i try using caps but as you can see from that first paragraph, i slowly lose the will to press that ole shift key, mainly because it's annoying and interferes with the flow.
anyhow, my 4th driving lesson was a doozy! i basically drove to and back from our destination in south philly. i had to handle driving on a very busy ave i live off of AND the expressway...which i believe is for people with death wishes, i mean, never in a million years did i think i'd be doing over 60 on this particular stretch of road... this driving instructor has some serious confidence in my ability...it must be that. it was after 9pm and would you believe there was someone at our destination that was practicing how to park???
so, i drove around the block a few times, practiced my stops at the stop signs and my turns (which are getting better thanks for asking) and finally it was time to learn how to parallel park. he demonstrated 2 times, and then it was my turn...first time, i got it...second time, i got it then jammed on the gas and hit the pole (that would be an automatic failure) and the third time, i got it without hitting anything. he asked me if i wanted to drive home. i kind of didn't want to, that expressway intimidates me, but i said yes because i really want to get my money's worth and i know that if i don't push myself when i have the chance and when i've got a professional instructor in the car, i'll be that much more nervous driving on this road because i won't have enough exprerience.
like they say, now is the time to make mistakes (not big ones though). my steering is a little questionable on long turns. if there is a divider or wall on my left and i'm in the left lane, i end up cutting into the other lane because it feels like i'll hit the wall.
it's a little tough to hit the gas and go the speed that people are driving around me, listen to the instructor as he explains and/or gives instructions and keep focused on the road and what i'm doing with my feet and hands.
how in the hell can people drink and drive????????????
i can't manage to think and drive at the same time...
anyhow, i drove myself home. it was, i believe, the best lesson. i spent the entire time driving and learned how to deal with lots of real life issues (road construction, a speeding aggressive driver who honked at me, changing lanes to avoid road debris and a huge pothole, and even a road detour. ;-)
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this week i go home to visit for the holidays. in fact, i have to get my butt to work this morning so that i can use the copier to duplicate the large animal practicum notes (huge binder's worth) and then hit the gym. then it's off to the big city to go to the market, get holiday stamps, and pick something up for my young nieces. i was going to donate blood, but i'm not feeling all that great. my driving instructor was sick and on his first day of antibiotics during that last lesson. i'm hoping i didn't pick anything up from him. anyhow, i am planning to donate blood but probably in January.
i finally have an appointment with the orthopedic doc, the OMM doc, and the MRI tech. my GP is thinking i might have a heel spur, because this heel pain just isn't going away despite my icing it, elevating it, and taking ibuprofen. turns out my GP was in NYC cheering a buddy running the marathon. pretty cool. the doc knows i'm active and wants to make sure i get the full work-up so that i can begin to heal and get back on track. i'm feeling really out of shape. he did say i can do some light weight-training. he said to cut everything i do by 1/3. that's what i'll do..
so, it's ciao for now. take care, be safe!