"But, how do I get in touch with you?"

If we had a Euro cent for every time someone has asked this question... But seriously, with international calling being expensive as it is, it's not as easy as picking up the phone and calling us like you did when we were in Philly. The good news is that technology makes it really easy to keep in touch. Below is a list of the different ways you can talk to us:

1. Call our "home" number (our Skype number). I think we have e-mailed the actual number to just about everyone. I don't want to post it on here because although no one else cares about this blog, it is on the very public Internet. So if you still need it, e-mail or FB message me or Matt and we'll pass it along. Don't be confused by the fact that it's a "Skype" number -- you don't have to be on the computer to call us. You can call us from literally any phone. Hopefully, when you call, we will be at home to answer the phone, or you can leave us a voicemail. We pay Skype a small fee so that when people call this number (from ANY phone), it rings on our computer. You don't have to be on Skype, you don't have to be at a computer, you don't have to call from a landline, etc. Just call it from any phone. It will work and it will be free, we promise.

2. Traditional Skype. This is the traditional computer-to-computer Skype method. Our user name is matthew.j.shoaf. You can also find us by searching for Matt's e-mail address. In order to use Skype, you must download it from Skype.com. It takes 5 minutes and is really easy to do. Then, you create an account with your own username and can add contacts, i.e. us. After that, you can "call" us, using either a video call or without video, like a regular call on speakerphone. Skype is nice because we can actually SEE all of you. If you want to download it, but need help, let us know and we can walk you through it. Note: Those with smartphones can also add the Skype app so that you can Skype from your cell phone. Exciting!

3. E-mail. As we mentioned in the last post, we would love to receive e-mails from all of you. Kristin's address is ksterdis@gmail.com and Matt's is matthew.j.shoaf@gmail.com.

4. Whats App messages. While traditional text messages will cost us, those of you with smartphones can download the Whats App app that will let you send unlimited free (emphasis on the 'free') messages to anyone else in your contact list, assuming they also have the app. It's just like regular texting. Very cool.

5. Facebook posts and messages. Warning: This method will only work for Kristin, as Matt checks Facebook on an annual basis.

6. Facetime. This is only for iPhone users (unfortunately). But it's easy and an alternative to video Skype calls. Basically, you enter our cell phone numbers as Contacts in your phone. Then, when you click on our Contact info, you'll have several options - Call, Send text message, or Facetime. Select Facetime and it will call us with video. It's cooler than Skype obviously because you can do it from anywhere, as long as you have your iPhone and your iPhone has WiFi. Since it works over WiFi and not the cellular network, it's free as well.

7. Cellphones. Once we get our cellphones working, we will pass along our new numbers. However, this is not the preferred method of communication, as it will cost everyone lots of money.

8. Last but not least... Good old snail mail. We will send out an e-mail with our apartment address soon. Again, that's info we would prefer not to post on the very public Internet.

Now, after reading all of these options, you're probably like, "Wow, this is going to be soooo easy!" While we try to be optimistic, we can't ignore the fact that the six hour time difference further complicates things. Trust us, we know from experience (Skypeing your husband from the audit room during lunchtime is less than ideal). Any heads up that you can give us for available time for phone calls and Skype chats is very helpful so that we can plan to be available to talk. :)

If you have any questions or concerns about above information (it's a lot, we know), don't hesitate to ask us for further clarification.

Talk to everyone soon!!
Kristin and Matt