Saturday, March 1, 2008

Phew! Internet is BACK

Yesterday's internet connection was so frustrating. I'd have it one minute and then lose it the next. It was sick like this the whole morning and then by afternoon, it was gone. Richard rang up and was told that the construction workers building a flyover in town had accidentally severed the main fiber optic cable. Now why was it on/off in the morning. Did they saw slowly into it? Who knows? Anyway, its back and I'm relieved.

Loss of connectivity made me think of a conversation I had with my friend who recently moved to Shanghai. She's complaining that the internet speed is extremely slow there and directed me to this line from Catshanghai to describe what it was like:

Using the Internet in China is like being constipated with someone else’s bowel.


I had a good laugh at that and realized that I actually have it good here in Palembang. Before moving to Indonesia, Richard and I were obsessed about finding a way to live and work in China for a while. I know I now live in a somewhat 'backward' little town and Shanghai is a modern and exciting mega city but maybe living in Palembang is better for me after all....for now.

With my current lifestyle, as in the one where I stay at home all day with Aaron, the internet has become an indispensable part of my life. We have no friends or family here so the Internet is a HUGE part of my social life. You may think thats sad but I enjoy it and it suits where I am now.

There is also Google where I go to for all my medical questions. Yes, it does feed my paranoia but its the most knowledgeable doctor I know here. More seriously though, the internet came in very handy last year when Aaron broke out in a rash all over his body. I was able to take photos of this and email it to his pediatrician in Ipoh. I did take him to a local doctor too but they have a tendency to over prescribe. So, the Ipoh doctor was able to look at the problem and then let me know which of the multiple drugs prescribed needed to be taken. He also gave me a long email explanation on allergies and babies.

YAY! For the Internet!

5 comments:

John A Hill said...

Another plus of the internet is a growing network of international friends. I always enjoy reading your posts, Amanda.

Amanda said...

You're absolutely right, John! I always enjoy your posts too. On the internet, you really meet people from all sorts of diverse backgrounds that you would never have the chance to normally.

Bilbo said...

"...like being constipated with someone else's bowel..." I don't think I could ever come up with such a great expression! Thanks for sharing that, and for being such a great digital friend.

Jean-Luc Picard said...

I can see why it's important why you're connected to the web. I get frantic when I get cut off.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree, yaaay for the digital world, I too, feel like I can't live without it.