In the world of today, technology is everything and everything is ran by technology. These “smart tools” are so powerful that they can cause complete chaos or smooth sailing…if you disagree try going a FULL 24 hours without technology. It will be complete pandemonium.

I stared my little experiment at 4: 30 pm on Tuesday after making all my last minute phone calls. So, I bravely shut down my computer and PDA, threw the television remote somewhere…still trying to find it…turned off my music and cell phone and put my car keys away…And then…there was silence. After what seemed like a while, I looked at the clock and only thirty minutes passed. So I did some staring at the wall to pass time while I thought of things to do. There was nothing. I looked around in every room to find something time consuming to do, but nothing interested me that did not involve some type of technology.

7:00 rolled around slowly and I made my way to the kitchen but the same problem presented itself. I put the food on the kitchen counter to decide on how I should warm it up. This was useless. The microwave and stove were out of the question and i was not about to rub two sticks together. I just had to eat it cold. Mind you, it was not a good experience. The chicken was cold and limp and I passed on the rice because it looked crusty and tasteless. However, I managed to get some food in my stomach.

After eating, I read myself to death. I studied Biology, Chemistry and Political Science. I had never been so focused. Finally something good! Anyway this lasted until I was devastated and sick of books. I was useless after all my studying so I went to bed.

The next morning I continued my normal daily task, that of going to school and work. As I was walking towards my class, my sister calls me and says that my parents have been trying to get in contact with me. Earlier, on Tuesday, I completely forgot to call them and let them know about the project I took on…Oops! They are both out of the country and needed to get in touch with me to handle some business. My sister told me that they were angry with me for turning my cell phone off. My parents did not understand what was going on and they referred to my project as an “unwise adventure”. My sister later on explained everything to them so I was in the clear. I got home at 3 and I was on a mission to sleep until the 24 hours was up! Therefore, I would finally be able to turn all my electronic devices & get my life back to normal. Dr. Bosisio assignment taught the class an important lesson; DO NOT throw ANY electronic devices when you are upset! You will definitely need it later on.

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Hey bloggers, Tudo fixe! (Whats up!)I’m writing to you in between the commercial breaks of the super bowl game, and “First 48″ (How can somebody get arrested 22 consecutive times?)  I’m sure most of you are tied up with watching the super bowl game and by the looks of it the Patriots are definitely feeling the pressure.  Although I’m not into football as much as i am into soccer, i have to admit that the commercials are better…Anyway, congrats to the 2008 ASU idol winner, all i have to say is don’t spend it all in one place. OPAAA! would you look at that, Patriots are up by four now and my roommate just busted through the door to catch the rest of the game. OPA! Who said white men can’t jump?? Eli Manning has ups! 35 sec left enjoy the rest of the game. Ate mais! (Later!)

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In 2005 I left my country (Guinea- Bissau, West Africa) and all that was familiar to me. Eighteen years of age and journeying through several countries to reach Augusta, which would soon be my new home left me with several thoughts. I was excited, happy, nervous, and hungry all at the same time…hungry for every opportunity that placed itself before me. Believe it or not, I had a major interest in the life of the students that lived on campus so i spent time to research student life as a resident on campus. My research only made me even more antsy to make it to school.

On the 26th of August, 2005, as I finished registering for my classes and immediately left to find this famous “University Village. (Augusta State University campus housing).” On the way to University Village several questions ran through my head. ” Would I like the place?”"Would other students accept an international student?” and “Whether the students were as serious as i am about school or were they here for horse play?” Finally I reached, the atmosphere was cool, students were mingling, some by the pool, and others in the club house but all i kept thinking about was meeting my roommates. As I looked around the UV It wasn’t long until I realized that I was in a place where differences mattered immensely. It was not quite what i pictured. I was finally sent to my room in the 5000 building where I met two of my roommates that seemed extremely nice. Surprisingly, one of them was also an international student from Africa.

It didn’t take me much time to settle in and I immediately put my feet to work and begun discovering what the University Village had to offer. Students were playing table tennis, football, and a few brave ones were swimming. I couldn’t wait to get to the computer to email my family about my day. I was glad to be independent but at the same time I missed home. However, things started changing and the days got longer. Living in the 5000 building was no longer everything it once seemed to be. The days started to get depressing. My neighbors constantly partied, made loud noises, and had no respect for other students. Cigarette butts were everywhere, and sometimes students would have an escalated misunderstanding. I couldn’t live here any longer! I had school work to do and it was extremely hard to concentrate! One of my roommates worked late and usually came home around 3:00 in the morning. He found it appropriate to bring a gang of friends to our apartment who banged on the walls and would played games and blast loud music. As a result, i stayed at school until much later so that i could get my school work done. After a year, I moved to the 2000 building with a friend of mine who I met at the bus stop. As an international student, we seemed to have shared a lot of similarities. We thought likewise, ate almost the same things, and most importantly we understood each other .

Since 2007 i have lived in the 2000 building and I am loving it. Things seem to be much better and I strongly believe I am now living as I pictured it in 2005. I’m enjoying life as an Independent student. Trough it all, I believe everyone had a niche, i just had to find mine.

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