I Guess This is Goodbye

A lot has happened, so I guess a well deserved update is in order...

So I left off with Rob dropping out and turning to Kevin to see if he would like to become a new roomie. Well no go.

This is when Pat begins to reconsider. With just the 3 of us we would downsize to a 2 bedroom which would drop the overall price significantly. Although, only splitting it between 3 people brings our individual price slightly above what it would be with 4 people.

So, after a long talk with his parents Pat tells us he's out.

Well my blog can no longer be called "Living With the Guys", seeing as I will only be living with one guy. YES EVERYONE! It is still happening! Mike and I will be going solo and getting a place on our own. Personally I'm still stoked. Although this blog has lost its spark because who really wants to hear about the life of another girl moving in with her boyfriend? Wow, points for originality! But lets face it. I'm still getting my independence. I don't have to worry about slow connection on the internet because 3 gaming systems are going. AND, I can deface any surface in the place I want! (whenever I want).

AND, guess what? We've already found a place! We did it! The search is finally over!! For anyone just jumping in, I have been searching and researching for 9 (NINE) months! And we found it!

It's a quaint 2 bedroom place in Oshawa (Rossland and Simcoe), so halfway between my school and my work. I know people are looking at this and scrolling back up to see if they read it right. Yes it is still only Mike and I, and YES we did go for a 2 bedroom.

REASON 1:
- It's in the same building/same floor/next door, to Mike's brother's place. So Mike gets to see his nieces more often.
REASON 2:
- We have an open room. (Which will be used as my office at first). This means that when one of my friends decide that they want to move out, they will have a place to go and we will have someone to split rent with. So anyone interested in moving into a furnished apartment???
REASON 3:
- Did I mention I get an office???? (Not a real reason but I thought it was cool).
REASON 4:
- Honestly, the price is not a big difference to a 1 bedroom.

So I'm in the dilemma over whether or not its a good idea to continue this blog. You guys have been supportive in posting comments and subscribing, but I don't know if this blog is going to be the same. Do you wanna hear about the (hopefully) UOIT student, who is moving into her first place with her boyfriend, who works at New York Fries at minimum wage trying to make rent and tuition, who just obtained her own company, AND who looks like she'll have NO time on her hands to do anything?

We'll see...

Ciao.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

Rob has dropped out of the apartment.

After he told me (and after I realized all my attempts and persuading him otherwise were useless) I didn't know whether to scream or cry or curl up and give in.

It's hard.... But his family needs him.

Also I'm not completely unprepared.
For anyone who knows me will know that I have about 20 backup plans up my sleeve. Rob had decided he wasn't going back to his seasonal job come spring. Although he then found it difficult to find another job. So we had been keeping an eye out for potential cheap 2 bedroom apartments or a potential new roommate if it came down to that. But I still can't help but morn the death of the original.

I will commence backup plan #1 tomorrow. -Ask backup roommate, Kevin.

Here's hoping everything works out for the best.
Stay tuned, and wish me luck!
-Kate.

P.S. Enclosed is an old picture of Rob and I at the bar.

The View

The heat is mounting.

The time is coming for us to finally find our apartment. This became very apparent when we viewed our first place! We drove up the street of a quiet court in Oshawa and our first impressions were good. The neighbourhood was quaint and Mike was excited that there was a Mary Brown`s just around the corner. The landlord greeted us with open arms and my original fears flew away. It helped too that the first room I walked into was a beautiful kitchen. Walking further in we could see that the place was very pretty and well maintained and we were rather excited on the prospects that we may have found the place on our first try. We saw the first 2 bedrooms and were lead out and up to find the 3rd room that was going to be Rob`s. Well, in nice terms... it was a closet. A very small closet.

And from there things went down hill. Rob wasn`t very impressed by his `room` and when Mike and I went back to check the master bedroom we found there was no closet. Seeing as we had talked about expanding a small closet, no closet was not going to work. There was a "dinning room" that the current tenants had converted into a babies room and Mike and I teetered on the thought that we could add some sort of door and make that our room, giving Rob the master. But under further consideration we decided for $1100 a month it wasn't worth it.

So the hunt continues.
Stay Tuned!

-Kate.
80 DAYS TO GO!

It's Official!

The Guys and I had our first OFFICIAL meeting concerning everything from the apartment search and moving in day, to rent splitting and washroom scheduling. We met in McDonalds at 7:30pm, buying food and snacks, preparing ourselves for a long heated discussion. I was honestly worried about how things were going to turn out. I expected debating, a little voice raising, and even a food fight. But it wasn’t like that at all. It went better than I could ever imagine.

Obviously Pat, Rob, and I have been friends since Grade 9 but high school sported a lot of drama. Uneasy tension and bad karma could still be floating around. But its times like these that make me believe we might actually be entering adulthood (Sort of). Let’s face it, our meeting took place in a McDonalds with a PlayPlace.

We started off with just casual conversation and a little bit of goofing off as Pat and Rob had dinner, but then we got down to business. And we were all on the same page!

We agreed on everything! We all wanted to same things in an apartment, and had already agreed on our budget. Three bedroom, laundry on site, all inclusive (which means that utilities are included in the rent), and working appliances. Oh and I added that cats have to be allowed. We all agreed on communal groceries, PVR with Rogers Cable, and no house phone. We agreed how the rent and the other bills were going to be split, and that we all want to stay in Whitby (Ontario), but North Ajax is an option. We’ve also decided we’re renting a truck to move all our crap.

We also made a list of what everyone has for communal use:

Mike: cutlery, plates, bowls, mugs, and 3 couches.

Pat: bowls, plates, and cutlery.

Me (Kate): plates, bowls, mugs, toaster, dishwasher, kettle, fry pan, TV, serving dish, dining table, Crockpot, and $100 gift card to Home Sense.

Rob: 4 plastic blue cups.

(So we’re missing a Microwave and a vacuum if anyone has one.)
All in all I’m super stoked and CAN’T WAIT!

120 days to go! and counting. Ciao!
-Kate.

Chef at Home.

Hello Everyone!

I am looking for some answers to yet another dilemma. Cooking!

I LOVE cooking. I grew up with a father who spent his early career cooking in restaurants (before entering into a career in computers). Even without the title of "chef" you can still find him on a Sunday afternoon with a new recipe in his hand and the whole house smelling delicious. Between my mother and him you can imagine that the Food Network is on constantly.

Since I was young I was always excited to move out just so I could cook whatever I wanted. My mother bought me a new cookbook for Christmas and I've been flipping through it constantly making note of what recipes I want to try. The other night I also finally watched "Julie and Julia" (4 stars!). So my brain had been constantly on food and wanting to cook.

Well... How do you cook for THREE guys??

Patrick is allergic to peppers.
Rob is allergic to mushrooms.
And Mike has indigestion and is just plain picky.

I went into Coles Bookstore today to see if I can find anything that may have something like "cook for the guys while still keeping your waist down and enjoying the meal".

YA NO LUCK.

Now my mom just says that I should just not cook for them. But its not that I will be the only one cooking every meal (we will all be pulling our weight equally and it's A LOT cheaper to make one big meal rather then 3 small ones). Also, I enjoy cooking. And I enjoy cooking for others. So please all you feminists out there... don't take my head off. It's for enjoyment, not housework.

So I was wondering if anyone knows of any good recipes, sites, or books, that you would recommend to feed typical 20-year-old guys? (While off course, keeping me happy and away from a lot of greasy, fatty food).

Thanks!
-Kate.

(Picture from Kraft Kitchens)

Speak of the devil...

and he shall appear, its me (pat) honestly my opinion on the paint matter is the one that was presented, yes i know some people care what the color of the walls are in the place that they live, but most likely in an apartment, you get white, and since most of what I'm going to be doing inside the apartment is sleeping...or other things that don't require staring at the walls, I don't quite care if they are plain white. I mean yeah she can go ahead and spend said money..but don't look at me to spend some. Anyways that's just a guys opinion on the matter.


                                                                                                                                                         we out.

The Break is Over and Colour is in the Air.

Hello to all! I am sorry for having such a long break on a brand new blog. I promise I’m keeping this up December is just brutal for classes and exams and family stuff. After having assignment after assignment due, and then exams I just didn’t want to see a computer and spent my vacation with family and friend or just on my own with a good book in my hand (which was definitely missed after having to read all that crap school). But that’s not what this blog is about (per say)

I am still counting down the days till JUNE 1st, which is the date we are aiming for to move out. No real progress made on that front through this break because no apartments have been posted for June time yet. My aunt and uncle did give me a gift certificate to Home Sense so when June does finally come I have some money to put towards decorating. Which according to the guys is “redundant”. Well not decorating but one of my new roomies is against painting. I do see where he’s coming from on the fact that it’s money that can be used for more permanent and useful things. And also what if it doesn’t work out and we don’t stay there. But if I have the money (and it’s mine, not his), I would like to paint. As an artist and simply as someone who enjoys colour I wouldn’t be able to live in a dull space. And I think it would make it feel more like home, making it easier to adapt to living there.

What’s your thoughts? Painting? Not Painting?

Maybe if we’re lucky Patrick will post his opinion on the matter. ;)

Ciao, Kate.

The Television Debate.

So Patrick and I were having a debate over what to do about the TV situation that will occur in our apartment.

Each of us have our own TV, and each of the guys have their own gaming system (I do have one but with two little brothers I have to leave it behind with them, but I just get to play Mike's). So that's 4 TVs and 3 systems. (We are all big gamers remember). So we are each going to have a TV in our room with a game system.

Well Mike and I don't need 2 TVs so we said we should put one in the living room as a communal use TV, and that way we will just get cable for that one TV. Well problem is that Mike has a nice, pretty, and large TV. Where mine is pretty but only 15''.

The Dilemma: Mike doesn't want to play his games on my 15'' (don't blame him). And the 15'' is way too small for all of us to sit around and watch TV or a movie on.

The Solution: Buy a new TV.

I can hear people saying, why the hell do you need 5 TVs?! Well seeing as we are all gamers, and I am actually studying television at University, we really do. Certain things in life are just necessary. - HEEHEE

Mike and I came across a 32'' LCD TV for $570 after taxes. We can split the costs 4 ways and that way we're only paying about $150 each.

Patrick argued that a used Tube TV would be just fine and cheaper. But I am biased and in my program the old box TVs have been rendered useless.

What do you think?? The old Tube TV at a way cheaper price, or splurge and go for the Flat screen?

The Voice of One of the Guys.

I would like to introduce you to Patrick!

He's the newest addition to the blog but an old companion of my life. And as the title indicates he's one of the boys I will be moving in with in June.

I've given him authorship in the blog so he can pull some cameos and blog about his own experiences about moving out of his parents house and in with ME (and mike and rob).
Plus it will give the readers a look at the whole craziness from one of the guy's point of view.

Stay tuned to learn about Pat and our adventure, and check out his blog! - WOOT!

Cheers!

My Decision.

Many people have asked me why I’m doing it. Why I am choosing to live with three guys?

I grew up with TWO little brothers and my dad. So you can imagine my house is already full of testosterone. Plus, I argue that girls can be really petty, and annoying in large dosages. (I can feel the eyes of all my girlfriends glaring at me). - LOVE YOU!

And it’s true that I love my girlfriends, but I’ll be the first to admit we wouldn’t be able to live together. And I’m definitely not denying them from spending long weeks on my couch giving me that little bit of girl time that every woman needs. =)

And I will be the first to say that my guys are not normal guys. They too are videogame geeks. Patrick, my best friend from high school is in fact studying gaming at UOIT. Rob, another friend from high school who we actually got a lot closer after graduation, is one of the top rated Halo players of all time. Would probably be the best if he didn’t have a life working full time and sleeping around with random woman. The third being the love of my life, Mike.

I am convinced that it will work, no matter the horror stories I’ve heard. Although I’m still open to stories and maybe some tips of living with roommates and guys. >.<

Cheers!

Picking the Needles Out

I just spent the last hour pulling out cactus needles from my little brother’s foot. I know your thinking, “how did he manage that?” Well it wasn’t the brightest move on his part.

My kitten, Captain, is still tearing at my mother’s furniture. So to get her to stop one of her scratching sessions Dylan climbed over the chair she targeted and tried to grab her. Through showing off to his friend and genetically inherited clumsiness, he managed to slip off the chair, sending his foot swinging into a small cactus sitting on the windowsill next to him.

This cactus may have been small but it holds thousands of tiny little needles that immediately stuck into the bottom of his foot. Once we found out, my other brother and I sat him into a rolling chair and pushed him to the bathroom, placing him into the tub filled with hot water, jeans and all. I then sat by the tub going between soaking it and pulling each tiny needle out one by one. I’m not exaggerating when I’m telling you there were a hundred needles in his foot, and all very hard to see.

I got his friend to take pictures while I was doing it but neither of us noticed I didn’t put the memory card back in. So I have no pictures but the own you have developed in your head. And yes, it’s as comical as you imagined.

Let’s just say as hard as I tried, there are still a few tiny ones that he can feel in the bottom of his foot when he walks. - IDIOT.

Help

Hello to everyone out there in cyberspace.

How many of you can remember all those times you procrastinated something? Homework, work, cleaning. We all are guilty of it. My question is, how do we stop it?

I currently have no desire to write my two final essays of the semester and cannot keep my mind on them. I am finding every excuse to avoid doing them. The funny thing is my mother is doing the same thing. She has to write an exam for a job and she hasn’t studied in years. Although, now I know where procrastination comes from.

So help us! What are your tips for keeping on task?

I finally found it. The perfect addition to my morning commute.

Last year, my first year of starting into the institution of university, I “comfortably” lived just minutes away from my classes in the on campus residence. Now, due to the poor student funding, I have found myself back at home for my second year, slavishly commuting 1 ½ - 2 hours a day. (The 30 extra minutes depends on whether or not I give up the $2.75 to take the subway - YUCK!)

So now my mornings consist of a very set routine. I get up 3 hours before my first class starts. This is extremely brutal when I have an 8am class Monday mornings. (I can see you, some of you are wincing). Take the bus to the train, then the train to union station, then union (subway or walking) to school. Well in my routine I don’t always have time in the morning for breakfast or caffeine. So it came to my attention that I need a stop while on my way to school where I can fulfil my hunger and caffeine needs. And it turned out to be a lot harder than I thought... well at least the breakfast portion of it.

The caffeine fix automatically became Starbucks. I know, you’re thinking: “what is a starving student doing drinking Starbucks?”. Well I don’t drink coffee, but I do drink lattes or tea or hot chocolate. And let’s face it, Starbucks isn’t popular because they look pretty. They make some GOOD shit. (pardon my French).

Anyways, the hard part became breakfast. Now I pass a ton of breakfast places on my way to school. And I’ve tried them all! I’ve experienced some very dry croissants, some questionable muffins, and some (insert nasty, gross, potentially expired word here) yogurt. But that’s when I found it. The perfect breakfast. A bagel!

I know, I know. A bagel? Really? But it took me awhile to find this. I tried other bagel places but I found them to be dry or the toppings weren’t good. But I found a place that actually has fresh tasting bagels, and it’s right in union station. Michel’s Baguette! Moist, fresh, poppy seed bagel with butter and jam. YUM! I recommend it for the food critic in all of us. But let me be the first to warn you, the service is awful. But I’ve put that aside for the perfect morning bagel for only $1.53.

Cheers!

Welcome!

I see you have found yourself into my blog, my thoughts, my... diary? Ok, a little far. I promise I won’t coo over boys or rant on about my mother (at least not too much).
It wasn’t until recently that I found my life even worthy about blogging about. I lived your average suburban life, spending most of my time behind a book or the screen of a computer. But somehow, I’ve landed myself in the busiest city in Canada, studying the course of my dreams, and well... just trying to get by day to day.

This is my second year at Ryerson University studying Radio and Television Arts. And I’m at a hump in my life. Last year I lived right in the heart of downtown in the residence building on campus. Let me be the first to tell you it sucked (I’ll keep the scoop of living in res life to a later date). Now, due to money, or lack thereof, I’m living back at home with the parental and two little brothers - GAH! Although, come June 1st I will be moving in with three of my best friends, and yes, they are all guys!

And that’s where this blog is heading. I’m just about to finish my first semester of this year and really going to start planning and doing it. I’m finally going to get out of my parents house and I’m going to be “Living With the Guys”.