How to own a car again
It made me
independent 
"Driving is a necessary evil in So Cal"
How I did it: My mother gave me her car after much begging (her extra one- she had 3). Unfortunately, she had to take it away from my younger brother, but he lives 1 mile away from school, whereas I had to drive 20 miles to work. Once I got the car, I had to wait for her to send the registration from Arizona. I got it in Saturday and the DMV wasn't open so on Monday I went in around 2 PM and filed the paperwork and the $184 yearly registration without smoging and paying the tax since it was a family transfer.
Lessons & tips: Go to the DMV in the AM. Don't make an appointment. Be prepared to pay over $200 for the transfer.
