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First Computer
My family bought our first home computer in 1998 when I was about four years old. Since I was so young I was rarely on the computer, but my mother would print off coloring sheets for me. This was my first personal experience with technology. Image Source: https://comm200nmc.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/my-first-experiences-with-a-computer-pc-games-and-the-internet/ -
Computer Games
As I got older, my mother would let me use the computer more frequently, and even bought me several CD ROM games to play with. The one I remember the most was an animated storybook for the Disney movie Hercules. Along with more exposure to the computer, this event also started my lifelong enjoyment of video games that persists even today. Image Source: https://vintechexpress.com/product/disneys-animated-storybook-hercules-cd-windows-95-used-good_nh1-bcg-cpq/ -
Elmo Projectors
As I started to enter High School, I began to notice that my teachers were using a new kind of technology that was just starting to enter our school systems, the Elmo Projector. Despite the initial jokes and comparisons I made to the cartoon character, I was amazed by how the teacher could just show us the worksheet they wanted us to work on and help us through the problems. Image Source: https://www.amazon.com/Elmo-TT-12-Document-Camera-Megapixel/dp/B009046LPK -
First International Friend
When I was in High School, the internet had become a big presence in my life. Despite that, I was very cautious with who I talked to considering the potential dangers of talking to strangers online. That being said, I was still able to form a long lasting friendship with a girl named Lauren from Malaysia. When Lauren and I realized that we both were interested in the same show we would message each other almost daily and formed a Pen-Pal type relationship with one another. -
First Skype Video Call
Continuing from the mention of Lauren. When I first entered college in 2012, we had been talking for roughly two years. Once we realized that we both had the communication software Skype, we decided one day to plan a video call so that we could see each other face-to-face (sort of). The experience was a wonderful one as it allowed a friendship I considered precious to develop even further and gave me a better idea as to what technology can do for communication. -
First Smart Phone
Graduating High School meant various changes for me, with entering college being one of the big ones. The other big one was when my mother gifted my an iPhone 4 to replace my older cell phone. This was my first smart phone and my introduction to the idea of having the entire internet in my hands. Image Source: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPhone-8GB-White-AT/dp/B005Z9IQE8 -
Google Docs and Creative Writing
2015 is when I discovered Google Docs, an application where you can create and edit documents like in Microsoft Word. Discovering this program opened new opportunities for me in terms of creative writing and allowed me to continue this hobby in a new and refreshing way. Image Source: https://www.lifewire.com/google-docs-on-drive-1616241 -
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Dungeons & Dragons
In 2016 I had become interested in the game Dungeons & Dragons. Unfortunately, I was not able to find anyone locally that was interested in playing. This was about the time when another online friend messaged me asking if I would join her own game. I said yes and about a week later joined the group through Skype and played with them regularly. This event allowed me to form connections with online friends outside of typing by developing stories with them through this experience.
