Last night, I just completed replacing my old faithful car's front brake pads. The previous weekend, it was the rear brake shoes I replaced. It's quite fulfilling, actually.
Auto mechanics - a job for one, a hobby for another. It is a lowly task for one but a fulfilling task for another. It just depends on how one perceives of it that makes it a menial or a glorious task.
For me, it is a diversion in life's problems or challenges if you may call it. It is also a way of appreciating the years of service my car has given me. As of last weekend, it's already 6 years and 2 months under my ownership.
My previous car, a 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer EL received a more romantic internal pampering than my present Honda Civic. My office mate used to say that mine was the worst Lancer he saw. Little did he know how I loved the car - reviving it and giving it a new life. It could still run 140 kph easily. It never broke down to the point of worrying me or my family in our out-of-town travels. I loved it and took good care of it not waiting for a piece to break down before having it repaired. It served me back well a good five years. I bought it at PhP87,000 and after 5 years, I was able to sell it at 69,000. Doing some math, it just fell to a PhP3,600 annual depreciation. Not bad.
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Going back to my aging Civic, I am trying to make up for lost time. My current breakdowns are not as pleasant compared to the previous ones. I am reminded that to learn in life more than just fixing my car, I really have to get my hands and fingernails dirty and really feeling it - getting mesmerized by the beauty of the task.
Yesterday was one of my most fulfilling days ever. Not to mention, saving me at least 500 pesos in auto mechanic fees.
Auto mechanics - a job for one, a hobby for another. It is a lowly task for one but a fulfilling task for another. It just depends on how one perceives of it that makes it a menial or a glorious task.
For me, it is a diversion in life's problems or challenges if you may call it. It is also a way of appreciating the years of service my car has given me. As of last weekend, it's already 6 years and 2 months under my ownership.My previous car, a 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer EL received a more romantic internal pampering than my present Honda Civic. My office mate used to say that mine was the worst Lancer he saw. Little did he know how I loved the car - reviving it and giving it a new life. It could still run 140 kph easily. It never broke down to the point of worrying me or my family in our out-of-town travels. I loved it and took good care of it not waiting for a piece to break down before having it repaired. It served me back well a good five years. I bought it at PhP87,000 and after 5 years, I was able to sell it at 69,000. Doing some math, it just fell to a PhP3,600 annual depreciation. Not bad.
.jpg)
Going back to my aging Civic, I am trying to make up for lost time. My current breakdowns are not as pleasant compared to the previous ones. I am reminded that to learn in life more than just fixing my car, I really have to get my hands and fingernails dirty and really feeling it - getting mesmerized by the beauty of the task.Yesterday was one of my most fulfilling days ever. Not to mention, saving me at least 500 pesos in auto mechanic fees.
