After months of waiting and DMV visits, inspections and car repairs, more waiting and more forms and more lines at the DMV... Today, it finally happened -- I GOT CALIFORNIA PLATES!!!

Last time we left off, I told you I needed a brake and light inspection, right? And that that turned into another car repair, for which none of the parts were working. Well, the correct (or so I hoped) part came in from L.A., and after my last day of teaching, I drove my car over to the 76 Station.

"How long will it take to fix?" I said, eyeing the many other cars in the shop.

"Give us about two hours," the guy said.

"And you'll call me?"

"Yep, we'll give you a call when it's all done."

At that point, I found myself alone and carless in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood. Still, I've been in worse, and was more interested in finding someplace I could sit down and read than anything else. I waited for a break in cars on the busy street before jogging across. At the same time, a man and his little boy jogged across from the other side of the street. As we passed each other, the guy gave me a smile and a small, "Hello!" I said hello and smiled back. Once I'd safely crossed, another man sat on his bicycle watching me walk toward Rite-Aid. I tried to look like I was concentrating on something, and kept on walking, like I knew exactly where I was going. A few moments later, he left. I felt like this small section of shops had just revealed two conflicting parts of its personality to me.

All I knew was that I was hungry and a big sign that read, "Best Burger," drew me in. I mean, the best? I can't pass that up.

They only took cash, so it was back across the parking lot to Rite-Aid to find the ATM. After I got some money, I asked about finding a restroom. Only the mens' room was working, but I could use it. I went in there, and it was kind of horrifying in some ways. In fact, I'll spare you the details!

I went back to Best Burger and got my cheeseburger and water. I found out Best Burger had a restroom, too, and theirs even had soap, which the other had not. I washed my hands, then sat down in a booth to eat. After consuming my burger, I pulled out my novel, Wonder When You'll Miss Me, from my purse and began to read. Originally, I wasn't sure how long I'd planned to stay at Best Burger. I thought it might be weird to spend two whole hours there, so I thought I might go browse around Rite-Aid or go to the bakery eventually.

(POSSIBLE BOOK SPOILER ALERT!!!)

But that book... I couldn't put it down! I sank into the world of this young girl, walking along with her through her trials and tribulations. I got angry right along with her, I felt frustration for her, and I felt sad when she cried. I sank deep into the world of circus tents and elephants, acrobats, drama among friends and co-workers, reeling highs and dashing lows, love, friendships, expectations, and dreams. I watched her grow as I flipped through the pages, watched her gain a sense of self, and an appreciation for who she is.

I had been turning the pages quickly as I read. I turned another one, and saw no words on the other side. I turned the page back and realized, that was it. End of story. I re-read the last two pages, and it was great... a wonderful way to end the book. I felt sad parting with those characters, though. I saw that there was an afterword and felt excited to read it. Maybe this author had written more books I could read, and maybe there was a new one coming out soon. I read ahead and before long, I learned that the author died last year. Amanda Davis was 32, and died in a plane crash with her parents. At this, I teared up a little. She only wrote one other book, a collection of short stories. I plan to read that soon, as well.

( / END POSSIBLE BOOK SPOILER ALERT!!!)

I closed the book and checked the time. It had been exactly two hours since I'd left the station! Before I left, I bought another bottle of water. The guy at the counter said, "The older lady that was here? She used to work here." He went on about her for a little bit. I nodded and smiled politely, though I barely knew what he was talking about. I hadn't looked up all that often while I read. A few times, the t.v. in the corner caught my attention. I noticed an older man reading a paper, a younger guy playing his Gameboy Advance SP, and yes, I thought I remembered an older woman. But I most certainly had no idea how long it had been since she left, and I definitely didn't hear even a smidgen of their conversation while she was there. I was fully engrossed with my book! I didn't bother telling him that, because he seemed to feel all nostalgic while he talked to me. I thanked him for the water and left, not really sure where I was going. I just knew I'd been there for two hours and with nothing else to read, it felt like it was time to go!

I called the station and was told they'd just finished working on my car, and it was ready to go!

I brought it home, feeling very excited.

Today, I went to the DMV once more, armed with a book, Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. The line was long, but moved quickly while I read. The guy behind me annoyed the hell out of me the entire time I tried to concentrate on reading. I kept seeing him pick his nose out of the corner of my eye. I tried to keep as far away from him as possible. I'm sure somewhere in the world, the guy in front of me is complaining in his own online journal about the weird girl standing way too close to him in the line at the DMV.

I snapped back to reality when it was my turn to be helped. I handed the lady behind the desk a huge pile of paperwork and declared, "I'm here to get my California plates." She typed stuff in for a long time. A long time! She made me nervous. I kept thinking, "Please, please, please let me get my plates today..." After what felt like years, she handed me back a few pieces of paper and told me to go to line 7. I did, and the girl behind the counter handed me a sticker and... MY PLATES!!! My dear, beloved, California plates.

I filled up on gas on the way home, then got a discounted car wash. I parked my car, and left it alone so that it can dry completely. Tomorrow, when Joe goes to work, I'll move my car to the garage, and I'll put my brand new plates on my clean and shiny car. My car is finally a California citizen. And I couldn't feel more relieved.