Several weeks ago I wrote an article about living with my current roommate, a very close friend of mine. To quickly recap: My roommate very much appreciates cleanliness, while you might say I am more relaxed about housekeeping.
We worried at first that this would present a problem. After all, many close friends who move in together do not speak by the end of the year. Yet luckily my friend and I have managed to live together successfully.
And yet, my lease for my off-campus efficiency starts this week. That's right: I'm living by myself next year. "How did this happen?" my friends understandably question. "Trouble in paradise? I thought everything was great," another friend volunteered a week ago.
To which I sighed: "We both thought she was going abroad for the semester and I didn't want to have find another roommate." With her springtime absence in mind, I signed my lease and happily received my free key chain.
However, my roommate decided shortly after I committed to my new home that she would stay in Baltimore next year. "No!" I cried angrily. Why couldn't you have told me that before I signed my lease?" "I'm sorry," she responded. "I just didn't know. This really [is quite unfortunate].
We glanced at the Ben & Jerry's carton and red nail polish in front of us. We were having a girls' night and we knew it was one of the last. We heard Britney question through the speakers of my laptop: "loneliness up ahead, emptiness behind, where do I go?"
We shook our heads, laughing. How melodramatic. But we both knew what the other was thinking: It will never again be the way it is right now.
It hit me: I am living on my own next year. True, I had a single in the AMRs but my neighbor and good friend lived next door. My wonderful RA lived right down the hall. And I had friends in the adjacent houses.
But it will be different next year. There is a good chance I will not know my neighbors. There won't be any RA around to comfort me when I almost electrocute myself pulling out a deformed MacBook charger from the socket in the wall. I won't be able take the elevator downstairs and ask maintenance to clean the part of my carpet where I spilled 3x concentrate detergent.
In short, I will be granted an unprecedented amount of independence. No more midnight runs to Charles Street Market. And when it's 3 a.m. and I can't sleep, no best friend will be there to pop in and ask, "Hey Fluger, enjoying life?"
But I'll cheer up. Living by myself has major perks. No suitemate asking you to please stay in your room for the next several hours. No doors opening and closing. No bathroom to share. No High School Musical blaring from the other room. (OK, that's not fair: we both enjoy the HSM soundtrack.)
At first I thought, what will I do at one o' clock in the morning when I need advice and my roommate is not there? How will I be able to sleep?" And then a more reasonable voice answers me; going to bed is the best thing you can do for yourself anyway. You'll see your friend in the morning."
In fact, living by myself will probably be quite empowering. I stayed on campus this past intersession.
I have to say, I was more focused on my schoolwork, ate more healthily and went to the gym more often while on my own. So I know I can take care of myself. Actually, I am quite excited about it.
My three friends are in one apartment to the left, another living a few blocks to the right, and me, basking in the silence and spaciousness of my new efficiency.
My roommate finally found an apartment: She is living with two other mutual friends in a three-bedroom apartment, leased at an excellent price. My three friends are in one apartment to my left, and another will live a few blocks to the right. Several more are living across from the Hillel building, where I spend much of my time.
Ultimately, between my large efficiency, and their great deals, I'd venture to say that we will be just fine.
