April 17th, 2011
Housing has always been a source of conflict throughout the years here at UCSD. Back when me and Howard agreed to live together Freshman year, it was a simpler time, and we were comfortable in doing so in approaching a University setting where we were unfamiliar with most of the students there. In between Freshman and Sophomore year, a housing “dilemma” emerged, marked by the fact that we had three people – and needed four to fill up an apartment. I found the fourth person – Jonathan Chou, but things did not work out as expected. The drama between Torres & Chou lasted all of Sophomore year and made living conditions slightly unbearable. Ultimately I avoided choosing to live with either of them, as I decided to stay on campus and room with Amul, Kunal, and Steven. This year, the rooming situation is much nicer than last year – no drama, but also very boring. I’m super close to Amul, but the conversations I share with Kunal & Steven are superficial at best. It’s not exactly the type of living environment in which I’m against, but it’s not really the ideal living condition. To relive the joys of sophomore year without the drama involved would be my dream goal, but those days are sadly long gone.
Now, in my Junior year of college, it’s time to decide plans for next year. I now have two choices presented to me by the powers that be: 1) Live with Lauren Coleman alone at La Jolla Terrace (or find another roommate to make a three person apartment) or 2) Live with Lauren, Tyler, & 2 of Tyler’s Friends. The pros of living with just Lauren is that I wouldn’t have to deal with strangers, and could ideally live somewhere closer to campus because two bedroom apartments are easier to find. The pros of living with Lauren, Tyler, and his friends though is that rent would be much much cheaper, and it could end up being a more fun experience, with more people. Towards the beginning of the day I was leaning towards Option 1, but I decided against it, and chose Option 2.
After studying in the morning at my place, I headed straight on over to Pines to eat some lunch (Stir Fry, yum). On the way there I saw Tyler, and we had a short 10 minute conversation about housing. In those ten minutes alone, he convinced me that living with him was the best option. He apparently found a housing location about a street away from Ralph’s, which is relatively closer to campus (and maybe even closer than La Jola Terrace is). I was a bit worried about having to live in Costa Verde because it’s not really walking distance from campus, but if we get the location Tyler has found, it would make things much more simpler for me (who might be stranded on campus after shuttles have stopped running on any given day). With the rent being cheaper that way too, it makes my decision much simpler, plus the fact that I could avoid much more drama in doing so. Last year, when me and Tyler both got rejected for R.A., we agreed to live together, but I ditched him because I decided it would be much better for me to stay on campus. He was okay with it, but I’m not exactly sure I would be morally happy with the idea of ditching him two years in a row. Whatever the case, next year will probably be a fun one, in terms of housing the housing situation. Housing Dilemma averted. I ate at Pines, and was worried when an asian started cooking my Stir Fry. Luckily for me, the black guy who’s the best at cooking the stir fry took over his dish, and I was saved. It’s probably a sign I made the right decision.
When I went back to my apartment, I snapped a picture of the outside confines of my current apartment. Despite the fact that this year didn’t turn out to be exactly I envisioned, I will definitely miss living in Douglas, living on campus, and living in Warren. I better cherish these next two months, because these will be my last two months on campus. I went back to my room and watched Guys and Dolls (brings back good memories and cheered me up slightly), and Our Hospitality (a silent film for my film studies class which I fell asleep during). I ended the night relaxing and preparing for work (x2) tomorrow.
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| On April 17th, 1964, The Ford Motor Co. unveiled its new Mustang model at the New York World’s Fair. The Mustang was championed by Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca, with a suggested retail price of $2,368. The car was a great success and sold over one million cars in its first 18 months. YAY, all American company! |
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| More than 100 employees and customers at a home improvement store, crammed shoulder-to-shoulder seeking safety from one of the deadly storms that ripped through the South, screamed in near unison once the steel roof curled off overhead, the store’s manager said Sunday. They all made it out alive Saturday, thanks to quick action by Lowe’s store manager Michael Hollowell and his employees, who carried out an emergency response plan they had learned. They herded everyone to the windowless rear area of the store, away from the direct hit out front. WOW. |
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