BlackBerry's 26 advantages over iPhone

1. Blackberry can be used on almost every carrier in the world (over 475 of them). In the US, the iPhone is available on AT&T only.

2. Blackberry is available in five form factors – small keyboard, large keyboard, no keyboard, flip phone, and candy-bar.

3. Most Blackberries have keyboards, so you can actually type fast and with no errors. Helps while driving, walking, carrying something in your other hand – all the time. iPhone: well…

4. Blackberry uses standardized (=inexpensive and available everywhere in the world) MicroUSB connector for synchronization/charging. iPhone has a much larger proprietary 30-pin connector.

5. Some carriers such as Verizon and Sprint offer unlimited international Blackberry data roaming for $40/month or less. iPhone does not. This could save you literally tens of thousands of dollars when you are abroad.

6. If your Blackberry is on T-Mobile USA, it also offers unlimited WiFi calling from anywhere in the world. This is with your existing number – in and out – so no new special number, procedure, etc. iPhone cannot do this (because it is only on AT&T; only T-Mobile USA offers this), and it can save you well over $100 per day when you’re abroad. Think $1 per minute savings, and you’re on the phone two hours per day. That’s $120/day.

7. Blackberry has expandable memory. iPhone is fixed and sold at 8, 16 or 32 gig only.

8. Blackberry has removable and expandable battery. iPhone is fixed.

9. Blackberry allows programs to multitask. iPhone has limited multitasking.

10. The newest Blackberry screen resolution is 480x360. iPhone is 480x320.

11. Blackberry allows communicating peer-to-peer via PIN identifier, circumventing the email system. No such iPhone equivalent.

12. Skype on the Blackberry? Yes, from anywhere to anywhere. Skype on iPhone? Only if you’re on WiFi.

13. Sling on the Blackberry? Yes, it’s free. Sling on iPhone? $30.

14. Google Voice on the Blackberry? Yes, it’s free. Google Voice on iPhone? Verboten.

15. Blackberry can be synchronized to multiple computers simultaneously, if you have multiple computers.

16. Multiple Blackberries can receive the same email feeds simultaneously, if you have multiple Blackberries.

17. Blackberry can sort the address book entries by company name, so you can scroll down a long list of names you don’t remember, but you just want to see who works for which company. Aside from sorting, the iPhone can take several seconds to search your address book, particularly if you have several thousand address book entries.

18. Blackberry isn’t slowed down by having, say, 10,000 or 100,000 address book entries. Try using an iPhone with 10,000 address book entries.

19. All major instant messengers are available on Blackberry.

20. Blackberry is available with multiple browsers from multiple suppliers. iPhone is available only with its standard Safari browser.

21. Blackberry synchronizes with iTunes – and every other media management program.

22. Blackberry models with 480 pixel resolution and WiFi offer PrimeTime2Go, an $8/month TV service that works as a DVR.

23. Blackberry fits as many emails in the inbox as there is memory available (typically many tens of thousands). iPhone is limited to 200 emails. Yes, iPhone has a remote look-up capability, but that doesn’t do you any good when you’re on an airplane or are otherwise out of coverage.

24. Price: Unlimited iPhone voice/data service, including unlimited SMS, is $150/month. Blackberry can be had for much less. For example, unlimited Blackberry service is offered on Sprint for $100/month, T-Mobile USA $125/month, MetroPCS $50/month, although AT&T/Verizon match the iPhone at $150/month.

25. Prepaid “no contract” flexibility: The AT&T web site says the iPhone is sold with a 2-year contract only, although once upon a time it offered a “contract-free” iPhone if you paid close to $899 up-front for the iPhone itself. In contrast, you can get prepaid no-contract Blackberry service on any old or new T-Mobile USA Blackberry handset for $65/month (600 minutes, unlimited Blackberry/Internet, but no SMS), or you can get truly unlimited-everything prepaid $50/month service from MetroPCS, if its handset selection and coverage areas are acceptable to you. That’s ONE THIRD the cost of the iPhone, and there is no contract.

26. Blackberry is an encrypted military-grade security platform, with 100% market share at FBI, CIA, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, major consultancies and major investment banks. In contrast, iPhone has security vulnerabilities. Please see this document for details as to why the Blackberry is the only platform approved for use in our national security agencies.

Taken from: http://seekingalpha.com/article/155015-blackberrys-26-advantages-over-iphone?source=article_lb_author

paseo

The USAC staff has been so gracious in giving us MANY holidays here in Costa Rica this semester, incorporating traditional American fall holidays with others of significance here in San Ramon/Costa Rica. Thankfully (oh, the irony!), this includes THANKSGIVING, one of my favorite holidays of the year!

I will admit, it will be strange to not sit down to a huge homemade dinner prepared by my precious grandmother. Those of us traveling this week are planning to have dinner anyway though, in........

NICARAGUA!!!

Five of us depart Wednesday afternoon en bus para Nicaragua and will return this weekend. I am so excited to add another country to my list of countries visited! Please keep us in your prayers! We are going to a safe area and are so excited! I won't be on to update my blog probably until next Sunday or so, but I am sure that there will be plenty to post about when I return!

Thanksgiving week is one of my favorite weeks of the year. Not only do I spend time with my family, but the Clemson/Carolina game and the days leading up to it are always so exciting!

I sure hope the Tigers can pull out the W for us on Saturday!

more pictures from the weekend

In Bugy's

Me and Helberth!

Tico friends

Me and KL!

Look what we found!

See-sawing....I felt like a kid again! So much fun!

Isn't she lovely?!

Being silly at the volcano

Cafe Britt fotos

Crazy keyboard in the Britt store with 4 languages! Never seen one of these before!

Coffee through the years - our precious guides playing their respective roles as they give us a tour of coffee throughout history

Pope

Cue the heavenly music...

Cute tour guides, explaining coffee growth and beans

AHHH...a forest of coffee trees!

Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings.

They needed volunteers. Who raised their hand??!!

Front row, of course!

Prize I won for volunteering!!!

weekend wrap-up

Just a summary of what went on this weekend (more photos to come!)....

FRIDAY

On Friday KL, MIF, ES and I went to Cafe Britt in Heredia. Afterwards we found some lunch, and some ice cream, and walked around Heredia, enjoying the views and playing in a park on some see-saws! We took buses to San Jose and then headed back to San Ramon. KL came to my house Friday night and we did some homework together.

SATURDAY

KL's host parents invited to take her to Volcan Poas, and she invited MIF, ES and I to go along with her! And so we did! We stopped in Sarchi first and bought a few little things in a souvenir shop, hoping that killing some time there would give the clouds enough time to disappear from atop the volcano. We headed up to Poas, but it was unfortunately very very cloudy. I'm glad that I had already been and was able to see it, because it was really cool. We couldn't even see the lagoon for all the clouds! Lastima! We enjoyed each other's company anyway. Afterwards we got back in the car, stopped on our way down the mountain for some fresh DELICIOUS strawberries, and then headed toward Grecia to get some lunch. We ate in the mercado there at a small soda, and of course had cheap and delicious casados. Afterwards we continued onward to San Ramon. We stoped at the panaderia to get some bread and such, and then went back to KL's house to have cafecito, my favorite time of the day! Afterwards, around 5, we went back to our own houses to clean up from the day. I headed back to KL's around 7:30. Then she, her brother and I went out to meet up with several of his friends. ES met up with us later. We spent the evening with the ticos, hanging out, having fun, not knowing what the next step would be! We all had a good time together and then went home.

SUNDAY

Sunday I woke up and got ready and walked to the centro to go to mass at the big Catholic church in town. It was the first mass I have ever been to. It was...well...interesting. I have never been before so it was a new experience for me and I am glad that I went!

Afterwards I went to Delicias with MIF for a while before heading home to go eat lunch with my family. We went to a buffet-style restaurant on the outside of town with big windows overlooking beautiful views of the mountains. Afterwards we went to my host dad's parents' house to hang out for a while. They offered coffee, so of course my host mother, knowing that I NEVER say no to coffee, told his mom that I would like a cup! And boy, was it tasty! His dad also gave me some Archer Farms peanuts which were scrumptious and like a little taste of home. They were so kind to me. We all had a good time talking and laughing.

We then came back home and I continued "doing homework." I Skyped a LOT yesterday with different people, and it was great to catch up with so many special people back home. I did more work last night and then went to bed before 12.

MONDAY

Today I had class from 8-11, then I hung out with some friends a bit before coming home to eat lunch. I did some homework once I got home, and then we had yummy burritos for lunch! AND my mother made fresca de pina, my FAVORITE! I love pineapply things!!!

Afterwards I did some more work and then took a 20 minute nap. I didn't set an alarm or anything, but for some reason when I lay down to take afternoon naps I just can't sleep a really long time. Boo. Anyway, the whole family left rather suddenly and my mother simply told me that my host dad's grandmother wasn't doing well and that they needed to go. So I kept the dogs inside until they left and hung out for a while at home. Then they brought my brother and sister home because they both have exams tomorrow that they needed to study for. We hung out for a while, had some ice cream, and laughed together.

I headed back to school around 3 for a mini-fiesta for DL and Claudia. Today is DL's birthday and Claudia's was last week. We had torta chilena and coffee, of course! It was scrumptious and fun for everyone in the group to hang out together.

I then went to Delicias to hang out with one of my favorite tico friends for about 45 minutes or so. We just chatted and then he had to go to his house to get some things for his class while I stayed there and did some homework.

I returned to school and did some more work there with my gringo buddies. And then I went back to the casa. My parents still had not arrived. I hung out with AM for a while, doing homework and such. Eventually my parents called to bring supper home to us - burgers and chicken from Don Pollo TWINS. It was yummy, but greasy, and I still feel kind of gross from it. Anyway, I've spent the rest of the evening doing homework and I am utterly exhausted! All this lack of sleep is catching up with me. I will probably do a LOT of catching up on it over Christmas break, though, before jumping back into the real world of college back in good ole Clemson.

Speaking of Clemson....

So glad that my Tigers are heading to the ACC Championship!!!!!!!! Wahoo! Wish I could go! If I was at home I would DEFINITELY be going, or trying to, anyway! And Clemson/Carolina is this weekend! I'm sad that I won't be there, and I can't believe that football season is nearly over for the Tigers, but what a year it has been. And to think that CJ Spiller could be the next Heisman trophy winner??!!! Of all the fall semesters for me to go abroad!!! Regardless of my location, I am proud! And am keeping my fingers crossed that we make it to a (BCS) bowl so that I can go cheer them on in person!

I will be posting some pictures separately from the weekend with short comments and such. I hate trying to put lots of pictures and lots of text in one post because the format always gets weird when I try to load pictures.

Buenas noches! 18 days, mommy!

You know you are becoming more Costa Rican when.....

1. You have the sequence and tones of the car alarms memorized.

2. You drink more coffee than all the other drinks you consume combined.

3. You integrate "mae" into regular spanish conversation.

4. Your friends know not to expect you to be on time because you are on tico time.

5. You stroll across the road in front of cars without fear of them running over you instead of slowly and timidly crossing the street.

6. You spend evenings in the park downtown.

7. You are greeted with kisses on the cheek by your tico friends and you greet your tico AND gringo friends with kisses on the cheek.

8. You call the cab company for a taxi and when you tell them your address they know your name because you have called so much.

9. Car alarms and dogs barking don't wake you up anymore in the morning.

10. A tico asks you for directions.

11. You understand how to use MSN Messenger.

12. A "fiesta" means that you stand in the street and talk to your friends, usually outside of another fiesta.

Cafe Britt

1. Been to Costa Rica?
2. Love coffee?
3. Like chocolate-covered coffee beans?

If you answered yes to at least TWO of the above questions, then you know exactly where this is going.....

Cafe Britt. Praise the Lord for the person who invented this place.

Café Britt was founded in 1985 as the first gourmet coffee roaster in Costa Rica. Before Café Britt, it was virtually impossible to find a memorable cup of coffee in the country. It seemed all the truly exquisite Costa Rican coffee was being hidden away. This, of course, was not true. The simple fact was all the best coffee was being exported.

It was here we had the opportunity to pioneer great change and introduce gourmet quality roasted coffee to Costa Rica. As exporters ourselves, we were able to see the problem and we knew we could solve it; by reserving and roasting some of this fine Costa Rican coffee. We had all the ingredients for success: access to perfect coffee from the country’s best plantations, the finest mills, the roasters, and the obsession with quality. We combined all our resources and the result was Café Britt, Costa Rica’s most remarkable coffee.

We were thrilled to discover this hidden gem and share Costa Rica's heritage with the world. Our enthusiasm for culture, nature and great flavors went beyond borders. In 2005, we headed south to Peru and explored this country's highlands for the best coffees and colorful artful crafts that transpire this nation’s fabulous legacy. Warmer winds blew in 2006 with our expansion to the Curaçao and The Caribbean where we parachuted our creative team into this fun friendly culture to create a line of products that truly reveal the islands’ flair. The vast diversity of Chile’s natural scenes and the warmth of its people blew us away… and we just had to become part of it. Café Britt Chile was created in 2007. With Miami themes and a highly skilled, friendly staff, we were ready to take on the challenge of this iconic city, known as the "Crossroads of the Americas." Our first shop opened Sept 26, 2008 in Concourse D at the Miami International Airport. (Cafe Britt story)


What a godsend, huh?


Anyway, when I purchased a travel guide to Costa Rica before coming I searched immediately for something about coffee or Cafe Britt. Lucky for me I discovered headquarters in Heredia, a suburb of San Jose but still a HUGE city, and I knew immediately that this would be somewhere I would be going.


Well, it took a while to go but KL and I decided last night that the time had come. Being complete coffee addicts, we knew that it was now or never. So this morning, KL, MIF, ES and I set out on a bus to San Jose (with some guidance from Claudia). We had to get off at the airport and hop on the Heredia bus and get off at the hospital in town, and then taxi to Britt. Well, we managed all of that, and I was sore afraid that we wouldn't be able to join on the 11 AM tour (we arrived promptly at 11:15!). The kind people in the welcome booth offered to let us join the tour which had apparently just started, so we happily accepted and trotted off to the rear of the tour. Our guides were just adorable. They gave the tour in Spanish and in English. It was funny how they switched back and forth. They were absolutely hilarious!

The tour consisted of explanations of how coffee is grown, the climate it is grown in, how it is tested all along the way...basically the ENTIRE process of coffee from its initial planting to its packaging to be sold to addicts like me!