My days in Karaman were a mix of experiences, and I won’t sugarcoat it. This was all before COVID19 struck, so I had about three months of relative normalcy before everything changed. When it did(ie COVID 19) hit, the streets of Karaman became eerily empty and silent.
Oh, before I dive deeper, let me introduce my roommate, Ariel. She was a first-class BSc graduate pursuing her master’s in Turkiye, and I instantly fell in love with her. Was she perfect? Absolutely not! In fact, she had quite the reputation. She had previously been reported by her last roommate to the hostel management due to her behavior, which led to her being placed in a room alone until I arrived. But to me, Ariel was an angel.
Looking back, I realize I tend to bond with people through shared imperfections. I often say I can adapt to any situation and live with anyone, but that’s not necessarily a strength—it’s more of a coping mechanism for my quirks. One time, during a deep conversation, Ariel told me, “Mide, don’t let people know you can endure this much pain; it’s not normal.” I laughed it off, but she was spot on.
Within days, Ariel and I became like sisters. People even remarked how much we resembled each other. She claimed I looked just like her grandpa, and we both hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State, Nigeria. One lesson I’ve learned is the importance of praying about who I live with. After spending time with various roommates, I can confidently say that prayer works. Ariel truly felt like a blessing.
We talked about everything, and I shared stories about her with my friends back home, who I now consider family. If I mentioned craving cake, she would bring home an entire birthday cake—even though she wasn’t a fan of sweets! Ariel loved cooking, while I enjoyed cleaning, so we complemented each other perfectly. Everyone wondered how I managed to live with her and remain so happy.
Ariel had her quirks—she often wouldn’t answer her phone or open the door when someone knocked. It wasn’t that she didn’t hear it; she simply chose not to respond. On days I forgot my key, I’d call her and knock repeatedly, but I never took it personally. That was just her way.
Living with Ariel taught me that being God-sent doesn’t mean someone is perfect; it’s up to you to embrace their imperfections and make the relationship work. During the lockdown, there were days I cried, talked to myself, and sought comfort in her hugs. I often felt like I was losing my grip on reality. I remember telling Ariel I felt like I was in a rehabilitation center, and looking back, it truly was a transformative period for me.
I emerged from my time in Karaman with a fresh mindset. While it wasn’t a picture-perfect experience, I was heading somewhere meaningful. I had the chance to reflect on past mistakes I made in Nigeria and was grateful for the clarity that came during those rehabilitation days.
During the lockdown, I applied to various schools for an MBBS program. However, when I saw the tuition fees for private universities, I reconsidered my options. I narrowed it down to either nursing or physiotherapy—a tough decision, but one that felt necessary.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! I’m committed to sharing my journey and feeding your reading appetite with every diary entry. If you have stories of your own or messages to share, feel free to reach out to me on jemmylistens@gmail.com—I’d love to feature your stories too! Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog, and follow me on Instagram. I’ll be in the comments section, eagerly waiting for your thoughts on this blog I’ll see you here sometime next week!
PS: NO REAL NAMES WERE USED ASIDE MINE!!!
I KNOW YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE ME BEFORE THEN!😉
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