Facebook recently notified me about a memory from 2014
I remember that time very clearly. I was a second-year student studying information technology in Kazan. It was only my second year living in the city, and for the first time, I was living without my relatives. That period of my life felt very exciting, and I was eager to explore every corner of the city.
After long hours of studying, instead of going straight back to our rented apartment, I usually took some time to walk around. Most often, I walked through the city center, which was very close to my university building—only five to ten minutes on foot. Around me, there were many of the city’s main attractions, so every walk felt like a small adventure.
That particular day was sunny but quite cold. After a long day of studying, I decided to walk near the Galiaskhar Kamal Theater and Kaban Lake, since both places were located close to each other. I had plenty of free time and didn’t want to spend the evening at home. During the walk, I took a few photos with my new smartphone, a Google Nexus 5, and later shared one of them on my Facebook page. Now, twelve years later, Facebook reminded me of that moment.
At that time, it was my first touchscreen smartphone, running Android OS KitKat. For me, it felt incredibly convenient—almost magical. Before that, I had only used a simple button phone with a black-and-white screen. I could only make calls to my relatives and send SMS messages. Nothing more. I even used to draw maps on paper and carry them with me while exploring the city. Honestly, life without modern devices was challenging, but it also made those experiences more memorable.
I remembered that time clearly. I was a student in the second course and studied information technology in Kazan. It was just in my second year in Kazan, that I lived without my relatives. So, that time was very interesting, and I wanted to explore each corner of my city. Therefore, after long study hours I always took some time for a walk, instead went to our rented apartment. Usually I walked around the city center. Because my study building was located not so far from the city center. It was around five or ten minutes by walk and around me I had so many main attractions.
That day was very sunny and cold enough. But after my long day, I decided to walk around the theater of Galiaskhar Kamal and Kaban lake. Because these two main attractions were built nearby. In fact, I had enough free time, and I didn't want to spend my evening at home. And during my walk, I took some photos on my new smartphone, Google Nexus 5. Then I shared that photo on my Facebook page. Now, after twelve years, Facebook notified me about my photo.
In that time it was my first smartphone with a touchscreen, and it used the Android OC KitKat series. For me it was a very convenient and even magical device. Because, before, I just used a simple button phone with a black-white screen. Via this phone, I just called to my relatives and sent SMS messages. I couldn't do anything else on these phones. Even I drew my map on paper and used it during my trips around the city. Honestly, it was very challenging and time without modern devices.
- Clear timeline (2014 → student life → walk → smartphone → Facebook memory)
- Good emotional tone: curiosity, independence, nostalgia
- Nice details (weather, places, phone model — this is great storytelling)
Main things to improve
1. Articles & prepositions
Common issue (very normal):
- in the second course → in my second year
- by walk → on foot
- called to my relatives → called my relatives
2. Verb tense consistency
You sometimes mix present and past.
Since this is a memory, almost everything should be past simple / past continuous.
Example:
- I always take some time for a walk → I always took some time for a walk
3. Word choice (more natural English)
Some phrases are understandable but not natural:
- Android OC KitKat series → Android OS KitKat
- It’s me memory → It’s my memory
4. Sentence flow
You sometimes use many short sentences with Because at the start. In advanced English, we usually connect ideas smoothly.