Although those of us in our Social Media class have varying backgrounds and interests, something we all have in common has brought us together, granting us this unique opportunity to learn from and influence one another. Our most unifying similarity is clearly our interest in social media. We have come together in this classroom environment with the hopes of discussing, sharing, debating, and ultimately learning from each other's different thoughts and ideas on the subject. In doing so, we will hopefully be able to further broaden our own perspectives on social media and its increasing effects on today's society. This unique feature of being able to respond to and influence one another is what makes our classroom community an active "public".
Our similarities, however, are not simply limited to a common interest in social media. We are all also living here in Florence, away from our dearest family and friends. We have left our comfort zones, only to immerse ourselves in an entirely new culture and way of life. As these first weeks in Florence have passed, we have seen and experienced so many incredible new things. Now although I am thoroughly enjoying myself here and cannot wait to see what else this adventure has in store for me, I cannot help but miss those I left behind at home..and I can only imagine that you have all felt the same way. This is why I have decided to share with you all this blog,
Days with my Father. It is about a man, Phillip Toledano, who documented the last few years he had with his father. No matter how many times I come across this, I cannot help but be moved by it--especially now that I am away from all those who I love the most. This blog is just such a great reminder to me, and will hopefully be to you as well, that it is always important to let those you love know how much they mean to you. We never know what the future holds, and I have come to realize that we must not take our loved ones for granted; we should always let them know that we do truly care for them.
Wow, Monique, this blog really touched me. I am very close with my father and feel so lucky that he came to visit me in Florence about a month ago. This kind of blog really sets you back in your seat and reminds you of the last very fortunate months we have spent here traveling, learning and growing. I was especially moved because I feel so indebted to both my parents for affording me this experience, and I know that I take them for granted too often. I also think that this kind of blog is a wonderful example of social media being used to document memories and thoughts that might otherwise go unoticed or unspoken. "Days With My Father" is such a lovely account of the simple moments that might have just slipped away, but because of this blog they will be indelibly etched in Phillip's mind forever. It's another example of the power of social media, as I do not know this man but his blog had a great effect on me from behind a computer screen miles away.
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