Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Whoops...Sorry about that!

Sometimes when you travel, things that would be automatic at home take a lot of thought and energy.    This becomes even more true when you are clutzy like me!

For example, this morning my host is at work and so I was on my own for breakfast.  She told me I am welcome to anything to eat in the fridge or cupboards.  I've successfully had breakfast on my own for multiple decades, so I was not worried.  No problem!  When I got into the fridge this morning, I quickly realized that I had no idea what any of the food wasnbecause the labels are in Russian.  Their bpackaging is all in waxed cardboard like Our juice boxes would be, so I could not tell what is milk and what is mayonaese!  I gave up and ate a granola bar I'd brought me.  Next time I will ask for more information instead of making assumptions!

Last night I was trying to charge my computer.  No problem!  I've plugged in things for my whole life.  In many countries they do not have the same plugs or power voltage that we do.  I plugged my converter in, and then the computer to the converter.  I kept smelling an odd smell...I thought it was just being in a new place.  No...there was smoke coming out of the converter.  Whoops!  I am glad that I admitted it to Irina...she had smelled it to and was apologizing for burning our dinner!  I guess I will find Plan B for charging my computer.  At least I have my iPad!

Not long after, we opened the window because of the smell.  Here in Dubna I find the apartments very hot.  The apartments do not have their own thermostat, and are heated centrally.  I thought I could handle opening a window.  Apparently not, I broke the handle.  I thought I was being gentle, but turned it the wrong way.

In all of this I'm learning it is OK to make mistakes, and I am learning from them minute by minute.  It is good for me to not take simple tasks for granted, and to stop making assumptions of how things should be done.

My body has not adjusted to the new time zone yet, but other than that I am doing well.  At night I sleep about two hours at a time, and then am awake for another two.  This morning when I woke up I thought it was about 8:30.  It was actually 1PM!  I am glad that we had scheduled today for us to rest, clearly I needed it!  My body still wants to sleep on WI time.  Hopefully it will adjust soon!

1 comment:

  1. I don't think I'll ask you to punch any of my new games...

    ReplyDelete