4th Time’s the Charm

Let me begin by saying that the DMV in McAllen, TX is the devil. And now, the entry:

Two Sundays ago (3/5) we went to South Padre Island (Mario, the boys, Mary, and I) to see the car/audio show at the convention center and then spent a few hours on the beach. The car show was cool. Some of the cars from Mario’s work were there and some of the cars were crazy. The boys loved posing in front of the “big trucks” for pictures. It wasn’t hot at all out so it was gorgeous. The water was freezing and there was seaweed everywhere, but it was such a nice time.

I had a day off on Friday (3/10) due to the graduation the day before (which I attended with John. It lasted a mere 30 minutes ) and decided, after two solid weeks of preparing John for his driver’s test, that it was time to take him to get his license. He’d been driving when we’d visit Gramma at the nursing home and I had him driving me around in residential areas and down the expressway so I knew he was ready. We woke up early that day, I dropped the kids off at school (their last day before Spring Break), I gave John a practice test around the neighborhood and at 8:30a.m. we left for the DMV. Not before stopping by Aziz to withdraw money from the ATM and picking up a French Vanilla cappuccino for me and a SoBe Adrenaline drink for John. We felt good and I felt positive that he’d pass both tests.

We get there, he fills out the forms and at around 9:30 he takes the computer test. He passes with a 73. I had taken my book with me to read and just had it shut on my lap. Instead, I was praying that he’d pass. When I saw him get up and walk to the counter I glance at him and he nods. Good! He passed. We happily wait to set up an appointment and they tell us they’re filled for the day. GRR! I complain about how I go to school from 8-12, there’s no one else who can bring him and he NEEDS this license because he needs to enroll in school very soon. “First come, first serve” they say. Fine. We’re forced to go back on Monday.

Mario and I get into a fight that day. A fight where I scream, he screams and I slap the face. Yeah, that bad. Hadn’t had a fight like that in…years and I felt horrible after it happened. We sat around sulking for about 15 minutes then he starts telling me about how his friend’s going to sell him this really awesome PDA phone and he wanted me to have it. We made small talk and somehow silently reconciled and left with Jaylen (Eenan was in school but when we picked him up we got him McDonald’s too :)) to town. We stopped for some McDonald’s and then made our way to McAllen. We went CRAZY spending money that day. It felt really good to just spend and not have to worry about it (although I did make it a point to save every receipt to balance the checkbook later). We got a wireless keyboard and mouse, USB splitter thingy, Norton 2006 (finally!), and a PC to TV projector. The PC to TV thing is so awesome. It’s external and we don’t have to bother burning our movies to VCD and then just chucking them and wasting CDs; we can just watch them directly on TV. I can even update from the couch, but I need new glasses so I have trouble seeing the words .

Spent most of Saturday in Reynosa, Mexico with Noelia, Andy, Mary, and Annie pricing and picking out stuff for Andy and Noey’s wedding. They found a few things they liked and then we ate at the Parian, I think it’s called. I know they also call it El Mercado, or Market.

Annie pointed out a beautiful straight clip (don’t know what they’re really called) and I bought it. It even came with two little clips. Total cost: $1.80! Those usually cost anywhere from $5-15. I bought my birth control and once we were done with everything we came back, I made a payment at JC Penny, got Mario some drinks he asked for from Taco Bell, then went to Princess Bridal. I tried on a dress from the Belsoie catalog and everyone said it looked nice. So far, I think it’s pretty, but I’ll probably end up changing my mind, knowing me. Good thing is there’s plenty of time and I already know what the brides maid’s dresses look like so I won’t pick the same one.

I spent most of Sunday here. Mario had all kinds of stuff to do and I basically just chilled out here with the kids. I didn’t mind. I was so tired. Lately I’ve been falling asleep by 7 p.m., but I have so much stuff to do that I end up staying awake till 11:30 most of the time. It sucks! I hate feeling like I have no energy. I’m afraid to know how tired I’ll be once I have a full-time job!

I took John with me to school on Monday so we could drive straight over to the DMV once school was over to set up an appointment. We get there and lo and behold, they’re filled for the day. They tell us we should try and be there early in the morning, possibly before they open, and wait in line. We had lots of time left so we waited for Mario at his work and went with him to eat at Jesse’s. We had a botana and it was delicious. Jesse’s never disappoints.

The next day we rush over to the DMV at 7:10 a.m. I’m 20 minutes late for class, Ricci didn’t make it to the house on time so she didn’t go to school, but we set up an appointment for 2 p.m. that day. Whew.

We get some lunch at Taco Bell after school since we’re starving from leaving home so early and not having breakfast and take some tacos and a drink to Mario. Then we’re off. We’re at the DMV super early, but we feel good about the whole thing and wait. 2 p.m. rolls around and I get out of the car so John could take his test. I stood against the wall and prayed and then I see John driving straight into a parking space. I run over there and ask what happened. He says my goddamn left break light is out. WONDERFUL. I was so damn pissed I almost cried. 3rd damn day we’d been at that DMV. The light was working fine before. I blame my luck and drive to Mario’s where I ask him to check the light and what I need to buy to fix it. He checks it, says he knew it’d been messing up (gee, thanks for telling me, buddy!), and sends me to buy a clear bulb at Pep Boys. I buy it, take it to Mario who had to re-wire everything and did so in less than 3 minutes, and after thanking him immensely we take off back to the DMV. What do they tell us? “You lost your spot. Be here early tomorrow to set up an appointment.” I could have hit somebody, but there were cops everywhere. After running my mouth to deaf ears for about 7 minutes straight I just walked out. I felt a lump in my throat, my ears burning, my chest tightening and was about to cry from the rage. I hate the DMV.

Mary called when we were on our way home and we made a plan: she’d take John with her in the morning on her way to work and she’d drop him off at the DMV to make the appointment. He decided to wait there and when I got out of school I got a snack for him (sour cream and onion chips and a Nestea) and met him over there. We parked and he ate. We did a mini-inspection to make sure everything was working correctly and it was, thank God. At 1 we parked under the carport thing where you start the driving test and waited. John kept making jokes to calm his nerves and after a while I read my book while he played Solitaire on my phone. 2 p.m. rolled around and so did the clouds. My, how those clouds were dark and full of rain. But too bad, he had to do it. He did well on his parallel parking and since it started to pour I went into the building. I sat there with my fingers crossed and at the first sight of his baggy pants I motioned a “how’d it go?” with my head and he smiled and nodded. Woo hoo! I knew he would get his license. Darn DMV. 4 ridiculous days, but he did it!

I needed to stop for turtle food at Wal-Mart and since I promised John I’d make Margaritas if he got his license, I bought some cute margarita glasses. Just two, since we’re the only ones who drink them LOL.

We already set an appointment for him to talk to an admissions person tomorrow at 1:30. We’ll have to take the kiddos with us since Mom has to go too to sign papers and Financial Aid stuff so I’ll be praying for the best. I hope they don’t give him crap at school about not having a picture ID. His license will be here in 3 weeks–I hope they cut him some slack. Ooh, and since I referred him I get a free school shirt. $23 saved!

2006 is going to be a good year for the both of us. I just know it .

on Thursday, March 16th, Johanna Rios said:

Congrats to John on passing his driver’s exams! I can’t believe it took so much time! I went to the island for about 2 hours on Monday and it was horrible! It didn’t deter Sping Breakers from their plans, though. They were walking in their suits and topless (the guys) everywhere. I was freezing my ass off! LOL! I am glad that you had a great time shopping. I haven’t had much time for it, but I hope that we can finally go this weekend. Take care!

on Thursday, March 16th, Erin said:

Aw, a HUGE congratulations to John! Passing your behind-the-wheel test is no small task, especially since the weather wasn’t supremely perfect! I will so totally come over there and help you express your disdain for the DMV because, I heartily agree, that place is CRUEL. I’m telling you! My driver’s ed teacher, I swear, made it the theme of his LIFE to educate us all about the EVIL Los Gatos DMV office. 😀 It was hysterical, actually. It’s so great he passed! I failed my first time…and I cried…so the guy rescheduled me for the next day when I finally passed. 😀 It sounds like your week has just been absolutely fantastic! And the weather over there looks amazing! Much love, sweetie! <3