Things I've learned at UCU

I moved out of UCU this past weekend. I scoured the whole house looking for any remaining remnants of me...blow-up toys, flip flops under the guys couch, VHS's scattered in the basement. My wallet feels empty without my magnetic key. For the first time since September 2007, all of my stuff is now at my parents house. For the first time in two years, I will not call UCU home.

This is a compilation of memories and lessons learned while at UCU. Perhaps it can benefit those entering the house (yeah Lisa!) but mostly I do it for my own therapeutic needs.

1) You can always make time for mischief. ALWAYS.

2) The guys living room is the perfect place to study at night, especially for finals...annnd if you want to be interrupted by amusing conversations with your male comrades next door.

3) Steer clear of the desserts if you want to keep away from the freshman fifteen. Except raspberry buttercake. And chocolate cookie bars. OH and those brownies with solid chocolate in the middle! And rhubarb-strawberry crisp and....

4) Don't judge people based on your first impressions. Examples: Marg the conservative country girl, Juan the awkward foreigner, Dan the Dad, Anna the nerdy bookworm ( i dont know where the heck I got that idea from), Mindy the ball of fun (well, that was right), Tage the beachy manwhore.....hah, I could go on. All false. Just give everyone a chance, like they give you.

5) Try to talk to Rupert, our resident vagabond (that is, if he'll stay in your vicinity for more than 10 seconds). I've been trying to figure that guy out for a while. Just don't agree to sew his pants....he may fall in love with you.

6) If possible, create an exclusive secret society.

7) The kitchen is where everything happens.

8) Try to keep your giggling during Lauren's joint meetings at a minimum. It's poor form.

9) Even though we all complain about monday meetings, bible study is what you all make it. Be transparent.

10) Invite the guys to watch the Bachelor. They might just dig it.

11) Anything crazy happens after 11pm.

12) You can sleep when your dead.

13) Dont get enough sleep and YOU WILL DIE.

14) You can only have so many grape fights on friday night dinners at the guys house before it gets old, quick. Dont be that girl.

15) Get to known Alli, sooner rather than later. She's so cool, and I only got to scratch the surface.

16) Encourage singing at the dinner table. And animal noises. Just always stick around, dont scarf down your food in 8 minutes (guilty as charged)

17) If you can manage, wake up early. Spend time with God before the houses start their day.

18) Have a phone booth party. It will probably be the only time you'll ever spend in there (don't even bother to answer the girls landline. Its almost always Qwest or Pepsi...or a prankcaller from next door)

19) Your social life will sometimes revolve around meals due to schoolwork. And thats a Godsend.

20) Third deck is the better floor, hands down.

21) There's a sign that says no going on the roof, buuuut....all I'm gonna say is that i've had some great one-on-one time there with the big guy upstairs. And perhaps some summer cigar time.

22) Invest in a fan and earplugs. Those Beta boys are freakin' LOUD.

23) Oh, and super entertaining. I've seen those guys do just about anything in those windows...pluck their eyebrows, do the deed, pee out the 4th floor window....

24) In general, try to block out what you hear (and see!) from the neighbors next door.

25) Refrain from waking the guys up before 9am, even if its for a nice prank. Especially Juan.

26) Dont schedule anything during dinner. That's precious time to bond with your ladies. Also, have girl nights often to keep informed. Just dont let the guys know, or else they'll get ya with a axe bomb.

27) Always try to stick around after lunch. The topics of conversation always prove to be...enlightening.

28) On that note, watch what you say. I had trouble with this sometimes, and would just blurt out stuff to add entertainment. The worst feeling is to say something that you regret, especially if it gives others a false understanding of who you are.

29) Water balloon filling is always better from the bathroom tubs.

30) Pranks are a requirement of living in the women's house. Period.

31) If you ever feel the urge to spy on a guy's meeting--STOP RIGHT THERE. You may end up being dragged from your closet by a group of wild savages ready to pin you down and threaten you with a 5 foot sword. Also, dont touch their bell. Infact, dont do anything shifty while they're on their testosterone high. They get pretty riled up.

32) Do IMA intramural with the house. UCU ultimate 09, baby!

33) Bathrooms are where you will hear the most poignant discussions on God, love, and life.

34) Dishes with music makes it that much better.

35) Understand that when you initiate a water fight, you are guaranteed to come out the loser. Thats just how it works with those guys. And never stand on the porch between their house and the kitchen door. I've seen far too many fall victim to the toilet's power.

36) In need of a good cry session? Get a blanket, a dvd (Notebook or PS I Love You are sure-fire winners) and let it all go with your best girlfriends.

37) If a big burly black guy comes in and says that he's one of Chad's friends, call the police!

38) Live there in the summer if possible. Cheap, layed back, crazy times.... it was the main reason why my summer 08 was so dang good.

39) Need time away? The girls porch on a sunny day is the perfect place to unwind.

40) Don't be afraid to speak up in meetings. Or in any situation, really. If you believe in it, say so.

41) Even when you feel like you dont have any time, make sure you take breaks throughout the studying. Make a smoothie, run around the house with a british accent, have a good discussion. It will make you feel better AND you'll be more productive. Just dont ever get it in your head to scare the guys by rapping on their basement window or shoot water balloons at passer-byes. Though I love mischief, it can really reveal my foolishness sometimes.

42) The 17th ave guys are a waste of time. Note: This doesnt pertain necessarily to what i've learned at UCU, just good common knowledge.

43) Play boardgames if you've got a group gathered around the table with nothing to do. I didn't do that enough.

44) Be who you are. Dont wait 2 months in before showing your personality.

45) Dont be tempted to stay within the confines of your house. Community is available anywhere, even right outside your door.

46) On that note, get to know the men's ucu house sooner rather than later. You might find some pretty cool people live over there.

47) Dance away your problems with the 17 other girls you live with. Roomie dance parties in the morning are especially encouraged.

48) Be intentional with others, especially the girls in your house. Its easy to pass off spending time with them just because you live with them. Go to coffee, take a walk around the neighborhood...dont assume those relationships just because of proximity. Work on them, feed them.

49) Anytime you hear a conversation headed toward the topic of relationships, stick around. You are guaranteed to hear the greatest soundbites.

50) Realize your appreciation for the house and show it while you're there.

UCU has been my foster family for the past two years, and pretty much the bulk of my college experience thus far. Who knew that my second choice for a living situation would turn out to be such a life-impacting experience? Needless to say, I have been blessed, and God knew that's where I should be even when I couldn't see it.

I will miss that house. But my adventures with the people who have passed through those doors will continue.

Now, on to new things!