Hello, I live here, and I am your neighbor. I have lived here for almost 3 years and I might live here 3 years more. I know that you are only going to be here for a year or less and this is not a home for you, but to me it is my home, my one home, and I do not have another.
This is a small space, we are tightly packed together. Sometimes we hear each other in our most intimate moments, blowing our noses, coughing, God forbid even passing gas or having sex. We know when we each like to eat, when we bathe or take showers and we even sometimes become aware if our neighbors are doing these things alone or not.
From this closeness, it is easy for you to become aware that I am almost always here alone. You may be aware that I work at home here; you may or may not be aware that I am an English teacher.
Living here as long as I have, I am aware of the condition of the building. I know that it is not necessary to slam the apartment doors to close them. So slamming the door at 3:45 am on a Tuesday morning is a peculiar activity that I have witnessed you engaging in. Why do you feel this is necessary? It is impossible for me to understand why you feel you should do this. Equally unusual is your persistence in also slamming the door during the day while I am speaking to students. My desk is right beside your door so it is disturbing to me and my students. Why is this necessary? Do you have a physical condition that prevents you from coordinated movements? If so, as a university student I’m sure you are aware of the services offered at the health center for students who have disabilities. Whether the problem is mental or physical they offer a variety of services that are either greatly discounted or completely free if you feel they can help you.
I have often noticed you stopping near my window and looking in, reading notes for the mailman placed on my door and I have noticed many little acts of unusually strong preoccupation with my private activities within my home. These are all signs of a mental illness condition. I can’t help notice because you either cough loudly when you stop outside my window or I am merely facing your direction because of the position of my work desk.
I reiterate this is my home. I live here and I have no plans of moving out. I think that if you are unable to control these behaviors on your own you really should seek help since it will be so easy and inexpensive for you. I hope that you are able to come to terms with this so you will not be asked to leave.
Best regards,
Holly Oeding
