The Hoaxwagon, Smokeswagon, that's my Volkswagen!

Purchasing my Jetta about three years ago has been a lot like biting into a caramel covered apple, only to discover a caramel covered onion with no refund policy. I thought it would be convenient, practical, and affordable… not the case at all! It is a total hassle, expensive as all get out, and a total nuisance. I think it is fair to say I bought a hoax.

The Infamous Tennis Ball…

The first month I owned it, both headlights went out at the same time while driving down West Lake Sammamish Parkway. Terrifying? Yes. I immediately went to the dealership and they agreed to replace the headlights free of charge since I had just bought it. I got a phone call the next day explaining it would cost $900..

They proceded to tell me that one of my headlights was loose, and since I had jammed a tennis ball in there to keep the entire headlight from falling out, all of the wiring melted when the tennis ball burned up from the electrical current. Since the headlight burnout was deemed negligent on my part, they were holding me responsible for the cost… My response was, “Are you joking me? You think I jammed a Tennis Ball into my engine to keep my car from falling apart?””

After “discussing” the situation for an hour, the manager agreed to pay for all of the damage done to my car. They fixed the wiring and replaced the headlights… Ironically, I recently found out that the brightness of my lights are illegal. Awesome! People flash their lights at me constantly. When I actually turn on my high beams, I think the brightness is comparable to a police helicopter or a Search & Rescue Chopper… not really, but they are so bright. Darkness turns to daylight with those beams.

The Tow Truck & the Tree…

One day, I attempted to start my Jetta, but no such luck. After multiple attempts at jumping it, I realized I needed to call a tow truck. AAA recommended a company that promptly came out with a giant flatbed truck. A little over the top in my opinion, but I figured at least it would be safer….The man hoisted my car up onto the truck and secured it. For some unknown reason, he decided to drive the truck up the driveway, which was a fairly steep incline, and “parked it.” I walked up to the driver side door to fill out the paperwork and he hopped out.

As I was signing my “Herbie Hancock”, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the tow truck start to roll down the hill with my car on it. I yelled and the man tried to run and open the door but he had locked himself out. In a panic, he leaped through the window, and tried to hit the break with his hand. The truck began to pick up speed and apparently, he couldn’t reach the break. The tow truck picked up even more speed, barely missed another car, and crashed straight into a tree… with my car on it!

Between the weight and speed of the truck, the force of the impact created a hard collision. A few big branches fell out of the tree landing on my windshield, hood, and roof of my car. I stood there in disbelief, and all I could mumble was, “You gotta be joking me!” The man’s legs were still dangling out the window and I wondered how bad the collision must have hurt in such a position.

He eventually started moving and slowly got out of the truck. I froze in disbelief with Instant Replay running on a continuous loop through my mind. He got out and just stared at me. I had no idea what to say. His first instinct was to walk over and check the tree, not my car. “Do you think the tree is going to be alright,” were the first words I heard. I still could not speak and just stood there in shock and disbelief.

He eventually hopped in the truck and drove away. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to make a police report or what. I decided calling my insurance agent would be the best bet. The woman asked what happened and I couldn’t believe what I was saying. “My car was on a tow truck and it crashed into a tree!”

Ironically, the dealership called the next day and said my car started when they put the key in. They couldn’t find anything relating to why it wouldn’t start, but because I got it towed, it now had body damage.  One of the branches put a big paint chip in the roof of my car, which is still there today. They denied all of it, and I didn’t want to spend the money and hassle of taking them to court. (Long frustrating story)

The Broken Key

It was Christmas Vacation and I was returning to Texas, and my sister flew back with me for a visit. Upon, arriving to the Park N’ Fly in Dallas, I pulled out my keys and panic began. I had my automatic key, but no key attached. The actual “key” broke off the alarm key. I could lock and unlock my car, I just couldn’t drive it. I looked everywhere. No luck! Keep in mind, it was also snowing. It never snows in Texas. Stacy and I were freezing.

We rented a car for an arm and a leg and I reluctantly called AAA. I was still a little shell shocked from my previous Tow Truck experience. The man finally showed up and we had it towed to the Volkswagen Dealership in Dallas. The fact that the dealership’s address was “Lemmon Avenue” was more than fitting. My car is a lemon!

Replacing my key should have been done in about a day, but for some reason they kept giving me excuses of why it wasn’t fixed. Tired of reasons, my sister, a friend, and I unexpectedly showed up to check on the status. The man explained they discovered additional problems to my car and were fixing them. He told me I had a cracked oil pan, damage to the bottom of my car and the door was dented. He said it was going to cost me about $1400… “You gotta be joking me!”

I demanded to see my car, and just by the looks of it, you could tell my car somehow fell off the tow truck. I was again in shock and disbelief and just stood there and stared. Unbelievable! It took a few days and a few “discussions” but the tow truck reluctantly finally agreed to pay for the damage. I still had to pay a whopping $400 for the key though. What in the world?!

Smokeswagon!

There is no denying that Texas is incredibly hot. However, my summer became even hotter when my AC went out. My jetta literally turned into an oven on wheels. I took it to the dealership, and they said it was going to be $1300. Stubborn and skeptical, I decided not to fix it because it was about to be winter and I figured I could get it fixed elsewhere for cheaper.

Unfortunately, very few Texans know how to work on foreign cars so it is equally expensive. Being a grad student, I refuse to pay $1300 for a fan. Now I feel like an ant under a magnifying glass driving down I-35. People are like, just roll down the windows… Okay, rolling down the windows in Texas heat and humidity is like aiming a hair dryer right at my face. Trust me, it doesn’t help!

Soon after taking my car to the dealership, my coolant light came on. Hmmm?!? Could it be a side effect of smashing into a tree while on a tow truck. The fact that it fell off a toe truck? Maybe the handy tennis ball failed to do its job? I don't know... I took it to a different place, and they said I had a very small coolant leak and to keep an eye on it. If I didn’t, my engine could start smoking and overheat. 

So now, every time I fill up for gas, I have to fill up on coolant so the Volkswagen doesn’t become the Smokeswagon. I think it is eventually inevitable.

That’s my Volkswagen…

In Between Seattle & Austin...

It was almost two years ago that I quit my job and decided to move across country. I packed up everything I could possibly fit into my car, sparing only enough room for my dad to “comfortably” sit. It was then I learned why Jettas have good gas mileage. They are too small to fit anything besides the necessities. My idea of necessities changed a few times too before I could actually close all four doors and the trunk. It was a complete leap of faith.

I was leaving behind family, friends, familiarity, and my life, as I knew it. I had no idea what I was getting into other than I was taking a job in East Texas in Outdoor Education. In a place that couldn’t be more opposite than the Emerald City, land of plenty.  I was heading to the land of cactus, saloons, and BBQ. The Wild Wild West if you will, or so I thought…

To say I was a bit culture shocked when I arrived on the Ranch I would live and work for the next 18 months was an understatement. I spent the first few weeks with severe migraines, only to have the doctor explain it was because my eyes weren’t accustomed to sunlight and I no longer had access to Starbucks. Go figure!

After going through cloud and caffeine withdrawals, a cheap emergency pair of sunglasses and my first real glass of sweet tea made the transition much smoother. What was an initial shock soon became my new norm. Though there were no saloons, cactuses, or Texas Rangers other than Josh Hamilton and friends, plenty of the stereotypes were true. Billboards advertising Gun Shows, fried anything and everything, Texas flags everywhere, and occasional southern accents that sounded like a foreign language now filled my life.

I soon found out that Seattleites had major stereotypes as well. Anytime I said I was from the Northwest, I could usually expect the following list of questions…

1.       Does it really rain everyday there?

2.       Is Starbucks really on every corner?

3.       Have you ever been to the Grey’s Anatomy Hospital?

4.       I hear there are only a few hours or days with sun there?

5.       Are there a lot of communists?

My personal favorite, which I’ve heard, at least 100 times is, “Have you ever been to Forks, WA and encountered a vampire?!” … Thank you, Twilight! No, I am not a vampire, nor is Forks, WA a place that should even be on the top ten places to visit in Washington. So funny! The vampire question continues to be asked at least once a week without fail…

There were many ups and downs in East Texas, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. The people God placed in my life, the experiences I had, and the things that I learned were priceless and have directed me to the place I am today. God blessed me with incredible friends and moments that will forever make me laugh. I saw God work in incredible ways and had so many people model what faith really meant. One special family helped rekindle the passion and love I have for Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life. It was a seed planted in my heart that grew and influenced me to go back to grad school in hopes of pursuing my dreams. The only thing standing in my way were excuses and doubts and they showed me what it was like to have faith without answers, and that God was more than enough. That lesson alone is priceless.

In August, I officially moved to the Austin area and started grad school. It was another leap of faith, but God has totally provided everything I need. Living in Austin is more than I could hope for and I absolutely love it. I will officially graduate in the Spring of 2012 with a Masters in Therapeutic Recreation. The plan is to get certified as a Recreation Therapist and Child Life Specialist.

I cannot believe it has been almost two years that I have lived in Texas. Time has really flown down here. Though I love Austin so much, I would love to see mountains, large bodies of water, and weather besides the sun… of course family and friends!  I’m excited about the recent internship I landed in Seattle and will be returning to the land of Northface, REI, Starbucks, and Vampires soon! Cannot wait for the continued adventure ahead…

It Has Begun...

I have officially given in and created a Blog… as if I don't already write enough being a grad student. I figured it would keep people up to date on my life. Although, I’m not presumptuous enough to think that anyone else besides myself will read it. I will probably end up blogging Doogie Howser style.

You may be thinking, Footsteps, Fingerprints, & Funny Bones? It is symbolic of what I hope to make this blog. Footsteps represent where I have been and where I hope to be, as well as the many people who encourage me to keep on walking. Fingerprints are metaphorical of the legacy and impression I hope to leave and the ways in which others have touched my life. Funny bones are the inevitable awkward and hilarious moments my life tends to accrue along the way. Murphy's Law summarizes my life on a daily basis and humor is my antidote. My life is metaphorical of a funny bone injury...

Enjoy the blogs to come...