Our apartment complex has a lounge area that tenants can reserve after the leasing office closes. Since we had little furniture in our apartment, we decided the lounge would be an excellent place to host gatherings. We arrived on a Wednesday (Nov 21) and had our first gathering on Sunday (Nov 25).
Lounge artwork
Our first gathering was with a family with whom I met the wife when she was visiting in Dallas for work. The lounge kitchen has a refrigerator, microwave, and oven, but no stove top. I made the food in my own kitchen and brought it downstairs. I served spaghetti with meat sauce, chicken Florentine farfalle, and cherry pie for dessert.
Kitchen
We ate our dinner at the long table and slowly got to know one another. But because of our shared faith, what started off as complete strangers became family by the end of the evening. We were very touched and surprised when they gave us an Ohio State throw blanket as a welcome gift.
Our first gathering, our new family
Of course, you don’t really know someone until you have played ping pong with them.
Ping pong table
More features of the lounge include a couple of tables, a fireplace and sitting area.
Long table
Fireplace
Sitting area
To date, we have reserved the lounge six times. It works out to be one gathering every two weeks. That’s amazing!
Some of the highlights were when we asked each one to tell us their most embarrassing school moment. S.’s experience beat us all out. He threw rocks at the geese to get them off the playing field, but you know, geese don’t like that sort of thing, so they ganged up on him while the whole playground watched.
Our last gathering was a Chili Cook-Off. I had fun buying kitchen/cooking-like prizes. Basically, prizes for all! We voted on four chilis, and our friend E. won with what she called “Jamaican Me Crazy.” She was so surprised, but I wasn’t; she is an extraordinary cook.
We also played a game similar to “Speed Dating” but since we aren’t dating, we are just getting to know each other, I called it “Speed Friending.” We paired up and talked for five minutes each time. N., a junior in high school told me he saves 75% of his pay and spends 25%. His brother, Z., a senior, saves 50% of his pay and spends 50%. Outstanding!
This weekend we are having a Soup Cook-Off, so I am off to buy some prizes. Stay tuned!