Goodbye Babe, Hello Nancy Bea

This July marks the end of an era in my Oblivious world. My car Babe, yes 'babe' like the pig from the movie, is no longer my car. She was taken away by the folks at Riteway Charity Services and my donation was directed towards Children's Hospital Los Angeles. 

The story behind how I got Babe is that I was about to enter college in 1998. I did not know where I would end up, but I knew I had been accepted to Rutgers University. So in my oblivious mind, I was making plans to move to the east coast. My parents were not down with that plan and promised me that if I stayed in California, they would get me a much needed car. 

Luckily I got into UC Irvine (Zot, Zot, Zot!) and Babe came along my 2nd year of college. The parentals explained that since I lived in the dorms I wouldn't need a car. Thankfully my roommate and suite mates had cars, so we were able to do what freshman in a new city do. Study at coffee shops and be amazing students! (wink wink) But seriously, by roommates and suite mates were awesome as we explored Orange County together which meant lots of trips to Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, and anywhere there cars could take us.  By the time I was a second year I would need a car and Babe was there to get me through all of college.  

It was bittersweet watching the tow truck take her away. There were many memories made with Babe. Trips to Mammoth, San Diego, Vegas, back and forth between the Valley and Orange County.  My first corporate gig at the company that tanked the economy in 2008 that shall not be named. Grad School at USC (Fight On!). The Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture aka FPAC. Operation womp womp womp aka my wedding with Strawberry Farm Boy. 

Babe also got me through the roughest patches of my life. When I got random phone calls on my cell phone from my parents house, followed by worried calls from my aunts, then a frantic call from Pops, Babe took me to Mission Hospital where mom was hooked up to a machines saving her life after her stroke. Those trips to the Valley and back to Orange County were therapeutic.  The long drives on the 405 listening to god knows what on the radio. Attempting to keep things together and not ball my eyes out on the road. Babe was there for me and I will always be grateful. 

I limited myself to one souvenir at the last Dodger game we attended. This one souvenir was a Hello Kitty Dodgers key chain. I told myself I would use it when I got a new car. I totally thought that would be some time in September or December when I could take advantage of end of the year sales.  Instead I took advantage of summer sales and now drive my first "boop boop" car.  

Meet Nancy Bea. She is my new ride. Yes I named her after one of my favorite members of the Dodger Organization, Nancy Bea, the organist for the team.  Nancy Bea, my car, is awesome. She has power windows, which I did not have before. She has power steering, which I used to have but cut out in recent years. She has a defroster that works! Babe's cut out in recent years too. She's also quiet. With Babe you could hear me coming from a mile away. 

I have had Nancy Bea for about a month now. She's been to the Valley, Long Beach, and recently Disneyland. 
We're still getting to know one another. I'm excited to make more memories with her.