There is a long list of the advantages and disadvantages that have come with moving to America. On the positive side: I have been able to experience a different culture, have not been held responsible for the elected President, am generally considered unique and exotic, have access to hundreds of cable channels, and basketball shoes are cheaper (this would be at the top of the list if I was rating them). Not so great is the need to jump through immigration hoops, to not be understood (sometimes a positive), more expensive health care and insurance, and as I experienced this past week...the need to revisit my teenage days and apply for a drivers license. The irony of obtaining my learners permit as a 27 year-old was especially amusing to friends and family...and Jennifer took great joy in 'teaching' me to drive. While having my photo taken for my learners permit I felt like I should consciously break out a few impressive pimples to make the transition backwards complete.My first driving test was traumatic enough...and I still remember somehow managing to change lanes without indicat
ing and then speed up to make it through a yellow light while exiting the carpark...an impressive and efficient 38 seconds into the test. While I managed to pass this test, with the help of my long eyelashes and flirtatious laugh with the male examiner, I had no desire to repeat this effort during a Midwestern winter. Fortunately, the weather held out, and accompanied by one of the meanest looking women I have seen, I prepared myself for the drive. The first test was to demonstrate my use of the indicator lights - simple to everyone else - but on the opposite side here to what I am used to - and thus I had to concentrate hard in order to not activate the windscreen wipers instead. All went smoothly though, and after a suitable amount of flirtatious giggling and batting of my eyelashes I had passed the test and was one step closer to being a number in every system in America. So I am now legally allowed to drive on both sides of the road...and like to mix it up a bit when I get homesick...so wave and then move if you see me coming.Pictured: A fully-fledged licensed American driver!
