See Sarah Learn How to Drive!
I decided that my adventures in learning how to become a driver needed to be chronicled somehow. This seemed appropriate. So, come back regularly and see how things are going!
11/25/97--I now have the appointment for my first classroom session at Bick's Driving school. My birthday isn't until December 12, but I need to take the classes at strange intervals because of half a dozen activities I'm doing. The first session is scheduled for Saturday (the 29th). Four hours of sitting in a room, reading about driving, and watching videos... I know it doesn't sound all that exciting, but it's a start!
11/29/97--I have completed four of sixteen hours required in the classroom. Let me tell you how exciting it was! Actually, it wasn't that bad. It turns out that most people get their classroom instruction in after school, so Saturdays turn out to be mostly make-up days. So, I wound up there with one other person, a girl I know from school. Actually, halfway through, two other people showed up. But usually, there are many, many more than that there. We watched a movie about drunk driving. It was old. I was surprised people we're breakdancing at the parties. Anyway, it was well-intentioned. It's just one of those things that will reach those who already weren't going to drink and drive, and mean nothing to those who still will. Anyway, they had me take a practice temps test. I got 100% on the laws and missed one of the twenty-some road signs. I think I'll do okay with the theoretical part of it. Just when they actually get me behind a wheel... Stay inside your houses.
12/3/97--I'm halfway through my classroom work. It's amazing how inexact these people are. They picked me up nearly half an hour late for the four hour session and took me home nearly forty-five minutes early. I appreciated the gesture, especially since I'm "way ahead" in the work from the book, and they'll just give me "busywork" if I finish too soon. Goodness knows, I don't like busywork.
12/6/97--Wow! Things got unbelievably more exciting today. It was great. What was great? My mom took me to the parking lot at my school for my first driving experience in her car. (I'd driven once before--the parking lot in Grand Cayman; it was the only opportunity I had to practice on an automatic). Anyway, we've discovered that, in parking lots, I'm a very good shifter, a mighty good downshifter, a very good stopper, and... Ok, so starting wasn't exactly my specialty. In an attempt to remain positive, I'll just say that, at this point, it can only get better. Anyway, it was fun, especially since I didn't expect my mom to say we could do it. We were just driving by school, and I said, "Hey! We could do some parking lot driving!" She asked, "You want to?" My response was, "Are you serious?" "Sure." "Okay." It was... a good experience.
12/26/97--Lots of stuff has happened that I didn't record. First, I finished my classroom work. Then, I got my temps. In Ohio, you get a temporary liscence when you're 16 (after passing a written test). With your temps, you can drive around as long as a liscenced driver is in the front passenger seat. Mom and I had another few parking lot experiences. I'm getting a lot better with shifting, especially downshifting and starting. On Tuesday, I went for my first on the road class. It was cool. I was nervous at first (it was my first time out on roads). But I got over it fairly quickly. I go for my second driving venture with the driving school people tomorrow. Wish me luck...
1/23/98--Oh, my. I've been busy. I just finished my exams (Halelujah). I haven't been online at all during the last few weeks. I have, however, been driving some. I'm getting better. I've completed all of my road classes. I've been driving around a fair amount with my mom, trying to get the hang of starting on hills. Anyone who's ever driven a stick will understand my dilema here. :) I'm getting it, though. Slowly, but surely. I'm getting it. For now, I'm shooting for getting my liscence by late February/early March. But I don't know if that's going to happen...
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Email: she@biomed.chem.uc.edu
