Change of plans

It wasn’t until late in the evening after I wrote that last blog post that I really realized what I might have lost from my computer. Not only was I missing 18 days of FLEx work, but the most recent copy of my Verbs Database (containing information on 500+ verbs and the meat of my dissertation) was also on my computer and I couldn’t find a back up. This resulted in a worry-filled frantic night in which Andrey came to the rescue and found a copy in one of my back up accounts. In the worry however, I made up my mind that it was worth it to return to Australia to fix the computer. Dineke helped the idea along suggesting I simply lengthen my second trip and then I won’t even be losing any fieldwork time. So today Grace bought me my tickets back to Canberra for one week from today. Conversations with Nick and Penny have been reassuring and Andrey and I are shifting our schedules around so we can still see Australia together in the summer.

Work has been difficult without my computer but not unproductive. I’ve thrown myself into gathering enough data for the sociolinguistic sample that I started last week. Of 64 interviews I collected 43 in 5 days. The rest I hope to collect on Sunday and before I leave for Kapal on Thursday. The interviews have been fun - I get to spend all day just talking to people in Ende and learning a bit about everyone’s lives. Some have been outstanding - Paine told some beautiful stories about his parents and their time. Some interviews have been terrible - Giniya’s was interrupted by a chiding audience, crying babies, and humping dogs! Some interviews I can hardly get my questions in while others feel like pulling teeth. But it’s a start to exploring the sociolinguistic variation of the community!

Even simple work like backing up data takes ages on the back up laptop, so I’m glad I’m taking the opportunity to go fix my computer. I’m sad for how much my plane tickets are costing and how much it might be to restore my data. But I’ve always found a way to make it work. Dineke has generously offered me a room and bed at her place and I hope I can do some babysitting for her in exchange! Another pro for this change up in plans, I’ll certainly be in Limol for the yam harvest!

Falling asleep, want to get up for an early run in the morning!
Kate 

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