The Wo's of becoming an adult... and paying for a car

As a Christmas present to myself my senior year of high school I bought myself a car. I had been driving an old white Subaru beater that had an annoying click every time I made a turn, and I decided it was time to upgrade. My grandpa told me about a Gold, Toyota Camry that he had been eyeing at my uncle's dealership in Tremonton. I was desperate and jumped on the opportunity. Without hesitation or a second thought I went to the bank and took out a loan for my first car!

My parents and I drove up to the Murdock Chevrolet in Tremonton and met with my Uncle Cort. We signed all the papers and ventured outside to see my new car.

Bert, was the most handsome Champagne colored '93 Toyota Camry I had ever seen! I fell in love with him at first sight!

Since my big purchase I have spent a little over $4,500 for the loan itself, about $1,500 in repairs and probably more than $1,500 in gas. My good news is: I PAID BERT OFF and it only took me about two in a half years!

I cannot explain my excitement and happiness over getting a debt paid off! Since June 20th, when the final $215 was paid, I have been so ecstatic with the knowledge that through my perseverance and hard work I now have something that is my own- that I worked hard for!

I paid my car off on a Friday and the next day I was blessed with the opportunity of finding an apartment with one of my really good friends! I had been stressing with the idea of getting my car paid off, moving out and having enough money to do it all, but I did, and it was a month ahead of schedule!

It is amazing how Heavenly Father works! He has a way of teaching us very valuable lessons without us even realizing it at the time. I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned, the opportunities I have had, and the people that have helped me in my life to get me to where I am today.

I know that I would not have been able to pay that debt off if I had not been paying my tithing and praying for guidance and help. Gosh! I love my life and my Father in Heaven!!

Cameron and I

Northridge High School Class of 2006

My Buddy Cam

So this is my first blog and I have been thinking of what to write on my first posting since I created my space two days ago. I finally had an inspiring though when my best friend called me from California today-- I decided to write about him!

The background:

My senior year of high school I went through a transitioning stage where I switched my group of friends. It was a very hard time in my sheltered little life, but I soon had my eyes opened to other people and new ideas on life.

I became very close friends with a guy named Cameron who was in this "new group" of friends. I became the #1 fan for his band, The Switches, and I traveled to a lot of shows with him and the rest of his band mates. Cam and I started dating after our Sweethearts dance that year. We did everything together it seemed! Life was fantastic and neither one of us had a care in the world for the future, but when the fall came we knew our fairy tale relationship would have to end.

We broke our relationship off right before he moved away to attend Utah State. We were both heart broken, but we knew that the distance would be a strain for both of us, and the chance of us continuing our relationship with different religious views set a damper on any thoughts of us spending our lives together.

Our first semester of college was hard. He went his way and I went mine. When we saw each other it was hard not to hold one another and pretend that we had never broken things off. This on again, off again relationship continued for a year in a half. Neither one of us new how to cut the ties because we loved each other so much.

Cam and I finally figured out what directions we wanted to take, and they did not include going with each other. We vowed to be the best of friends, as long as it was physically, mentally and emotionally possible, We promised to always be there when the other needed a shoulder to cry on or a hug from a friend.

Since that time Cam and I have been the best of friends. We still love each other dearly, but know what what is best for the other is not to be together. Cameron has been the best friend a girl could have the last three years! He has been my sounding board with big decisions I have had to make and that is the reason I am writing this blog...

This week:

Cameron moved to California on Monday to do an internship with Sequoia National Park.

* I was ready for him to go because I knew the summer would be an excellent way for him to figure some things out for himself, and to get an idea of what he wants for his future.

* I was ready to spread my wings, and meet new people, and have a great time with my friends. I knew that I would be moved out, on my own, in July or August and I'm excited to try something different and make some decision on my own.

I found out this week that one of my friends definatly wants to move out, so we activly started looking at apartments to move into asap. When I had origionally started looking for a place to live I had Cam to back me up and encourage me to look and find a place. He was my rock and I really looked forward to his advice because it always made sense and calmed me down!

This Tuesday I had a break down. I was looking at places for rent in S. Ogden and I was thinking to myself, "Oh I wonder what Cam would say about that place?.. Oh he would totally love the fact that there is a street light right there! etc..."

Once I realized that there was no way I would be able to hear Cams advice and encouragement a HUGE lul came over me and I got extremely depressed. I realized that there was no way of getting a hold of him because he was somewhere in the middle of a Forest in California! I went home feeling super sad and lonely!

I called my mom, who was at work, and as soon as she said, "Hi Sheen!" I started bawling! I told her my thoughts and feelings and how I was missing Cam and how I felt lonely and sad because he wasn't around to talk to and get ideas from. She said that she was sorry and that she felt bad. She told me to write my thoughts and feelings and questions down in a "Cam journal" so that I could keep track of them, and eventually talk to him about them. I agreed to do that, said good night and cried myself to sleep.

Today:

I got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize, here is the conversation:

Me- "Hello?"
?- "Hi, how are you doing?" (Man's voice)
Me- "Good, how are you?"
?- "Doing good... Do you know who this is?"
Me- "No, Who is this?" (Confused, but cheerful way)
?- "Guess."
Me- "I don't know.." (Really confused)
?- --Giggle-- (Sounded exactly like Cam, I almost jumped!)
Me- "Cameron!?!!!" (Kind of worried that if it wasn't my excitement would scare this mystery person)
?- "Hu?"
Me- "Cam????"
?- --Giggle--
Me- "CAMERON IS THAT YOU?"
?- "Yeah it is."
Me- (bawling)

I was so happy to talk to him and catch up, even though it had only been a week since we talked last.

He is such a great guy and I am so greatful for him and his example and friendship!

I wish everyone had a best friend like him!