My mom was always so excited to go to her room to just sit at a desk in front of this big, white looking box. It was almost like she was expecting something to happen. On the desk stood a big, white square with a screen that had many wires coming out the back. Every time she would turn it on, it made this annoying sound. My only thought was, “what is my mom doing with that demon sounding robot”. Her hands placed gently on this long white rectangle, that had individual little boxes with letters on each. Each finger glided across that rectangle, making a clicking sound with every touch. Letters were appearing on the screen as if magic had something to do with it. A small, white, oval shaped object was off to the side of the rectangle. It had a cord coming out of the back, and was hooked up to the main box. She would move it around in a way that was similar to drawing a circle. Every now and then she would stop, which was always followed by a clicking noise, or noises. One day, I approached my mom, “Mom, why do you sit at the desk a lot? And what makes that annoying sound?”. She replied, “Sweetie, it’s how I talk to Papi. We email each other to talk since he can’t use a phone when he is out to sea”. I had no idea how that was possible, but all I knew, was that I wanted to be able to talk to my dad as well. Mom would take the time, every evening to sit us down in front of that big, white, bulky, annoying sounding computer, to help us send internet mail to dad. Coming through the door, after a long day of elementary school, I would speed walk, straight to my mom’s room and hop on the computer. That quickly became not only my routine, but the highlight of my days. Over time, I signed up for my very own Yahoo account, keeping track and saving every email he sent me. Today, I use my VMI email to communicate with my dad, since I am constantly checking it for school. Email has been, and still is the foundation for my communication with my dad.
My dad has been in the Navy for almost twenty-eight years now. Growing up, my dad wasn’t around as much, because he was always on a carrier, out to sea. There’s special events that happen in your life that you want your mom and dad to be around for. As much as I wanted my dad to be there, he had other obligations. Even with my dad gone, we always communicate with each other via email. It’s all we have right now. Thinking back, to the first time I emailed my dad, to now, it is amazing how much technology has changed. The first time I emailed my dad, it was on a big, boxy, white computer that had a mouse and a keyboard. Fast forward a few years, I was using a black thin desktop, to log onto my very own Yahoo account, to send my dad an email. Now, I use a portable computer that can go everywhere with me. If I don’t have my laptop with me, no problem. I can send an email with just the touch of my finger tips to my phone screen. Technology changes have improved the way I communicate with my dad tremendously. It has become so convenient, so easy, with just a touch of a button. Technology has had a huge impact on how I am able to access, read, and “write” emails to my dad.
This past summer I spent twenty days down in Alabama for field training for Air Force. On day one we had to give up all of our contrabands, including cell phones. Those twenty days were the longest and toughest days of my life. Yes, it was extremely hot and yes the food was just as bad as Crozet, but what made it difficult for me was the feeling of being isolated. The only form of communication I had with my family/ loved ones was by pen and paper. I quickly became aware of how spoiled I have become with technology, not having what I wanted when I wanted it. Patience became my friend and I had to accept the fact that I had no other choice but to wait for letters in the mail. I felt so isolated from both my family and the world. I had no clue what was going on unless it was brought up in a letter that I had received. Reflecting on field training this summer makes me realize how much I rely on my phone and how addicted I am to technology.
Throughout those twenty days at field training, I was able to get a small taste of how my dad feels, and the isolation he goes through for months at a time, sometimes even longer. Knowing what I know now, and being able to relate those feelings I had, to what my dad experiences, has changed the way I communicate with him now. The moment I returned from field training, I made sure to set a reminder on my phone to email my dad every day, to let him know what’s going on in my life. I put more time, thought, and effort into my emails, because I now know what it feels like to be isolated, and not have anyone to talk to. At times, I think about what it would be like to have my dad around like “normal dads” are. Would our relationship be better and stronger if he was around? However, I believe my relationship with my dad is stronger now, because distance makes you value things like time, a little more than you normally would. It is because of the distance, I cherish the times we spend together when he is home, those face to face moments. Yes, my dad has missed out on a lot in our lives, but at the same time, he has always made an effort to show his support and love, even though he can’t be there in person. I respect him so much more because of the sacrifice he has, and is still making, every single time he is away. I am so grateful to have a dad like him.
Technology influences our daily lives as well as our personal relationships. It is almost impossible to exist as a digital immigrant in a digital society. We are constantly using technology to communicate and evaluate information. Digital literacy is the ability to use technology to communicate information successfully. In my opinion, digital literacy is important because it is and has become our way of life. We’ve become so “addicted” to technology that we don’t know how to live without it. It is my way to communicate with my loved ones, how I am able to get school work accomplished, and how I stay up to date with what is going on in the world. On the other hand, I am guilty of using technology for unimportant things such as, updating my Facebook status, to post a new Instagram, and to look at my friends Snapchat stories. Nonetheless, I don’t those factors take away that precious time I have with my loved ones. Living in a digital society does have its perks, but at the same time, it is affecting our daily lives preventing us to live life to its fullest. The digital life has become a part of my everyday life in order for me to communicate with my dad, however, my social media life is kept separate. Technology does have a way of influencing our lives, sometimes in ways that mean the most to you.