Reflections on the past semester

I have made it through another semester quite successfully if I do say so myself. I earned decent grades. Not up to my usual standards but passable nevertheless.
Language and Culture,B
Culture, Power and Development, A-
Archaeology of Complex Societies, A-
I really did the best I could under the circumstances and will not beat myself up for it.

I am now down to a part time course load and fulltime work. Its ok. I had a rough past semester and I may graduate late but I will graduate soon enough. I was going to take a year off between my undergrad and my graduate level course work so this is not a huge problem.

I will be taking Anthropology of Tourism and Indians of the SE United States. The former is the graduate level one. A major paper is required. Should be interesting. I mean that in all sincerity. The professor has a repute of being top in her field.

New Years is upon us once again. I do not really do resolutions but I do reflect on what I need to change in myself, which is more than I care to mention here. :)

Have a wonderful New Years Day and be safe....
anthrogeek10

"I am a Muslim" video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQXh20OuhIc&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Friendly reminder of how lucky I feel to live in a multi-cultural country!

changes once again

The grand plan has changed. Life is not anything if it is dull right? I know not many people read my blog but thats ok. I will mention I am going down to part time school starting in the fall. I will be taking a graduate course-Anthropology of Tourism and an online undergraduate course on Native Americans.

My decision has been made in light of recent issues with my soon to be ex husband. Yes, I have called it quits. I hope to dissolve this marriage quickly but funds are at a minimum now. I will work full time and attend class part time. I know the graduate class will be quite different in that there will be alot of writing compared to past courses.

The new plan is to graduate Dec 2010

anthrogeek10

Individualism vs Community centered

I being my innocent self at work this afternoon and my American Muslim friend texted me saying how her hubby (from Syria) took her car before she woke up and decided to drive the beater to Tampa Bay with a friend to buy veggies or something (cheap apparently). The car IS a beater and proved itself on the interstate and broke down. Well, lo and behold, what a suprise-the men had "a friend" who owned a tow truck and of course was not busy and of course knew how to fix it. :)

It got me thinking-what if my car broke on the interstate, who would I have to help me? My hubby is worthless. He has no car. I would have to call an expensive towing company and start negotiations myself and it would cost me dearly. I should have AAA. I know. Anyhow, it got me thinking that the way we think,what we value and how our society operates is MUCH different than how countries in the Arab speaking world operate. For that matter, Central and South Asia tend to be similar in this regard. When in trouble, people from those regions *always* seem to *know someone* to help them and to be rescued. This is a positive practical aspect to having a community centered outlook vs. a individualistic outlook. Our society is all about me me me me. My hubby's friend called the other night. Long story but his van blew a tire-ok, the donut tire blew. My hubby took the car to take him home. That's all he could do practically due to finances but what if he did not have my hubby?

What are some of the other good things about a community centered outlook? Well, if someone has food, it is a pretty sure bet they will share it among the group as it will be shared back if needed.

Some of the negatives (at least to the Western perspective) revolve around individual desires and wants such as the choice of not having children or getting married (is not a "choice" in many parts of the world). The career choice may not be a choice after all--what the parents want takes priority.

Can anyone share some things about this often perplexing topic...

anthrogeek10

Little bit of food anthropology

"In a much lesser vein, although I generally feel very comfortable in France, I have, when rather fed up with something, done wild things like eat cheese and bread at the end of the meal as if it were a sandwich (you have to know the French to understand how truly rebelliously barbaric this is), and gone to the grocery store in a track suit–wild! "

http://saudiwoman.wordpress.com/2009/10/31/saudi-shewolf/

Chiara wrote the above on one blog I rarely frequent (due to time constraints). I found this interesting. I used to be a beverage product developer and have been to cooking school and have had a love affair with food for years. I have waffled between an advanced degree with a focus in Food Anthropology (preferably from UI) or focus on my other passion-Western converts to Islam. I have chosen the later. :) Firmly!
That said, at almost 11 pm the night before I need to teach, I find Chiara discussing food and culture in one post! Yummy. I have been to Paris. I did not enjoy the experience (enjoyed Pakistan more). Maybe I did the very thing you said is a barbaric act. lol

Anyhow, if you are reading here-maybe we can discuss cultural food "mistakes" or times where you felt awfully uncomfortable in a food/culture sort of way.

I will share more of my own as things (hopefully) progress....
anthrogeek10">

Oakland heritage day!

Yesterday was the Oakland Heritage Festival. It was cool. The Central Florida Anthropological Society (myself and the president) and the cultural work we have done in Oakland, Florida. The professor asked me to write about eco-tourism for my part of the monograph. Cool!

Rumi poem

If this is not I, then
who am I?
If I am not the one who speaks, then
who does?
If this me is only a robe then
who is
the one I am covering?
-Rumi

I have finally decided...

...that am a Sufi Muslim! I feel good making a stand on my beliefs. I really do. now I need a Sufi master to teach me the ropes. I have Rumi poems and love them already.

If your going to tell me this is not Islam or whatever...blah! ..save it for someone else. I am happy!

anthrogeek10

among my other varied interests....

...is to help wildlife and animals in general. Today the Dude and I saved a turtle off a busy highway. We relocated him (male turtle, we checked) to our apartment pond. I think he is happy, based on the speed in which he flew in the water!

Whatever happened to courage?

Being that I claim to be slanted toward the Islamic belief structure yet I do not really practice, many will still consider me to be just that-Muslim. That said, I don't know. I will like to say that I do not want to fully take the leap into this life until the moderate Muslim population gets courage to fight against what they claim to be against. Terrorist cells have an uncanny way of taking dignity and courage away from those who are non-violent. I really hate the way some people will say "that is not Islam". Yeah...yeah...I know..but why are you not going public against violence? I know things around the world are not this simple. For example-Poverty can be eliminated very easily through a vegetarian diet but "little things" like despotic government corruption get in the way of human lives.....

These are just thoughts in my mind. I welcome comments or a respectful debate.

anthrogeek10

I am ....

...the new VP of the Central Florida Anthropological Society...

I really do accomplish things being on the board. This is not just something to put on my resume. :)

Feeling better about my school...so relaxed now regarding my studies. Spring is my time to finish. On to explore grad school opportunities and be free from academia for a while (one year).

anthrogeek10

Changes in the plan

I have made the difficult decision to not continue with my Middle Eastern Studies minor. I have a couple of reasons for it.

1). money. I do not want more student loans. This is a biggie.

2). Arabic is not something I want to continue formally. I am being diplomatic here! I love the language but the best most efficiant way for me to learn this is to live in an arabic speaking country for an extended period. My life right now is also not condusive to hours and hours of arabic drills.

This decision is not final but in my mind it is. I did not attempt my arabic homework that is due today! I will meet with a trusted professor today to hear her out. I will keep my few readers posted.

Oh- do not see this as an end to my success. I see this as going in a different direction. I am at peace with it and have learned not to beat myself up over it (if this is in fact the decision I will make). Anyhow, I am and always have been interested in Western female converts to Islam and identity. Arabic not required.


Salaam to all!
anthrogeek10

On a side note: if I blow off ME Studies, I will be graduating in the spring of 2010. Yippie

First day of classes

The laziness is over....time to get to work. lol

I drove here super early to work out at the gym. I don't have the syllabi for the classes yet so I am playing the waiting game. I have the computer and a few books to keep me occupied. I am rarely bored in the traditional sense. I go though periods of stillness and quiet without an actual goal in mind. I love those times.

I am reading (1/2over) The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. My sisters both said that book changed their life. I could use a life change so I picked it up. Literally. I had bought it and it was in one of my bookshelves.

Arabic is making me nervous but Culture, Power and Development seems like it will be the bomb.

anthrogeek10

career profile test #2

Here is another one I came across but it so inaccurate!! I repeatedly said I am not proficent at math and they said I would make a good engineer. Umm..no. However, it said I had a "strong match" for being a university professor. lol

CAREER
CLUSTER
BRIEF
ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC COORDINATION
82% Match
CAREER AREA - ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY


Tiffany , you have a 82% match in this career cluster. For more information please click on any sample occupation or related cluster that interests you. Be sure to click the Display Response Summary link below to see how your responses compare to those indicated by the Department of Labor.

Work Performed

Work activities in this group primarily involve planning and coordinating engineering, scientific, and technical programs and activities. Typically, work occurs in a scientific or industrial environment and involves formulating policies and standards, planning and directing projects and programs, and monitoring personnel.

Worker Requirements
Intellectual capacity to comprehend and apply engineering, scientific, or technical principles and methods; organizational ability to plan, formulate, and carry out programs and policies; verbal facility to deal effectively with personnel; and mathematical ability.

career profile test

Went to: www.testingroom.com
This *so* screams anthropologist to me. :)

Career Interest Profiler Overview

Tiffany, your career should be . . .

Analytical and Social!

You are the type of person who is inquisitive, analytical and intellectual. You enjoy investigating and solving problems. Your favorite word is "Why", and you are likely to answer a question with a question. While you enjoy theorizing, you also like working with others and helping people with their problems.

You are likely to enjoy occupations that will allow you to investigate things, explore ideas, conduct research, and involve personal interaction and helping people.

You have a unique set of interests and deserve a career that expresses your uniqueness. Do you want to know what kind of jobs there are out there that will satisfy these interests? Then look no further! Your personalized Career Interest Map is being prepared right now.

More musings on 'What Color is your Parachute?'

Thsi is a great book and in the few exercises I have done I have come up with some interesting findings about myself. The author has a grid system and once it is filled out, it ideally (if you are honest) shows what values you want your life to serve and out of 9, the first three should figure promiently in your career. Here are mine:

1). Will, conscience-Is the human will or conscience your major concern? When your gone, do you want there to be more morality, justice, righteousness and honesty in the world because your here? If so, in what areas of human life or history in particular? And in what geographical area?

2). Heart-Is the human heart your major concern? When you are gone, do you want there to be more love and compassion in the world because you were here? If so, love or compassion for whom? Or for what?

Finally, my third choice (3). Mind-is the human mind your major concern? When you are gone do you want there to be more knowledge, truth or clarity in the world because you were here? If so, knowledge, truth , or clarity concerning what in particular?

So, of course, this is just a start and the other items down the line are less significant regarding the career I choose.

Thoughts?
anthrogeek10

Something a little different for me

I usually do not blog about my worries or problems I am having. I think worries are generally all ego controlled anyhow. Anyway, I have a friend who I went to HS with. back then, I do not remember us being close but we were friendly. I find out she lives in my city now and we started hanging out and she has done some generous things for me since we started spending time together. We have recently come to a serious crossroads in our friendship, albiet very limited friendship. I don't think she knows I have a blog, let alone reads it so I think that I am safe here. lol I just need some objective advice about my problem.

I consider myself a Muslim and she claims to be a "Christian fundamentalist" (sorry, the most dangerous kind if I do say so myself). I am not a seriously practicing Muslim but prefer to spend time with people who do not have serious biases against people of my faith. My friend whom I will call Jane for this purpose (not her real name)is a strong Christian with Rebublican values, if you get my drift.

I made a (not so nice) comment about a republican figure of the recent past (not GWB but might as well have been) on Facebook (don't bother looking it up. The whole debate/post has been deleted.). Basically the debate surrounded the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (nothing on earth seems to stir a debate like this I guess) and she believes the Israelis should be given "their" land while I believe it should be divided among the two. She felt like I was attacking Christianity, which I don't want to do and I don't believe I did. I attacked the values that Republicans tend to have regarding the world political stage.

She now is "hurt" and needs to think of the future of our friendship. I know it is difficult to make a full judgement based upon this post but I want to know if anyone has dealt with this issue in their personal lives and how you handled it.

anthrogeek10

What color is YOUR parachute?

I still don't know what my color is. I am learning as I go and one of the tools I am using to learn more about what job/career fit is right for me. A book (10 million copies sold over the years mind you!) titled 'What Color is Your Parachute?' by Richard Bolles. My father, a retired recruiter and resume writer/career counselor has been recommending this to all his clients to have as a handy dandy reference. I decided to buy the 2009 edition the other day so I can do the work required to figure myself out and what I would be good at. I need to make a decent salary considering I will be the (virtually) only bread winner in this marriage. That is a whole other post in itself that I may, if I am up to it actually speak about.

Anyhow, get this book if your having job hunting issues or career issues. Its fabulous!
anthrogeek10

school begins soon

I am on call today. I get paid a nominal wage for doing my own thing. If I do get called in, I get paid the nominal wage and the full day pay. Cool. Well, so far, I am at home and I have all this time on my hands. I don't have alot of money on my hands or I would go used furniture store shopping. I need a wooden coffee table. I would not mind refurnishing on either.
I ordered my books for school so that is behind me. I am waiting for them in the mail. I need to buy a parking pass. I wonder how expensive they will be this year. I think I will buy the one semester one. I am broke! :) I need school supplies which includes a refill of the ink I need for my favorite pen that is so smooth even 4 hours of note taking means nothing in terms of fatigue for my poor hands. I must admit-this semester is going to be challenging. I did drop one class. I am taking 13 hours (that includes 4 hours of arabic). I think that is enough. I am feel insecure about school this time. I do not know why.

anthrogeek10

classes

I saw my advisor today. She was kind enough to spend over 45 minutes with me. She suggested I drop one of my classes. I dropped Ethnography of American Indians. I am going to extend my time until I graduate to May 2011. This sucks. She told me that because of my past GPA (prior UCF), I will not be able to get into a "top" graduate school. She really told me how it is straight up. My UCF GPA is about as high as it can be at this time. The overall one is the one she was speaking of.

We discussed getting into public service straight out of school and see if the US government will pay for me to do grad school while I am working. I think that is the way it will be. I really am not keen on living in Washington D.C due to the weather and high expense. I guess I would live in Baltimore or something. This is not the design for my life that I imagined. I want to live in a warmer climate. I guess I could take a position abroad but grad school may be further away.

I am very frustrated with myself and my past choices. I want to just crawl in a hole.
anthrogeek10

classes in the fall

Fall semester is fast approaching. I am 3 semesters away from the degree I have been working hard for. Here is my tentative list of classes.

ANT 3145 - ARCHAEOLOGY COMPLEX SOCIETIES
ANT 3312 - ETHNOLOGY OF N.AMERN INDIANS
ANT 3640 - LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
ANT 4702 - CULTURE, POWER AND DEVELOPMENT
ARA 1120C - ELE ARABIC LANGUAGE & CIV I

I am seeing my advisor tomorrow to finalize this. I hope she does not want me to change anything. I like my schedule. I have 2 Middle Eastern Studies classes in the spring and 3 anthropology courses.

I am trying to aquire funding for 3 classes at Harvard in the summer. If I can get the funding and manage to sign up for the classes, I will not be honors in the major at UCF. Well, actually, I may be able to now that I think of it. I can research in the spring and write the thesis in the summer while I am at Harvard. This is all sounding so overwhelming. I am completely thinking outloud here. :)
My honors thesis requires 2 semesters and it is worth 2 electives. I really want to go to Harvard.

anthrogeek10

James Carroll interview

I am not fully back but here is an interesting interview of James Carroll. I just watched his excellent brave documentary titled: 'Constantine's Sword: No War is Holy.

In it, he focuses on the hatred Christians have historically put upon the Jews. Additionally, he touches on Islam and what Christians (particularly the U.S military) are doing to proliferate the hatred.

I enjoyed the documentary. Here is a 20 minute interview some of you may enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoN9rdj99ns

off until further notice.

Due to personal issues, I will not be blogging for a while. I want to but I am having some problems.

anthrogeek10

El Fadl book review request-coming soon!

Dear readers...I have had a request to do an informal book review of The Great Theft by El Fadl. I will but this weekend. I have more time to do online stuff after work on the weekends. I have to catch up on an archaeology class on my days off in addition to being a lazy bum and sitting by my pool with a fun book. Gosh...I think I need to run to Borders and pick one up. Now, if I would just get my paycheck in the mail! I wish they did direct deposit. I digressed. Sorry. I will put up links to the El Fadl student support site when I wrte about the book.

anthrogeek10

Harvard? For me??

I spoke of this issue before but I will say it again....

I WANT TO GO TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY!! I REALLY do. They have a neat program called
Harvard Extension School. I am not sure of the objectives but I think it is to give anyone a chance at the prestigious school. I would go for the Masters program in Middle Eastern Studies.

Even before I get accepted I need to register for 3 classes (and take them of course!). I would have to move to Boston for a summer. I would need to find a way to pay for them at 1950.00 a class. wow. :-) What a steal. How do I do that? sigh. They do not have much financial aid for classes that are not taken in a degree program. I want this. Bad ass want this. :-) Here is the link for the program.

They have a whole 16 week class on jihad! :-) I am such a Middle Eastern Studies junkie.

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/2009-10/about/

Israel's Man of Conscience

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090713/nawi

My name is Ezra Nawi. I am a Jewish citizen of Israel.
I will be sentenced on the first of July after being found guilty of assaulting two police officers in 2007 while struggling against the demolition of a Palestinian house in Um El Hir, located in the southern part of the West Bank.

Of course the policemen who accused me of assaulting them are lying. Indeed, lying has become common within the Israeli police force, military and among the Jewish settlers.

Book Review: The Crisis of Islam:Holy War and Unholy Terror

Reviewed By: Tiffany George
Lewis, Bernard, The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror (New York: Random House
Publishing Group, 2003) Pp. 190. $13.95 paper.



Bernard Lewis has had a sixty-year career writing about Middle East history and current events. In this book, he focuses on the grievances the Islamic world has against the West and why some Muslims have turned to violence. Here, he writes for the general public in a somewhat informal writing style, and he provides background information and maps to situate his discussion. The book is arranged topically with an introduction and an afterword. Additionally, he draws on historical references to illustrate his points.
We have all heard various words used for those who commit acts of violence and use religious justifications to back up their actions. Lewis chooses to use the word “fundamentalism” (Lewis 2003, 23) while occasionally using the word “extremism” (Lewis 2003, 138). Language choices used, among other things are important for credibility; alternative words other than “fundamentalism” and “extremism” (Lewis 2003, 138) may be more appropriate in this context. Even though, according to Lewis, the word “fundamentalism” was “transferred to them” (meaning Muslims) from Protestants (Lewis 2003, 24), he still continues to use the word and not suggest a better replacement. However, one person who has suggested a much better replacement is Khaled Abou El Fadl, Islamic scholar and professor at UCLA. He is author of the book, ‘The Great Theft’, a book discussing the roots of terrorism. In the book, he says using the word, ‘fundamentalists’ is “clearly problematic” (Fadl 2005, 18).To explain why, he says, “All Islamic groups and organizations claim to adhere to the fundamentals of Islam”. (Fadl 2005, 18) Suggesting a more appropriate word, Fadl says that the word ‘puritans’ is better “because the distinguishing characteristic of this group is the absolutist and uncompromising nature of its beliefs. “ (Fadl 2005, 18) He goes on to present reasons why other words (e.g. extremism) describing groups such as the Taliban, etc., are not appropriate and goes on to say, “the groups I am discussing in this book are not always, and on every issue fanatical, radical, or extremist, but they are always puritanical “ (Fadl 2005, 19).
In the beginning of the book, Lewis gives the impression that Islam is a violent faith, particularly focusing on modern examples of violence that have been perpetrated against Westerners or Western interests. Later, however, he presents points that go against that viewpoint. Still, the book seems to be slanted toward an unfavorable appraisal of Islam.
Lewis provides some basic information about Islam as a faith, but he emphasizes how Muslims have historically practiced their religion with a combination of ideology and politics. One of the ways he implies that Islam has a tendency toward violence is through using the example of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, which is concerned, among other things, with “the international position of Islam and of Muslims” (Lewis 2003, 15). He makes it clear that this organization “does not look into human rights abuses and other domestic problems of member states” (Lewis 2003, 16) other than issues surrounding Palestine or other areas Muslims that are not being ruled by other Muslims. This seems to be a not so subtle way of implying that Islam as a faith is unjust and condones violence, implying that only the West and Christianity are concerned with justice and human rights.
Another way Lewis attempts to prove that Islam as a faith is at fault for recent violence in the Middle East is by using jihad as an example. Although he acknowledges the basic moral meaning of jihad as striving for the path of God, he puts more emphasis on the places in the Qur’an where jihad seems to imply an armed struggle. As an example, Lewis quotes an hadith regarding “holy war” (Lewis 2003, 32). This seems to suggest that, for Lewis, the ultimate meaning of jihad is to justify violent acts based upon the faith.
Later in the book, however, Lewis defends the Islamic faith against charges of terrorism. Regarding the attacks of September 11, 2001, he says clearly that they had “no justification in Islamic doctrine or law and no precedent in Islamic history” (Lewis 2003, 154). He goes on to say that those acts have been considered blasphemy by other Muslims because they were done in the name of the Islamic faith.
Finally, from an anthropological perspective, the book exhibits some ethnocentricity. An example is his claim that one of the benefits of colonial rule in the Middle East was “the considerable reduction though not elimination of polygamy” (Lewis 2003, 57). Lewis neglects to consider that having more than one spouse has had and continues to have positive social functions in different societies around the world. In Islam, polygyny (having more than one wife) is allowed with some restrictions because historically men were sometimes killed in wars and women needed protectors. While it is true that Muslim women today may sometimes be critical of polygamy that is not an issue for the West (or more specifically, non-Muslims) to decide.
In summary, I did not find this book to be as informative or as balanced as I had hoped it would be. In my view, there are better books on the market about Islam written for the general public. Here, Lewis seems to have exploited his qualifications to create a book that would vastly appeal to the non-Muslim uninformed public while not doing much to increase the bridge of acceptance we so desperately need in this world.
Work Cited
El Fadl, Khaled Abou. 2005. The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists. New York.
HarperCollins Publishers.

Pakistan news

I am not sure if Obama is walking the talk regarding his desire for peace with the Muslim world. Check this one out.
anthrogeek10

http://mwcnews.net/content/view/31288/26/

archeology showing

I am in there...to the right of the girls in the red shirt. Gastly me. lol

anthrogeek10

The National Enquirer

If I can tell The National Enquirer ONE THING it would be STOP RUINING OTHER PEOPLES LIVES FOR MONEY!! Its true that celebs have been defamed by this trashy "magazine" but the one I am about to describe to you is the last straw for me personally. I am all in favor of free speech bullshit but there needs to be boundaries. Ok, here is what I am talking about...

I was in line at Publix. I was buying dinner items (shrimp, ect) and I glanced at the NE magazine and on the cover, Obama is there and the caption reads something like this (not exact): Obama in Secret Meetings with Muslims: conspiring with the enemy!

How the hell does that advance understanding and peace??? How?? It doesn't. Obviously. I am so angry....sigh.....

If I was a hijabi wearing woman, I would be scared for my life.
anthrogeek10

Daddy's little girl?

I have to discuss this because I am very upset about this situation. I have had lots of experiences with Pakistani's in particular and with some Indians and the thing to do for women is to get a nose ring. I have been wanting one forever so heck..I grabbed the bull by the horns and did it last weekend! I love it and I don't regret it. I sent an email to my Dad and he sure had some unfriendly comments to tell me. I have given up pleasing my dad because I know I never can. I need to please Tiffany. here is what he wrote...let me know what you think...

"As for the nose piercing, promise you'll refrain from wearing a nose ring when you come to see us. I'm not a fan of body piercing, as it seems too primitive. I don't wish to tell S*****e (his wife)* that you did this, nor even ask her how she feels about the practice; but, if I did, I doubt she would give me a thumbs up, considering she doesn't even have pierced ears. Nearly 40 going on 15. Ha, ha."

I was NOT asking for your APPROVAL DAD! I did it because I wanted to. Plus, the word PRIMITIVE is offensive to anthropologists! So there. lol

anthrogeek10

Hijab

Today I have a bunch of things to do while hubby is working. I have to read two chapters in my archaeology book and do the chapter summaries of them. Easy enough. I need to do a little cleaning of the apt and run some Sea World tickets over to a friend.

Anyhow, I have been thinking of wearing hijab. I think that would sealing the deal regarding my committment or lack thereof to Islam. I don't pray but I don't eat pork or dress immodestly. Once I do, particularly at school, I have to follow through.
What is my motivation? I want to be taken more seriously at school. I am a big believer that modesty is a way to do that. I just don't know if I am doing it for the right reasons.

I will say that my husband is NOT Muslim and never will be and may scoff at this choice. I mean, he won't fight me on it but...he won't be super supportive.
anthrogeek10

Hodgepodge

My vacation will be quite short but I am also looking forward to it. My husband, my sister and her family and me of course will be going to Largo and it is 10 minutes away from the ocean...sweet.

I started my new job yesterday and they gave all of the trainees about 3 pounds of shrimp each. That is awsome! They took us out for a nice lunch too. The new job will start for me next weekend, as this weekend I will be away. I do have to drive around with her tomorrow to meet store managers of the places I will be working.

I have an archaeology class starting next week as well. I am looking forward to having more structure in my life again. Seems the more I have going on, the more I accomplish. I don't know why that is.

I am still fiddling with the schedule for next year. I theoretically have 3 semesters left. Time will tell regarding that because I applied for an internship with the US State Dept. I may want to get into diplomacy/government service as a career. If I get the internship, I will NOT do Honors in the Major. If I don't, I will do the HIM program (I should get accepted).

Just some hodgepodge stuff to talk about.

anthrogeek10

schedule

Summer 09
Introduction to Archaeology online-nice easy class to knock out.

Here is my schedule for fall 09. I think this is basically a set deal.

ANT 3145 - ARCHAEOLOGY COMPLEX SOCIETIES
ANT 3312 - ETHNOLOGY OF N.AMERN INDIANS (online)
ANT 4702 - CULTURE, POWER AND DEVELOPMENT
ARA 1120C - ELE ARABIC LANGUAGE & CIV I
ANT 3640-Language and Culture


Spring 10-subject to change I tell ya! LOL Looks like I will have fun in the spring! I say that will all sincerity. :-) Oh...I may need to drop Human Origins to do research for my senior thesis. We shall see. I will of course need to move that class to another semester.

Actually, the spring one is up in the air at this point.

ANT 4034 - HISTORY ANTHRO THOUGHT
ANT 4586 - HUMAN ORIGINS
ARA 1121C - ELE ARABIC LANGUAGE & CIV II
REL 2300 - WORLD RELIGIONS

rice pilaf

Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups basmati-style long grain rice
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh rosemary

Directions
Melt the butter with the shallot in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Season with the salt and pepper and cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir until coated with the butter. Increase the heat to medium-high. Let the rice cook until toasted, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes more.

Stir in the broth, bay leaf, and rosemary. Bring to a simmer over low heat, cover, and cook until all the broth has been absorbed by the rice and the rice is tender, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let set for 5 minutes. Discard the rosemary and bay leaf. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Copyright (c) 2004 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved.

Not my invention but it sure was a hit at my house!!

bits and pieces of life

I have not written in my blog for quite some time. I wish I could make time for it more during the school session but it is virtually impossible. Last semester, I had good intentions and worked very hard but not all my dreams became a reality. Some due to my decisions and much due to outside forces closing in on me. Bottom line is that I dropped the Modern Middle East, got a disappointing B- in Islam and its Empires and two A’s in anthropology courses. All in all, I hope I still earned a scholarship or two. I am disappointed in myself but I suspect I can recover from a B-. Problem lies in the fact that I will have to earn A’s in everything from now on. I am thinking positive here. 
Lately, I have been doing some thinking about future career choices so I can carefully map out my future education regarding grad school. I have been thinking of being a professor of anthropology but that would basically require me to “go all the way” regarding my schooling (PhD). I am not sure if that is what I want yet. I have also been pondering looking into being a US diplomat to a Muslim country. Maybe that would be a life that should be played out in the comic books instead of in reality! LOL I need career guidance. I avoided seeing my advisor and just chose classes for next year. I have the idea that I know best. Maybe not.
I subbed today at a “high needs” school. The kids are generally good but are kids who are disadvantaged from an economic and familial standpoint. It went ok. Today was interesting. As the day progressed the attendance dropped significantly in each class. I guess the word was spread that a sub was in biology class! You may also find it interesting to note that those who showed up did the work. I am still getting paid the same for subbing as I did 3 years ago. I am frustrated by that for obvious reasons. After school (yes, I am still here writing this on paper because I need to clear my thoughts) I will grocery shop with my phantom money. I am tired of having no money. My credit cards are virtually maxed (I have two with relatively small limits). I will pay them off in the fall with my financial aid. I just feel guilty about using them in this economy.
On the home front, hubby and I have been spending lots of time together after work. It helps our marriage tremendously. Tonight, I will get ready and bake a pizza for dinner. We are going to Jacksonville for mother’s day. I am cooking for my MIL! I hope the car makes it. Insh’Allah it will.

Growth

I never thought someone could grow while earning their bachelors degree but I must say, I have. Particularly at UCF. I have learned so much more about the world around me and I am looking forward to moving along to the next phase of this process. Many times, I put so much emphasis on *finishing*, I do not enjoy the process. I had my snakes vet tell me once..."Enjoy the process...don't live completely for what is to come..". I tend to forget these words alot; more than I should.

Speaking of growth, I need to go and plow through the Abassid Empire stuff not to mention the Ottomans and Safavids. lol

anthrogeek10 who wants this semester to end. Less than one week to learn the ups and downs of the 600 year Ottoman Empire...

Black Chick in Saudi!

I cannot get into your blog! I thought you added me. :-)

anthrogeek10

School update

Its not really an update but a feeling about this whole situation with school. I feel like I bloody hell want to quit! I really feel like I should just quit. I am do down on myself these days.
anthrogeek in limbo

School schedule

I have my official school schedule down for the next two semesters. I am still deciding (I will need help from my advisor making the decision) about being Honors in the Major. I will need more funding to make this happen. For sure. That would mean adding a class to my already full load for two semesters to do research and a thesis. I will have to see....

Well, here is my schedule from Summer 09-Spring 2010

Summer 09-Introduction to Archaeology

Fall 09-
Archaeology of Complex Societies
Ethnography of American Indians
Arabic (totally baby arabic! lol)
Culture, Power and Development
Language and Culture.

Spring 2010-
History of Anthropological Thought
Human Origins
Arabic (second baby arabic...lol)
World Religions.
Research my thesis topic (converts to Islam and identity)


Summer 10
I hope to squeeze some course in the summer OR write my thesis (if thats my choosing) this time

Fall 2010 St this point, this is so NOT set but this is tentative)

Politics of the Middle East
Arabic (3rd baby arabic...lol)
Islamic Thought and Culture
Modern Middle East (maybe summer IF online)This is the encore class. I dropped it this semester.
Moses, Jesus and Mohammed


Taking this minor is a good thing but has really set me back more than I needed to be. I feel a bit down on myself now....I need to give myself a break...

anthrogeek10

Oh...grad date is ideally Dec 2010 yippie.

Finally quit

I have finally quit smoking with the miracle drug Chantix. I love this stuff. Blocks the receptors in the brain that tell ya to smoke! I am kinda depressed today for whatever reason but whatever...it's my first day as a non-smoker (once again but this time it is duable).


Other than that, school is a struggle...I am signed up for arabic in the fall. I also have 4 anthropology classes I am registered for. I want to graduate Dec of 2010. I need to be over with it. It will be a rough year and a half folks...
lol
anthrogeek10

The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror book review

Review Author: Tiffany C. George
Lewis, Bernard. The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy terror. New York: Random House Publishing Group. 2003. 190 pgs.

Bernard Lewis has had a sixty-year career writing about Middle East history and current events. In this book, he focuses on the grievances the Islamic world has against the West and why some Muslims have turned to violence. Here, he writes for the general public in a somewhat informal writing style, and he provides background information and maps to situate his discussion. The book is arranged topically with an introduction and a forward. Additionally, he draws on historical references to illustrate his points.
In the beginning of the book, Lewis gives the impression that Islam is a violent faith, particularly focusing on modern examples of violence that has been perpetrated against Westerners or Western interests. Later, however, he presents points that go against that viewpoint. Still, the book seems to be slanted toward an unfavorable appraisal of Islam.
Lewis provides some basic information about Islam as a faith, but he emphasizes how Muslims have historically practiced their religion with a combination of ideology and politics. One of the ways he implies that Islam has a tendency toward violence is through using the example of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, which is concerned, among other things, with “the international position of Islam and of Muslims” (15). He makes it clear that this organization”does not look into human rights abuses and other domestic problems of member states” (16) other than issues surrounding Palestine (for example). This seems to be a not so subtle way of implying that Islam as a faith is unjust and condones violence, implying that only the West and Christianity are concerned with justice and human rights.
Another way Lewis attempts to prove that Islam as a faith is at fault for recent violence in the Middle East is by using jihad as an example. Although he acknowledges the basic moral meaning of jihad as striving for the path of God, he puts more emphasis on the places in the Qur’an where jihad seems to imply an armed struggle. This seems to suggest that, for Lewis, the ultimate meaning of jihad is to justify violent acts based upon the faith.
Later in the book, however, Lewis defends the Islamic faith against charges of terrorism. Regarding the attacks of September 11, 2001, he says clearly that they had “no justification in Islamic doctrine or law and no precedent in Islamic history” (154). He goes on to say that those acts have been considered blasphemy by other Muslims because they were done in the name of the Islamic faith.
Finally, from an anthropological perspective, the book exhibits some ethnocentricity. An example is his claim that one of the benefits of colonial rule in the Middle East was “the considerable reduction though not elimination of polygamy” (57). Lewis neglects to consider that having more than one spouse has had and continues to have positive social functions in different societies around the world. In Islam, polygyny (having more than one wife) is allowed with some restrictions because historically men were sometimes killed in wars and women needed protectors. While it is true that Muslim women today may sometimes be critical of polygamy that is not an issue for the West (or non-Muslims) to decide.
In summary, I did not find this book to be as informative or as balanced as I had hoped it would be. In my view, there are better books on the market about Islam written for the general public.

update

I may not have many readers but this is just for me. I have been having a rough semester for a variety of reasons and I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown today about what I have to do this week for school. My course, Islam and its Empires is interesting when the topic of Islam is on the table but the empire part is somewhat dull. lol I am not into wars and expansion all that much. I am into culture, language and modernity. :-) Anyhow, I had to read a book and do a book review on the book by Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, Holy War and Holy Terror. I find parts ethnocentric. maybe I will post my review later on.

President's Honor Roll

I am now offically on the UCF President's Honor Roll. Cool. :)

School update

Ok, I dropped The Modern Middle East. Working and all that entails in addition to my other 3 classes are enough. I beat myself up about it at first but I have since moved on!

anthrogeek10

ethnography opportunity

Ok folks. I have an amazing anthopological project to work on. i hope it will come to furition! Here is a synopsis. I hope to interview some people from the alcohol prohibition era.I blocked out the names of my collegues.



Oakland Historical Archaeology Project Profile

Director: Professor , M.A., Valencia Community College
Ph.D. Student, Department of Anthropology, University of Florida


Associates and volunteers: (UCF), (UCF), Tiffany George-Toole (UCF),
Archaeological excavations at the Chambless-Hull House (8OR9836)
Cemetery Recording and Mapping at the Old Oakland African American Cemetery (8OR9567)
Recording Oakland’s oral history through ethnographic interviews
Curate artifacts at and develop a cultural history display for the new Oakland Nature Preserve facility.
Educational outreach by teaching local school children about archaeology and the town’s cultural history
Old Oakland Hotel site-fieldwork TBA (pending).

Project Scope:

The project primarily focused on Archaeological Excavations in 2007-2008 at a homesite associated with one of the town’s pioneering families. Artifact analysis is continuing.

Artifacts that were among the most interesting recovered include a cross-amendable assemblage of ceramic kitchenware, a very high proportion of medicinal and hygienic related bottles, a high proportion of alcoholic related vessels, and metal tools.

Major Research Objectives:

1. Investigate aspects and events in Oakland’s cultural history absent from the written record.

2. Examine the artifacts and oral accounts to reconstruct the cultural history of historic Oakland by
looking at socioeconomic status, exchange networks, consumer choice, foodways, health,
self-medication, leisure, work and ethnicity.

3. Understand how the residents reacted to and interacted with early 20th Century American issues
such as the Pandemic Flu of 1918-1919, Prohibition to Alcohol and the Great Depression.

4. Promote public awareness of historical resources to all ages through educational
outreach.

5 Develop a cultural history display for the Lake Apopka basin for the new environmental education center of the Oakland Nature Preserve.

6. Publish and present our research to the Florida state master file, the Florida Anthropologist and various academic conferences.

Obama

I have done some research and have made a decision that I do not support Obama's foreign policy. To support his foreign policy!(too late now of course!!) would mean supporting the propaganda surrounding the Middle East coverage in the Gaza strip. I am sickened by what has happened.

Link to a useful website

Confused about the Arab-Israeli conflict? Here is a great link to the truth of the matter!

Americans should be ashamed!
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

Pics when I was in Bahrain

Here are a couple pics of me in Bahrain! the Arad Fort was so neat!

Classes update

Today, I finally, after mucho anticipation, I must say, my last two classes were held. All I can say is WOW!
Islam and it's Empires
The Modern Middle East.

Same professor, similar formats and lots of work. :) Now, the professor is from Turkey and he is appears quite detached from the students and at the same time, he is VERY ENGAGED! Is that possible? I think so. Maybe he does not want to get too personal, which is fine. I am paying him to teach after all. lol

His style of teaching is to engage us, challenge us and make us hate reading as a pleasureable activity. Kidding about the later one. :) I do however, have high hopes for both classes. He warned us if we do not want to speak in front of a group, be engaged, debate, and THINK, the class is not for us. Well, I want all those things and thus, I am sticking around.

Time to read now....for real!
salaams!
anthrogeek10

School starts today!

I have Nutritional Anthropology tonight. I am looking forward to it. I will post on all my classes once they are held!

Curry fish

Here is a photo of curry fish I made for dinner one night. It was awesome! You can use any white fish or even shrimp. Give it a go! Need the recipe? Just ask. :)

Identity crisis?

Humans have so many ways to identify one another. Some of the labels are positive, some are quite negative. We put Homo sapiens in different boxes like race, religion and economic class. Some communities around the world are labeled as egalitarian (not us!). Those communities tend to have very little, if any status labels. I think those communities are interesting.

As a rule, we are labeled by our race, are we rich or poor?, educated or not?, etc.

Personally, I tend to be confused and have frequent identity crisis'. What I mean by that is I can related to both the East and the West. I have characteristics that mesh very well with the Muslim world. For example, I don't eat pork and have not for several years. I believe in the structure of a family/marriage (although "the family" can be left up to interpretation). I like wine and could be a wine connoisseur if I had the money. That does not mesh well with Islam. :)

In addition, I dress quite modestly for a Westerner, but think I would be able to be myself in hijab. I believe that a man can find eyes a turn on or hands. I dont wear shorts or a traditional bathing suit. My time in the middle east has affected me in alot of ways.

With regards to hijab, (I mean covering of the hair), I do not think I could do that long term. I would find that constricting. I do however respect the use of hijab for whomever who wants to wear it!! I want to make that clear.

I am also very independent and would have a very difficult time living in KSA for the long haul. I could do it for up to 2 years.

All that said, I feel somewhat out of place with all Westerners and feel out of place somewhat with a group all from the Mid East. Does any other Western women feel this way? I feel like the oddball! :)

anthrogeek10

Muslims detained in airport

This is absolutely DISGUSTING! I am really really mad about how obvious discrimination is being perpetrated at Muslims, with no justification whatsoever.
Of COURSE they were profiled. Here is the news link to a recent example.
http://www.wesh.com/news/18398038/detail.html

AirTran Passengers Cry Discrimination
Muslims Detained By Authorities
POSTED: 7:40 am EST January 2, 2009
UPDATED: 9:47 am EST January 2, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. -- An AirTran Airways flight bound for Orlando from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was delayed as 104 passengers deplaned because of a comment passengers said they overheard another passenger make.
Officials allowed 95 of those passengers to return to the plane, but detained nine others who are Muslim. The alleged comments raised security questions with passengers who in turn notified authorities.
Some of the nine passengers who were not allowed back on that flight said they feel they were profiled because of their religion. According to the Council on American Islamic Relations known as CAIR, the Muslims were also refused rebooking with the airline.

The nine passengers were cleared by federal authorities. AirTran Airways said all were offered full refunds and may fly with the airline again.