Moving In - The First 48 Hours

It has now been just over 48 hours upon checking into the Sensenbrenner this weekend, just to let you know that I am currently alive.

The morning of the day of the move in came like most others, I woke after sleeping upon my comfy blue Carriage House apartment couch, pleasantly got ready, and welcomed my parents who would be helping me move / clean.

After a brief breakfast, the painstaking process of packing and moving commenced. Realizing I could not take all of my processions I had grown accustomed to in the Village, much was to be left behind in storage. Kitchen supplies for no kitchen.... boxed, decorations and art once adorning all of the beautifully finished walls and vaulted ceiling.... stored, books once filling the shelves..... sent away... and slowly, my beloved apartment was disappearing.

Slowly, over the course of about 7 trips to and from the Sensenbrenner, down 3 flights, up 3 flights, the chosen items were brought, with the main items being the summer clothes, computer, printer, a few books and decor, a smaller TV, non-perishable foods, and a few, but not many, random things.

Finally, after 8 hours, it was time to shut the door and with tremendous sadness, I removed the Village flag (folded in the appropriate manner) and locked the door.

(SILENCE)

I thanked and watched my parents leave and then it was off to figure out this room. I looked upon my door to Room 310 where a pleasant "Welcome to SNC" sign was located. Past this, I began to sort through my various items I had brought for this endeavor and the long process of rearranging items. One of the two closets was designated for clothes and food, the other for random non-clothes and food items. My beautiful plants luckily survived the trip and have not responded negatively to the Sensenbrenner water.

I next investigated the bathrooms... 3 sections, sinks, toilets, and showers with a strange color tiling, flourescent lights, and tinted windows. Hmm.

I sat upon my newly made bed and thought for a long time. If anything else, this room will be a place of contemplation as it forces you into a state of undistraction...

SUDDENLY, a rumble from down below. CARTS. Yes there were carts and people pushing them going across the cement blocked walkway, making rumbling noises along the way. This continued for a few minutes and then went away. 10 minutes later it returned, then again, until I lost track of this obnoxious distraction to my getting-used-to-the-room time, but why anyone should have to 'get used to' this place is beyond my understanding of the world.

I eventually fell asleep and awoke the next morning particularly tired. After spending a day sitting at the room, it began to sink in that I could not return to my Village apartment for over 2 months. The answer to this pain was to go shopping, which after church I did, getting such necessary supplies as 3M tabs, shower shoes, and etc.

Oh yes... I forgot the shower experience. In the morning realizing that I would need to use these 'public showers' I began to prepare a bundle of new clothes, towels, and soaps I would need for this new experience. I proceeded to the showers area and to my satisfaction they were all available. After waiting 3 minutes, the water finally came to be warm and I began my low-water pressure shower. How anyone is to not get their other belongings wet is beyond my current comprehension, but I will need to evaluate the best method of this in the near future.

That evening, I returned to find the room extremely and unpleasantly hot, and immediately began the army of fans and other items to cool down the room, which did NOT work fast enough. I lay on my bed and luckily eventually the sun went down and a cool breeze commenced.

In going to the rest room, I found it odd that I suddenly heard both male as well as female voices in the male-only bathroom. In fact, it sounded like quite the social was going on. MUCH to my disdain, a hair-cutting party for a student on the floor had commenced in the sink area with about 4 female friends. Immediately returning to my computer, I found a RA friend who investigated and kindly reported back that they would be leaving soon, and no, they would not be sent away as I inquired (we have stricter laws obviously in the Village). I settled upon the alternative rest room down the hall, but this invasion must certainly not continue.

Sitting in my room, I again began thinking of my beloved Village I had left behind and put in a movie on my laptop, as it wouldn't play on the desktop. I comfortably fell asleep watching ( I will need to finish it tonight as I need to know what happens to Harry Potter) which started my current day, Day 3 of life in this... place.

I shall continue to be strong today/tonight in the great spirit of the Village. As an ambassador of the lifestyle of the Village, I must show to the other on the floor (who I have yet to meet) that yes, residential life can be brighter than this. We must not loose hope as we fight for survival in this place they call.... the Sensenbrenner Hall.

Lesson of the Day: Always wear 'shower shoes' as the tiled floor is not pleasant.