or should I say Macgyver DVD player

Katie and Thomas came over for lunch and Thomas began tinkering with my DVD player as he promised. It had broken a few months ago and since I so generously got a screwdriver for  Christmas he promised to take a look at it for me.

Here’s what I had to begin with:

1 DVD player with a power problem

1 DVD player that just didn’t work

1 DVD player with a driver problem

and 2  kind friends who had an abundance of patience and apparently a free afternoon.

So as I slaved away giving finals in my office listening to stuttering English Katie and Thomas slaved away in the living room operating like two experienced surgeons. Between finals I snuck a look and wide eyed I tried to take in the scene before me. Three disassembled DVD players with neat piles of screws, cables and fuses.

The Beginning

In the end a miracle was accomplished and a rather unorthodox player was born. So now lets go through the steps.

1. Remove top cover

2. Remove magnetic disc centering holding bar

3.Insert desire disc for viewing pleasure

At least it works.

4.Replace magnetic disc centering holding bar, making sure sides are flush with base, and the magnet is unobstructedly engaged with sub magnet.

5. Press the close button to engage the driver making sure Step 4 was completed properly without an unidentifiable rattling noise accompanying the spinning.  (the loading dock is not functioning but this step is necessary to trick the player into loading the inserted DVD)

6. Replace cover. (to prevent a second layer of dust settling on the inside although it might seem pointless after the layer of dust that accumulated while completing steps 1-5)

7. Pray the TV is on the right channel or take another 10min figureing out which key to hit on the Chinese remote!

8. Enjoy your film, while keeping your fingers crossed, that none of the parts shift as they are no longer mounted in place.

Okay so everyone has one, that one outfit that you miraculously find one day that just makes you feel good. Like really really confident good. Maybe its just some old favorites that you throw together for the first time, or perhaps a so-so outfit that you buy the final piece to and it all just comes alive. However you find it, you look at your self in the mirror and you just feel like you can conquer the world. Okay a tad dramatic but that’s how I felt yesterday morning, like I could conquer the world.

Its the cardigan-denim jacket combination I think, oh and the long necklace, yes the jewelry definitely plays a huge part.

Those who know me know I would never list attractive as a personal quality and I tend to be rather harsh on myself in regards to appearances. So for me to have  a day where I am confident in what I look like is practically a miracle in and of itself.  

So I opted to take a picture of just the clothes and imagine a much slimmer me in this great outfit.

This is mine, go find your own and feel good for a day!

The conception of two people living together for twenty-five years without having a cross word suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep.
  – Alan Patrick Herbert

I have to admit the google quotes of the day are always the first thing I read when I log on in the evening. (It changes midnight US time which is evening for me). Today’s quote just sent me rolling. I would just like to know who picks them and where in the world do they get them.

Who is Alan Patrick Herbert you might ask…well according to Wikipedia…

Sir Alan Patrick Herbert, CH (usually writing as A. P. Herbert or A. P. H.) (24 September 1890 – 11 November 1971) was an English humorist, novelist, playwright and law reform activist. He was Member of Parliament for Oxford University for 15 years, five of which he combined with service in the Royal Navy.

I will just have to add this one to my quote book. Yes, I’m a complete nerd and have a quote book. To top that off, it is a scrapbooked quote book.

Thank goodness my Home-teacher is in town because it’s moving time. I know it’s only two floors down but its the mental moving that is killing me right now. I was hoping not to move for another few weeks but due to some unforeseen circumstances its just best I move this weekend. So tomorrow it is. So fam and friends, who skype you will no longer have to suffer a dirty room as a background. I will have an office in my new place. I feel like I’m moving into a mansion going down stairs.

I’m moving into Adam and Dantzelle’s old place. It’s a 3 bed 1 bath! Of course I will do a full tour once I’m moved in and everything is clean. That second part is the key there.  But it will be deep cleaned before Winter break. I want everything ready for when Kelly moves in!

So many new things wait! Oh, just thinking about a couch makes me want to melt. I am going to be sad to leave this apartment. I’ve grown quite attached. My first real place, not to shabby. And to be perfectly honest I’m going to miss the free mandatory daily workout going up four floors.  Not that I’m complaining about moving to the second floor.

About a month into this excursion I realized there were going to be plenty of moments where no words would capture my feelings. That’s when I discovered the phrase “Welcome to China”, mind you your arms must be thrown up into the air and your head shaken to get the full effect. This is the closest I’ve come to expressing my feelings.

Since I’ve discovered this line I have used it on numerous occasions to which all westerns have agreed. A child tinkling on the bus while the mother holds his legs spread eagle, “Welcome to China.” Afternoon planes never being less than 2hours delayed, “Welcome to China.” Class is canceled tomorrow (from your students but not a word from administration), “Welcome to China.” Shall I continue, okay you get the picture.

The truth, I’m getting sick of this phrase but it seems to be the only thing keeping me from insanity. I know common sense and culture is unique to each country and I know “West is not always Best”. I wouldn’t dream of forcing American ways on anyone but really basic human nature people? Anyone?

It is interesting to note that at lunch today Bonnie, Katie and I had a rather surprising conversation on the effect of propaganda here. After so long you just stop resisting. Scary, but true.

Wednesdays are always horrible days for me. They are my busiest. The first change I make next semester is my Children’s night class. I’m putting my foot down and refuse to do it on the night of my craziest day. A full day of classes and then a night class just about does me in.

I woke this morning in a slight depression no real reason but I just can’t seem to shake the funk. Thank goodness tomorrow is Thursday and I get to see the rest of the gang for lunch. Okay if I can just make it through the afternoon and then the evening things will brighten.

Well off to class.

I seem to only add to my near death experiences here. Normally I do not consider myself absentminded or stupid but as of late there is really no other way to describe myself.

Walking anywhere is dangerous here as cars can and do drive anywhere they please. There are really no designated sidewalks and walking to the front gate can be a Frogger level at times. Just last week as I was headed out for the evening I was making my way around the round about at the front gate when a car approached from behind. Do I go left or do I go right? I choose the wrong direction I went left and so did the car. The sound of the brakes reverberated in my ears until I was  sitting safely on the bus.

Embarrassing as it is to admit that was not my first close call with a moving vehicle, not by a long shot. Although it was a step down from the buses I’ve walked in front of here.

Thank Heaven for safety shutoffs.

I don't think this is a good thing...

Adam and Dantzelle have left Weifang. I am left alone at the school. My circle of Western friends has begun to shrink. Over the next month and a half that circle will continue to shrink. I cling to two rays of sunshine, I will always have Katie and Thomas across town and Kelly will join me in the Spring!

I can hardly believe it is already December, and half way through at that. I feel like I got here last month some days, others I feel the 3 months 2 weeks 5 days and 15hours. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to meet Adam and Dantzelle and all their help in adjusting to life in China. I think it safe and only honest to admit I couldn’t have adjusted so quickly without them. I will feel their absence but am grateful for their time.

Best of luck you two, with all your future travels. The memories we’ve shared will always be dear and thank goodness when all else fails I can call you when I need someone to understand life in China.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?num=1&t=h&hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=111339267398628592226.000474994180243f527da&ll=36.682428,119.089469&spn=0.003932,0.006856&z=17

I found my college on Google maps. I’ve flagged some places around town that I usually go, you can view them by clicking on the Goooogle pages in the search box on the left. You might have to zoom out to get the picture to come up.