The sun started to set, dinner was close to being done, and the streetlights one by one began to glow. The gut feeling that kept bothering me was finally starting to fade. I knew I was in the clear from my father, once the night sky had descended at 6:00 p.m. I gradually made my way to the kitchen where I could smell my mother’s cooking and found my designated spot at the dining table. I waited patiently as I watched my mother stir the pot full of rice. She called me over to taste test it and ensure it suited my appetite. I could smell plenty of seasoning and ingredients, like green chiles. That's when I  heard the door alarm go off, greeting the sound of footsteps. My father had arrived home and came straight to the kitchen where my mom and I were; I watched him set his keys and wallet on the counter, and then he greeted us with short hugs.  

Our conversation started as small talk, but he mentioned our agreement to continue practicing driving. I noticed the seriousness in his tone, almost like he was scolding. All I could feel was disappointment in myself for being seventeen years of age and still without a driver's license. Many of my other peers have their licenses already, some as soon as they turned sixteen. I hated going to family functions because of this, constantly being asked if I finally got it. I brushed off the embarrassment and acted nonchalant toward my father, whom I only promised to practice the next day. I then looked for a quick escape route to my room, to hide from self-embarrassment and the annoyance of the constant reminder. I lay in bed, under my cocoon of blankets for comfort until the next morning.  

The morning sun peeked through the blinds onto my face disturbing my peace. Soon after, the wake-up call from my father took me out of my comfort zone, forcing the slightest motivation I needed to get ready for the day. I sat in the driver’s seat and listened to first-hand directions from my father. The first step was adjusting the mirrors, as well as the seat height to make me comfortable. He gave me tips and tricks to make driving easier and more sufficient. I learned street signs as  I saw them drive by. Stopped at a light and smelled the gas and burnt rubber from the vehicles that would pull up next to mine. Practicing driving with either parent felt like work to me, it wasn’t my favorite thing to do, and I tried to avoid it as much as I  could without their noticing. The weight of safety was always at the back of my mind. As soon as I was comfortable driving, I would be critiqued on improvements, followed by the anxiety I would get from the dangers of driving I heard on the news.  

After a couple of practices, I almost felt confident to take the driver’s test to see if I would pass. I woke up the next morning more nervous about driving than ever. As  I left, I received moral support from my friends and family who heard about the event, which only added more pressure to the fear of failure. I drove only my father and me to a farther  Department of  Motor Vehicles (D.M.V.) as a change in environment. I was quiet and could feel the sweat of my palms gripping the steering wheel. My father put in great effort to distract me and try to make me feel more confident in my ability to drive. I tried my best to feel determined and brave, but how could I when I would be actively judged? The D.M.V. was a small place with fewer employees than the busier one, we would normally go to, working the counters. Time was slow, which gave me time to calm my mind. Eventually, I heard my name called and made my stand, then followed the young instructor to the back of the building.  

Following her directions, I  hop into my vehicle and drive towards the course, meeting up with her once again. Together we test my knowledge of the proper procedures and mechanics of my vehicle. Then, on to the next step. It was a small and easy course that would involve driving to a certain point. Then reversing twenty feet backward, next to a yellow curb. There was a point system based on the range between my car and the curb. In doing so, I turned over my shoulder holding the wheel straight with one hand,  while the other held me in place to view the back window. After reaching the twenty feet mark, the instructor joined me and gave directions through the neighborhood located in the back. I was calm, and while the instructor prepared me to start driving, I imagined her as my father joining me on a casual cruise around the neighborhood. I  slowly hit the brakes when the stop signs got close and dropped my speed limit when I saw school zone signs. I remained calm and kept my palms loose on the steering wheel. 

As we returned to the D.M.V., the instructor gave me the great news that I passed the test. This resulted in a silent celebration to myself, I was proud of the challenge I was able to face and conquer. 

My personal experience taught me that hard work always pays off, because of the many practices taken to overcome a challenge. An experience like this can compare in different scenarios. Many people determined with support from coaching can overcome various challenges. For example, a boxer trains before a match to become victorious. Sitting in the driver's seat represented getting in the ring. Adjusting mirrors and the seat correlates to a boxer getting their gloves, safety helmet, and mouth guard on.  Right behind the boxer on the other side of the ring. Is their coach guiding them down the road. Not only to watch their technique but to critique their form. For safety reasons and success. Similar to my father's role as he taught me how to drive. Many practices in perfecting a skill will only lead to further improvement. Arriving at the D.M.V. is similar to a boxer arriving at the official boxing match. Many fans watch the event to cheer the boxer on, similar to my family celebrating after hearing the good news. Stepping into the ring with the opponent; ready to test the boxer's skills. Just as the instructor’s role was to test my skills as a new driver. The ultimate test is to see if the boxer will overcome his challenge or between if the tester can complete the course. The obstacles given within the test drive are like the combos between the two boxers. Parking the vehicle after the course was the final hit that delivered the results. In the end, the original boxer was announced as the winner, like how I received a driver's license. The annoyance and hard work paid off in the long run, as I achieved a goal I didn’t think was possible for me.  

Understanding the process of growth, through a challenge of motivation is the most rewarding like a kid getting ice cream as a reward for good grades. It can be difficult to find motivation towards a goal that seems bigger than oneself and irritating to have a constant reminder of it. However, overcoming a challenge that you and others want for yourself leads to a bigger enrichment. This is an accomplishment I won’t ever forget, I consider it a step closer to a better version of myself. I take this lesson and apply it to every challenge I face in the future. To remind myself I can overcome anything.