So I had to learn how to drive a stick shift (or manual transmission) car because that is what they drive. I had two lessons from my sister's boyfriend back home, but I don't think I was really getting it.
So James taught me how to drive. I honestly thought I would never be able to figure it out. When I first started I was stalling ALL the time - I swear about every other minute I was stalling. I couldn't figure out how to find that balance between lifting up the clutch and pushing the accelerator. Then when I would stall I would get frustrated with myself and then I would stall again and get more frustrated... it was a vicious cycle!
After more practice driving with Judi and James, I was feeling a little better about my progress.. I could make it down the road without stalling YEAH! So I had to drive into town next! Was I sweating bullets... all the worst possibilities came into my head... I thought that I was going to stall in the middle of the road, have all these cars waiting on me (honking, swearing, everything), not be able to get the car going... I imagined everything that could go wrong...
So the time came and I was doing fine... I made it down our road fine... down the Claremorris roads fine.... pulled away from the stop sign without stalling.... yes I was feeling more confident... I can do those! Yeah! Get to the stop light and pull away fine.... I have to turn right into the place we were going and cars were coming on the right ------- sidebar - here in Ireland they drive on the left side of the road but on the right side of the car - so yeah that was hard to get used to! --------- so I had to wait. I was stopped waiting for the cars to go, there were a couple cars behind me but I was feeling ok. There was an opening and I start to go... and.... stall. So I turn the car off and try again... stall. Ok now I am getting panicky and frustrated... I try again... stall. I take deep breath and really concentrate on finding that balance... finally I made it! I pulled into the parking spot and just sat there... man was my confidence low about driving now.
Well, Judi and I decided that maybe I needed a driving lesson with a proper instructor. So I had one and wow did that help! She told me to find the "biting point" of the clutch - lift your foot off the clutch until you feel the car engine start to make noise and you can feel the car start to want to go. Then you slowly apply the gas and lift off the clutch! Wow, just that one tip of the biting point helps 200%!
Now I am flying down the roads... not really, don't worry Judi..... I bring the kids to school, pick them up, take them to town, drive at night --------- sidebar again, there are no street signs or street lights! -------- drive out to the movies with friends, take the kids to the park... It is great now! I actually do like driving manual and it can be really fun to do the shifting!
So advice - stay calm... the more you panic, the worse you will be and feel. Practice, practice, practice! Judi and James made me drive everywhere so I got a lot of practice in - it really helps! When I first started I never thought I would be able to just drive down the road without stalling but I now I am driving all the time with now problem. It took me about 1.5 months to really get the driving good.
Do I still sometimes stall... yes... when I start to panic that is when I stall... so I just have to tell myself to calm down and I know what to do.
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