Ventings of a Type A

Am I really that Type A that I see things so completely differently?

I like the place I live to be clean. Always tidy and livable. Granted, there is usually a corner of my world (or two or three at the moment) that is just in a pile because of school stress, but my kitchen, table, living room area, bathroom, and closet are all specifically tidy for the ease of their use.

But I've begun to notice that once again I have a roommate that does not share my desired level of tidiness. And since everything in this apartment (sparsely furnished as it may be) is mine, I feel even more indignant when my coffee table (the TV box covered in a black sheet) is constantly covered in stuff -and therefore unusable for me- and usually covered in crumbs -something that is my responsibility to clean.. Whether my feelings are warranted or not, I don't really know, since this isn't MY apartment... but those are MY things.

The biggest irritants to me are the bathroom and the kitchen. A sink with dishes in it does not bother me. Its the counter that drives me wild. If its not clean then I can't use it. And it doesn't matter how many times I wipe it off, the next time I walk in QiQi has already made something and has managed to cover the majority of the counter in crumbs or spills once again (and there isn't much counter space in the first place).

QiQi is really sweet and grateful, but the language is still an issue. So as we were both making breakfast in the kitchen this morning, I decided to mention the crumbs. I don't remember how I worded it but this was her response, "Its okay, you can wipe it up." And I tried again to express that there were often crumbs and stuff left after she cooked and I would like her to wipe off the counter when she does her dishes (which isn't always that often, but I figured sometimes was better than never). She acted like she understood because then she said, "I'm sorry, I did not notice." I expressed that it wasn't a big deal (because it never feels like a big deal anymore when people express that they didn't mean it or whatever).

Well, I left for church (I love love LOVE my church, by the way) feeling like I had made some headway with her only to come back to an empty apartment with the kitchen counter still messy.

How can she not see all the crumbs!?! How can you stand to cook on a counter that's already covered in the previous activity's mess?!?! Do I have retarded vision such that I'm the only one who even SEES the crumbs?!?! I don't get it!

Next step: Try to explain that her long back hair sprinkled all over the bathroom (even on my stuff that I leave on the counter) is irritating... I don't have much hair, and though it isn't very visible, I usually attempt to keep it in the trash (or my hair brush), so ya... its irritating to sweep the floor and then find that it looks as if I've never swept it within a matter of hours... grrr.... entropy really shouldn't be this big of a pain.


P.S. If anyone wishes to aid in my sanity for the next couple days, I will be happy to accept distractions of any kind: a text message... an e-mail... a phone call... or a love letter would all be greatly appreciated. :D