I was reminded me of this experiment from the 1960s where 4-year-olds were given a marshmallow and told they could either eat it or wait for the adult to return and get another marshmallow.
Have you every had a marshmallow moment? I have. Today was one of them.
Another installment in the classic traveling misadventures series.
So, I have been chasing the latest Asia typhoon around. I swear that if the typhoon was a person, it would accuse me of stalking. It came to Manila. I came to Manila. It went to Taiwan. I was flying out to Taiwan. Until it decided that it had enough and cancelled my flight.
I call to rebook my flight to the next earliest date and this lady picks up the phone:
Airline: ... the next earliest flight is tomorrow night at 10:40PM
Me: Ok, please book me on that flight and if I need to find an earlier flight out, I'll just cancel this one.
Airline: Sorry ma'am you cannot cancel your flight.
Me: Oh, it's okay, I don't mind forfeiting the ticket cost
Airline: No ma'am. I cannot book you if you aren't confirmed to be flying.
Me: (Wants to attempt to explain but then gives up)Airline: So, are you confirmed for this flight?
Me: Yes...
Airline: Ok, please give me 2-3 minutes to process your flight; I will put you on hold.
Advert comes on... 2-3 minutes later..
Airline: Hi ma'am, you have checked in through the web right?
Me: Yes, through the email you sent
Airline: Then I cannot book you on this flight first. I need to off-board you from the previous flight first.
Me: But the previous flight is cancelled...?
Airline: I have forwarded your request to the relevant department.
Me: Isn't there any other way around this? The web-check-in is your internal process. It shouldn't affect whether I can confirm on another flight. Otherwise, what if I don't get the seat, how will I get another flight then?
Airline: I have noted your comments and will forward them to the relevant department.
Me: I have an important meeting on Friday morning and I need to be in Taiwan. Can you get me a confirmation?
Airline: I have noted your comments and will forward them to the relevant department.
Me: (Exasperated) When can I find out if I am confirmed to be booked on this flight?
Airline: Before 10PM (It is 6:15PM)
At 9:15PM...
Me: Can I confirm if there is any progress with my flight confirmation?
Airline: Please give me 2-3 minutes to find out; I will put you on hold.
Me: Sure...
Advert comes on... 2-3 minutes later..
Airline: I am sorry ma'am you are not yet booked on the flight, please check back tomorrow morning.
Talk about testing my patience. O.o
At the end of the day, I managed to get confirmed on the flight (I had to speak to the supervisor to press my point) and will be on the way to Taiwan for a crazy day. I'll be landing at 1-2AM and departing for Singapore at 8PM. On the same day. O.o
But that's not my point.
In P&G they used to have this term called "bias for action". It was supposedly a positive trait. I think I overdosed on it.
But the good thing is, in all of this, I managed to temper my nature with a little more patience. I was reminded of a lesson God has been trying to teach me this season of my life - that it's all about attitude.
A bad attitude turns even a good situation into a bad experience;
A good attitude turns even a bad situation into a great opportunity.
I managed to spend some quality time with the folks because of the 1 day delay and I have a plan to maximize my time here. I helped mom download the Bible App to her iPhone (she was previously searching for verses on google... =.=) and had a good dinner.
All in all, I'm pretty stoked.
Perspective and patience.