Auf Wiedersehen Remy

Friends, Romans, Countrymen...lend me your ears. I come to bury Remy.

It's official: Remy the Wonderbug is no more. The little grey bug that could no longer zips these fine Chicago streets like he/she once did. He/she was a great car (although I could never settle on a gender for him/her) and gave me two blissfully happy years. We've been through thin and thick, snow and heat, rain and sleet. We've seen drive-thrus of all varieties. We've trekked to the middle of nowhere in Iowa, the middle of nowhere in Indiana, and the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin together. We've been through a rusted out catalytic converter, a flat tire, confusing check engine lights, coolant issues, and oil burning problems alike. So many jams were shared. So much Blink 182. So much Mariah Carey. SO MUCH T-SWIFT.

I loved him/her from the first time I laid eyes on him/her. Remy (short for Remington Steele) brought me to this city on four wheels and a dream. Parked on 18th Place every morning so quaintly, ready and waiting to cheerfully whisk me to the west side 'hood. So compact and conducive to parallel parking in those other spots that the SUVs need to leave behind.

People would look at Remy and say to me, "Oh yeah, that car is so YOU." 

SURE there was not a functioning cruise control. And YES there were multiple times where I feared he/she might spontaneously combust. But we had a bond, that beautiful German car and I. And while nobody can replace Remy, alas, another vehicle has risen to the occasion. Meet Sam.

Sam is a Toyota Corolla. Also nice and compact. He is definitively male and has already started to bond with the other cars on my street. He enjoys Mexican takeout just like Remy did and Pilsen suits him well. The Germans have conceded the defeat for now. Sam, I should tell you, is imported from Japan. Sam, short for Samurai. He brings a new set of cultural values with him. He will work tirelessly to dependably bring honor to my household by not flashing weird warning lights every two minutes and therefore embarrassing me in front of the same Autozone guys every two weeks like his predecessor. He's smooth I tell you. I think Remy and Sam would've been friends. 

A new era has begun: Sam and Anna, Chapter 1. 

The Rents

So I like my parents.

The amazing sunset over my backyard on Saturday.

I'm getting to be at that stage. I've always loved my parents. Do not get me wrong. I consider myself one of the luckiest people alive with parents like mine. There are a lot of humans in this world who have sub-par parents and mine are definitely better than par. Like way better. They are so intelligent, creative, funny, friendly, and wise. While I've always loved them, I didn't always like them. I had those stupid times where I felt like they were too strict, too uptight, and too controlling, especially in high school. But somehow in the past few years I got to the point where I not only love them, but I like them. I really do. I'll be writing more about them in the future I'm sure. Lately I just have been feeling like I have cool parents.

Dad texting me from his tree stand while he was
deer hunting. Notice how he signs his name at the
end of every text message he sends me. 

I was home for about 36 hours this weekend. I had the opportunity to get my oil changed at home with our trusted go-to mechanics, which is good, because I found out that my car had virtually no oil in it. That clicking sound that was going on in my car for the last two weeks? Yeah, that was the engine telling me that some bad stuff could seriously go down at any moment. Thankfully I made it home safely and got Remy all fixed up and ready for this winter. Other than that, I spent my time at home, making food, shopping with my mom, and going out to eat with my parents on Saturday night. Back in the day three years ago I'd burst through the door, drop my stuff on the ground, and head out with my friends. It's true that I just don't have as many friends at home anymore, but I think it's also that I really miss my mom and dad these days. I miss home and the safety, feeling of belonging, and simple Wisconsin goodness that they symbolize to me.

My mom officially has more of a social
life than I do. Good work Kathy. 

I often write in this nostalgic blurriness every time I return after a quick trip home, but that's just the great feeling I get from sleeping in and having a simple day back in Cedar Grove. Beautiful trees, open land, no neighbors, the smell of farm, fresh air, and perfect starry nights. I really love Chicago, but getting home for a bit is so so sweet. It's sweet because of all that good stuff about rural Wisconsin in the fall, but it's mainly because of the two people who live there.

Bros...brothers...brethren?

Yes, you Amanda Bynes fans...that was a quote from She's the Man! It's been too long since I've seen that movie. That is going back on the list.

Well today I learned a lot, particularly more appreciation for those two older brothers of mine. Today was QUITE THE DAY. I slept over at Rudi's house (Chicago area) and had planned to be back home before lunch so I could spend the day studying. Great plans right? Right! High five Anna! Well, then this happened.

I was all packed up after breakfast, off crusin' along in Remy the WonderBug, basking in the superior German engineering that accompanies the VW brand, and all of a sudden something was weird. The usual smooth driving felt a little floppy. And then I turned a corner, only to hear the FLAPFLAPFLAP of a flat tire hitting the pavement. I yelled "OH CRAP" to nobody in particular and threw on the hazards. Yep. This is the sight that met me. So my original plans for today went awry (cue the quote of plans and mice and men) and I had to move forward and deal with this. And by deal with this I mean stand watch while others deal with it. And by others I mean my brother.

After going 2 miles per hour to retrace my path back to Rudi and Steph's house, Stephanie and I called Rudi to come save us damsels in distress. Big brothers can come in handy. He changed that tire like a boss and I drove back to Wisconsin, 2 hours later than expected. I then drove to a shop near my house and they took care of the replacement. Finally, by 4:00, I was home in time to run, shower, eat, and head to a very special event. This is where the day took a drastic turn for the AWESOMER.

The whole family headed over to my Grandpa's house for his birthday party. The guy is awesome. He turned 89 today. This milestone, paired with family togetherness (always new babies of my cousins to oogle at), and cake made my day into a huge plus. 

Before we left I got a photo op with the birthday boy himself. (I love his napoleonic hand gesture.) We got home and I settled in my spot on the couch to catch up on reality television with my parents, and just when I thought the day couldn't end on a better note, I was reminded yet again how big brothers can come in handy. Lookie here, Alex went ahead and made frozen margaritas! My fave! Sugar on the rim, of course. Just add chips and salsa from Chili's, and you have my favorite meal. Yes, chips and margaritas create a complete meal. 

So while today veered drastically from my original plans, it was full of brothers, birthdays, and learning the definition of lug nut. I'll drink to that. Cheers! 

There's A Bug Going Around

Remy the Wondercar isn't doing so hot. In fact, she's a little sick. She's come down with the flu or something. And by flu, of course, I mean "a flex pipe in the catalytic converter that has rusted out." To-may-to, to-mah-to.

Yesterday was a sad day for me, as I had to hear my car's (expensive) diagnosis over the phone on my way to class. I, of course, immediately called my dad, Brian (or B-Money as we like to refer to him) who is coincidentally not just my dad, but THE Wonderdad himself, and he found a dealer back home in Wisconsin who can take care of the problem for much less money. So this weekend I'm going home as as a very nervous, naive carowner who will entrust that the bug will get fixed and back to normal.

I've gotta say, car troubles are scary. It is scary both to my wallet and self. First, to my wallet, because this car is the most valuable thing I have (not hard to do when all of your other possessions were bought at Forever21 on sale). Secondly, it's scary also because I have this little relationship going with my car. This is my first car, and I have to say, every time I get inside to drive, it just makes me happy. It's like we're friends. Maybe that's weird to you, but this is also coming from the girl who talked to her stuffed animals when she was little. I make friends with my stuff, it's no big deal. 

So here's praying that 1) Remy and I make it back to Wisconsin this weekend and 2) The car comes back brand-spankin'-new and better than ever! She's pretty spunky, so I think she'll pull through for me.