Technology...live with it or rely on it?

I know, I know...it`s been 2 days that I haven`t been writing anything on my log. This wouldn`t be a surprise a couple of weeks ago, but I guess now it means I`m not being a very good student since I`m not doing my daily homework. What is even worse, though, is that I`m not exercising my writing and I`m missing chances to gain in fluency. Anyways, I guess I`m pretty good at rambling things on...look at that: one paragraph and I didn`t even get started!! Just for you to know, I didn`t post anything these last days not, as you probably may think, because I was lazy, but because I had problems with the computer and the internet connection. I love this wi-fi you get practically everywhere here in the US, but when it decides it doesn`t want to work, it just doesn`t. For two days I couldn`t even get my e-mails done... Ok, maybe I`m overreacting: it`s not such a big deal not to have internet for a couple of days. Anyway, I can tell it doesn`t feel good either. And this is when I start asking myself: do I live with technology or do I rely on it all the time? I used to think I was quite an independent person: I like technology, but I can definitely live without it! I don`t need a computer, a cell phone, an iPod...but if I have it, I will use it. However, I noticed things are changing now (is it the US influence?). I still think a couple of days with no internet are not a big deal, but what if I didn`t have my cell phone? I know I don`t even use it everyday...but it`s good to know that I have it, and I can use it if I need to. Of course I can walk around just listening to the birds singing and the cars`and trucks`engines rumbling, but isn`t it much nicer to listen to my own music? I know how to wash dishes, but why not stick the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and let it do the hard work? I know I can dry the laundry by lying it flat...but why not save time and stick the wet and clean clothes in the dryer? I know I can heat meals up on the stove or in the oven, but why should I get all these pots and pans dirty if I can just stick the tings into the microwave in a microwave safe dish? Are you thinking the same as I am? Oh, my gosh...I think I`m a technology addict!! Will I ever go back to my normal life? Will I be able to do that? Will I adapt again to a time and space where technology didn`t help me so much? And which one is really worse? Living with or without all of this technology? Is technology really good for us? Or are the hours I spend working on the computer, talking on the cell phone or listening to my mp4 player preventing me to make new friends, talk to people, read a book? Many many people are discussing the subject and how technology changed our lives and our relationships. Having also this in mind, the people from the NY Times promoted a College Essay Contest with the theme: Modern Love. Of course, not only technology is contemplated, but it does play a big role "this age of 24/7 communication". I can`t wait to read the winner`s essay on May 4th. PS. I did try to put more blank essays in my post, as my teacher suggested, but apparently they won`t let me do it...any suggestions?

sports and gym

Well, today I`m here to talk a little bit more about what i`m doing in my American every-day life. Since I came here, six months ago (can you believe it?) I`ve been putting on a lot of weight. At the beginning I just complained a little bit, then I started getting pretty upset, then my clothes started to get tight and now I`m finally ready to take things under control.
In order to lose weight, at the beginning of january I went on a diet, the South Beach one, that really worked very well while I was strictly following it. After a couple of weeks, though, I started giving up and my weight came back. That`s when I started to really think seriously about a gym. I looked around and talked to some friends...I found out I could apply for financial aid at the YMCA, and so I did. I got a nice discount, and now there I am, almost every morning, trying to burn some calories. Besides the improvement Imight have in my attle against weight and fat, I also think some exercise will be good for my heath, and specially for my mood. When I go to the gym and run or lift weights I think I am getting rid of the stress i accumulate during the days I spend at home. This makes me feel much more optimistic and happier about my experience in here.
Bottomline: exercise and be happy :)

Ice skating

Ok, for those who know me I know it sounds quite strange. What do I have to do with ice skating? First of all, ice skating is considered a sport. This should be already enough to place me hundreds miles from an ice rink. Also, when we think of ice skating, we think of slim, gracious girls sliding and moving gracefully on that slippery surface.

Well, for as impossible as it might seem, I enrolled in ice skating lessons. And if you are surprised, there`s actually more: i`m doing pretty good.
My first class, at Cabin John Ice Rink, was very nice. The very first thing we did was sitting on the ice and trying to get up (not hard, but of the utmost importance if you are a beginner - this meaning that we are expected to fall down a lot, which was not exactly an encouraging start). Luckily, we all (my classmates and I) did a very good job. Soon we were trying out a borad range of exercises and I saw myself doing things i`ve never dreamt of (going backwards, for instance). Today I had my second class (we only have a thirty-minute class per week) and I started feeling more confident. We had more exercises to learn how to break, move forward and backwards. We also learned how to move counterclockwise in a circle just the way experienced ice skaters do it: putting one foot in front of the other in a way that you sort of cross your legs. Of course, I did pretty poorly if we consider what experienced ice-skaters do. However, I`m pretty happy with my results. Now I need to practice, pratice, practice so that I will master what I learnt.
For those who live in the area (Montgomery County, MD) check out the website of Cabin John ice rink! If you take group classes, you`ll pay 87 dollars for six 30-minute classes, and this includes skate rental ando live in the area (Montgomery County), check ou 6 passes to go to the ice rink for practicing what you learned. I think it`s a good deal :)