I cherish the talks that Emily and I have, as I know soon either I won't be cool enough to chat with anymore, or my 4.5 years will be up and she will be off to college. (Yes, I will have a college student in 4.5 years **sob**)
This afternoon we were chatting as she got ready to study for her math midterm tomorrow and this is how it went.
Emily: Mom, when you were my age did people take other's cell phones and text people pretending to be them?
Me: Ummm, no. When I was your age cell phone's didn't exist.
Emily: Really? What about email. Did people hack into other's emails and send out messages pretending to be them?
Me: Ummm, no. Again, when I was your age we didn't have email.
Emily: Really? Are you sure?
Me: Yes I am sure. I may be too old to have grown up with cell phones and email, however I am not so old that I can't remember if I had them or not.
I felt like my mom, when she told me that she used to walk 5 miles, uphill, in the snow, to school everyday because the horse was in the shop having knee arthritis treatment.
I guess it's official. I am old.
Showing posts with label cell phones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cell phones. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Yes There Is Hell In Japan
I went to hell today and tomorrow I get to go back. What on earth am I talking about you may ask? A Japanese cell phone store –– other wise know as H-E-L-L.
This morning a translator came to take me to the local ward office to get my and the kids' alien registration cards. What a funny name huh? Don't they know I came here via Northwest Airlines and not a spaceship? Then we went to the immigration office to get our multiple re-entry permits. All of that took about 2 hours. Not too bad, all things considered.
Then came the fun part. Or so I thought. I was so excited to get my Japanese cell phone. Cell phones are huge deals here. Everyone has one, they are way more advanced than US cell phones and you are supposed to bling them up and hang charms from them.
Our plan was to get basic cell phones for Emily and Chris. With trains and school buses we want to make sure we are in communication with them easily. Then I wanted to get a cell phone that would allow me to IM and email back to the states, without paying roaming or special overseas rates. There were several "data" type phones to choose from. However when I weighed the costs, what I was looking for and practicality I decided to go with the i-phone. While Matt says I was jealous of his (he has one) really my deciding factor was that since I am on a mac, and I already own an ipod, why not sync the two. And price wise it is the same as other data phones out there.
So with some help from the translator we pick out the 16GB i-phone and a black and pink phone for the kids. After you pick out a phone you are taken to a special booth to do the paperwork. I should have known when they offered us beverages that it would take a while. After an hour worth of paperwork the information from the paperwork is then sent via fax to some special approval department. This department checks and makes sure the applicant is not a criminal, doing some weird activity with the cell phone and does not have an outstanding cell bill. They anticipate another hour to receive word on approval. Matt warned me that this whole process would take a while. What he didn't tell me was that it would take hours.
After 3.5 hours of being in the cell store I needed to leave to meet Emily for her first day of gymnastics practice. I left with my phone, as it was given approval, but not the kids. I guess since I had gotten 2 of the same phones it flagged "potential criminal" or something of the sort. So now I have to go back tomorrow, without my translator, and try and pick up the other two phones.
I am already bracing for another 2 hours in hell tomorrow. Supposedly I am supposed to be given 4,000 yen tomorrow (about $38) for making me wait. And I qualified for 15,000 yen (about $140) worth of shopping mall certificates. Of course I have no clue how to to ask about this tomorrow. I will probably wind up saying something like "I wish I could eat your bathroom light fixtures" I am just keeping my fingers crossed that either someone speaks English in the store tomorrow or that I suddenly wake up fluent in Japanese. Either one would work.
This morning a translator came to take me to the local ward office to get my and the kids' alien registration cards. What a funny name huh? Don't they know I came here via Northwest Airlines and not a spaceship? Then we went to the immigration office to get our multiple re-entry permits. All of that took about 2 hours. Not too bad, all things considered.
Then came the fun part. Or so I thought. I was so excited to get my Japanese cell phone. Cell phones are huge deals here. Everyone has one, they are way more advanced than US cell phones and you are supposed to bling them up and hang charms from them.
Our plan was to get basic cell phones for Emily and Chris. With trains and school buses we want to make sure we are in communication with them easily. Then I wanted to get a cell phone that would allow me to IM and email back to the states, without paying roaming or special overseas rates. There were several "data" type phones to choose from. However when I weighed the costs, what I was looking for and practicality I decided to go with the i-phone. While Matt says I was jealous of his (he has one) really my deciding factor was that since I am on a mac, and I already own an ipod, why not sync the two. And price wise it is the same as other data phones out there.
So with some help from the translator we pick out the 16GB i-phone and a black and pink phone for the kids. After you pick out a phone you are taken to a special booth to do the paperwork. I should have known when they offered us beverages that it would take a while. After an hour worth of paperwork the information from the paperwork is then sent via fax to some special approval department. This department checks and makes sure the applicant is not a criminal, doing some weird activity with the cell phone and does not have an outstanding cell bill. They anticipate another hour to receive word on approval. Matt warned me that this whole process would take a while. What he didn't tell me was that it would take hours.
After 3.5 hours of being in the cell store I needed to leave to meet Emily for her first day of gymnastics practice. I left with my phone, as it was given approval, but not the kids. I guess since I had gotten 2 of the same phones it flagged "potential criminal" or something of the sort. So now I have to go back tomorrow, without my translator, and try and pick up the other two phones.
I am already bracing for another 2 hours in hell tomorrow. Supposedly I am supposed to be given 4,000 yen tomorrow (about $38) for making me wait. And I qualified for 15,000 yen (about $140) worth of shopping mall certificates. Of course I have no clue how to to ask about this tomorrow. I will probably wind up saying something like "I wish I could eat your bathroom light fixtures" I am just keeping my fingers crossed that either someone speaks English in the store tomorrow or that I suddenly wake up fluent in Japanese. Either one would work.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Free Cell Phones
Val and I were talking about cell phones the other night. I have to admit that I am jealous of her pretty pink phone. So our conversation sparked me to look around a bit online about the different phones out today since I get a new one in a year. Yes, that is a long time but choosing the right cell phone is an important decision. After all, it will be one of your best friends for 2 years!
Last night, I stumbled upon a place that offers FREE cell phones. Now I know that typically when renewing contract or signing up for a new one, there are always free phones. But on this site, depending on the carrier, you can get the really cool, always envied, phones for FREE. If you decide to go with Mobile-T you get the kick butt Blackberry Pearl. (I have been eyeing the Blackberry for a long time, but know that my bill would be sky high with Internet usage) If you go with Cingular you get the Sony W300i. And with Verizon, you get the Motorola Razr V3m.
The site also compares carrier plans and ratings for each carrier as well. And has some great deals on accessories. It actually is a really neat site. I sat and just compared our current plan and carrier with others and have to say I am very pleased. Of course we have been with the same company for 7 years, so i guess you would say we are pretty happy with them.
I know a few of my friends are getting ready to be at the end of their contracts and thought I would pass along this cool site in case they are thinking of switching carriers. (of course if you want to be able to talk to me unlimited, then Verizon is the way to go)
And even if you aren't at a time to switch or consider another plan/carrier. Check it out. It is neat to just see what phones are out there and how they compare. I am hoping that when I am ready for a new phone next year that someone will be offering a great deal on the new iphone. You know, to feel my Apple loyalty.
Last night, I stumbled upon a place that offers FREE cell phones. Now I know that typically when renewing contract or signing up for a new one, there are always free phones. But on this site, depending on the carrier, you can get the really cool, always envied, phones for FREE. If you decide to go with Mobile-T you get the kick butt Blackberry Pearl. (I have been eyeing the Blackberry for a long time, but know that my bill would be sky high with Internet usage) If you go with Cingular you get the Sony W300i. And with Verizon, you get the Motorola Razr V3m.
The site also compares carrier plans and ratings for each carrier as well. And has some great deals on accessories. It actually is a really neat site. I sat and just compared our current plan and carrier with others and have to say I am very pleased. Of course we have been with the same company for 7 years, so i guess you would say we are pretty happy with them.
I know a few of my friends are getting ready to be at the end of their contracts and thought I would pass along this cool site in case they are thinking of switching carriers. (of course if you want to be able to talk to me unlimited, then Verizon is the way to go)
And even if you aren't at a time to switch or consider another plan/carrier. Check it out. It is neat to just see what phones are out there and how they compare. I am hoping that when I am ready for a new phone next year that someone will be offering a great deal on the new iphone. You know, to feel my Apple loyalty.
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