ipl-logo

Personal Narrative: How Stan Changed My Life

626 Words3 Pages

My thirteen year old car “Stan” is my lifeline. He has almost 180,000 miles and has been in the family longer than I can remember. A few years ago, my dad had planned to sell Stan, but I begged him to let me drive Stan when I turned sixteen. I rely on him daily to get me to and from school and work

Without warning, Stan died one night when I pulled into a parking space at Chick-fil-A. The power steering quit and turning the steering wheel took all the strength I could muster. I recruited my friends to push Stan into the parking spot. Jumping Stan did not bring him back to life. Feeling stranded, I ultimately called a AAA tow truck with the option of either towing home or to a service shop. My friends insisted, “Tow him to the shop to be fixed,” …show more content…

In this case, I was obsessed with fixing my car so I wasn’t stuck without transportation or with a huge mechanic bill. But along the way, I started thinking beyond the problem – I wanted to fully understand the issue to prevent the same thing from occurring in the future. I didn’t just want to replace the fuel pump; I wanted to find ways to extend the life of the new one I installed. “Wow,” I thought after more on-line research, “if I never let the gas tank drop below a quarter full, I can easily affect the life span of my new fuel pump!” As a reminder, I drew a silver arrow on my fuel gauge with a sharpie pointing to the quarter tank line. I now know when to stop at the next gas station and fill up.

It’s been almost 10,000 miles since Stan died and so far, so good. I’ve received a few comments about the silver sharpie arrow on my fuel gage but to me it’s not just an arrow. It is a symbol of a time I solved a problem by really thinking outside the box. My dream job is to be an engineer in the high performance car industry. In college, I’m excited to participate in race car challenges or any automobile clubs that are available to students. I know now that I can draw upon that small, silver arrow when I face challenges in school or everyday life…not literally, but

Show More
Related

  • Chris Mccandless Leave His Car Analysis

    66 Words  | 1 Pages

    My reaction to this quote would be that I would agree with what Chris had to do with his car because if the engine wouldn’t work then there would be no use for it. This quote implies that Chris McCandless didn’t have a choice to leave his car. It represents how much he is wanting to forget about his past and to start a new

    Read More

  • Alas Babylon Randy Character Analysis

    489 Words  | 2 Pages

    It was a sweet car,” (Frank 21). However, later in the story Randy sacrifices his car for his friends, “‘What you’re getting at...you want me to contribute the gas lines out of my Bonneville.’” (Frank 218). Before The Day, Randy wouldn’t have sacrificed his new, nice car for anything. However, The Day has introduced numerous shortages, including gasoline, making the car effectively useless.

    Read More

  • What Does The Blue Mustang Symbolize In The Outsiders

    1026 Words  | 5 Pages

    For the the last symbol, the author uses it to develop a mood, and build suspense is the symbol of the blue mustang. The blue mustang symbolizes the Socs wealth as well as the danger they pose to greasers. When Ponyboy or another greaser spots the Mustang, they know trouble is coming. As the book goes on, however, and Ponyboy comes to understand and feel compassion for the Socs, the Mustang loses some of its meaning to pose danger. Ponyboy actually sits inside of the mustang when Randy and him talk about the church fire and the rumble.

    Read More

  • Analyzing Morgan Wallen's Song 'Silverado For Sale'

    651 Words  | 3 Pages

    This is a symbol because he loves the girl and will do anything for her, the Silverado is what he is willing to give for something greater or better for him. Morgan Wallen included this symbol because he wanted to write a song about something important to him like his girl, who is more important than some truck. This truck symbolically represents Morgan Wallen's selfishness or his own wants, the truck is what he is giving up for someone else's wants and desires. All this shows how Morgan Wallen is willing to give up his own needs for a ring for the girl he

    Read More

  • How To Write A Mission Trip Essay

    1612 Words  | 7 Pages

    Imagine being subjected to the solitude of the mountains, going a week without a proper toilet, clean water, or even cell service. Walking miles upon miles, in seemingly hellish temperature just to do something for someone else. Welcome to my journey last February. Roughly a year ago, I endured a week-long Mission Trip in Guatemala. First reading that thoughts probably came up along the lines of "oh that's neat, but what's so fun about that?

    Read More

  • The Father-Son Relationship In Jack Arnold's 'Road Trip'

    651 Words  | 3 Pages

    It represents Jack because it is “stuck in place” and stubborn just like Jack. Jack refuses to ask for directions and says, “Your mother never drove a half-track halfway across Korea” when Kevin claims that mom said to exit on 22-B. This is a little bit of an insight of what was going on at the time and why Jack is who he is. Jack previously served in the military so this might explain some of his personality traits. The duo then hits a dead end and Jack refuses to turn around which is just another incident that proves his stubbornness. Adult Kevin then says, “It seems we've reached the standoff here.

    Read More

  • No Kill Animal Shelter Research Paper

    896 Words  | 4 Pages

    He basically was screaming the entire time we were on the road. Eventually my brother drove my mom up the wall and she went off the road, but anyways we didn 't get into a wreck.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In Apocalypse

    472 Words  | 2 Pages

    A symbol can lead to many things in a book such as revealing the character or to taking part in the theme. The flare gun was a huge symbol in the book to show how they need help to surviving and hoping someone will rescue them. As you read this book you 'll will start to realize that a flare gun is very usful weapon and a symbol. As the author quotes “ He loaded the flare pistol with last flare and shot up in

    Read More

  • Literary Devices In Everything Stuck To Him By Raymond Carver

    665 Words  | 3 Pages

    The last symbol is the ice on the boys car. He races out of the house after he is told to choose and clears the ice off the car. He then decides to go back inside and spend time with his family. Using this information the reader can determine that the act of clearing the ice off the windows is a symbol for a moment of clarity for the boy and his decision to become committed to his family. Symbols such as these aid in the development of the plot and

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Automotive Technicians

    866 Words  | 4 Pages

    The world hates it when something happens to our cars and all of us don’t know what to do that’s where mechanics come to the rescue. Without mechanic’s people would have to go buy new cars every time their car had a problem. They’re the solution to the world’s automotive problems. In the future no one knows everyone might learn a little something about the automotive world. Instead of letting the vehicle go to waste, take it to a nearby automotive mechanic, everyone might learn a thing or too.

    Read More

  • Greasy Lake Character Analysis

    948 Words  | 4 Pages

    He assesses the damage to his mother’s vehicle. The protagonist had earlier rebelled against morals and standards, but he now wants to return to normalcy. At the

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: The Day I Got My First Car

    725 Words  | 3 Pages

    Just the thought of “I finally have a car of my own” is the only thing I could keep thinking. No longer did I have to borrow my parent’s cars or ask my friends for rides. I could take myself from point A to B. Rubbing the steering wheel all over pretending to drive it like it wasn’t my own car and I couldn’t just start it myself and go, so that is exactly what I did. Feeling the small vibration from the little, yet reliable, four-cylinder engine gave me more excitement than even my first

    Read More

  • Essay On My Favourite Mistake

    1517 Words  | 7 Pages

    My favorite mistake is one that I didn’t even consider a mistake at the time, maybe more of a mishap, or just one part of a long series of unfortunate events. But, looking at it in hindsight, I can tell you it was a mistake, definitely a mistake. It occurred on a beautiful, warm Saturday in May; school had just ended and life was looking up as summer was fast approaching with its promise of fun and sunshine. I was spending this gorgeous day with my mom and grandma out shopping for my brother’s graduation party, which was to occur the next day. ; and, wWe had just walked out of the Chesterfield Valley Olive Garden when I had the brilliant idea of convincing my mom to let me drive home.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In The Short Film 'We Ve All Been There'

    1121 Words  | 5 Pages

    The breakdown of the car represents a sudden loss of control and independence, underscoring the importance of relying on others and the power of community to help overcome difficult situations. Overall, the car symbol in "We've All Been There" adds depth to the film's themes of vulnrability and interdependence. Through this symbol, the filmmakers are able to explore the complex ways in which people navagate difficult situations and the importance of relying on others for help and

    Read More

  • Descriptive Essay About My First Car

    706 Words  | 3 Pages

    Outside of buying the actual car, I guess the biggest thing I can take away from that situation is to value money. My parents worked hard to be where they are today, so I need to give value for the sacrifices they are making for me. My parents will often remind me that nothing comes easy, if I want something I need to work hard for it and in the case of the car, save

    Read More

More about Personal Narrative: How Stan Changed My Life

Open Document