My New House

Hello,

Two weeks ago they kicked us out of our temporary Barclays housing, so I've been livin on the streets. Some nights a generous friend lets me crash on their couch, but most of the time I just find a soft patch of grass or maybe a park bench if it's warm enough outside.

I was pretty content with life on on the streets until my colleagues started making a fuss about my personal hygiene. Being forced to take a hit for the team, I collected all of my belongings from the various trash cans where I had stored them, and moved everything in this brick and mortar cubicle they call a bedroom. It's taken some adjusting, but the place is growin on me. Here's a quick tour of the new digs:



Joking aside, I can't believe how quickly god provided this place for me. Let me give you a timeline of the events leading up to the move-in.

August 16 - Josh checks his calendar, realizes that he needs to move out of the Barclays housing by August 30 (two weeks)

Monday, August 17 - Josh starts asking his London peeps how he should go about searching for a new flat

Tuesday, August 18-August 19 - Josh is too excited about the upcoming weekend visit to Boston/is having too much fun hangin with his friends after work to be bothered with looking for something as basic as a residence.

Thursday, August 20-23 - Josh is in Boston for Zach's wedding, having a blast with his BFFs. In his mind, he thinks "Yeah, six days will be long enough to find a flat. I'll start when I get back to the UK."

Monday, August 24 - Six days to go, Josh tries to arrange a couple viewings after work, and fails miserably. Starts thinking that maybe five days will be cutting it a little close...

Tuesday, August 25 - Josh gets a text from a random dude. "Hi josh. Seen your wanted ad on christian flat share. Are you still looking? I think we have a great place you might be interested in near Oval. give me a call if you are interested. Paul." Oooh, someone contacting me? That's unexpected, but pretty cool. Josh sets up appointment to visit the next day.

Wednesday, August 26 - Upon asking his colleagues about the area around Oval, Josh finds out that two of his good friends from work have recently moved to the same area! He visits the flat, likes it quite a bit. Calls Paul later that night and says he'd like to take the flat.

Thursday, August 27 - Minal and Pat and Hani are going to Paris for the long weekend, leaving early Saturday morning. Against all sound judgement, Josh decides to come along, effectively shifting his move-out deadline from Sunday morning to Friday night. Aka the next night. Hasn't yet signed lease, hasn't yet met landlord, doesn't even know for sure the landlord will accept! Great idea, or the GREATEST idea?

Friday, August 28 - Josh meets the landlord, and both parties feel comfortable with each other. Landlord asks when Josh would like to move in. "How's about, 90 minutes from now," he responds. Heads back home, throws his six boxes in a cab, makes a withdraw from the ATM for the downpayment. Four hours plus two more trips later, Josh has all his stuff moved in to the new flat. He returns home with only minutes to spare before the final train departs. Throws the remainder of his stuff in a couple of suitcases, which he will drop off at his friend's place the following morning before they leave for Paris.

Soooooo, in short god TOTALLY hooked me up. I really should have been homeless given how last minute it all was. I've heard horror stories from other friends here in London who have spent weeks and weeks viewing flats before they find something they like, and here I effectively did it in three DAYS. thx for droppin that one in my lap, god :)

Shalom,

- Josh