Storytellin'

the final step in the decision making process

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:53:00 GMT

Acceptance or regret?...I'm still going back and forth on deciding on UTSA over Emory. I am 100% positive I'd be going through the same stage had I accepted the offer from Emory, but nonetheless, it sucks to be in doubt...Add to the mix that I was just recently on the SMU website, and they have a new faculty member as of this semester whose expertise is in the exact area in which I would like to do my own work! I'm comforting myself with the idea that she's a brand new PhD so probably would not have made the best advisor, since I never finished submitting the application for SMU even though I was strongly encouraged to do so, by both my thesis committee prof and the head of the Society for Med Anthro.

I'm actually really excited about my coursework and the job I found doing research at the VA. I just wish I could say the same about San Antonio itself. Oddly enough, I'm really missing having grocery store options...What I really want to know is how can one company, HEB, own ALL the grocery stores in town? Well, I think there's one Whole Foods and a few tiny ma-and-pa type marts, but EVERYTHING else is an HEB, HEB+, or Central Market(brand name HEB). I would have thought that for certain San Antonio would have a Fiesta!...I miss the Fiesta right down the road from me in Dallas...

Big envelope!! Big envelope!!

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:56:23 GMT

So I'm getting ready for tonight's hafla, and the dogs next door start barking which gets Cerberus to run for the window and start barking like he might actually be vicious...I notice the mailman has just walked away, so I step outside to check the mail.

In my mailbox is a large envelope from UTSA--my heart skips a beat. At this point, it is clear to me that I have been accepted to the PhD program, but the question still remains whether or not I was awarded the teaching fellowship...

And the answer is: Yes!!! I'll be starting at UTSA in the Fall, and as long as I work as a teaching assistant and maintain a 3.5 GPA, I'll have my tuition waived and a stipend for the next two years.

Austin/San Antonio here I come!!...well, in August...

Good times in San Antonio

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:30:46 GMT

So I spent most of last week in San Antonio at the Texas Public Health Association. I had a grand ol' time hanging out with the public health guys from Odessa that I met last year. And I also networked a bit with a couple of the injury prevention epi folk in Austin at the DSHS. We talked about collaborating on projects if I end up in Austin either for school or work.

I started getting really excited about the thought of going to school at UTSA and the opportunities being so close to Austin would provide, and being able to continue to nurture the professional relationships I've made while at the Texas conferences. I'm still unclear if I would live in Austin for work and commute to school, or just live in SA and work elsewhere.

On Wednesday and Thursday night I went out with my Odessa friends, and we even found places that I could picture myself hanging out at to read or drink a beer or whatever. Friday night I spent in Lockhart and had a lovely time with my friend Molly. And I started to think about the people I knew in Austin, and just the general culture there, and while Austin isn't necessarily my dream city, most everyone I know there are people I truly like and respect, and it would be nice to reconnect with some of them (Mike, Mary: I'll be visiting soon!)

So today around lunch time, I sent an e-mail to UTSA asking about when decisions may be made, and it bounced back as undeliverable, which was very frustrating. I tried calling the admissions specialist, but seeing as it was lunch time, there was no answer. I figured I'd try back in the afternoon...

Thirty minutes later I get an e-mail from the PhD advisor, and not only have I been accepted, but the Department has recommended that I receive a teaching fellowship!! I'll know for certain within two weeks whether or not I get it. Woohoo!! Looks like life may just work out for the best...

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:26:06 GMT

I'm always a little saddened whenever I hear of someone dying in some kind of freak accident. I like to think that there is a reason for someone's life to be cut short before they have a chance to get old and crotchety, but sometimes I just don't get it...

I just found out that the girl who died in the freak 18-wheeler accident yesterday was a girl I used to dance with in my first belly-dance troupe. The last time I saw her was around the time she had just turned 18, a couple of years ago. Ashley was one of the brightest teenagers I have ever met. Fun and free-spirited, yet at the same time very studious, ambitious, and passionate about making the world a better place for everyone. She had somewhat of a tough time growing up, but she made the best of it and was a very positive force in this world. It truly is a shame that her life here ended before it really had a chance to begin. She will be missed.

glad I'm moving...

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:31:11 GMT

My biggest fear with living in a somewhat ghetto-like area is someone messing with my dog.

After work yesterday, I went and grabbed some Thai food then afterward hopped in for a beer at the bar next to the restaurant. It was dark by the time I got home (around 9:00). I let Cerbie out, the way I always do, and piddled about the house for a few minutes while he did his thing.

When I let him back in, I realize that he has something in his mouth. Upon closer inspection, I realize that what he has in his mouth is a piece of fried chicken, and not just a bite but a whole breast. Ok, seeing as I've been a vegetarian for 17(!) years now, I can say for certain that piece of chicken did NOT come from my house, and I have no idea who the hell threw it in my yard, but it pisses me off! Not the fact that it was chicken, but now I don't know if someone was thinking they would be "nice" by giving my *overweight* dog some food or if someone was hoping he would choke on a bone or was trying to poison him or what, but no matter what, not cool!! Not cool that someone threw shit in my BACKyard, and not cool that my dog could have been hurt by it!

Thankfully, as far as I can tell, he did not eat any of it, but just had it in his mouth I guess to save for later. I don't think I'm going to miss this place...

Seriously?!?!

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:23:07 GMT

Ralph Nader announces he is entering the Presidential race

I have a lot of respect for what Nader has accomplished in his life, but come on now! When will the man get a clue?!?!

I guess I need to start wrapping my head around the idea of "President McCain"...ugh...2000 McCain I probably would have voted for, 2008 McCain I think is a total jerkoff.

I'm definitely heading in tomorrow morning to early vote for the primary, so I can for a moment pretend that my vote will actually count this year...sigh.

art supporters suck...

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:44:52 GMT

Last night was the Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition's first annual Bowl-a-thon www.dallasneedsthearts.com

The idea was to raise up enough money for the coalition to obtain a liquor license that can be used by any arts event so that they can serve alcohol cheaply and still abide by TABC's rules and regulations.

Various different art, dance, theatre, etc. organizations were represented, but apparently, the people there were the type to run the show but not actually be in the show. DACAC was trying to push everyone to be in costume and get creative, so out of 12 teams only 1 showed up in costume...yes, that's right: one, uno, ein...And then there was the one lone guy who painted his face white and had on some type of leotard.

"The Bowled and the Beautiful" played horribly but had a great time doing it (we probably hit 300 between all 7 of us)! We had several people come up to us and ask to take pictures with us, and at the end of the night, we were told that it was obvious our team was having the most fun. And since we were the only ones in costume, our team won the best costume prizes--dinner for two at Kathleen's Art Cafe!!!

Pictures to come...

V-day no-no

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:10:39 GMT

Reminder for years to come: Never again will I go by myself on Valentine's Day to a neighborhood bar where the clientele consists primarily of single males...

As some of you know, I am pretty much against all holidays where society/Hallmark dictates that I must buy people needless crap to show that I care. However, this Valentine's I was scheduled to hang out with my ex, only because on Sunday he had told me the best V-day gift for me would be a book light so I could read in any dimly lit bar I wanted--I could not have agreed with him more. Turns out he actually did pay attention from time to time, so we made plans for dinner.

Sadly, his mom had a massive stroke Wednesday night, so he spent most of Thursday up at the hospital. In the evening he needed a break so he called to meet up at the Winedale. About two sips in he was called saying his mom had taken a turn for the worse, so he headed back to the hospital and I stuck around to chat with my buddy Dan--big mistake!

Dan's the bartender there so he was having a fairly busy night getting people their drinks. That left me sitting at the end of the bar alone more often than night, and unfortunately, having your middle finger in a splint gives people an automatic conversation starter.

Long story short: The best pick-up line of the night goes to Danny, some drunk Californian touchy-feely type guy I'd never met before but reminded me a lot of the Bostonian touchy-feely type guy I spent New Year's with in Austin: "I want to couples skate with you...and then we could skate backwards...and then I'd get a boner."

Needless to say, after that all conversation was halted, and thankfully, Darren showed back up and we left for the Balcony Club.

The rest of the night didn't get much better, as I had to bitch out Darren's loser coke-head "friend". He was trying to say he knew what Darren was going through because he currently had a friend about to be tried for murder. Turns out that the person murdered was another "homeboy". You CANNOT compare a friend about to go to prison for murdering another friend to what it's like when you know your mother is on the verge of death and you'll never get the chance to speak to her again. Trust me on this one, I know all too well what I'm talking about here (unfortunately)...but thankfully, that was enough to get him to shut up the rest of the night!

Random updates: I've been meaning to write about the interview at Emory, but I didn't get around to it while there, and the following day I returned is when I tore the tendon in my finger...oh yeah, by the way, I tore the tendon in my finger while playing soccer which has made many aspects to life (including typing) very difficult...I'm on the waitlist for Emory, and I haven't heard back from any other schools. I will know for certain about all places by mid-April.

I've been reviewing the applications for the students interested in going to Guatemala this year, and it looks like we'll have a great group again!

I think Cerberus has been losing weight, which is good, and yet still getting enough nutrients now that I have him on the right kind of food. He is no longer trying to eat Hamish's poo, and he seems to be more active. He was actually back to galloping after squirrels the other day.

Oh, how the times have changed...

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:50:09 GMT

I'd say there was probably a day where I would have been impressed by someone telling me he got called by his boss to score some painkillers for Eddie Van Halen...those days have LONG since passed, and instead I actually feel a bit sad for the guys involved. As far as I'm concerned, unless your Eddie's licensed medical doctor, being the go-to guys for his drugs is not something to admit to with pride.

decisions, decisions...

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:49:46 GMT

I leave for Emory next Sunday, and I'm still waiting to hear back from the other schools. In the meantime, my boss is planning out a move to Austin...Truth be told, I'm the one doing the planning for him, but that's just how it goes with him. And since that's how it is, he's offering me some serious money to make the move with him. When he initially had the offer to move to Austin, he asked me to go with him and offered me a decent increase in salary. I told him I would go if I didn't get into grad school, but now that I've got the interview lined up it's looking more and more like I actually will make it to grad school...So he's made two more different salary offers, and the last one stands at an amount which equates to slightly more than a 50% raise, as long as I commit to stay in Austin for one year.

I feel honored by the offer but confused about the decision I have to make now. First, I have bizarre loyalty issues which is why I could never just quit a job and ended up on the payroll of at least 4 different places my last several years in Denton, and also working two jobs while trying to complete my thesis. That extra money would help me go a long way, but that means I would have to put off grad school for another year unless I get accepted to UTSA. Of the schools I have applied for, UTSA ranks least for preference. So if I get accepted to UTSA and another school, do I choose UTSA so that I could have a job and wouldn't have to take out anymore student loans? (No more student loans, and actually being able to keep paying off what I already have, is really tempting.) And if I get accepted to another school I want to go this year, there's no certainty that I would get accepted again the following year, especially if I already snubbed them once.

This all really doesn't matter until I actually get accepted by a school, but I like to have things thought out in advance. So much so that last night I even called my dad for advice. I can't even remember the last time that happened, or even if that's ever happened! Although in part I think I called him of all people because I wanted to hear what I knew he would say: To not sell myself short because the money is not worth the sacrifice.

I told my boss I would let him know by March...

It's official!

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:02:16 GMT

My official invitation from Emory came by FedEx this morning. It came in a fancy-shmancy portfolio with a bunch of info about Emory and Atlanta.

The three things that stood out to me the most:

1) Emory will pay up to $500 of my travel expenses when I go there for the interview, which is a total financial load off my shoulders (airfare is around $220).

2) "Lowest cost of living as compared to other urban centers such as New York, Boston, Baltimore, and Ann Arbor"

3) Atlanta average monthly temperatures: Spring, 64.8F; Summer, 79.6F; Fall, 65.4F; Winter, 47F

This is a place where I can live!!!

Woohoo!!

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:58:41 GMT

I heard back from my first school today!!! Emory has invited me for an interview, which is definitely a good sign--I'm still in the running! I head to Atlanta Feb 4th and 5th...more news to come.

Grad school updated update

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:48:30 GMT

All applications have been sent!!! I ended up applying to four schools:

Johns Hopkins (still missing one letter of recommendation)
Emory
UCSF (still missing one letter of recommendation)
UTSA

I decided that I wasn't going to waste my time with SMU, and if my boss is moving to Austin in the Fall, I would no longer have guaranteed work here so I might as well move to some place else now while I still can.

I should start hearing back by the end of the month...which is a bit nerve-racking actually, but better to hear back sooner rather than later, I guess.

I'm off to lunch, and I think I'll treat myself to a beer.

Grad school update

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 05:14:37 GMT

I just hit submit on my grad school application to Johns Hopkins!!! No turning back now...I'm kind of bummed that it took me so long to finally submit it, but I had a few minor setbacks and wanted to make sure my recommendations were in place before submitting.

I didn't think I would get a chance to submit to Emory, but I just looked and saw that their public health program accepts applications until January, and thinking about it, their PH program is more inline with what I want to do, so it all worked out so far.

Yikes, I'm drained from reworking my personal statement for the billionth time! I need a beer...

30...and 2 days

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:12:51 GMT

The almost week long of festivities has come to an end, and overall, it was a blast! Thanks to everyone's well-wishes, and to those who were able to make it out, especially with such short notice. It was good to see everyone, but especially the people I don't usually get to see that often or don't usually see outside the context of school (ahem: Stacie!).

The big day (Monday) was a great day, and I meant to write then but I got sidetracked away from my computer...Anyway, I have almost all of my grad school applications ready to go, just need to order my transcripts, and I finally wrote my essays, I just need to type them up! All applications, except for UT-Austin, should be going out by the end of the week...I also finally e-mailed the adviser in Austin, but I haven't heard back from him yet, which has the tendency to make me rather nervous...and I also didn't hear back from one of my old professors about writing me a recommendation, which I tend to take a bit more personally. I'm not entirely for certain what to do about this because I was kind of counting on her for the recommendation.

Another accomplishment from Monday: I finally wrote Richard...AND I even put the letter in the mail!...My next plan is to see about reconnecting with Roy. I had found his address about a year ago or so, but I moved soon thereafter and that's never good in terms of keeping random pieces of paper in order...actually, I've moved twice since then, so who knows where it ended up.

I heard from my family, including aunts and uncles in Peru, all except for my brother who is apparently still mad at me. There is a part of me that is dying to write him an e-mail telling him to grow up, use his big-boy words so that we can discuss what happened, and that he's pretty much a jackass for not contacting me in any way for my 30th b-day, but at the same time, I think it won't make much of a difference. It seems to me that he has wanted to find a reason to be mad at me for some time now, and now that he has it he won't give it up that readily, no matter that it's a weak reason that actually puts him in the wrong (if you ask me). My dad told me to just give my brother a hug, and he'll forget about it and we can move on with the facade that we actually have something in common besides genetic material. Darren told me to just call my brother up and tell him I love him no matter what may have happened between us through the years. Neither one of these ideas appeals to me in any sort of way...I, of course, like mine better...

I read WAY too much into things...

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:38:39 GMT

So today was the first day for us to be at Baylor. We basically got our IDs, parking, and computer access all set up. It was a busy and tiring day...

Right after getting our IDs, we head back to our "office" area, and this woman starts talking to the Trauma Director who is our main contact there. Come to find out that this woman is a medical anthropologist AND professor at SMU. I obviously had to talk to her...

She encouraged me to apply, and she also told me that there was a girl working with her at Baylor who was a student in the program so I could ask her about what she thinks of it all.

It seems like SMU keeps following me everywhere I go. I'm guessing I should go ahead and submit my application...they recruit students for both Fall and Spring, so I may apply for the Spring. If I get accepted, then maybe I will go just for a semester to see what it's all about...then move on.

Grad school application

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:36:03 GMT

So I started filling out my first graduate school applications tonight...And I'm sad to say I feel kind of dirty...It was to be expected since I was filling out the application for SMU, but I'm still saddened that this is the feeling I am starting with...

I had a huge list of schools that I thought I would enjoy attending, but when I really started thinking about it, very few of them were located in a city that I truly felt like I would enjoy to be in for more than just visiting--would love to go to Northwestern in Chicago, but seriously, winters in the negative degrees? Definitely not for me!

I've had to narrow it down to what I think I can realistically tolerate:
Emory
Johns Hopkins
and maybe UCSF or UC Berkeley (don't think I can do SF, but still have to check on weather in Berkeley)

I have to throw in a couple of Texas schools, since it's more likely, being a Texas resident and all, that I will get into a school here. Unfortunatley, there aren't many schools that offer a program in which I'm interested. UTSA has a multi-disciplinary Anthro program that mixes in some medical, UTAustin has an interdisciplinary Latin American studies program that I can fashion to include a health-related discipline, and I could probably make do with a public health degree from UT Houston, but the only true Medical Anthro program I can find in Texas is at SMU.

I decided I would apply to SMU first, to help me work on refining my personal statement for when I get to applying to Emory or Hopkins...I figure if I screw up my statement for SMU I don't really give a damn. I'd rather not stay in the Dallas area, and I'd DEFINITELY rather not go to SMU, but there are a few advantages to staying in the area and going to SMU (great job, cheap rent in a place with a yard for Cerbie, and I can get a great letter of recommendation from an SMU professor)...My biggest fear is that the only school that will accept me will be SMU, and I'm not sure to take that as a sign that I should get over my intolerance of SMU and the majority of its students or as a sign that maybe I'm not cut out for grad school...neither one is a thought I would like to entertain...but if I were to get into a couple of schools and SMU offered me a better package then I'd have no problem with keeping my snarky comments to a minimum...I think...

Etta James-dirty ol'grandma

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:36:00 GMT

Sunday night I went to the BB King, Al Green and Etta James concert at the Nokia. I went with a friend of mine, and we had a great time!! The place was packed with a uniquely diverse group. I couldn't quite figure out who was there for BBK, AG, EJ, or truly all three (I like BBKing alright, but I was really there just for Al and Etta).

I've seen Al Green before out at Six Flags about 8 years ago, so I pretty much knew what to expect there...man, he's still got it!

Etta James, however...I really didn't know what to expect, but I know for certain that a 70 year old grandmother humping a stool and repeatedly sliding her arthritic fingers around her crotch was not it. It was made even more bizarre when she was followed by Al Green, who spent half the show preaching about god and brotherly love...She can't quite get the high notes like she used to, but she still sounded good.

BB King was interesting...He pretty much just told a bunch of stories about growing up in segregated Mississippi, and how much he liked women but now he's too old to do anything about it. Sadly, a lot of people started leaving halfway through his set. I don't know if it wasn't what they were expecting or just because it was getting late on a Sunday night. My friend and I talked about it afterward, and we really liked the stories. It was like a history lesson as told by a living legend, but I guess if you were just wanting to hear him play guitar then I could see how you could be disappointed. Me personally, I am now more drawn to his music after hearing him talk about his experiences in life and motivation behind his music.

All in all, it was a night to remember.

Up Yours, Mr. Mambo Cafe doorman

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:09:44 GMT

I went to the grand opening of a new salsa joint in town. Overall, not a bad experience but I think the doorman needs a bit of schooling...

I guess you had to have tickets to get in, or something like that, and one of the band members playing that night sent a message via myspace asking who's coming so he could put names on the list at the door. So I responded and said I'd be there. When I get to the door, it is truly apparent that the door guy does not want to let me in. He looks me over with disgust, as I tell him that the band invited me, my favorite "you lose" smirk stretched proudly across my face.

Seriously, though, what the fuck?!? I was looking respectable enough to enter...I had showered earlier that day, even washed my hair, and reapplied deodorant and good-smelly stuff before leaving the house...I had on a nice tank top, with some lace crap on it no less. Come on, what says dressed up none other than lace crap on your shirt?!...I was wearing my good fitting jeans--you know the ones, the ones that are just the right length that I'm not constantly stepping on the back of my pant leg. And I was sporting my most sporting (read: only) pair of sandals. I even had my most sparkly of plastic jewelry on--I was dressed up to the nines as far as I'm concerned.

I almost said something to him then, but I figured I'd wait til I had had my fill of the inside in case he actually had some authority to end my night sooner than I would have liked. As I walk in, I'm greeted with the typical scene that I have come to expect at hoity-toit places in Dallas--girls wearing next to nothing, sipping on cosmos, and guys trying to look their hardest like they have more than shit for brains, wearing way too much cologne and flip-flops. I was well to assuming that it was going to be a short night anyway.

However, my spirits were lifted while I was waiting for my drink, and one of the guys behind the bar made some cheesy comment about me being "sizzling hot." Not that I seek cheap come-ons as a form to define my self-worth, but after my initial reception at the place, it was well needed so that I wouldn't discard the place entirely. As the night progressed, I felt much more at ease, after several of the band members came to say hi and ask me my opinion on how the stage looked, how they sounded, etc, then several other of the finer Latin musicians and dancers in the area also stopped to say hi, it was good to see me (it'd been quite a while for most), AND that I was looking good. Nice was when a couple of them realized that there was no chance in hell that they were getting laid that night (at least, not by me), they still stuck around, and we had a good time dancing.

On my way out, I was ready to make at least some snide remark to the doorguy, but he was all smiles and the police were there, so I lost some nerve...but, of course, the next time I go, which should be soon because my friends are going to start playing there every Thursday AND the place is only about 5 minutes from my house, I will just have to make sure to truly dress down quite a bit and teach this guy that it's not all about the cleavage!! I can't wait...

Goddess Bless NPR

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:24:41 GMT

After two months of not hearing the comforting voices of Carl Kasell, Ira Glass, Diane Rehm, etc., I have newfound respect for public radio...

As I've mentioned in a previous post, within an hour of returning to the States I had split up with my boyfriend, my truck wasn't working, and I was already entering culture shock. The next day as I was driving around in a rental, trying to process all that had happened in the past 24 hours, I turn on the radio and switch it to KERA. Over the airwaves the warm laughter of Click and Clack from Car Talk penetrates my fog and starts to soothe my soul. Listening to bad joke after bad joke, I begin to remember that no matter what, life will be alright. I started thinking a bit more clearly, and processing the boyfriend split part, and while there was no apparent nefarious reason to split, I did have one suspicion, that would be for the most part confirmed the next day (I won't go into it here so don't ask). Coincidentally, I got my truck back from the shop later that day, and thoughts were starting to brighten up. Thanks go to the Tappert brothers for helping ground me at a very emotional time!!

However, I was still suffering from culture shock! With a very short Honeymoon phase, I quickly slid into Hostility mode and have been rather judgmental and unpleasant for the past week. Last night I went to Denton to hang out with a few friends, and as I was driving back, good ol'NPR (actually, PRI) started to work its magic. Fair Game was on; a show that is fairly new to the KERA line-up and I wasn't sure what I thought of it before I left. I had only been halfway listening to the interview going on when it ended and an announcement came on:

(paraphrased because I can't find the transcript)

(female commercial announcer voice:)
"Men, if your partner really loves you, penis size doesn't matter...Men, if you don't currently have a partner, penis size doesn't matter...Men, if you think your self-worth depends solely on your penis size, then you have bigger problems to worry about than just penis size.

(male host in completely serious, deadpan voice:)
"Well...I guess I have bigger problems to worry about then."

This disembodied voice cracking a joke at the expense of his "manhood" on the air penetrated all my shields, and I could not stop laughing!! I looked around at the cars passing by trying to see if I could sense if anyone else on the road had just heard what I had. Yet again, public radio helped me to see that overall, things were right in the world.

Enter in the last and final stage of culture shock: Harmony. Thanks, NPR! Next pledge drive I'm donating more than usual. It's well worth it!!

I love my neighborhood

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:17:36 GMT

I live in what is for all intents and purposes a Latin ghetto. I won't mention how much I pay in rent for a duplex with a yard in Dallas, but suffice it to say that when I do say most people react with, "Carla, you need to move!" Then there is much freaking out for my safety, blahblahblah...Then I remind them I live with a 130 lb Rottweiler...Then there's a bit of calm...then a silent, "I guess that's alright then"...

Anyway, today I did laundry for the first time in the laundromat down the road from me. Up to this point, I had been going over to my boyfriend's place to do laundry. Now, said boyfriend is my ex, and while I think he may be cool with me still doing my laundry at his place, it is time to move on which means sucking it up and going to a f@*!#&g laundromat...I loathe laundromats.

Unfortunately, on my way to the place, I remembered that I had left my detergent and the like at my ex's before I left for Guate. Grumbling under my breath, I walked in to the laundromat to make sure I could buy the necessary supplies there. As soon as it was apparent that I was looking for something, a woman who had been mopping addressed me in Spanish, and we went through the whole transaction of me buying my soap in Spanish!

Then, while I was folding my clothes, there was a woman across the table from me who was also folding her clothes. As soon as she was done, she wrapped all her clothes in a plastic bag the size of a kitchen trash bag, tied it shut, and placed the bag on her head. She gathered up the rest of her belongings and walked out of the place.

I miss Guatemala...Enter in (re-entry) Culture Shock Phase 2: Hostility

Pictures from Guatemala

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:45:07 GMT

So since I kept forgetting to post pics while I was in Guatemala, here are just a couple that I really like:

La nariz del indio

My dream house. One picture taken from the boat, the other is a close-up

Having fun on a zipline

Re-entry

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:09:50 GMT

Coming back is always harder than leaving...this year in particular. I miss the lake, my friends there, and just the way of life that is in complete contrast to way things are here. Don't get me wrong; I think the States are great, but there's just something different about Latin America that is appealing to me. I hope that next year when I go I'll be able to spend a bit more time just hanging out and really spending more quality time getting to know all the towns and my friends there.

So I'm trying to re-acquaint myself with my life here, and I have visited a few of the regular haunts already. Last night, I hung out with siggichurchill and our friend John, which is always a good time. On my way home, I stopped by another bar for a last round of drinks. As is my nature, I ended up chatting with some guy there.

It was a great conversation that I think I needed to have. We talked a lot about marginilization and self-identity. He himself was born and raised in Dallas but of Mexican descent so we related well.

In class, we talk in some depth with the students about the role of an anthropologist in the community and remaining a marginal character. The question we pose to them is "Is it okay to remain marginal and can you accept it?" As an outsider, it is highly unlikely that you will be truly accepted by the community, no matter how long you may live there. (Granted, certain ex-pat communities in many places are rather different yet fascinating culture in and of themselves.) Anthropologists must be flexible and not take the marginalization personally...but at the same time, it's been said that by nature anthropologists are marginal people, even in their own community, which is a bit depressing really.

The guy last night says that he wants to re-connect with his ancestral cultural identity. The great thing about Dallas is that there is a whole lot going on at any given time, but he wasn't sure where to start. As fate has it, I do, so I gave him my number and told him to give me a call when he's ready, and I would gladly point him in the right direction. I hope he calls; it's always nice to have another friend with similar interests to go places.

Giving Thanks

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:56:33 GMT

There are three things that I am definitely thankful for today.

I am thankful that:
1) I am no larger than the size that I am
2) I am still really damn flexible
3) Latin Americans have the tendency to leave windows slightly open

Godmother Carla?

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:10:23 GMT

So I spent most of yesterday convincing myself I didn't have amoebas...and I'm still pretty sure I don't because other than feeling ridiculously hungover, I feel fine. Anyway, for dinner yesterday I went out for a good cup of soup because that was all I thought my stomach could handle. While I was out, I decided to stop by the bar where a friend works, figuring that I could maybe kill off any bugs in my belly with a cuba libre with the rotgut they try to pass off as rum around here. I had absolutely no intention of staying there very late, but thankfully when I finally crashed into bed at 7 this morning, all signs of sickness were gone. As it goes, I never seem to intend on staying out late that's just what ends up happening almost every time I step outside my apartment. Eh, sleep can be overrated...

At some point in the evening, I end up talking to the girlfriend of one of the waiters. I had met her last year toward the end of my stay, but I did not really have the opportunity to chat with her much back then. She lived in a different town about an hour or so away, so she only sometimes would come to hang out in Pana. Previously, I had learned from her boyfriend that she had moved in with him here in town back in October. Because of her work schedule, spending time with her boyfriend, etc., she has had troubles making good friends here. We exchanged e-mails, and basically agreed that we would be each other's good friend. Granted, at this point in time, I wasn't even really sure what her name was until she wrote it down with her e-mail, but eh, how important is a name really when it comes to degrees of friendship?

About half an hour later, she is telling me that she is trying to get pregnant, and if she is pregnant next year when I return, she would like for me to be the kid's godmother...uhm...How does one respond to something like this? Well, when it's 2 in the morning, and you're rather tipsy, you laugh, say you'd be honored, and thanks!

My issue here is that my understanding of the role of a godparent is of two potential extremes: 1) the biological parents live long healthy lives negating any role for the godparent or 2) both biological parents die some tragic untimely death and then godparent becomes an actual parent overnight! I'm cool with scenario #1, but I don't know how I feel about #2. Now, I am no stranger to cultural miscues, so I am unsure now if I have drunkenly committed myself to something I feel I should really think about before agreeing to, or if her offer was her just being nice in some weird cultural phenomena that I don't quite understand (or maybe she's just weird like that). I'm supposed to have dinner with her and her boyfriend on Wednesday, so maybe I can get a better sense then.

So today, and oddly enough for much of this trip, I have been thinking about whether or not I personally want children and how I would feel about taking care of someone else's child...I'll have to get back to you on if I ever make a decision on the matter.