How to Get Your Fix of 'Murica in Germany

You probably don't think about this until you move to a foreign country, but what works when you're overseas?
Music videos on YouTube? Pandora? Netflix? Watching How I Met Your Mother on CBS.com?
No. No. No and No. Or should I say NEIN!!

American channels and shows on German television? Of course not.

So how do I get my fix of American media?

1. FREE VPN
As I mentioned earlier there are many websites that you cannot access if you are not within the continental US. By using a VPN my IP address (how they know I am in Germany) is hidden and my data is protected as well. I've been using HotSpot Shield and now I can watch all the shows I want on CBS and FOX's websites and listen to all the music I want on Pandora and YouTube.

Most importantly I was able to watch THIS video. Pssssh, Biebers got nothin' on NSYNC!

2. USTVnow.com

For those shows that aren't on the TV channel's website I've been using USTVnow.com. It's a service based out of Philadelphia that allows American citizens living abroad access to their huge DVR database system. For a monthly fee you are able to record as many shows as you want to a  remote DVR and watch whenever you'd like via their website! Hello, Real Housewives and all my Bravo shows!

3. PROJECT FREE TV

For when I want to go back and watch episodes from previous seasons I use Project Free TV. 

4. SONGZA & iHeart RADIO iPhone APP

iHeart radio is my favorite. I'm able to listen to my Charleston stations like WEZL. I'm not going to lie. Sometimes when I'm driving down the road listening to country music and hearing commercials about Red's Icehouse I forget that I'm in Germany. Songza is a great alternative to Pandora. They create unique playlists for a number of different scenarios; singing in the shower, waking up, friday night dance party, unwinding after a long day.

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Now more important than getting my fix of American TV and music is getting my daily dose of my favorite American PEOPLE! Even though we're separated by an ocean these gadgets help me feel much closer!

1. SKYPE
Duh. But really, Skype is amazing. It allows me to talk to my parents, grandparents, brothers, and husband! We are spread out in three different countries and most of the time it's a very clear connection. Having a phone conversation is nice, but seeing a loved one's face is even sweeter!

2. TEXTFREE/PINGER iPhone APP
Who loves free texting? This girl! Especially since if I tried to text and call from my German cellphone handy number the rates would be ridiculous!  With Pinger, they assign you an American number that you can give to your family & friends. Simple and easy.

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Now if I could just figure out a way to get some Chickfila over here I'd be a happy girl! :)

The Comforts of Home

We are finally out of the Army hotel and living in our new apartment! We live in a town not too far away from post. Close proximity was a must since 1. I'm terrified of driving in the snow and 2. I found a job! Our town is adorable (which is true for every German town around here) complete with its own bakery and butcher! After a month in a hotel I can't even begin to tell you how nice it is to be in our own place with a kitchen, lots of room, and our own washer and dryer! And as an added bonus our first shipment of goods is arriving earlier than expected- next week! I am so looking forward to having more of OUR things in our apartment. 

You know what else makes it feel more like home? Technology, mainly the internet and my new iPhone. Oh to feel connected again! Enjoy some pictures from Instagram and be sure to follow me at: emmacleigh :)

Update in Army Town #1

Likes:
So far life in Army Town #1 has been wonderful! If only for the fact that RC and I have been able to spend a ridiculous amount of time together. We've literally spent like every waking second together and I love it. This will soon change as RC has to get back to work, but actually living together with my husband has been wonderful!

I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself. I've cooked 4 not only edible, but reeally good meals. After a summer of no cooking I was nervous about filling my hungry man's belly. So far I'd say I've succeeded. :) The menu? 1. chicken bog 2. chicken spaghetti 3. chicken, broccoli, and mashed potatoes 4. pot roast.

Dislikes:

I can't even begin to tell you how much I hate our internet right now. Our cable tv= awesome. Our internet? Not so much. I've spent over 2 hours with wireless router companies trying to get our wireless set up. TWO different brands and neither will connect to the modem. After wireless router brand #2 attempt, our internet completely went out. This was on Sunday and nobody could come to replace our modem until today (Tuesday). Hopefully, by noon today Mr. Internet Repairman will have shown up and fixed our internet. All I have to say is thank God for our iPhones and for the nice man/woman who hasn't locked their wireless network.

Tropical Storm Lee is being a pesky little bugger and leaving us with a lot of rain.

Happy Tuesday y'all! :)