What I Have Learned By Living in a Household of Eight

"Whoever is responsible for the trash being stacked up so high needs to take it out today. It is unsanitary, disgusting, and trashy."

When I woke up this morning, a note saying this was tacked to the bathroom door. Catherine was ready to go on a rampage, and I had to take the trash out to keep the peace.

I'm not responsible for the trashcan. I'm sure we all are, because we all produce trash. Catherine likes to blame May. May blames Idalia. Idalia blames me because I'm always here and never clean, even though I know May won't. Idalia can shut up.

You see, it's not easy sharing a bathroom between five people, or living in a household of eight, not including an extra four who are always attending dinner. Especially not when you're trying to watch tv and everybody else wants to play Rock Band. Admittedly, it's fun, but sheesh.

Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I cannot afford to live any place else, so this is home. Fortunately, I've learned a few ways to make it more bearable.

1. Clean the damn bathroom, okay? It's not worth listening to two or three girls screaming at each other just because everybody was too lazy to empty the trashcan.

2. Devise a system for everything. Plan who's making dinner, who's going to clean what and when, decide who gets the bathrooms at what time in the mornings. Just plan everything and stick to it.

3. Do small favors to keep everybody happy. If you do things for people, you won't be caught on the receiving end of a yelling fight.

4. Your room is your sanctuary -- make it attractive so you can go hide in it when the going gets rough.

5. Cherish alone time, because it's going to be your best friend later.

6. Learn when to conveniently need to go grocery shopping. This has saved me from getting dragged into fights quite a few times.

7. Label everything that's yours unless you don't mind losing it. I can't stress this enough.

8. Ask before you touch anything that you don't remember buying. Better safe than sorry.

9. Realize that fights you do get involved in are not worth the drama. Just learn to walk away and tell people they're right. A trashcan is not worth losing a roommate or friend over.
10. Don't ask questions. When somebody walks to their bedroom with two guys, just don't ask. Trust me.

11. Bonus tip: Blindfold. Carry it with you. You may not know when to use it, but trust me, when you do need it, you'll be happy to have it.