48 Hours Off The Grid

I decided to take Dr. Shannon up on her offer to completely give up technology for 48 hours. I did not watch TV, use my cell phone, get on Facebook, etc. I started this adventure Sunday April 15th at 8am and ended Tuesday April 17th at 8am.

Awesome Lemon bars!

Sunday- Normally Sundays I work (in my hometown), so from 8-4 I did not really even notice that I was off the grid because I can't use my phone at work. I'm a waitress and Sundays are one of my busiest days, so I don't have time to be on my phone either way. When I got off work I thought about checking my phone. I think what bothered me the most was I normally have some missed call or text message and I wasn't able to see if I did. I kept my phone turned off the two days I was off the grid so I would not be temped to answer if someone called me. I arrived back in Shippensburg later that day. I wanted to relax and watch TV for a while before starting some more homework, but instead I baked. I made lemon bars and sprinkled them with powdered sugar. Oh my gosh they were delicious! I have not baked in a long time. Am I too consumed with YouTube, TV, and Facebook to do things I enjoy? I was thinking about this while I was baking. Why are we so concerned with checking up on our friends on Facebook or seeing what other people are doing? Why don't we just do them ourselves?  For instance, I mentioned I like to bake, but I haven't done it in a long time. Now ask me how often I watch the food channel...I would say I watch the food channel almost every other day. I don't spend hours watching it, but I could be spending that time actually baking and cooking (which I know my boyfriend would enjoy). Anyway, after my lemon bars were done baking, I disappeared into my room and worked on homework for a solid 5 to 6 hours that night. I was able to go to sleep around 10 and have a lot of homework done. Side note: Even though I am a highly motivated student, I still found myself itching to text someone while I was doing my homework. Many of you already know how sociable I am. Texting and talking may be two aspects that slow me down when I'm doing my homework. I must say after Sunday night, I was extremely proud that I did not talk to anyone unless it was in person. I felt a strong bond develop between my boyfriend and I because we both weren't looking at our phone the whole night.

Consumed with phones

Reading outside :)

Monday- Now, let me tell you about Monday. I have three classes on Mondays - all in the morning. I gave a presentation in my Teaching English and Language Arts class at 9am. I felt well prepared and think I did a pretty could job. After the presentation I headed to the library to do homework between classes. On my way to the library I really noticed something. Walking down the hallway in DHC I noticed I couldn't see anyone's face. The picture on the left sort of demonstrates what I am speaking about. (This picture came from another person's blog. The blogger too participated in social network free environment for an extended period of time. The picture is of her friends).  It was as if people have completely giving up the ability to talk to someone right next to them. I never realized how bad this is because I am always on my phone too walking down the hall way. When I say I couldn't see anyone's face, I mean to every person in the hallway was staring down at their phones. I think it is kind of sad. I normally talk to friends in my class before the class starts, even when I have my phone on me. Why aren't people willing to get to know new people in their classes, but are extremely open to flirting with someone they don't know at a bar? This idea connects to the environment we are in a that moment. I guess it is expected to be outgoing and friendly in a bar, but at "school" we are supposed to remain distant. I don't believe this. I actually am a lot better friends with people in my class than I believe many people are. Well, I finally make my way into the library and head upstairs to the quiet section. Working in the quiet section helps to limit my ability to talk which enables me to get more homework completed. Denny and I were working on homework that day in the library. Normally we have little conversation, but Monday I couldn't stop talking about my weekend, off the grid assignment, and previous events. I did not get as much work done in those 2 hours as I would have liked, but I felt happy. I love being surrounded by people, so I was just happy to talk to a friend again. Personal conversations will always make me happier than text messages and YouTube videos. Classes ended at 2pm and I headed home to work on homework. I grabbed my Post-Colonial book (Moth Smoke) and decided to sit outside and enjoy the 80 degree weather and read. I stayed outside for a couple of hours until I believed I was starting to get burnt. I continued to read after dinner that night and managed to read 100 pages. I headed to bed a little earlier than normal and read for my seminar class before going to sleep.

Overall Experience- So, what have a learned about myself and the American culture? Well, I'd say I can live without my phone. I remember mentioning that students say, "I'd die without my phone." I didn't die guys. In the beginning, I'll admit I did have some anxiety, but on the second day I actually felt less stressed out. Not having to worry about my phone made me feel free. I did miss receiving cute messages from friends during the day, but I realize I don't need them to feel happy. Also, I learned that I am the conversation starter. After I turned my phone back on this morning, I had a couple missed calls and messages, but the people that contacted me when I wasn't around are the people I care the most about. These people included some close friends, my boyfriend, and dad. I did tell these people about the assignment because I did not want them to worry about me, but even so some of them still left me voice mails or played me in words with friends. I guess I was missed. Now, American culture...we are totally wrapped up in technology and that prevent us from getting important things completed. Is this because we enjoy the small escape we get from checking our Facebook or do we check our Facebooks for instant feedback? Like WoW, some gamers play because they receive instant gratification and gain XP for completing quests and finishing an instance. Does Facebook make people happy or serve as an escape from reality? For me, I would say I get on Facebook when I am feeling stressed about school or somewhat lonely. I will state though that social networking tools do connect the world in new amazing ways. I guess my point would be...lets use social networking when we are alone. Pay attention to your friends and family, but most of all get outside and do something. After this experience, I plan to limit my phone and Facebook use. If I want to be social I'll call someone and ask them to hang out. I'd like that more than reading their status online any day :)