Electronics and storms


A few of the students tested.



Older student came by to greet.

I had a full week of school!!  I’m just beginning to get into the swing of things so more on school in a later post.  I started observing classes, assessing student’s reading skills, and helping out with some computer issues.  I still need to set a preliminary schedule, but needed to wait for other schedules.  Those were completed on Friday.  School this week will likely be interrupted (more later).

Peace Corps life is hard on computers


But right now, speaking about computer issues I’m having some of my own.  Electronics issues are not uncommon for Peace Corps volunteers.  I had a phone just die (would not turn on after charging on a USB charger overnight) in training so I’m using my backup.  Two other volunteers in Dominica had their computers die in the last two weeks and on Friday, when I tried to start working on this post after not using my computer for a week, I noticed some of the keys on my keyboard had stopped working.

I think it might be the keyboard cable to the motherboard because some keys work and some don’t.  It’s not like I spilled something (and I know how to clean a keyboard).  However, I don’t know how to take apart my laptop (beyond taking off the back) – so I couldn’t get to the cable and of course it could be something else.  There are computer repair shops, but I’m not ready for that yet.  So, I got an inexpensive USB keyboard on Saturday and I’m going to have a “desktop” and not travel with it anymore….  Hopefully, it will last two years, but I might start looking for a new computer sometime.
Getting the back cover off was very easy - but could not figure the clip points for the case afterwards.

Mosquito Bat


Also talking about electronic purchases...  I don't have a lot of mosquitoes in my place, but I do have a few.  So, I bought a mosquito bat a few weeks ago and I’m afraid that I’m enjoying it just a little too much.  It is sort of a cross between a fly swatter and an electric chair.  One waves it at the little blood suckers and there is a snap and spark as the capacitor discharges on contact with the flying annoyance.  It can be rather dramatic and there is sometimes more popping and a whiff of fried insect if it gets stuck.  I don’t want to be a horrible person, but it gets to be sort of like that bubble wrap.  I find each spark very satisfying.  Don't judge.
Gives me way to much joy in the evening.

Maria and Lee

Maria is a rather small storm by recent standards bu will gain strength after passing.

On Saturday a tropical depression aimed at the islands formed into a named storm – Maria.  On Sunday early morning our island was upgraded from tropical storm watch to a hurricane watch and just recently to a hurricane warning.  Given the past consolidations and the more direct line of approach for this one – I’m not going to be surprised if I’m pulled out of my site again – likely just consolidated because this one formed rather quickly and close by.  Safety, blah, blah, blah. 

I know that sounds horrible to family and friends who are not on the ground with me – but my feelings are pretty normal for Peace Corps volunteers.  Peace Corps volunteers step out of the comfort of homes in America to be a part of something bigger and that can a little edgy at times.  We know there are risks, but there would be risks if we stayed home.  

 We get to know our site and the people.  We get connected and want to share the good and the bad.  Generally speaking – we would prefer to hunker down at site, rather than move out presuming the site is safe.  And mine is pretty safe from weather, particularly flooding, landslides, heavy rain.  I’ve got water for days and enough food for a week.  (As my budget allows I will stock up more staples.)

I would be safe at site – but yes, (Mom, Sam, Lisa, …) I’ll follow Peace Corps instructions.  Which I expect any time now. - We will consolidate tomorrow in Roseau.

Peace Corps wants to protect the safety and security of volunteers and will do what they think is best.  We just make it harder by complaining about it, so this is the extent of my public comments.  However, I do want to explain how at least one Peace Corps volunteer thinks.  Peace Corps staff realize it is difficult for us to leave site, but like making a kid eat broccoli they will do what they think is best.  And I will do as I'm told.  You can't play around with safety and security issues and remain a volunteer.

 Lee is another storm that is following Maria (but formed first, so got named first).  Lee is expected to go north of the island at this time, and may weaken.  So it should not be a problem. 

NOTE: I will not be taking my computer with me when we consolidate so if my return is significantly delayed – the post next week might just be a short “I’m fine” sent from my phone.

 Love Always,

John

Comments

  1. Ray BlakneyOctober 3, 2017 at 12:35 PM

    Hi John,

    Sorry to bother you.  My name is Ray Blakney and I am an RPCV from Mexico (2006-2008). Hope you are doing ok after the storms. I am working on a 3rd goal project with the PC regional offices and the main office in DC to try to create an online archive to keep the language training material made all over the world from getting lost.  I have created a sub-section on the website my wife and I run Live Lingua with all the information I have been able to get to date (from over the web and sent to me directly by PC staff and PCV's).  I currently have close to 100 languages with ebooks, audios, and even some videos. 
     
    The next step for this project is that I am trying to get the word out about this resource so that it can not only be used by PCV's or those accepted into the Peace Corps, but also so that when people run across material that is not on the site they can send it to me and I can get it up for everybody to use.  I was hoping that you could help getting the word out by putting a link on this on your site here, so that people know it is there.  There should be something there for almost everybody.  It is all 100% free to use and share.  Here is the specific page to what we call the Live Lingua Project:


    http://www.livelingua.com/project/

    Thanks for any help you can provide in making this 3rd goal project a success.   And if anybody in your group has some old material they can scan or already have in digital form, and want to add to the archive, please don't hesitate to pass them my email.  Thanks and have a great day.

    ReplyDelete

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