COLLEGE REUNION

In June of 2003, my college sorority sisters got together for our first reunion since we graduated from the University of Illinois in 1962. Jody and I were the chairman and with my computer knowledge I took charge of sending all the emails for the reunion. We had a fantastic time and this June we are meeting again for another reunion.

As we decided to plan an exact repeat of our last reunion, there was no planning necessary. So instead of needing chairwomen, I just volunteered to send out all the emails again. The emails included deciding on the date and signing up for each of the events – Friday night dinner, Sat. lunch and dinner, and Sun. morning brunch. I also asked everyone to send me a summary of their lives over the last 47 years so that I could compile them all and send an electronic newsletter of our mini “biographies.”

Over the last several months, my sorority sisters have time and again sent me their grateful thanks for “all” that I’m doing. But in reality, I don’t feel like I am doing much work at all. I first began using a computer in 1982 when I was hired as a computer trainer at a local computer store. And so working on a computer is not only easy for me but my hobby as well. In addition, with the ease of cut and paste, I have really not spent much time on this project at all. Furthermore, the time I do spend has been great fun. I love reconnecting with the women who played such a significant role in my life when I was a young college student and receiving all their emails.

By Hannah --www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions.

FACEBOOK

It seems like all of a sudden, FaceBook.com has become a national craze. Hundreds of thousands of people are setting up FaceBook accounts and inviting everyone they know to become a “friend”. I created my own FaceBook account about three years ago, when I thought it might provide a good avenue for advertising my website, www.FunnyPhotosContest.com. Unfortunately, it didn’t and so I have rarely looked at the site since.

However, in the past several weeks, I have received numerous emails from my children, high school friends, and college friends inviting me to “be their friend”. This peeked my curiosity and so once again, I checked it out. Although, I will probably not spend much time sending messages or writing on a friend’s wall, I thoroughly enjoy reading my children’s profiles. I’m learning things about them I might otherwise never have found out. I wonder if they have heard the experts warnings to young people, “Don’t put anything on the web that you wouldn’t want your Mother to see !!!!”

COMPUTER STUDENT

I became completely fascinated with computers from the very first time I sat down in front of one in 1980. So, it is no surprise that I now enjoy spending my retirement either working on my website, www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions or providing computer tutoring to seniors at the local senior center. However, I have not received any requests for lessons during the last six to eight months – maybe everyone is too concerned about the terrible economy. But this morning I was pleased to finally receive a phone call from a gentleman who wants to learn Excel, a financial program. And so we scheduled an appointment for Friday afternoon.

I enjoy teaching computer lessons as I taught fourth grade for a few years right after graduating college and then taught computer short courses at the University of Wisconsin before I retired. Thus, I’m looking forward to tutoring once again.