Refueling and Other Chances to Learn

(In case you’re keeping track, this is Jonathan’s first blog post.)

Yesterday I got a call: there’s word of a fuel shortage!

Fuel supply in Malawi has seemed better since earlier this year the government began trying to improve cooperation with other countries. But in Malawi, fuel shortages are a somewhat normal occurrence. When fuel is in short supply, you cut back on driving wherever you can, and you listen for word that a station has fuel–and get there before it runs out!

So when our colleague heard that a fuel shortage had begun, he called right away. Within twenty minutes we were both on the road. We headed for the closest station, and he was able to get petrol (unleaded gasoline). However, the station attendants took one look at the truck I was driving and said, “No diesel!”

So I pulled out and went to the next station I knew of, a few kilometers away. There they still had diesel, and I was able to fill up the tank.

Now, this was the first time I had bought fuel for the truck. I quickly became aware of a few things:

1. The fuel goes into the right side of the truck, not the left. The station employees had to motion and yell to stop me from going in the wrong way. (Doh!)
2. I didn’t know where the lever was to open the fuel door.
3. I couldn’t remember how much the tank could hold. (I hoped I had enough cash on me!)

Well, I found the lever, and I could afford the fuel. I was grateful that I didn’t have to wait in line, and that I was able to get diesel at the second station I tried. Time will tell whether the shortage is a blip, or whether it lasts a while.

Adjusting to a new place is full of these humbling experiences. Whether it’s my own lack of familiarity with something (like the truck), or getting used to new ways of doing things (driving on the left side of the road is starting to feel normal, as is driving a pickup truck instead of a compact car), or trying to think in terms of a culture new to me, or just building a lot of new relationships–no matter what the experience is, it is humbling. And sometimes exhausting! Little things add up!

The term begins next week. I’m excited and hopeful, and I’m looking forward to it. I am also well aware that along with more immediately-rewarding experiences, it will bring additional humbling experiences. So be it!

PS:  I just typed this on a 2-year-old notebook computer whose heat sink had never had the dust cleaned out of it–until last night. It’s also a model known for having heat problems that have led to component failure. (Shame on me; I know better than this!)

Since cleaning it, I’ve been blown away by how much better it is running now. It almost feels like it’s new again. My laptop was running at a fraction of its capability, in order to control the heat output. Now it can use its full power again, and it still stays cooler in “high performance” mode now than in “stingy” mode before it was cleaned.

Folks, consider this a public service announcement. If you’ve had your laptop for a while, and especially if you use it on the floor or on carpet, clean out the fan and heat sink. You can often get detailed maintenance and service instructions from the manufacturer online. If you’re not comfortable opening it up (check your warranty), hire someone who knows what they’re doing (not necessarily one of the big-box store service departments).