Day 2: 2/01/13
If you've been reading the messages you'll know that I almost had a heart attack last night when I dropped the iPhone. Immediately I was in a bit of a panic as I use it for everything! So I was googling what to do and it looked like the phone was a goner. So I was trying to tell myself it was only a phone and that plenty worse things could happen and then I'd think of something else that I need it for and I'd be all in a panic again! Luckily I had all the photos, ideas and music saved on the computer the other day. Although, the computer was still recognising the phone. It seemed to be just the screen that was damaged. The only thing I couldn't really get from it were the reminders on my calendar- stuff I need to do like full out forms for tax and send letters about the career break and stuff. I just hope I remember them all! The main problem though was the fact that I wouldn't be able to receive any messages in New Zealand. The only way of contacting anyone would be from a computer in a hostel, which isn't too reliable and there would be no way for anyone to contact me. All the information about New Zealand is saved on my emails which I have constant access to on the phone. The blog of course would be a huge problem if I couldn't write it on the phone. I would probably have to use pen and paper and then type it all up when I get a chance- could you imagine!! I don't even have an alarm clock to get up for early tours. Other things like Facebook are brilliant to have but not vital. I was awake for ages thinking all these things through and then I thought what if something happened the laptop. I ha bought usbs the other day to save all the photos onto but I hadn't done it yet and I thought the way things were going that that was probably just tempting fate so I stayed awake until about half two saving everything onto the USB sticks!! My head was spinning with tiredness but I could hardly sleep at all!
I made an appointment at the apple shop in the shopping centre and prayed that they could do something for me. The first available appointment wasn't until 12:30 so I tried to get a lot of the packing done before that. It was roasting today. I think it was in the thirties and I was sweating the whole time I was trying to sort out clothes and fit things on and see what I would bring! All the clothes I had washed specially are probably covered in sweat now!
I got to the shopping centre in time anyway. The apple shop is always mad busy and there's about 40 different people working there all dealing with customers. There was a guy over to me with an iPad straight away looking at the timetable of appointments and he told me where to go. Very shortly a man came over to sort me out. He checked if there was much damage done but there was and I needed a new phone. They would 'repair' my one by giving me a new one and the cost of the repaid was $179. As far as I know iPhones are dearer than that. Maybe my model has come down to that price but I don't think so. I had looked them up last night and they seemed to be up around 400. Most are on bill plans which you are in for 2 years which I couldn't do as I am already paying for one in Ireland.
So I got the new phone! All my data was wiped except contacts and things on my sim. Everything is on the computer though so I was able to upload all the music and download the email, Facebook, blog, etc. All the books I have on my kindle app were there too once I logged in.
In the shop I had to fill out 'paperwork' which meant the guy went on his iPod and wrote why they were giving me the new phone and I signed with my finger on the iPad! I was paying by card and they all have iPhones as well as iPads and there was a little cover with a slot on the iphone that he swiped the card in and that was it done. My receipt was sent to me by email and I walked out of the shop with a new phone in the cover I had anyway, no box, no receipt- you'd swear I robbed it!!
So the main crisis was averted, although the $179 dollars would be useful in New Zealand! You can't win! I wouldn't survive on my own though without being contactable so I probably would have paid anything today!!
When I got home I had to iron the clothes I was going to bring- as if I wasn't sweaty enough! I packed everything up then and managed to fill all three boxes that ye sent over as well as he rucksack. The rucksack is packed for New Zealand and would definitely fit more, but not three boxfuls! I dont know where I got all the stuff!
Mike picked me up then and he has a store room I could put the boxes in so that was great. He went for a run so I had time to start downloading things onto the phone!
Myself Mike and Siobhan went for dinner afterwards and then watched Michael McIntyre. Mam skyped in the meantime and we were mostly talking about Nana. She's not in as much pain but her skin is very sensitive. They are doing tests and things today so hopefully they will be able to give her some comfort.
Hopefully I'll sleep tonight after my restless night thinking of phones and blogs and emails and stuff last night!