When It's More Than Just A Car
For the past 8 months I have been learning how to drive a manual car in the pursuit of being able to buy, and own, my very first car. Sure I've driven in the past (automatic cars only) and I've had cars, but they've never been fully mine. They either belonged to my dad, my brother, or John (the hubz). And even though both of our names were on it, it never truly felt mine. That was until Lola.
Lola is the name I've given my car because she's red, goes fast, and is both passionate and fiery. She's definitely still a showgirl. 😉 I think you kind of get the point thaaaaat- I PASSED!!! With only 4 minors! (To my American friends- that's really good! It means I only got 4 points deducted out of 15.) I'm really proud of myself, like really, REALLY proud of myself.
The road to get to this point has not been easy. In fact for the past 5-7 months I've been sharing posts about the learning process, starting from 3 months in:
WHY THIS IS MORE THAN JUST ABOUT THE CAR
Moving to another country is extremely challenging. It's hard. It's really flippin' hard. You're far from your family, your friends, everything that is familiar, and even though I didn't have to learn a different language to live here, sometimes it feels like I had to learn a different cultural language. And that can be tough. It can also be lonely, isolating, and frustrating.
Getting this manual car is the accumulation of my life here. I could not have learned the skill AND bought the car if it wasn't for my incredible support system. From my parents to my husband to the friends I've made here, who now feel more like family, to my acting agents to my new job at the coffee shop, I could not have accomplished this without them.
And here's the thing- it took time. Learning how to drive on the left side of the road and roundabouts then adding gear changes took 7 years to accomplish. Making friends and accepting the fact that you'll always be a mix of the culture you grew up in and the culture you're currently living in took, well, it's still taking time.
But I wouldn't change any of it. Not a single moment of it. Even with its challenges, it's definitely worth it. I should remind myself of that when I don't want to work out, haha. Ah but that's another story.
Anyway, so to my first car, Lola, here's to our many adventures seeing friends, exploring new places, running errands, and anything else that comes our way! The world is ours! 🚗💨
Abrazos
xoxo
PS. Photos taken by John :)