Old Enough. . .

This week I had a parent conference for a female student. The student, let’s calls her Jaime, is missing several assignments due to absences and currently has a low ‘D’ average. When I arrived at the conference, I saw Jaime, her mother, and her mentor.

I stuck my hand out to her mother to greet her, “Hi, I’m Mrs. Bullock.” Jaime’s mother, with a bewildered facial expression, looked to the left, to the right, then up and then down, in a quick motion.

She said, “Who are you?”

I replied, “Mrs. Bullock, Jaime’s teacher?”

“Teacher of what?” she questioned with sarcasm as she looked at me from head to toe. That day I was very dressed up. I was wearing a 3 quarter length black shirt with a dressy, colorful skirt I had bought from Lerner (actually New York & Company, but I remember when it was called Lerner), along with a pair of black shoes that had a nice heel to them. I looked very professional.

“I have Jaime for English.”

“How old are you?” she inquired.

I knew this question was coming. I could tell by the look in her eyes. I have been waiting for the next parent to ask me my age. See, I have a pretty young looking face and at first glance, many people think that I am a student (even though I feel that my dress sets me apart). Last year, I had several parents ask me my age and I told them. It always made me feel uncomfortable and young, especially if they asked me in the presence of my student. So I concocted a short quick phrase to which I would use as a reply the next time a parent asked me my age.

“Old enough to teach Jaime English,” I said with a smile. She shook my hand, and I sat down to talk business.

Jesus rode a colt. I ride a stallion. Part II

I did it. I traded in my truck. If you have been following my blog, you should recall that a couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post titled, Jesus rode a colt. I ride a stallion (see below). Well, I did a little more research and decided to trade my truck in for a 2007 Honda Civic. Now, like most of my friends, you are probably thinking, "Well that is not a donkey!" However, compared to the loaded SUV I was driving, it is—kinda.

First let me explain why I didn’t get a used Honda. For those that don’t know, Hondas really hold their value. So while I was looking for one that was maybe 2 or 3 three years old (I didn’t want one that was too old with too many miles for maintenance reasons), I noticed that most were within a couple of thousand dollars of a new car. Why buy a used car when you can get a new one for almost the same price?

Also, when it comes to trading in a car, you have to figure your negative equity into the total buying price. When trying to purchase a used car, while trading-in a car that has negative equity, the dealer is not as willing to negotiate prices. So, take the price of the used car, add in your negative equity, and you basically have the price of a new car. On the other hand, a dealer is more willing to negotiate prices, giving more for your trade-in and taking more off the sticker price when purchasing a new car. Thus, this is the reason why I went with a new car rather than a used one.

I am very happy with my trade. I waved good bye to my truck, and I currently hold no regrets. My new car gets 30 miles to the gallon in the city and 40 on the hwy. My truck maybe averaged 12-14 in the city and 20 on the hwy. It cost about $60 to fill up my truck and about $30 to fill up my car. My monthly car payment is lower. Insurance is lower. And I traded in my truck right before my payment and property taxes were due (YES!!!).

While my car doesn’t look like a donkey, it is more practical, not as excessive, and it will definitely help me to continue to serve my purpose in life.

Less is more.

God Bless!!!