Archaeology, Teaching, Archaeology?

Happy New Year!!

It has been a looong time since I last wrote on here. There has been sooo much to take in and consider. Life has been crazy, yet great; challenging yet easy; confusing yet understandable. The last time we spoke I mentioned opening my own school. Sure, this sounds like a GREAT thing!! However, my current position at my current job has left me more than frustrated. You ever take two steps forward to only fall five steps back?

Yeah, that has been me over the past few years. I believe in paying my dues to get where I want, yet it seems that the longer I am at a place the longer I am paying dues. I am not saying that I expect to become the big wig, all I want is my hard work noticed. Where I am now is a great facility, however, the new director seems to live by a totally different code...she believes in nepotism, which makes it difficult for anyone to move up; she is also very, uhm, I don't know the proper word to use to describe this person....she seemed really nice and cool at first, but since she has taken on this position...she is on a different level rather "On that new shit!" as my oldest would say. I can't place my finger on it. I understand that she has a lot of fixing to do, because there is a LOT of fixing that needs to be done. Beyond that, she is that person who, I think, takes herself too seriously...I don't know.

What I do know is that my time in this city, in this land is limited. I am heading to Egypt this summer. If I can obtain employment either in teaching or archaeology, then I will stay. I just cannot see myself growing old in Babylon....there is already too much craziness here...and I don't want any parts of it.

Over the past few years, I have literally felt like a fish out of water...and we all know a fish out of water eventually suffocates. While I am still here, I will continue to do my best--the children deserve nothing less that my best. There are big things ahead, lots of traveling and learning and hopefully teaching again....who knows? I may be in the field as an archaeologist, or in the classroom, or even writing a book or writing music. All I know, is I cannot do THIS for much longer!

Shalom!

New Beginnings....

It has been quite some time since I have felt the need to practice megalomania!! Many things have happened, are happening and will happen. I will just toss a few things out there:

I am almost done with my Master's Degree--and GUESS what I found out: this may be the most USELESS degree ever obtained...but it gets better...right?

Currently, I am fighting through a horrible linguistics paper (I abhor linguistics with EVER fiber of my being) I have three classes to complete my degree...YAY?

I was offered the opportunity to open a school of my own....thankfully, I can use my training as an anthropologist (observing, reasoning, perspective, participating etc.) to ensure that my school will be culturally aware, socially aware, and spiritually aware...not to mention educationally aware...

My goal is to open "Dream Catcher Montessori Academy--catching one star at a time" in the fall of 2015. Some may see this as a cop-out, but I can say that studying anthropology has given me the skill sets to do pretty much anything I put my mind to...not to mention the fact that I am completely burned out on being a student...I am sooo sick of boring articles, useless papers, graduate hazing and the smell of Old Main at Wayne State...some may encounter that smell and are immediately thrown into nostalgia--I, on the other hand, find it putrid!

Please, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the amount of work my professors have put into me being a great archaeologist, at this point in my life, I just can't see myself continuing to be a "Professional student" No longer do I see anthropology/archaeology as the thing to make me jump out of bed and say "YES!! A new day of research!!" I want to make the world a better place one child at a time....

After having the experience of teaching in a few different arenas from homeschooling, charter and finally Montessori...that is where my heart is...I love archaeology...but I love teaching more...so this budding archaeologist is becoming a flower of Montessori education...

Looong time!!

Wow, it has been a long time since I last blogged. So much has happened during the past six months, that I will simply sum it all up. I received my letter of "good work" from the grad school committee...YAY! I am beginning the second year of my MA, and really look forward to doing fieldwork of some kind and SOON!! Man, I miss digging! This semester I am taking Technical and Professional Writing and Museum Studies. I had originally signed up for another class that was canceled today--the day BEFORE the class was to start! Nice!!

I am still working at the Montessori--and love it! It is a lot of work, but if I am not constantly busy with many irons in the fire--then something is wrong! Ha! This year I am teaching Spanish, Art, and Music along with handling the bulk of the 5th grade instruction. It's a challenge, but it will be a fun challenge!

This journey to becoming a professional archaeologist has proved challenging at times...not so much the work, but wading through the crap. While I am not going to go into a 'crap-fest' of my issues; what I will say is that every day is a brand new adventure, a new experience and a great chance to learn something new about myself.

Well, until next time!!

Happy New Year???

It has been a long time since I last posted. There has been a lot of things going on in my crazy-busy life. I realize that I have not posted anything about Ecuador...I think I am still processing...but here is a condensed version:

When we entered Quito, we stayed at a hostel which was pretty cool. We were only there for the night. The next afternoon we headed to Ibarra on the volcano of Imbabura. I must say that I had some major concerns of interpersonal relationships. The group of us that went did not know each other very well, with the exception of the survey crew, me and Jon. We all had met and maybe had a class together at some point or another, but the problem that came to be was with one person, who I shall call Andie, was an instigator that we could not ignore and eventually, we ALL dealt with the drama that she unfolded and dumped on our laps!

The idea of excavating out of the country was very exciting to me, especially since I had not excavated outside the States previously. Excavating in Ecuador was comparable to excavating cement with a dull toothpick--but we managed! Surveying was an aspect of archaeology that I had not done before. So Jon agreed to show me the ropes the best that he could. And he did a fantastic job.

We (the group) went on excursions just about every weekend. This was fun and I was able to see and experience tons. Thankfully, I speak Spanish so communication with the Ecuadorians was not as challenging as it was to those that did not speak the language.

There are many fond memories, but the one that remains near and dear to my heart was when we climbed Imbabura volcano. Jon and I stuck together--apparently, the taller one is in high altitude, the harder it is to to acclimate to the very thin air. So, we stuck together, being the two tallest people in the group. It was a beautiful day, and although the point was NOT to climb to the very top, but get to the caldera...in the end, the instructions that the leader had were not clear...we hiked for about two hours, and once we returned to our homestead, we were told that there is NO way we could have made it because the hike is about five hours--one way! But, the experience was great...just being so high in the sky and taking in the view, the smell of the wind...the sun on my face--priceless.

I have not yet processed a LOT of what occurred. There were elements of danger, there were moments of just shear frustration (five grown women sharing one bedroom and one bathroom), but there were also moments of just beauty. Some may read this and say "the interpersonal stuff doesn't matter"... well, in most cases, I do not pay much attention to that, but when one person puts the team in constant strife, divided lines, and in some cases danger due to stupidity--it matters. The idea of a team is to stick together and make sure that everyone is safe and okay. After all, we were in a foreign country, besides the professor, the Ecuadorian students and myself, none of the others spoke Spanish...after six weeks of working, living, eating, playing, traveling and basically feeling like we were in a Real World/Big Brother/Survivor television program... we finally left for home, Jon had had enough--someone took something of his, and he flipped--rightly so. Unfortunately, his item was never recovered; he felt that his concern was brushed aside as if he had lost his mind. Geez, as I am thinking of what was going on during those last few days-I get nauseous! I remember Jon telling me that this experience would be the WORST I would ever have...I can only hope he is correct.

In the end, I am thankful for the opportunity--I learned a lot about myself...and to me, that IS the most important thing is EVERY experience that I have....and I learned tons about archaeology, surveying, working within a crew that is not very united and how arrogant some 'Americans' can be. But, hey....life is all about the journey!

Until next time!

It's a sad day in Anthropology

The father of modern anthropology has passed away. It is a sad day, however, the legacy that Levi-Strauss left behind was one that has influenced me as a budding anthropologist. He will be missed, yet what he gave to anthropology will forever continue...I can say that in my classes with a wonderful anthropologist who, would seem to me to, specializes in Levi-Strauss--I learned a new way of thinking, of seeing what was not apparent, yet apparent to a trained individual. While I am still in my training and probably always will be, there are things about the savage mind that rings VERY true...what a great book!

Thank you Mr. Levi-Strauss....

So, What does being Black mean??

I decided to cook and have people over for Labor Day a day early So, yesterday I cooked up a feast large enough for a King and his court. I had about sixteen people over. Plenty of food, plenty of beer and a few shots of tequila will make ANY conversation appear interesting.

Yet, around the dining room table was a diverse crowd including a few college graduates with differing degrees in psychology, anthropology, hospitality and international relations, a trainer for Panera Bread, a housewife, a police officer, a music university student, a nurse and a researcher of Truth. As we spoke through bites of grilled chicken and potato salad, the 'psychologist' started talking about being a single, educated Black woman. I honestly do not remember how we got to the path of being Black, but after listening to her banter, I interjected and asked "What does being Black mean to you?". As she hesitated, it was decided that we should all answer the question. Each one of us around the table answered this question. Each one of us answered differently. One said "It's me! I am what is Black!" Another said, "It's the way I can connect with anyone on ANY level." I contribute this to having to acclimate to an area that was not natural to us many years ago. " Yet, it may seem as though the uncomfortablility of being out of our 'norm' created a surviving trait that has been passed down for generations.

As the night progressed there were many conversations of being a man and being a woman....however, we were heavy with women aging from 25 to 54 and three men...luckily the men spoke up in a positive manner and our discussions were fruitful. Until one woman brought up Steve Harvey 'because we ALL know that he such an authority of manhood and telling a woman HOW to be a woman'. Steve Harvey is fun to laugh at, yet the premise of his book is laughable. In my opinion, he is not necessarily one to give advice of how women should 'behave'...yet, I digress...

By the end of the night we shared so many tales and experiences that ranged from being Black, to being a woman or man, the food, tequila shots, to how it feels to give birth--I will take the birth question on in another posting--it was good, no, it was great to share ideas with varying people from varying backgrounds and varying beliefs.

The way we as individuals communicate in order to convey an idea, whether it is to persuade us away from our own beliefs or to simply express their thoughts, it is always a great time for me to be in the presence of people who are willing to share. I may not agree with it all, and most of the time I do not, however, hearing the perspectives of different people and taking them in is the beauty of being a budding anthropologist/archaeologist.

Talk is good!

Until next time! (for those who know that I had a great adventure to Ecuador, I am still mentally decompressing..I will post soon about that experience!)

36 hours and counting...

Ok, I am SUPER excited! I leave for Ecuador this coming Monday, July 6th, 2009. I have completely packed--actually...the bag is zipped up and ready to go at the front door. Wow!! It is amazing how much one can fit into a duffle bag to sustain one for five weeks. I have always been a minimalist (except for cooking...) and had to REALLY think about what I may need to take with me. First and foremost--the weather--at first we (those of us that are going) were under the impression that we will be in warmer to temperate weather...then a colleague and I kept an eye on the weather--highs in the low 70s, lows in the 40s. So, I had to re-think my packing choices. I decided to pack to dress in layers. This way, if I get warm, I take a layer off, if I get cold, I can add a layer.

I packed lots of T-shirts, cargo pants, socks, hiking boots, thermal tops, a sweatshirt, an impermeable rain coat, a pull-over Nike windbreaker, lots of undergarments, toiletries and a few night pants and sleeping t-shirts. I am only hoping that will have what I need. I cannot afford to purchase extras because I was too lazy to pack 'something'. I procured my travel insurance, immunizations (the tetanus shot is STILL killing my shoulder!!) and am just ready to get on the road and start this new adventure. OH--I have to complete a ceramics description for my professor before I leave. I guess I will be taking care of THAT later today (since it is now 12:40a.m. on Sunday!). My daughter really wants me to go to church (9a.m. Mass) to ensure that I am sent on my way with a blessing. I am of the mindset that I have great energy around me and that everything will be okay--no matter what!

Since today is the 4th of July, I cooked...a bit more than I had anticipated, we had unexpected guests--it was great that came up, don't get me wrong, yet, they do not eat beef or pork. (I am slowly weaning my family off of pork, so this time all I had pork-wise were hot dogs!) I ended up grilling salmon filets, chicken thighs, corn, hamburgers and hot dogs and prepared a nice potatoe salad. My brother prepared spinach peleponnese. The day was great with the exception of my car dying, but I will take care of that once I return. I am putting the car tradgedy to the bottom of the to-do list.

I think the most challenging aspect was not OVER-packing. I had to remember that this is a job, not a vacation. Although, it is a vacation from my life of mayhem...so for me it is a "working vacation".

I am going to stay with my "other" mom and she will take me to the airport and pick me up upon my return.

Ok, it's the Fourth of July and as customary, the Twilight Zone is in a marathon. I happened to come upon one called "Deaths-head Revisited" which is about a Nazi who returns to Dachau concentration camp to relive memories. In the end, he realizes the horror the concentration camps brought. And he wondered why the concentration camp wasn't torn down and destroyed. Suddenly he realizes that the camps aren't destroyed because standing, they are a reminder of our past and what NOT to do. I find this very interesting since we are going to excavate Inca architecture...the structures used by the Incas under Altuawallpa...who knows maybe the structures that are still there are reminders of what not to do, or of what should be done. I guess trowel-to-dirt will only tell. I also wonder if Rod Serling has a premonitionistic mind--so many of his Twilight Zone episodes are relavent today. The original Twilight Zone ran from 1959-1964 with a movie in 1983 and a revival series from 1985-1989...but they just were NOT the same as the original.

Well, in the meantime, I will be digging in the dirt and hopefully, uncovering some Inca architecture and what-nots! As I am closing this blog, the Twilight Zone on is entitled "People Are Alike All Over"... I am beginning to think that there are supernatural forces afoot here, telling me something.

Until next time!