The Times They are A-Changin'

Some of you may need to sit down for this one .  This post has nothing to do with Okinawa but I started this blog so that I could keep loved ones (and their friends) updated as to what's is going on in our lives while we're living in the Eastern Hemisphere .  An event took place around here that if I neglected to share it with you there's a chance you wouldn't recognize me when I returned to the U.S.  Something happened today that is so monumental, so unbelievable that you might hear about it in your local papers tomorrow.  Some said it would never happen.  Some might dismiss this as too good to be true.  But, believe me when I say that today I became the proud owner of THIS: 

Ok, CALM DOWN.  Stop hyperventilating into the brown bag.  You knew this might happen some day, but you just never thought it would be in this lifetime.

Some of you may not know this about me, but I am not at all technologically minded.  My last cell phone was a close relative of this: 

It really was a sad, slightly embarrassing piece of communication equipment.  I just never got around to jumping on board the smart phone bandwagon.  Apparently while I was busy sewing my denim jumpers researching homeschooling curriculum, everyone else was out buying these cool little gadgets.  The first time someone talked about texting I think I told them, "Wait, you mean like a text book?"  Their "Whatever, Grandma" look told me that I had completely missed the boat on this one.  After that I would just smile and nod like I knew what everyone was talking about, but in all honesty I really had no idea. 

In my defense, I think my aversion to technology is genetic.  We were almost the last people in Jacksonville to get cable.  We never had the kind with the long wire that you could zip up and down the channels--we went straight to the remote control type.  Every time my sisters or I would ask for cable, Mom would bring up her ONE friend who didn't have it yet and use her as an example that not everybody has 45 channels.  We didn't get a VCR until 1987, and think I had graduated from high school before any food was microwaved in our house.  I still have family members who are concerned that one of the kids is going to wake up with a third arm due to the microwave radiation. (You know who you are!)   Luckily, we did have some friends whose parents were more technologically savvy so we weren't left too much in the dark ages.  ("You mean, you put this big tape in the machine, and then you get to watch Annie whenever you want?  You guys must be rich!")  Unfortunately, my understanding is that my dear husband's family was also on a similar timeline when it came to acquiring modern TV equipment and kitchen appliances.  So, together, we were a lost cause and I feared our children would pay a dear price.  One of us had to make a change.  But, unlike me, he has failed to overcome his simple childhood and has yet to embrace the computer and smart phone age.  His friends will back me up on this when I tell you that his eyes actually glaze over when any computer lingo enters the conversation.  This is the man who is proud to say that he still does not have a facebook account. 

Back to the iphone.  You're probably wondering what has led me to make this earth-shattering purchase.  Well, my lack of texting was starting to be more than an inconvenience.  Apparently my dinosaur phone could accept texts, but I didn't know how to retrieve them.  Whenever it made that funny noise I just assumed one of the kids had played with the phone.  When the texter would ask, "Hey, did you get my text?" I'd have to lie make up some pitiful excuse as to why I didn't respond.  Then there were some organizations in SC who relied heavily on texting as their main form of communication.   When I discovered (too late) that I'd missed a meeting or that some kid's practice schedule had changed, I knew my non-texting days were numbered.

Finally, the move to Okinawa really threw a monkey wrench in any plans I had of continuing to use my old cell phone.  For starters, I left the phone on the plane to Seattle, but even if I hadn't done that, U.S. cell phones don't work here in Japan so I would have had to buy a new one anyway.  Then I kept hearing from people who lived here about how helpful their iphone has been when they're out and about exploring the island. 

Which leads me to tell you all in the AARP crowd what this nifty gadget can do.  Basically it's like a little computer in the palm of my hand.  If I need to find out what the yen rate is, all I have to do is download this little "app" and I can calculate the yen rate right there at the cash register to make sure I'm not getting ripped off.  Surprisingly, Garmin doesn't make any GPS compatible maps for Okinawa, Land of the Unnamed Streets.  But, now, with my handy dandy iphone, I have a little GPS unit wherever I am and we will never be lost again!  There's a translator "app" so the next time I'm lost looking for a preschool for Mary, the person at the mystery establishment (which I thought was a preschool but I think was actually a cross between a library and a medical clinic. . . I'm still not quite sure) won't have to call her husband who speaks a little English to help me find my way.  It can take pictures, play music, show movies, wash dishes. . .  (I'm kidding on that last one. . . just making sure you were paying attention!)    I can also text with it (which, apparently, is like email for your phone.)  Let's not forget, I can even make phone calls with my new iphone. 

So, all you people who used to make fun of me behind my back (and probably in your texts) about my old cell phone. . . the jig is up.  I'm finally up to speed.  Now, if I could only figure out how to turn this thing on!