Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, on a Thursday, dated 6th September 2007, precisely at 1.30 pm.
I had to rush to Centre of Employability Skills, to take a Computer Adaptive Test. The centre was at Redhill Road, a place alien to me.

Now, an officer from the centre had called me twice to instruct me how to go the centre, detailed instructions, I tell you. She reminded me not to be late and I can hear from her voice that she was very concerned that i might be lost or something. I was grateful, took note of it, wrote her instructions one by one. Went off half-day from work to take the test.

Tried to follow the instructions the kind lady had given.
1/ board off at Redhill MRT station
2/take bus no 64
3/once you see Block 75A
4/immediately see a bus stop
5/board off there
6/you will have seen the centre

alas, as detailed as her instructions can be, she did not mentioned the number of bus-stops that i might have to look out for, she never said which side of the road to take the bus from.

as i stand at the mrt redhill control station, looking at the note, i just realised those two mentioned above. i did not know which bus -stop to take 64. i decided to stay on this side of the road and waited. all i see was blocks of flats everywhere and down the road, some sort of mall. it’s just too alien for me!!! people everywhere seemed to know that i’m not from there. me a lost girl~

and the bus did not came. i waited till 1.45pm. I became nervous, for i did not know how far i was from the centre. how many stops before i saw Block 75A. i don’t know this place and i am so far away from home~~

i decided to take the taxi. luckily i had some 30 dollars with me, thinking that the fare might cost up to 10 dollars or so. got one cab immediately and said to the driver, ” Uncle, to Centre of Employability Centre, Redhill Road…..”

Driver, “Oh no problem!! I know the place.” (Thank Lord, he’s friendly and he knew the place)
“Actually ah, the place very near lehh. Redhill Road, I know, I leave nearby only hor, verynear laa.”

Me, “Oh how near?? I’m new to this place laa uncle, first time come here. I have to take a test at the Centre.”

Driver, “Never mind, very near.” (Still, on my mind, ‘very near’ means two/three more bus stops or something)

So, the driver goes, less than 10 metres, make a U-turn (I was already glancing at my wrist watch, nervous, not knowing when i’ll reach the place), still less than 10 metres, met a junction, turned left.

And surprise, surprise, I SAW BLOCK 75 A!! I saw the block already!! and the bus-stop i presumed the place I should be if i were to take 64. and a bit further, there you are…………..the Centre of Employability Skills!! There you are…

Driver, ” This is the place.. we are here already.”
Me, “AAAHH??? Here oredi aarr?? So near???” ( I still could not comprehend how near it was!! I looked back and i can still see the mrt station!!)

Driver,”Yea lorr, very near only…”
I couldn’t help but laugh myself silly. I couldn’t believe that I can actually walk up from the station to the centre!!! Damn near la weii!!
My fare??? Only $2.50!!
Alamak, uncle, apasal la tak cakap awal2!! uncle nak jugak $2.50 gue!!
Haiii, melayanglah $2.50~ ahakzz!

I took the taxi at 1.50 pm, i reached the centre at 1.55pm. 5 minit jer lah babe naik teksi, duduk pun tak sempat panas!!

Ber-ia betul officer tu explain kasi instructions macam mana nak pegi. Kan senang cakap you canjust walk up ahead from the MRT station!!