Who left that in the fridge?!

So my roommate had called me a couple of days ago upon returning back to Pittsburgh from Japan and informed me that apparently the last person to leave for vacation had failed to empty the fridge of easily spoiled foods, e.g. vegetables, milk, etc. Moreover, she had also forgotten to throw the leftover rice in the rice cooker and coffee grinds in the coffee maker. So all of the above had been left to rot away for a full three months while we were all away for summer break. 

I was the second to the last person to leave, only shy of one day. I had remembered asking her to make sure that the veggies in the fridge would either be given away or thrown away. I did not specify that she also check appliances like the rice-cooker or the coffee-maker, but this should be common sense. Apparently, she had none. *And* she was also the first to return back to our apartment, back in the first week of August. When she called me, I simply assumed that she would have the sense to clean and dust up a bit, so I did not even bother to pursue the matter. I was not her mother, and this wasn’t something that one would need reminders for; especially when I consider the fact that she will be turning 30 years of age by this December.

I could not believe my ears. 

Ostensibly, it is quite true that one cannot judge one’s maturity level, quality of life skills, common sense, and wisdom from one’s age; neither can it be judged from one’s education level. Practical skills are indeed not dependent upon theoretical skills, though the two can wonderfully complement each other–and of course, this also depends on which person it is embodied within. 

And poor Naoko! You have no idea how angry she is; and understandably so. 

I feel so sorry for her! I can already envision her reaction when she first opened the rice cooker, and then turned around to check the coffee-maker, then the fridge. She said she had wanted to do something, but the thought was so repulsive that she simply could not bring herself to reopen the rice cooker or the coffee machine. As far as the fridge is concerned, she could not even identify what some of the items used to be. “I think they were once vegetables…” On my part, I should have just done it myself before I left. I was just thinking that Ching-Chia (our other roommate) would use those appliances. She herself told me that she would give the raw vegetables to her sister, so they won’t go to waste. 

I asked Naoko to try as best as her stomach allows her to clean the appliances. The rice cooker could be thrown away, but the coffee machine was a rather expensive one, and included an espresso maker on one side. I paid for most of it, and I really don’t want to toss it. I advised Naoko to just close her eyes and throw the filter away and soak the plastic filter in hot boiling water; if she waited until I went back, it would only get worse. I am not sure if she accomplished, but I will find out soon enough.

I must admit that I am just as upset about the whole situation. Either one of us has to get down to it and scrub away those little micro-critters that had been growing, or we buy new appliances. Honestly, I’m not sure which is the best route to take….