Class 2B from Class 3 (SSDC): Theory test practices and trial

After I completed the lessons 1-4, I paid for lessons 5-7, booked my practical lesson 1 and booked all riding theory test (3 practise and 1 trial).

So I spread the practices and trial to 2 nights, each night complete 2 sessions. The practices doesn't have a limit to number of questions and I was shown the correct answers after each question. So I did as what Instructor Mohd Amid said, complete as much questions as I could, so I could learn it faster. Also each session, I tried different computer and noticed sometimes the questions are in different order but still the same... Hahaha...

Anyway, I got 50/50 for the trial after intensive practices! So I waited for my RTT to come in 69 days. While waiting, I'll just take my time to ride the lessons.

Class 2B from Class 3 (SSDC): Lesson 1 to 4

Saturday 4 May

I think the calendar provided by SSDC is good to plan my learning schedule. Continuing from Friday, today I attended lesson 1-4.

As there was no reference for the lessons, I scouted around the Internet to find out more. Probably the forums might have something but it seemed an uphill task to hunt for words like lessons which is far too common! Then I asked friends who had took lessons previously, but they couldn't recall much as they had completed them many years ago.

Probably I was too excited about the whole learning experience that I looked into such lessons too seriously. There were 2 sessions of lessons 1 and 2 spread throughout the day, and according to Lee, we need not take them in sequential order, but I took it in sequence starting from 8.15am.

Lessons 1 and 2 are basically for learners who have not yet pass the basic theory test, and for learners like me who has class 3, they are merely refresher classes. I thought there wasn't a need to bring the given textbooks and I was wrong! So in the end I couldn't reference to anything. These 2 lessons covered things like traffic rules, traffic signs, right of ways, and everything else you can find in the basic theory textbook. 

During the 35 min break, instructor Faisal said if we are continuing lesson 2, we could leave our student booklet with him in the class. By the way, nobody said about submitting the booklet upon entering the class!! Boy was I elated to find the Traffic Police office opened, and I managed to get my PDL during the break! Lucky me!

Instructor Faisal was straight to the point and had few light moments during the class. I think he could be a good practical lesson instructor. 

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Sunday 5 May

I continued lessons 3 and 4, and started at 8.15am as well. It was very tiring to have continuing lessons for 3 days. Maybe it's a sign of aging!

For lessons 3 and 4, it's best to bring both text book. Depending on the instructor I guess, this instructor Mohd Ali referred to both. By the way, I don't know why only lessons 3 and 4 require a short 15 questions assessment, the previous lessons 1 and 2 didn't have it.

Mohd Ali was jovial and placed importance on safety and hazards on the road. 

After the lessons, I tried to book my first practical on 11 May Saturday. Apparently, I need to visit the information counter at level 3 to "register" my PDL before booking, and I have to find out through rejection from the computer booking system! I also paid for my Defensive Riding Theory lessons 5 - 7 as well

Class 2B from Class 3 (SSDC): Orientation

It's very exciting to go back to the the driving school after so many years. Finding my way there was a problem since it moved from AMK to woodlands, and its a left turn in only entrance. Carpark lots were quite scarce about 45 lots scattered on level 1&2 and it was almost full.

The AMK lady (see my previous post) told me to do 3 things before the start of my orientation lesson:

1. Buy your gloves at the canteen on level 1. (Actually, this isn't needed for orientation)

2. Go to level 3 information counter, ask them print a sticker and stick the student number on the student booklet. (This is because AMK branch couldn't print for me when I enrolled there).

3. Go to level 5 for orientation, tell instructor to release me early so I can apply for my PDL at the TP office at level 1 before it close at 5pm. [Updated: I think PDL maybe not needed until you get onto the road?]

My instructor was Lee, and his favorite phrase is "all I can say is...". Because he kept saying it in front of all his sentences for the next 100 minutes. By right, we can end slightly on time, but...

The overview of Orientation in my experience was (not in sequential order):

1. Go to level 3 classroom and chit chat on past riding experience (maybe overseas), q & a on class 3 and bicycle riding experience.

2. Go back level 5 know the places of where to get the gears before riding, lockers ($1 !), raincoats, etc

3. Looking at him riding the bike a while, and him explaining the where and what of the bike.

Then lesson ended.

It ended beyond 5pm, so I couldn't get the PDL.

Then I went off to Helmetboyz to get my own helmet, gloves, elbow and knee guards, head liner, forearm sleeves for hot sun, all for $85! All for learners package! Good deal!

Class 2B from Class 3 (SSDC): Registration

Finally, I've decided that I should take up Class2B after many years of procrastination. I've been driving with Class 3 over 15 years, and it's exciting to learn something new. One of my buddies said it seems like I'm having a mid-life crisis... hahaha, whatever it is, I will accomplish this.

There were several questions running through my head when I drove myself to the Ang Mo Kio branch, but I just signed up anyway. More info from their website here: SSDC

The lady at the AMK branch was helpful in explaining the progressive lessons and tests conducted by SSDC, but I was still clueless because that's too overwhelming information within a short time.

All I know was that I didn't need to take Basic Theory Test (BTT) because I already have a Class 3 license!

Right now, I have to clear the orientation lesson and I can apply for the provisional driving license (PDL). Thereafter, I have to attend all lessons 1-4 (out of a total of 7 theory lessons). 

So, I booked the orientation lesson with the lady for 3rd May at 3.20pm.

Fees were exactly same as stated on their website:

Enrolment and first 4 lessons: $74.90

Orientation lesson: $21.40

I think I should start a net magazine - consolidation of different blogs by me. Saw some people on the internet that does that, and it gives the readers a variety of things to read, at the same time easy to navigate on the reader’s interest. 

Although slightly diversified, but the reader still gets to see the other side of the life the blogger has. Other than the personal blogs that a blogger rants on and on about his wonderful life, other section could be his reviews on movies, another section could be about the food he ate, and another on places he been to. INSTEAD of consolidating into one massive cluttered clog up until drain-clog-remover cannot remove blog. 

Next task, in search of my net mag.

Pig's trotter @ Bedok

[13 Jan - Lunch]

We went to "Western Food 85" to try the deep fried pig's trotter as recommended by Makan King 2. The meat was good as it is still juicy, and the outer skin is crispy and tasty. It is conveniently sliced so that we won't have trouble cutting it ourselves, which is another plus point for them.

Next dish we tried was the chilli fish. The fish is sliced in half from the belly and chilli paste is stuffed into it. Then it is baked till cooked and served. The chilli was tasty and compliments the fish well. With the lime squeezed onto the fish, it addes citrus to the overall taste.

Lastly we tried the Kambing Tuluang. No meat but just bones here, and we have to suck the insides of the bone to eat the juicy stuff. My buddy says there are better tuluang elsewhere, and this is first one I tried. So, no comments on this one though. By the way, the tuluang is not on the menu! 

We have been travelling to and fro IKEA / Courts tampines extensively for this holiday season! And we have been using the new short-cut in Seletar too! Entrance and exits at Jalan Kayu and Seletar Airport. Journey takes about 5 to 10 mins (depending how slow you drive).

When driving along this road, take extra pre-caution if not familiar with the course. There are a couple of pot-holes along the way, muddy uneven terrain beside the road. The night drive is slightly dim as lamp-posts are pretty far apart.

Happy New Year!

We have been using the "Walking Bee" extensively! Especially went to a new place in Jalan Kayu. Its call "He Ji Noodle". For my own reference:

273 Jalan Kayu Singapore 799501
Time: (Monday - Friday) 1000 - 2230, (Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays) 0800 - 1500,
1800 - 2230, Off on Alternate Monday
Owner: Ms. Karen S F Quek Telephone / Fax: 68535782 Handphone: 97607775
Email: hejinoodle@yahoo.com.sg

Anyway, we had the following:
1) Wanton Mee, dry / no chilli (3/5 stars)
Nice sauce, q q noodle. Wanton not too bad. But slightly costly as the portion given was stingy.

2) Phoenix Claws Mee, dry / no chilli (3/5 stars)
Same as 1. The phoenix claws not too bad. But slightly costly as the portion given was stingy.

3) Dumpling Soup (2/5 stars)
Soup was not tasty at all. Dumpling was alright because the prawns are quite fresh too.

He Ji Noodle: Overall rating 3/5 stars.

Found a link to the shop at this website http://www.sbestfood.com/heji.htm . This website also documented the history of this shop.