cell phones and internet charges - what a mystery?!

For years I have been fascinated by the differences in cell phone and internet charges around the globe.

In America we pay a flat rate for internet service and can use it as many hours as we want and generally download as much data as our heart desires - movies, news, video clips, photos of all sizes are at our finger tips and we rarely think about the file size as the price isn't measured that way.

Overseas, when internet service is available it often comes with higher charges during premium hours, a limitation on data usage per month and a serious up-charge for anything over that amount.

This seemed easily explainable by capacity issues.

Cell phones were a different story. If we are operating under the assumption that the developed world (America) has more capacity - wouldn't it logically lead one to assume that we would get the flat rate, abundant usage on cell phones that we get with internet? Oh no, that is not the reality! Most cell phone plans have higher charges during premium hours, a limitation on data usage per month and a serious up-charge for anything over that amount. Data is an add-on to a phone plan. As well as texting. In America, we are charged a large number of fees beyond basic service.

Overseas, you often pay a flat rate for cell phone service and texting is part of the package.

From experience I know it is not because the technology is more advanced. I have been convinced for years this was simply a result of the marketplace. Cell phone companies in the US charged additional fees simply because they can, because we would pay it.

Sprint's recent decision to charge a flat rate of $69 per month for unlimited calling, texting and other bells and whistles has succeeded to further convince me of this opinion.

When Kenyon and I returned to the US we had a decision to make about cell phone providers. We are living in the basement of someones home and weren't likely to get a home phone. So, what cell phone company were we going to use?

We didn't go with any of the major providers. We didn't want to sign a contract. We didn't want to pay a bunch of money to purchase a cell phone. We didn't want to pay extra for bells and whistles that we weren't going to use - we only wanted to pay for the service we used.

We became consumers of the pay as you go cell phone variety. Our phone was under $30USD and we bought a phone card for an additional $30USD, that is good for 60-days. If we use the minutes before that time we simply buy more airtime, the airtime can roll over we just have to keep the phone active. Easy-peezy...and by my estimates it is saving us hundreds a year.

I am sure that the popularity of the Sprint plan will encourage more cell phone providers to change how they charge their customers. As flat rate plans become more popular, and our circumstances change, then we may once again join the big boys. Who knows? But, what I really like is that we have the freedom to make that choice as we aren't locked in to any contract and won't be charged any additional (unnecessary) fees.

Have you ever wondered why cell companies in the US charge extra for services like text and data? Are you satisfied with your phone service?

Just Sheri, liking the move to flat rate cell service in my homeland

culture shock: small talk

Since being back in the States I have realized I am presently inept at making small talk. I simply have nothing to contribute to conversations about movies or TV shows. My popular culture knowledge is limited if not completely handicapped. Why? Because I have been disengaged from the majority of these things for a few years now.

I haven't been able to follow sports teams, I haven't had access to the latest reading materials or blockbuster hits. I am clueless about such matters.

If you want to talk about international politics or foreign affairs - I am your girl. I have realized that in recent years the folks I met and spent time with were like me - foreigners in foreign lands. Our conversations were about surviving our circumstances, the things (and people) we missed back home and international development or relations. These aren't common conversation topics for those who are home.

I find in public settings where I used to be gregarious and engaged, I often sit silently. I have lost the ability to make small talk. Will it return? I don't know.

What are your favorite "small talk" conversation topics lately?

Just Sheri, suddenly appearing shy in public gatherings

year in review: abounding kindness

The theme for 2010 was abounding kindness.  I received a comment on that post earlier this week asking, "how'd it go?"

By focusing on kindness, I have become more aware of kind acts demonstrated by others:

• six girls from Burundi
• the giving pledge
• giving a homeless man dignity

I was the recipient of kindness:

• generous colleagues
• good girlfriends

I have struggled with the issue of beggars and (finally) came to a conclusion:

• what to do when encountering beggars in the street?
• the Biblical response to beggars
• setting a humanity budget

Sometimes kindness doesn't have to be demonstrated through grand gestures, but rather through simple acts - a smile is universal. And sometimes we miss those opportunities - respect for the elderly.

I hope the year of abounding kindness resulted in a kinder Sheri. However, it still doesn't come naturally to me and requires some effort - so there is plenty of room for improvement.

How about you, how did you do on your new year's resolution for 2010? Do you even remember what it was?

Just Sheri, a work in progress

New Year's Theme: audacious joy

We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy. ~Joseph Campbell, teacher

A long time ago I gave up new year's resolutions. Why? They never lasted, nor were fulfilled. But, I find the end of one year and the beginning of another a great time for intentional reflection about what was accomplished in the previous year and to consider goals for the coming year. I go through an exercise annually that I call "A Personal Development Plan." It involves character goals (stuff on the inside that could improve toward becoming a better person), and relational goals (including my family, friends or community), and personal goals (study, hobbies, health, etc). I review this plan a few times each year and ask myself - how am I doing? Do I need to adjust course in any area? 

When this list is complete, I determine a theme and define a few key objectives I'd like to accomplish (three to be exact) by asking myself "what does this mean to me?"

I have found this to be a VERY productive exercise and that is why I keep doing it.

The theme for this year is audacious joy. Joy is not derived from our circumstances, but rather something that comes from the inside. I view it as a choice. In 2010, we moved continents three times (Asia to Africa to North America). We ended the year with a lot of uncertainty, which has carried over in to the new year. We still have no income. We are still trying to plant roots in a place we have never lived before. We are living with a family that was thrown in to chaos through a health crisis and the disease that caused it is chronic and treatments tried to date haven't worked to bring it under control. We had sold nearly everything before moving overseas and don't currently have enough to furnish a one-bedroom apartment. Added to that the few things we do own are in embargo in Africa for the foreseeable future. Because we have no jobs, we have no health insurance - this means we must continue to postpone dental or doctor visits. I personally would really appreciate a physical and some de-worming meds to make sure there aren't any weird parasites growing in me, but that isn't possible right now.  

I share all of this, not to be overly revealing in a public space, but to illustrate that our circumstances are not ideal. Frankly, they are difficult. But joy isn't dependent on circumstances.

In 2011, I choose joy - audacious joy. My joy will be reckless, bold, daring and fearless. 

What about you? What is your new year's theme or resolution?

Just Sheri, looking forward to a bright future

job search = volunteer

Many moons ago when I was an academic advisor to graduate students I would often be asked, "what is the best way to get in the door of a good company or a desirable sector?"

My answer was always the same - volunteer. Volunteer avidly. If you know what you want to do, offer to help an organization doing it. If you do a good job they might keep you around, or someone else might snatch you up. It worked for me and I have watched it work for others.

Fast forward to the present and I am looking for a job in a part of the country where I do not have a strong professional network. I am taking my own advice and volunteering.

So far it has put me in touch with many organizations doing the kind of work I am interested in doing. Maybe it will lead to a paying role somewhere? If nothing else, it is something productive to add to my resume so I can explain what I was doing between jobs.

Just Sheri, an advocate for volunteering