Begin project: Drive

It's come to that: I MUST learn to drive. Cris and Patricia, you’ve effectively convinced me it's vital. Fiona, you've inspired me. Lance, you've graciously agreed to give me a few hours' lessons. For which I thank each one of you.

I shall conquer this inability!

Actually, I've already had a couple hours' "instruction", since determining this would be one of my "for the remainder of my stay in Taiwan" goals.

I have to humbly admit: it seems to come quite naturally for me, thankyouverymuch.

Of course, _what_ comes naturally for me is an entirely different matter.

But we'll dwell on the positive.

And that is: I was made to be a race car driver. To make speedy turns with one hand and to let the steering wheel slide back into place without two hands on it. (This is what comes of restricting all your past “driving experience” to “avoiding collisions in the bumper car arena”. I’m really quite good at _that_, I’ll have you know. You should see the siblings I grew up with and the terror they strike in the bumper car field. :D )

Well, the first class, Lance told me how evil I was to not be following strict instruction. I then proceeded to analyze his driving -- something that’s easy to do when you drive to and from the office on a daily basis with the same drivers, aherm -- and he blithely pointed out that, with 12 years’ driving experience, he’s allowed to not-follow the what-you’ll-be-tested on rules. The only lesson this taught is that, instinctively, I turn to the path of least resistance and go with what will make things simpler and more straightforward. PTL.

It also taught me that I am a rebel.

Which was quite a shocking discovery. >:)

In any case, it’s somewhat empowering to have a challenge set before you, that you never thought you would be able to conquer, and to feel like maybe you will someday be sortta adept at it. Shamefully, I tend to surround myself with tasks and “challenges” in areas that I’m naturally okay in, which means they aren’t really challenges and they don’t push me to overcome.

Driving has always frightened me because I’m not good on focusing on more than one thing at a time (it sounds like I’m just saying that, but really, seriously, honestly, both in work and interacting with people, I can only focus on one thing at a time -- extremist). So I’m still not convinced I’ll be able to focus on what’s ahead of me, what’s on the sides of me, and all the finicky little vehicle thingies… but maybe it would also be wise not to drive in a country like this. Ever. As it would be to drive in a much smaller vehicle -- try half the size -- if/when I actually do drive.

Yeah, that America driving is sounding better every day… So, a few lessons here, get the general idea, then, when I’m back in the States, get some practice and America-based instruction, study for written test, then test.

I may yet be a great ballerina!! Er… driver…

(And to all my lady friends who don’t drive: Just do it. At least get a little instruction. In a parking lot. It just might be mucho fun. If nothing else. :D )