Ana Miranda
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Fight your own battles

14/11/2013

17 Comments

 
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After the frustrating and embarrassing first day of Dutch back in September, I am finally allowed to start lessons again – this time four mornings a week for two months.

I looked forward to this, I really did. I want to speak Dutch but without an extra push (lessons) I got stuck in the I-understand-almost-all-but-can’t-say-a-coherent-sentence. Not to mention that everyone I know speaks English and that pretty much drains my efforts in trying to speak Dutch.

I go to school in Halle, which is not too far but it’s still a 30 to 50 minute drive in the morning rush. Driving never came easy to me, I don’t know why. I guess we all have those things we’re just not very good at or comfortable with. Anyway, I was nervous. I practiced driving to school so that I knew the way. I made sure the gps was charged. I studied the map.

But something had to go wrong. Murphy’s Law or something. The day before my first class, my boyfriend’s father decided to test the car – I am driving their 20-year-old Toyota – and, of course, it didn't work. Was I giving that much of a negative vibe?

I didn’t sleep well – woke up many times and hours before the alarm – as I knew I wouldn’t.

We arrange who drives with whom, I get to drive my boyfriend’s car and his mom calls the garage and they send two guys to fix the Toyota.

I stress about not finding a good parking spot and having to go around a few blocks, what makes me late for my first class. During class, I stress about whether or not I parked in a proper spot and will I get a ticket?

God, how can people do this every day?

I’m kidding. I knew I was nervous because I am not used to driving often anymore. I’m not used to finding my way around new places anymore. And that’s a good thing – being forced to do it. I know that after some time I will feel comfortable and self-confident.

Sometimes the things you fear or are nervous about are exactly what you need to do. Face them, put them behind and learn.

I couldn’t help but wonder how strange it is that I get nervous about such silly things after all I’ve done in life. I guess it’s normal. And I needed a healthy dose of stress to get me out of boredom. 

There are more than 20 people in my class and it's wonderful to look at all the difference: people from Poland, Turkey, France, Congo, Cameroon, Ukraine, etc. I love having lessons, homework and getting out of the house. I don't even mind getting up before the sun. 

Today was the third day and everything is going smoothly. As I drove this old red car in the Belgian rain I considered how grateful I am – for learning, for overcoming difficulties, for having a car to borrow, for not getting lost, and much more. 

What challenge have you faced recently?


17 Comments
Ananda Miranda
14/11/2013 08:21:03 am

Em português ou inglês, sempre nos brindando com excelentes textos, Ana!
E certamente você será bem sucedida neste novo projeto ;)
Um abraço!

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Ana Elisa
14/11/2013 12:52:17 pm

Oi Ananda!
Obrigada pela visita e pela mensagem :)
Beijo!

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Vicente Alberto
14/11/2013 08:32:28 am

Acho que é genético. Eu não presto para dirigir. Não sobreviveria dois minutos no trânsito de Montes Claros. Seu avô Vicente era pior. Ele conta que, lá pelos idos de 1950, dirigia uma Jeep (aqueles da Segunda Guerra) e, ao passar por uma cancela, ficou olhando para algumas reses e uma pancada no poste arrancou o pneu estepe que ficava na lateral do veículo. E ele nem notou!

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Ana Elisa
14/11/2013 12:53:58 pm

Gente, que história! E que alívio, vou botar a culpa toda na genética ;)

Mas depois de um tempo, me acostumo e fico mais tranquila. Só é preciso encarar - nervosa ou não, com medo ou não.

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McKella link
14/11/2013 08:57:57 am

Hi Ana! I'm visiting from ABLA. Learning a new language is hard, but it's amazing that you're to the point of understanding, even if you can't speak much yet!
Right now, my challenge is learning to manage my time and energy, as well as figuring out What I Want to Do. It's all part of the (very necessary) journey though, and once we conquer the learning curve, we'll be old hands at this kind of stuff. :) Have a great day!

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Ana Elisa
14/11/2013 12:57:06 pm

I hear you in the "figure what I want to do" and I really hope we can get on top of that learning curve soon. Success! :)

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Joanna@CreateYourWorld link
14/11/2013 01:31:44 pm

Hi Ana! How funny, I'm the same with driving! I only drive in the suburbs, too scared to drive into Brussels. My recent challenge has to do with getting enough sleep - there is always so much to do, it's impossible to get to bed!!

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Ana Elisa
14/11/2013 01:51:11 pm

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I confess I never - ever - drive highways!

Make sure you get the sleep you need to continue your work brilliantly :)

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Leslie link
14/11/2013 04:15:17 pm

Yes, I can relate! Learning to drive (when I was 15) was a somewhat traumatic experience (my dad yelled at me from the front seat and my mom from the back, different advice at the same time... so horrible). I passed my drivers' test on my 16th birthday and drove some when I was in high school, but I haven't had my own car since then... it's never really been a priority for me. I've always lived in cities with decent public transit and other people have driven me around. If I was going to apply for a Chilean drivers' license I bet I'd have a similar reaction! :)

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Ana Elisa
18/11/2013 12:20:50 pm

I have avoided driving as much as possible up to now. It's really something I don't enjoy. Sometimes I think it's silly - everyone can do it! But then I talk to people and see that it's not really like that :)

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Kirstin link
14/11/2013 11:19:02 pm

Great post! I just moved to Belgium (I'm in Ghent!) so I'm happy to have discovered your blog!

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Ana Elisa
18/11/2013 12:23:02 pm

Welcome, Kirstin! Your blog is awesome :)

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Nicolas
15/11/2013 09:08:13 am

Love this post! :)
http://youtu.be/GsgdwM73EgM

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Ana Elisa
15/11/2013 12:20:39 pm

Thanks, Nico! (and for the song, it's genius!)
=D

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fernanda silveira
16/11/2013 07:16:14 pm

Desafios e mudanças, sair da nossa zona de conforto realmente mexe com qlq um. O que mais gosto nos seus textos é sua extrema habilidade de nos levar para dentro do texto. Senti como se estivesse no banco do passageiro deste carro e ao msm tempo é um olhar acerca ddos desafios. Eu tbem preciso encarar o volante de um carro ...rsrs E tbem ter meu canto, minha independencia... próximos desafios.

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Ana Elisa
18/11/2013 12:24:23 pm

Estou te esperando aqui pra ser minha passageira (se tiver coragem hehe).
Muita coragem para enfrentar seus desafios, prima! Sempre torço por você. Bjo!

Reply
Pneu link
16/4/2014 07:53:24 am

It reminds me a few years ago :)

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    Hey! I'm Ana - a teacher who loves reading, writing, traveling and nature. 

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