Lessons you can learn from a world renowned anthropologist

- Apparently anthropology has something to do with people? (Who knew)

- Definitions are useless and it is our job as anthropologists to defy existing definitions in order to make sure that nobody has a clue about what it is they’re actually doing, studying or seeing.

- Although we should defy all definitions in order to create complete and ultimate chaos, we should still approach every society and country in the same way and with the same questions and surveys. Because well, diversity is a fairytale they tell little children. But us anthropologists know better!! (Hunh? What? Wait!!...)

- Anthropologists should only do research when there are tipi’s or dirt huts involved. Because if you do anthropological research in a place where there’s electricity and running water and no life threatening diseases , it’s just not the same

- Although the common man might think it strange, child mortality rates can actually be considered humorous or funny by some. Especially by world renowned anthropologists.

- It’s much better to know a little more then jack sh*t about 45 different countries then it is to know a whole lot about one country in particular.


Hmm...enlightening indeed…

It’s moments like these that I usually drop depressing posts, because that’s the drama queen I am.
And then you’d call and we’d hook up, and I’d feel better.

I often miss you, I do. But it’s moments like these when I miss you most. The moments you can kick me in the ass and tell me to get over it, or when you are my shoulder to cry on (in theory off course, because I don’t cry).

Miss you huns…

X.

First day

“Hello everyone ! How are you all doing ?? I sure to god hope you’re all fine :D!!
My name is sunshine, which is exactly what I’ll be vomiting for the next 14 weeks! Isn’t that just great?!?! I know we’re going to have SUCH a GREAT time! It’s a shame it’s only fourteen weeks!!

I look at the women in front of the class as she’s giggling and telling her seemingly hilarious story. I zone out completely, just amazed by her capacity to laugh at every word she herself utters in what seems like Madonna-style-English.
She goes on, laughing and staring intensely at everyone of us waiting for a response. I guess she proposed something, not sure what though.
And then a girl to the left starts introducing herself and explaining why she’s here. Aha introductions.

“Hi! my name is Samantha. I’m a 3rd year politics major at London University. And I’m now following this course because I’m really interested in Migration. And I have been ever since my sister married a guy from Uganda.”
“Ahh, wow that’s awesome, I can’t wait to learn more about that throughout this course! Haha!! It’s great that you have a personal interest in the matter.”
I can only be amazed with this manifestation of love and cheery- and happiness. Her brother-in-law is from Uganda and that’s why she’s here?

Some more people go on to introduce themselves, story’s about mailmen from France, grandfathers who are 1 quarter Indonesian, Persian cats and love for water from Italy come buy.
There are only a few people who actually have decent reasons to be here. Like, I’m interested in what moves people to give up the life and world they know when they decide to move to another country. I’m interested in political motivations of people who migrate. I’m interested in how people who migrate see themselves in their new context, etc.

But off course it makes no difference to miss Sunshine who really can’t stop giggling and laughing and speaking in that ridiculous accent she’s made her own. She’s just really excited about all of it!!

14 weeks…I wonder how long it’ll take before I throw up…

Feel it

I didn’t feel a thing…not until today…
And when I felt it, I felt it good…or bad really
I’m moved now…I feel it, I’m moved the wrong way…

I’m no longer numb, I feel everything…

4 Years

About 4 years ago, people told me that I had to start thinking about what I was going to do with my life. Off course I had thought about what to do with life before that, but still. It didn’t start to matter up until then. And two years later, I still really didn’t have a clue, so I just picked something to entertain myself with in the meantime.

Now two years after that, I find myself doing something that is less then satisfying, hardly entertaining and that’s really only a way for me to not completely stand still and screw up my life. I usually don’t start thinking about whether this is the way for me unless I’m pressured into it. If the situation is so bad, that I can’t deny that I have to think about it. But right now, it’s really not that bad.

I feel pretty good about myself. My self-esteem is probably the highest it’s ever been and academically I’m not doing half bad. But the pointlessness of my existence is beginning to get to me. Me and a friend were talking the other day, and he claimed that the answer to the question of the meaning of life was 42, following the gospel of ‘The hitch hikers guide through the galaxy’. And however satisfying this answer may seem, it’s really not that satisfying.

I always hope to someday find a passion. Something I’m willing to go out on a limb for, something I’m willing to fight for, something that gives meaning to my life and my existence. But I haven’t found it yet. Or maybe I have and I’m just scared to admit it. Because Admitting it would mean that I would have to commit. And to have to commit to something would mean that I could possibly lose something as well and that would just suck.

4 years later, and I’m still in the same place I was back then, still doing the same meaningless things as always, and still just doing jack-sh*t to change it. Only difference is, I’m not as much of a mess as I was back then. So maybe something did change?