« November 2006 | Main | January 2007 »

December 29, 2006

Why We Were Looking For A New Car

Friday, December 22nd, Sarah and I were in a car accident. We were running errands in town, getting ready to head to Conway for Christmas. The last stop was my office, where I had kept Sarah's Christmas present. There's a light at the intersection my office sits on (Charlotte and Eden Terrace). We were turning left from Eden Terrace onto Charlotte. There were a bunch of cars turning left onto Eden Terrace, but the other direction (my right). Those cars were out in the intersection, so it was hard for me to see oncoming traffic. I thought it was clear, so I turned, but I was wrong. A car slammed into the passenger side of my Mazda, going 35 mph or so. It drove us back through the intersection onto the opposite curb; there was lots of sliding because it was wet.

Everyone was fine. The driver of the other car was okay. Her airbags deployed. I was just shaken up. Sarah's hip was bruised from her door bending inward and her shoulder was scratched from the seatbelt. Everyone involved was helpful and professional, if not nice. The other driver was as concerned about Sarah and I as she was her own car. The cops came, the tow trucks came, and everything was taken care of. I was charged with the accident.

After we got everything home, we decided to take Sarah to the hospital to get the baby checked out. Sarah had felt her moving around since the accident, but better safe than sorry. But when we went out to crank the Escape, it wouldn't start.

My cousin Robbie had picked us up from the accident and came back to get us to take us to the hospital. Big thanks to him. Sarah had talked to her doctor, who told her to go straight to Labor and Delivery where he was on call anyway. They admitted Sarah, strapped on a fetal monitor, and we hung out in the hospital for about five hours. It was a huge relief to hear baby girl Pope's heartbeat and to feel her kick against the monitor. The doctor checked Sarah out, they ran some blood tests, we ate dinner, and they let us out about 9:30 PM.

After Robbie took us home, he stayed around for a bit to make sure we were okay and help we with the Escape. We got it cranked, but it would only stay running as long as you gave it gas. As soon as you let your foot off that pedal, it would cut off. I vowed to take it to my mechanic in the morning, get it fixed, and get rid of it after Chirstmas. The accident was bad enough, but having your only working car not start when you have to take your wife to the hospital really made me upset and scared.

Saturday morning Robbie came over. We got the car started and he began to follow me to the mechanic. At stop signs, I would have to put it in neutral, keep my foot on the gas, then pop it back in drive when it was time to move. But about halfway to the garage, it started working fine again. I dropped it off at Palmetto Tire. They had done all the work on the Mazda since we moved here and I trusted them. They were always nice, fair, and didn't do work if it didn't need doing.

Later that afternoon, we stopped back by Palmetto Tire and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong. They hooked it up to the computer, looked at everything, and even drove it around. We concluded it was some bad gas and/or some piece of trash in the fuel system that temporarily clogged things up. The gas in it was from the Bel Air Exxon in Charlottesville. Damn you expensive gas and good sandwiches!!

So that's why we were looking for a new car. State Farm was certianly on top of things despite the holiday and they called me Wednesday, telling me the car was totalled. Everyone we have dealt with so far in this process has been nice and helpful. Even the trip to the DMV to get the title to the Mazda went smoothly, despite the crowd there yesterday morning.

Sarah and I have decided that the thing with the Escape was a freaky accident and we're going to stick it out with that car for awhile. Once school starts again, we will be on similar schedule and can share the car. We're taking the settlement from the Mazda, putting most of it in savings and using some to pay off some nagging credit card debt.

That's the saga. I am glad it's over. Most of all, I am glad and thankful no one was hurt in the whole thing. I am also really thankful for Robbie, who was a huge help. And I am also thankful for all the people who were just nice -- the people at State Farm, BB&T, the DMV, Palmetto Tire, and everyone else I interacted with in the process.

Posted by Nakia at 03:44 PM | Comments (0)

December 28, 2006

Car Hunting

Due to recent events which I will detail later, Sarah and I are considering getting a new car. With the baby on the way, we're thinking family sedan -- something with some room and good safety features. We've narrowed it down to a Hyundai Sonata or a Toyota Camry. There is also a pretty good chance we won't get a new car at all right now. We've driven both. I think the Sonta rides a little better; it's quieter and has better acceleration. The Camry has a little better fit and finish, tighter steering, and two more airbags (it has knee airbags in the front!). The Sonata also has a better warranty, a bigger trunk, and lists for about $1500 less. Everyone knows what you get with the Camry, but the Sonata gets good marks from Edmunds and Consumer Reports says decent things about the newer models.

Sarah and I will reach a decision tonight, I think. If I HAD to get one right this minute, I'd probably go with the Hyundai. But like I said, there is a pretty good chance we won't get a new car right now at all.

Posted by Nakia at 05:02 PM | Comments (3)

Happy Holidays

A LOT has happened in the past week for Sarah and I, not all of it good. I'll get to that later (we're doing fine, so don't worry). But I realized I failed to wish everyone a good holiday season. So Happy New Year to everyone. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a great Hanukkah. And a good Kwanzaa, too.

Posted by Nakia at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)

December 18, 2006

From Williamsburg

A quick update from the Governor's Green Resort in Williamsburg. Sarah and I arrived here Friday evening. It's really nice; we've got a 2 bedroom condo with a giant garden tub and plenty of room for visitors. Those we have had in abundance. We reunited with our friend Cale, who is now living in DC. He and his girlfriend came down Saturday and spent the night. Sarah's sister, Leanna came into town last night with her boyfriend and are staying until Tuesday. That's a cool thing about these timeshares -- there is enough space to accomodate visitors. Another nice thing is the kitchen. We've done a lot of cooking so far, which is fun and saves us money. Although before we leave we're going to have to try out one of the 195 pancake houses here in town. I wonder which one is the best?

Posted by Nakia at 09:20 AM | Comments (0)

December 15, 2006

There's no place like the road for the holidays

Sarah and I are about to hit the road. Well, actually, we have already hit it. I'm typing this from the car; Sarah had to stop by the office for a bit and I realized I hadn't done an entry in a few days. Wireless is pretty nice!

Today we are headed up to Willaimsburg, VA. We have a week at a timeshare courtesy of my cousin Robbie. Sarah's sister and her boyfriend are coming out from Dallas for a few days. We're headed to Charlottesville for a day. And, we just found out our old friend (and groomsman at my wedding) Cale Harfoush now lives in DC, so he's coming down to say hello. That should be lots of fun, as we haven't seen him in a couple of years. We'll be back at the end of next week, then are going to Conway for Christmas.

I plan on updating as much as I can. I'll post my end of semester reflections and trip details. I also scanned in some ultrasound pics of Baby Girl Pope to share. So updates when I can! Hope everyone is having a good holiday season!

Posted by Nakia at 11:36 AM | Comments (0)

December 12, 2006

Another glimpse of parenting

I was given a vision of the teenage years on Sunday at Chili's, which was a little scary. But I'm also getting a glimpse into the toddler years as well, thanks to Claire. Sarah is back to being a nanny, at least part time, for my colleague Lisa's daughter. The past couple of days Claire has been coming to our house, so I get to spend a little time with her in the morning as I finish getting ready for work. Although she certainly prefers Sarah to me (and who wouldn't?), having the little 16 month old girl there in the morning actualyly makes it harder for me to leave -- and she's not even my daughter! She's sweet and loveable and supremely interesting, to the point where you just want to hang around and watch her get into things. Kids that age need a shirt that says -- "Be Careful -- Consciousness Being Formed" -- because that's what happening. And it's fun to watch.

Posted by Nakia at 10:34 AM | Comments (2)

December 10, 2006

A glimpse of the future?

Sarah and I like to eat at Chili's on Sunday night. We don't go there every Sunday, but probably hit the place once a month. It dates back to when we were looking for houses here and couldn't find anywhere to eat on a Sunday except Chilis; now it's a habit.

Tonight we were eating when four 12-14 year old girls were seated at the table behind us. They were made up and decked out, one with one of those fancy purses that are stupidly expensive but look as if my grandmother made it from the remainents of a quilt (I forget the name brand). The all proceded to order virgin strawberry daiquiri's (execept the "sophisticated" one who ordered a virgin pina colada). I overheard them asking "Virgin means 'without alcohol' right?" They then ordered from the kids menu, making sure each of their totals was under ten bucks. Dinner conversation was who liked who, who was ugly, and who didn't like who. They ended the evening by filling a fry basket with ketchup, barbeque sauce, and ranch dressing.

God was giving me a vision of my parenting future. I was more than a little afraid. I am not sure it's entirely fair that I, who had absolutely no clue about women whatsoever until my wonderful wife had the graciousness to stick it out with me and teach me a few things, am now tasked with raising a girl. I mean, is it acceptable to tell your teenage daughter "You can't be like that, because those type of girls didn't talk to me when I was in high school!"? Probably not.

Posted by Nakia at 08:01 PM | Comments (3)

December 08, 2006

The dreaded white space

That is what the blog has become lately , in some ways, just blank white space. Scary. Does it mean I am devoid of thoughts? Or perhaps uncaring, not wanting to let people know what has been going on? Maybe I have retreated like a turtle into his shell, not wanting to participate in the outside world. Or perhaps just intimidated by the white space, the blank void of creation, the virgin emptiness that begs to be filled. But with what? Words and Pictures. Those are easy. It's Meaning that's hard. Purpose. Is it all ego, casting oneself out into the void, expecting to make a difference, to leave a mark? You are not a special and unique snowflake.

More like mundanity. The Grind. Overwhelmed by commitments both present and imminent. Big Things Loom. Get It Together. Is it priorities -- A over B? Or perhaps a lack of them causes Everything Urgency then Shutdown and Withdrawl. There's that turtle again, back in his shell.

But peeking out. . .

Posted by Nakia at 06:56 PM | Comments (0)