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.

3: transantiago....

Oh God! transantiago… I have a lot to tell you about this system. Particularly today I felt very furious about that because I just have had a trouble with transantiago in my way home. Anyway, before I told you that specific trouble –which is not new for me, I’m gonna write about this experience, this change that have affected to every single person who use the public transport. (a huge percentage of the total population of Santiago).
I remember that the first month of transantiago was a disaster. A lot of people had to walk so many blocks to arrive at a bus stop and the buses didn’t pass very frecuently, so long waits were characteristic of this system. Also the new routs were so different from the old routs that complicated even more to the people. They weren’t efficient.
Fortunately, it has changed in the time, obeying the needs of people, it has increased the fleet of buses which has decreased the waiting. And, of course, we can’t complain about the money; transantiago ir cheaper than the old system (more known as “the yellow buses” ) because transfers between buses or the subway is free. So you can use bus, subway and bus again paying only one ticket.
Anyway, the organization of the fleet of buses and the treatment of drivers hasn’t been improved enough. For example, the bus that I use to get home, sometimes I have to wait for a long time, and as the wait has been so long, it mount up a lot of people; so drivers, for some stupid reason, don`t stop the machine and let as waiting even more time in the bus stop. it is a very frustrating feeling when it happens. Like now.

Post 2: A COUNTRY I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT.

First at all, I LOVE traveling. I love meeting new people, discovering new places, foods, cultures, etc, so I think that every country has it charm. But anyway, for some reason, Brazil has always attract my attention; particulary the Amazonian jungle. Because, I don’t know much about that place, even more, I think that I know so little that that’s way I would like to be there. It intrigue me a lot; the flora and fauna from there must be incredible and The people –native people!. I think that it could be such an adventure to travel through the jungle. Because overcoats in twenty one century, is very hard to believe in a lifestyle different from city dwellers.
Another cause that motivate myself to travel to Brazil is it beaches. It heavenly beaches that relax and inspire to anybody. Imaging to be surrounded by palm trees and garotos, the white sand, the blue and so quiet ocean in front of you and drinking some piña colada, or coco juice… It is like a dream, wich I hope that some day it will became true.
So, to sum up, I guess that I would like to travel to Brazil for two reasons mainly: An anthropological reason (meet knew people, habits, etc) and a holiday reason, a leisure time in the beach.

Post 1 FIRST TERM

The first term of 2009 was very intensive in all senses. The university was very exhausting and convincing about the subjects, specially “materialistic anthropology”, which deeply marked myself. I learnt a lot of new concepts and very important anthropologist from this field and all of them were very interesting, particularly the theoretical construct of some of them were really amazing. Like Marvin Harris who explain in a very rational way the incongruities of cultural practices. The other character that attract my attention was Gramsci and his ideas of the concept “ideology” in the society. Although my academic performance in a comparative way with my others classmates wasn’t very good, it was saisfactory for myself, because my life didn’t go exclusively around the university. And considering the all things I made in the social aspects was a success that I could pass all my exams and subjects and had grasped (I think) the most important from them.
Although I couldn't socialize much with my family because or I was studding (even I didn’t applied in the studies as I would like, university demand me a lot of time) or hanging out whit some friends, I think it was special in this social aspect. I meet knew people, and discovered personalities in close friends that I had never seen before.
And I almost forgot! I started swimming last term and that was incredible. I love swimming (I have always done ) and swimming for the university was a totally new experience. Even I had a challenge last april, where I won the 17º place of 50.

10: ideal job

Well, My ideal job must be the most relaxed job in the world. Because personally I suffer so much when I am under pressure, so if I am stressed all the time I will have a very unhappy life. Also it shouldn’t be routines at all. The monotonous things bored me; that's why i have decide to work with people, becuse we are more unpredictable than machines and and animals.
In a very dreamer way, I think I could work lie a kind of tourist guide in jamaica. I said “Kind” because I don’t like the conventional idea of the tourist guides. IT is so mechanical, and directed at people with a lot of money, the high classes. Also it is usually very regulated by the Statemnt and because that reason their speech is very repetitive. And I said Jamaica because it seems to be a place where the time doesn’t exist. Is only you, the beach, the sun and meeting new people all the time because my job, witch it is no hard for me talking to strangers, even I love meeting new people and other realities, then if a attend people from all around the world I also could develop my anthropological in some way.
So, I would have some cabins not posh at all, rather rustic, complemented with a bar near the beach, surrounded by palm trees and some sun lounger where people (and me of course!) could satisfied their thirst in a very relaxed way, listening relaxed music, in a relaxed place.

9: my favorite subject

I think that my favorite subject this semester is anthropology III, with Andrés Aedo. It is about materialistic anthropology and it has been a very convincing and complete subject and the development of the teacher in class, his dynamic, is very good, so interesting always. A really good teacher.
I must say that at the beginning of this semester I wasn’t very sure about anthropology; I meant, I liked it, but I didn’t now if this career, this science (I doubted if it was a science) had a future for me; because I was always interested in sociology before entering college, and anthropology sometimes is so relative and uncertain that I was thinking about moving. But then, with this subject I became interested in anthropology again. I discovered the cultural materialism and other fields of this science thanks to my teacher and his subject; I realize that anthropology is a science even more interesting than sociology. Therefore, I can say that I had learned a lot this semester and I opened my eyes and spirit to the social anthropology.

Do schools kill creativity?

I think this is true. Of course that schools kill, in different grades, the creativity, which depend of the kind of school: most competitive schools will be more aggressive with non-conventional behavior or the creative initiative. Anyway, in general way, every school has a basic principle: Teaching. And this mean to insert in the little heads of children the conventional structure of society that every citizen must put in practice into the civic life.
I think that the educational system is very mechanical, so this make impossible to exploit the creativity of children. They must behave according the behavior patterns of the mechanized world in a mechanized system. Although there are some subjects that allows to get out of the limits that are impose, like art class, music class, literature; in the most important subjects -or the subjects that our society consider more important, like the scientific subjects, is very difficult to act for yourself, because schools teach you the method to get your answer; you replay information; so if you didn’t memorize very well you’re wrong. Is very hard to find the opportunity for creativity in schools today, especially in the competitive world that we live today; where the knowledge is given by the method, not by the own initiative, the creative initiative.

7: Future

My future... It’s little hard for me trying to think about my ideal future, cause usually I don’t think about it. I am that kind of person who have not idea what is going to do even on weekend. Anyway, if I am studying anthropology is because I must have an idea of what I would like to do in the future. That I'd like to be professional devoted to solve social problems, or something like that. But before that of course I must finish this career and then have a kind of specialization in the area of social anthropology(like a post degree, master program, PhD, whatever) ideally in another country, Like Spain or Germany. But in the second case I should be learning german and I don’t feel I want to do that (It’s enough with English class!) May be if I like Europe could stay living there. May be I return and start working to affor a nice house or department near the beach, like Valparaiso because I love that city, and what I'm sure is whenever I could I will leave Santiago.

6: The best in my area

Hi! Before I start talking about who I think is the best anthropologist I want to make it clear that I don’t feel I have the authority to differentiate between better or worse anthropologist. I think I need much more knowledge in my area to say ”Hey! This is the best anthropologist in the world!”. Anyway until now, I guess that is Marvin Harris (1927-2001) who most convinces me. He was a north American anthropologist who highly influenced the development of cultural materialism, which in my opinion, is the most concrete and complete anthropologic theory. He takes the essential elements from others authors and anthropological theories and create such a perfect way to respond the hole problems and incongruities about cultures, society and people in general. His definition of Anthropology (and it method) is the approach this science need to be renowned with the quality it deserves. For example, in one of his books -"Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches”- he explains some characters of some cultures which have no sense from our point of view (western thought), but he shows the usefulness of these seemingly incoherent actions according environmental, social, political situation and others factors you can watch in their specific reality.

photograph

There is a picture that I took on my summer vacation of the last year, I mean, in february of 2008 that i like very much. This photo was taken (by me) upward to my feet with the sky and some clouds as background. And I liked it a lot cause when I see that picture I recalled the moment when I took it, how I felt then, so it give me such a big sensation of peace and calmness. Becuse when I took that picture I was lyied down over the sand, under the soon, in front of a beautiful lake, surrounded by trhees and nature, far away from the noise of the city and the disagreeable people; thinking in nothing, just enyoing the peaceful and the sky of that day. Because the sky you can see in the picture is dreamelike, with a lot of clouds in diferents forms you imagine and create diferents objects, concepts, wathever. And my feet give you the idea to be there. like you were that person who's under that beautiful sky.

website

The career-related website most I visit is wikipedia I gess. it is an online encyclopedia that maybe it isn't a very "anthropological" web site, but I like it -and I use it very much- because it have information about everything! You can get, at least, a general idea about anything you're trying to understand, becuse not everything is very complete and when this happend the encyclopedia offer you other links where you cand deal with the idea in depth. Also you can prove the fidelity of the information because any user of this website is abble to discuse the information and wikipedia force you to share the sources when you write an article. For doubts, also the website show you the historial of discussion about the article. the most part of information in Wikipedia is very good explained, very synthetic and fast. Wikipedia is the faster and reliable source to get some information about concepts you don't understand very well or you ignore at all. have a look! --> www.wikipedia.org

I almost forgot! another adventage of wikipedia is it global character: you can find this website in ten diferents languages! amazing, isn't it?

technology

no doubt that my favorite piece of technology is the computer. I love computer cause i can spend a lot of time enteretaining in front of the computer and if I don't use it in few days I miss it very much. Also if the computer is conected to the web I enyoi it much more. The reason i like so much the computer is the countless things you can do with it; the level of enteretainment, pleasure and fun is ilimitated: Listen to music, watch videos, movies, read interesting articles, read books, chat with your friends, saw pictures, go shoping, travel around world, etc. And also is a great instrument for the study, I can't explain how does the computer make easier the things in this way. From looking for information around the world wild web in few seconds, to be conected with my teacher and resolve doubts instantly. And the best part; all these things I do only from my room.

Falls

I'm gonna write about falls exclusively cause I've just fell over and it was awful, sad, stupid and funny at the same time. the stupid thing was that before i had fell a girl had the same accident in front of my eyes, only that she was going down the slope (the damned place) and i was goin up, so if I had been less stupid I could avoid the misfortune. The girl looked very posh and refined, walking with her high quality sandals and white skirt in a sunny day; but suddenly the fall comes up and she slip down the slope cause the mud and all her polished style was ruin. I lought deep down inside me, but also felt pitty for her "Oh my god she's covered of mud, poor her!" -I though- So, as I was wearing my outdoors sneakers it wouldn't happened to me and I dared to going up the muddy slope. The Slope was more threatening than I thought and in one second the whole right side of my body was covered, even more, Sumerged in the mud. "damn it!" were the softy words I said. First I felt angry and stupid cause I made the same mistake that the girl did -walking over the mud- although I wasn't wearing high quality clothes like she was (lucky me!) But then I lough about my ridicoulus appareance, and the spectacular fall just happened to me.