An experience that I've had, and learned something from is my first time driving a car. It was summertime at night, and I was sitting at my mother's watching T.V.  All of a sudden, my stepdad walked in and said he needed to run to the store for some milk. While being in my current state of boredom, I sprung up out of my seat and shouted "Can I come?!"  To which he replied, " I'm only going for a jug o' milk, but sure. Why not." Normally I wouldn't get this excited about sitting in a car while my step dad drives two blocks down the road, but it was summer vacation and I hadn't been out of the house in a week, and I thought I deserved a little fresh air. I ran to my room grabbed my jacket, slipped on my flip flops, and ran out to the car.
   

I watched as my stepdad put the key in and turned it in order to ignite the engine.Then I thought about how driving a car is like operating a machine, and that it doesn't seem to be too terribly difficult. I was awakened from my thoughts by the startling sound of the driver’s seat door slamming shut. I looked over to see my stepdad walking into 7-11. I then saw the keys left jingling in the ignition. I was so tempted. My mind was clouded with thoughts about driving. Then I thought, "This is it, this is my chance." The pressure built up inside of me and I quickly hopped onto the center console and scooted into the driver's seat. Not thinking about how long my stepdad would be gone, I turned the key.
    

First, the lights came on. Then with a little extra force, the engine started. I felt a burst of adrenaline rush through me. While gripping the steering wheel tight enough to cut off the circulation in my fingers, I shifted the car into the drive mode with my foot on the brake. Then, I let go of the brake and ever so gently pressed on the gas. Apparently I didn't press quite gently enough because that led to the car flying forward and hitting the concrete bumper in the parking lot. I thought "Okay, something's not right." I looked at the shifter again and I then realized that there was a reverse option. I went to shift the gear again, when I was startled by my stepdad jumping into the passenger's seat. A strong feeling of guilt fell over me. I began to apologize. Then he said "Listen, if you're driving, then let's go."
   

I was surprised at how calm, and not furious my stepdad was with it. He mentored me out of the parking lot and with some bumps and swivels, I actually made it home. But that's not the end of the story...
   

We had a very steep driveway and as I pressed on the gas, trying to pull in, we rolled down it. My stepdad said "Just floor it really quickly to get up there". I slammed my foot down on the gas pedal and the car flung up and smashed into the neighbors fence. The fence fell over slowly and pretty quietly. My stepdad said, " It's okay, I do it all the time." He got out and stood next to the fence and waved his hand, signaling me to back out a little. So I did, still gripping the steering wheel so tight that my handprints were left in it. He picked up the six foot section of the fence and leaned it on a miscellaneous two by four. It was a sloppy fix, but at least we had one.  I got out of the car and noticed that I was shaking all over with nervous excitement. Three steps away from having a panic attack, I had to sit down and recuperate. I was extremely overwhelmed.
    

Looking back at this experience, I guess I could say I learned that driving a car is not as easy as it looks, but it is most definitely as thrilling as it seems.