If you have been following my journey the last 3 months, you know that here in South Africa I have been living in a 4 bedroom house, with 18 people. By week 2, it was given the infamous name of “The Love Shack.”
No, there isn’t anything romantic in it, but it literally is just a house so full of love. Often, this love is showed in weird ways, but you can still feel it. The personalities in this house are all incredibly bold, different and loud. Out of all 50 people on this squad, the loudest 18 were some how all put into one house. You would think there would be a lot of conflict. Shockingly, it has all been pretty smooth sailing.
In the last 3 months, I have learned a lot about community living. I have learned what it’s like to live in complete and utter dysfunction and be okay with it. I have learned to embrace it, and love where I am at.
I can’t say it’s been normal, but I can say that everything that this house is has become my normal. When it all is said and done two weeks from now, I am going to be rather sad.
Here is 20 things the last 3 months in the Love Shack has taught me:
Don’t ask for quiet time, find it:Like really, you need to find it. You might have to take a few trains, a taxi and an uber to get there but it’s out there somewhere— When living in a house with 18 people, there is no such thing as “silence.” There is no such thing in saying “Can you be quiet? I am trying to read!” Because you will lose. Every single time.
You want dinner? You better run: It’s naturally a given that guys love and need their food. And they need a lot of it. Well what happens when you live with 9 guys who all eat like they haven’t eaten before? Small portions if you don’t move fast enough. When Momma comes into the room and says “dinner is ready!” You better get your running shoes on and get into the dining room fast.
There is never a bad time for Corn Flakes: If you walk into the house at any given time, I guarantee someone is going to be eating a bowl of corn flakes. Whether it be 8am, 12:30pm or 5pm, there is always someone with a plastic green bowl cramming their mouth with heaping spoonful of cereal. Cornflakes make for a very delicious and filling snack— there is just no way you can go wrong.
The male species is ranked dead last in the cleanliness category: Living with 9 boys has taught me one thing: I am not getting married. I will be cleaning messes forever.
You have something on your heart? There’s a song for that: Grab your guitar and what ever is pulling on your heart strings and I’m sure one of the 5 musically talented guys we have in our home can write you a song for it complete with an instrumental beat. From Donald Trump, to ex- girlfriends and boyfriends, you’re never gonna let a pathetic thing in your life go without laughter.
A panini press will solve all your hunger needs: Wanna grill some chicken? Toss it on the panini press. Wanna fry an egg? The panini press will do that. Need to make your peanut butter and jelly warm? We have a panini press for that.
Cockroaches are friends, not enemies: The little guys don’t mean no harm, especially when they’re dead. Just scoop one up and make a little house for it, and you got yourself a new pal. We don’t have much on the Race, but we like to take care of what we do have.
Ain’t nothing wrong with a little taser action: If you hear the sound of a taser going off don’t worry. Someone was probably just being annoying and getting what they deserved. Don’t worry, they will be fine.
“Do you want to come to the corner store with me?” : Everyone loves going to the little convince store by our house to stock up on snacks. But if you ask someone if they want to come, they’re gonna ask everyone else in the house if they’re trying to come to. If you want to go to the corner store at around 12 in the afternoon, ask at about 10am. Everyone needs a few hours to get prepared.
Music is considered an invitation: If you don’t want the entire house hold in your room, do not put your music on a speaker and out loud. When you do that, everyone is coming in, laying on your bed, and rocking out.
If you want to eat the food you bought, write you name on it: For real, write your name on every inch of the covering. If your name isn’t on it, it might be decided then it’s just up for grabs and you’re just going to be out of luck.
No need to fear, Momma is here: Although living in a sketchy neighborhood, the most powerful weapon in all the area lives with us. Our host mom is a savage, and no one is messing with her babies. This might include wielding the drunk neighbor off with a broom stick, but hey! You gotta do what you gotta do.
Where all these white people from???: If the Love Shack goes out into a large group, it is asking for people to stop and integrate what we’re doing, where we’re going, and what is going on. Be prepared to answer questions for 10 minutes or longer.
Whats yours is mine, what’s mine is yours: There is no locks on any doors so just know that if you’re missing a shirt, a dress, or pants- no one stole it. Someone in the house is wearing it. It’s safe.
Sunday’s are the best days: Who doesn’t love a good ol’ braii and a whole lot of Jesus?
Wear your shoes in the house: Yes, the floor inside is worse than the floor outside thanks to all the dirt and dust blowing in through the windows. Unless you want permanatly black feet and athletes foot, I suggest you wear shoes and socks at all times.
Don’t leave anything in the shower: You think you just bought new shampoo and conditioner, but if you don’t be careful it is going to be gone overnight.
Lawn chairs make incredible living room decor: When you have to fit 18 people in a living room, you gotta do what you gotta do. It might not be cute, but at least its comfortable.
There is no sleeping in or going to bed early: Most people in this house suffer from terrible FOMO. The second they hear someone awake, they have to be awake and go join in on the fun. At night, you’re not going to get a peaceful shut- eye until the last person decides it’s time for them to hit the hay.
You always have a friend: Everyone in this house has a heart of gold. There is never a need to feel alone cause someone has always got you in your time of need. Whether you need a laugh, or just to talk there is always more than one person willing. This home has become nothing short of a family.
