Roommate Culture

I sleep in the living room on an airbed, next to a nice, big window view... of buildings. I guess that was a given living in an apartment on the 27th floor of central NYC. Though the view isn't anything to boast about or glamorous in any aspect, I've been thankful each day waking up, and every night as I lie awake before heading to bed.

I know the stars didn't align for me to come and live here. Beyond my own plannings and preparations for this coming internship, I've come to realize how much God had set up behind the scenes for me. I'm so bless to know 2/3 roomies before my arrival and to be connected to the last one thanks to these relationships. Like a domino effect, one event led to another, and from being introduced by one roomie to this accommodation option that is own by another roomie back in March, to helping another roomie whose in my program to find a place to stay and happens to cross paths with me time and time again, we are all happily living together now.

It may sound confusing and crazy how everything started out as it did, but at times I am still caught up in disbelief that I am residing in the heart of NYC. I feel so spoiled by the convenience of my accommodations and the generosity of my roommates. Though personal space is limited and being mindful and forgiving of individual habits are typical roommate situations to be conscious of, I'm so glad that not only do we just "live" together because of our circumstances, but we go beyond to cook, clean and care for each other as well. I know this roommate culture we've established is temporary, but it makes me feel capable of moving out and living with a few close friends when I return. As with anything, there are a few downsides, such as the obvious single washroom situation. With four females, its a given that we should be conscious of how much time we individually maintain personal hygiene. From observation, our schedules haven't been clashing with one another, but with 3/4 of us getting up early to head out for our internships starting Monday, it may take an earlier alarm or two for us to be ready on time. However, I believe that that will be a minor issue for us as we are all mature grown ups.

Unlike living in dorms during my exchange (which was a comfortable, but unfavorable experience due to the lack of cooking and cleaning convenience), or in a community house during my Urban Promise days (I enjoyed the fellowship, but felt like the designated house duties and busyness of the place kept me from expressing my own routines), I'm truly enjoying this period of living in close quarters and being challenged on a personal level of what it means to show respect and demonstrate responsibilities of being a fellow roommate, without sacrificing my routine and living comfort.

Here's to the next six weeks, Roomies.