Tuesday, 14 March 2006 @ 2:19pm. I’m feeling a lot better today, thank goodness. :) I even managed to get a few things done: search for and then order more books, arrange an interview for later this week, edit the Freedom Institute’s website further (we’re on the umpteenth draft), and hire a new assistant. The latter is the most important so far, and I hope things work out well with him. We meet again next Monday to check on his progress.

I also managed to give a small list to the ibu at my kos of things that need fixing in my room (e.g., ceiling leak, fuzzy television, and small wasp nests made out of mud in my bathroom). I was very nervous talking to the ibu, so I’m glad I pulled it off. The pressure to be respectful and polite, especially if you’re a woman, is tremendous here; I didn’t want to offend her even though I am the paying customer. What a role reversal from “the customer is always right” mentality back home in the States! I just hope the repairs are taken care of soon.

Here are random links that may be of interest to some of you:

(1) Graduate student comic strip: http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/comics.php

(2) Living in Indonesia (site for expatriates): http://www.expat.or.id/

(3) Baby pandas galore (careful, they are almost *too* adorable to take!): http://www.pandafix.com/pandafix/2006/01/16_baby_pandas_.html