Self Evaluation of my academic year – 2009

OH my God!...The time passed so fast that I didn’t realize how I get to November. Just two more weeks, and I’m finishing this suffer, which is typical of the end of the term and I will give the grandiose welcome to my vacation. Who’s not?
A lots of things happened of course, much more than academic stuff, but because this is just about my career in terms –I guess- of my performance in there, I will talk to you, dear lectors –rather writhe- about the experience of my different subjects and how I apply at them.
In general, the first term was more difficult for me than the second one. I had subjects where you had to spend a lot of time reading and writing, including complex analysis and reflections about complex concepts. But the problem with that wasn’t the mental effort; rather the accumulation of a lot of work, so I couldn’t apply as I wanted. I must admit that, in part, was because my focus problem with academic stuff. So instead lock myself the whole weekend reading and wherever… I went out with my friends (wrong decision!). Anyway, the second term wasn’t as difficult as the first one, because although my ability to focus on books and lectures didn’t improve, I didn’t feel the pressure of the first term. In that way this term was easier, also I enjoyed more the subjects of this second term. I really liked them, so it makes more pleasant the academic situation.
Particularly I appreciate the subject “introduction at the ethnography”, because it was my first experience as a real anthropologist. Although in the first year we had the first rapprochement with the fieldwork, it wasn’t as systematic and consistent with the anthropology theory that we have seen throughout the year.
I discovered, as always, new stuff about anthropology and other social sciences associated at it. Particularly the history. I opened my eyes at something that I had always criticized. Really interesting.
So, although I didn’t improve my dedication to the study and my responsibility (in part, because this term was difficult in others aspects), I feel that I learn a lot of things this year. Even thought my standpoint of life change. I feel a closer relation with anthropology because, in opposition at the first term, the emphasis was in the praxis. I could land theory at practice, So I could see myself as an anthropology in the future.

Particularly I think that anthropology is always open to new challenges. Because, in view of the nature of its object of study: the society –rather Culture - in all aspects…in the past, present, future; about religion, politics, routines, rituals, etc. the science of anthropology must be adapting the hole time at it. So it field is always increasing. That’s one of the special features of anthropology: the large magnitude of it scope.
So, about technology, anthropology can act like a mediator between the distribution of this, rather the diffusion of technology inside the world. Anthropologist also can teach to individuals of some places, societies, even cultures, things related to uses and technology which they ignore. This applies in the anthropological studies about the paradigm of “human develop”, I mean, when we want to change a poor reality implementing technology and teching to the people to use it; for example in rural areas anthropologist can design a project which includes tractors, fertilizer and other stuff according their reality. These of course has a social background that cannot be ignored. Because we can’t intercede in a reality without knowing about it social dynamics. And that is an important challenge: how to mediate between human groups without conflicts.

post 10: Anthropology or Money?

Thinking about the question “what’s more important, anthropology or money?” I was going to said at first anthropology, “of course anthropology, no doubt about it”, I thought. But analyzing better the decision, I’m not convinced that anthropology is more important; because you have to eat and in this civilized world the only way to survive is with money. And lamentably I must said that anthropology doesn’t “create” money in every situation, because is not the best survival tool. For example, if am starving and somebody make me choose between an anthropologic book, or some money, without thinking twice a would said the money. But in other situation anthropology has a better effect over the reality than money. Particularly if we are talking about “applied anthropology”, because that help you to improve your social/cultural/survival/etc situation and no matter how much you got, you couldn’t get a better situation. This kind of anthropology could help you to exploit in a better way your resources.
The other way to make money with anthropology is working like an anthropologist. So, for example, you present your "social project" at the government and if it obey at the social paradigm promoted by the government, they would finance it and also pay you for this work, which in general must contribuit to the human develop. And because that reason I chose anthropology my dear friends!, because I want to change the world , even though in a little way. I am an optimistic person, so I think that we can change our reality and make it more pleasing, enjoyable and had a fearer life. So the money for me is secondary. I am not a consumer person, even my friends avoid me saying that I am a little stingy. but I don’t think that I am stingy, I just don't feel the need to spend money and also I don’t have much money, so I must be very careful with my monthly allowance because at the moment i’m not doing any Money, so I am completely depended of my parents (but I’m looking for some job).
Well, money and anthropology, we could say much more about it, but I guess that a won’t speak at length more about it.
Regards.

In general I do not have troubles with my faculty. But, now I think, the library needs to be improved. Both books and as a place of study. Because I don’t know why many important books for our careers (psychology, sociology, anthropology, pedagogy) are situated in faculties that has nothing to do or the amount and variety of books (and authors) is not enough. And about the physical place I think it is deplorable in comparison with others faculties of the university. The computers there are very old and the lightness in the room is not enough I think. Also, I think like it doesn’t have appearance of “library”, the students there do no behave like you should in a library, so it is very noisy and uncomfortable for the study. The problem of the computers anyway is not a big deal because recently the faculty make two –high quality- computers room.
The other problem I think, is related more with the curricular program (the contents of the subjects), because, even our career is good in the theory, we have deficiencies about the practical work. And maybe it is related about the recourses or rather the management of them, because we don’t have the physical space to develop that area and the resources sometimes lost in banal stuff.
The first instance to claim are the delegated, the students representative in the CECSO, a mint the students council and together we put pressure on the high charges of the faculty.

POST 8: Music!!

MUSIC!!! I love music. I think I couldn’t live without it, because it relax and accompany you. Is like a friend that you can call any time (if you have and “I pod” or something like that which allows you to listen to music everywhere): in the bus, in the subway, while you lunch, study (and is not a distraction!) while you walk or do some exercises, etc! Thousands of situations which music is the best companion. Of course music can’t be absent at parties, because it is one of the funniest elements at a party.
Anyway, I like different kinds of music to listening, from folklore to punky music. Passing throw rock, reggae, ska, blues… It depends of the situation. For example when I am studding I like better to listening relaxing melodies and preferably without voices, because I could distract trying to singing it. And when I said “relaxing” music I refer to flamenco, blues, jazz, classic music, reggae, “electro transistor” music and stuff like that. Particularly I love listening Paco de Lucia in that situation. But, in general, I would said that my favorite music is the “ska”, in fact, one of my favorites groups are the precursors of this type of music. They are called “los Fabulosos Cadillacs”, and argentine group which also make a concert in Santiago two weeks ago, and obviously I couldn’t miss it. I assisted with some friends who love as much as me their music and we have and INCREDIBLE time there. It was the funniest thing I have made, at least, in the month. Even the place was full of people and hardly you could move there, we danced and jumped and singed with so much energy and pleasure that it didn’t matters the elevated number of persons there. We enjoy at the last minute of the concert. It was amazing.
Music is great. Just enjoy it.

GOOD FOOD

For me, the food is a pleasure. When I’m going to eat something, it isn’t just because I’m hungry, although it is a good pretext to “storm the kitchen”; the main reason is to delight myself with something in particular. Although I must admit that my weakness are sweet things like cakes, ice creams, particular chocolates (no matter the situation a chocolate is always welcome –I can’t refuse them). However, I like very much salad to: specially avocado… Oh my God! I love avocado, everything is so perfect with avocado: sandwiches, hot dogs, rice, spaghettis and avocado rolls are so delicious. Anyway, I like salads because you can eat a lot of them without feeling I’ve got upset stomach. Also vegetables has a wide range of colors that you can mix, in addition the huge options you have to prepare them in original ways is so funny, also enjoyable in taste, which that’s why I support the affirmation that somebody wisely said: The food gets in through the eyes.
Another thing I deeply enjoy eating is sushi. Even thought I don’t eat very often sushi because the price is not very affordable and I don’t know how to prepare them, so I have to comfort eating sushi luckily for my birthday.
Of course that there are a lots of foods that I enjoy eating, like shellfish, Italian food, pizza, tacos, “ají de gallina” (the Peruvian dish); but I guess that my perfect meal will contain in the appetizer avocado, with palm heart, uh yes!, in addition of an assorted of vegetables with a special sauce or something. The main course would be sushi, rolls, gyosas in large proportions. Oh my God! Just thinking in that right now is a torture for me. I feel strong wishes to eat sushi now (dam!). And the dessert could be a delicious chocolate ice cream, accompanied with pieces of chocolate bar and some berries around. Oh! I forgot to mention fruits, I love berries, mango and pineapple as well as juicy and in their natural way. Ok, I LOVE FOOD, and probably I have miss a lots of dishes and products that I enjoy eating so much. But about what I can remember and –unfortunately- I want to eat now is what I’ve already said.

4: My addiction

Ok, I admit. My addiction are chocolates in all their forms: chocolate bar, hot chocolate, ice cream, cakes, cookies, chocolates with almond, etc… I love them so much (their taste, how they smell) that I can’t pass one day without eating at least one tiny chocolate. I think that is how affect my life, because sometimes I want one specific kind of chocolate that I can’t get and it’s frustrating, because although I like chocolates in very different forms, not every chocolate can be eaten. It must be a good chocolate, I mean I high quality chocolate of course.
Sadly –or may be not!, I can’t remember the moment in my life when I realize that I was addicted at chocolates, because, since I can remember, they have always been part of my life and I have always like them.
Also It doesn’t matter the situation, a chocolate is always welcome, But when I’m not very happy a chocolate is even better. They have such a power to make me feel good. They’re great. And because that reason I don’t fell I want to beat this addiction. Maybe it is not such a powerful addiction because I can control the amount of chocolate per day hahaha As I said before, every day I have to eat one chocolate, but it isn’t in large quantities, and I don’t have problems of health, so, what the problem with them? They also have a lot of antioxidant and amphetamines, which cause an emotional welfare state in persons. They are very “friendly”, so don’t avoid them, eat a chocolate if you want.