【Native English Diary】15日目～Updating my Japanese driver's license 🚗

Hey note friends! The other day I had to update my Japanese driver's license for the first time since coming to Japan. It was a strange experience!  
Please keep reading below 👇🏻

✨この日記は、ネイティブ英語を読みながら勉強したい方や、在日外国人の日常に興味のある方のために書いています。
１日目は日記のイントロダクションになっていますので、初めての方はよかったらそちらからお読みください！✨

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Day 15 

When I was living in Kochi Prefecture, I transferred my US driver's license to a Japanese driver's license. 
Even though I had a US driver's license, I had to take the driving test again in Japan! 

It was difficult, but I was able to get the license and I've been driving here in Japan since then. 

Now, three years have already passed, and it's time to renew my license. Time really flew by! 
※Time flies = 時間あっという間だ　
※Time flew by = その時間あっという間だった

In America, you only have to renew your license once every 5 to 10 years. You have to wait in a long line, but otherwise it's simple.
※otherwise = この場合は「それ以外は」という意味！）
For most people, you just submit the paperwork and take a new photo.

So, when I heard that I have to take a 2-hour course in Japan, I was so surprised!! 

However, me and Kazuki had some rare luck. Kazuki also had to renew his license at the same time. So, we could go together!
We really spend a lot of time together, don't we?

I was relieved to have Kazuki with me because I've never done this process in Japan before. No matter how long I've been in Japan, this kind of thing always makes me a little nervous. (this kind of thing = こういうこと)

When we arrived at the license center, we had to stand in a really long line. There were many stations where they checked our paperwork, we paid the fee, and they took our pictures. I'm always impressed by how efficient Japan is.

But they took the picture too fast! I wasn't ready 😫

After finishing the photo and paperwork, we went upstairs to take the driving course.

When I went into the classroom, I was surprised. It feels just like university! I was happy to feel the nostalgic classroom atmosphere.

But then… the teacher came.
The truth is, he was so scary! He strongly told us to pay attention and avoid eating foods. We just tried our best to listen and not fall asleep, until…

"Stop using your smartphone!!"

I jumped in surprise, but he was talking to the person behind me. (jumped in surprise = びっくりした)
He warned them in a strong teacher voice, "If you don't stop, you have to leave now." 

It sounded like he was yelling at a small child, but when I turned around, it was an old guy. 

I was scared, so I tried even harder to pay attention.

I realized, the classroom looks like a university classroom, but the teacher feels like a strict elementary school teacher. Kazuki said it's possible that he is a retired police officer.

Although I'm 26 years old, I felt like I was 12 years old that day 😫

But luckily, I finished the course without getting yelled at. (get yelled at = 怒られる) 
And I got my new license, hooray!

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英語の質問やわからない単語あったら、日本語でも英語でも是非コメントで聞いてください！皆さんの英語勉強を応援しています✨

See you next time!😊