openoffice.org slow over vpn

[swingkyd]

I am attempting to use OO.org over a vpn connection. the connection is rather slow to start with, but it is excruciating how slow for even the most menial things. While opening calc it refereshes the entire screen at least 3 times after every single mouse click or any time I select a window in front of OO.org.
MSO is actually quite snappy over the same vpn so I'm thinking OO.org is just not designed to be fast.
As an example, for just the opening screen of OO.org 3 where one selects an application, I spent at least 5 minutes watching it refresh over and over again while I could do nothing but wait. Then finally I was able to shut it down.
The connection is fine when I'm on the server directly via hard wire and connected to my computer at work. But this is over the internet.... any recommendations or has anyone else experienced such slow performance?