Last weekend, I decided to go to the last football game of the season instead of freaking out about the finals that would be cornering me soon. It was a blast to bundle up drinking hot chocolate, and watch our team beat the other ever so closely. Our commentary was ridiculous, switching from who was cute, nice, good at football, and the amazing plays we were watching. All around, it was amazing to have those moments.
But that isn't all that has been going on in my life. And to be fair, it was probably mean to do it; however, it had to done. I can't always be Ms. Nice Girl.
Ever since I have moved back to college, I have been living in the apartments, which is really great and all, but there has been issues with one of my roommates about cleanliness. About her not doing her mountain of dishes until I ask her to do them a week later, and wrecking objects (my things) she uses. This is not even the worst of it.
Since she does not understand that we do not employ a maid, and that I am not a maid even though I am poor, I have found myself cleaning the apartment more than I have time to. One day, (it was my birthday) the beginning of fall break was starting, and I was super happy to go home and spend time with my family. I had everything done, I vacuumed, did my dishes, asked my roommate to do her dishes, took out the trash, so everything should have been clean when I came back. The greatest way to come back home. However, I come to find my roommate had not done her dishes at all (they covered the kitchen), and she was supposed to leave in ten minutes.
I flipped. I admit it. My outrage at her not doing them even though I told her about the smell in the apartment (disgusting) and how it was coming from those exact dishes, and how I asked her three times before that did not get it in her dense head that maybe she should have done her dishes earlier. Even telling her that we could get sick from her not doing her dishes helped. Finally pointing out that I was NOT going to do her dishes and that it was my 20th BIRTHDAY made her say sorry. Over and over again. I didn't want to be apologized to, I wanted those disgusting, rotting dishes done. Sorry does not clean the dishes.
Weeks went by, and I found myself being a mother to a teenage daughter... and I am 20. Reminding her to do her dishes, getting angry about it when she didn't after a while, then when she threw fits about getting yelled at for not doing them, I found myself soothing her and getting her to do her dishes.
Then last week, I was sick of cleaning the apartment without help, and living in filth when I couldn't get to it. So, I devised a plan that both of my roommates and I would pick chores out of a hat and we would do them. Smartest plan ever!!! However, I admit my mom helped me with the plan. Haha!
I was going to do this during the weekend since I never had time during the week. It is just not possible. Thursday before last weekend she comes up to me, and asks if I could do a huge favor. I agree to drive her to a gas station to get her hunting license because she was apparently leaving Friday to go to her aunts for deer opener. How utterly convenient.
So quickly I told her about the chores thing, she offered to vacuum before she left and said she was willing to pick another chore out of the hat. She ended up with the recycling. I had to clean the bathroom and other roommate got something else. I thought to myself, 'This is going to work!!! I am going to actually get her to do something in this apartment'. I felt so accomplished.
...But all night, she looked at online shopping while watching T.V, and when I came back from class the next day I found that none of it was done yet. I told myself to breathe, and that she would do her chores before she left. She promised. No one breaks promises.
By 1:30pm, I see her come out of her room, and after hearing about her great nap, I asked her when her aunt was picking her up. Her response? Now this is timeless... 2:00pm. I reminded her about doing the vacuuming, the recycling, and her dishes. Getting a "I know, I'll try." did not please me. Before you leave for a weekend, you do our dishes. That is respectful to the people you're living with and just plan nice to come back to. It's a win- win situation.
When I come back from my last class, nothing was really done, the recycling was done, but nothing else. I find a note for me and my other roommate. When I read it, all I hear is attitude, telling us that she couldn't do all of HER chores, and that she was sorry about not being Superwoman.
My response in my head? 'Well, I am sorry that I am responsible and can manage my time between cooking, cleaning, doing homework, studying, having a life and working out while getting enough sleep. But hey, I thought that was normal. I guess I am Superwoman. Wow, Superwoman is so ordinary.'
My outward response? I threw all her dishes into a trash bag and put them in her room. I had been told many times to do this, and I felt bad about thinking about it, but that was it. IF she wanted to see Superwoman in action, she should have thought about the consequences. Superwoman is all about justice. And my justice is that I am through with being treated like a maid. I wouldn't mind it if she paid me, but I haven't seen a penny from her.
She hasn't talked about it at all, or have finished her chores since coming back home this week. But, we'll see how that is by the end of the weekend. Ms. Nice Girl left a long time ago, and Superwoman stands in her place demanding justice.
And Superwoman ALWAYS wins... true story.
