driving lessons

Do you remember what it was like to drive for the very first time?  How awkward it was to only use one foot and to learn how sensitive the brake and gas peddles are... never mind learning to park and use a blinker.  

This evening my chinese friend, Fiona, and I had some driving lessons.  

Fiona came here to the US exactly a year ago to work towards her PhD in Chemistry (no big deal...).  I met her through an English Partners program at ODU and I meet with her to help her learn English and American slang.  But also to help her get acquainted in to the American culture.  One of the big differences between the Chinese culture and ours is how we all have cars here!  Fiona is planning on being here for 5 years or more, so she decided to start the process of getting her drivers licence.  She has already studied and passed the written test.  Now she just needed to get behind the wheel!

I must say she did a great job for her first time EVER being in the drivers seat. It was really fun for me too, to take driving back to the basics.  Oh how I have forgotten what it is like to learn to drive!  It is such a natural thing now!  She did great and we are going to continue to practice so she can pass her driving test!  I love this girl, she is so determined!  Against so much adversity, she works so hard to understand our culture...while she works towards her PhD and on research that may be the cure to some disease.  ;) 

thumbs up! 

my sweet friend!

we took a little break to watch the beautiful sunset over the river by ODU.