When I moved into a college house at the end of summer, I didn't think it would be much different than apartment living. But oh how wrong I was. Here are 10 things I have learned since moving into a house, or the "trap shack," as everyone else has kindly named our lovely home.
1. If something breaks, I have to fix it.
Never mind that I'm out of money, dying slowly of exhaustion, and living off of mac n' cheese; now my sink won't drain and I have to fix it???
2. Life is EXPENSIVE.
Paper towels, laundry detergent, antibacterial cleaner, Swiffer refills, extension cords, rugs, printer ink, tool box ... UGH.
3. Bleach can clean anything.
If something is dirty or smells bad, my solution is to just pour bleach all over it. So far, it's worked for me, other than the damage it's causing to my brain cells.
4. Leaving the lights on does raise the electric bill.
We received our electric bill last week. I screamed. Now we live in darkness because I refuse to pay $90 a month to charge my computer and study for an exam with the lights on.
5. The dishes won't do themselves.
We went two weeks without doing dishes. That will never happen again. Until it happens again.
6. I can survive up to 1 month without doing laundry.
I'll wear anything if it means the water bill is cheaper.
7. Not all neighbors are nice.
The "South Marble Neighborhood Association" hates our address. I think they call the cops just about every day for any reason they can come up with - sock in the yard, trash can out too long, cars parked on the street, random screaming at 3am. I'M SORRY I'M A COLLEGE STUDENT JUST TRYING TO STAY ALIVE.
8. Stinks bugs are from the devil.
They chill in our closets, on our ceilings, in our beds, on our walls, and in every other square inch of space in our house. Like everything else in life, bleach has been the only solution to their death thus far.
9. Expiration dates mean nothing when you're hungry.
Milk is still good at least a week after the expiration date, right? Cooking old steak kills all the bacteria, right? Probably not, but I haven't died yet.
10. I fear nothing.
It's like moving out of my parents' house destroyed all my irrational fears. I can't remember the last time I locked the front door. If I smell smoke, I just assume it's the neighbors. Our smoke alarms are covered with plastic bags so we can light candles in peace.
