update; life lessons.

update on charity's baby (iBook):

• my hard drive was erased (please everyone, remember to back up everything; work, music, photos, memoirs, stories, etc.).


• my RAM was bad. not the built-in RAM, but the additional factory installed RAM, so they'll have to replace it. unfortunately, since my computer is 3 years old (ancient!) they have to order it, so it won't be in until sometime this week, at which point i can go pick it up.


• my software installation disks were ruined (separate incident). apple strung me along all weekend about whether they were going to replace the disks (software is technically only covered for 90 days, even with the extended warranty), and i finally just decided to upgrade to MAC OS X 10.4. unfortunately, i can't install the new software until i have the additional memory, so i'll have to wait on that until later this week, too.


• i got a new battery, and the people at apple are going to replace my keyboard and feet.


• so, the worst news is that i lost everything in my hard drive. the best news is that my warranty expires in november, so i get everything except the software for free (kind-of. i paid $350 for the extended warranty). plus, i still have over 2 GB of music in my ipod!

i emailed the chair of my committee and explained. i have a deadline this friday that i am definitely not going to make. he advised me not to panic. that's kind, but somewhat impossible advice for me to take. i'll do my best.

so what lessons have i learned from all of this?

• back up your data.


• buy the extended warranties.


• don't procrastinate (well, i mean that's a good lesson from this experience, but not one that i will definitely learn).


• there's always a time to let go of stuff that you think you can't live without. you can live without it.


• it can always be worse. after all of this, i went over to my friends' apartment. another friend stopped by and i found out that her boyfriend's sergeant from when he was in the army recently was shot in the head in afghanistan. i don't really feel right complaining; my computer will be working by next weekend. even though i lost stuff i can never replace (stories i've written, photos from vacations, etc.), none of that will really matter in the long run.

moral: let go of what you can't hold onto anymore, and be thankful for what you still have. recognize what's really important and enjoy it while you can.

charity :)