Move In Day

I lugged all of the suitcases (4 very heavy ones) and all of the endless bags and boxes of dormitory stuff downstairs for the big move. C packed a lunch for us, and cheese and crackers and chocolate covered cherries and blueberries for my first dorm night. Vivian sent a 9 seater van, and we pretty much filled it up! The driver arrived on time, and loaded us up for the trip...traffic was miserable as we had to go in the direction of the Taipei airport before turning south for Jhong Li and Neili. We still made it in just a little over an hour, 40 minutes less than the taxi, MRT, slow Train, taxi route.

We arrived in the rain, and Kingsley met us. Bless his heart! He and I carried everything up to the room. I told him I knew this was not in his job description (as a grad assistant). He just laughed and said "it is my honor to help you!" C could not help at all, but stood on guard while we went up and down to the second floor. She is having shoulder problems, and is out of commission for two weeks. She should be healed up by the time we return from Boracay.

It was cleaning hell day. We wiped everything off with pure bleach. I was using q-tips to get the filth out of vents and louvers. I bleached the bathroom from ceiling to floor. We were lucky to be able to open the balcony door when our eyes started to burn and our lungs felt attacked. Truly we sprayed and scrubbed...both of us...from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM...in just as studio dorm room. I still need to get on my hands and knees and do the floor. At least the room was taking shape.

We finally walked away and took a taxi to the local Carrefours...located in a very nice shopping center. The super market was indeed super, and we were able to collect all the things on the list that I needed, including a small electric "sweeper." I dropped her off at the train station, and she did not arrive home until after 7. I finally stopped working around 8 and opened my cheap bottle of wine to have with my cheese and crackers.

...Asleep at 10, but startled awake by endless tap, tap, tapping...quite loud at times...I was sure the cock roaches and rats were coming to get me. When I finally got up the nerve to turn on the light, I discovered the wind was blowing in and moving the vertical blinds. I backed up a bag against the window, and reduced the movement...but really did not sleep too well after that! The mattress is very solid, very heavy and laid straight on top of a piece of wood. I have always said I could sleep any where, including the floor, but this may not be exactly true!

The biggest problems concerned the phone and internet connections...promised, but not available. I am absolutely LOST without my internet...no communications, no research, no newspapers, no Skype...just when I was ready to use it this morning. I have many, many pictures, but no way to upload them today.

And next,the office move in on Thursday...