Driving Miss Dharma

Well, I must admit that I had not been sleeping all week and was quite nervous about my driving class yesterday. I had to be there at 7:00 in the morning and had not idea how long it was going to last. I also had to get to my moms, it was her birthday, and so I had that pressure too.

I have not ever felt that my driving skills were technically very sound. I always think of myself as just basic. Well, I actually proved myself to be quite capable. We spent a few hours going over legalities and rules of the road and the science of shifting loads and driving with several people and oxygen tanks behind you. The difference between Code White driving and Code Red lights and sirens. Then the took us out to a huge parking area where we had to help set up the cones for a massive driving course.

I don't know about where you live, but it was unbelievably cold here this week and yesterday the wind was bitter cold and totally insane!! We were freezing. After setting out all the cones we each had to drive the 2 different vehicles through a variety of courses. Slalom, forward and reverse, tight alley, parallel park, tight turn and several others.

I had the slalom first. Forward was not too bad, but reverse had me very worried. I used the mirrors as instructed and ......I nailed it all!!!! YES!! I was awesome and I am quite proud of myself. I only nicked one cone. One stinkin' cone and that was in parallel parking, but I did it. I can fricking parallel park a huge ass ambulance!! I have to admit that I was on a mental high when I got home.

I did so well that my trainer actually let me drive back to the station, but he also let me pull it in to the station bay in reverse!!! Now, this is just the beginning, but I have so much more confidence now that I think I will not loose anymore sleep.

Monday I have to call the uniform guy and begin to get fitted for all my pieces parts and then I am on the schedule to begin my shift on Wed. the 18th. I will work 7am-1pm every Wed. & Thurs. and am free to pick up any shift after that. IT is all finally coming together. Even though there is still much paper work, and I hate paper work, there is much fun and experience to be had.