Driving Lesson #2

Today, I had my 2nd driving lesson with Sharon. Again, I am amazed about many things. This time, our major focus was on me driving to the "DMV" of our area to turn in my application for an Israeli license. All drivers have to fill out a particular application, which involves going to an eye doctor and a family doctor to certify that one is healthy enough to drive. I think this is a fair request; although most practitioners don't take it all that seriously. The road to the "DMV Office" was one that I had never driven on and is a local 2 lane highway. Naturally, I was very nervous about this prospect. In addition, there were two ladies in the backseat - both Arabs. Again, very interesting, as my Jewish Israeli Driving Instructor is helping these Israeli Arabs obtain their licenses - see we do work together sometimes!

Thankfully, my application and supplementary paperwork (record showing American driving history) was accepted. One never knows in Israel how bureaucratic procedures will transpire, as the simplest thing can turn into a nightmare in a matter of seconds. Funny enough, the clerk reviewing my paperwork was  talking on the phone while looking things up in the computer and stamping my document, all at the sometime. THIS IS ISRAEL! haha

On the way home, I drove around our town a little bit more before Sharon directed me to a certain neighborhood. We then switched cars, as we dropped his work car off at his home and then picked up his personal car. At this point, Sharon took the driving seat and proceeded to drop me off close to my home. It was really cute because in the 5 minutes we were driving together, he shared with me about his daughter, who evidently is around my age and plays volleyball for an university in New Haven, Connecticut. Sharon said that it's been about 4 years since she's been back and how much he misses his daughter. Such a Jewish Papa!

Overall, my lesson went very well. I still need to work on some minor things in order to pass the test. Really, all of this is in effort to learn how to pass the test since I already know "how-to" drive. I believe in a matter of just a few weeks, I could be the proud owner of a new Israeli Driving License (for automatic cars only) :-)

I really want to share that this experience has helped boost my confidence in speaking Hebrew and interacting with the "outside" world. I speak mostly (about 80-90%) in Hebrew to Sharon. Last week, I went to the local hair salon and again conducted business in Hebrew. Both of these actions are without Yonatan by my side. Naturally, I prefer to have Yoni around, but these experiences have shown me that I CAN do things without him using the Hebrew that I know. I've always know this fact, but it's nice to see it play out sometimes. I've also begun to realize that throwing in some English words when I don't know something is not a sin. haha. In the past, I have felt really bad when I had to revert to English, as if I had failed. More recently, I have realized that it's really okay because I'm learning and this is what we do. Israelis love speaking English anyways.

So, today, I'm living on the mountaintop and enjoying the view. I'm starting to see that I do have a future in this Hebrew-speaking environment. This has always been my heart's desire - to speak, read and write Hebrew fluently. I'm slowly inching my way toward this goal and have re-adjusted expectations and time lines. A very good move, if I do say so!

Perhaps, one day I may even write a blog in Hebrew - you just never know :-)

Driving Lesson #1

I could jump for joy right now, as I finished my first driving lesson with my Israeli Instructor, Sharon (pronounced - Sh-ron). I was so nervous this morning and then on top of everything, Sharon calls me at 8:50am to see if we could change our 10am meeting to 9:00am. AHHH! I settled for 9:30am seeing that I was not ready in the least bit. So, I quickly got myself together and ran out the door at 9:30.

I found Sharon parked in his red car - looked like a Ford Taurus, but no sure ... right outside our driveway. In Israel, you learn on the Driving Instructor's car, which has a big advertising cone on top with the Hebrew letter, Lamed (ל) to show that someone is learning. This REALLY helps, as everyone else on the road has just the slightest bit more patience with those learning how to drive or taking their driving test.

When I got in the car, Sharon was very nice and told me right away that we could start. There was another guy in the backseat, who I found out later was taking his test right after me. I quickly adjusted all the mirrors, my seat and put on my prescription sunglasses because it's so bright in Israel right now due to summertime.

We spent the majority of the time going around the neighborhoods in my town and those around me. At the end, Sharon had me drive up to the Industrial Area where there is a Navy Technical School. I was the most nervous on this part of our journey, as I had not really drove in this area with Yonatan when we would practice. This area is also on the way to downtown Haifa, so for a split second, I thought we might be going into the downtown part. That would have been a nightmare for sure!

At the end, Sharon said to me, "You know how to drive. You just need to learn the signs more." I was happy that he felt comfortable with my driving skills. He then explained to me for the second time where to go to get the medical form that I need to turn into the Department of Transportation. In Israel, one must have their eyes checked as well as a simple exam with one's family doctor as part of the driving process. After I have these things, Sharon wants me to call him again and we'll go for another 1-2 lessons before he sets me up to take the exam.

Here are things I found funny about my experience today:

• When I get in the car, the air is blowing, the radio is on full blast and Sharon is making phone calls while I'm starting to drive
• During my first few minutes in the car, Sharon is explaining to me where I must go to get the medical forms. He is showing me an example form, while I am suppose to be driving.
• About 15 minutes into driving, he directs me to the Police Station. Evidently, behind this station, there is place for driving instructors to meet. Sharon tells me to park while he gets out the car and talks with other guys for about 10 minutes. I have no idea what's going on. I ask the guy in the backseat, in Hebrew, why we are here, but he too doesn't know. Grrrr
• Once, Sharon put on his breaks (he has a break pedal on his side) to stop me, as he was making a point that you must come to a full stop or I will fail. Okay, got the point!
• The FUNNIEST OF ALL - At the end of my session, we park in the parking lot of the technical school. Another Driving Instructor comes up with his student in this MASSIVE TRUCK - like the type that pulls other large objects behind it. Sharon then tells me that we are going to switch cars, so that the other guy in our car can take the driving test in Sharon's car with this new Driving Instructor. Thus, I go with Sharon into this MASSIVE TRUCK - I had to take two steps just to get inside. THEN, Sharon has a hard time driving this beast since it's a stick shift. It was a crazy ride back!

There you go folks. My first driving lesson experience in Israel. Let's the process begin!

Random Ramble

I feel bad that I'm always apologizing for being a blog slacker, so I'm just going to quit feeling bad ;-) (notice, I did not say that I would quit apologizing)

I don't have a real topic that I feel burden to discuss, so I'll just share some of my latest random thoughts:

- It's amazing how many kings in ancient day Israel started off so good "in the eyes of God" and then messed everything up at the end of their life

-I think the Disciples were extra ambitious to share their message because they really thought that have found THE SOLUTION. I imagine, it must have been a "light bulb moment" once they realized how Yeshua's words could transform a person's life, attitude and dreams. 

-I am about to convert my American Driver's license into an Israeli Driver's license, so I can LEGALLY drive. I'm not really aching to drive more per-se, just to drive legally instead of my current illegal practicing. I'm definitely nervous about the whole situation, but I have faith to overcome what feels like a big hurdle. I think the thing that's most annoying is that I use to be a fearless driver just a few years ago. The year before I moved to Israel, I worked for a company that was about an hour away from my house. This job required me to drive on big highways for quite some distance. I ended up having a fear of driving because I thought that I was going to have a panic attack on the road. Before this job, I was driving in places I had never been before with rental cars when leading youth retreats around the country. It's amazing in a sad way how one year really messed with my head and heart. Now, I fight the fear of having a panic attack. I know that I must overcome this to declare victory for my heart. I have been practicing and am feeling more comfortable around our area. In addition, I bought new prescription glasses and sunglasses. Both pairs are great! So, tomorrow is the big day, as I will have my first lesson with Sharon, my Israeli Driving Instructor. Should be interesting...

-I've decided to try a new hair salon instead of returning to Zohar. The guy makes me feel more uncomfortable then comfortable, so I decided his talent was not worth it. I'm hoping to try a salon right across from our place. It looks like a fancy place, so hopefully their decor matches their talent...we shall see. I need to first ask if they have someone that speaks English, as my Hebrew is not good enough to describe exactly what I want with my hair. I guess I could use lots of hand motions and say, "Like this!" haha. Perhaps, I'll have another story to go with my next salon trial.

-Learning Hebrew continues to be my biggest challenge. It's filled with many ups and downs and these can be in the same day. I look forward to the time when I feel more at ease because I do have faith to know it will come.

-There are instances when I think back and wish people in my life had acted differently. I feel so hurt by what they said or did, especially when I see them treat others in the opposite manner. I realized this morning that I must choose to move past this attitude of comparison or I will always live with a bitter edge. It's not good and it doesn't change things. I must seek better fruit then this!

-Lastly, why is it that people who want to be married have difficulty finding a mate and those that don't care so much get married young, and people who want to have children have difficulty and then there are those who get pregnant after a one night stand...why must those who "do things right" endure more? Perhaps, we can handle more? Perhaps, we can show more? Perhaps, it's just part of God's plan to make us all a little more dependent on Him.

These are my rambling thoughts for today....