on my bus were malaysians and I really followed blindly. :x

And so... now to the trip.

A relaxing trip, I want it to be. Thankful for friend who can drive. :) For food, scenery, fun and laughter. Went to the railway station, had to find out how does the parking system works. Did a few very expensive parkings at other places as well. HAHA! Went to 2 intended caves but only really managed one because we also don't know what exactly happened to the other one. And just eat a lot. Lol! Chicken rice, gui lin gao, hor fan, desserts, cafes and all.

I just feel that I didn't do much lor. And dang! we were back. Hahaha.

The only consolation is that I still manage to not waste the return air ticket. HAHA! :)