I’ve been meaning to share the story of how i came to buy my car since September; I’m finally getting around to it now.  Back story…

Having lived in Calgary the last 2 years without a car has been quite incapacitating. Massive urban sprawl, not a great transit system, flippin COLD weather. Not a good combo. However, I’m grateful my roommate has been generous with rides with her own car.  But for myself, a car was out of the question since a chief financial priority of mine since graduating from UBC has been to pay back all of my student loans as soon as possible. And i mean, as soon as possible. This was very important to me (and, frankly, i think it should be for all student loan-ers that are out of school).

Praise the Lord I was able to do so in late Spring this past year. Several people have told me paying back student loans in 2 years is uber fast.. you bet your bottom dollar it is! Budgeting is a beautiful, wise and necessary discipline my friends (If you get me on the financial decision-making topic, I can go at it.. honestly, it’s a passion of mine. Saving, giving, tithing, budgeting, generosity, stewardship, resourcefulness, all of it).

Re-route back from tangent. So, it’s late Spring of 2009 and i’m celebrating my debt-free status! As i alter my capacity towards Savings in my new-found financial freedom, I am now able to plan for a veeeee-hicle!

Come late summer, I am intently car-shopping. Mind you, I was so excited at the prospect of a car that i would have been happy with any ‘ol rickety thing! But a friend challenged me to trust God for something great, an affordable gem. I took that to heart and trusted for something better than a souped up clunker. I prayed and asked many people to join me in prayer.  Off to Kijiji and Craigslist I went. I emailed ads and photos to car-savvy friends to ask their opinions, went to “pre-owned” lots (just say it, it’s USED) with knowledgeable friends (i.e. Tom A, thanks!), etc.

Let me just say, car shopping is difficult without a car. A little ironic, too. It took going to great lengths just to SEE a car, let alone make a decision about it. Every car that peaked my interest sold so quickly– within 2-3 days of its listing. Before i could even arrange scheduling with friends to help give me a ride to go see the car, it was already gone. But I knew it was out there, trusted for God’s provision on this one.

Search, search, search. Look, look, look. Pine, pine, pine. Whine, whine, whine. Pray, pray, pray.

In September I saw this ad for what looked like a great deal– not a scam sort of great deal but a realistic one. I called the guy, Steve, arranged a time to go see it, hopped on a 1 hour bus ride to the other side of town. Half-way into being chauffeured around the city by a civic employee, I get a call from Steve saying that someone had walked by his car on the street and offered to buy it on the spot. I was sad, I thought this could have had great potential. And again, flustered at the slow process and a wasted bus ticket (I wanted my $2.50 back, and my time). Even as i was en route, I was still beat to the punch!

The very next day, I get a call from Steve and it turns out that the original buyer flaked out on him. “Do you still want to see the car?”

“Yes, but I don’t have time to go all the way down to your part of the city.”

“That’s okay. I feel bad for yesterday, I’ll come to you.. are you free now? Okay, I’ll come now.”

I get on the phone with my friend, Shawn, “Can you come over in the next 15 minutes to look at this car with me?! The seller is coming up now.”

30 minutes later, Steve pulls up in a lovely Navy Blue 2002 Honda Civic Coupe (details at the end). Shiny. Preeeeetty. =D Shawn and I take it for a spin.  Pulling over, he checks under the hood and all that smart stuff. Overall, feels good, sounds good, looks good.  Talk with Shawn, “What do you think?”  This could be great.  Drive back to Steve.  Negotiations… BEGIN! (the nutshell version)

His asking price: $6,500
I start at $5,900.
He’s firm on his price (understandable, i already knew it was a great deal)
“No wiggle room?” (I know he needs a fast sale cos he’s moving back to South Africa soon)
“I’m afraid not.” Plus, he already had an offer for $6,200.

“Excuse us one sec…” Shawn and I have a pow-wow.  Talk, talk, think, think, pros, cons, pray in head. Is this wise? Should i wait for something else? Pow. Wow.

Hi again.  “Okay.”  Long pause.  “I’ll take it today for 6.2″
Now he pauses.  Sigh.  “Excuse me, my turn now.”  He steps back, calls his fiance for his own pow-wow.  I overhear, “Yeah, they’re nice people…” and trails off.

“How about 6.3 and i’ll include the GPS.”
Pause… “I don’t need the GPS..  6.2?  I’m not trying to hardball you, i know it’s a great deal but realistically for me it’s a financial stretch.
“I’m sorry, but 6.3.”

LONG PAUSE.  Note that my budget during all my car shopping had been $5,000.  I responded to this ad because it was a great deal, worth at least taking a look even if it was a bit out of my range.
Long pause continuing.

I think Steve realizes that I am honestly being financially stretched.  He concedes.
“Okay, 6.2.”
“Yeah?  Alright!”  Surreal.

HANDSHAKE! seals the deal!  well, not technically.  Lien search, bill of sale, cash payment, etc.

Friends, I’d just like to let you know that every single day I am very grateful for my car.  My first car!  My first asset!  God is good to me.  Let me introduce to you my baby!

2002 Honda Civic Coupe DX, 137km
Brand new All-Seasons Tires from June with receipt
Included with a set of brand new Winter Tires as well
The entire interior was professionally detailed, with receipt

It all started last year when I was walking through the electronics section of Wal-Mart. Not looking for anything in particular, I do a double take when I see this:

Yes, Season 1 of Dawson’s Creek for $13.88. I’m thrown back 10 years when it first aired on the now defunct WB (oh the good ‘ol WB). Remember this? Don’t mind the Portuguese subtitles…

I could not resist at $13.88 so I bought it– my first TV on DVD purchase. The familiarity came rushing back as i went through the Dawson-Joey-Jen-Pacey saga. Of course when it ended i was left wanting; the ever dependable capitalistic drive left me searching for Season 2. I couldn’t find it most places and the places that did carry it were selling for $40-$50. Off to eBay (always successful) and found a copy for $15. That was many months ago and I’ve been going through it quite slowly. I’ve only been watching on and off as life got busier and the nostalgic novelty was wearing off.

But, last week I was walking around in BestBuy and guess what I saw? Every single season of Dawson’s Creek… for $17. Yes, I did it. I had myself a $50 splurge and grabbed Seasons 3, 4, and 5!  Mind you, I stopped myself from buying the final Season 6 and left it on the shelf. Moderation, right? Ha!

Now I am well stocked and I have a lot of teenage angst to go through…

I made this sign and duct taped it next to our garbage bins today. So gross! For all you dog-owners out there, please throw your doggie doodie in your own garbage!

I watched the U2 concert online from Sunday’s live performance at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. 96,000 people, crazy! When I was at the Vertigo Tour 4 years ago, my ears were ringing post-concert from a 20,000 venue.  How amazing would it be in a stadium like the Rose Bowl with 5x as many people?  It’d be electric!

But, watching over 2 hours on YouTube at 1am in the morning… still enjoyed it mucho much. Gracias, U2! As i watched, i had to make my set list as i usually would do were i physically there. I also added approximate time markers if you don’t have the 2.5 hours to watch it all. With a catalogue as deep as U2’s, always nice to know what made the set list for that particular night.

A few performances i enjoyed most and watched multiple times: Elevation, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Walk On and Ultraviolet. Really liked Ultraviolet (and not just cos of laser lights).

U2 on YouTube | October 25, 2009 | Rose Bowl in Los Angeles
Breathe
Get Your Boots On 10:25
Magnificent 14:50
Mysterious Ways 19:50
Beautiful Day 24:25
[Band Intro] 30:50
Where the Streets Have No Name 32:50
Stand By Me 36:50
Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out 38:40
No Line on the Horizon 43:25
Elevation 47:50
In A Little While 51.40
Unknown Caller 55.50
Until the End of the World 101:20
The Unforgettable Fire 106:25
City of Blinding Lights 110:40
Vertigo 116:10
I’ll Go Crazy if i Don’t Go Crazy Tonight 120:30
Sunday Bloody Sunday 127:00
Walk On 133:40
One 143:10
Amazing Grace 148:10
Where the Streets Have No Name 149:10
Ultraviolet (Light My Way)159:20
With or Without You 204:20
[Thank Yous] 209:45
[Cell Phone Milky Way] 211:20
Moment of Surrender 212:00

You don’t always get what you deserve in life. But this time, the saying rings true. What a doof. Serves him right!

Snowfall has hit Calgary and voila, Fall has been bypassed and Winter is here. The roads have been crazy today. It took my co-worker 2 hours to get to our staff meeting this morning whereas it usually takes him about 20 minutes. CTV reported 20 collisions per hour today, yikes, per hour! And, as my roommate and I were driving home, we saw this car in our neighborhood that veered off the road and onto a concrete road barrier. We stopped to make sure no one was still inside which no one was. Hopefully they’re okay. Be careful, Calgary!

Two of my favorite sagas mashed together. Love it!

I had an intense dream last night with a couple friends of mine (who are married in real-life) in it.  In my dream, though they were still married, my husband-friend was cheating on my wife-friend. And i was so furious and upset and mad at husband-friend that i went to find him, forcefully grabbed his left hand, pointed at his wedding band, and yelled (at him),

“Well, what the f**k is this, then?!!”

Whoa nelly! In a way, I’m kind of proud of myself. But, like in real life, I can always work on some tact…

There is a small town outside of Calgary called Vulcan, AB. Yes, Vulcan. You might think it’s nerdy and lame but being the Star Trek fan that i am, i was excited to see it!

While driving through the town, we couldn’t find the famed Enterprise monument so we stopped in the middle of the road and asked some locals about it.  Steve rolled down the window, gave the “Live long and prosper” hand gesture and asked, “Where can we find the spaceship?”

Oh. my. lanta. I totally lost it and burst out laughing! They were very amused and laughed with us, what a relief! We did find the Enterprise and took pictures like true interested tourists. The Star Trek museum was closed but we walked across the street to the local Esso gas station where Vulcan ears were purchased (yes, you read correctly). We chatted with the two teenage Esso boys and learned about the town’s annual Spock Days.  We got screamers (slushie with soft-serve ice cream on top) and they gave generous portions, mmmm! They had beef jerky that was practically beef HIDE. Instead of being broken up in pieces, it was just a slab of jerky! Salty and tasty =D

We honestly had such a good time! Live long and prosper.

The Esso kid who told us about Spock Days.

Is it unreasonable to expect an apology from those who have offended you? I’m learning not to expect it while still holding to the opinion that so-and-so should apologize. It’s a tricky line, thinking one ought do so but not dangling expectation over them. Because if i hang on to expectation, for one: i’ll likely be disappointed. Two: even more likely that it will lead to bitterness.  Three: It makes it a million times harder, if not impossible, to extend forgiveness (regardless whether they’re sorry or not).

It becomes a waste of time to keep thinking things like, “I can’t believe he’s not sorry or doesn’t feel bad about it.” And it doesn’t change anything, it just eats away at me. Bad.

But, relief came in a specific situation recently. He said, “I’m sorry, I apologize for being an as*hole.” I won’t pretend it doesn’t make feel better cos it does. It’s just good to be on the same page. “hey, that hurt.  oh, you now recognize that, too? that’s good.”  Note: no pedestals here, it’s not that cordial in my head most of the time.