The Office Move In

I awoke this morning so tired I decided to lay off the hour's walk this morning...and besides, it was another wet morning. I heated the "safe" water I got in my pitcher from the filtered water machine downstairs the previous night. I used my French press coffee maker for the first time. I had Starbuck's coffee from Tian Mu, but discovered a very busy Starbuck's located in the Carrefour's shopping center...not to worry...but great coffee, and a great way to start my day.

I finally got to the shower around 9:15, only to discover that taking a shower completely floods the bathroom floor. I hurriedly took out the rugs, and tried to figure out if there was anything I could do to prevent it or reduce the amount of water at the very least...NADA! I will be cleaning the bathroom floor everyday, not a bad thing under dormitory circumstances. I walked the long way around the dorm in order to take pictures of the campus on my first official day...again, they will be forthcoming when I get my netbook working.

I went straight to my office: 60616. I still struggle with the concept of two locks, one of which must be held open while you are unlocking the other one...dorm and office are similar from that perspective. I need two more hands.

May I say the office was not exactly ready for me? It is empty, but filthy...another opportunity for a Chinese New Year cleaning. I am going home to put on my work clothes so I can come back and do the bleach thing again. The view looks out onto a quad that is very beautiful, but the windows are filthy! I know now why the Taiwanese use such bright and unflattering flourescent light bulbs...at least they mimic the real sun that is not often seen for long periods at a time!

And, of course, the computer was not hooked up and ready either...and it looks like one straight out of the 70s...I think I may have to cart my netbook back and forth. BUT the phone is working! However, there is no message machine on any of the phones!

Ah well...on to the bank to finish my application...didn't do it right the first time, didn't do it right the second time, still don't have it the third time. Zack, my wonderful helper who speaks excellent English, did all he could to make it possible. This is only a branch, and they now have all of the paper work, but they can't give me an account at this location. Unfortunately, they will not be back until AFTER CNY...on the 25th. And the kicker? No pay until I have an account. I was assured that I will have an ATM card that I can use anywhere, I just have no money until this is done.

On to the personnel office who now want an official letter from my university that states I have been a full professor for 8 years there...another TM...so I have sent e-mails begging for the letter. I think I will just not mention that I was a full at OCU...dear lord, no more letters. No letter, no pay...and, in fact, I will now not get paid until March 15...six weeks without pay...C--P! I think that is an America expression after too many TMs!

Onward and upward...time to get the work clothes on and attack my office...another C--P!

I am counting on getting my computers up and running...C--P!

More adventures of the CNY cleaning lady to follow...