One Saturday night this summer, I turned off my cell phone and iPod, shut down the computer and the television and listened to only the sounds of the world around me, which would be my entertainment for the week. As I sadly stuffed my iPod and cell phone down to the bottom of my sock drawer, I thought of how much my life depended on them and how I was to survive this week as I became unplugged from the technology around me.

As I got ready for the day and cleaned my room Sunday morning, my ears were filled with the dull buzz of the silence around me. Normally I would play my iPod while I straightened my room, got dressed, read or studied. Now as the silence surrounded me, cleaning my room became more of a chore without the motivation and comfort of music.

People always say that once you know you can't have something, you want it even more. I found this to be true as I walked by rooms with televisions and had urges to turn them on, when any other day I would have passed by without a second thought. Throughout the week, I also found myself stopping to talk to someone who had the TV on, and I would watch it without even noticing. This made me realize that television is a distraction to personal contact.

To get me through the first few days without technology, I spent time with friends at a church picnic and at Hersheypark. Many challenges presented themselves at the amusement park, including not being able to connect with others who had split from my group and not being able to take pictures with my friends. If I had gotten lost, I wouldn't have been able to find anyone. I realized it is good to have a cell phone in case of an emergency. However, it was a relief not to worry about losing my cell phone or camera.

There are many activities that do not involve technology. Minigolf, bowling, going to a park, swimming or visiting an amusement park are some I enjoyed without having to worry about using any modern technology. I found these activities were a lot more enjoyable than going to a movie or watching a movie at home, where there is very little interaction. Playing board or card games with family was very entertaining.

Usually, when my friends would come over at night we would watch a movie, but this week we played Taboo and had a really good time — laughing much more than we would have at a movie. One night, my friend and I even camped out in my backyard. This was different and a lot of fun, and we didn't even use any modern technology.

At night there was always the temptation to unwind and watch some television or get online. Instead of giving in to that temptation, I explored other crafts, such as making jewelry. Reading was also a great pastime that took my mind off anything that may have required technology. Although I usually read with music playing in the background, I found that without it I was able to concentrate and focus more on the story. Going on long runs without any music gave me the opportunity to take in all of my surroundings and listen to the rhythm of my feet and the beat of nature around me.

Living without any modern technology wasn't all fun. It was really hard to communicate with the people around me. When I needed a ride to work or practice, I had to let the driver know beforehand when I would be done and hope it didn't go late. I was let off work early one day and had to use the landline phone there to contact my ride then wait a while for my ride to arrive. It would have been easier to send a text, but that luxury was unavailable.

It took me by surprise that I didn't know any of my friends' or even my own grandparents' phone numbers because they were all in my cell's contact list. I learned to use a real phone book — after I found it — then I looked up all their numbers.

Another tool I use frequently but was without is mapquest.com. It was always so easy just to click a few buttons and instantly be given directions to where I was going, but instead I had to use a map. I also learned how to look up the weather and Mass times in the newspaper.

When I told adults about my week without technology, many mentioned how my means of communication would be different; others wondered if I would find it difficult to change my ways. It is easier for me to send a text message or IM than to talk on the phone. Many adults believed that, because of this, I would not be able to communicate face to face. Texting is just this generation's form of staying in touch. My grandparents' generation rode bikes to visit each other, and my parents talked on the phone, now our generation has cell phones and computers for communication. As long as we still know how to talk face-to-face, I don't think texting is a bad thing; it can actually be very helpful.

My week without technology was very different and challenging. However, I don't regret it; I learned a lot. I learned how to use a phone book, how to use a map and how to find the weather in a newspaper. I learned that board games can still be fun and there are different crafts to help pass the time.

Most importantly, I learned that if I am not careful, technology can run my life. As long as there is a balance, technology can be a great thing; it is helpful, fun and enjoyable as long as it is used in the right measure.

E-mail: freestyle@lnpnews.com