I am sixteen years old with a deep fascination for the ideals, styles and culture of the 1960s and ’70s. For the past five years, I have dreamed of owning a green VW Beetle for my first car. My parents were supportive, but skeptical that I’d be able to save enough to follow through. However, I had always been full of perseverance and strive to manifest my dreams. At the age of 14, I received my dream job and have been saving religiously since.

This past year, my parents gave me a choice: They would either give me $2500, or my step-dad’s old, beaten-up truck with all expenses paid. To be honest, I do not like that truck nor does it like me! Therefore, I graciously accepted the $2500.

After months of searching, I was beginning to lose hope. Bugs hold their value, and I had no idea how I’d be able to find one with low mileage, in good shape, and at a decent price. Despite this, I’d dream of myself driving one every night, and I would feel it. Everyone had been giving me miniature bugs for my birthday or Christmas (my tangible vision board), and I would push the biggest green one around my room, just picturing me in it. I’d think of where I’d go in my bug, and what I’d do.

Then it happened. I found a green 1999 bug on Christmas Eve when I was attending holiday parties in southern NH. My step-dad wasn’t too sure on it, as it is 12 years old, had 114,000 miles, and was standard shift, but I convinced him to let me follow through on the deal. It took about a week and a half, and then I purchased it at $2,700 ($800 below Blue Book value!) Since I was to travel to Italy in April, my parents transferred their donation of $2500 towards that so I could pay for the car myself!

Since then I’ve been paying for everything. It’s not about the money, or the hours of work I’ve completed to pay for this bug, it’s how I feel when driving it. I bought my bug on January 3rd, turned sixteen February 1st, and went for my license February 3rd, a month after buying my dream car.

It took two months before I could drive it as I was unfamiliar with manual transmission, but now I can shift that thing everywhere! I feel so proud to be one of three students at my high school who can do this. Many of the boys at school can’t even drive standard! And on top of that, I have the most adorable car in the parking lot. My mom claims it’s a “party on wheels” and we’ve decked it out in positive bumper stickers, including “Life is Good” and “If it’s not fun, why do it?” from Ben & Jerry’s. We’ve even scattered a few stuffed animals around the seats and by the back window. Not to mention my grandmother gave me a pair of fuzzy dice for the rear-view mirror. Who cares if it’s not the right decade?

Since then I’ve put 5,000 miles on my bug, and I’m so happy I was able to make this dream come true. I will always use The Secret to be the most optimistic person I can be. It also helps when I see children punch themselves whenever they see my green punch buggy pass by. =)