To live with roommates own teaches you a lot about yourself (and others).

Am I willing to do the dishes in the sink even if they aren't mine? Answer: yes. Do I have what it takes to empty a snap trap with a rat it in without waking up a male roommate? Answer: no. But I am totally able to toss the whole thing in the trash and clean up every surface the rat may or may not have touched with bleach. Will I get mad about the timing of Thanksgiving the year my roommates decided to fry a turkey and it took ages for the oil to heat up? Answer no. Luckily there was plenty of wine and fried turkey is super tasty. Do I want to live with them forever? Answer: yes, probably. Will I? Answer: no.

It's been five years since I lived in my group house in Washington DC. I miss life at 1324 but there's something pretty amazing about living on your own.