I was quite worried that I might be forced into getting a new car sooner than I expected. But it looks like I can wait a bit more. My really old car passed the smog check today. When I got my last smog check, 2 years ago, the technician guy told me that my car barely passed. So I was all geared up for the possibility of emptying my saving for the new car, which would really suck because I don't have enough in there. Plus, I'll need half of the saving for next semester tuition.

Fixing it wasn't an option I wanted to consider since the market value for it is around $500. I might be able to get the state to fund the repair expenses, but that's a lot of red tape to go through. I could retire it and get up to $1000 (although I doubt they'll pay more than market value) to apply toward the new car. However, since I only have 2 weeks before the renewal is due, that would make for some very rushed shopping trips.

Not that I don't need a new car soon, I'm always worried that mine might just die at any moment and leaving me stranded. At least I have some time to save up for it now. I think the oil change right before the smog check helped. Spent a total of $73 on that car today, plus another $56 for the registration fee. Good thing I have around $900 in my expense account for it. When I compare the value of the car to the cost of maintaining it and the cost of insurance, it seems so ridiculous.

I just received my result for a state job examination that I took some time ago. I didn't give it much though because beside the actual test, some people can have career credits and veteran points added to boost up their score. I had none since my current job is neither a state job nor related to the position they are hiring and obviously I'm not a veteran. Also, only the top three will be considered. So this is a big surprise.

Career credits = 0
Veteran points = 0
Final Score = 95
Rank 1

I don't remember if there were 100 questions or not, but what the heck. This is the best new I've had, especially given my current situation. Now to wait for that interview call and let hope I don't screw up like so many times before.

Btw, if you're interested in trying for CA state jobs, here is the place for them.

It was the right thing to do. Plus, I was getting sick of all the nasty rumors. It was one thing when they whispered behind my back, but having it said straight to my face is a bit much for me to handle. Still, I feel like I've lost something precious.

Ever since I finished the finals...yesterday, I've been in a state of euphoria, completely ignoring the research paper that is due tomorrow morning. Ten more percents and one more all nighter to go through before I can relax.

I like it better, and do better, when the class grade is made up of a couple major exams and projects instead of the constant flow of small 1% or 2% assignments, that take as much effort as a 10% assignment. Those things kill me. A little slack here and there, and those % are gone. The constant state of work is really depressing too. I know some people prefer them over the major exams because they can use them to pull their grade up but those are just so wearing.