A Journey Back in Time to First Snow of the season on Nov. 27, 2013…. I imagine this video shall become a series:) – created at http://animoto.com

This was an old assignment I have found among my paper piles… It was written when I was only 14 years old, um, that would be 20 years ago, when I couldn’t even fathom ever being 34 years old!

I am Nikki, but really Nicola.
I am exactly 14 years old (plus one day). 
I am a student in my ninth year, 
at Sir Allan MacNab High School. 

At my tallest, I am five foot seven.
My eyes are greyish-blue
And my hair is blond but almost brown. 
I am older than Mali, Tara and Darryl,
Younger than Lisa, Shauna, Cindy and Lori.
My birthday is in March,
Almost April.

I love warm weather 
and fluffy, white snow
And Christmas and summer.
When I was little, 
I watched Sesame Street and cartoons.
I still watch cartoons, 
but not Sesame Street- very often. 

My room is a mess
Because I like it that way.
Books and clothes are all over the floor,
But what else are floors for?
It’s organized chaos. 

I wish I were rich,
And if I were 
I’d have a bigger house,
More clothes,
And an expensive sports car.
I’d travel all over the world 
in my very own private jet.
But I’m not rich.
Dreams are free.

I love my psycho mother,
My brother, who is my friend,
And Coffee, my cat.

My name is Nikki.

(Written, April 1st, 1991)

Today’s kids think nothing of being ‘on-line’ most of their lives; computers and technology are second-nature.  Many of our parents and even their parents have gotten on-board at varying paces.  But, I fall somewhere in the middle.  Though I have caught myself typing@yahoo.ca after being asked for just my name;)


I suspect my lack of know-how in the organizational department of information has to do with the times I grew up, which are directly  related to the advance of technology… 

 The first computers I remember using were the good ol’ commodore 64s – with 64K of memory, I’ll have you know!!! 

Ready…
Load, “Frogger”,8 and, voila…..
I asked for Frogger and I got Frogger! (Note:  I didn’t actually ask, I commanded.  It was the times before fancy icons made know-how less important, and why when it all goes wrong, many of us don’t have a clue what to do, other than kick the darn thing!)

And, of course, Atari… it’s hard to believe that these were cool graphics!

From there… the first Nintendos, and Segas… I could play them and kick my brother’s friends’ butts because, unlike nowadays, you did not need an engineering degree to master the controls; could battle like a pro.

Gone are the days where a computer filled a room (not that I remember those days). Now there is more memory and capabilities in smaller, more affordable devices and technology is for everybody, not an elite group.   Technology is advancing at supersonic speeds. 

Today’s children know a lot of “stuff” about these here computers and technology in general.  But, what they don’t know, and need guidance and TEACHING of (both from teachers AND parents) is critical literacy and problem solving skills.  I am not getting into the debate whether all this technology is good or bad for our children because it is moot – it is here.  We are in ‘full on’ technological times.  Technology can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on how it is used. 

So, we teach them how to use it (or they teach us, perhaps).  We teach them the same morals and ethics and values.  We teach them manners.  We teach them Maths and Language.  We teach them Art and Music and Dance and Phys. Ed. and Geography and History.  We teach them but we teach them differently.  We adapt (albeit, some slower than others), we change and we grow with the young people we teach.  We guide them.  We learn with them how to find, sort and sift through all the information out there.  We help them to be critical; to ask questions; to treat others (on- and off-line) as they wish to be treated.  It’s all there, just as it was, but different, and if anything, it is more critical we communicate early to get them on the right path for success.