I’ve begun working at home twice a week because it’s nearly impossible to get anything done in the office. We switched offices with the chaplaincy in January, and yet the general population seems to not know. I’m thinking of making signs. Also, the two other lecturers aren’t always around, and so I have to convey that information, as well as directing people to the next set of offices. To that, add people just stopping in to say hello because that is the African way, and you can frustrate one reasonably Type-A American.
However, working from home has been challenging, because the wifi that was installed last September (and got working November-ish) has been spectacularly unreliable. I’ve called to the computer people (UIS) any number of times, but not as often as I would have in the US because I want them to still like me.
So, last week I finally was able to get Dorcas up here to see how bad and inconsistent it was, and she agreed. She then sent Kenneth a few days later to see what he could do. Nothing seemed to change.
I had to go to the library the other day, so I decided to drop by the UIS office to see if an in-person plea, coupled with sad Bambi eyes, could make a difference. While I was talking with Dorcas, she asked someone sitting near her about the status of the wifi here, and he grumbled something about asking someone else.
I really wanted to make a sad face at a technician to try to manipulate encourage them to do something, so I told Dorcas that he wouldn’t look at me so I could smile at him (which really is a gentle rebuke; you always greet people when they come). She laughed, and told him to smile at Rev. Jessica. So he looked up and laughed, and I made my sad Bambi smile, and we all had a good laugh, and I left with an assurance that it would be examined.
When I got home later that afternoon, the wifi worked!! Hallelujah!! I called Dorcas to see what they did, and she insists that no one did anything. Two days later, and it’s STILL working. I’m putting this one down as a miracle.
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