The Search is Over!

Yesterday I was able to get off work so my mom and I could go to Springfield and look at cars. I was really excited, although I didn't think we would buy one. My car just hit 100,000 miles so if I was going to get rid of it I had to do something about it soon. So we spent our day scouring the city of Springfield for a new vehicle. We stopped in Rogersville on our way to Springfield and found out that they would buy my car for somewhere between 3000 and 3500 dollars no matter if I was trading in for another car or not. I was pumped because my car blue books at $3400. So that would mean I would get what it was worth. Well mom told them we would get back to them if that's what we decided to do and we continued on our journey.
When we got to Springfield we went to the Reliable Toyota lot and they acted like they didn't even care or want to help us. So we went to another car lot. After a couple of car lots I was starting to get a little discouraged because I hadn't seen anything that I really liked. But then we pulled into the Metro Motors lot and I saw it. It was a beautiful 2003 Honda Civic. I told mom I was in love before I even got to inspect it up close. We looked at it closely and it was just as good on the inside as it was on the outside. But I knew it was going to be expensive being an '03 and it only had 38,000 miles on it. So we asked Ray the salesman the price, who acted kind of nervous. He acted as if we were his first customer ever, but he was nice nonetheless. He said $13,595 and my hopes were crushed. I had been looking in the $5000 to $7000 range not $13,000!!!! But then mom says we don't have to write it off entirely. This salvaged some of my hope. We then left without test driving the car to go eat and look at other lots. After about another two hours of searching, the Civic was all I could think about. I loved that car. So mom said that we should go test drive it. We went back and told Ray we were ready to take it for a spin and off we went. It drove perfectly. I loved it even more. So when we got back mom said that we should see what they will give me for my car and see what the payments would look like. I was so thrilled. She was actually considering this car! After looking at the car, the business manager told us he would give us $2700 for my car. My mom was looked at me and the told the guy that we were offered in the $3000s for it. Then the guy went outside and looked at my car again and came back in and said the standard "we really want your business so here's what I will do" line and then he offered to give the $3595 for my car and make the difference an even $10,000. I was excited! That was an awesome deal. Mom said okay but what will the payments look like? After some figuring the Ray told us that they would likely be around $214 a month. That would be a huge stretch for me. Right now I only earn $80 a week because of volleyball. I was hoping for somewhere in the $160-$180 range. Then mom told Ray that we needed to think about it. We left and went to the Target parking lot where mom called my stepdad and he said it was up to me...the car blue booked at $14,200 so it was a good deal. I told mom it was the hardest decision of my life because that would mean for the next five years I would struggle every month to meet the $214 mark plus pay for insurance and gas! I said I really want that car but I just don't know. Then mom, being the exceptional lady that she is says "Student loans are cheaper than car loans...how about I take $3000 that I have saved and put it down on the car. That would make the payment where you want it." I could have shouted I was so happy! I was going to get my car!!! So we went back and told Ray the news and he completely agreed that my payment will be way better. Although I didnt get to drive my new car home because mom has to bring the title to my car and exchange with them and give them the $3000, I am so excited! She is going back up to Springfield tomorrow and getting my car. It will be here when I get back from my volleyball game in Plato. I fully believe God led me to the right car, because everything worked out so perfectly. Even though I do have an emotional attachment to the car I have now, I am excited that I don't have to worry if my car will die on me! I will definitely take good care of this car!

No pain, no gain....

On Monday of this week, we began our first official practice for volleyball. This year I am a senior so it is exciting to finally be at the top. Well, before I get my chance to shine and show what I can do on the court, I first have to make it through the wonderful mile run. Every year I dread the mile. We are required to run it in under eight minutes in order to be done running it for the season. Well, I know for a fact I will never be able to make it. But every year up until this year I have tried to prepare for the mile and about a month or so beforehand I will run three or four times a week at my house. Granted this did help, but I never even got close to making it under eight minutes. So this year I decided, why bother? I thought I won't prepare and just get out there and do my best when the time comes. Well, the time came on Monday and I won't lie....I practically died! lol I was huffing and puffing but I finally made it across the finish line. So after a tough practice and a short night of sleep, I woke up early Tuesday morning to do the same exact thing. I had to go run another mile. As I got out of bed, I was sore and could barely move. The same thoughts I have had every year about this time crept into my mind, "Why do I do this? I hate the mile. I hate running. I hate conditioning. Why do I do this?" And in previous years I had even considered quitting volleyball. But this year it is different. I no longer want to quit volleyball, because I finally know the answer to my question. I love volleyball. I love the sport. I love the sound of a ball hitting the floor on the other side of the net and the cheer of the crowd when we get the point. I love making the perfect set so the spiker will crush it and the ace chant being yelled as I watch the ball drop to the ground between the other team's passers. I love it all. Sure I don't love running, but I love volleyball. And if running makes me a better player, then I will do it. This is my last year playing volleyball and everything is a last for me. I ran my last, first mile on Monday. I have learned that I need to cherish everything and enjoy it while it is still there, because next year I will be busy with college and the sport that has been a part of my life for the past 7 years won't be anymore. I want to make this season count and try my hardest to be the best player I can be....even if that means running a mile everyday.