I found this all so intriguing - and all new to me! I had a Malay roomate one summer in grad school - but I had just started dating and I spent every waking minute with my boyfriend...

It's too bad - she was such a sweet roomate and she loved me - because she had help with the rent but got the whole place to herself 90% of the time! LOL...

More importantly - loved how you handled this essay and it's great to understand your perspective!

Thanks for writing!