With weak knees and sweaty palms, I pulled off the tight right turn into the San Jose DMV parking lot this summer. I glued my eyes onto the car in front of me, doing everything I could to avoid my grader’s menacing gaze. As I slowly inched into a parking space, I prayed I wouldn’t smash into the car beside me.
A deep sigh of relief slipped out of my mouth as the grader let me know, without any emotion, that I had passed the test. Honestly, I had expected it. I was a great driver, naturally talented and comfortable with all of the road laws. I was completely ready to begin my amazing journey of driving anywhere.
With a driver’s license, I now have the freedom to go wherever I want to, whether that means creepily popping up in my best friend’s room window in the middle of the night or grabbing myself a black coffee. I truly now feel the privileges promised to me by the U.S. Constitution. — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness all thanks to a 4-cylinder engine.
Before, as a biker, I was limited to the near vicinity of my house and the school. Anywhere further like Cupertino or even Westgate Mall was way out of the reach for my laziness. But now, if I’m craving some Wingstop or Super Duper Burgers in Westgate, I can just hop into my car and it’ll take me there — no sweat.
The one downside is that I’ve now started eating lunch way more often during my 5th and 6th period classes… Hopefully my teachers don’t notice the five-course feasts that I have set up on my desk.
For me, my car has truly become my third home. People think I’m crazy, but I promise it works. I like to take my car out to a deserted parking lot at night — like the school parking lot — and grind out work. As a senior, I’m currently applying to colleges. For everyone who judges my work in a parking lot, I’ve written half of my UC application, my Yale supplementals and more in the parking lot. No lights. No wifi. No distractions.
As I cruise in my minivan — a Toyota Sienna (don’t ask what year) — I have a lot of space to get comfortable as I write my applications. It’s definitely worth a try once you get your car and you want to be productive. It’s like working at a cafe without the noise.
After all this time spent together, my car has almost become my best friend. It’s definitely a vibe. I like to drive to Santa Clara University’s library, which normally closes at 2 a.m., to do my work. Some people think it’s too far — it’s 20 minutes away — but that time flies when I’m spending it with my bestie and vibing to music while speeding in the dark on the highway.
Because there really is nothing more liberating than rocketing down Highway 85, windows down, while screaming alongside the roar of your engine the lyrics to “Fireworks” by Katy Perry.
