I Heart Technology

It is hard living in Turkey.  You have probably gathered as much if you read this blog regularly.  But as difficult as it sometimes is, I cannot even imagine how infinitely harder it would have been 10 or even 5 years ago.  We have so many options available to help us stay close to home.  Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Skype-We were a little late to jump on the skype bandwagon, but we are all aboard now.  I can SEE my loved ones whenever I want.  W can sing and talk to his grandparents.  I can see my niece and nephew grow.  I can't tell you how much it helps us feel connected over here.

2.Vonage-In the old days, folks living here would have to use something called "morale calls"if they wanted to chat with their loved ones.  You were only allowed a certain number, and the calls could only last a certain amount of time.  And no one could call you.  Thank goodness for internet based phones.  We have an Alabama phone number (how cool is that?) so it isn't a long distance call for most people to reach us.  Likewise, we get free long distance to anywhere in the US.  Love it.

3. Playstation 3-Alright, this one is for Ryan.  I actually don't really care for our newest piece of technology, but I have to admit, what I saw last weekend was pretty cool.  Ryan and a dear friend of his back home were able to play a video game together on their consoles, and talk the whole time via a blue tooth.  It put a smile on my face watching him have "guy time"with someone I know he misses seeing.  Hanging out with your friends-even though an ocean separates you-also very cool.

So, as tough as it sometimes is living here, hat's off to those who came before us and before all this technology-now that was a real sacrifice!