I love technology today. Like I mentioned in my Long Distance Relationship post, it has allowed me the luxury of being in ‘almost’ constant contact with Thorsten. But once I go to Germany, it will also work the other way when I want to call home. I have already set up Whatsapp for my folks. I have been using it religiously to not only talk to my friends and family in Europe but in South America as well. It’s awesome. You honestly feel like you’re right there.

But what about if you don’t want to text? What if you want to hear the other person’s voice but don’t want to be tied down to a computer like Skype or Google Hangouts (both are also great modes of communication by the way)?

Well, my parents had already discovered a wonderful solution: The Magic Jack.

If you’re not familiar with it, this is how it works: you take this little guy, register it, and plug a phone into as well as your internet connection and voila you have a phone!

It doesn’t sound very exciting but when you register it, you can decide what type of phone number you want. Of course we picked an American one. So when I plug it in over in Germany….I will have an American number. This means that I can call home or receive calls the same way I would any other American phone!

My parents have been using it for years. One of my aunts in Peru has it and it allows us to call her conveniently. My dad also carries one with him and plugs it into his computer to call home.

But wait, there’s more!

ITunes and Android also have Magic Jack apps where you can turn your cell phone into a Magic Jack phone!

I already have my Magic Jack and will be sending it with Thorsten when he heads back to Germany so he can get things ready. This means I already have an American phone number where my family can call me whenever they want…..well, as long as they are aware of the time difference 😛