The second college ended I moved to Woodside, Queens. 

 

However, it was a year of transit strikes and still having to get to work, black outs because the power lines were melting, and it turned out the building I lived in was basically a cardboard box. You could hear everything from all over the neighborhood at all hours of the day. 

I needed out. 

So, I moved to Harlem and that’s when I met my roommate, Nicole. 

 

Here’s the lowdown:

  • She was from Tennessee and I was from New York.
  • She would eat corned beef hash from the can, banana pudding, not a lot of veggies, and made the most amazing rum cake. Uh, it’s just so good. Meanwhile, I had long given up foods like beef, chips, most fun snacks and lived off of hummus.
  • She had graduated with a Masters from several Ivy League schools. I was rocking a BFA from a SUNY school.
  • She loved competition based TV shows. Something that stresses me out. While I was watching hours of Bollywood and Jane Austin remakes.
  • We were different races, religions, and there was an age gap between us.
  • We could not have been more different and we debated MANY MANY topics.

 

Don’t tell but …………………..

She would hate this email. (Not one for flattery.)

Nicole was the best. 

 

Amidst all the differences, we supported each other, we were there when the other needed help, and we became good friends. 

 

I loved it when I got home and Nicole was there on the couch. (Watching all that stress-inducing TV). I would look forward to it. We would tell each other the crazy things that happened that day, which is guaranteed in NYC, and would chat way too late into the evening. 

 

It’s a funny thing, when you TRULY hold space for humans – you can find a commonality and build from a base of respect.

 

As I’m sure you know, holding space is the basis of our ethos at CoWork Kingston. It’s something we work on constantly and evolve as our community naturally shifts. We will always welcome you as you are. 

 

So Friends, as you enter out into the holiday season, I hope you find space and respect is being held for you. Fill your table with chosen family, do what brings you joy, and set boundaries (they’re a beautiful thing).

 

Much love,

Melanie (Nicole’s Roommate)

 

P.S. I’m a boundary pro. Need pointers? I’m your gal.