Unexpected Friends: Embracing Bad Housing

With housing selection upon us, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my little story about my junior year housing situation. When picking rooms, my friends and I knew we wanted to live close to classes and off-campus. We also wanted a common room, so we weren’t all up in each other’s business all the time. BUT, that didn’t happen, and of course, we were put in the dreadful Loyola. Yes, Loyola Hall has air conditioning, private bathrooms, new carpeting, a gym downstairs, elevators, but we STILL didn’t want to live there.  It sounds crazy.  BECAUSE IT IS CRAZY.  Loyola 3 has been one of the greatest things to happen to me and my friends MacKenzie, Casey and Katie.

My roommate Katie and I were furious when the closest we could get to Casey and MacKenzie was two rooms down the hall on the third floor.  Of course, we were interested to see who would be in between us, and we soon found out we were separated by four football boys. Great. However, we soon realized, after we had harassed them and introduced ourselves, that we might actually be friends with these “jerks” who separated us.  

Fast-forward six months, and we are so happy we are living in Loyola and even more thankful that our lottery for rooming was so horrible. We wouldn’t have become so close with the football boys, and we wouldn’t have daily/nightly activities with the four of them. So, thank you Matt Bhaya, Coan Calabrese, Ryan Smith, and Andrew Rhodes for becoming our friends. If it weren’t for our undesirable living situation, I’m not sure we all would have become so close. Over the past four months, they have made us laugh, scared us, probably judged us, and shared countless experiences with us. After such a wonderful semester and a half, I want to share the most memorable moments we all have experienced so far- this is what happens when you live on a floor with boys:

1. Playing Baseball in Loyola Ballroom:

This was at the beginning of our friendship. We didn’t know them very well yet, but we figured we might as well go for it. They got us out easily, but we were the better ****talkers.  

2. Throwing Knives:

Definitely not suggested. We positioned a pizza box, so that it hovered in the air, and the boys showed us the proper form to throw (definitely concerning). 

3. Football Formal:

We ended up going to football formal with the boys, something I never thought I would be invited to. The football team is FUN.

4. Lighting Lysol on fire:

It was dumb but cool. Like fireworks. 

5. MTV Cribs:

Ryan decided to do an MTV Cribs special via snapchat on Coan’s phone. He showed the many facets of the Loyola dorms, making sure to hold his football during the entirety of the “show”.  We got involved when he had to show where “the magic happened,” and the camera zoomed in on all of us draping ourselves over Ryan in an effort to make it  seem like girls wanted him…. (LOL jk Ryan we didn’t even have to act!!). 

6. Room Inspection:

As many HC on-campus residents know, RA’s are allowed one random room inspection each semester, as of this year. Not that we have anything to hide, but as a precaution, the first person who hears the words “Room Inspection” has to make sure to run to the adjoining wall and bang on it to warn the neighbors of the impending inspection.  

7. TV:

We are constantly walking past the boys when going into each other’s rooms. The boys are always watching something interesting. Notable movies include Ella Enchanted, Home Alone 2, Elf, Mean Girls, and The Little Mermaid.  

8. Naked Run-bys:

We are obviously not used to living with boys, so the adjustment of not being able to walk around the halls in just towels was a tough one. So, after a few months we stopped avoiding it. We first check to make sure their doors are closed, wait until we don’t hear voices in the hall, and then make a run for it.

Moral of the story: Embrace bad living situations and always be open to new friendships.

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