Sabbath keeper roommate is no fun

Dear Pastor,

I recently graduated from college and my best friend and I are sharing a two-bedroom apartment.

I was looking for a place to live because I was fortunate to get a job and she has been working and living on her own. She was sharing the apartment with another girl, but she went to live with her babyfather. So the room was vacant, but it is expensive. My parents paid the first two months' rent for me and I promised that I would pay them back within a few months. I bought a bed and I am also trying to buy a stove because I do not want to inconvenience my friend. She told me that in the meantime we can put together and buy groceries. But she is a Seventh-day Adventist and there are things she does not want me to cook in her pot. I do not want our friendship to break up because she is a good friend.

I wonder if coming here was the correct thing to do. She wants quietness in the house from Friday evening and sometimes I want my friends to come over. But because of her, I cannot allow them to come. The rent is expensive. I am paying this girl $50,000 and I have to share facilities. She earns much more than I do, so she can afford the rent. She has a boyfriend. He has never slept over since I have been here, but she told me that they plan to get married. After that, she said I can get the apartment for myself and have another person share with me. I am wishing for that to happen very soon.

I do not have a boyfriend, but I have many male friends. I do not have any of them come here. I want to go back to school to do post graduate work. I would have to get a scholarship to do so to avoid going into debt. At the same time, I am hoping to buy a car because I am tired of taking the bus and I don't trust some taxi men. Too many students are taken away and killed by these wicked men.

E.D.

Dear E.D.,

I am glad that you are out of college and working. I am also happy to know that you are living with a young woman who you know, and although you consider the rent to be high, everything is high in Jamaica.

You are trying your best to gather the things that are necessary for you to own. You have started out right; you need a good bed and you should aim to buy your own stove. Too bad that you will not be able to have your own refrigerator. Sometimes when a person has to share, he or she is not given enough space in the refrigerator. However, you will get to the position where you will be more comfortable. You might not be able to do post graduate studies right away, but don't take your eyes off the ball.

Aim high and you will achieve your goals. I wish you well.

Pastor