Walls of Jericho

15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. 16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!"

Joshua 6:15-16 

Lord, help me to use my time wisely, to have the discipline to exercise grace with my team members, to have the patience to listen to people's struggles, to have the wisdom to say the right things at the right time. I'm not perfect, teach me how to become more christlike everyday. Help me to learn how to put you first in the midst of all these busyness. 

May my walls of Jericho come tumbling down after this season of never ending findings of discrepencies, consultations, reports, charts, diagrams, concrete and re-bars, ministry. Teach me how to be like Joshua. Give me the spirit of obedience, love and discipline to endure this season of my life!

Help me, O Lord! 

Driving with BBDC uncles

Hi readers! This post is going to be a little bit different because I am going to do a review of my learning experience in Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) from September 2016 to February 2017.

As many of you know, I just graduated from BBDC with a whopping 6 demerit points and a class 3A license. I screamed when the tester handed me the result slip and result was really beyond expectations (I will explain later). Before I begin, I would like to thank my family for being so supportive in this learning process, my friends who are always listening to me rant about how naggy the instructors can be and most of all, most ironically, the instructors, in other words, the uncles in BBDC. 

When you enrol as a school candidate in BBDC, this is a summary of the tests you'll have to take in order before you receive your license: 

1. Basic Theory Test Evaluation 

2. Basic Theory Test 

3. Final Theory Test Evaluation 

4. Road Driving Evaluation (Stage 5) 

5. Traffic Police Test 

Please remember that you'll have to wait for about two weeks before you can take your actual test. So some practice sessions during the waiting time will help you! 

1. Basic Theory Test and Final Theory Test 

When you are a student in BBDC, you HAVE to take an evaluation and attend two lessons before taking the BTT and FTT respectively. I faithfully attended the lessons and spammed practice sessions. I took about approximately about eight hours praticing the questions on the BBDC computers for each test... maybe thats why I got full marks for both. 

The advantage is that you WILL pass your BTT/FTT and you will NOT waste your $6.70 (I think). I recommend that you take both at the same time. In fact, when I took my FTT, the system was down and the testers had no choice but to verbally announce the results. To my surprise, out of 5 persons, only 2/3 managed to pass.. and the majority of people who passed were from BBDC. 

Well, on the flip side, I spent a lot of money on the theory part. Oops! Sorry Patrick and Sam. 

2. Driving on the road 

I was allocated to group 8003. The group leader of 8003 is Mr Teo W H and his members include a group of cute uncles, well except for one who never ever commends you. Just a side note - if the instructor doesn't say anything about your driving, it just means that you DID NOT do anything wrong and you're doing fine. Well, most of the instructors will nitpick you again and again. 

Anyway, I took a total of 31 practical lessons. That's a bit too much actually because normal people usually take about 20-25 practical lessons. Here's the reason why. 

1. I started practical driving lessons when the semester started and I only had time to learn only once a week. 2. I had many many breaks (due to exams and holidays) in between and that caused the delay as well. 3. I was really kiasu 

Well. About the instructors. On hindsight, I guess Mr Teo was the best driving instructor I've ever got. He never complimented me but he'd nag non stop. During my first 4 consecutive sessions with him, he was constantly nagging about how bad my eye line is, how I don't turn properly.. basically he just kept going on about how lousy I was. He was the strictest amongst ALL the instructors I've received and he even failed me for a certain stage before. There were times where I wanted to stop and quit driving because he just kept criticizing me, about how I don't have procedures when changing the lane, parking, etc. 

So one fine day, probably on my 27th lesson, I prayed to God before entering BBDC to ask for a less naggy and strict instructor. HALLELUJAH God blessed me with a nice and kind Malay instructor and really friendly instructors for the subsequent last few lessons. It was so funny like how the rest said that my driving is okay - which was very different from Mr Teo's lessons. From that lesson I realized that Mr Teo really pushed me to go the extra mile in driving.. on hindsight, he really taught me the skills on how to become not just a good driver, but a skillful and safe driver. 

Other than Mr Teo, there were instructors in 8003 like Mr Lim, Mr Tan, and so many more misters who have been nothing but encouraging towards me. I really enjoyed the stories they shared and the constant reminders for me to check my blindspots and mirrors. 

3. Traffic Police Test 

The traffic police test was $242.40 and that amount is just... too much for me to fail my TP. I manged to hitch the 2pm test session and it's nice how they have a prior warm up session at 12.55pm. My test started at 1.45pm and ended at 2.15pm. So this is the thing, if you fail, obviously you have book another traffic police test and book another two practice sessions and that costs you another $400 plus. Therefore, you really need to pass and not waste unecessary money. 

Well, if you get below 20 demerit points, you pass. However, there is a TON of admin work after. You'll have to wait for everyone who passes to gather and watch a safety video together and then wait at the counter to pay for your license. I spent about three hours doing all those nonsense so you might want to bring a book or a portable charger for your mobile device to keep you company. 

So the magic question. How much did Patrick and Sam spend? 

Patrick and Sam spent about $2700.00 and this includes all the theory practices, BTT, FTT, lessons, driving lessons and the test itself. 

If you don't wish to spend so much, then you should make it a point to have at least 2/3 driving lessons every week. This is so that you don't forget whatever driving stuff and you get a regular momentum of driving on the road. 

So, how did I get 6 points.. mhmm.. 

1. A good and friendly tester 

2. Rain 

3. $2700.00 

4. Mr Teo and gang 

5. Talking to parents about driving while they are driving (notice and watch how they maneuvre the car) 

6. Helping my parents or friends check their blindspots when they are changing lane/turning so that you make it a habit when you drive. You will look very stupid but come on you don't want extra demerit points just because you didn't check your blindspots. I think gaining demerit points for failing to check blind spots makes you look more stupid actually. 

7. Reading the book for the circuit portion (trust me I had to force myself) 

8. Confidence 

9. God 

10. Take driving seriously lol 

It has been six days since I've got my license.. and I cannot stop thanking God for giving me this privilege to even learn how to drive. Driving is a luxury.. and I don't wish to take that for granted. 

To all you readers who are taking your test real soon... All the best and be confident!