“Hey mom can I get a ride?” – text message sent Friday at 5:15 p.m.  Just when I thought I was on track to becoming a self-sufficient adult (I have a “real” job, I buy my own groceries, I pay my rent and car payments) I suddenly felt thirteen years old again. 

Normally it wouldn’t make sense that I pay car payments but I still have to bum a ride from mommy.  But this weekend I am learning a valuable lesson: I may use my car more than I really need to.  I only live 8 blocks from where I work but every morning I find myself pulling my car into a downtown parking space. 

Despite my close relationship with my car, I now find myself stuck, carless for the weekend. This weekend I have plans to travel down to San Diego with my boyfriend to visit his family.  He is traveling down two days before me, so we decided that he should take my car (because I can’t share the return drive if we take his stick shift truck) and I would take the train to meet up with him later.  The only glitch in this plan is that it has left me without a car for two whole days.

Now,  as I cruise South on Amtrak, heading towards San Diego and  my beloved car, I must admit that I have learned some valuable lessons:  maybe I should try walking or even biking more, especially because I live at such a great location, only blocks from downtown and work.  Also, Amtrak is great!  For anyone considering a trip I would strongly suggest looking into your Amtrak options, the trains are clean and comfortable, and it was is wonderful to not have the stress of combating Southern California traffic.