The fact is that more than 10 million couples worldwide are coping with long distance relationships ... and that number is increasing daily!
Email is great. Use it to swap messages a few times a day if you are both near computers. You can also use it to forward cute and funny things you find on the internet, send ecards, links etc. It is probably best to use a web-based email like hotmail or gmail. That way you can get your email from any machine and you don't have to worry about privacy issues at work. If you are worried about privacy, use a service like hushmail.
Your computer is will help your relationship in other ways too. Consider Instant Messages, On-line games you can play together, Web cams, or even making a website together.
For most couples, the phone, probably a cell phone becomes an important link. Most cell phone companies now offer plans where you can call anyone with the same service without adding time to your monthly allotment of minutes. If at all possible, get on the same plan. If this is not possible, consider adding an extra line to your plan. It won't cost as much as starting a new plan. You can give the phone to your partner and he/she can use it just to call and receive calls from you. It could make a great gift.
If you live in different countries find the very best deal for calling. Phone cards in many parts of Europe are pretty cheap. Compare and contrast. It might be less expensive if one of you always calls the other.
Don't forget about snail mail. You can't send cookies over the web. And think about all the other things you can send: romantic letters, flowers, chocolates, care packages etc.
Email is great. Use it to swap messages a few times a day if you are both near computers. You can also use it to forward cute and funny things you find on the internet, send ecards, links etc. It is probably best to use a web-based email like hotmail or gmail. That way you can get your email from any machine and you don't have to worry about privacy issues at work. If you are worried about privacy, use a service like hushmail.
Your computer is will help your relationship in other ways too. Consider Instant Messages, On-line games you can play together, Web cams, or even making a website together.
For most couples, the phone, probably a cell phone becomes an important link. Most cell phone companies now offer plans where you can call anyone with the same service without adding time to your monthly allotment of minutes. If at all possible, get on the same plan. If this is not possible, consider adding an extra line to your plan. It won't cost as much as starting a new plan. You can give the phone to your partner and he/she can use it just to call and receive calls from you. It could make a great gift.
If you live in different countries find the very best deal for calling. Phone cards in many parts of Europe are pretty cheap. Compare and contrast. It might be less expensive if one of you always calls the other.
Don't forget about snail mail. You can't send cookies over the web. And think about all the other things you can send: romantic letters, flowers, chocolates, care packages etc.
posted by University Distance Education at
1:59 AM
