The router problem - Feb. 13 2007

Ever since I have purchased this router to make it possible for me to access the internet from my room without constantly asking to use the family’s computer, there has been some friction. After many days of trying to setup the wireless internet, it seemed impossible and Okaasan and Otousan where suggesting me to return the router. However, as a last resort I sent an email to all my friends that I know might have some knowledge on the matter and they all sent me similar responses, so I tried it and after 5 minutes everything was working. That was last Thursday. On Friday night, the wireless internet was not working anymore, so the following morning I checked the router and it had been unplugged. I did not touch anything and told myself it was better to ask about what was happening when I returned. When I came back, no one was home yet and the router had been reconnected and the wireless reestablished, but for some reason there was now problems with the family computer and, although the computer is password protected they are now accusing me of going on the computer and messing things up. On top of it all, they are also blaming the desktop computer problems on the router (although those problems can possibly not be caused by the router). I feel that the father is very protective and possessive of the computer and now that there is something foreign he feels very insecure about it and blames any problems on those foreign agents. (Unfortunately, I think that that includes me). No matter what I say and how I explain, he doesn’t seem to believe me. Back in Canada, I work part time in the IT department and the company asks me to fix problems and I have been hired in that position because of some knowledge in computers. In my host family in Japan though, I sabotage computers… Anyway, I am without internet again, I am not sure how I will go about this one now. This is more complicated than a technical problem, and I don’t want it to build up and let it get in the way of relationships.