Well if I told you there is something that I really hate, then this tops it by a huge margin. Car Buying! I think it is one of the most vexatious experience I have ever faced. Since D started working, I have been hitching rides with everybody, including the DART train. Not that it hasn't been fun riding the train 4 - 5 times a week, but just the fact that I had to leave early from work, hitch a ride to the train station, pull S out of his work to pick me up @ Forest Ln Station and make him take a detour to drop me @ church, made me ponder over the idea of an extra car. Well then, there comes the question of what to buy! D surprisingly wanted a "mini-van". I know, I know. How cliche! But that's what she wanted. I on the other hand, was debating between a smaller car which was good on mileage or a bigger SUV, which was...err...pretty much useless! So guess who won! You got it...before you know it we were looking for a freakin' mini van!
Well now, where do we get one? So, based on the skills I had acquired over the past 2 years of looking for an extra car, we started. But apparently, browsing for cars and actually buying one are totally two different things! I just couldn't find one we both liked. So one afternoon we decided to take it to the next level and went over to a reputable used car dealer in the area. Although from the minute I walked in, I insisted on the disclaimer that I was there to check it out and not actually buy, it made no impact on 'em used car salesmen. By the time they realised that, an hour of "trying to sell the car to me" had gone by and they started acting funny. They were trying to intimidate me, force me and almost threaten me. But I tactfully wriggled out of the hands of the evil used car salesmen, vowing never to return back to a used car dealer again.
But after mustering up some courage, we were back in a used car dealership in a week! But this time with more research, confidence and of course an escape plan! And for the escape plan I had to call in reinforcements. With V on his way and A on the phone, I felt even more confident. We found the car we wanted, but then comes the part I totally suck at, "negotiating". I would have walked out of there with the quoted price, if not for V. We were able to get it down by a grand. Although I think it is a great accomplishment, I am sure V begs to differ.
So here we are, after 4 long years of wanting to buy a second car, with a mini-van in our garage. Hopefully we don't have to visit a used car salesman in a long time. But you never know!
And if you are in the market looking for an used car and in need of some good advice, you know who NOT to call! :) As always its all good! Go Minivan!
Peace!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Just Jewelry?
This is from today's ODB reading.
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Galatians 6:14
Some Christians make it a habit to wear a cross. It may be on a necklace or a lapel pin. It may be worn thoughtlessly as a decoration or prayerfully to let people know of the wearer’s personal faith.
In April 2006, a Methodist church in the city of Dudley, England, found out that it would have to pay a fee to put a cross on its new building. Yes, a fee was required because under British law the cross is an advertisement. It proclaims to the world, whether on a person or a building, that the blood-stained cross of Calvary is our only hope of forgiveness and salvation.
Our Bible reading today tells us of the cross—the instrument of execution used on our Savior (Matt. 27:22-26). The crowd in anger shouted, “Let Him be crucified!” The cross is a sign of His death, and must not be taken lightly. This should cause us to examine what the cross means to us. Is it a witness to our eternal hope in the saving death of Jesus on Calvary?
While wearing the cross may be a challenging mark of discipleship, far more challenging is our Lord’s command that we “take up [our] cross daily” and learn what it means to follow in His footsteps (Luke 9:23). And that includes a willingness to practice costly discipleship. -- Vernon C. Grounds
Because Jesus bore the cross for us, we should be willing to take it up for Him.
Peace!
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Galatians 6:14
Some Christians make it a habit to wear a cross. It may be on a necklace or a lapel pin. It may be worn thoughtlessly as a decoration or prayerfully to let people know of the wearer’s personal faith.
In April 2006, a Methodist church in the city of Dudley, England, found out that it would have to pay a fee to put a cross on its new building. Yes, a fee was required because under British law the cross is an advertisement. It proclaims to the world, whether on a person or a building, that the blood-stained cross of Calvary is our only hope of forgiveness and salvation.
Our Bible reading today tells us of the cross—the instrument of execution used on our Savior (Matt. 27:22-26). The crowd in anger shouted, “Let Him be crucified!” The cross is a sign of His death, and must not be taken lightly. This should cause us to examine what the cross means to us. Is it a witness to our eternal hope in the saving death of Jesus on Calvary?
While wearing the cross may be a challenging mark of discipleship, far more challenging is our Lord’s command that we “take up [our] cross daily” and learn what it means to follow in His footsteps (Luke 9:23). And that includes a willingness to practice costly discipleship. -- Vernon C. Grounds
“Take up thy cross and follow Me,”
I hear the blessed Savior call;
How can I make a lesser sacrifice
When Jesus gave His all? —Ackley
Because Jesus bore the cross for us, we should be willing to take it up for Him.
Peace!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Arghhh!!
Terrible, terrible day! Nothing seems to be working right today! My code is not working right, my laptop keeps hanging up on me, people don't do their jobs right...and not to mention the super crappy weather outside......arghhhh! Had to vent it somewhere! Thanks God for blogs! :)
Peace!
Peace!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Snow in Texas
It was one of those "uncommon" things that happened last night! We had snow in Dallas and it accumulated a few inches. It was a beautiful sight to see in March especially after a 75°F weekend! Although the drive to work this morning was not as pretty, it was totally worth it!Peace!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Silly Smile
I think one of the most wonderful things that I have come to enjoy in the past few months of being a Dad, is to watch my son smile and even sometimes laugh in his deepest sleep. It is just overwhelming. But it just hit me yesterday that he has been doing that lesser and lesser these days. So as I was in the process of coming to terms with the fact that I wont be seeing his blissful grin as often as I used to anymore, I realized something! An epiphany, if you will! :)
When Jay arrived into this world a tiny infant, he came with no cares. And the first weeks and months he was in a transition phase of realizing that he is not in the place where he came from, anymore. And, soon enough, he realized that fully and started to "worry" about things of this world and not about the "stuff" that used to be on his mind, prior to his ineffectual enlightenment....the "stuff" that brought him joy when he closed his eyes and made him cry when he opened it. But now that he has seen this world and the vain things it has to offer, the "stuff" has been replaced by "Barney" and "Buildings" and "Toys". And soon he will be a toddler, a teenager and then an adult and start pursuing the things that have no consequence at all!
Sad...but true isnt it?
Although it is impossible to remember the "stuff" anymore and not to "worry" about the cares of this world, I think we need to stop once in a while and set our priorities right, make sure we are chasing the right things and not the things that are futile in the eyes of eternity.
Smile a little, it does make a difference!
Peace!
When Jay arrived into this world a tiny infant, he came with no cares. And the first weeks and months he was in a transition phase of realizing that he is not in the place where he came from, anymore. And, soon enough, he realized that fully and started to "worry" about things of this world and not about the "stuff" that used to be on his mind, prior to his ineffectual enlightenment....the "stuff" that brought him joy when he closed his eyes and made him cry when he opened it. But now that he has seen this world and the vain things it has to offer, the "stuff" has been replaced by "Barney" and "Buildings" and "Toys". And soon he will be a toddler, a teenager and then an adult and start pursuing the things that have no consequence at all!
Sad...but true isnt it?
Although it is impossible to remember the "stuff" anymore and not to "worry" about the cares of this world, I think we need to stop once in a while and set our priorities right, make sure we are chasing the right things and not the things that are futile in the eyes of eternity.
Smile a little, it does make a difference!
Peace!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
No Kidding!
Jason Kidd is back after 14 years to the team that drafted him. Although I personally think the deal was a bit over rated, this could bring the much awaited break we needed. Yeah he is 34 years old, but he is still the best Point Guard out there. He has experience and leadership. So maybe this will be the year for the Mavs. But with the Celtics dominating the Eastern Conference and teams in the West trading big time, it might not be that easy. And never under estimate the Spurs, they tend to step up a notch after the All-Star break. Dallas is certainly going to miss Devin Harris. He was awesome the last 2 seasons, averaging 14 ppg this season. It is sad, but either way, welcome Kiddo and GO MAVS.
Peace!
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