Which Way Frodo? - This Hobbit's Journey

Well. I used to be a Hobbit that never left home.
But since I started my first adventure West. Life has never been the same.
I live in farm country.
One thing I know for sure. Farmers are NOT boring. They gotta have a lot of faith to see them through the seasons.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to give some words of encouragement to a "little one."(Hobbit lol)
The Hobbit: "Mithrandir, why the halfling?" -

I am excited about finding the Way forward and taking the steps on the journey ahead.

~ Gamgee

 

sigh
Your post was so sensible @tscottme an.'
Well.
I done know 'bout everyone but
I have found in life. Ya gotta take some chances or
Never leave home.
Oh. I am alright with being alone. God is always there. An' I am not just a "people person" I am many things. I like to pray and find the blessings in the day.
If I have to be alone, I find ways of connecting with my fellow man.
I start CDL Classes in 11 days at the community college.
Thank you so very much for your kind and thoughtful words of encouragement.
Maybe we will get a chance to say hello in passing some day.
Best to you to.

~ Gamgee

 

Eowyn. I have been trying to study on my own before classes start. I chose the closest Community College CDL Program. I start classes in 10 days including today. I must be honest. I am... dare I say here, getting anxious. The only experience I have is OTR in a car many times back and forth IL WA - WA to IL in a car, which I absolutely loved, and WA to IL in a 26 foot Penske moving truck - automatic transmission.

I never drove a manual trans car. My aunt who lived on a farm, tried to teach me manual, well just talked me through what she was doing when I was 14 in a pickup truck. So yes. I am very concerned about starting this CDL Program with manual transmission trucks. But I have been told that learning manual is the best way to go.

I am Paid. Full In to this program. The registration representative for the program said I will be with a bunch of military Vets on the GI Bill Grant. God Bless Them. The school allowed me access in to the program a little earlier than they first said there was an opening on account of my eagerness and personal fortitude.(My story. - The Journey I have already been on through many years supporting, teaching, coaching and advocating for challenged children, seeing them through to independence and gainful employment. - explaining now, my need for opportunity.

I probably am forgetting to say what else I am worried about. Let's just say - I saw a 90 degree tractor trailer back in - at a tight dock lot and I am like thinking, *can I do this? - Mirrors, mind, together - always knowing that the trailer will go opposite the steering wheel when backing in... to a dock... at a 90 degree back in a tight spot?

@Eowyn . This is it for me. I need to pass this CDL course and obtain gainful employment with a carrier. I know there are women truck drivers and that is very encouraging. I met a woman at the office for the DOT Medical Exam who drove a truck for 12 years.

I am not a woman who has never seen the outside of her home, and I do know more than a little something about the daily battle that everyone is in. I am intelligent, loyal to a purpose, and a people person. (Meaning I value people and know it is not all about me.) But I also know that people have prejudices and some can have low patience levels. What if my lack of big equipment experience or manual transmission, causes my classmates to resent my being in the course?

I didn't want to share these anxieties here because I can already predict the comments to follow.

So in answer to those.

I am serious. I have been and come far and I truly want this.

Thank you for your information, feedback, fellowship and encouragement,

~ Gamgee

P.S. @Eowyn RE The Flatbed and interesting places. - I was hoping to get on a dedicated route IL - WA State and back, but it does not look like I am going to find a carrier that will take me with no experience straight outa CDL Class. - Closest I have heard of a carrier doing that route and taking in a new driver - no experience has been by word of mouth, Swift WI to WA and back. I am located Central Illinois. Well not Central. Approximately 100 miles North of Champaign, IL. I would absolutely love to get back on a regular dedicated route IL to WA State. Taking I 90 through So. Dakota.

 

Thank you so very much for that information @tscottme I really want to get this. I am studying hard. Thank you.