I returned home from my day of schooling and for the first time I felt my home as if it were a hotel room where I was temporarily staying at. For one reason, my home has never really been this clean before. Also, today is the first day that Joe (my real estate agent) posted my home in the real estate market. The house was no longer mine. Its décor, its layout, its purpose is now for somebody else other than me. Before, I did anything I wanted in the home (painting the basement red) just to please me. Now the things I do (painting the basement white) is to please others. As for the ad, I am very pleased with the work Joe put into it. If I was a first-time home buyer or a single professional adult looking for a maintained-style living in the Lenexa area in the price ranging between $100,000 and $120,000, I would most definitely pick this house! I’m a bit nervous from all the horror stories of people trying to sell their homes since last year. However, Joe’s optimistic attitude truly makes a difference for me and my stress level. I don’t worry as much. With all the work in the clean up, the paper work, the uncertainty of the market, and its sale, I am more eager then ever to see the last of this home. Not because I detest the building but I was more eager to move onto my next adventure. Once the commotion is down, I find myself saddened with the necessity of closing this chapter of my life. The house, or I should say, this home has given me unforgettable memories in the past five years. Without it, I would have gone insane in my family’s home. Without it, I would have taken big hits in my income tax. And without it, I would have never met my husband.



I graduated from college with a degree in accounting. I had great plans and had mapped out all the steps of my life from here on out. First, I would get a great job that college had prepared me for the past three and a half years. I was so eager to start my life, I graduated early. I would then marry my boyfriend of five years, to which we have already obtained blessings from both parents. With our great jobs, we will get a home together and finally reunite with my dog Vicky, whom I was separated from due to me going away for college. I could just see it. Ten years from now, I would be in a beautiful home with white picket fences. Warm days flood the house with sunlight and dogs barking outside. Little ones run around the kitchen and the old man with pipe and reading glasses browse the morning papers while having breakfast. We would live happily ever after. Unfortunately things didn’t work according to plan, which for you fortunately, makes the story worth reading. My then-boyfriend and I had graduated in the year when the tragic September 11th happened. We graduated three months after the horrifying attack. Two planes flew into New York’s World Trade Twin Towers, which shocked the entire world, and plunged the business markets. Businesses began to lay off workers and implemented hiring freezes. Many were out of jobs and former students were facing loans they couldn’t pay. Despite the unsettling setback, I was determined to meet my goals. I finally found an accounting position by calling down the rows of numbers in the telephone book listed under “Accountant”. It was a part-time job with hopes of leading to a better job. Nevertheless, confident that my fiancée’s day will come as well, we decided to get a home. Since I was the sole income provider of the time, I worked all day till night and through the weekends, while he sat at home, made dinners, and searched for jobs via the internet. Because foreigners were involved in causing the gross tragedy, businesses and employers slowed down the hiring of non-permanent residence and non-citizens. Many of my college buddies returned to their countries due to the lack of opportunities and six months later (Nov), this included my fiancée. I was deviated. We cried on the way to the airport, we cried at the boarding gate, I cried on my way to work, and I cried at work. My boss was nice enough to let me off for the rest of the day. One month later (Dec), Vickie was diagnosed with a tumor in a size of a baseball. I paid $400 for surgery with hopes that the tumor would not return. New Years, I had to say good bye to my loyal friend.

My low-paying job took up my days, nights, and weekends, and with tax season approaching, things didn’t get better for me. By June I finally got fed up and I decided to make some changes in my life. Since I didn’t spend much time at home, I decided to get a roommate. I posted an ad on a free roommate finder service online:

Share a room in condo with wireless internet in quite neighborhood. Looking for down-to-earth female or male roommate who likes dogs. No sexual preference.

I had a limited amount of space for description. Nevertheless, I got a response the next day. It was a guy actor-wannabe who came to Kansas to be in his cousin’s war movie. Ya.. I don’t think so. A second response came later that day:

I’m a graduate student of University of Missouri Rolla. I will be joining Garmin Inc. as a computer engineer. I’m a straight guy non smoker


I responded to the message. We exchanged numbers and stayed up through many nights talking on the phone before we met in June. Rana retells his story of our first meeting:



“The first time I just wanted to see the apartment. You were the first of three apartments I was to see. I parked the car on the side of the building. So there where some people painting the house and I asked them where 8002 was, and they pointed me to the home. So I had my GPS and laptop connected in the car and I shut them down. I made sure my shoes were tied and everything was all fine. Then I rang the bell and then you opened up. The first impression was ‘Oh my god she is so cute’. You had a warm smile very attractive. And I was just looking at your face. You told me I was late and I told you I was late a little bit because I was lost. After I came in the first thing I notice was the weird smell in the home (referring the dog not me). And then it didn’t bother me and I kept looking in your eyes and I tripped over the steps. After you showed me around I asked you to give me the contract so that I sign it right now. You asked me if I wanted to think about it before signing it. I said no I’m ready to sign right now. At that time I was willing to do anything to stay with you.”


Six months later we got married. I later asked him what was it about the roommate listing that caught his eye from a long line of listings. He told me “You had me at wireless internet connection.”
Looking now three years later, it seemed we have made a loop in time. Rana now is back in being a Rolla student and I once again find myself turning to the house to assist me in making my next life changing step.