The Flood

January 2017.

Lets start by explaining that I own a condo. My friend lived in the same building on a floor much higher up. He was intrigued by the idea of moving to B.C. but wasn't sure what to do with his place. I was always in love with his view, and visiting him when he lived there. I proposed I rent out my condo, and move into his place with the intent to eventually buy his unit if he was going to move to British Columbia.

This was all exciting and he even gave me the go ahead to do some renovations. I get excited and try to hurry my process sometimes. And in this case, I had my friend help me with some of these reno's instead of a hired contractor.

This friend, with all good intentions, went to do some plumbing work and thought the shut off valve was functioning, when in reality it was broken. This caused a flood to occur once he cut the pipe... from way up on a double digit floor, to the main floor, water had damaged all paths along the way. Oh gravity.

They both are dealing with a lot of financial turmoil between insurance companies from all the damages, and I am dealing with the aftermath of the interior of my new home, all the while having zero luck with stable renters to lease out my condo.

I used all the money I had left to fix up the condo, including paying for an asbestos abatement, and doing most of the renovations myself to avoid extra costs.

I sold my car, I dropped out of school, and I was jobless.

I WAS STRESSED.

It is now well into 2018 and I write this blog, predating it to shortly after the flood.

I found a job as a tattoo apprentice while I began to start from scratch. I started my 2017 without running water, and still don't have a functioning kitchen. I am still building myself up in my career to have enough to finish fixing my place up, but I still have a ways to go.

The flood taught me a few valuable lessons. 1) Don't be hasty. Impatience might help you get things done quickly, but its about doing it right. 2) Definitely get a contractor. DIY is all gravy if you actually know what you are doing, but there are definitely jobs you should leave to 'professionals' and you avoid being hunted down by insurance. 3)Everyone may have good intentions, but still make mistakes! 4) SHIT HAPPENS - keep on going.

I look at my response to most stressful situations and this one made me feel guilty ashamed and a whole lot of other irresponsible feelings. Not only did I affect my friend who owned the unit, but the one who flooded it deals with his guilt and is dealing with insurance, and all the lives of the people below me were affected too.

Biggest lesson however.... Forgive yourself. Accidents happen, and you can learn from your mistakes. I think I gathered a lot of knowledge from this unfortunate event.