Using Your iPhone in Italy
If you're moving to Italy and are worried that your smart-phone wont be able to make the trip - have no fear, Italy has all the mobile phones and smart phones that one can find in the U.S.Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the quality of cellular service, as it isn't that fast, and you get a lot less for the money. Also, if you're in a semi-rural area like I do it can be spotty. "Can you hear me now?" Is no longer funny.Don't fear, using your iPhone in Italy is not impossible.I will say that if you already own an iPhone make sure it's unlocked before you move. If for some reason you find yourself in Italy with a locked phone you can still contact your carrier and see about getting it unlocked, it's just more difficult. There are of course "people" who know how to do these things and you can use your best judgement on choosing a "person" to unlock your phone.There are two major cell phone carriers here. Vodafone and Tim. I have an unlocked iPhone 4 and use Vodafone's prepaid service. I try to stay off the internet while I'm out as much as possible - unlike my near constant "checking" of stuff with my phone when I had glorious AT&T.You can check out the plans they have once you get here, but right now Vodafone got me the best "bang" for my buck. However, had I been under twenty-five Tim would've been the way I went as they have a plan for "young" people that is pretty good.
I would avoid a contract if you can. I've heard horror stories about getting billed for all sorts of things - and what not from multiple people who had to learn the hard way and I decided to trust their advice on that subject. You of course can decide what is best for you.If you think you'll just sign up for a plan and get the "free" iPhone, just know that there will be fees and charges, and other things - and purchasing an iPhone outright will be in Euros and therefor WAY more expensive.If you're traveling to Italy and are wondering if your iPhone will work, I'm sure your carrier at home has an International plan you can use, that will probably be pretty pricey, but an alternative is to simply switch out your sim card for a pre-paid one while you're here. That whole unlocked-phone thing will still apply of course.There are places that have Wi-Fi but internet here is no where near as fast as the states and it seems to be even slower on your mobile device at times (this I say from experience.) Keep in mind, that with aps like Skype and Magicjack calling back home to the states is as easy as dialing a number. I use these free aps to connect with my friends and family back in the States and even to conduct business when I need to call the U.S. However, I found that I get the best call quality when I am literally right next to my router, and even then my phone calls aren't always perfect, so please keep that in mind.Like everything when you move to Italy, you simply need only to keep an open mind, and a gentle attitude. Things here are not like they are in the States. Once you get passed that you're experience will be lovely.love & iPhones,nicoleP.S. I'm like 999999999999999.9 % positive this information would also apply to any other smart phone. But a little bit of pre-move investigative work wouldn't hurt.
Life Through My iPhone (2/13)
As things begin to wind down for us here in Miami, it seems as though our life is getting a lot more busy (how is that for irony).I thought I'd share a bit of my life through my iPhone.Last week my boys and I along with The Bestie, went out to dinner. As we waited for our table we strolled the mall. Where we acted silly and browsed though a store she dragged me into called Culture or something. It was cool. Reminded me of a gaudier version of Forever 21 - not really my style but I did find a few things that made me smile, especially their "pretty baubles".Valentine's Day was spent with my two boys. They made excellent Valentines in lieu of my husband's absence.I had some fun in the sun. (If you know me and my avoidance of the sun you get this. If not read this or this, or this.)Finally a late afternoon spent on The Beach playing in a playground.
My Impression of the Windows Nokia Lumia 920 AT&T Review
My favorite feature was the camera. It does take great photos. However my favorite photo application Instagram isn't on it. I did discover a similar ap called Lomogram but it just wasn't the same, so that was a major Debby downer for me.My boys LOVED all the games available. I liked that there are a ton of fun FREE ones that my boys ages 8 and 4 actually liked to play.What I didn't like: This phone feels clumsy in my hands. I also didn't like that on occasion I can feel the components on the inside vibrating or moving around. I thought this was totally weird and shouldn't happen on a smart phone. Made me wonder if Nokia had slipped in tiny smart phone gnomes to do all the magic smart phone thinking.The camera does take awesome pictures, I just would've liked to see more settings for it.Navigating through this phone took some getting used to. The screen scratched easily with very little abuse.Overall impressions: This is a nice, feature-rich Windows phone. Would I switch permanently from my iPhone, no I wouldn't but it is a fun alternative to an iPhone.
I received the Nokia Lumia 920 from M80 in order to facilitate my review on behalf of AT&T.My Impression of the Windows Nokia Lumia 920 AT&T Review
My favorite feature was the camera. It does take great photos. However my favorite photo application Instagram isn't on it. I did discover a similar ap called Lomogram but it just wasn't the same, so that was a major Debby downer for me.My boys LOVED all the games available. I liked that there are a ton of fun FREE ones that my boys ages 8 and 4 actually liked to play.What I didn't like: This phone feels clumsy in my hands. I also didn't like that on occasion I can feel the components on the inside vibrating or moving around. I thought this was totally weird and shouldn't happen on a smart phone. Made me wonder if Nokia had slipped in tiny smart phone gnomes to do all the magic smart phone thinking.The camera does take awesome pictures, I just would've liked to see more settings for it.Navigating through this phone took some getting used to. The screen scratched easily with very little abuse.Overall impressions: This is a nice, feature-rich Windows phone. Would I switch permanently from my iPhone, no I wouldn't but it is a fun alternative to an iPhone.I received the Nokia Lumia 920 from M80 in order to facilitate my review on behalf of AT&T.My Life Through My iPhone [All About Me Sunday]
This week was crazy hectic. Here's a glimpse of some of the goings on in my life this week.
On Sunday I threw my sister a Baby Shower and got to sip from lovely glasses.Wednesday was chaotic. I got some exciting-life changing news from my husband (hint, hint).My brother Joe, had knee surgery-which meant I drove up to Ft. Lauderdale to pick him up, drop him off, go back to Miami to pick up my son from school, and then later in the evening pick him up. He was so hungry we went for pizza. He's doing great-and still planning his trip to the Congo.Friday night I went to see Snow White & The Huntsman with my little sister and bestie. I wore my Fibi & Clo sandals that made me feel like Cinderella.love & iphoneography,nicōle
A Baptism Momento
This weekend my youngest son Evan was (finally) baptized. My husband and I have been waiting to do this with our family for nearly four years and I am relieved it is done and that it was all so special.
Evan was baptized in an intimate ceremony at our Church. After wards we had our family and friends over for a little celebration. I'll share a few pictures later this week.
As a memento I made up these little doves (to symbolize the Holy Spirit and reference scripture). They were hung on a grape fine wreath I decorated with white pine cone Christmas garland (we were still officially in the Christmas season of the Catholic calendar) and an artificial dove. I purchased my supplies for the wreath at Michaels. With a coupon (I scanned in from their new iPhone app) the entire wreath cost $15.
The entire thing was lovely I think.
Things I've Been Doing This Week
So....I thought it be cool to jot down a few things I've been doing this week or have done this week that I didn't blog about.I'll give it a try and if I like doing this...I might make it a regular post...Here goes...
On Sunday I removed all the old color from my hair-opting or rather attempting to go more natural. I chose a strawberry blonde and ended up a brunette. How exactly that happened I dunno. To my surprise, I like it. I really must learn to leave my hair color to a professional.
I snapped this picture on Sunday in the car with my iPhone. I think I was in a Target parking lot.Oh yeah...I went to Target and scored a free reusable bag too!
I've been baking. I made chocolate chip cookies and merenguitos. They're all gone now. Eventually I'll get around to posting the recipe for merenguitos (meringue cookies). I'm nervous that posting the recipe will make me want to whip up another batch. Come to think of it. That's not a bad idea...I suppose I can blame the baking on the natilla as that was what got me started.I've also been eating a whole lot of celery topped with cream cheese. It's my favorite snack at the moment.
I'm currently reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philipa Gregory. This is a book I've wanted to read for a REALLY long time. I don't know what took me so long to finally sit down with it. I think it probably has to do with the list of books I want to read that's nearly a mile long. My poor "must read" list seems to get interrupted an awful lot by other books-like the ones that friends loan me or recommend.If you don't know this about me-I'm always reading something!I cut all the fabric for my new pennant banner. Unfortunately that's about all I can do at the moment. It was disappointing to find that my sewing machine (despite my fixing of it) really has gone kaput. The prospect of not having a sewing machine-even though I'm as far away from being anywhere near good with the thing makes me sad. I wonder if I could find one on freecycle?I've been playing lots of knights and dragons with my boys. They are both into sword fighting at the moment. We've also been enjoying the nice days outside. I'm already in need of some more sunscreen. I'm forever looking for something that I can wear everyday that is more like a lotion and that doesn't smell like sunscreen.In case you didn't know...I don't leave my house with out sunscreen. I had melanoma a few years back. Besides that...I hate getting all freckly or rather having my millions of freckles get all dark on me. It's inevitable I know but I'll fight it.I've spent hours online in search of bridesmaids dresses. Everything I like keeps getting shot down by Michelle.I think I'll tell you about my quest to find the perfect bridesmaid dress for her tomorrow.I've got to run. I'm having a little soiree later today with some gals from my local moms' group and I've got to re-clean a few things. I'm sure my son has managed to miss one of our toilets in the last 12 hours or so...I'm also going to try very hard not to dip into the sangria I made.I love sangria.Toodles!