This past week I have gone on an apartment hunt. While the plan is for me to leave at the end of January, being already packed and mentally ready to go, if I find something sooner I will take it.
Yesterday I viewed an apartment on High Street, across the street from the Urbana City building. Upon entering I immediately liked it and told the woman who is subleasing that I would like to live there. Today I faxed over my rental application, if the owner approves I would move in on January 1st.
If the apt. on High Street does not work out I am viewing an artist's studio/garret tonight at 6:00pm. The house has its own website and is owned by someone who is obviously interested in the arts. I don't like that it is near Prospect in Champaign as it would make getting to work more difficult, but I won't mind walking/biking the extra mileage.
Being on the hunt has me pondering how a life can be changed from the kindness of others. If a person decides I am not right for the apt., I must continue the search until being accepted by some one's good will.
It is similar to a job search but not as difficult and not filled with as much rejection. Looking for a job is something which requires immense patience. Last night I was thinking about some of my job interviews, also a few other experiences which required the acceptance of another. In the times when I was accepted I knew beforehand that a favorable outcome was possible due to the person's facial expression and glowing eyes. I sensed a recognition of trust and approval, and in those cases the outcome was indeed good.
Walking into geometry class the day after an important exam the teacher stood at the doorway greeting the students as they walked in, and when I passed he had a glowing look in his eye, as if to say, "Amazing job!" I knew as I sat down at my desk that I had probably done well, and soon found that I had gotten a perfect grade.
In the 7th grade I tried out for the basketball team. I was small, skinny, short, surrounded buy tall black boys who were more athletic. The final thing we did in the tryout was suicide drills, which is something I loved to do. I noticed that most of the other boys hated them, but running full out brought me joy, and as I ran the final drill I noticed the coach looking at me with an expression of enthusiasm on his face. I then knew I had a chance to make the team even though I could not play basketball. The next morning one of my friends came running down the hall to my homeroom class, and out of breath told me - "You made it!"
When I was 18 I walked into Sear's warehouse, a dingy, dark place which did not inspire me, but I needed a job so I stood at a brown folding table set up in the middle of the warehouse and filled out an application with a few others. I figured I did not have a chance seeing how many people were hanging around filling in paperwork, but when I handed my application to the manager, who sat behind the table, he gave me a look which made me feel warm and positive. He had not even glanced at my application, but I felt I had a chance. Later in the day I was called and told I had the job.
Then there are the times when I know that the person before me has no liking for me whatsoever. Unfortunately these occurrences are more numerous than the above examples. As I am being interviewed I know I am wasting time, that there is no way I am getting the job. I would like to get up and walk out, but I don't, and the cursed interview goes on.
Apartment hunting is fortunately not as rigorous, and I am hoping to find a place which I will enjoy without having to endure too much rejection.
