Seriously, is it supposed to be this difficult?

Well, there are distinct differences and shall we say "Challenges" when working internationally. Today this was my mantra as I tried to go with the flow and simply let the frustration roll off me as I tried to order media resources for our high school library. Simple, right? WRONG. We have ordered and received large orders of books in English, Turkish, French, and German and we were trying to throw the teachers a bone by ordering some new media resources to use as a compliment to their classes. Getting new relevant movies in English or second languages in Turkey is not easy unless you want to purchase the pirated burned copy from the shop down the street. These materials are simply not readily available and there are few companies to chose from that will ship my measly order internationally.

So, the teachers drag their feet getting me their wish list but I add to Amazon UK, rather proud of myself, for my fast service. Everything was going rather well until I hit the "Proceed to Checkout" button. Suddenly, I am alerted to a problem with my shipping address. The words, "These items cannot be shipped to your mailing address", have quickly dashed my hopes in sourcing and delivering new relevant movies to our teachers. There are no copies of my selections that can be shipped to Turkey. Monday no go, Tuesday I try again and no go, Wednesday... yep you guessed it no go. This continued for a few weeks, meanwhile, the teachers keep asking me why the movies haven't yet arrived. I try not to shoot death-ray visual darts at them and remind them I am using the last funds in our library budget to help them... geez. Suddenly I logged in and tried again and behold I was able to add my 4 problem movies and I swiftly move through the checkout process. I am well on my way to ordering 14 movies for our English and foreign languages departments (Yes, 14 even though it feels like 1014).

Now, I will print the order from Amazon UK and sign the little requisition form in triplicate and get the signatures of the Principal and Director and then deliver it to the Business Office Manager, where I will have to beg and plead to spend a relatively small amount of money in the scheme of the school (FYI - we employ a full-time person whose sole job is to serve tea to every meeting daily). I'll have to sharpen my claws and attach the armor for that battle. Stay tuned to see if I will prevail.