I just had a long chat with Shuzzie. We never fail to chat every night when we have driving lesson in the morning! It's just so relieving to know that there is someone out there who is committing the same mistakes as you are! And that you aren't the only one who is causing distress to people around, most importantly the instructor.

Yes, what she said is really true. It's a sense of achievement that we have come this far and so far with special people like our instructors! Her instructor has been with her for 15 lessons and mine has for 11 out of 18 lessons! They have became our "private instructors" and really understanding how we react etc.

Like my instructor knows I stress out once I commit a mistake that he told me many times not to. He was nice to offer me sweets and chewing gums when we were driving outside and told me to relax. He was nice and patient to tell me what I should have done when I didn't do. And even though he was fierce and shouted at me while we were in the circuit, he laughed it off by suaning me. I almost wanted to cry ok!!

Lesson started off quite ok. I told him to say his prayers first before I moved off. I hadn't driven in a week and there could be things that I forgot. Anyway, every lesson is a different story! I can drive well today, but tomorrow I may be crashing around! He told me don't worry! I should be able to do it because it's the same with driving as with swimming. Once you learn, you would not forget. Just whether you dare to or not.

I went round the circuit and was the right lane. By the rule of lane discipline, I was suppose to change back to the left.

Me: Ok, got to change...
CI: (BANGS the dashboard)
Me:(Brake, clutch!!)... lane right...
CI: Reaction so slow!!

I was asking a question and he had to do that to me! I forgot what I was suppose to do also actually. The next time round, I knew when it was coming and was already prepared. I must remember this on the test day!!

We went on to do directional change. I hate this one too. Never seem able to turn at the right time. I almost went up the kerb a lot of times! And I forgot which side to signal. Signal correctly but turned wrong direction! And he scolded me till I wanted to cry because he just taught me this last week and I forgot! Well, I didn't want to forget! Just that I really didn't know what to do! He refused to say anything and gave me that angry face. It was scary and I did that 2-3 times. Felt like giving up! And it's tested! Argh!

After that, it was another hated course. The Crank Course!! Surprisingly, I did well for that. Just that went a bit too fast until he screamed "jiu4 ming4 ah!!" ("HELP!") But he said good after that =)

Next, we went to the S course. Another hated course. Turned too early and almost went up the kerb. Had to reverse and it was a test car behind! The test car was made to change course! I felt bad...And my instructor scolded me again for not turning at the right time.

And then we went up the slope! I didn't turn at the right time and ended up bringing the car up the wrong course and stopping at the wrong place. The car rolled off because I didn't control the clutch and the accelerator properly. He jammed the brake. He didn't want to tell me what to do! He said, teach you already, so you must remember and settle it yourself.
Argh! I really didn't know what to do! I just did what he taught and went down the slope. He said good despite all that mistakes! hehe!

Just as he praised me, I committed a mistake. He told me to brake, I jammed the brake and stopped the car!!! He shouted, "BRAKE!! NOT STOP!!!" And began laughing his head off!! >.<

We have a bit of language problem here. More to come.

I did a turning and he said, "Good!!"

And I noticed an cone. I thought he said brake leh! Or change lane something like that. I braked and signaled right! He said, "What are you doing?!" And I told him I thought he said brake. Then he said he will shut up already, don't want to say anything. Well, it looks like we have a hearing problem too.

We finally went out of the circuit! I prefer driving outside where things are more stable and certain. I got horned by learner drivers just as I was going out of the centre! But little did they know that I was waiting for the roads to clear! And they horned me! But that was because they wanted me to move up! My instructor said could inch out but now need so much. So, was it my fault I didn't move?!!!

The entrance and exits to the driving centre used to be great obstacles to me. But after 18 lessons, it's getting better!! =)

When we were outside, at one junction, he told me to turn left. I signaled right!! I registered what he said wrongly! And he said, "Xiao Jie!! Where we going?! I told you left you going right! My pronunciation so bad ah?!" Yah...it's me, I have the language problem with him.

He began shouting directions to me, afraid that I didn't hear him correctly. Like how in the world did I get LEFT and RIGHT mixed up?! I really hope the tester will speak loudly!

It soon began to rain outside and I was queuing up to do a U-turn. That U-turn wait was about 10 mins. We just sat in the car chit-chatting because all I had to do was inch the car forward.

Me: I don't like driving in the rain! Cannot see what's happening!
CI: Ok! Then we stop lesson now and go drink coffee lah! I treat!!
Me: Wah! You treat ah? Next time lah...I paid for lesson already and go and drink coffee? Not worth it ah!
CI: Then how? You don't like to drive in the rain ma!
Me: Aiya...ok de lah...
CI: Actually, you can turn on the wipers.
Me: Yah...I am searching for it. I forgot where leh...e
CI: Huh? (I found it and it was working.)
CI: If the rain gets too heavy and you can't see in front, you can turn on the headlights.
Me: Ok...like where? (I forgot again....Never used it since the last night lesson!!)
CI took my record book and began flipping the book. Just nice, I found the switch and I told him, "I know where it is!! Don't need to see who taught me that lesson on the parts of a car! I know where!"

He began laughing his head off again maybe because he wasn't taking the book to check that! But the reason I gave was really silly...darns...I must be a bimbo to him..

I did 2 test routes today and more circuit. It was a tiring lesson but funfilled! I drove like a better driver already! And managed to change lanes with not much of a problem! And beginning to remember many things while driving like checking rear mirrors, side mirrors, blindspots etc...It's getting easier!

We talked about many things today like motorcycles, motorcars, bicycles, ex-student, and of course, driving!
He told me what to look out for when driving and during the test etc.

He said that I need the practice. After that, when he heard that my test is in July, he said, "ok, you can take one month break lah. Then don't need to come so many times." But I told him cannot! I didn't have lesson in a week and already forgot some stuff! What about a month! I may even forget the basics! CI said won't lah... Driving is like swimming. Even if I forget things, still will be able to float. And he said don't need to worry about the test! If only I don't commit silly mistakes that I am not supposed to!

I told him I am going to cancel next week's lessons already because I have too many. Anyways, he won't be around next week! 2+weeks in Vietnam!! Doing what??!! But he did say that the other instructor would be around. Haiz...the other instructor won't drill me on the circuit like CI does! It's ok...its just 4 lessons withouth CI or maybe 3 if I cancel 1 next week.

It's a long way to my test...

Oh yah! Did I mention?

I told CI I didn't like coming for afternoon lessons after work because I feel really sleepy and the travelling is tiring. Then he asked what time I ended work, I said 3pm. He said, good lah!! And I told him I was almost late today. And joked that should have been late and let him go and pump petrol. He said, "Wha!! Today I actually wanted to leave at 4pm and you want me to pump petrol? I stayed back to teach you leh!!"

I am super touched!! He was going to meet his friends later on in the evening and wanted to run some errands before that. So, he went to the counter this morning and wanted to tell them that he was leaving at 4pm. Then he saw his list of students for the day and saw that I was coming! He decided to stay on to teach! So nice right?! And I found out that I wasn't the worst student he has taught. And that i was improving through the lessons! Well, that's a consolation!

Going datona-ing with Shaz and SJ tmr!! But I found out from CI that datona doesn't have clutch to play with! It's a hoax! But we are still going! Muahahah!!

Btw, I met my primary school friend whom I have lost contact with today at the driving centre!! See what the driving centre can do! And I may meet my kindergarten friend there too! I have met Shuzhen, Gillian, Sarah, Shaz and Mich there before! And some other MJ people! It's a small world! =)

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~PiNkDeLighTs~ Lessons next week won't be as fun as today's!! Aww...