Seven days and counting....

Oh yeah, in seven days I am heading out of the country. I am very excited about it. I know that this is going to be an experience like no other. Hopefully!

I have to prepare mentally. I didn't really think about the prospect of having to share a room. The professor confirmed the strong possibility of having a roommate of two or three. I haven't shared a room with anyone since I was married almost a decade ago. Luckily, I know the two ladies that I may be rooming with; however, I don't know them THAT well...but it IS part of the experience, right?

I was able to obtain my immunizations on Friday for Ecuador which consisted of Tetanus, Hep A and Measles. My shoulder STILL hurts from the Tetanus..but it is totally worth it! I didn't find out until a few hours ago that I should have gotten the Typhoid immunization. Hopefully, I will be fine and since we will be in the Highland Andes...I am hoping all will be well.

I have never been one who requires luxury--although a fine bottle of Olive Oil, or a Chilean red wine is about as close as I get. I am no frills kind of gal and like things to be as simple as possible, except when it comes to my career. I want things to be a mystery for me to solve. I have my own imaginary "Mystery Van" in my head with Scooby Doo and crew in tow. That being said, I am truly hoping for a drama-free five weeks as much as could possibly be drama-free.

I dreamt last night that the three of us ladies were in this room that was small and very tight. As I explored the rest of the room and hotel, I discovered that we were on a pirate ship. I remember walking to the back of the room we were in and found a huge room with a king-sized bed, marble floors and gold fixtures. It was beautiful! I went to the front of the hotel room and told the girls I was going to sleep in the back. I guess I made out!!

Suddenly, the professor came to the room and announced that there was a problem. One of the other people were missing, as if they never got ON the plane headed for Ecuador. Shortly after, I woke up.

I knew that I wasn't missing, because I was right there in the dream! I am excited, nervous, and penniless. I am REALLY hoping that I get another check from my job before I leave. They are heavily behind in payroll. So, if I get something while I am gone, my 'other' mom is going to take the checks to the bank. I know that things will work out...just want to be sure I will not be too uncomfortable for too long. I mean, I WAS homeless in North Carolina and camped out at campsite. My daughter would take the school bus to and fro the campsite to school. She would get dropped off, we would do homework and swim. This went on for a month. It was a crazy time with NO stability. That I hated. I can roll with the punches and go with the flow, yet when I get home I MUST have stability.

I picked up the huge duffel bag from the shoe repair shop, clothes from Salvation Army, and still need to get my travel insurance and a few more items so that I know that I will have all that I need while I am gone.

Man, I'm going to miss my children. That's the hard part. The prospect of adventure adn expedition get my blood pumping. However, as time is growing closer, I realize that I will not see my children for almost 45 days. It's is hard and weird, but I never thougt I could love the way that I love my kids. There is NO love great than that--grey hairs that have each are named for my children and all.

It's getting super late. I have tons on my mind, yet haven't fleshed them out enough to have concrete phrases to explain where my head is. All I have is a very long stream of consciousness
without filters, without clarity, just emotion and wonderings and wandering of my mind.

Until next time!!

Past experiences, Present Understandings...

Ok, I know this my blog about me becoming an archaeologist. Yet in becoming anything, the past comes to light in different ways, or maybe a way that was not expected. Today was one of those days. No, I take that back, this weekend one was of THOSE weekends--and today is ONLY Saturday.

Friday my 'other' mother and I spent the day together! These are the days that are ALWAYS fun and full of life experiences that I will pass to my grandchildren! We started out at Salvation Army with hopes of me to finding clothes to use while in Ecuador. I cleaned up! I got a pair of Timberland Hiking boots for 19 bucks! Five pair of cargo pants, a fair amount of t-shirts (including one that has the "Evil Monkey" from Family Guy--SCORE!!!) We went to Royal Oak Salvation Army, Livonia, Garden City, and Dearborn...whew! We went to WalMart (which I quietly protest due to the child labor crap that allegedly occurs) And my aggravation escalated when while looking for a CD for my 'other' mother, I came across a CD entitled "Barefoot Natives"...I was suddenly thrust back in time to the Trobriand Islands with Malinowski posed alongside the 'natives'. I was irritated, 1--because this is so exploitative, 2) because as an anthropologist this was just WRONG!! 3)...it just plumb didn't sit well with me...I mean look at the cover of the CD!!! It doesn't matter if the people were from Hawaii, or Georgia, or Nez Peirce...it just did not set well with me... I've not heard the music of this "duo", and am not sure if I actually want to. I surely was not going to purchase a CD so proceeds can go toward perpetuating ignorance--known or otherwise.


I went home in anticipation for my oldest daughter's arrival to town.

THIS morning consisted of hurried patience, tears, anger and a lot of cooking!!! Despite the drama from insecure people, I grilled for my oldest daughter's arrival--lots of food at that!

My big girl left the following Monday. As she is growing older and becoming this wonderful woman....questions tend to come up about MY past. What is most interesting is as an archaeologist, my job is to study the material used of previous cultures. Yet, when it comes to my past....at times, it can be very difficult to put into words the hard lessons I have learned--especially to my children. Please, do not get me wrong--I have made it VERY clear that I am human, I screw up, but I will always do my best.

Well, when my oldest returned to Winston-Salem, a conversation commenced when she called me to let me know she had made it home safely. It was then and there that I realized that the relationship that her dad and I had when we were soo much younger meant more to me then what I was willing to understand until the moment she shared with me that her dad told her that the month that we broke up, he was looking for an apartment on campus were he was attending university so that we would not have to be apart anymore--he wanted it to be a surprise. I have to say, that statement struck my heart like a hot poker going right through the left ventricle....not because I did not want to hear it, but THAT is exactly what I wanted back then. He was my best friend, if anythng would happen--he would be the first person I would call. Every day he would be the first person I was speak to in the morning and the last before I went to sleep. I loved him with all of my heart and soul...and always will. He was my first love. And for those of you who know what a first love is like, knows that it is a feeling that will never leave your soul. No matter who moves on, when, or how--it is apart of you forever.

I told my daughter about my love for him at the time...and to know that he is not happy at this moment in his life, makes me want to reach out to him--because I love him...he was my first love...it was the kind of love that time stood still for...and I lost it...I pushed him away...due only to my impatience and lack of understandings. But hey, we were barely 19 years old-- it was the past and today I have a very clear understanding. Do I pine for him? No, but I can say that if there was an opportunity in which we could try again...I would be willing and ready. In the meantime, I just want him to be happy.

You see, people come into our lives, for reasons, seasons, and forever...but no one says a season cannot turn into forever...nor does anyone say that it's good to never know love...I believe that it is true to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

When it comes to love...what would you do for it? How much of a 'barefoot native' would you be to ensure a life-long companion? It's definitely something to think about.

Until next time!

Observations in Boredom

Since Spring has sprung, classes have ended, a three-day-a-week job has commenced, I have found myself bored out of my mind! I realize that this is due to a shift in life. I do not have papers to write, mandatory books to read, projects to complete which has comprised the majority of the past seven years of my life. Yet, I have slept more, found laziness to be a luxury and am happily spending tons of time with my children.

All that being said, it has become more apparent the role, or lack thereof, of the seniors in our American society. I have read many articles and books that outline the place the older generation in teaching the younger generations about life. Yet, I notice more and more how the geriatric aspect of the American society is pushed aside. There is no knowledge passed down and that which is attempted is shrugged off with a "you just don't get it!" from the younger generation.

It is very sad. Just the other day my mother and I were talking about my great-grandmother with whom I absolutely enjoyed speaking. She did not judge, she did not criminalize me for my nonconformist attitude at such a young age, and she loved me in a way that only a
great-grandmother can!

I can remember sitting in her kitchen while she was making Shrimp Gumbo expressing a frustration and she would give the Gumbo a good stir, hit the wooden spoon on the ridge of the pot to ensure little excess would be left on the stove, where she would place the spoon. She would then wipe her hand on a dish towel, turn and look at me and say "Baby, don't let anyone get you all frustrated inside. When you do, you give them your power." She would then sit with me at the table and tell me one of her life stories, which at times seemed something out of an Aesop's Fable.

The point is that no matter what she said, I listened...I WANTED to listen. I enjoyed our time together.

She passed away when I was in my mid-twenties. Oddly enough, she was the second wife of my great-grandfather, who had passed away a few years before my great-grandmother.

I miss her.

My observations in boredom have taken me back in time to realize the at least ONE treasure I had in my life, that treasure will always comprise a huge part of my heart, with plans on passing my knowledge to the younger generation, and hope they will listen as intently as I did.

The older generation in our American society needs to be needed. They have many stories to tell and really want to help people to learn lessons through life in an easier way, when possible. Do not misunderstand me, there are many older citizens who have not come to peace with their lives, and will not be so open to discussing their experiences, but when you find one who is--they are a treasure....so listen, listen intently without distraction.

It will be a wonderful life experience...and when they are gone, you will always remember a few poignant statements that will be with you no matter where you are in life.

It is interesting how there are many studies on growing old, dying, geriatric diseases--but what about the impact of their knowledge on American society? It would be interesting to find a book of lesson by the older generation to the younger. This would be a book to span time and generations.

Until next time....

Life is like a box of chocolates...

Truly, it is the nuts you have to worry about!!

As my time is closing until my departure for Ecuador, I have come against a few stumbling blocks. Like, the job that I do...I haven't gotten paid yet...I should have received one check by now, and the other is supposed to come on or around June 9th. Well, since I haven't gotten the first one, I imagine the second one will be late also! Oh well, I guess this is paying my dues.

The only problem is this is my only job until I go to Ecuador. I was planning to use the money from the current job to sustain my existence for five weeks in South America. Well, I don't have a plan B, but I gotta figure one out!!

As an anthropologist, that's what an archaeologist is, I tend to look at life from an anthropological perspective. My most recent indulging has been the quizzes on Facebook. You know the ones, "What's your Native American Indian Name?" or "How Many Times Will You Get Married?", yet my recent favorite (I have many) "What Color Are You?". I don't know, I spend hours upon hours taking these quizzes, and sometimes I don't publish the first result, I may take the quiz over and over until I get the desired result. Especially the "Which Celebrity Would Play You in a Movie of Your Life? I kept getting Rachel McAdams, of Reese Witherspoon. Damn! I wanted Angelina Jolie...yet, I couldn't figure out the combination of answers to get Angelina. How intersting is that? I mean, if I took the quizzes multiple times to get a desired result to keep the perception of myself intact in an online community--How many other people do the same thing? It is something to wonder.


What may be more interesting is the quiz that the Facebook user construct entitled "How Well Do You Know ME?" It's sad when siblings cannot get higher than 50% and friends, who are also anthropologists, explain why they answered a question in one way or another. I guess they don't realize that if they answered incorrectly--the answer is WRONG! It doesn't matter the excuse. And no matter how many BIG words you use or the arrogant stance one takes--you are STILL wrong!
Aside from the quizzes, which I will post something more later, some have a persona on Facebook that may or may not mirror real life. After all, the people that are your friends on Facebook, may not have two words to say to you in 'real' life. Does this mean that the accumulation of friends is a status of popularity? Is it really important to be popular in an online social community when you may see the people that are your 'friends' off and on, in real life? What are some of the habits of the 'friends' on Facebook? Well...there are many people with obvious agendas...

You have your "Atheist Activists" who continuously post articles that no one actually reads, for the sake of impressing the University Professor that person has added as a friend.

Oh my, then you have the former professors who recruit current students to save other professors at the university who are in danger of being "let go" do to unscrupulous care and concern of the students.

Anthropology...it is NEVER dull...

Box of chocolates and the nuts in which are contained.

It's the mixed nuts and how we comprise an array of varying perspectives. From the "want to be bigger than life" to the "I'm not what you think I am" and always the "I'm here for nothing more than shock value", we are all special in our own way.

Talk to us one on one, and you will hear a more complete and solid story. For when there is a group of us, our perspectives take over, then our mouths and voices and suddenly we MUST be heard. At this point in my path, I am truly hoping this is the case only in those of us who have not truly solidified our position in our field. Yet, I have feeling that this grows exponentially when one earned the Piled higher and Deeper (PhD). I'm not there yet, but I will be and will give a more comprehensive understanding when I do...give me a few years--I'm quite sure I will have much to say.

Chocolates and nuts...

The chocolate makes the nuts much sweeter and easier to palate!

But each nut has a different flavor, a different shape, a different region whence it came. Just like us old humans...different perspectives...different interests...still human...still nuts....

Until next time!