Macbook Apocalyse

I’ve been quite the slacker on blog updates, but it can be explained by a series of unfortunate events! 

On Monday, my beloved macbook bit the dust. Some of you know that during the last few weeks of the semester my computer had given me a whole lot of hell, and although I recognize that there is truly no good time for one’s computer to crash, during grad school, finals season, and while getting ready to defend my dissertation proposal, it seemed especially inconvenient. However, after replacing my hard drive and several other parts (…and a small fortune later) I thought my mac was ready for India. It was a poor assumption, I suppose, because after taking my computer to one of the few Apple stores in Delhi, I’ve been told that my hard-drive is a goner (data and all---thank goodness I’ve been hypervigilant about backing up!). This has been especially stressful and frustrating because I had spent a lot of time preparing to be away from school for a month, working ahead, and staying on top of all of my responsibilities, and it seems to have all hit the fan. My patience has been tested this week, and I have felt frustrated that I’ve had to spend time devoting to fixing my computer and trying to figure how I’ll manage without it. Still, there’s something about being in India that reminds me of how provincial this problem is—what a paradox to be experiencing such a first world problem while living in the third world. The poverty and injustice is so prevalent in India, that it reminds that many of the people that I encounter only wish their problems were this simple. Even though this week was a challenge, and all I could think about is how this problem could be so easily resolved at home, I’m determined  to not let this small glitch get me down. My friends have been generous in allowing me to borrow their computers (please excuse my sloppy punctuation as I get used to Magdalena’s German keyboard!) and I’m sure that I can manage.

Although computer drama has consumed me this week, I’ve still had a wonderful time getting to know the children and staff at Ashish. Being around them brings me so much joy. Similar to how I feel much of the time even in the US when working with children, its impossible for me to feel stressed while working with a energetic and giggly child. 

I was hoping to post some pictures of recent happenings, but my internet connection is REALLY struggling at the moment.

This weekend, I am visiting the city of Amritsar.  We just arrived this morning, but I’m excited to spend the weekend living with another Indian family and seeing another part of India! More updates to come soon!!