Driving

I learned how to drive 3 years ago. First, my friend and my husband taught me how to drive, and then I took driving lessons. It was difficult for me to learn. There were so many rules of the road to remember.

I also had to learn how to operate the car. For example, how to start the car, how to use the signal lights, how to use the gas pedal and the brakes, how to parallel park, how to use the hand brake, etc.

I was very scared the first time I drove. I thought I was going to have an accident. I thought for sure someone was going to crash into me or I was going to crash into somebody. My husband, Majed, was very patient with me the first couple of times I drove. He told me everything I needed to do, but I still felt nervous. Unfortunately, he quickly became less patient, so I decided to take driving lessons.

I really liked my driving instructor. He was very friendly and encouraging. He really helped me to prepare for the test. He showed me all the same things that my husband showed me, but he was more patient and kinder.

After 6 months of practicing, I started to feel very confident behind the wheel, so I decided to take my road test. I failed the first time because I slammed on the brake when the light turned red. Three months later I took the test again and I passed.

Now, I love driving. It is a lot of fun. I drive almost every day in my new hometown, Penticton. I drive my kids to school and drop them off. I drive to the grocery store and to the park. Yesterday, I drove from Vancouver to Penticton. It was the first time I drove such a long distance on my own. At first, I didn’t think I could do it, but after an hour of driving, I felt fine.

I am so glad that I have my license, and can drive wherever I want to go. It makes me feel free and independent.