Here on campus I live in a flat/apartment style housing. 2 stories, 7 bedrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 bathtub, 1 shower, 2 toilets. You get the picture. There are 4 boys and 3 girls including me living in our little flat #41. So, not to speak pridefully, but I think I make a good first impression on people when I meet them. I not too nervous, I have a firm handshake, I can make nice eye contact, etc. Put these together and I can have a friendly, inviting first greeting. This has not been the case with my flatmates, however. None of them really linger in the hallways, or even eat in the kitchen. Needless to say, I haven’t seen much of any of these “flatmates,” if they even all exist. Well, the second day I was here I decided it was time to take a shower, wash up a little bit. Wearing just a towel and about to hop in the shower was less than an ideal time for my first flatmate to introduce himself, but that’s how it happened. This was Jeff, the kind gentleman who directed me to the grocery store. Ironically, I did not see or meet one more flatmate until the following day, walking back to my room directly from another shower. I was so thrown off, I don’t even remember that guy’s name. Luckily, I met another American girl living in my flat while I was fully clothed later, so that was somewhat better timing when I met Julie. The story does not end there though! Yes, you’re thinking this is not even real. Let me tell you, my humiliation is telling the truth. Right on schedule, last night walking into the shower again, Nathan decided to introduce himself. Not exactly my type of first impression, but I have a feeling they all might remember me.

Other than not being able to look at all my male roommates from now on, things have been going well. I had a meeting today before I start classes. My adviser had me switch around a class leaving me with classes only on Monday and Thursday. What could I possibly do in Europe with 5 days free of classes? Hm, looks like I have the world in front of me, and some flights to book!  

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” J.R.R. Tolkien