Discoveries on Anthropology!

Part 1/3

Since I'm in the midst of revising for my final year papers. I just thought I'd blog a little on each of my modules: Anthro, Socio & Psych respectively and give emphasis on what fascinates me most. (I'm sorry if I'm a bore, I'm just trying to make studying a little fun here!) :D Whats really funny is, I started on my anthro workbook assignments long ago but I kept procrastinating with getting them done because I kept diverting my reading (though its in the same context); every time I found something interesting to read! haha. Truth be told, its the stuff that fascinates us that will help us write future essays in the end! :D How can anyone not love psych? though personally, it drives me crazy :P

#1 I love the whole idea that race does not exist. We are all Homo Sapien. Skin color, eye color, hair color are all simple environmental adaptations and are epiphenomenal, but genetically we are all the same! Race is a human construct to lump people into categories, but it does not exist! You cannot prove a race through DNA. Coolest fact on the planet yet at the same time, when we finally accept that race does not exist; it gets very frustrating become we now have to convince the rest of the world.

#2 Humans have walked this earth for 2.5 Million years for Homo Sapiens, but if you want to include our ancestors, we date back 4 Million years.

#3 Is Cultural Relativism even possible? Can you really see a culture on their own terms, without your own cultural biases? I think you can try your best but you will always carry something from your culture with you, which will make your work biased in some way. Big bummer! I guess there's a limit to how objective one can be.

#4 The only thing that can't be classified as a social construct is biological evolution!

#5 "survival of the fittest". Contrary to popular assumption, "fittest" does not mean the best in everything, or the meanest and strongest, or an improvement towards a higher goal. It means "best adapted to exploit a hitherto un-occupied niche to ensure survival of further generations"

To be continued.. :)

Reflecting on 2009; HELLO 2010!

I would say, 2009 has been a challenging year! Hoever, there will always be reasons for me to feel blessed nevertheless. I started on my venture with JCU and I got the course I wanted without even having to worry about financing it. I made a new bunch of buddies who never fail to give me a good laugh, My bonds grew stronger with regard to old friendships (its nice to know who your true friends are) and I met someone who is as angel like as he can possibly get; who's my best friend and who makes me the happiest person in the world (when he tries not to frustrate me; hehe I'm kidding!) :P

Life never goes as planned but sometimes the best things in the world happen when you least expect them to. Its awesome to have goals and know what you want to achieve, its great to have ideals and to aspire to find that better half. However, don't get so caught up with how life is supposed to end that you forget about actually living it :)

In the end, we do get what we deserve so maybe we should work to deserve the best there possibly is. I hope wars end, I hope prayers get answered, I hope talents get discovered, I hope love gets reciprocated, I hope dreams come true, I hope time heals all hearts, I hope we each meet someone who loves & appreciates us more then anything else in the world, I hope everyone has at least one friend that they can count on, I hope right always wins & I hope faith never dies.

I hope 2010 brings love, peace and joy to everyone on the planet.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D

P.s: Thank you to everyone in my life who has always been there for me! To those who have caught me when things got rough and comforted me when I was down in the dumps. To the ones that made me laugh when I was tearing up & the ones who'd scold me when I did something stupid.

To the ones who'd send me essay long text messages of encouragement & the ones that could tell me to my face that I mean something to them & they never want to lose me. Sometimes words help more than anyone can imagine. I love youuuu & I appreciate you & I'm so blessed to have all you guys in my life! :)

Sometimes the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see.

Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
I see the passion in your eyes
Sometimes it's all a big surprise
'Cause there was a time when all I did was wish
You'd tell me this was love
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned
But somehow it's enough

And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

All of the nights you came to me
When some silly girl had set you free
You wondered how you'd make it through
I wondered what was wrong with you

'Cause how could you give your love to someone else
And share your dreams with me
Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see

And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

Sometimes the very thing you're looking for
Is the one thing you can't see

Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

You went and saved the best for last

Funny how

Mummy says: View reality from a distance
Aunt says: Emphasis on the giver, rather than the gift
I say: I fall for ''the spark I see'' in each individual.
*The whole is not just a sum of parts*
Ash says: God saves the best for last

I have complete faith in you.. Faith & Doubt don't go together now, do they? :)

This is what I want.

Despite the fact you haven't walked in my life, Despite the fact I haven't met you yet; I can honestly say I'm hopelessly hooked. I'm in love with love itself. During each stage of our lives, the characteristics that we look for in our better half change. At this moment, I don't want a guy who's physically attractive, wealthy or intellectual. These characteristics play a part but the funny thing is; I just want a best friend.

I don't want the high end life, the fancy restaurants, car rides, the presents, flowers or even the chocolate! Yes, I don't even want my happy drug! I just want company. I would give it all up to dwell in company. I used to think I had ''standards'' but come on; I find myself pathetic at the this point :D

I want a guy who I can see myself with 10 years, 20 years, 30 years down the road. I want someone who enjoys the simple pleasures life offers. I want someone who'll say ''screw the world! this is who I am and I'm not going to try and fit in!'', I want someone who isn't afraid of being himself, I want someone who's decisive. I want someone who'll tell me the truth, even if it hurts. I want someone who's worth my tears yet never gives me one reason to cry. This is my ideal.

Any guy who makes the cut to a best friend, makes the cut to be a potential boyfriend/life partner. Its not the time frame of how long you've known one another. Its quality over quantity. Maybe its strange that I'm thinking over the oceans at this point of time; being only 20! but the emotional aspect of love is what makes you fall in love with the physical as well.

Right off your head, if you were in trouble.. if you were down in the dumps.. if you could only call one person.. who would you call? Your best friend? or your boyfriend/girlfriend? Shouldn't they be the same person?

I've never been in a relationship so I probably know nuts but I do know, one fine day I'm going to meet my match who'll be as flawed and as imperfect as I am yet we find perfection in all our little imperfections. Relationships are not supposed to feel like a chore.. but each one prepares you for the ultimate one and for all you single people out there; The BEST is yet to be. Love like there's no tomorrow and then, as hard as it is, let go.

Psych Updates for JCU Psych Undergrads!

I found this pretty cool site that would be great for some of you guys who might want to practice on multiple choice questions for that upcoming mid term and exams! Knock yourself out :)

http://www.alleydog.com/psychology-quizzes.php

06/12/09

Attention: Fellow Psych mates taking PY1101 & PY1102

I'm not sure if all you you guys are aware that we can now gain access to 'My Psych Lab' after I bugged Dr Richard for over a month :P The course ID is on his web page at:

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/UXEVU5Y2HIRNPJUSQDEKBPANAQ

You'll also need your access code which can be found attached to the Psychology Textbook (the one we use for PY1101 & PY1102)

Feel free to PM me if you guys need help with anything :)

All the best for the mid term's! ^^

PS: pls ignore this if you already managed to gain access :)

CC: Facebook

A new slate

I am hopelessly in love with my IPhone! I never liked the idea of a touch screen phone and I always thought I'd never get the hang of it but this is awesomeness! I guess I could regard this as my 21st Birthday present to self since I'm not celebrating the event - Thanks Chris; I probably wouldn't have gotten one without you (:

My purpose in life is to give every ounce of myself to the world. It's not about what you get back. Its about what you give. A lot of the time.. we end up bleeding but the whole idea is not to dwell in the gift; its to dwell in the giver. Things will happen when the time is right and in the end, we get what we deserve.

Every second, someone in this world dies and people around cry. Every second, a new life is born and people smile. Every second, someone throws their own life away. Every second, another is in a battle with death to live.

The whole concept about living each day as if it were your last.. what would you change? what would you do differently? Even when I knew this was coming.. I would have still loved you; Even when I knew it would hurt this bad, I would have still loved you. At the same time, I know this is everything but how love is supposed to be and I find my comfort looking at this world differently and realizing its a blessing to breathe and knowing.. he's coming (:

Love illusion and reality

I've always liked Rolheiser's articles. He's the reason why I flip through the catholic news every week :) I grew out of religion a long time ago. I love how I'm able to see things from an objective point of view and make connections; boy did that enlighten me a fair bit! Growing up in an Anglican background (even though I'm not one) ever since kindergarten; all the way through high school; was a pretty cool experience. It just.. helped me get through.

I'm not someone who can actually do things for the sake of doing them and everything I do for myself or people around; I find it absolutely essential to feed the need of self satisfaction. I think, when you do something for someone; even when you expect nothing in return, its important to at least feel that sense of satisfaction and along with that; contentment and perhaps happiness!

In this article, Rolheiser talks about Love and the whole concept of love songs. I agree with the fact that most sad love songs in fact express frustration, betrayal, impossibility, jealousy, regret, separation and death. The frustration of loving someone who doesn't return those feelings, the heartache of longing for someone when the situation does not permit it, regrets, the pain of jealousy, the bitterness of being betrayed, the anguish of separation and finally; the death of someone before the love could be complete.

All these feelings and situations, speak of the sadness that comes from not being able to fully actualize love. One important aspect to remember is that.. anyone that we love on earth, no matter how awesome, good or wonderful he/she might be, they're not God and can never, all alone, be enough for us. No one can raise up to the one that dwells in our hearts.

When we are in the honeymoon stage of love with someone, we aren't so much in love with that person (though we think we are) as we are in love with love itself, with the experience of being in love, with what being in love is doing to us. - I relate to this so very well. I never thought it made sense until this very moment. We're in love with a wonderful, powerful, fiery energy inside of us. We're in love with an archetype.

When we first fall in love with someone; that person alone is sufficient to take away our restlessness and loneliness. It is enough just to be with him or her. Functionally, he or she is God for us. That's why obsession in love can be so paralyzing. I'm guessing its because God is non anthropomorphic, he isn't human and thus the need arises to fall for another human being; that we can relate to on the same level.

But always, even if both partners are faithful to one another, this feeling eventually disappears. No matter how good someone is, he or she is never enough for us. A certain necessary disillusionment sets in end, with it, a certain disappointment and sadness. We discover that we have married a human being. One who'll always be imperfect and flawed. One who is just.. not enough. We realize that what we've been looking for all our lives; in the bitterness, in the loneliness, is the one who has always been there in our hearts.

Our disillusionment is an invitation to move from being in love with an archetypal energy (with God as manifest in a human person) to actually loving and caring about a concrete, singular human being. Initially, this is felt as sadness and disappointment but its not an invitation to lowered stoic expectations. On this contrary, its an invitation to a deeper journey into that relationship, one within which without illusion, we will again see the other person as transfigured, as we first saw him or her on the honeymoon - as eternal, as Christlike, as enough.

Maybe..

We speak of the sky and the ocean as being blue in colour, but this is incorrect. Neither the sky nor the ocean are actually blue themselves. It is the vastness of space and the depth of the ocean that produces this illusion of blueness. If you take some seawater in your palm, you will see that it is actually colorless. Likewise, good and evil depend on our own thoughts and feelings. - A note from the Lord

I put so much of myself out there; by giving my all to people I care about only to come full circle and realize that I don't quite mean anything to them. I try so hard to make them happy. I try so hard to comply to everything they ask of me; I go a million miles but one way or another; I guess I'm never good enough. They just don't see me; its like I'm invisible. I suppose I need to start learning and quit draining myself emotionally ): I won't give up but maybe I need to love myself a little more. I dont deserve to be treated this way.

Funny..

seashells, seashells on the seashore (: