Saturday, April 23, 2005
Desperate housemates
So are you guys confused about how i feel towards my housemates? on one hand, i painted them as 2 weirdest people in earth, with some strange attitude problem, and on the other, look out for them like they are my close friends.
ok, let me put things in perspective. My housemates are a very young swedish couple, going to the same school as me. they approached me one day during orientation, asking if i want to share an apartment with them.
though young, they seemed sensible enough and we hit off almost immediately. the gal is chinese (by race), whose parents were the famous (or infamous) boat people from Vietnam during the war. she is born and raised in Sweden. He on the other hand, is the typical 'white' swedish guy. In fact, by any standard, the gal is very pretty and the guy is very charming too. i took an instant liking in them and in 2 weeks, we found a perfect apartment and moved in.
things were going well. we worked out how things are to be managed in the apartment. because of the similar enthic background the gal and i shared, a lot of things were actually quite easy. given that i lived in the bay area before, we had a pretty good head start in settling down. because there are 2 of them (it's buy one get one free!!), they could look out for me since i am here alone - they got panic if i didn't reach home the time i said i would and would call to check if i was alright.
But i guess they didn't find this whole US experience enticing enough to complete the intended education. so 2 days back, they told me they would be going home for good, really soon. i had this coming. the change in attitude (towards everything american) is the most bizzare to me. you guys have heard enough. i have got used to their queer ways of doing things. but afterall, they are still kids, with very limited life experiences.
while i may not agree with they way they handled things, i can only say that people are different. Despite their attitude problem, they did me no harm. i cannot say enough that if i were to do it all over again, i will still choose them as housemates. no one is perfect; i'm sure there are things they hated about me.
all i needed, in my housemates - decent people, no drunkards or smokers, prompt in paying bills, mind each other's own business, not petty, considerate, sincere (no crooks pls) and be open about the differences we all have (huh? too much to ask for?).
by and large, they fulfilled all the above. In fact, when her parents visited last year, we had a really good time showing them around together. because they were too young to rent a car, i rented one and acted as a tour guide cum driver for 5 days before they left for LA. Her parents would stay up and chat with me, sharing their hopes and aspirations for their daughter and she in turn showed me how much she cared for them. i also had a good time talking with her 15-year old brother.
i think deep down inside, we know we are more than 'regular' housemates. in fact, being with them for the past half year has taught and reminded me a many things; good and bad (reverse education). i am definitely grateful for the experience and the opportunity to know someone from 1/2 way across the globe.
though i think is it a pity that they wanted to give up just like that, i will be happy for them if they are happy going home. it pains me to see them (him, especially) struggling to get used to life here. as for me, i am actually a little sad to see them go. i am not angry at them for flaking out on me like that, not because we worked out a win-win in terms of the rental arrangement, but i will miss having them around.
who likes changes, especially when things are working alright. but as it is, change is the only constant. so i suppose i'm off to another new experience soon, staying on my own.
to end this, i wish the best for them, whether or not they remain together. and if i ever have the chance to see them again, i want to know that they have been happy, since going home, even if life is not all that rosy.
**(added on 24th April 05) -having made the decision to go home, my housemates are in fabulous mood. i am happy for them too. it has been quite a while since the 3 of us sat together to chat. we enjoyed a good walk round the neighbourhood to look for apartment (for me lah!) just this afternoon - just like when we started. i seriously think that i may end up crying when i send them off at the airport few weeks from now......
ok, let me put things in perspective. My housemates are a very young swedish couple, going to the same school as me. they approached me one day during orientation, asking if i want to share an apartment with them.
though young, they seemed sensible enough and we hit off almost immediately. the gal is chinese (by race), whose parents were the famous (or infamous) boat people from Vietnam during the war. she is born and raised in Sweden. He on the other hand, is the typical 'white' swedish guy. In fact, by any standard, the gal is very pretty and the guy is very charming too. i took an instant liking in them and in 2 weeks, we found a perfect apartment and moved in.
things were going well. we worked out how things are to be managed in the apartment. because of the similar enthic background the gal and i shared, a lot of things were actually quite easy. given that i lived in the bay area before, we had a pretty good head start in settling down. because there are 2 of them (it's buy one get one free!!), they could look out for me since i am here alone - they got panic if i didn't reach home the time i said i would and would call to check if i was alright.
But i guess they didn't find this whole US experience enticing enough to complete the intended education. so 2 days back, they told me they would be going home for good, really soon. i had this coming. the change in attitude (towards everything american) is the most bizzare to me. you guys have heard enough. i have got used to their queer ways of doing things. but afterall, they are still kids, with very limited life experiences.
while i may not agree with they way they handled things, i can only say that people are different. Despite their attitude problem, they did me no harm. i cannot say enough that if i were to do it all over again, i will still choose them as housemates. no one is perfect; i'm sure there are things they hated about me.
all i needed, in my housemates - decent people, no drunkards or smokers, prompt in paying bills, mind each other's own business, not petty, considerate, sincere (no crooks pls) and be open about the differences we all have (huh? too much to ask for?).
by and large, they fulfilled all the above. In fact, when her parents visited last year, we had a really good time showing them around together. because they were too young to rent a car, i rented one and acted as a tour guide cum driver for 5 days before they left for LA. Her parents would stay up and chat with me, sharing their hopes and aspirations for their daughter and she in turn showed me how much she cared for them. i also had a good time talking with her 15-year old brother.
i think deep down inside, we know we are more than 'regular' housemates. in fact, being with them for the past half year has taught and reminded me a many things; good and bad (reverse education). i am definitely grateful for the experience and the opportunity to know someone from 1/2 way across the globe.
though i think is it a pity that they wanted to give up just like that, i will be happy for them if they are happy going home. it pains me to see them (him, especially) struggling to get used to life here. as for me, i am actually a little sad to see them go. i am not angry at them for flaking out on me like that, not because we worked out a win-win in terms of the rental arrangement, but i will miss having them around.
who likes changes, especially when things are working alright. but as it is, change is the only constant. so i suppose i'm off to another new experience soon, staying on my own.
to end this, i wish the best for them, whether or not they remain together. and if i ever have the chance to see them again, i want to know that they have been happy, since going home, even if life is not all that rosy.
**(added on 24th April 05) -having made the decision to go home, my housemates are in fabulous mood. i am happy for them too. it has been quite a while since the 3 of us sat together to chat. we enjoyed a good walk round the neighbourhood to look for apartment (for me lah!) just this afternoon - just like when we started. i seriously think that i may end up crying when i send them off at the airport few weeks from now......
# posted by nic @ 5:08 PM 
