Ch-ch-ch-changes

Well, I think this blog has finally outlived his usefulness.

You can now find me at prticipntobsrvr.blogspot.com.

I set it up a couple days ago and have made a few posts to break it in. I think it will suit me a lot better.

Read the plan to get an idea how I'm going to try to balance all the things I want to do.

Ciao, jemesouvie.

Finding my inter-niche

So, I haven't updated in a while.

This is partially because I've been busy and partially because I feel a little trapped by this blog.

What do I mean?

First off, the name of the blog. Je me souviens is French for "I remember." Which just kinda sets you out with this back-looking persona right from the beginning. I don't want to write like that, to be like that. I want to have a more positive forward-looking blog.

Which means a new name.

Secondly, I need an inter-niche. What does this mean? This is a tacky mash-up of the words internet and niche. And it is something I need. Anna has her mommy-blog theme, the Amys have their recently married blogs, Kelly has her fashion stuff, and I can't seem to find the appropriate place for what I want to write about.

I want to post about current (often international) events and what I think about them, throw in theory occasionally, some art/design stuff from time to time, creative writing, and life-related things (like trying to get into grad school or survive my VISTA service).

I just don't know what that looks like, or what a good name for that would be.

Ideas? How did everyone else come up with their names/internet personas?

update de vie

Duke and Michigan State apps are due by tomorrow. I submitted the Duke app over the break, but I will be working feverishly all day to get the Michigan State stuff submitted.

Friday I visit St. Louis to look at Wash U. Anyone know someone up there I could stay the night with so I can save money I would otherwise have to spend on a hotel?

Oh yeah. And yesterday was my birthday. 23. Woohoo!

Something long and thoughtful, coming soon ...

Camera?

Hey you. Yes, you. All of you.

With the photography hobby.

What camera/brand would be the best average of good and cheap?

Thanks!

New Addition to the Family

So, this is my new baby:



It's an HP Deskjet 3050 3-in-1 thing. So far, I love it. It's really convenient because it's wireless, so I can be sitting downstairs on the couch with my laptop and hit print and the document will magically appear in the tray upstairs.

I may or may not have done this for fun over the last few days.

(It also freaks out the dogs. I'm so mean.)

Anyway, he needs a name and I am drawing a blank. I've never named a printer before, so there's no precedent. My laptop is Scheherezade. My phone is Batman. Ipod is Damon.

Suggestions?

In other news:

-John is coming into town later today--will have to let everyone know if we do anything interesting.

-Most of the time not taken up by work is filled with applications. Will be ready to have those behind me.

-I'm trying to finish the last two Harry Potter books in time to see the new movie in theatres. Almost done with one of them, not sure how much more time I will need.

... and that's about it.

Help me name my printer!

Looking forward to November

Well, apparently October happened. Not that you would know from reading this blog.

(It's a little amusing that the more there is going on the less time/incentive there is to actually write about it--for not having any posts all month, it was actually insanely busy.)

I helped organize and run a conference on community-campus partnerships with nationally recognized speakers, took an impromptu late-night road trip to St. Louis just for kicks, attended two weddings, started filling out applications, and ironed out the basics of my statement of purpose. To name a few.

And now we are on the cusp of November, my favoritest month.

My favoritest month that will probably stress me out beyond belief before rewarding me with food and presents in the last few days.

I'm assuming from the e-silence that everyone else has had a busy October, too. Highlights?

Transitions to Adulthood: Maturity

So ... I've always been a little more mature than my contemporaries. Generally. Maybe. This could probably be argued, but go along with me.

As a result, I've kinda always looked forward to becoming an adult and interacting with other mature people. Being mature together. Doing mature things. Talking maturely about the news. You get the picture. I assumed that people grew up when they grew up.

And then today a man in his 40s with two kids pulled the office equivalent of telling the teacher.

It wasn't even really tattling, because I didn't do anything wrong--he dropped the ball and then went over my head to get his version of events (where it looks like I did something wrong) in with the Bossman first.

Seriously?

Just steal my toy or rub dirt in my hair. Sheesh.

Is this the Real World I've heard so much about?

Not impressed.

And September went ... where, exactly?

I have been so insanely busy, it's not even funny.

When they told me this job was a 24/7 kinda affair, I thought they meant 24/7 in the same way my old resident advisor position was: you know, the wink-wink-nudge-nudge-you-are-technically-working-but-you-can-sleep kinda thing.

And, while I haven't gotten calls in the middle of the night to let people into their rooms like I used to, this position has kept my days completely full. Which is a blessing and a curse, I suppose. More blessing or more curse depending upon the specific task at hand.

Anyway, all that to say that while I wish I had blogged more this month, there really hasn't been much (of interest) going on outside work.

The grad school search continues. The list of schools that was final a while back was not, it turns out, very final after all. Only a few of those schools are still up for consideration and a few more have been added to the list. I'm eventually going to have to just decide on a few to apply to and see how it goes, because I can't keep searching or I'll miss the boat.


Right now the list goes something like this:

Washington University (PhD)

Duke (PhD)

University of Florida (PhD)

American University (PhD)

Michigan State (PhD)

University of Montana (PhD)

University of Arizona (MA)

George Washington University (MA)

University of Memphis (MA)


That's probably still not final, though. And it may shift around some. Duke and UF got added to the list because I found out I have contacts there. I think most of the others are old. Still really debating on whether or not to apply to Memphis--I'm sure I could get in and get fully funded, but I am reeeally ready to leave.

I think that's about it. I wish I had something more interesting to talk about, but I can't think of anything. I'll try to do better with my updates.

Transitions to Adulthood: Names

So, I've noticed, when you graduate from college, people begin to treat you differently. The Real World really is, apparently, fundamentally different from everything that has been experienced previously. Adulthood is like this elite club and a Bachelor's is the entry fee.

The result is a lot of mental transitioning. Especially, I'm noticing, with names.

And I don't really know what to do.

People who four months ago would have signed an email "Dr. Doe" are now signing off with "John" or simply "J." Imperious professors around campus now talk to me like we're besties.

And I really don't know what to call them.

So I ask you.

If an "adult" signs an email "John" do I call them that from there on? Or stick to "Dr. Doe?" I don't want to look like a kid calling everyone "Dr./Mr./Ms. Lastname" all the time, but first names seem so personal.

Help?

Shelf Organization

So, since I am embroiled in a comment war here, I will ask all of you your opinion.



Do these look like the shelves of someone who actually reads and appreciates the books they own? Or some superficial dandy who went "Ooh, pretty colors!"?

Maybe I'm biased--or OCD--but I keep all of my books organized by topic and/or author. All the cookbooks are together, the Tolstoy is together, all the spirituality/religious books are together, and all of the Star Wars books are arranged chronologically.

They aren't all spread out because some publisher decided The Hobbit should be green and Fellowship of the Ring should be blue.

How are your shelves organized?

Studying Abroad

I stumbled across an absolutely amazing MA program this morning that has had me daydreaming all day.

The International Institute for Social Studies in The Hague.

The MA program is in International Development and offers a concentration on Children and Youth.

In The Hague.

A couple of the faculty have interests that line up with mine, so I think I'll email them and see what they say, then go from there. It would be an amazing opportunity, though. I could get my MA there then come back over here for a PhD.

See? Lots of daydreaming. Sigh.

(The only downside I can think of is keeping my favorite team in the 2010 World Cup under wraps.)

When in Rome

... shoot off emails to Roman professors trying to set up a meeting and see if a program is worth adding to your list.

This applies when in Atlanta, as well.

The way I figure it, if I'm sitting here in the Conference Center on the Emory campus with a few breaks in my training, I may as well see if I can set something up with the Anth Department, right?

Even if it doesn't help, I don't imagine it could hurt.

Woohoo!

When one door closes, a flight takes off ...

So today is technically my last day of work at TUCI. I say technically because, due to some complications, the paper I've been working on isn't done and I'll still be around until it's finished. But this is the last day I get paid for.

Tomorrow I leave for orientation in Atlanta for my VISTA position. A little nervous about that. I don't expect the work to be exceptionally hard (maybe time-consuming) but the boss seems to be a bit of an absent-minded professor. Turn-around on emails is usually a week or two (if ever) and I think he assumes I know a lot of stuff I don't. I kinda get that drowning feeling when I talk to him.

Yikes.

I'm excited to see Atlanta, though. I haven't been through there in aaages and, while I'll be going to all sorts of meetings, etc., it's going to be the closest thing to a vacation I'll get this summer.

It's also getting closer and closer to grad school deadlines which means I'll be working on those at the same time I'm figuring the new job out.

Right now, I think I'm ready to get settled into the new job and get some stability in my life. This up-in-the-air stuff stresses me out. Considering yoga classes.

hygge

I have just discovered this word/concept and fallen completely, madly in love with it.

First things first. It's a Danish word of Norwegian origin. On both counts I can lay ethnic claim (unlike some of my other favorite words/concepts which tend to be Eastern or Mediterranean).

Second, it has no direct English translation. This makes it all the more endearing.

But what does it meeean?

According to Wikipedia, it is most frequently translated "coziness" or "tranquility." But neither of these does the term justice. So you have to resort to scenes to convey the message.

Imagine a table laden with food and drink surrounded by family and close friends. By twinkling candlelight, they lean in close, laughing together and just enjoying the company. They are completely immersed in the joy of that particular moment without concern for anything else.

That's hygge.

It reminds me of both the general concepts of Zen and the Italian ideal of il dolce far niente, "the sweetness of doing nothing." Except, unlike those two, I have a claim on this.

And I'm kinda excited about it.

Blame the Yankees

As a good Southerner, I've been doing this for quite some time. For just about everything.

However, it was only within the last week that I began to put the pieces of an argument together. A surprisingly good argument. For why the Yankees really are to blame for everything.

I started reading Gone with the Wind the summer after my senior year of high school when I was stuck inside with mono. I got about halfway through before I got better and too busy to ever finish it. It sat on my bookshelf until I picked it back up a week or so ago. I figured starting the summer before college and finishing it the summer after had a nice symmetry to it.

Reading, a line struck me:

"The old days had gone but these people would go their ways as if the old days still existed, charming, leisurely, determined not to rush and scramble for pennies as the Yankees did, determined to part with none of the old ways."

Determined not to rush and scramble for pennies as the Yankees did.

This reminded me of something I knew. Merchants--precursors to today's CEOs and brokers--were once looked down upon. The idea of scrambing for pennies was completely abhorent and shameful. Scarlett was especially horrified that "Frank had the gumption to start a store."

What a completely foreign notion in today's culture of rush-rush-rush, me-me-me, money-money-money at all costs. The same merchants and Scrooges who selfishly think of nothing but money have gone from despised and untrusted to the top of the social pyramid. In fact, they've become the ideal and "corporate citizens" can get away with just about anything.

Imagine, once upon a time, there was a world where people thought there was something more important than the unconstrained pursuit of wealth. Education, culture, and refinement were the ideal. And there was that weird honor thing.

Not to say that world was perfect, of course. There were (obviously) problems. Some of them quite big. You know, like that slavery ordeal.

But, to me, the idea that money wasn't the ultimate goal of existence is one of the most regrettable things to have gone with the wind.

And I'm gonna blame the Yankees for the current state of affairs.

Images of Authority

It should be obvious by now that my self-regulatory abilities at work are next to nothing. Give me a computer and a rolling deadline and I can procrastinate like no one's business.

I read a thing recently (don't remember where) saying there is statistically-supported evidence that hanging a picture of an authority figure over your desk increases your focus and productivity.

So, I started thinking ... whose mug would I want staring down at me, guilting me into working hard?

Honestly, I have no idea. Most of my fictional heros are outlaws (Han Solo, Jack Sparrow) and the real ones are predominantly revolutionary figures (Che, Sultan-Galiev). None of those really make me want to sit down and churn out a paper for The Man.

Jesus, maybe? Or does He still fall into the "revolutionary characters" category?

I really don't know.

Who would you pick?

Gender Roles

Okay, I know this is a topic that may ruffle some feathers, but I want to get a sense of what people think on this topic. And, considering (to my knowledge) my readers are universally female, I want your thoughts and opinions on gender roles.

However, before you give me yours you have to read mine. Mwahaha.

I know I might be in the minority on this, but I like to think there's a difference between people's genitalia and their brains.

My brain decides what bands I like to listen to, what books I want to read, and what activities I would like to participate in. Not the bodypart south of the border. Consequently, the idea that guys should only do certain things while girls should do others--moreover, that each sex was meant to perform certain tasks--is completely foreign to me.

This is probably reinforced by what I've studied in my international studies/anthropology courses and witnessed firsthand in my travels. Ideas of what is masculine or feminine vary widely from place to place and culture to culture. There are no universals.

I like to cook and bake. This is not because I'm "feminine" but because I'm hungry and it provides me with a creative outlet that has a practical end. I enjoy crocheting. Once again, it is creative and ultimately practical, while also being relaxing. The same is true of gardening, art, or writing.

I also enjoyed the time I got to spend building decks with my dad and I can scream at a soccer game on television with the best of 'em.

So, to me, it seems more important that my interests are, you know, interesting than that they are "masculine." I like things that are expressive, creative, and have a practical end.

My brain decides what I do.

It seems to me that the cultural ideas of the ultimate masculine or feminine are wholy impractical and don't exist in the real world. Would you want to be friends with our society's incarnation of the uber-man or superwoman? Yeah, thought not.

Everyone exists in the middle between these two extremes, so it seems ridiculous (to me) to even have these ideas. Let kids do what they want or what they are good at without attaching a list of arbitrary expectations to their behavior.

Now, in the home, I understand that there needs to be a division of labor between the two people. But shouldn't they decide who does what based on their interests/personal goals and needs? My mom stayed home to raise John and me. I'm glad she did. But I know other families where the dad stayed home and everything worked out fine.

What matters most is that things get done and that children are taken care of, not the person performing the tasks. My thoughts, anyway.

Yours?

Update from Work

The more writing you have to do for work, the harder it is to write for fun. I'm getting back into the swing of it, though. At least a little.

Reading's like writing in this respect, as well. Especially if the book you decided to read came from the history section. And was written by a stuffy British historian. And is more than 400 pages when it probably could have been half that.

I've been trudging my way through The Last Mughal, a book about the 1857 uprising against the British in India that was centered around the figurehead of Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor, descendent of Timur and Genghis Khan.

See, sounds like it should be all interesting and exotic, right?

Leave it to a Brit to take something that juicy and completely desiccate it.

I'm almost halfway through, and plan something much fluffier to come next.

Let's see ... what else is going on.

Pay day in 2 days. Can't come soon enough.

Oh, and I have orientation for my VISTA position in Atlanta a few weeks from now. It'll be exciting to get out of Memphis (on a plane!) for the first time in a while. Not sure how hard they are going to work us, but I'm hoping there will be some downtime.

Anyway, the boss is finally out of the meeting he was in so I guess I should go see what the next step in this assignment is. Ciao!

The Possibilities of Fall 2011

In which we discuss potential graduate programs. Not because anyone cares, but because I need to organize my thoughts.

Over the past few months I have narrowed the list of programs I want to apply to down to eight schools. Within those eight, there are four "priority" schools (in bold when discussed below). I will briefly outline the pros and cons of each program. The list is organized by application deadline. Unless otherwise noted, they are all ANTH programs.

Michigan State University (PhD)

Michigan State is one of my favorite programs because (a) it is a relatively prestigous PhD program that accepts people with only a BA and (b) they have a concentration in "Culture, Resources, and Power" which is kiiinda right up my proverbial alley. The faculty also includes one of the experts on the people group I did my thesis on--who is also the friend of one of my favorite professors--so I have an "in." You can also do an interdisciplinary graduate minor thing relating to infants and young children, so I could tie in the indigenous children interest.

University of Maryland (PhD)

Not one of my favs on the list, but a decent program that also has an emphasis on identity and international development. Of the eight, this is probably the most likely to be cut if funds don't hold out for all the application fees.

Arizona State University (PhD)

This is actually one I had thrown out of the running, but added back in because of a program they have in downtown Phoenix that works with--you guessed it--early childhood development for indigenous children. It's the only center of its kind I've been able to find in the US, so this program is near the top of the list. The one downside is that, despite the awesome indigenous program, none of the professors have research interests that line up exactly with mine--which cooould be an issue.

George Washington University (MA)

GW has a concentration in international development and just about the best location of all the programs: Washington, DC. Going there would give me the chance to be right in the middle of it all with loads of opportunities for internships and networking (UNICEF HQ, etc.). Downside? It's only a masters program so I'd have to go through the whole application process again in two years to get a doctorate.

University of Kansas (MA)

This is the same interdisciplinary program I was admitted into for this fall but had to postpone enrollment because there were no monies. While it's the only program in the US with a specifically international focus on indigenous peoples (most only deal with Native Americans), it (a) is only a masters program and (b) doesn't have an emphasis in exactly what I want to do.

University of Kentucky (PhD)

Reasonable PhD program that is a little closer to home and has a focus on applied ANTH (where you study to actually address social problems). The faculty have research interests that cooould overlap with mine, but there is no specific focus on children available. About on par with the Maryland program.

University of Montana, Missoula (PhD)

I actually found this one a couple days ago and kinda love it. Faculty have research interests I can relate to, there's a focus on the applied ANTH part of things, and the setting is supposed to be amazingly beautiful. Me gusta.

University of Arizona (MA)

I would actually rather go here for my PhD, but they only accept people who already have a MA. Probably because they are in the top five programs in the US. I'm kinda half-hearted about this program because, if I have to get a MA first anyway, I'd rather do that at GW then go here for the PhD later. Still wouldn't hurt to apply, though. This is kinda the "dream school" but while the name has a lot of prestige, I don't know how apropos it is to what I really want to do.

Aaanyway, those are the programs I've been looking at. Will have to start work on applications soon. If you read through all that, God bless you, and please give me your thoughts.

World Travels

I thought I finally had these Saturday afternoons holed up in the third floor of the library behind me. But alas, here I am. Same project for work, same Brian.

Same blog to distract me.

A while ago, Mama Woerner requested a post detailing trips I've taken abroad over the years. I may work in some pictures later to make this a more interesting read, but I really don't feel like it right now.

The first time I left the US, I was a freshman in high school. I went on a mission trip to Aldama, Mexico, with the Belle Aire youth group. I loved it. It was very eye-opening and probably contributed (to some degree) to the course my life has taken since then--the degree in International Studies, etc. The best two memories I have from this trip involve (a) Graham, Ashley, and an exploding Coke bottle and (b) Shannon and a looot of parsley . . . but those are stories for another time.

I repeated the Mexico mission trip experience a few years later in my senior year. Different set of people that time around and a generally different experience. The strongest memory from that trip involves a bunch of little boys in some town we visited. We were handing out toys and one saluted me--God knows why--so I saluted back. Seeing this, every other kid in line from that point on saluted me to get a toy. The makings of my world-conquering army.

Next Came Montenegro, which I kinda think of as my first big international trip. I spent a couple weeks touring the sites of Montenegro proper (amaaazing little coastal towns with amaaazing fried ice cream) and then spent a few days in Belgrade (nicer than expected, and the best banana split I have ever had).

Sophomore year in college I went to Spain with my friend Missy. We spent time in Madrid and Barcelona. In Madrid, I got to see the royal palace (picture along the side) and my favorite painting (Picasso's Guernica). Barcelona gave me the opportunity to see all of Gaudi's architectural exploits and spend New Years Eve with an actual Spanish family enjoyed the traditional meal of infinite courses (we started eating around 7 and dessert was served after midnight). Best meal I've ever had.

And, finally, my most recent trip to Paris and Brussels. Paris was absolutely amazing, everything I dreamed it would be. You can't walk three feet without bumping into something of historical or cultural significance. Brussels was neat, too, but a whole lot more laid-back. Have to go back to Paris, but I think I've seen all I need to of Brussels.

Anyway, that brings us up to present day. I still have a bajillion places to visit on my list, I just need the funds. Oh, and to not lose my passport (it disappeared between Spain and Paris and had to be replaced).

Where has everyone else been/still need to go?