Of Driving and English Tests!

My journey the past few months has been a bit more challenging. Having migrated to  Australia allowed me to experience a lot of firsts. Well, come to think of it, it's not really a first for me since I have done it ages ago. What am I talking about? It's my driving test and my IELTS test. Why do I need to take the driving test? Well, for one, it is a necessity here in Australia. Commuting here is a bit harder as compared to Manila. You have to always be on time or you might end up missing your bus and waiting for another 30 minutes at the bus stop! If you wouldn't want to waste time waiting you only have one option and that is to walk. The distance is no joke. I found myself always using the "Plan Your Trip" option in the website of the bus company. I can't risk wasting time with my son in tow. So I really have to pass my driving test. I passed the Knowledge Test but unfortunately, I haven't passed my practicals yet. It's so hard to pass the test here they say. Or is it? I tried my best to follow all the rules but I just can't seem to please my examiners. The first attempt, I had problems with speed and parking. I can accept the parking, after all it was parallel parking and I haven't had a lot of opportunities to do it even when I was in Manila. But the speed? Oh, come on! The second try, it was still my speed. If at first I was too slow for my examiner, this time I was overspeeding! These scenarios definitely look familiar. It was like when I was writing my thesis. After the first round of defense and changes, I ended up going around circles. I'd undo something and re-do it the next meeting. So now, I am about to take my third practical test and hopefully I can pass it already. It's quite challenging to commute with a pram and a 13-kg baby in tow. Sometimes I ask myself if this is Karma having been a reckless driver when I was still in Manila. Now I can't be as reckless! The system is different and you really have to follow the rules or else! Lucky, my husband passed it it just one take! How I wish I was that lucky! Now for my IELTS exam. I took it the first time in 2006 and since it has been more two years now I have to take it again. The academic version of the test is much harder than the General Training. I need to take the Academic version since it is needed in my profession. I am a teacher by profession and I plan to continue teaching here after my family and I have settled already. IELTS obviously is one of their requirements. I tried to do away with it by telling them that I earned both my Bachelors and Masters degree in Universities where English is the medium of instruction. In addition to that, my industry experience for more than seven years was using English as well as the medium of intsruction. I have written articles and a textbook which were all written in English. But a rule is a rule. So bottomline, I still need to take the test.As I write this blog, I am actually just taking a break from my review. The tips, the reading materials are giving me a headache!  How I wish I can pass both tests in a snap of a finger, but I can't. I have to work hard to earn it. I have to do my best so I can both pass it. I just wish that destiny and luck will be both on my side when I take both tests because I really don't have any plans of taking it again in the near future!