It was a cold Friday- this last Friday to be exact- when I was on my way to school. I hadn't slept well that night, but I am a great driver. Just as I was about to turn into the stadium parking lot so I could get on the bus for the university, I wondered too late if I was too close to the curb, and then I hit it.

My first thought was whether or not my car had a dent, because that's what it had felt like. However, after pulling into an illegal parking space, I got out and walked over to my passenger side. I was relieved for only moment. I had no dent, but my front tire was completely flat. If you looked on the right side, you could see a nice little slash.

I panicked and tried to call my mom. I knew she couldn't exactly come to help me due to the 108 miles between us, but I knew she would give me directions. Thankfully, someone had seen my incident and pulled up next to me, hoping to help. Unfortunately, when I got my car approximately 2 years ago, the dealership told me that spare tires were no longer being given out, and instead showed me this weird glue-pump-thing to use. I never had to use it before, and I think it was supposed to fill the tire with glue and air. It was only supposed to take you a maximum of 6 miles so you cold get to a maintenance shop. Sadly and not surprisingly, we couldn't figure the dang thing out.

7:20 am... I hit the curb and the kind guy stopped to help me.

7:40 am... We gave up trying to make the glue work.

7:50 am... After driving extremely slowly to an acceptable parking space, being laughed at by an older man roping off an area for an event, and crying to my mom on the phone, I take a picture and head to the bus.

8:00 am... I arrive just on time to class after trying not to cry more on the bus.

All in all, 40 minutes felt like the most troubling time ever. It lasted forever and had started my day harshly.

The sad thing is, I know how to change a tire. Like a good parent, my mom taught me how when her own went flat. This whole problem could've been solved if I were only given a spare by the dealership for less than $600. It sucks to remember the conversation with them too, about how it was "cheaper for everyone."

As of right now, I can't do anything. When I get back to the stadium after classes, I'll have to find a way to get the help I need. I'm only lucky to have such a great family so willing to help me even from so far away.

1:00 pm... My classes were finally over and I wandered over to the place there was said to be free milkshakes.

They were all gone.

1:30 pm... I began my journey to changing my tire with the help of the campus police.

3:00 pm... After going to Goodyear and being told that "there aren't any stores in all of Lafayette with your tire size," going to Midas and not getting a tire there either, I got a call from my mom. I cried a little bit when she told me she and my dad had been calling all the stores to find me a tire and that my dad had gotten someone from Firestone to go across the city and get the tire their particular store didn't have.

4:45 pm... My wait in the Firestone lounge finally ended as I left with my tire.

5:15 pm... The tire was connected and I was on my way home.

So, I guess I can thank my mom for getting a flat tire nearly a year ago. Without that, I wouldn't have known how to put my new tire on. Of course, I had no idea what the stores were talking about when it came to the "treads" and "varieties," but hey... I learned something new.

Now, I'm exhausted and hoping I don't hit another curb, or the tire comes off, or it has a problem since it's not the same brand.

Most of all, in circumstance, I hope I don't have such a long day again.