Today's class, from what I could observe after unfortunately coming in late, offered a very insightful view of fellow classmates. Things I never would have guessed about these people. Most if not all, that I can remember, appear to be such happy caring and warm people- experiences such as those really do make a person stronger. I never like to tell other people, let alone an entire class and a professor, about my personal problems/issues/bad memories... I don't even know how people can feel comfortable doing that!
It was also interesting to hear Jasmina speak- it brought back some painful memories for me. I dated a boy, who was born in India, for nearly 3 years. We had to hide our relationship from his parents because they hated the idea of a white daughter in law, they tried to keep my ex boyfriend under their control at all times, and surprisingly enough they allowed the younger sister more freedom. It ended disastrously, but I am in a much better time in my life currently. Hearing Jasmina talk about her father and mother was just too much a reminder of such a long drawn out, emotional time in my life... And that's about as personal as I will get.
As far as informants and things of that nature goes- my brother tried to get me to buy him and his buddies 4 tickets to see "Anti-Flag" because it would be "really coool and you could like document what we say and how we dance. O U could even tape us???" My brother and his friends are excited... But I will not be shelling out over 100 dollars for that!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Consent
I don't think I am going to have any problems with consent and for that reason I don't even know if I will give a form to the parents. The kids are 16 and do whatever they want to begin with. I will definitely tell my informants to tell their parents- if they want to, considering they don't talk to their parents that much anyway, but if the parents want more information I will absolutely provide them with a run down.
Yesterday I walked into my brother's room and the gang was hanging out. I just said a quick hello and asked them if they were ready for the "fun" to begin... Then I realized I sounded like an old fart and tried to sound a little more cool. I can't believe how time is going by so quick. Twenty one is extremely young and I am aware of this but I have a feeling that studying 16 year olds, especially ones who were similar to my friends at that age, is going to really let me know those years are done! ha! I am already imagining myself being a teacher in a few years, standing in front of a classroom making a joke referring to popular culture of the 1980s, the blank stares I am going to receive is really going to age me...
Speaking of which I was doing a little preparation the other day. I went back to my old town where I grew up and visited some of the old places I used to hang out. I listened to cds that I used to adore. AND I even chatted with a few old friends from back in the day. I am just trying to rev up some old feelings of rebellion and teenage angst so I don't feel so removed from my brother and his friends. I think it's working and it's making me also analyze how my life is going presently- which is pretty well :D
That's all for now.
Yesterday I walked into my brother's room and the gang was hanging out. I just said a quick hello and asked them if they were ready for the "fun" to begin... Then I realized I sounded like an old fart and tried to sound a little more cool. I can't believe how time is going by so quick. Twenty one is extremely young and I am aware of this but I have a feeling that studying 16 year olds, especially ones who were similar to my friends at that age, is going to really let me know those years are done! ha! I am already imagining myself being a teacher in a few years, standing in front of a classroom making a joke referring to popular culture of the 1980s, the blank stares I am going to receive is really going to age me...
Speaking of which I was doing a little preparation the other day. I went back to my old town where I grew up and visited some of the old places I used to hang out. I listened to cds that I used to adore. AND I even chatted with a few old friends from back in the day. I am just trying to rev up some old feelings of rebellion and teenage angst so I don't feel so removed from my brother and his friends. I think it's working and it's making me also analyze how my life is going presently- which is pretty well :D
That's all for now.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Ecstatic
It's been just short of a year since I have been feeling fully motivated and captivated by anthropology. Let me tell you, it feels good. This project is the first 'real', although I suppose not really 'real' (professional), field work I will be doing. I always have felt that I do my own unofficial field work just by observing certain people in work, school, or various other places. But now, I actually have informants and a Professor who wants to see results. I would love if this was my only class so I could put forth all of my effort and time into it.
When the topic was assigned, immediately my brain started going through the networking Rolodex in my mind. Who can I observe? Who do I know? How old are they? Are they reliable? At first I wanted to pick my younger sister. She is 12 years old, as of yesterday, and pretty introverted. She just started making friends and I think it would quite interesting to compare her with another girl who is more extroverted. But I find this to be too hard and awkward due to the fact that she is even shy around me. I don't think I would be able to get good results from her. I honestly cannot see her opening up to me at all, which is quite sad. I do try anyway though :(
Then I realized, Wow! My brother and his pod of friends would be absolutely perfect. Just recently, about 8-10 months ago he started becoming fully involved in the "Punk Rock Scene." His friends are all good kids at heart, but trouble makers. Another good thing about picking my brother is that because I have moved out recently we have started a new relationship; a much closer relationship. Probably that of more adult like communications where he has told me "You're my sister, ya know, I tell you shit and you tell me shit, I trust ya." Never heard that from him before! He is realizing I am more than just the "Big Sister" but definitely someone he can confide in.
As I said in class today, I was fully blown away by the words said by my brother's friend Steve "Wow someone cares about me." Which has motivated me even more to pick these 'outcast' kids who are screaming to be noticed and yet reject any kind of adult interest in them. I look forward, and truly can't wait, for this to begin!
When the topic was assigned, immediately my brain started going through the networking Rolodex in my mind. Who can I observe? Who do I know? How old are they? Are they reliable? At first I wanted to pick my younger sister. She is 12 years old, as of yesterday, and pretty introverted. She just started making friends and I think it would quite interesting to compare her with another girl who is more extroverted. But I find this to be too hard and awkward due to the fact that she is even shy around me. I don't think I would be able to get good results from her. I honestly cannot see her opening up to me at all, which is quite sad. I do try anyway though :(
Then I realized, Wow! My brother and his pod of friends would be absolutely perfect. Just recently, about 8-10 months ago he started becoming fully involved in the "Punk Rock Scene." His friends are all good kids at heart, but trouble makers. Another good thing about picking my brother is that because I have moved out recently we have started a new relationship; a much closer relationship. Probably that of more adult like communications where he has told me "You're my sister, ya know, I tell you shit and you tell me shit, I trust ya." Never heard that from him before! He is realizing I am more than just the "Big Sister" but definitely someone he can confide in.
As I said in class today, I was fully blown away by the words said by my brother's friend Steve "Wow someone cares about me." Which has motivated me even more to pick these 'outcast' kids who are screaming to be noticed and yet reject any kind of adult interest in them. I look forward, and truly can't wait, for this to begin!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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