The Mamas and the Papas once sang a song in 1966 that says "Monday, Monday, so good to me... it was all I hoped it would be". I had hoped good things for my Monday, but this Erica was not as lucky as those Mamas and Papas. As a Resident Assistant (RA) I have to put on a certain number of programs for my residents each semester and today was the day I chose about a month ago to put on my Personal Growth program by taking my residents to the Cache Valley Unitarian church for a meditation session. My flyers told everyone to meet at my apartment at 6:45 but... by 7:02 I was the only one sitting in my apartment living room with the Housing van keys in my hands. I could hear people walking around upstairs and playing pool in the lounge, and worst of all, my roommates watching TV in their respective bedrooms. I understand my residents being busy or not wanting to go, but my roommates? You'd think that they'd be the ones to support me since they know how much effort I put into stuff. Granted, part of the no-shows was my fault. I was late in putting advertisements up, I chose something new for them to try which might go against individual religious beliefs, and it landed on a Monday at the same time as Family Home Evening for the wards around here. My bad.
Originally when I asked if they were coming to meditation, one roommate told me she had to study and the other said she was going to FHE, but at 7:02 when I found myself all alone in the living room and I heard their TV's, I knocked on their doors and told them they had to come with me. Both gave shrewd looks and prepared for excuses. I couldn't handle being rejected again so I told them to come to dinner with me - we'd talk about meditation at dinner, and that I'd pay. Guess what happened? Both immediately put their shoes on. Amazing what an offer of free food can accomplish. We were at dinner just as long as it would have taken to go to meditation.
I'm compiling a list of things for Lisa, my June replacement, to know. #16 on the list reads "My residents seldom go anywhere if food is not also present" #17 reads "my residents will not leave the building unless there is a fire alarm, so if you choose to do something off campus, make sure it is freaking awesome... and includes free food" and #18 reads "my residents can eat a ton, so prepare well. Get double what you think you'll use." I usually love my residents and my job but today... today I am just disappointed with them. I wish they knew how difficult being an RA is and what we give up for them (dates, dinner, time to do homework, sleep...). But even if they did know... I'm not so sure their actions would change*.
Disclaimer: I am speaking generally of my residents. Some would... well they wouldn't bend over backwards, but they'd help me in any way they possible could. For them I am grateful.
No comments:
Post a Comment