Sometimes we experience physical discomfort for good reason.
Yesterday night I was reminded of this. I had gone for my weekly aerial circus class (my once a week escape for some me-time), and we did so many spins that I had a splitting headache and a nauseous feeling that wouldn’t go away. Usually I do a spot of grocery shopping after class, and this week was supposed to be no different. In fact, I had a longer list than usual to fulfil. However, when I walked into NTUC, my head spun even more with the bright lights and music and general background noise. I wasn’t even very steady when I walked. My aerial instructor had suggested mints, so I stumbled over to the sweet section, struggled to make sense of the colours and words, and finally picked a pack of mints before stumbling to the cashier.
I contemplated for a moment whether to press on with the grocery shopping or not, but in the end decided I simply couldn’t do it and wanted to go back home quickly to rest.
The mints helped, and I was feeling a bit better as I walked to the car. Started the car, and turned out of the lot. As I did so, I heard an ominous noise.
GUNG GUNK!
What was that?!?! It sounded like something came loose from under the car. I decided to quickly head home anyway since the car seem to be driving fine.
5 minutes later, there suddenly flashed at me a warning sign that made me panic for an instant!
“STOP the car NOW”
At the same time I saw the needle for the engine temperature soaring up to the highest reading and beyond.
Telling myself to keep calm and not panic, I moved slowly to the side, switched off the engine and waited. Would the problem go away? I tried starting the car again. The temperature seemed ok. I moved off.
“STOP the car NOW”
Ok…Is the car going to catch fire? I better stop again.
5 minutes later I tried one last time. Maybe I could be third time lucky.
“STOP the car NOW”
Okokok. Time to call for roadside assistance. Called them, established that it was probably the radiator or one of the pipes leading to it that burst. I had to wait for the tow truck. It would come in 1 hour.
Great.
Then…I realised why I had my headache. Can you imagine if I had gone ahead with purchasing all my stuff, the dairy food, meat, fish, would all be spoiling in the heat. I’d also have a problem carting those, and some other things from the car since I had to remove some things before the car got towed away.
As I walked home, I still felt extremely tired from the class, but I realised that my headache had gone. Yes, sometimes we have discomfort and pain for a reason. I thank God for my headache.
And I also thank God that it wasn’t hazy last night.
Getting hooked up to the tow truck
On a funny note, I was asking the tow truck driver if my car would have caught fire had I kept on driving. He said no, it doesn’t usually happen when cars overheat. I then asked how come in the news we see the sports car catching fire. Then he said, “你的车没有这个本领!”
Evidently, my car doesn’t have the kind of engine that’s so powerful it’ll catch fire. Good to know.
Unlikely Lady of Leisure 