<p>Okay, so I found out who my roommate is a few weeks ago, and I’ve emailed her a few times, and we’ve chatted a little bit over AIM. She never actually emailed me back, and the last time I talked to her all she said was “Hey! I’d love to talk but I’m packing for Japan! Bye!” Now, I think that’s awesome that she’s going to Japan, but she didn’t say when she’s getting back, and she never replied to any of the emails I sent about trying to work out who’s getting what etc (and I sent all of the emails before the chat about japan, so she was home for those). So now, I’m leaving 2 weeks from today, and I really would like to know what’s going on with our room so I can start comparing prices and shipping and stuff for what I need to get, and I still don’t know if she’s back from japan because she still hasn’t emailed me back or said anything over aim.</p>
<p>So my question–Should I call her house and talk to her parents about it or should I just wait for her to contact me about it all??</p>
<p>I think calling her house is just way too drastic. It is almost sounding like your a control freak. Don’t worry if you can’t communicate. Often times, you have to first see how everything works out. I mean most people (I say most because most of us haven’t even seen our dorm rooms first) move in and then decide what else they want to bring. Better to underpack and buy stuff later than overpack. If you can communicate with your roommate great. If not then wait until both of you move in and then decide what is needed. Now or later doesn’t make that much a difference does it? Calling her parents will a) get you off on the wrong foot in terms of roommate relations and b) **** your roommate off. Granted, she is being quite rude by not returning your emails, but you have to suck it up and move on. Pick and choose your battles wisely. You’ll be living with this person for a whole year.</p>
<p>Even for the big stuff? like mini fridges and microwaves? When we briefly spoke over the net we agreed that I’d buy the cabel box and she’d get the subscription, and (we can see these things online) she hasn’t gotten the subscription even tho I signed up for the cable box. So I guess I’m just a bit anxious that she won’t hold up her end.</p>
<p>Also, we both live over a thousand miles away from our school, and as frosh we’re not allowed cars, so it will be kinda difficult to get the bigger stuff after school starts. Oh, and the school’s in the middle of nowhere so that adds to the difficulty of getting stuff once we’re there.</p>
<p>I’m thinking I’ll call, pretend that I didn’t know she was in japan and just ask when she’s getting back and call her then.</p>
<p>Yes. Let me tell you that I have chatted with my roommate. In fact, we haven’t talked about fridges or anything else like that. We are both going to wait and see how things turn out after we move in. Then we can both plan accordingly and figure who is going to pay for what. I mean honestly think about this on a cost/benefit analysis.</p>
<p>You call her and she isn’t home. Her parents tell her you called. Parents may think your a bit too anxious here and maybe going a little bit overboard here. You may or may not be able to fully solve your whole who is buying what issue. Or you may. Even if you do, chances are pretty good you and your roommate are not going to be getting good first impressions from each other. Remember your living with this person for a year. Don’t sour your roommate relationship so early.</p>
<p>Or you can wait. Figure it out when you get there. You can always order online and often times when you buy either $75 and up you get free shipping. Fridges costs around $70 (and up) and microwaves cost around $30 (and up). You get your fridge and microwave albeit a few days or weeks later than normal. You don’t sour your roommate so early.</p>
<p>I mean what is the rush in deciding it now and potentially really ticking your roommate off? Calling to me sounds way too drastic and over anxious. Just wait and figure it out later. Is it that important that it needs to be purchased before school starts? I mean worst comes to worst you buy it from the student store on campus after you move in.</p>
<p>Coordinating the buying of applicances seems like a big deal right now, but it really isn’t. You can shop when you get there (and have seen the room) or order online easily…don’t freak your roommate out. She’s likely not as concerned about this as you are.</p>
<p>at my school they didn’t even TELL me who my roommate was or if I even had a roommate until I got there and had checked in. really, coexisting with a roomate requires nowhere near as much work as you’re thinking it does.</p>
<p>You can probably rent a fridge/microwave from your school. That might be easier if you’re going home each summer and don’t want to lug all those appliances with you. And you can just split the cost of renting.</p>
<p>Please ,please, please don’t take your roommate’s lack of communication personally right now. The lucky duck has a couple of really big things going on in her life at the same time–she’s probably just stressed out about going to Japan, which is of course a big deal on its own, and figures that the college stuff will be dealt with as soon as she is back from her trip. </p>
<p>The good thing about the college stuff is that you don’t need all of everything on day one–when you get on campus you will see what deals are available and will have a much better idea of what you need or want once you are in your room . </p>
<p>And in the meantime, if there is something that you see that you want, of course you can buy it! You don’t need to agree on or split everything. Sometimes it works out better if you each buy different items of equivalent cost instead of splitting things down the middle because it is a lot easier to divide things up at the end of the year. </p>
<p>In the meantime , enjoy your excitement and maybe do some shopping with local friends! And hope your roomie brings back some really cool, unique things for your room from Japan!</p>