FIFTY SHADES of ROOMMATES

I used to live alone (read Home Alone article) but, as some of you might know, I have a roommate now, Noura (pronounced "Noora" in English though). And as a blogger, who writes about her personal experience most of the time, I couldn't miss the chance of documenting these...

1. Gradual weirdo-ing

At first, each of the parties tries to act as polite and civil as possible. But then, just few days later, we found ourselves having a conversation about a random topic, college or even personal issues while one of us is taking a shower! And the weirdo-ing has no end...

2. The Little Things

I believe that small details matter and simple acts of kindness can change a person's day. Even just sharing a chocolate bar or even doing you roommies dishes. You'll be surprised of how these simple gestures mean a lot!

3. Extra Pair of Hands

Either it's cleaning the apartment or just bringing you something, it's definitely easier than living alone. Especially if you're living with a nice helpful person who doesn't complain if you ask them for something from the fridge while they're there, for example. But don't abuse your mate, it's not nice.

4. Moral Support

I'm talking about "Just attach the CV! What's the worst thing that can happen?" sort of conversations and prep talks. Noura helped me in this area quite a lot in a short period of time, offering advice and encouragements [insert glittery hearts here]. I gave her some advice myself, not life-saving type of advice, but I did my best so...

5. Become Better

I must admit she's the reason I wake up early for college, snoozing once or twice maximum! I'm always afraid I'll wake her up so I get up as fast as I can. (Although I'm pretty noisy while getting ready, but I'm working on it!) I also try as much as I can to not leave any dishes in the sink because it's annoying, I'm sure. Noura, I WILL DO THEM AFTER I PUBLISH THIS, I SWEAR.

6. Deep Talk

You know that kind of conversations, when you discuss ice cream flavour or your childhood ice cream memories? I call that deep. Honestly, you can know a person's personality from their Top 5 Ice Cream Flavours! Well I just made that up. Okay, Google has a different saying. Anyway, my point is, there are always deep talks when you spend a lot of time with someone. Inevitable.

7. Change of Habits

Similar to #5 but not really. When one of the roommies is a loud person, and the other has a loud notification ringtone, some changes need to be done. Some are more important than the others, though. Switching the lights at 11 pm. Turning the heating on 8 instead of, like, 5 or 2. Some are just advice, like "You should use less butter", "Don't eat now, it's 10 pm" and Noura's favourite "Stop cussing!".

8. Real Talk

No matter how hard you'll try to fake it, a roommie will know you didn't have today while meeting this person or something's not right. I share, almost unthinkably, my day's details and how pissed of I am at this professor or that apple that tasted like the worst thing in the universe and made me cringe so bad. The book I'm reading is terrible and "I can honestly write better than this!". And I listen to "I'm so proud of myself I ran 4 km today". This is how I feel less lonely in Paris.

9. Mother Care

Women are generally sensitive and caring because of what science calls "motherhood instinct". So yeah, basically, Noura and I care about each other. Not in a huge way, but as an over-thinker myself, I can see it in the small actions. Like when I fell asleep and she put a blanket on me or when she was sitting with her back bent and I told her to straighten it, etc etc, you get the point. I appreciate these types of small things.

10. Hallucinations

Okay, so this is the creepy part. At least we find it creepy! Some things, very awkward, inexplicable, happened. 

Yesterday, Noura was sleeping in a super uncomfortable position, and as a caring roommie, I tried to roll her over or something. She freaked out when I touched her then yelled "What's wrong!!!?" and I screamed terrified because she was in deep sleep and suddenly she yelled in full consciousness. Like in a horror movie. 

This afternoon, she texted me "Ah, by the way, yesterday you woke me up complaining 'What you're doing, Noura, is unacceptable!!' and I was literally doing nothing". After denying saying such thing and the utter surprise, I came to the conclusion that we should put mics and cameras in the apartment because neither of us succeeded in believing what she's done yesterday! I mean, I was just asking her how to translate what we said, and I kept saying "I can't believe I said that!". 

Living abroad makes everything a big of a deal, indeed.

A final word! 

Thank you Noura for tolerating me 24/7. And listening when I turn into a "Did you know...?" program, listing random facts with dates and numbers and countries. And thank you for listening to my stories about my weird complicated childhood. Lots of love!

If you liked this article, give it a +1 and share it with your friends! Follow me on +Google for more!! You can also be notified by email. 

There's a second part!! Click here to read it.