rev Monday 6/20/22
Presenting Michigan’s newest driver! The ink on Claire’s newly minted permit isn’t even dry yet.
I took Claire, Jasmine and their cousins out to eat today. Claire didn’t think I’d let her drive my new car, but I did. She is so proud of herself and so am I!
When I started teaching her how to drive two years ago, she had only been in the country less than 3 years and did not grow up in a “car” culture. And now today… well… queue a tear for me: I’m proud of her. My goodness… they grow up so fast, don’t they?
Claire is very confident in the skills that need to become second nature so I have no doubt she will continue to mature as a good driver. But she’s also not averse to taking advice and direction. And of course she’s good at taking charge and telling her sister and cousins to settle down back there and quit talking because, “What I’m doing is important.”
(If notice on the video, Jasmine did paste a Blue Ribbon sticker on Claire’s arm, seems appropriate.)
Two lessons today: trip planning and McDonald’s drive-thru.
Claire and Jasmine wanted Subway so Claire knew just where that was. But for some reason, we ended up parked at Meijer. A confused look crossed her face followed by, “Wait… what’s going on… why are we here?”
I asked where do you want to be?
She replied, “I want to be at Subway. That’s over there, across the street.”
So safety lesson number 1: always plan your trip. Always visualize in your head how you’re getting there, where to turn and what lanes you want to use. That way, you have more brain space to concentrate on driving conditions and other drivers’ behaviors. You want to make your own behavior second nature so you can concentrate on the things you can’t control. That’s important for driving a semi-truck. And it applies to driving a car too – especially for new drivers.
Then the cousins (and me) wanted McDonalds so safety lesson number 2: the drive-thru takes more concentration than you realize.
And when ordering, paying and passing food into the car, put the car in park so your foot doesn’t accidently slip off the brake. And very seldom will you ever use the gas pedal in line. Just take your foot off the brake and idle to move forward. And pay attention so you don’t steer into the building.
Claire did mention driving is a lot more complicated than she thought. Fo told me that too last year. I’m glad they both realize that. And I noticed Claire muted her cell phone – another safe behavior!
Then after that: we drove around school. There were a couple boys there that Claire knew and she wanted to show off a bit. And, the coach’s wife was there too and told Claire how impressed she is. Speaking of the coach, football practice started today! That’s crazy! Claire is the photography manager again this year so she had to go to work at 5 this evening. If you notice on the video, Claire is having a hard time keeping a smile of accomplishment off her face. But once we got to school, she rolled down the window and yelled, “Hey you guys, look, I’m driving now!”
Two cousins, Ka’veen, 13, and her brother, Bres, 10, are staying this summer. I believe they’re from Kentucky.
When we were at Subway, they head-butted each other (not on purpose). And then you see them rubbing their head. (Claire and Jasmine are in the background.)
They are very nice kids. Although increasing the population density in that house by another 2 people seems like it’d be beyond my ability to cope. But I guess everyone gets along.
Jackson has the basement all to himself so everyone else has to live and sleep upstairs. In fact: several weeks ago, Jackson and I put a new lock on his “man cave” so his sisters stay out.
So there are 10 people living in 1,000 sq feet!
A population density of my wife, me, and 2 cats in 1,700 sq feet is so much more agreeable to me. And a lot more quiet and peace. Mediatrice wanted me to hang some new curtain rods and curtains today so that took about an hour. Whoever built that house did not space the wall studs 16″ on center and the outside walls are insulated so finding the studs takes drilling a lot of pilot holes in the wall.
You ever notice how when they are speaking Kinyarwanda to each other, they yell? I don’t know if that’s how that language works or they need to yell so their voice is heard. Then add to that, the TV volume is set to 1 million so other kids are singing and arguing why that may or may not be the best song ever. Maybe if they turn down the TV, they wouldn’t have to yell… Mediatrice was chatting with her sister in Finland so maybe she needs to yell because that’s, well… kind of a long ways away.
I love music, but American Hip-Hop tends to be too obscene and offensive. But African soul is actually very beautiful and in the last year, I’m appreciating a whole new genre of music.