Monday, March 09, 2015

Wishing for rain to come

In this very hot and humid weather, we all wished for rain to come. We already had our umbrellas and raincoats packed ready just for that rainy day. Even our hearts wished to see rainy days. Conversations go from "Hello, good morning" to "Bloody weather so hot, when is it raining?". Below are some of the conversations that I took note:


"Oh, it had been sooo long since it had last rained, so a rain should be coming soon. Mark my words!"


"The change in the weather and the drop in the seasonal winds indicate that rain will come, and very soon, within plus minus 2 weeks from now. Our weather charts here and here shows the inevitability of this. Bring your umbrellas! Don't say we didn't warn you! You first hear it from us before all the other weather forecasters say it!"


"When it finally rains, I'll carry my brand new umbrellas that I bought so long ago! It had been wrapped in its plastic coverings since I bought it but never had the chance to use it. I even had my special raincoat that I bought, also long time ago, just for this long awaited rain. I'm very sure my umbrella and raincoat is more than enough to survive any rainstorm that comes. Come and hit me!"




Some people are so sure that their raincoats and umbrella can withstand whatever rain that will come. I don't know. I've seen really bad weather before and I was caught out with a broken umbrella and non water proof shoes. Usually I wear boots that can withstand 30 mins of mild rain hitting on it, without my socks getting rain. But that particular day, I still remembered, the wind was so strong that it blew my umbrella inside out! The wind practically made the rain go horizontally, so it didn't really matter if I'm bringing an umbrella or not. My shoes didn't disappoint, but in my haste to correct my upended umbrella, I stepped into a puddle of water that is caused by that intense rain. It didn't matter if my boots can take 30 mins of rain - it just got soaked straight through. And guess what, while walking on the road, a car zoomed past a big puddle of water and soaked my clothes in muddy water.


I learned from that lesson. When it's raining heavily, I watch out for that puddle of water by the roadside. I will use my umbrella to shield my side that faces the road with the puddle on it, and let the rain fall onto me from above. Rather clean rain than muddy water! My umbrella is titled towards where the wind blows so that it will not upend itself in the strong wind. Heck, I even make sure that the metal part of the umbrella is made of sturdy steel rather than the cheaper aluminium. I always carry an umbrella with me in my bag, no matter how many people say that I look so unfashionable carrying a teenager's secondary bag instead of a more up fashion corporate looking men's clutch bag. And yes, my shoes still can withstand 30 mins of rain but I learned to focus on not stepping on puddles of water simply because my boots are water proof. You know, sometimes we do silly things - just because we wear water proof watches, we purposely wash our hands with it. Tempting fate, I call it.


I know the rain will come eventually but I don't really wish for it. Some people will be caught in it, just like I did in the past. I'm still afraid of getting caught unprepared in the heavy rain but I no longer fear it. Hey, after all, it's just rain. I'm still alive, maybe a little wetter, but I'm still alive. That got to count, isn't it?

10 comments :

SS said...

Hello LP,

I am reading a story within a story, so pardon my random rambling.

My thought to myself is, "Yes, I've gotten a more sturdy umbrella now to withstand any torrential downpour. I was caught drenched and dirty in the past but no more. Come what may, I'm prepared for it."

Singapore Man of Leisure said...

LP,

I'm weak. Each time I'm caught in a rain, 9 times out of 10 I'll catch a cold.

I think I'm made of paper...

When it rains, I'll find shelter. A bus-stop, void deck will do fine.

The best will be a kopitiam where I can sip hot coffee and watch the rain drops percolate from the awning.

No umbrella, poncho, or water-proof boots for me.

I don't fight the rain; I'll wait it out.

I'm made of paper ;)

la papillion said...

Hi srsi,

No lah, just talking about the rain :) Haha, so you are like me too, all prepared with a good umbrella to brave the weather!

la papillion said...

Hi SMOL,

One day I'll join you :) I still have to work for now, so rain or shine I still have to go out to brave the weather :(

Occasionally when I'm with my wife and it started pouring, we just find a cafe, have a small cake and tea and just sit back to enjoy each others company :) so actually rain sucks if we have to go out and work. If not, rain is enjoyable and makes the weather cooler, lesser crowd to mingle too.

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful.
And since we've got no place to go,
Let It pour! Let It pour! Let It pour!

Oh, it doesn't show signs of stopping,
And I've brought some corn for popping.
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It pour! Let It pour! Let It pour!"

Sillyinvestor said...

When it rains, some will be disappointed it will be a drizzle, when it does rain for 20 min, some will say the rain will go on for 30 min, when it pours the whole day, the they realised maybe the car will be flooded!!

Although you wrote this yesterday, I just saw it. Just bought a small umbrella. Better not pour yet LOL

la papillion said...

Hi SI,

Haha, that's true...we tend to project the current weather into the future i.e. if it's raining, it'll rain harder...until nobody remembered what it is like to be sunny. Rinse and repeat :)

Hope your small umbrella good enough to shelter you! lol

Rolf Suey said...

Hi LP,

I just watched the movie Kingsman. I will like to have the umbrella that the two lead actors are having... can not only shield rain but bullets or missiles... and can even be aggressive and shoot...

when it rains, if you do not have raincoat or umbrella, just don't go out and stay in shelter. "sun shine after the rain"... hehe

la papillion said...

Hi Rolf,

Haha, your umbrella so power, can shield and shoot one ;)

Sometimes really no choice, if I can stay at home when it rains, I will. But still have to work for a living, so no choice, rain or shine, still have to go :)

Anonymous said...

Your wish is granted.

la papillion said...

Hi anonymous,

Indeed! What a rain!