When I drove my car today

          I wanted to learn to drive a car mainly to avoid the crowd in the public transportation of Bangalore. But I loved driving the moment I started my training. I learnt to drive in India during my bachelor's degree. Being a new skill that I had to master to survive on the streets of India, I was as scared as I was enthusiastic. I managed to finish the driving class and earned a license. In India, if you have license it doesn’t necessarily mean you know to drive on the streets and that you can survive the monstrous vehicles driven by the impatient drivers. At the same time it doesn't mean you can't drive if you don’t have license.

          I did mention that I went to driving class. But I only learnt how to balance the steering wheel and that I need to step on the clutch to change the gear. I joined the driving class only because that was the safest and easiest way to get a license amidst all the corruption. I got the actual the driving class from my dad. We practiced a lot together before I gave my test. He taught me that I have to slow down before taking a turn, to slow down at the speed breakers and to pedal the accelerator only after the front wheels cross the bump, to drive on the streets without any room for fear. Basically I learnt to balance the steering wheel; to step on the accelerator, break and the clutch, and to change the gear; especially to do them all simultaneously and in a right way from my dad.

          Driving in United States is a different experience. It requires less effort to set a car in motion but takes a lot of concentration to follow the traffic rules. One has to adhere to the rules always and maintain a designated speed limit. I have also seen the signs for the highest and lowest speed limits on my way to Chicago. In United States, there is huge difference between driving in a town and driving on a highway. The latter is easy since one has to just stay in the same lane and maintain a particular speed. On the other hand, within a town you have to read each and every sign and stick to the rules. The rules on which the traffic system functions is amazing.

          After driving in India, I used to hesitate to step on the accelerator to drive at 70mph. My dad always advised me to drive slowly and carefully. It is all about speed in this foreign land, be it high or low. My husband had a hard time making me familiar to the traffic system. I took my time, but I learnt with the help of my husband. He taught me how to correct the mistakes that can be made and potentially, effective ways to correct them instantaneously. Of course it was in the hard way, but I learnt.

          Today I am writing about this because I could make a firm and correct decision while I was driving home. I was personally happy and super proud of myself. I wanted to tell about that to my dad and husband although it is nothing to them considering their driving skills. I am lucky to have two great men who constantly encourage me to be independent. My dad gave me enough confidence to look out through the side window fearlessly while driving and my husband gave me the skills to avoid any disaster that could happen while I stare out of the window as I drive along the road and along the way of my life. Now I know that I will never miss any beautiful view along my journey because of these two gentlemen. I always get the encouragement that I want to be better than what I was the yesterday. I love my life, especially with these two gentlemen in it. This is just a small of conveying them my gratitude and love.