Here are 25 things I learned from living in #25:
1. Living 2 blocks from BYU campus is kind of awesome.
You know that energy at a basketball game - everyone is excited, everyone around you has the same goal - a "we're all in this together" kind of energy? That kind of energy is always present. I look out the window and see people trudging to class at 7:30am and I feel for them. I wait in 10 minutes of traffic just to turn into our complex. I love that energy and I love living in the middle of it.
2. Living 2 blocks from BYU campus is kind of awesome...
7 minute walk to the center of campus = kind of awesome.
3. I learned how to store our stuff in strange tiny places.
Our apartment was 400 sq. ft. You would be surprised how much stuff Steve says crap you accumulate in two years.
4. I learned how to park.
Either in a tiny parking garage with a yellow pole that I hit occasionally or to parallel park really parallel park. I was quite good by the end.
5. Living 1.3 miles away from the temple is such a blessing.
We were able to attend the temple frequently. We ran to the temple. We walked around the temple. The temple is a big part of our lives.
6. Living right next to a university means you live right next to almost anything you would ever need.
College towns are really concentrated. There are lots of restaurants, doctors offices, movie theaters, bowling alleys, parks, grocery stores, banks, right around you.
7. I learned how much I love evening walks.
8. I learned how to cook lots of different pinterest meals.
9. I learned how to avoid the spider web that appeared outside our door.
10. Married Student Wards are unique and fantastic!
I know they aren't for everyone. But, it was for us. Steve and I loved our ward so much. It was so nice going to church where essentially everyone else was in the same life situation. I wouldn't want to stay in a ward like that forever, but for the last two years it was exactly perfect for us.
11. Living with an in-unit washer and dryer is a need.
12. Changing the air filter is important....oops.
13. Doors are nice to have.
Our apartment was technically a one bedroom. But, really it liked to be a studio. Having a door to separate your living room or kitchen or bathroom from the bedroom is really nice. If you burn food, you can't escape the smell or smoke. If you have company over the entire place has to be clean because you can't hide any mess with a closed door.
14. Even tiny apartments should have Christmas trees.
It's worth the space sacrifice.
15. Girl hair plugs drains, but off brand draino works wonders.
Always have some on hand.
16. Candles!
Candles weren't allowed in any of my other apartments. When Nana gave me one I was hesitant to light it because...is it allowed...but, IT IS! and candles are so nice. They make the place homey and nice.
17. If necessary, Caulk guns will kill hornets that are hiding in your door frame.
18. If possible, always live in a place with lots of windows.
Sunlight. Sunlight. Sunlight.
19. No matter how long you are going to be there, settle in.
Decorate and make the place yours. It's important for home to feel like home, even if it's a temporary home. Our souls need a calming comfortable safe place that is ours.
20. Make the bed.
It helps keep a person productive and discourages hiding in your room all Saturday watching Netflix. Which is necessary sometimes, but can also be a way to hide from the world.
21. Keep salt on hand for the winter months.
The apartment complex workers don't always salt or shovel the path all the way to your door. Ice mounds can be very dangerous.
22. Shop at Costco.
For our 1 year anniversary we got ourselves a Costco card. Why would two people need Costco sized portions you may ask??? Because sometimes when you are a student and your husband works a lot you need some frozen Costco pot stickers or Costco sized pasta or really anything that won't expire Costco sized. cooking and grocery shopping takes a lot of time.
23. Living without a TV is so possible.
Steve and I don't have a television and I kinda like it that way. At first we just didn't have space or money to get one. But, now it's kinda nice not having one. We do watch Netflix and Hulu on our laptops, but we don't just surf channels or have background noise. With the internet cable tv isn't a necessity really.
24. Living as a young newly wed is fun.
Experiencing life with my best friend in a tiny apartment was pretty incredible.
25. Establish a house of God.
D&C 88: 119-120
Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.
Thank you #25. I learned a lot.
Thank you #25. I learned a lot.
