I have been away for 2 days because I got busy. Then I decided to
take driving lessons from a certified instructor.

At age 31, this is the first time that I changed roles, from merely being
a passenger to the one calling the shots. This is the first time that I slid
behind the wheel.

The problem is, I'm a very short girl, so I had to adjust the seat to get
very near the wheel and I had to strain my neck just to see the front
of the car. Also, I have to strain my left lef whenever I needed to use
the clutch, which is practically all the time (to hit the brakes, to change
gear, to start, etc.).

On the first day, we had a short briefing and I was asked to take the
driver's seat. It was cooool!!! I mean the experience. I know you all
probably drive, but I'm sure you still remember your first experience on
the driver's seat. We used a fairly old car, but it was running well and
the steering wheel and gear shift were okay.

Yes, I'm practicing on a manual car with a stick shift, which suits me
just fine because I know that if I master this, I will be able to use an
automatic car without problem.

Second day, I got very nervous and kept releasing the clutch, so the
engine would stop.

Third day, which was yesterday, we went along the city's main
thoroughfare. But Bacolod traffic is the pits! We are not a very
disciplined people in relation to traffic rules--it's the pedestrian that
rules here!!! This behavior is not very typical all over the country,
just here in our city.

I already learned to go forward, change gears, back up, park,
turn right and left, use the lights, mirror, and make a U-turn.

After the 5-day lessons, it will be my boyfriend who will take over
teaching me...But in a different car...a minivan.

I think I'm getting better at it. Later will be my fourth session. But
there is still one thing that I keep on forgetting and need to do--
BLOW MY HORN!:-)

ps. why did i decide to learn? i really would like to help my boyfriend
with the driving errands in the church. and yeah, i am still hopeful that
i will get that pink Honda Jazz from a shampoo promotion.:-)