My dearest neighbors,
Living in the dorms has more in common with my house growing up than I thought. The TV stays on through the night, music is blasting from speakers two doors down and there's constant chatter for no apparent reason.
You have been a true joy to live with since the beginning of the school year. Living in the ASU dorms has been a life-changing experience, and you all have helped me with the transition to college by reminding me of home. I never expected all the chaos that came with living in a building full of 18 to 19-year-olds.
My greatest mistake was giving the benefit of the doubt to teenagers with newly found freedom and expecting them to act like actual adults. In a way, it became the new normal. I've accepted it now. It's just the kind of Gordon Commons living experience that was meant for me.
Hallway habits
For those with a passion for running up and down the halls at 3 a.m., it never ceases to amaze me how committed you are to keeping everyone awake with your athletic enthusiasm. Your dedication to disrupting my sleep schedule is incredible — most people would stop these activities at dawn, but you are just so dedicated.
Physical activity is extremely important, and I find it remarkable how you keep that passion burning with your many athletic shenanigans. Not many would have that spirit. It's admirable that you have found an alternative to get your exercise even when the Sun Devil Fitness Complex is closed.
Most wouldn't have this energy after a long day of classes, activities and sports game watch parties at full volume. You go beyond expectations and show that people can run, jump and chase 24/7, despite being told not to.
The lovely loudness
Even with my noise-cancelling headphones, I can still hear the voices of my enthusiastic neighbors four doors down.
It's astonishing how your voice can spread across the entire building, but you can't seem to hear it yourself. You don't know it yet, but the pitches your voices reach are truly record-breaking. Call the Guinness World Records.
One of these feats is the sheer endurance of your voice. Even at prime hallway running time, your voice still echoes through the halls. I can't imagine what could be so important to keep that volume so persistent.
Don't worry, I won't call the community assistant. I'm sure what you're saying is important for the whole floor — and the floor below — to hear.
I have now been able to figure out which one of my neighbors is speaking just based on their muffled yelling. There are also unexpected benefits to listening to that screeching banter. It has proven to be an immersive learning experience and has expanded my knowledge of NFL, MLB and NBA.
I love our little game day rituals because I know a team cannot win unless the whole floor knows exactly how it is doing. As they say, "Go Birds!"
My poor walls
Another quality that furthers my familial love for you is the secret language of knocking on walls for no specific reason. It is a language we all speak but none of us understands.
As the knocking continues, I wonder if I will ever be able to recreate your ideal love language. It is an acquired skill I have yet to master because I never know what you're saying to me. Open up to me, break down the walls — tell me what's behind those cryptic knocks.
Even though I love this back-and-forth so much, sometimes it leaves me in genuine fear. I am worried that the fragile plaster of the Gordon Commons walls will fall apart and take the whole building down. However, maybe then we could finally be closer as a family.
I want to end with one last heartfelt message: If you hear me on a phone call, pleading with my family to take me back, it's not my family back home. I'm just begging my roommate to let me in because I left my keys in the room.
Eating together in the dining hall, going to events, playing Among Us at midnight, passing the grammar midterm and being applauded by everyone on the floor are not the things that bring us together as a family, its these charming little quirks that make me love you so much.
When you're in Gordon Commons, you're family.
Your favorite neighbor,
Grace Lawrence
Edited by Kasturi Tale, George Headley, Sophia Braccio and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at galawre3@asu.edu.
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Grace Lawrence is a reporter for the community culture desk at The Arizona State Press. This is her 1st semester working with The State Press.
