housemates

One thing i never had the luxury of experiencing at uw was the joy of housemates.

Sure, during co-op terms, i've had a roommate or two, all of which i've loved spending time with. But i've never lived with a big group of students who have nothing really much in common except maybe mutual friends and the fact that we are all students.

i've been so lucky.

Before I came to mcmaster, i really thought my whole experience would be awful.  I remember recounting to my close friends 'i'm living with SEVEN GIRLS', and seeing the horrified looks on their faces thinking about all the drama that was going to spring up. 8 girls (including myself) sharing 2 showers/washrooms. scary.

But at the end of year 1, i found so much comfort in the creaky old house i lived in. i really only remember the happy memories of friends made, the late night conversations, and the belly aching laughs that make me still miss our old sterling house. the only negative memory i remember is the bacon at 3am. but that's a story for a different day.

Then beginning year 2, it was a crazy transition, moving into a house that was co-ed with 15 people, with the lack of a/c (and now realizing the lack of heat), sleeping with my head beside the shower, the wonky internet, the mice, the maggots. all that. But even with that, what warms my heart now and what will make me miss emerson is not all this crazy logistics, but the fun times i had with these people fighting over the stove, playing dutch blitz, playing jungle speed, prayer meetings, randomness at 2am, the teasing, the mocking, the "Friends" trivia.

Yesterday I almost teared up (though so many things make me tear up these days) because of acts of kindness my housemates demonstrate to each other. The lengths some of my housemates were willing to go  to back up someone else in the house just rendered me speechless. It's these unbelievable acts that remind me how great it is to be part of these houses.

i will miss you housemates. it's been a great 2 years :)