La Loca

Half Brazilian, half German, my roommate is a formidable force.  Incredibly driven, immensely passionate about her country (Brazil), Karin is not the typical 23 year old.

Literally a chance encounter led to us being roommates for the better part of two months and despite the fact that we are incredibly different, we work.  I am going to miss this Carioca and her wild ways as well as her unwavering support of me and my crazy ideas.  A few of the memories I will take with me ...

1.  Karin draped across my bed, demanding I stay awake, as she has a GRRRRREAT idea for my book.  Which will be made into a movie someday starring Karin as myself (she loves to impersonate my accent).
2.  Maple Syrup - this child had never had maple syrup so I arranged for the real deal to be shipped to Brazil as a surprise.  But the real surprise was when she insisted on having MAPLE SOUP, as putting in on pancakes or french toast is a waste and prevents you from tasting the tree.
3. The morning I awoke to find Karin sitting in the kitchen scribbling a note furiously.  I thought maybe she had woken up with a new idea for a play (she is studying to be an actress).  But when she finally came up for air, she exclaimed that the *&(**@$# neighbors upstairs had woken her up again (they have a history of noisy amorous moments, walking in high heels at all hours of the night, a baby that cries around the clock and a yappy dog).  She was writing a note to slip under their door telling them about themselves.  Now if you know anything about the stereotypical passion of Brazilians, and/or German 'rage', then you can imagine the state my poor roommate was in being both German and Brazilian.  I listened attentively, offering the most compassionate sympathy as well as a few possible solutions, all of which had already tried.
My ultra calm and supportive demeanor quickly morphed into a fit hysteria that had me writhing around on the floor as she exclaimed  "even the ear tampons" had not worked!
4. Walking through the center of town, (akin to any financial district of a main city), and a gust of wind causes Karin's dress to fly up above her head - think Marilyn Monroe. Her response,  "Thank God my ass is beautiful!" before continuing to saunter down the street.
5. "You, you, you are a walking contradiction Townley!!  You are soo peaceful but then you do something crazy -you are like Yoda, saving all your energy for the fight".  Have to admit Yoda's a new one for me!
6. Don't worry I am bringing the Baby Butt Tissues (baby wipes to the rest of us :-).
7. You have never seen anyone get as excited as Karin when it comes to desert.  How amazing it is to live with someone else that likes to eat!!
8. Although occasionally annoying (Karin that's meant in a loving way!), Karin can literally get through an entire day communicating with nothing but song lines.
9. She tells me not to be scared of the bat that occasionally visits the apartment at night but that "won't eat me"...yet she screams bloody murder when one swoops low on the way home one night.
10. You have to love someone that cleans the house in her underwear while belting out show toons!


Thank you Karin for your hospitality and many great memories xo

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