Together and Apart

28 December 2011Annie L

As absence makes the heart grow fonder, distance makes the phone bills longer. In recent weeks Brentwood’s students have traversed the globe, returning to their families for the Christmas holidays and enjoying a well-deserved break. Despite this, we always find a way to keep in touch with our fellow Brentonians, whether it be through the telephone or – to a parent’s wallet’s good fortune – Skype.

Promptly after being informed by my editor that a blog was due, I set out to connect with my Brentwood peers and have them send me a of photo of themselves with a sign or flag depicting where they are spending their holidays. For this project, Facebook, though it has been complained about time and time again, has proven to be a most useful and valuable source when connecting my world together.

In the light of the Holiday season, I stumbled upon a few surprises of my own through this experience. To be honest, considering the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I figured many people would be too busy to send me a photo. I expected maybe four or five, if I was lucky.

If there is something to learn out of all of this, it is that people will continue to surprise me. During this two day project, I received fifty-five photos from both current and former Brentonians ranging from Thailand to our very own Mill Bay.

It’s remarkable, really. My Facebook account hasn’t swarmed with such activity since… well, never. Every two hours —no exaggeration— I had fifteen to twenty notifications. Some were from photos that people uploaded, others were of people appreciating these photos by “Liking” them or commenting on them. I spoke to Brentwood kids I wouldn’t necessarily speak to on a regular basis, and was able to get in touch with Brentwood alumni, catching up with their lives.

So, dear readers, my initial intentions of writing a blog about where everyone was for their Christmas holidays has taken a turn of its own. Rather than prattling enviously on about those who are in tropical locations, I instead, am grateful for how little distance there is between us. Yes, physically we are thousands of miles apart, but technology has given us the gift of inexpensive, immediate, long distance communication. My friends in Hong Kong, Germany, Mexico or even Duncan are simply a click away.

Thank you to all of those who took the time to send me a photo and those who wanted to but were unable to do so. May you have an incredible Christmas and an unforgettable New Year! Make wise choices and fond memories. See you in January!

Annie L

Where Students Choose To Be