X: It seems like yesterday I was celebrating the graduating class of 2006, and now it is almost time to go back to school for yet another year of teaching essay writing.

Boomer: I have a great idea for a compare/contrast essay. You should have your students write about the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid we drove this week versus the 2006 Camry and 2006 Camry XLE.

X: Great idea, Mom. I can see the excitement on their faces as I say to them: “Hey kids, write an essay about the price and fuel efficiency of the 2006 and 2007 Camrys.” I’m sure they will just love that.  In fact I might pass that suggestion on to some of the other teachers.

Boomer: Do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice? Nevertheless, let me tell you about these hybrid cars. The 2007 Camry Hybrid is a bit more expensive with a suggested retail price of $25,900. However, a driver should save money in the long run because that car gets 40 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. The 2006 Camry and XLE get about around 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Isn’t that something to get excited about?

X: It’s exciting to you, maybe.  They say it will take a few years to justify the price difference but the clean emissions is an immediate advantage for the hybrid, not to mention the savings at the gas station.   It actually sounds like a great car for either a teacher or a student. It’s affordable, comfortable, and safe.

Boomer: Yes, it is extremely safe. There are a total of seven airbags. They include: front and rear side curtain airbags, driver and front passenger seat‑mounted side airbags, and a driver’s knee airbag. I felt just fine knowing my 26‑year‑old baby girl was driving around town all by herself schlepping back‑to‑school items.

X: Must you emphasize that I am all by myself? And who still uses the word “schlepping”?

Boomer: You can take the woman out of New York but you can’t take New York ... I was just trying to tell you it might be easier picking school supplies if you had some strong male hands to help.

X: Keep reminding me mother. 

Boomer: At least the hybrid is strong and safe. It has anti‑lock brakes, a direct tire pressure monitor system, an engine immobilizer, and a child restraint system–just  in case children are in your future.

X: Not for quite some time. However, I must say it was easy getting in and getting out of the hybrid. The rear seats fold down to create plenty of space for cargo. Plus, I was able to stay comfortably cool because the car has a dual zone, auto climate control feature. That feature allows the driver and passenger to each have control over the climate in their respective positions.

Boomer: Do you know what I just realized? The 2007 Camry Hybrid is Toyota’s third hybrid vehicle and this is your third year teaching high school. That is quite a coincidence.

X: You are so astute.  The third year comparison is lame. At least the hybrid doesn’t come with a nagging mother.

Boomer: I’m proud of your performance as a teacher. That is something we have in common with Toyota.

X: Well, that is true. Toyota has something to be proud of with the Camry. It has been America’s best‑selling sedan for eight of the last nine years.

Boomer: I was actually referring to performance. The hybrid performs like a six cylinder engine but it has the  fuel economy of a four cylinder engine.

X: It is also a full hybrid. That means it has a 192 horsepower engine that runs on both gasoline and electricity. It can operate solely on electricity, gasoline or a combination of the two. I don’t know how the engineers came up with that concept.

Boomer: Maybe you should visit a dealership and find out. You could ask a knowledgeable general manager who is tall, about 30, has never been married and has no children.

X: I don’t think so.

Boomer: The exterior of the Camry Hybrid is a bit boring but I do like the detail work such as the silver grille with chrome plated molding, the chrome exhaust tip, and the blue tint halogen headlights.

X: The color of the Camry Hybrid we drove was called “Super White.” That is about the color of my skin right now because I spent the entire summer inside in order to stay out of the heat.

Boomer: Don’t teachers and students typically come back to school with great tans from their summer vacation?

X: Typically. But the only place I visited this summer was Las Vegas which has a climate similar to Phoenix.  Otherwise, I spent my summer break teaching summer school, taking classes, and working out in the gym. Indoor tanning is not for me and sunbathing in 117‑ degree heat doesn’t cut it either.

Boomer:  Maybe you should have your class write an essay on how they spent their summer vacation. Or better yet, have your students write about what they want to do on their next summer break.

X: Now that’s something they’ll get excited about.