Taking my first driving plunge

I started taking driving lessons when I was still in Dubai. I registered in March in Belhasa Driving and started the lessons in August (I had an entry regarding this way back). After 1 week, I passed the signal and parking test. And after 2 months, I was supposed to take the road test...my final step in obtaining the much elusive "Driving License" in Dubai. However, the exact day of my road test was scheduled to be my flight date going to Chicago. So, my high hopes of driving along the roads of Dubai and racing against the stu*id pana drivers suddenly subsided. (Not only that, it took a while before I was able to accept the fact that the amount that I paid to the driving school will suddenly go to nothing... the driving lesson in Dubai is one of the costly expenses...and when I say costly, it means really a fortune!).

Now, when I went here in Chicago, of course I cannot drive. It really feels like a handicapped just staying at home and can't go outside without calling for a taxi cab. So, as soon as I arrived here, I called the driver services facility and asked for the requirements and how to obtain D/L. My boss even gave me a driving book which I can read just in preparation for the written exam (tackles the Illinois driving rules). Randy even went to 2 offices of Secretary of State also to obtain D/L. However, we always go home empty-handed. We cannot apply for D/L unless we have a social security number. So, I still had to wait for my SS number to arrive before I would be able to apply for D/L. So, I said OK.

Last week, I was jumping with delight when I came home... my SS number finally arrived... after more than 1 month of waiting! So, yesterday (Saturday), I hurriedly went to the nearest Secretary of State driving facility and applied for an "Instruction Permit". (I still did not apply for D/L coz I'm kind of afraid to take the road test...baka nakalimutan ko na kung pano magdrive, hehehe).

I was not expecting to take the written exam since I was just applying for an instruction driving permit (it's like a student license in Pinas). And I was shocked when the rep told me to proceed in the written exam area...ohmigod!

So, I had no choice but to take the written exam. And thank god, hahaha...I passed it with flying colors, bwahahaha! 28 out of 29 questions... And I was able to finish the exam way ahead my co-test takers...pero ang nakakahiya, ang mali ko pa eh ang "meaning ng flashing red light"...bwahahaha! Bobita talaga!

So, here's the proof:


Now, what I need to do is to find someone with valid D/L who can accompany me in driving, hahaha. Tsk...tsk...tsk...driving ata is one of my weaknesses. Madali ako kabahan...kung sa Dubai nga, driving along Jumeirah Road at Wasl Road lang kinakabahan nako (Oo, 80 kph pa lang ang max kong nagawa, hahahaha!)...pano na sa freeway?

I'm planning to take my road test this coming Saturday...pero hindi pa buo ang loob ko...pag sinumpong ako ng nerbyos, baka next month na lang. After mag ipon ng lakas ng loob sa christmas/new year season, hehehe... :)