If co-op were a novel, this would be the last chapter...

I can't believe all that I've done so far in my life, especially over the past five years!  I'm 22 and I've lived in seven cities.  Out of those seven, I've lived in five of those cities (plus Cincinnati) over the past 2 1/2 years:

1. Aurora, IL
2. Cincinnati, OH
3. Milwaukee, WI
4. NY, NY
5. Fort Myers, FL
6. London, ENG
7. Madison, WI


Over co-op, I've lived in almost every housing situation a person can live in...

Milwaukee- I lived in a hotel room.  This was insanely awesome.  Someone made the bed every day, took out the trash, washed the dishes, cleaned the room, and gave me breakfast and birthday presents.

NYC- I lived in an apartment on St. Mark's Place over a porn shop appropriately named "Cherries." I was in an attic that had a trundle bed that literally extended to the size of the room.  I lived with a guy I didn't know and I didn't even have a bedroom door.  This lasted 3 days before I moved out.
           From there, I moved into "The Pod" for about two weeks.  The Pod was a hotel on the east side.  I had a room with a sink and mirror and shared a bathroom in the hall.  The hotel was mainly filled with student travelers.
           Finally, I moved into Webster apartments in Chelsea.  This was a female hostel/ dorm.   I had my own little white room with a concrete floor.  I swear it wasn't an asylum (I'd know...  I'll get to that later).

Fort Myers- I lived in a sweet FL condo (pastel walls, dolphin statues, pool and golf course included).   Amazing.  Enough said.

London-  I lived in dorms.  And these dorms use to be an asylum.  In fact, some of the buildings weren't transformed from the asylum.  I guess there were issues with the government.  So technically, I can say I lived in an asylum (though I don't feel it's wise of me to walk around claiming such things).  The bathrooms were hilarious.  They were like airplane bathrooms.  You could stand in the shower and reach out and touch the sink on the other side.  And in between the shower and the sink was the toilet.  Oh London, you are missed.

Verona/ Madison- I'm living in a house (something normal for a change).   I'm renting a room and live with a UW professor during the week as well as two cats and a guinea pig.  On the weekends, I live with  the pets plus a golden lab, the woman who owns the house, and her daughter.  I'm the only person who is actually living in the house 7 days a week.

It's been quite the crazy adventure for me over the past few years.  I've grown a lot as a person.  There were deaths in the family, relationships and friendships ended while new ones formed, goals changed, skills improved, knowledge expanded, and so on.  I've learned how to draw, how to construct patterns, how to sew, how to use a mac (and fall in love with it), how to appreciate art and design and what the difference is between the two.

Co-op has only re-affirmed for me that work must come second.  I value relationships above all.  I've made new, and have, amazing friends.  My family has been the best support system around.  Without people to share my stories and journey with, what would I have?  With that said,  I have no intention of holding myself back from accomplishing what I desire.  Co-op hasn't always been easy, but I've grown immensely through these experiences.  I'm extremely proud of where I am now.  I'm on the right path, without a doubt, and I certainly don't regret any of it.  I'm ecstatic and frightened of what's ahead, but  I know wherever I go next, it will be with purpose.

I probably won't post again from Madison.  I leave in about one week and I really want to enjoy the time here with my friends.

Love you all and see you soon!

Sam