New Love? Old Love.

Since my last day of work (a week and a half ago), I've been enjoying a much-desired "vacation from my problems." Pajamas, movie marathons, lunch dates. But yesterday when I learned I didn't get a job I'd interviewed for last week (one that I was somewhat hoping for), I was reminded that the future - in which I enjoy satisfaction AND the means to support myself - requires me to get moving and figure out what it is I want to do.

So I started with what I know I like. You know, good old language and culture. And I spent a few hours thinking, and browsing, and researching. And then, my pulse started to race.

Cultural anthropology! Duh!!!

Anthropology was a subject my brother-in-law suggested to me recently. I thought, "Sure, why not" but I didn't really look into it. Until yesterday. And as I read more about the field it was like love at first sight. Here is a list of some subjects of interest to cultural anthropologists:

• law and conflict resolution
• technology
• gender relations
• ethnicity
• religion
• values
• etiquette
• worldview
• food
• language

Um, YEAH!!! I want to learn more about all of that! So that I can have more material to spin my ludicrous theories and talk people's ears off. Sign. me. up.

I find it amusing that my true passion was evident even in my write-up of career goals when I applied for the IDET program a year and a half ago:

"Throughout my life I have been fascinated by human diversity. I have resided in Southern California, Northern California, Pennsylvania, Utah, Montana, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Taiwan. I have studied Spanish, German, and Chinese. Through employment and volunteer service, I have had opportunities to teach students young and old and of many socioeconomic backgrounds. All these experiences and exposures have allowed me greater understanding of the role of language and cultural paradigms in filtering information...I would like to research and promote the more effective teaching of heterogenous student populations."

And did I mention, that I love sushi and Indian food and foreign films? I am like, sooooo culturally aware.

Ok I'm an ignorant pretentious snob, I know. ;) But anyway, I think it's funny how we can know ourselves, and yet struggle so to know how to realize our dreams. I'm grateful how moments of disappointment (I didn't get the job, and I'd better figure out what I want before I run out of money dangit) can provide the impetus for moments of discovery and thrill and satisfying re-direction. Certainly my future is still a big murky unknown*, but I think this field of study seems an alluring path.

*I don't know exactly how to go about incorporating anthropology into my current studies, but I'm working on contacting the U's anthro dept and...I'll figure something out.