Goodbye to Little Blue

I was introduced to a 2005 Kia Spectra in the summer of 2009 after getting into a car accident shortly after I graduated from the University of Delaware. This little sedan was not at all what I was expecting to drive as my first car. I originally wanted a car that could drive down crazy back roads, uneven terrain, and maybe having 4-wheel drive. Instead, I was introduced to Little Blue! This sporty, beachy, loud-colored car that just screams, "I am not an outdoorsy, rugged car!" But over the last 11 years, this car and I have gone through EVERYTHING together. Naming her, "Little Blue," she had become my reliable, loyal, trustworthy friend. Going through job transitions, break ups, listening to me talk to myself over lists, scenarios, venting, getting me to and from competitions and Winter Guard tours, and then safely getting me through the extreme elements of Wyoming and back to the east coast. Little Blue, you were there for everything. 

Thank you for 11-years of a great friendship, Little Blue!

This past spring, the Shawangunks had a late snow storm in April. I decided to drive home early from work on a snowy afternoon, not realizing, "maybe I should leave early before more snow comes down" and not, "maybe I should wait until the roads are re-plowed before I go home." So I left early from work. Marc and I live at the bottom of a hill and we need to drive down a hill (either way) to get to our house. So as I started to drive down slowly, I started to swerve, and I skidded off the road.

Saying Goodbye to a Dear Friend!
And a Delaware Driver's License & Plate!

The result of this minor accident, there was a lot of scraped and ripped damage on the undercarriage of Little Blue. She roared whenever I would turn on the car, her exhaust needed repair, and her alignment needed some adjusting. 

With all the money that I would have invested to put into Little Blue to make her better, I decided that it was time. It was time for a new car purchase. I was already thinking that a new car purchase was in my cards in the upcoming months, but this accident was definitely a catalyst for the new car. 

After doing some research and keeping my career and recreational lifestyle expectations in mind, I decided to join the Subaru family. We explored around used and revamped cars and were not satisfied on what we were finding. Then I started to look at new cars. After getting advice from one of my co-workers, we visited the Ruge's Subaru in Rhinebeck, NY. Even my mom suggested them from a friend that had purchased from them too! And we pretty much fell in love with this dealership. The person we worked with, Jenn, just made us feel comfortable and at home. She was super knowledgeable, honest about our questions, personal and gave use her advice, and even jumped in the car with us while we got to test drive.

After a week of working with them, I decided this was it! And after my parents came up and allowed me to trade in Little Blue, I was able to pick out a beautiful, scarlet-colored Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium! She is just so wonderful, a level up from the standard model, this new car comes with a sunroof, all-weather package (heated seats, de-icing windshield and mirrors, and all-weather tires). She also came with all weather mats, the mud-proof trunk mat, and trunk cover. 

Signing Away!

Adulting!

Driving her home, I felt instantly safer and much more in control driving. There is still no name (still in a first-date phase), but let me introduce you to my new car!

TheChristyBel

I did an adult thing!

Little Blue Hates Winter

You would think, not being in the mountains of the west, we would be done with snow in April. Right? Wouldn't you think that? Well turns out, even though I am back east, I am still in the mountains, and the mountains still get snow at times, even in April. Well, it snowed pretty lightly while I was at work this morning. As my workday continued, the snow continued to fall and it started to get heavier. If you know my car, Little Blue, well, she is just not a snow bunny. So, I thought it would be a good idea to leave work early and get home before it starts getting even heavier. Little did I know, that is not the best idea. Wait until the work day is over and stay at work until the plow comes (especially when you live on a hill).

Yes, I think you can tell where this is going. So I left work. All was fine until I was on the LAST stretch before home. Living at the bottom of a hill, you need to travel down before you get home. And there are two ways to get to our house...either way, you must travel on a hill...

As I prepped myself to go slow down the hill, Little Blue lost traction and began to slide. Even trying to turn the wheels opposite would not have helped. She slid and aimed for a ditch. Luckily, I was slid pretty much right next to a house, walked up, and called for a tow.

It took about an hour or so to get the tow to the site, rigged up, and back to my house. After examining the car, it looked like there was not a lot of damage, just a lot of mud, and a bunch of pieces to the cosmetic bumper. But nothing else...however, when you turned the engine on, it was the loudest roar I had ever heard come from Little Blue. And then, in that moment, I knew...I knew Little Blue's life would change and I knew...it was time to get a new car (in the near future).

When we took the car to our repair shop, they said there was almost $1,000 worth of damage and a long line of close-observing and maintenance to follow. With that, I finally bit my lip and began looking at new cars. Oh, the joys of being an adult, but at the same time, I am finally going to be looking for a car that I really want and feel meets the needs for my lifestyle...so, to be continued!

TheChristyBel

First Snow...in Laramie

This time last year, a few days before my birthday, white stuff fell from the sky in the Tetons onto the Kelly Campus. I am not at all surprised that snow has started to fall roughly the same time this year!

Great....

Little Blue, I know Laramie is going to be different many aspects, but are you ready to handle another Wyoming Winter?!?! It seems the warm seasons here are just too short. Hang in there, Girl! We got one year already under our belts, another year is gonna be a little bit easier...I hope!??! We're already used to it and know what to expect!

But, let's celebrate my birthday first...then snow can come!

Thanks!

TheChristyBel

Little Blue, Are You Ready?!?!?

Moving Out of Little Blue!

So, Monday was the day...I could finally move into the Teton Science Schools for their Graduate Program.  I was beyond excited and relieved.  Since about July 25 (I think), I've been living out of Little Blue, my car.  I bet she was beyond excited to have me move out of her and into my cabin I would be calling home for the next 11.5 months.  I know, crazy!

I left around 7:30am MST from Salt Lake City and drove about 5 hours back to Kelly, Wyoming to get to campus in time for Check-In.  There it was a really exciting moment to start putting names and voices with faces!  It's been about 6-months speaking with people I didn't really know or knew what they looked like.  

There I met one of the Graduate Faculty staff who showed us around and brought us to our cabins for move in.

It's Official...This is really happening!

Welcome, Miss Bel, to your new home, Cloudveil!

Originally I was supposed to move into Buck, a small room over the Maintenance Building, however, during the WFr course, I was informed there was an opening in one of the cabins.  I was beyond relieved and excited.  I was shown both rooms and was given the choice to choose which one I would like.  Buck was very nice, it was small, 'Christy-sized' however, there was only one window on the door.  Which I was a little taken-back when I found that out.  Cloudveil Dome was a small cabin that offered me TWO windows, a door window, a huge overhang near my door with room for a bench and seating!  Very nice to come out this morning and sit on the bench and read with my coffee!  So I bet you can imagine which one I chose!  AND..the best part, I have window room for some new plant friends!

Cloudveil and Buck are a little isolated from the rest of the Graduate Circle on campus.  A parking lot separates my cabin from the majority of everyone else.  But I think that will be ok if there is a total of 20 females and 4 males in the program.  So a little space is fine!

Also, the nice thing is about Cloudveil is that I practically have my own bathroom.  Not in my cabin, but a private bathroom next to me located in the Dining Hall.  So that is nice as well!

I think they knew which animal was my favorite!

So I moved in pretty quickly.  I am glad I didn't bring as much stuff.  Although I do have mom sending me a few packages of other things I forgot.  So below are the before and after photos of me moving into my new home.

Near the front door: my 'closet' and desk.

My bed area

I should have more to talk about, but last night was mostly just moving in and getting settled in.  Tonight, we will have a 2013-2014 Teton Science School Reception and Dinner welcoming all of the new 24 graduate students into the program with the faculty.  Finally, IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!

More updates to come...let me just get settled in first. :)

TheChristyBel