I’m afraid that you’re going to hear a lot about my driving lessons so I’ll apologise in advance.
The problem is that I hate driving with a passion. When living in the city I never had any intention of learning to drive, contrary to what I’d tell people who asked, but now I’m living in the country I have no choice. The buses are unreliable and expensive, not to mention difficult to travel on with a small child. So 7 weeks ago I got behind the wheel of a car for the first time in 5 years. Yes, this isn’t my first attempt at this.
Tonight I almost killed both my driving instructor and myself - twice. My driving instructor (I’m going to call her DI from now on) is a lovely women who never panics, which amazes me as not only am I awful, but she is about 32 weeks pregnant. How she didn’t call me all the names under the sun when she asked me to take the next right tonight, and I pulled in front of oncoming traffic is beyond me. I have no idea why I did that. I mirrored, signalled, moved my position to the right had side of my lane and turned. It’s like my brain stopped thinking in that moment.
The same thing happened again near the end of my lesson. I was turning left at a roundabout. I was in the right lane and looked to my right. I swear I didn’t register the car hurtling towards us in our lane. Thank-god for duel-control cars or they would have slammed right into my door.
The pure and simple truth is that I’ve never really had to try and learn anything before. Everything I enjoy has come pretty easy, and that’s not arrogance. There are plenty of things I’m terrible at, just about anything practical really, but I don’t have to do those, so I don’t. This is the first time it’s been imperative that I conquer a skill I have very little, if any, talent in. So it looks like it’s do or die, literally.
May God have mercy of my driving instructor - heaven knows she’ll need it.
SaltwaterPearl posted on Jan 03, 2007
| views: 199
Comments
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silverwhisper said on Jan 03, 2007....
SWP, driving is something that doesn't come easily to many, i think: if that weren't the case, there wouldn't be accidents all the time, would there?
it just takes practice and a different way of thinking. i'm sure you can do this. :>
ed -
SaltwaterPearl said on Jan 03, 2007....
Thnk-you ed. I know that I will get it, eventually. It scares me that I will be one of those donkeys on the road who cause the accidents you mention. I get down after a driving lesson like the one tonight. But tomorrows anouther day and I'll try again.
Thanks again,
Pearl
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mom said on Jan 03, 2007....
Breathe deep, in out in out. Deep cleansing breath. It can be nerve racking for anyone to drive. Even us experienced drivers. It is a jungle out there. Relax and get composed and focus on just driving. Learn how to yell profanity and learn to flip that middle finger really fast. Then when you make a mistake, cuss the other car out like it was their fault :) That is what I do.Seriously, you do not have to drive perfect, I think you are expecting too much from yourself. You should have seen me learning how to drive, oy vey! I did scare my instructor and he quit teaching me. If you have a good instructor who is patient then you will succeed, believe in your self and allow for mistakes. Hang in there honey tomorrow will be better. Please post your progress, please?!!!!!!!!!! -
SaltwaterPearl said on Jan 04, 2007....
Thanks mom. I'm feeling much better about it after a night's sleep. I was a little emotional about it just after the lesson. All I have to remember is mirror, mirror, signal, stop if anouther car is in my way, turn.
I've already learnt how to yell at the other drivers, although DI disapproves of hand signals, because they keep overtaking me when I'm doing 29 in a 30. Someone even overtook me on a roundabout last night! Idiots.
Don't worry, I'm certain my progress will appear on here regularly.
Thanks again,
Pearl
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missb said on Jan 04, 2007....
Hey Pearl,
LOL....good luck with your driving lesson, or should i address that to your instructor? :)
When i first started learning, it wasn't all nice and easy. But i think after a while it comes naturally for you. I do admit that there are some people who will never progress in their way of driving. Like my mom :) My theory is that if you started learning learning when you're a teenager or younger, you tend to get "better" faster. And vice versa.
You should see the traffic and the way people drive here in Jakarta. Hell, everyone's a bad driver, but bad is relative, isn't it? :)
Anyway, you can do it. Driving takes time, so good luck ;)
Cheers!
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SaltwaterPearl said on Jan 04, 2007....
Thanks for responding missb, and I think you should definetly address that comment to my poor, suffering driving instrcutor.
I'm sure I'll get it eventually. I hope it'll be sooner rather than later. My driving instructor claims the secret to good driving is to remember everyone else on the road are donkeys.
Thanks again,
Pearl
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purplescooby said on Jan 05, 2007....
LOL. Keep it up , you'll get it! My mom backed into a truck on my last visit, said "It hurt my car, not his." And drove off. I was a shocked and speechless passenger that day!The cussing realy does work (except my 13 yr. olds first phrase was "sack of shit"! LOL . If I can do it, ANYBODY can!! -
SaltwaterPearl said on Jan 05, 2007....
LOL Purple. My mum's the same. She won't park next to pillards because they, and I quote, "jump infront of my car". Her driving career includes hitting both a lorry and a police car. Thanks for responding. -
silverwhisper said on Jan 05, 2007....
SWP: i love that advice! "everyone else on the road are donkeys"...i share the sentiment although i voice it sometimes in a vastly less nice manner. :D
ed -
SaltwaterPearl said on Jan 05, 2007....
It's good advice, although lately I've noticed a craving for carrots and longer ears. I'm afraid I may be joining them. Hee Haw
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silverwhisper said on Jan 05, 2007....
you, SWP, are a very funny lady. :>
ed