A Rad Veggie House – My Lost Dream

Housing is a pain to find.

I went into it thinking, Ok, I'll find a studio apartment like my sister did her second year of college. A room big enough for a bed, couch, desk, and a bathroom and small kitchen. It will be across the street from the church building, and down the street from my volunteer spot. It would have a bike trail going 30 miles in either direction. It would have a large park, public pool, and why not add in a dog?

Yeah. Housing doesn't work like that.

When I was starting to search, I didn't know what I was looking for. But I knew what my Dad thought would be a good idea. So that heavily influenced what I clicked on. A few of the links I looked at just because they had a catchy heading.

“Rad Veggie House with Cool Chicks”

I clicked on it, kind of afraid of what might load on my screen.

“Do you want to live in a beautiful clean house? Do seek a community of like-minded individuals? Do you say YES to veggies?” Do you love puppies and rainbows and tofu? How about discussions on the merits of pranayamamanama vs asha and zudo or Zimbabwe?*

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It seemed perfect. A group of girls, all vegetarian? Living super close to where I wanted to live? Near a park and bike trail and volunteer site and church? Alas, it was not to be. For a few different reasons. one being it was a few hundred dollars more each month than what I wanted to pay.

But living away from your parents has some interesting aspects. So, the past few days, I've really had to adjust to not living with them. No one wakes me up when I've been sleeping to dang long, no one reminds me to eat, or do something besides facebook stalk people. No one tells me that I shouldn't bother to write a blog at 10 at night because no one will read it anyway and my eyelids are glueing shut. Actually, no one has to tell me that last one, I've got it down.

I don't have to tell anyone where I go. I don't have to go to places.

I decided I was too tired to go to a fireside on Sunday night. And FHE on Monday night. And Institute, whatever day it is. Too tired for that.

So I have to be more accountable/responsible/not lazy.

But there are other things.

I'm paying for room and board, which means that I don't buy my own food. Right now, that's a great deal, but also means I'm putting my vegetarian dreams on hold. Because dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets are too good to give up.

Ok, I only ate those once.

I haven't found the bike trails yet, but that's not too bad, because I have traveled at least 15 miles every day by bike. I'm enjoying it.

The Church building isn't within walking distance, but the nice boy next door gave me a ride on Sunday. So that was good.

I don't live near the other corps members, or any of our volunteer sites, but that's ok, because I am really enjoying my bike rides.

And the family I live with is great.

So, rad veggie chicks aside, I like my living situation.

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Maybe later I'll start cooking.

Amy Barton, super tired halfblogger who had a great but long day today.

Anyone out there know of some good vegetarian dishes? How about your stories as a person trying to find to find your own housing for the first time? Let me know in the comments.

*I have a great deal of respect for both Yoga and the people of Zimbabwe.