Crazy traffic at base

So, I was told in my pre flight briefing that  there might be chances of me flying a right traffic pattern today (but chances are left traffic are accounted more). After the briefing, I did become a bit nervous, since Class C airspace could get quite crowded at times, and my reaction time towards ATC instructions may lag, if it's something new to me.

The busy traffic started once I tookoff from the runway. My first initial contact to tower to fly a closed left traffic pattern was diverted to flying a right traffic pattern, because there were helicopters around the left traffic. There was no time to complain whether I should extend downwind and whatsoever, I tried outmy first take to the right. On downwind, it was sort of going well, runway looked like it was 3/4 mile from my gas cap. Till I got to the point where I had to turn base, ATC issued a instruction 'continue with Left Traffic pattern', I got a little confused, since I was targeting to land on 29R, and I saw that there was another plane flying on base adjacent to me to land on 29L. It was a good thing my instructor took over controls quickly to bank a steep turn for 29R. And handed over the controls back to me to continue with my glide path. And I still managed to land a safe one. However it was bad decision making on my side when turning base, as I overshot a bit. 

Well second round of the pattetn I made extra sure if ATC wanted me to fly R or L? So as a was told the next pattern ahould be Left traffic. As a rule of thumb, writing the instructions down is helpful for  double confirmation of what you hear. If you are still unsure about the instructions given. Get ATC to confirm again!! Very important to make sure your given instrcutions are read back correct and taking action correctly. 

Well landed nicely on all tries today, just lacking a better response to my situational awareness in a traffic heavy location.  

Mr. Solo

Since my last post of just learning the traffic pattern and getting landings down.
I recently passed my Stage check for (slow flight/stalls, normal takeoff and landing and emergency landing) I barely passed that stage check under my check ride instructor's standards, since I had some troubles with taking action on certain steps of been proactive in certain situations (like a mixture cut off, radio response), I was a bit dreadful in radio responses, my heart will skip a beat and I freeze or rather choke in my own words of not knowing what to respond, when the instructions are not clear to me.

Well as a rule of thumb to keep radios clear when there's too much information to chew on, just reply "say again" and ATC will be accommodating enough to repeat the radio instructions piece by piece if they have the patience :P.
But at most is to keep yourself safe in air traffic at all times. (situational awareness),

Well, got down to do my first solo takeoff and landing yesterday. It was quite a relieving feeling to have the plane flown all by yourself, however I was a bit nervous on my runner up, I was constantly trying to make sure I remember to lock the door and make sure the latch is in the locked position, did not want the doors to flip open while in mid air. And I was worried about whether I had all the required switches on. After my initial power increased, I sort of let myself fly the plane, did a pretty smooth take off, and made every step of my traffic patterns with ease without hesitation, and  the only point deduction was that on "Final" my glide slope was pretty low (I kept adding and reducing my power setting to get my targeted airspeed). My power adjustments may had been too extreme that I may cost a loss in altitude leading to my low approach.
However I did manage to land safely, which I am quite proud of myself. Thinking back to the first day I stepped into this training program with no knowledge whatsoever in aviation, and now I am able to takeoff and land a single engine plane. I am impressed with what I am capable of.

Still radio's a kick in the ass, forgot when and where is the right time to enter important airspace. As my instructor puts it, once you established 2 way communication and ATC has called your tail number you are given clearance to enter the airspace. Once approach transfers you to Tower, they will need to give you clearance for altitude (they will say "altitude restriction cancelled") that is when you allowed to setup and get into your traffic pattern (1300ft - that's for our airport plus the airport elevation (313ft)).

More soloing to come and my biggest interest "cross country flights".