Lights Out at Christie's Apartment & More!

Nothing much but wanted you all to know that according to my neighbor who speaks a tiny bit of English, our electricity went out in the apartment complex where I live which consists of 7 - 31 story buildings with anywhere between 8 and 12 apartments on each floor. I live on the 23rd floor! On the 4th floor, there is a walk way that connects all 7 buildings together with a huge walk-way/garden/and play area for children. It's nice but VERY crowded with people 24/7!

The complex is connected to our local Wal-Mart! Yes, that's right! Wal-Mart! But it's not like the Wal-Mart's in the US so don't get too excited! It is expensive compared to local street shops but it is large and air-conditioned so many people walk around inside it to get cool... and they do make a fair amount of sales, too!

The electricity went out about 8 am (after I had already left for work... his wife's mother stays home all day to babysit their child) and it didn't come back on until 8 pm tonight, Tuesday, August 23! That makes a full 24 hours it was off. The tiny freezer I have in my dorm room sized refrigerator had 2 - 2 cup frozen bags of veggies... needless to say they were mush. The six eggs I had boiled no doubt are spoiled and not sure how the fresh veggies fared as I did not open the quart sized bags to find out.

One good thing is that I was needing to defrost the tiny little freezer as it had frost quite thick in it and was not freezing well to begin with. So, that's taken care of! Water was all over the floor when I got home at 6:15 pm. Mess cleaned up and dinner consumed in the dark to a single mini-flashlight I brought with me.

My neighbor, Family and Janny (pronounced "Jenny") came over to visit in the dark after their little meal was over as well. We had a great time talking small talk about where they are from, where they work, how they met, the size of their birth families, their education, etc. I learned a bit more about China tonight though in all reality, I do every day in some way.

Family and Jenny assisted me one night about 3 days after I had arrived as well.... a policeman came knocking at my door wanting my passport info, a picture, and my signature on a formal looking document. I didn't have a phone yet so between Family, Janny, and a bilingual operator I was able to get on my cell phone from America (the only communication I could have on that phone and before the expiry date), we took care of everything the policeman was wanting.

On another note, Family and Janny came to my rescue again (as did a Chinese speaking teacher at the school), when a week ago, some teenager (supposedly) played a prank and locked me out of my apartment by putting quick drying cement glue into my key hole of my apartment door! That was almost a 4 hour ordeal to take care of but patience and perseverance as well as my friends Family and Janny (and the Chinese speaking teacher) saved the day... I mean night! The good thing there is that with the new door handle and locks installed, I don't have to get a spare key made! There were 5 of them that came with the set! And, of course, it set me back by $45 American dollars!

But, I'm not complaining! I'm safe and sound and back to "normal" now with a functioning locking door, electricity, a refrigerator that works... and internet... well, most of the time... it's not working at the moment so you won't get this no doubt until tomorrow!

Night night! Sleep tight! And don't let the bed bugs bite!
God's blessings to all of you and thank you so much for praying for me!
Love you all!