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A Strong and Daring Girl (with a Powerful Phone!)
Phatchari Laechoe
BEFORE YOU READ:
1. What are three things you use your phone for everyday?
2. Are there any ways you want to change how you use your or how much time you spend on your phone?
“Twee-Twee-Twee.” My alarm rings. I reach out to grab my phone. I want to stop the ringing, but my eyes are still closed. I try to open my eyes. I want to check my phone and see what happened while I was asleep. Did that person reply to my text? Did I get any other messages?
Then I check my list of things I have to do during the day. Okay, now I need some music that matches my mood. I choose a song on my phone that will help me step out of bed and start my daily routine.
“Let’s go!” I move my body a little bit. I put some exercise videos on my phone, and I stretch my body. After that, I speak to my phone. I say, “Hey Siri, how is the weather today?”
Now I know what kind of clothes I should wear. But wait. Sometimes I need more help deciding what to wear. It’s okay. I can search on my phone and get ideas for how to mix and match my clothes. My phone has learned my style. Yes, I like it and I am confident! I know that I am beautiful!
It’s time to start my day.
I step down to my kitchen with an empty stomach and feeling starved. I feel some dust under my feet, but that’s okay. I use my phone to turn on my robotic vacuum cleaner. And now my kitchen floor is clean! I have breakfast with a comfortable feeling.
At work, of course I use my phone to help me find information. If my mind is blank, ChatGPT is there. If my boss asks me to do something and I don’t understand, then I just ask ChatGPT. Wait, does this mean my boss might not need me? She could just ask ChatGPT?
During the long work day, I feel like I’m missing my friends. I want to know what they are doing. So I take out my phone and go to Instagram. My friends are always updating their stories on Instagram. And so am I!
After work, I say, “Hey Siri, give me a list of Thai Restaurants near me.” I read the reviews and decide which one to go to. Google Maps helps me find the way. I enjoy my dinner. Of course, I won’t forget to take a picture and post it on my story!
Before bedtime, I check social media to see what’s going on. I make a list for tomorrow. The most important thing is: I make sure I set my alarm.
Good night.
I sleep well. My phone helps me feel sure that everything is okay. When I was a university student, I used my phone to record the professor’s lecture. I took notes on my iPad. I didn’t feel down when I couldn’t follow the teachers because I knew that everything was on my phone.
And not only that!
Ever since I was a high school girl in Thailand, one of my dreams has been to travel. I was very young! And I was alone. But, yes, I did it. I made my dream come true because I had my phone. I can use the internet to find all the information I need to book my fight, hotel, and bus ticket. Of course, sometimes I am afraid when I am alone and far from home. But I have my phone. I am sure I can call for help. (And of course, I use my phone to search for information to make sure I will be safe first.)
How powerful is the phone? I feel like I am a strong and daring girl who can go any place I want. I can be an expert in how to have adventures. I am sure I won’t be lost if I have Google Maps! And now I am in the USA. I will be here for one year to work and to learn English. My phone is my hero! If I don’t understand something in English, I use my phone to translate. When I learn some new words, I just put them in my phone, and they won’t be lost. I don’t have to be worried or feel bad if I forget something.
And yes, because everything is in my phone, I know I just have to take my phone out and turn it on. Everything will be there—in my phone! Not in my brain!
Whoops! Nothing in my brain!?
What will happen if I lose my phone? Will I lose everything? Will I still be a confident and powerful girl?
And wait! If I lose my phone, does that mean I lose my brain too?
Let’s think about it. What is the problem? Is it a problem with my phone? No, I don’t think so. Is it a problem with myself? Maybe.
Maybe it’s good to put everything in my phone. But maybe I should put it in my brain too. Digital tools can help us a lot, but we need to use our brains too.
And how about you? How powerful is the phone in your life? Do you have questions about it, like me? What is your solution?
Let’s ask Siri!
AFTER YOU READ:
1. At the end of this piece, the author wonders what would happen to her without her phone. What is her main concern about how much she uses her phone?
2. What about you? What would you do without your phone?
3. Notice how part of the author’s writing style is to ask and answer questions. What do you think of this writing style? How does it affect you as a reader?
Phatchari Laechoe is originally from Thailand. She is now a student from Piedmont Community College’s adult ed. program, Level 4 ESL class in Charlottesville, Va.
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