Communication -- and Technology

Those who know me recognize I'm a bit of a Luddite. I am definitely of the opinion that "new" is not necessarily better and that some technology is best ignored. This trip has forced some adaptation.

While I have happily used e-mail as a primary correspondence technique for a number of years, I am particularly reliant on it now. Postal service to/from Korea is not necessarily speedy and my living situation, being in the Ramada Hotel but not really of the hotel since my room is privately owned, makes me question whether I will actually receive mail. I did get a letter from friend Patricia, but it took 11 days, and I was unsure during the waiting period whether the hotel desk would recognize my existence. Because of the absence of a land line and, more importantly, the time differential, telephoning is problematic. And, obviously, I'm not seeing U.S. friends or participating in my normal activities. So e-mail is really my only communication method with friends not in Korea.

Purchase of my mini netbook and inauguration of wireless service at home (thanks to neighbor Ian and his cable link) helped initiate technology enhancement. That has been expanded upon by creation of this blog (who'd a thunk? . . .) and actually managing to post text and pictures, although the picture part has been a bit dicey at times. Then came a web slide show (of my drum buying expedition). I'm assuming all were properly impressed at my technological acumen (I was totally amazed). Although I'd previously downloaded pictures onto my computer, Brian's insistence on adding Picassa to my mini has changed, and probably improved, that process.

I know how to attach a separate CD drive to my computer and use it to listen to my Korean lesson CDs and even to music. I have stored information to a separate memory stick and attached a new keyboard (with Korean characters). I can, and do, connect to Minnesota Public Radio catching many programs through their on-line stream. I have used Brian's gift of a USB hub to be able to link up all of these attachments at the same time!

I have a Facebook page, although I'm not completely sure of the value of knowing a friend just headed for the store (should I care?) and other similar information, which seems to be a lot of what appears. But I'm there in case anything important comes up. I almost panicked when Charlie Olsen initiated a chat with me while I was on Facebook. But I did it -- I "chatted" on line! More new experiences. . . .

My cell phone at home is for outgoing and emergency calls only. No one has the number so I never receive calls--and don't want to. Now I have a cell phone which rings. Since it's my only telephone service (just like so many American youth), I answer. I don't know how to use most of the features (and the explanatory booklet is in Korean), but I can put it in vibrate mode and I can receive text messages (don't know how to send them yet). Me? Text messages!! I still often start when my purse starts ringing, but I'm beginning to get the hang of it.

I don't know how much of this technology increase will remain once I'm back in Minnesota in my "normal" life, but it's been an interesting experience. I guess old dogs. . . .