Hi all,
I haven’t been so forth coming on my blog in the past several months. Partly because I’m ashamed and partly for safety issues. However, I’m just going to come out and describe what’s been going on with my living situation because, frankly, I don’t care anymore.
Last year, when I accepted this internship, I was very excited. Normally, you receive a salary for these types of internships but because of the economy and various others reasons, I did not get a salary but opted for free room and board at the school where I work.
Yes. I am living and working in the same place and it’s DRIVING ME INSANE. Think about it: I wake up every morning, walk out my door, and *poof!* I’m at work. There’s little separation between my personal and work life. Visitors are almost restricted (I had to fight to have Dan visit… they didn’t tell me this when I accepted the internship) and I can’t have candles which may seem insignificant, but I feel like I’m a child sometimes.
I basically live in a college dorm-like situation. I live alone (wouldn’t have it any other way!) and I have two bedrooms and one “living area.” One bedroom, I use for storage space. Let’s not forget that I’m coming from a full apartment from DC… I had a lot of stuff. So, that room is off-limits for me and others because I literally can’t walk through it.
The living area has an old couch, a small kitchen table and a small kitchenette. I have a VERY small refrigerator (smaller than the one I had freshman year of college!), a TINY oven, and a stove top. I haven’t used either the stove or the oven because they are so old that I don’t want to turn them on. Even if I wanted to cook (which I do, desperately), it would be almost impossible because there’s barely any food storage space. It’s just not the best living situation.
So, I’ve been living like this since late August when I moved to Pittsburgh and I’ll be here until June. The situation has many pros but also a lot of cons. Pro because I am living for free and there is no daily commute. Con because it’s seriously messing with me! I want to cook, I want to decorate! I want to have people over for goodness sake. I’m so over it! I’m a 25 year old woman and I feel like I’m stuck in a college dorm. I feel so in-between and it’s taken me a loong time to actually be happy.
Back in the fall, I was so depressed I couldn’t stand it. It probably showed through in my blogging too. I felt like I had nothing to write about. It’s one thing to move to a new city and not know anyone. It’s another thing to also hate your living situation. Luckily, I’m happy now and counting down the days until June.
You don’t even realized or understand how nice it is to let this all out! I feel so liberated that it’s out in the open!
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On another note, today I went to a doctor’s appointment located in a hospital. While I was driving out, my car just DIED on me. It did nothing! No lights, no start-up, nothing. If I had a penny for every time I had an issue with my car in the past month, I’d be rich. So, what I wanted to be an hour-ish appointment turned out to be 5 hours.
A new battery later, I was out.
I don’t think I’m going to DC this weekend – at least not today and I doubt I’ll wake up tomorrow wanting to go for just a night. The roads on the way to DC are not in the best conditions because of the recent snow fall.
My current plans for the night include watching all my DVRed shows 
What are your plans for the night?
xo,
Julie
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I was a Resident Assistant in college. I loved it, but I know the feeling of living and working basically in the same place. My building was my work. My college? My work. Even being a student, I’d get hassled all the time from other students in other buildings just being like “I have roommate issues” and of course, I didn’t blow them off because I wasn’t that person, but what was I supossed to do?
Even when I was off duty, I was still considered “working” even though it wasn’t my night. I would find places on campus where my students/residents would NOT be able to find me. I think the other RA’s had the same idea. We and the RD’s had “hang outs” places we’d go to escape our residents and just have “me” time.
Cristina´s last blog ..Oh no.
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Yea, but this is different than college life and is a professional atmosphere. This is my chosen career and if I had peers around me (whether I worked for them or not), I think I’d be happier.
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yikes. not sure i could go back to any sort of dorm-like living. BUT…. you do live for free there… but not getting an actual paycheck would drive me nuts.
I’m going to a comedy club for my new job’s holiday party! dinner and comedy
not a bad party! my regular job met at B Dubs for wings one night… whoo. doesn’t compare to comedy! annnd netflix delivered the last dvd for Weeds! yay!
enjoy your wknd!
Amy´s last blog ..Protected: She works hard for the $$$
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hang in there. funny-i’ve been there. even as far as the psych internship in pittsburgh. it will get better. june will be here so much more quickly than you think. then you’ll have a good job that you love and will take interns of your own. the living situation sucks. keep up those weekend trips. they will preserve your sanity. i know this from experience!
im on the dvr plan for the night too. enjoy! big fan of your blog by the way
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Whoa, that’s alot! No need to be ashamed. In all reality, later on, you will be glad that you aren’t going into debt and/or more debt by the housing. It sucks I’m sure, but it will be June before you know it, and this chapter of your life will be closed. You can do it:)
SouthernBelleJM´s last blog ..Answers Part One….
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Wow – I’ve never had to live so close to work, but I can relate to hating your living situation. I don’t have to deal with not being able to cook, no space, or restrictions on visitors (that would drive me nuts), but I have had times when I’ve literally been counting down the days till we moved, and it does get depressing. Just think – only a few more months, and you can leave
Mrs. Practically Pefect´s last blog ..Chicago!
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I can totally relate to Cristina about being an RA and waking up “working”…. not a fun situation, that’s for sure!
But I realize that you are no longer an undergrad and that it’s definitely not an ideal situation. But the year is more than halfway over… hang in there girl!!!
ClassyFabSarah´s last blog ..Are You LOST?
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I bet it felt Sosoooo good to get this out and off your chest!
I don’t know where I thought you were living but I didn’t realize it was practically AT work. June is 3 months away- it will be here before you know it!
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Sorry that your situation is not perfect, but you’re almost finished!! And you’ll be a better person all around for having gone through it!
And I agree that you should not travel this weekend. Too dangerous!
I’m on the sofa watching the Olympics. And loving it. Hugs to you honey!! xoxo
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What a stinky situation but yay for June being right around the corner.
Your going to go decorating and cooking crazy when you get out of there I bet!
Lil’ Woman´s last blog ..Staycation Recap : )
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The living free part, and not having to drive to work in nasty weather seems lovely too. I’m sorry they treat it like a college dorm though, I am obsessed with candles, and that one would make me crazy. In the dorms and college apartment I lived in candles weren’t allowed. I broke the rules in the college apartment. Really I wasn’t going to burn the place down. That’s awful that you can’t even cook!! I don’t know what I would do. I kind of live in my kitchen sometimes! I get the whole smalling living thing though. My college apartment was bigger then the apartment i`m in now. Not like it’s super small, but I have stuff from college, and my parents house that I moved. I am extremely high maintenance with stuff … so I have accumulated a lot of things! It’s crazy how many things a girl has compared to a guy.
I am so sorry to hear about your car! That’s scary.. at least it’s better now, but your car needs to be better to you!
We`ll definitely have to get together soon…. my life is so lame I need to go out with people lol! Maybe we can go out while the boys parents are here if you are available. They make me go insane…. haha.
Have a fabulous weekend girl!!
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Oh noo! That sounds terrible.
I’m about to downsize to an apartment that’s about a 1/4 of the size of the one I’m in now. I’ve been having a lot of anxiety about it but it’s all I can afford. I really hope it’s OK. I do have a full kitchen and it’s a bit of a commute to work at least…
I hope June comes soon and you’ll have a better living situation soon! XO
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Hey, love: I’m so glad you came clean on this & wish you’d done so sooner. You know we would have tried to help you through it! I’m glad you’re doing a bit better now & I’m sure you’ll feel even better once the weather looks up. And won’t you be done soon? <3
Let's catch up soon.
Suburban Sweetheart´s last blog ..Bottom(less Bellini)s Up!
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Hey darling,
Glad to see you back around. I can only imagine your frustration with your living situation, but like you said — just a little more time to go.
Stay sane and take care of your self.
XoXo.
DC GOP Girl´s last blog ..Weekend, Where Are You?
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Hun, I’m sorry you feel so isolated! I know it’s hard to see the blue sky thru the storm but something I learned only after looking back on my life is that, your 20′s are about sacrifices and what you do now will be the things that get you to where you will be tomorrow. You WILL look back at all of the crappy stuff you are putting up with and tell yourself it was all worth it! I PROMISE!
Find ways to treat yourself on a weekly basis, to preserve your sanity and if you can, try staying a night or two every other month in a moderately priced hotel where you can give yourself some distance from your office.
Bravo to you for chasing your dreams even among the challenges!
LipSmacker´s last blog ..Farewell Kiss
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Oh no! This sounds depressing, I don’t blame you for feeling down. I get down enough when I feel I can’t show my full personality in the work place, I crave going home and going nuts (ok, well maybe not nuts) but letting my quirky side come out. You poor thing, do you have plenty of pics up to make it feel homier? I remember when I had a tiny fridge, little counter space and a tiny oven (easy bake oven material), so I could never cook! Do you get to Skype with Dan often, or with the fam? I can’t believe they are so strict! Is there any way you can move out to an apartment? I mean, it’s free room and board so you won’t be wasting money not living there?
Anyway, best wishes, stay strong, at least you have your blog and Twitter as outlets. We’re here for you! 
Freck´s last blog ..Oh, Emo Boy, You Just Makes Me Laugh..
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I admire you for you for what you’re doing to further your career/education. Take it from someone who has never taken a big risk or made a big move in her life, you rock. I hope that you can get through this and I wish you the best!
MrsL´s last blog ..Angry
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Aww sorry what you’re going through!! It’s amazing how much your living situation can affect other aspects of your life.
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I’ve had some pretty bad living situations as well, and there is nothing worse. When you are done with a long day all you want is to go home, to your refuge. When it sucks, you feel completely torn up and icky. Blah, I’m so sorry – I had no idea you were in such a situation! I’m glad that you are able to have a good outlook on it – I think you, if anyone, can handle it and make it through to this summer! Just remember – someday all this hard work will lead to the house/apt./condo of your dreams, dammit!
piper jacquelyn´s last blog ..The Corners of my Home…
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This definitely sounds like the dorms I lived in before in high school and at RIT. It sucks but I’m sure it’ll make you more excited to move and be able to finally cook and decorate!
steph anne´s last blog ..Ending the Month with a Rainbow
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Oh sweet girl, that sounds rough. I’m sorry you’ve held it in this whole time. It’s easy for me to say now that June is right around the corner, but you’ve been dealing with this for a long time. Hang in there. Just think…you’re *thisclose* to having your own place where you have the freedom and space you need. I’m thinking of you, xoxo.
Miss E´s last blog ..Moments
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