ELIE-Activity 3

      “My Top Three Indispensable Software: Messenger, Google Chrome & Google Drive”

     Okay look, we all have our can’t-live-without-it tech, especially some software that specifically performs certain tasks like organizing, communication, security, cloud storage, web browsers, travel, or media. Some people like some gym rats swear by their fitness apps or budgeting tools, but me? I have my holy trinity—Messenger, Google Chrome, and Google Drive. These three keep me connected, informed, and (somewhat) organized (since I am always the forgetful one.) Without these top three indispensable software, I’d be socially distant, clueless, and drowning in lost files.

     So the first in the top three is Messenger—my ultimate social lifeline. Look, I may be shy in person, but online? I am a chatty person and even my chat mates got annoyed with me being nosy online, some find it annoying and some find it funny.  Messenger lets me communicate the way I prefer—through texts, memes, and the occasional voice messages when I’m too lazy to type, even my laughing is recorded haha. Group chats? A blessing and a curse. I love keeping up with my friends, but sometimes, I just read and pretend to be part of the conversation while silently reacting to messages. Messenger can keep me updated on each course like announcements to some upcoming quizzes, deadlines, and events. It also lets me communicate with my group mates if we have upcoming reporting or performance tasks. Without Messenger, I would either be completely off the grid or forced to interact with people in real life. No thanks.

     Next on my top three is Google Chrome—my trusty portal to everything. Whether it’s reading my favorite mangas, watching movies, dramas, BL, and anime on totally legal sites (wink), or being productive with schoolwork, Chrome’s always got my back. And let’s be real, one of its greatest features? The offline dinosaur game. (I may or may not have scored around 3K—yes, I take it seriously.) Academically, it’s a lifesaver—I can cite credible sources for research, dig through endless RRLs, and find references for my essays without completely losing my mind. (Okay, fine, sometimes I do lose it.) And let’s not forget the real essentials, like buying diamonds for Mobile Legends skins. Plus, the best part? I can add my favorite websites to my home screen for instant access and keep my bookmarked mangas safe and sound. Oh, and did I mention the fun stuff? Chrome also lets me download some questionable cheat apps (not saying I use them… but I know they exist) and AI font generators for cool-looking in-game names and nicknames. Whether it’s for Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram, my names are never boring. Without Chrome, I don’t even know where I’d search for stuff—plus, other browsers just refuse to cooperate with my devices.  

     Last but not least, Google Drive—the digital storage room that saves me from my forgetfulness. I’ll admit it, I’m the type to misplace important files or videos like they are socks in a washing machine. But thanks to Google Drive, all my documents, research papers, and even my random screenshots are safe. My favorite photos? Straight to Drive, so I can finally free up space in my gallery (because let’s be real, full storage is the worst). It’s my backup brain and my backup storage. No more panicking when my phone crashes or when a teacher suddenly asks for an assignment I didn’t forget about (spoiler: I did, but Drive had my back). It is also my go-to for compiling lecture files from our GC—perfect for reviewing quizzes, midterms, or finals. And let’s not forget its teamwork magic—I can create surveys, share them in multiple GCs (very helpful for research), and even let my friends add their files to our shared folders. The ability to access everything from anywhere? An absolute lifesaver. Whether I’m on my phone, tablet, or a borrowed computer, my stuff is always there. Without Google Drive, I’d be always drowning in lost files, missing deadlines, and probably crying in a corner (shot puno).

ELIE- Activity 2.1 (2 minutes video blog)

Click this: “No Laptop? No Problem — My Phone is My Computer”

ELIE- Activity 2

“Is Computer Technology A Curse or a Gift?”

     So, we’re asked whether computer technology is a gift or a curse. Honestly? It’s both—a total lifesaver and a massive headache. But let’s face it, computer technology is one of the greatest inventions of all time. Imagine life without instant messaging, online payments, gaming, or shopping from the comfort of your bed. Businesses can reach customers across the world, and students (like me) have Google, online articles, editing apps, and all sorts of digital tools to keep us from looking completely clueless.

     But then, there’s the dark side—automation replacing jobs, endless doom-scrolling, and people glued to their screens like zombies. Imagine, you’re at a family dinner, and instead of bonding over food, everyone’s staring at their phones, laughing at separate TikToks, without interacting with each other. Or worse, your laptop crashes right before submitting an output plus the deadline is a few minutes away, and suddenly, your entire life is flashing before your eyes ( I can relate to this.) And don’t even talk to me about the chaos when the Wi-Fi suddenly dies. Panic mode: ACTIVATED.

     So yes, yes yes, computer technology is a double-edged sword. It’s a gift when used wisely and a curse when it takes over you. The trick? Balance. Use it to make life easier, not to forget that you’re a human too, don’t abuse technology.  Because let’s be honest, no one wants to turn into a screen-addicted robot… or do they?

ELIE- Activity 1

    “ IT: My Ultimate, Lifetime Saver, and My Bestie”

      I swear, if I had to live without technology for a day, I would probably lose my mind or go crazy before the first hour. Imagine waking up without my favorite ringtone alarm (which I snooze five times), not being able to message my friends or distant relatives, and—worst of all—not getting my daily dose of baby time with my special someone. No real-time updates, or trending both in the outside and social world, no online games, no Google Maps to keep me from getting lost (because let’s be honest, I’d end up in the wrong city), and—here’s the real horror—having to do assignments the old-fashioned way. Flipping through actual books to find answers? No thanks. IT has become my bestie, my lifesaver, and my ultimate stress reliever, keeping me connected, and entertained. Let me tell you why I can’t survive without IT.

     First of all is the communication. Without IT, I would probably just talk to myself all day and have people think I’m losing it, “Look, that woman is talking to herself.”Even when my family is just a room away, we still text each other on Messenger—because, honestly, why walk when you can just type and send messages? I don’t want to waste my energy to talk. Phone numbers who? Who does that anymore? Thanks to apps like Messenger, Telegram, and WhatsApp, I don’t have to worry about awkward “Who’s this?” texts. Plus, my trust issues won’t let me answer unknown calls—I’d rather block the number and pretend it never happened. Moreover, since I always love bed rotting, IT has saved me from actually having to go outside just to socialize. Again, I don’t want to waste energy. Whether it’s sending voice messages, spamming, or watching reels, IT makes staying connected effortless. And let’s not forget Google Maps—my personal hero. Without it, I’d be wandering around like a lost child, especially in places like Kalibo’s market, where every street looks exactly the same, I would describe it as a maze. 

    Now, now, now.  Back in my kinder and junior high days, finding answers meant flipping through massive textbooks or begging my older brother just to help me with my assignments or math tutor (usually bribing him with snacks). Now? I just need to type or take a photo of that problem or directly onto Google, and boom—instant answer. Google Scholar, PubMed, Sci-Hub, YouTube, and even TikTok tutorials? My absolute lifesavers. Thanks to these websites I survived my research back then. During the pandemic, Google Classroom saved me from printing and manually submitting assignments, while Google Drive keeps my research files, video presentations, and lesson notes safe. My phone storage is a disaster, but at least my Google Drive is organized. And a shoutout to the calendar app for keeping my forgetful self on track—I’d miss half my deadlines without it. Without IT, I’d probably still be struggling with basic math (which, let’s be real, I already do… maybe math just hates me, jk).

     Now, if there’s one thing IT excels at, it’s making me look productive—even when I’m absolutely not. Apps like Google Docs and daily planner apps help me plan my tasks, and set deadlines. My calendar reminds me of important events (which I still forget), and cloud storage saves my files from my bad habit of never clicking “Save.” Honestly, without IT, my life would be a hot mess of lost notes, missed deadlines, and unnecessary stress.

      But let’s be real—entertainment is where IT truly shines. Without it, I’d be staring at the ceiling, daydreaming about another life. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Loklok, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Bilibili are part of my daily routine. Telling myself “Just one more episode” somehow turns into five… or eight. Tiktok? A never-ending rabbit hole of weird but fascinating videos. And gaming? My ultimate escape from reality (because let’s face it, adulting is exhausting). CODM and Mobile Legends are my go-to stress relievers and the only way I bond with my friends and my duo hehe.  Playing outside? Yeah, no. Just stepping into the sun drains my energy—I’d rather stay in bed. Whether it’s funny memes or video reels to survive the day, or a good movie to procrastinate, IT has me covered and keeps me dangerously addicted.

     But IT isn’t just for fun—it’s my ultimate problem-solver. Need to buy something? Online shopping saves me from the nightmare of crowded malls. Plus, those sweet discounts and free shipping vouchers? Yes, please. Even adulting is easier—paying bills via G-cash or PayMaya, booking flights, and hotels. Managing my expenses is all just a few clicks away. Without IT, I’d probably be broke from all the unnecessary commuting costs just to buy one thing. 

 Insta-messaging, no streaming, no Google to save me from last-minute assignments. Just pure struggle. I’d have to rely on paper maps (which I’d definitely get lost with), scribble down notes by hand (only to misplace them later), and—worst of all—talk to people face-to-face all the time (my social battery can’t handle it). Let’s be real, life without IT would be frustrating, exhausting, and honestly, way less fun.

     But as much as IT makes life easier, it’s also a bit of a double-edged sword. We’re so glued to our screens that sometimes we forget to look up. It’s way too easy to fall into endless scrolling, constant notifications, and digital distractions. That’s why it’s important to use IT wisely—making the most of it to learn, connect, and grow, but without letting it take over everything.

     At the end of the day, IT isn’t just technology—it’s my survival kit. From keeping me connected to helping me learn, stay productive (or at least pretend to), and stay entertained, it has made life so much easier. Without it, I’d be lost, bored, and struggling to function like a normal human being. So, thank you, IT, for keeping me sane—well, mostly sane.