Ashley's Page

Dear journal, if you asked me what life would be like ten to fifteen years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined that it would be as so. Today is December 4th, 2040. Almost everyone who has a vehicle owns an electric vehicle. Owning a Tesla is no big deal! I heard 10-15 years ago that owning a Tesla meant you were wealthy. I own a Tesla. My parents say I am lucky. In my parents’ generation, there were no electric vehicles, just gas-operated vehicles. They said they loved the smell of gasoline and that gas-operated vehicles in their generation were reliable. Gas stations are rare now, and Electric charging stations are at every intersection. My parents fear technology, which I find strange because I can’t imagine where we would be without it. I fear not having technology. Technology has done so much for this world.

I wouldn’t have imagined all the growth in education. Can you believe that education is now free and funded by the government? My parents say 10-15 years ago, you had a student loan and had to pay interest six months after graduation while trying to get your first job, buy your first car to get to your job and save money to purchase a home or move out and rent if you can while paying for other expenses. Paying off the loan was quite a difficult task. Mental health was in the worst possible state, and many adolescents were easily triggered, releasing anger in unhealthy ways due to stress, especially financial stress. Fortunately, I or my future children will not undergo what many have with the new and improved education system. I am relieved to share that education is accessible for all without financial stress, which helps families and adults like me. Ten to fifteen years ago, many people had one to two children or no children due to a lack of finances within post-secondary education. Nonetheless, I am happy to see that ten years ago to today, mental health numbers have dropped, education is accessible for all, and couples are bearing larger families. The issues we face now are climate control, transportation such as focusing on electric vehicles to help combat pollution, giving more funding to trade schools as skilled tradespeople are highly needed, and funding our public health system adequately to fight against disease and viruses, producing more medicine and vaccinations. Although there are many changes to forego continuously, the changes that have taken place are promising for our health overall. Technology has helped with saving trees and less paper waste.

In conclusion, Toronto is adapting to a sustainable environment, and the changes made over the last 10-15 years are substantial and leave me wondering, where will we be 10-15 years from today? I am currently charging my Tesla at an electric charging station while I write in my journal. I find it funny that handwriting in journals was how everyone would journal 10-15 years ago. Handwriting is still a part of education, and to be quite honest, it is enjoyable. Although typing into my journal and having the accessibility to be more creative with designing my online journal is more enjoyable. Nothing beats auto-correct. I used to use whiteout to remove any spelling mistakes or improper grammar. I guess AI isn’t as bad as they thought it would be. My car is finished charging now. Talk to you in my next journal entry.