I've Got The Power

Previously on "You're gonna eat that!?!": Erin had just plugged in her laptop and was sitting down in front of the tv when she realized that she had not turned on the power strip, and thus was not charging the battery of her computer. She reached down and pushed the power button. POP! Sparks flew, the lights went out, and the couch is now a different color. Frantically, she checked her computer to make sure that it was not fried. Luckily, the computer still worked, but the AC adapter sadly, did not survive the ordeal.

With nothing left to do, I sent out a quick message to my father and my daddy having full confidence that one could fix it and one would know what I should do. I was right, both came through!

Rather than getting my internet today, as I had planned, I posted up in the foreign affairs office to explain to people who do not speak English (or very limited English) that my computer was broken. Of course, they did not understand and insisted on going back to my apartment. Finally, after speaking loudly and slowly (because everyone knows that that makes it easier for people who don't speak your language to understand you) they understood that the computer was broken. Some calls were made, and magically, everything was okay. I could get my new adapter today! I was so stunned. The boy wanted to take it to get it fixed, but I insisted on going with him. He seemed to think that they could just fix it. After a little back and forth, I convinced him to let me go. Off we went in the van...to the bus stop. Then we got on the bus and went to the computer street. Every store on this street was selling computers. I thought, "Great! We'll surely find what we need in any one of the these shops." We walked and walked, and with great precision, we stopped in front of what appeared to be a "mega-store". Something like an Asian version of a Best Buy, perhaps. Another call was made. Suddenly, a boy appeared from no where while I was wondering why we weren't going into the store. He beckoned for us to follow him. Down a winding alley way, and I could not help but wonder what might happen to me alone in this alley with two men who didn't speak English. We went around the corner and stopped at the grimy little garage type repair shop. The man who owned the repair shop was out, but his apprentice was there. He said that we would have to wait a day to get the adapter because they had to go to another city two hours away. I felt that that was fair, after all, my city is not so big. Then, it was the day after tomorrow because they couldn't be expected to make a special trip (4 hours total) just for one part. I started to feel rather uneasy. I wanted to know exactly how long I was going to be out of a computer. Oh, and by the way, they said I needed to leave the adapter with them. This was not okay. Finally, they said to just wait and the owner would return in about an hour. I was willing to wait. Fortunately, he returned early! He took one look at the adapter, placed it in the basket of his motorized bicycle, and said he'd be back in 10 minutes. This was much better than the 24, no 48, maybe 72 hour wait the apprentice told me it would be. Ten minutes later, he was back with two adapters in the basket and a new cord. I explained to him that the cord he was giving me would only work here, but not in America when I return. He informed me that the old cord would still work in the new adapter. What's more, I could take the new adapter home and try it out. If it worked, I would pay him, and if it did not, I would return it. Now that's customer service my friends!

I must say, I don't think I would ever have been quite so assertive back home in America. There's something about being overseas that makes me feisty, I guess.

This morning, when I was walking around campus, I took some more pictures. This time of scenery. Daddy, you'd be proud. I haven't taken a single picture of a person yet.

These two images are taken from the top of the teaching building where my classes will be held. The first one is looking out from campus. We are surrounded by mountains and have this lovely lake where many students go to study or have a rest. The second picture is looking into the center of campus. The building that you are looking at is the library. All roads around campus for a ring outwards from this area. There are many trees and flowers for students to enjoy while having their rests.

This last image is particularly interesting. The red banners are strategically placed around the door frame in order to ward off evil spirits (ex. 12.7,13)

This is the front of the teaching building, where the majority of classes are held, and all of mine will be held.