On the Other Side of the World

Teachers' views of current technology vary greatly depending on who you ask.  Some are fearful of it, while others welcome the new gadgets with open arms. I was lucky enough to go to school during a time when the technology being used right now was being introduced, so I was trained on it, but I know a time is coming when there will be new technology that will be unfamiliar to me and my colleagues that graduated with me. 
Regardless of your skill level, technology is scary in many ways, but it is also wonderful in many ways. This blog is about one way it has changed our lives forever.

When Austin's brother Terry was in high school, his family hosted a foreign exchange student from Russia named Daniil. He became part of their family.  I have heard so many Daniil stories, and, though I've never met him, I feel like we are old friends.

Austin was in 8th grade at the time, so it has been a quite a while. Austin and Daniil have sent a few e-mails over the years, and they have kept in contact that way. Technology wow # 1 - e-mail. I can type a letter, press send, and you can be reading it before I get up from the computer - even if you are on the other side of the world. That is amazing!

Next came the Facebook movement. Let's face it, FB has changed our lives. We upload where we are, what we are doing, pictures of ourselves and our families, you name it! Some people can't sneeze without letting the world know about, or in my case, my kid can't move without me telling you. (Step 1 - I just admitted I have a problem.)  We are able to see Daniil, his wife Vera, and their baby through pictures all the way from Russia, and they keep up with all of Austin's family. Thank you Facebook.

Finally, another amazing technological feat - Skype. Austin has spent the past couple of weeks talking almost daily to Daniil. I have been able to meet his wife, and we have seen his beautiful baby girl. Russia is literally on the other side of the world, yet we are able to see each other daily for FREE. What a blessing!

Austin misses Daniil very much, and he has told me that since we started dating. Technology has brought his friend from across the world into our home at the click of a mouse. For all the scary things that can come from it, bringing old friends back together is magical. :)