Driving... How is it that I always cannot get it right?

So for friends who knew, I just got my provisional license finally after 9 months in NJ and got a car 3 weeks ago. I am officially able to drive! and officially the road hazard on NJ. Beware, drivers! I will turn your everyday commuting into your worst nightmare!~ ** corny horror music at background **

Anyway, I am being super duper adventurous with my car, going to all the places I have never been to despite being a newbie who doesn't even know the traffic rules well enough to drive. I think I should be put into a defensive driving programme or something.

So, I think I will try to update a little of my driving experience so far, and also make it a point to note down all the scars on that car despite being less than 6 months old and very well taken care of by the previous owner.

Today being very bored at home and that the rain finally stopped in the late afternoon. I decided to take a ride to Ikea at Elizabeth, a 45-minute drive from home, via the highway. Fixed my GPS and set to go. On the way on the normal road on Boulevard East, it was all fine and I got my confident that I will reach there without any problem.

So I took a turn into NJ Turnpike, at a junction where probably 10 different roads meet together from Hoboken, Weehawken. It was a great traffic mess because this is also the same point where it leads to New York. At 5 plus, it was probably the peak. Thanks to GPS, I had to switch to the most left lane and I was at the most right lane. The left turn signal was blinking furiously for more than 3 minutes and no cars wanted to give way to me, cars behind was honking at me to move forward. In the process of looking over my left shoulder and moving the car forward, I have successfully scratched the right side of the car against the wall because my hand on the wheels moved to the right. Scared myself to death with the scratching sound and I stopped immediately.

So leaving no choice as I approached nearer and nearer to the turn, I had to turn to the left at the slightest chance and of course, the driver from behind was forced to stop and was cursing and swearing at me. I think if he was any slower to braking, then I would have my first car accident in just 3 weeks and the company would be chasing me with higher insurance premium to pay. This shows that if you don't know the way, check out the route first and not just rely 100% on GPS. And I have been warned previously by my boss and other users of GPS.

So I continued my way through a very crowded highway and almost died of heart attack because of people switching and cutting into my lane every 2 seconds. Probably I also caused heart attacks to people while I was trying to switch lane and avoiding myself going from the wrong exit.

Finally reaching Ikea, my heart was already at the mouth, I then missed a turn and went into the road that leads to the Elizabeth seaport. I made an illegal U-turn to get back, and the next thing I saw is a sign that says 'Area under camera survillance'. Great, I am going to get a ticket because they found me making an illegal turn at a seaport road.

I only bought a few things at Ikea, just to make my road trip worth it, also giving myself some time to calm down. But I had to rush out of the place before it gets too dark. Didn't even get to eat my favourite Ikea meatball because I was afraid of driving on the highway in the night.

Surprsingly, the trip back so much more easier, probably with the lesser car on the road and already too dark to notice any other dangers... hahaha... The highway now seems less intimidating. So, finally reaching home safely but already dark, the only scar for the road trip I have yet to inspect it. I have to recover from the aftermaths of the drive in general. Then, I will be off tomorrow again for an even farther destination... Woodbury Common here I come!