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