Webcam

Sometimes a phone call just isn't enough to satisfy the need to keep in touch with loved ones. When I moved away from home for the first time to attend Purdue University, I was very homesick. I missed not being able to talk to my mom and dad every day after school and each morning. When I was a freshman, texting was starting to be very popular, but my parents did not know how to text. 

As a freshman in college, I purchased a Macbook Pro. This was my first personal computer. I loved the fact that it was portable, easy to use and good for my major at the time: Art and design. The built-in webcam was also a great feature. The webcam allowed me not only to chat with my parents, but also see their faces. This made a world of a difference. My parents and I would schedule a time each week to video chat. It was very helpful in communicating between us. 

Video chatting is much like a conversation. Of course, you cannot physically touch the other person you are interacting with, but it is much more personal and interactive than a phone call or text. In addition, with video chatting, you can see others' facial expressions and gestures. The only drawback in my mind is that oftentimes the chat freezes up. This means that sometimes, your screenname will force quit and sign you offline. 

To this day, I am thankful that I have webcam abilities on my computer. It has helped to continue the strong relationship I have with each of my parents. 

Pandora

One of my favorite things to do is listen to music. No matter where I am, music always follows. I listen to my favorite artists from the minute I wake up to the moment I fall asleep.

I came across Pandora a few years ago while sitting in my dorm room. I needed to find an alternative way to listen to music. A girl two doors down from me got sued by Purdue University for illegally downloading music. I did not want to take any chances in throwing away my life savings, just to listen to the latest and greatest from LimeWire. 

When I found Pandora, I was so excited. Pandora was spreading rapidly through the dorms, as there was much hype about this new web site. Why? Because it is free! Every poor college student can't argue the fact that free music is a good thing. Even three years later, I still find that most of my friends listen to Pandora. 

Pandora is truly a revolutionary idea. To be able to log on to a site where you can choose your genre of music, and a play list is made for you is a music lover's dream. Now, I find myself using Pandora more than I use my iTunes. It is available on my iPhone, therefore I can listen to music while I work out, walk to class or just doing my homework.