Happy Thanksgiving-- What are you thankful for?

I just want to wish you all to have a nice and meaningful thanksgiving. I remember last time, I was back home (St. Croix) celebrating thanksgiving with my friends. I really miss them, and I am thankful to have such wonderful people in my life. I am thankful for my family and for the care and effort they provide for me to make sure I am doing well. I would not be here without them; moreover would not be even typing this blog post (probably the last) in the first place. I am also thankful for my friends here are Virginia Tech. I feared that I wouldn't assimilate and get along with others for some reason, but I was wrong. They have my back when needed. Lastly, I am thankful for my girlfriend. Cliche. But I mean it. She is always there for me 25/8 whenever and wherever. For every step I take, she is there to support me in everything that I do. I cannot believe someone is that patient to deal with me. For that, thank you. Girlfriend, I know you are probably reading this because you "need to catch up on your islandboymiguel readings", thank you for everything. And to you the reader, thank you for taking your time to read this post. I appreciate it. What are you thankful for?

PS: NO CAR STUFF WAS MENTIONED ON THIS POST. WOAH.

It all started with a few dollars

Buying and collecting cars, a habit that starts during the childhood years in most people. For me at least, I can say that I have been a car fanatic ever since I was a kid. In the photo, we can see the child choosing buying Hot Wheels, a company that produces collectible toy cars. When I was a kid, my grandfather would spoil me and bring me to the mall so I can buy my Hot Wheels. It all started with a few dollars till I stopped messing around with 2 inch cars and moved on to bigger and better things. $1.97 was what the cost to make me happy, however that is not the case today. Bigger and better things also relates to the price/cost of what I am spending on my car so far. Currently, I have installed a performance muffler, deleted the resonator and have custom pipes on my exhaust; this totaling, not $1.97, but around $150. Also, I have a short ram air intake which is basically a new intake kit, which took $50 out of my pocket. What a big change. All the upgrades that I want on my car will cost more than the actual price of the car. Crazy huh? I am saving up to buy a suspension kit which can total to about $1500+, however, that would really take a while, considering the fact that I am not working. Also, maintaining the car can also cost a lot. I paid $80 to get all the fluids checked and replaced and will pay another $80 to get new tires, mount them on, and balance them. I know it is very expensive and sometimes it makes me upset knowing the fact that the money in my bank account is decreasing rather than increasing, but whenever I take it on a drive to mountains and such, it makes me happy. It is not always about the miles per gallon; it is about the smiles per gallon. 

MORE CAR POST!!

                     Progress is being made, slowly but surely. The Jetta has been receiving the care it needs. I have installed xenon white headlights, along with eye brows for the headlights. As great as this sounds, there is more work that needs to be done, especially within the engine bay. Last Monday, I took the car to an automotive shop in Christiansburg, where it got its oil and filter changed, as well as the steering wheel fluid and the coolant. I wanted the car to be ready for a 3 hour drive to Elon, NC to see my girlfriend. However, the oil leak that I talked about earlier stopped me. Turns out my PCV Valve, a valve that lets the engine breathe, has been leaking pretty bad. This causes everything to be clogged inside the engine, this releasing pressure out which causes the oil to splurge all over. This also clogs the coolant hose, which creates a pressure within the reservoir. This is not good because an engine is not supposed to have such problem. It should be an easy fix, however I don’t have the time to do so. Although I can get it fix for the price of $350. I guess this explains why time is money.
                      On the other hand, I have put this car up on craigslist for sale or trade. I am looking for a more reliable car. Currently I am looking at this Honda civic, which is jam packed with all upgrades, which is what I want. However, the price is way over my budget. The owner and I have been discussing a deal, which might be a possible trade along with cash. I don’t know how everything will turn out, but time is money. 

http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/cto/4160236384.html