Driving Test-First Try

At last, I did my driving test yesterday. It took me long to schedule my testing date. I just scheduled it last week and I got lucky to have a closer behind-the-wheel test date. I was not that sure to take the test since I didn't have much time to practice. I only drive mostly in the evening and not every day. Only when I was in the office and when I was with my husband. Still, I encouraged myself to go ahead and take the test. Just like what I suspected, too much confidence will cause me a few mistakes. Unfortunately, I failed my first test. I still have 2 more tries. I took the test in Arvin, CA. I liked it there, fewer cars and not too busy. At that time, there were a lot of students coming out from the school so it was a challenge for me. I thought I did good. I had only a few mistakes but it was critical. She made a comment about not making a signal, checking the mirror and looking over the shoulder when pulling from the curb. I totally lost that I didn't do it. I was a bit nervous, maybe that was why. I was confident at first but nervousness struck me. I thought maybe that was OK since I was parking on the curb and ready to turn right any moment. But still, it is an SOP to let the people behind and in front of you to know where you are heading and for safety purposes. My bad... Better luck next time then and at least I know where I did wrong and what to do next.

Hail in Bakersfield, CA

This is my first hail experience in my 2-yr stay here in Bakersfield, CA. I thought it was snow because that was hubby told me when he called. At that time, it was snowing already in Taft and Derby Acres, a 45-minute drive from Bakersfield. I was so excited when I heard about it because I haven't experienced snow yet. They say that snow comes in Bakersfield once in a decade and it has been 10 years already when it snowed last time. So when hail came, I was amazed. As if someone was throwing stones of ice at me. It was smaller though compared to the bigger ones I saw on videos which are scary. You'll get hurt if you are hit. I touched it and felt it in my hand. It was oily and slippery. Then hubby said, it was because we are in Oildale area :) I guess, he was just kidding.

The Feast of Sto Nino de Cebu

Philippines has a lot of festivals to celebrate and one of them is the feast of Sto. Nino which was celebrated last Sunday, January 25. Not all places in Philippines celebrate the saint's day. Only for those places who have Sto. Nino as their patron. Cebu is one of the main city that celebrates it. They always have a big feast with street dancing and more. Tourists from all over the world gather there just to witness the celebration and Filipinos as well from different parts of Philippines. In my hometown, Iligan City, there is a barangay that celebrates the feast since Sto. Nino is also the patron. It is barangay Mahayahay where I grew up and lived. Like Cebu City, we have activities but not as grand as Cebu. Since we are far from our homeland, all my Filipino friends with our husbands gather here to say and offer some prayers, novena and a mass. We always hold it at a friend's house. We always observe important holidays like this wherever we might be. We always remember our home land and its holidays. Viva Sto Nino!

Written Test for CA Driver's License

Hubby took a stolen shot of me... he was happy that at last I took the test...

I was not feeling well but still I need to take my written test at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle). I have colds and cough since friday and until now but I was feeling better today compared yesterday. I took my medicine on time so I can go to work and take the test today. I have read the Driving Handbook already last October 21, 2008 (the day after my application for the California DL) so I didn't read it again instead, I reviewed the hardcopies of the sample tests before I went to bed. The test that I had today was different from the ones I have studied (as always expected) and I didn't remember reading it from the manual/handbook ( I completely forgotten about it LOL). Luckily, I passed the test with 6 mistakes (too lucky!!! more than 6 mistakes means RETAKE) and I was given a permit to drive (of course with the company of a licensed driver ***My Hubby***). This permit will expire on October this year so I need to schedule a manual test before that date or else, I need to retake the test again. Hopefully, I'll pass the manual test and get a DL ASAP. I badly need it for work. So, wish me luck guys ;)

Philippine and California Driver's License

I have my Philippine Driver's License when I came here in US. The California Driver's Manual states that a foreign driver's license can be used here in CA as long as it is still valid. The bearer is called a visitor driver. Since I am no longer a visitor, I need to get a CA DL. It is an advantage if you have a license already from your country because you don't have to pay $$$ for the driving lessons. I paid $27 (not sure cos I forgot) for the DL application and just take the written and manuat test anytime. Right now, I am preparing for my written exam. It has been postponed always because I don't have time or just being lazy to set a time for it. But I am planning to get my CA DL this month since I badly need to drive myself to the school, office and home. Hubby doesn't have much time to drive and pick me up. Also, my Phi DL is expiring this March. If ever I get a driver's license this month, it will expire right away this August because my Green Card will expire too. I can renew it right away without having my DL suspended if I apply for a removal of conditions for my green card ahead of time (90 days before the expiration date). In that way, I can have my NOA (Notice of Action) from USCIS that I can submit to DMV in order for me to go on with the DL renewal. This is based on my friend's experience.

More info at DMV.CA.GOV

Influenza "Flu" Shot

Hubby and I had our flu shot yesterday at the County clinic. At last, we took it! We paid only $4 at the public health clinic. We always plan to get the shots but we were both busy that we didn't get it in December. So we just had it yesterday. It seems late but the shot is good for about a year. I have read also that flu season is most common in January and February so we were just in time. I was not really planning to get one for me but since I am working with kids now in school, I need to shield myself from any sickness. Getting sick here in USA is too expensive so prevention is really better than cure. Influenza is a deadly virus so if you can get a shot now, better get it. Anyone can be affected.

A Quiet New Year

Celebrating the new year here is really different from Philippines. I miss the fireworks when midnight strikes, the food and most especially I miss my family and friends. Another new year has come and I missed celebrating it again with my loved ones in Philippines but it is OK. They are always in our thoughts and I am always in their hearts too. Instead, hubby and I went to Trout's bar and celebrated the new year there. We had champagne and we danced all night till midnight (new year). Even if there were no fireworks, the band and the music filled our soul and our horns welcomed the new year too! It was a blast and a fun-filled night with Wade Hayes as the guest singer. No fireworks here but most of the people stayed outside their homes, stayed with families and friends, went to bars and enjoyed the night. The bars were the only places where there was noise but outside, it was really quiet...

The Trout's Band with Wade Hayes