Everyone who knows me has had to deal with my quasi-extreme hypochondria. I'm like the medical student who diagnoses himself with every disease he learns about, only I do it perpetually. In any case, either because my hypochondria causes a good amount of paranoia, or maybe I also am paranoid (I'd rather not have two neuroses, so I like to think my hypochondria kind of bleeds to affect other perceptions...), I have a tendency to come up with bizaare scenarios in my mind.
For example, my new paranoia is that my bungalow room (not necessarily the whole bungalow) in England will be haunted. My ghost encounter aside, I've always been terrified of the supernatural. My best friend growing up had parents who either loved ghosts, or loved to terrify me, because it seemed as though every time I went over they would be watching Poltergeist. Murderers, rapists, tax evaders--fine. Ghosts? I'm over the moon terrified.
And England, as Eddie Izzard so aptly put, is where the history comes from. Therefore, everything there is old. Including dorm buildings? They must be. Although that brings up another question, why do we assume that all ghosts are from the 1700/1800s? Can't there be new ghouls?
Either way, as long as I don't know for sure that the rooms are supposed to be haunted, I should be fine. My imagination will run wild, yes, but as long as my fear isn't confirmed, I should be able to sleep through the night in my room.
Alternately, it looks like they have some pretty comfortable couches in the library.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A Mission Statement... sort of.
I was lamenting to my mother the other day about my probable future as an academic. I think most people view academics as teachers who are pretty ineffectual in their field of study. And even if they do contribute to their field, what of it? Who reads their articles? Cynical and insulting? Yeah, it is. So lately I've been thinking about my career goals. And then I remembered that awhile back I actually wrote down my career goals.
Yes, that Personal Statement actually turned out to be more than just a complete pain in the patootie. And so here it is, not only so you know what I hope to do, but also to remind myself of why I'm doing what I'm doing. Or will be doing... in a month(ish)! aaaaaaaah!
I am applying to the Masters of Science in Evolutionary Anthropology program because I have always been fascinated with the theory of evolution. I have written research papers on animal cognition, animal self-awareness, animal altruism, and took a class titled Darwinism and Its Critics. In the class we discussed the development of Darwin’s theory, counter-theories and discoveries which substantiated evolution. In my Introduction to Physical Anthropology course we discussed adaptations to different environmental pressures which I was able to observe in India. My father is a professor of behavioral neuroscience, and we often discuss human behavior in relation to evolutionary pressures. In all of these ways, I have fostered an interest in the human body’s evolution, social and behavioral evolution, as well as the cultural, physical, and environmental pressures that caused it to evolve.
I want to pursue my Masters of Science at Durham University because it is one of the few universities I have found with a specific Evolutionary Anthropology degree and also the subdisciplines in the Evolutionary Anthropology program really appeal to me. Human behavior and evolutionary psychology as well as cultural evolution are the two subareas I am drawn to. Understanding how and why humans think and live the way they do is as crucial as understanding the lifestyle itself. I am very interested in the evolution of culture. It is easy to see how cultures are different, but much more interesting to discover why they have developed in that way. I think this understanding of “how” leads to better understanding of the culture. I like the program’s pairing of theoretical classes as well as classes that develop research skills. I want to continue to shore up my foundation in Anthropology as well as learn how to do productive research, so this pairing is ideal. Because of my various research papers, the option of taking courses in Primate and Human Behavior is very appealing, especially as it concerns the evolution of social behavior. In looking over the list of research projects currently active at the University, I see many that I am interested in aiding. I am excited to see the large number of projects which focus on social evolution. I would love to study the development of traditions and how they permeate society.
Well let's try to keep this in mind for the next year or so, shall we?
Yes, that Personal Statement actually turned out to be more than just a complete pain in the patootie. And so here it is, not only so you know what I hope to do, but also to remind myself of why I'm doing what I'm doing. Or will be doing... in a month(ish)! aaaaaaaah!
I am applying to the Masters of Science in Evolutionary Anthropology program because I have always been fascinated with the theory of evolution. I have written research papers on animal cognition, animal self-awareness, animal altruism, and took a class titled Darwinism and Its Critics. In the class we discussed the development of Darwin’s theory, counter-theories and discoveries which substantiated evolution. In my Introduction to Physical Anthropology course we discussed adaptations to different environmental pressures which I was able to observe in India. My father is a professor of behavioral neuroscience, and we often discuss human behavior in relation to evolutionary pressures. In all of these ways, I have fostered an interest in the human body’s evolution, social and behavioral evolution, as well as the cultural, physical, and environmental pressures that caused it to evolve.
I want to pursue my Masters of Science at Durham University because it is one of the few universities I have found with a specific Evolutionary Anthropology degree and also the subdisciplines in the Evolutionary Anthropology program really appeal to me. Human behavior and evolutionary psychology as well as cultural evolution are the two subareas I am drawn to. Understanding how and why humans think and live the way they do is as crucial as understanding the lifestyle itself. I am very interested in the evolution of culture. It is easy to see how cultures are different, but much more interesting to discover why they have developed in that way. I think this understanding of “how” leads to better understanding of the culture. I like the program’s pairing of theoretical classes as well as classes that develop research skills. I want to continue to shore up my foundation in Anthropology as well as learn how to do productive research, so this pairing is ideal. Because of my various research papers, the option of taking courses in Primate and Human Behavior is very appealing, especially as it concerns the evolution of social behavior. In looking over the list of research projects currently active at the University, I see many that I am interested in aiding. I am excited to see the large number of projects which focus on social evolution. I would love to study the development of traditions and how they permeate society.
Well let's try to keep this in mind for the next year or so, shall we?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Science and Sprituality
I've been thinking about the relationship between science and religion since high school. It's one of those things I've had to contemplate considering my Anthropology background as well as my very Christian upbringing. I didn't come to a completely satisfying reconciliation of the two until this summer. This summer, I went to Creation Fest (basically Woodstock for Christians) back in June. While there I was talking to my sister-in-law about my future plans, namely getting my Masters of Science in Evolutionary Anthropology. She said "Whoa, be careful of who you tell that to around here, there are definitely a lot of Creationists". To which I replied "Ok, that's fine, but I'm not going to be afraid to talk about my own beliefs." It's not that I don't believe in Creationism, I do. I do not think the two are mutually exclusive.
The Bible was written for a very specific group of people. It's full of bizarre laws and coded stories-- laws that helped them be sanitary when sanitation was not yet conceived of, laws that set them apart from other peoples so that they were able to create their own, specific culture. Laws that we no longer need. But those laws and stories were completely relevant for the people it was written for. Relevancy is my main point for why there is no mention of evolution in Genesis, at least not overtly. The Creation story is a Creation story, one in a long line of Creation stories that can be found in any culture. I do think it is true, but not literally. Why did God create the world in 7 days? Why not in just one? Why, since He's God, and we all know that his time is not constrained by ours, did He operate within the very human time of hours and days? He probably didn't. But how can someone who can't even comprehend running water and soap understand that God created the world over tens of thousands of years? Like you would to a child, God simplified things. If a person's basic understand of science is severely lacking, you simplify things. And anyway, it's not relevant. Why complicate things with an elaborate story of development and evolution when you can simplify it by saying "I created everything in this order". And yes, God did create everything in that order, but not that simply. Why must God fit into a cookie-cutter bedtime story instead of a much more elaborate and complex system that God set in motion?
Let me ask you: are you the same Christian today that you were when you were confirmed (substitute in any other sort of promise to God you made, or to your specific Diety)? I know I'm not. As a Christian, I've grown and developed. I've done Bible study, messed up, and been challenged throughout my life. I'd wager that most people change in different ways to deepen their faith throughout their life. Is God absent from this development? Or is He there to help you along the way and challenge you to cause you to grow? I think we all agree He does these things. Why is it so hard to believe that just as He helps us develop as Christians, He also directed our development as a species? I have no problem imagining a God who snapped His fingers, initiating the Big Bang, and then watched over the Earth, tweaking it here and there, helping it along the way, until we arrived on the planet. He still created everything, but in a much more complex way, beyond our complete comprehension, as it is with most of what God does. It's a little arrogant, I think, to think that you completely understand the creation of the Earth because God dumbed it down into just a simple story.
In the Dalai Lama's book The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality (from where I got my title), he says, "Given that my own intellectual training is in Buddhist thought, naturally I have often wondered about the interface of key Buddhist concepts and major scientific ideas...Having heard of my interest in science and my active engagement in dialogue with scientists, she warned me of the danger science poses to the survival of Buddhism. She told me that history attest to the face that science is the 'killer' of religion...By taking this personal journey into science, I suppose I have stuck my neck out. My confidence in veturing into science lies in my basic belief that as in science so in Buddhism, understanding the nature of reality is pursued by means of critical investigation: if scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims" (my emphasis). Science helps us to better understand the complexities of the Bible and read between the lines, not refute everything or even anything it contains.
God understands all, He can comprehend the infinite. We, however, cannot. I think we are slowly learning more about God by learning more about our universe through Science. God is not confined by the literal meaning of the stories in the Bible. And I guess that's the point.
The Bible was written for a very specific group of people. It's full of bizarre laws and coded stories-- laws that helped them be sanitary when sanitation was not yet conceived of, laws that set them apart from other peoples so that they were able to create their own, specific culture. Laws that we no longer need. But those laws and stories were completely relevant for the people it was written for. Relevancy is my main point for why there is no mention of evolution in Genesis, at least not overtly. The Creation story is a Creation story, one in a long line of Creation stories that can be found in any culture. I do think it is true, but not literally. Why did God create the world in 7 days? Why not in just one? Why, since He's God, and we all know that his time is not constrained by ours, did He operate within the very human time of hours and days? He probably didn't. But how can someone who can't even comprehend running water and soap understand that God created the world over tens of thousands of years? Like you would to a child, God simplified things. If a person's basic understand of science is severely lacking, you simplify things. And anyway, it's not relevant. Why complicate things with an elaborate story of development and evolution when you can simplify it by saying "I created everything in this order". And yes, God did create everything in that order, but not that simply. Why must God fit into a cookie-cutter bedtime story instead of a much more elaborate and complex system that God set in motion?
Let me ask you: are you the same Christian today that you were when you were confirmed (substitute in any other sort of promise to God you made, or to your specific Diety)? I know I'm not. As a Christian, I've grown and developed. I've done Bible study, messed up, and been challenged throughout my life. I'd wager that most people change in different ways to deepen their faith throughout their life. Is God absent from this development? Or is He there to help you along the way and challenge you to cause you to grow? I think we all agree He does these things. Why is it so hard to believe that just as He helps us develop as Christians, He also directed our development as a species? I have no problem imagining a God who snapped His fingers, initiating the Big Bang, and then watched over the Earth, tweaking it here and there, helping it along the way, until we arrived on the planet. He still created everything, but in a much more complex way, beyond our complete comprehension, as it is with most of what God does. It's a little arrogant, I think, to think that you completely understand the creation of the Earth because God dumbed it down into just a simple story.
In the Dalai Lama's book The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality (from where I got my title), he says, "Given that my own intellectual training is in Buddhist thought, naturally I have often wondered about the interface of key Buddhist concepts and major scientific ideas...Having heard of my interest in science and my active engagement in dialogue with scientists, she warned me of the danger science poses to the survival of Buddhism. She told me that history attest to the face that science is the 'killer' of religion...By taking this personal journey into science, I suppose I have stuck my neck out. My confidence in veturing into science lies in my basic belief that as in science so in Buddhism, understanding the nature of reality is pursued by means of critical investigation: if scientific analysis were conclusively to demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, then we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims" (my emphasis). Science helps us to better understand the complexities of the Bible and read between the lines, not refute everything or even anything it contains.
God understands all, He can comprehend the infinite. We, however, cannot. I think we are slowly learning more about God by learning more about our universe through Science. God is not confined by the literal meaning of the stories in the Bible. And I guess that's the point.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Summer Idleness
I should be busy, but I have this incredible ability to do absolutely nothing for days! I should be collecting things, getting ready for Creation Fest in late June. I should be compiling things that I need for England (like a visa). I should be picking up more shifts at Red Robin (though they schedule me nearly every day, so the thought of working more is pretty disgusting). Well, today's my day! Visa application completed! Final college transcripts sent! Tent and tent paraphernalia found! aaaaaaaand... well, I was scheduled to work today anyway, so that kind of counts!
Andy heard back from his recruiter. He'll be heading off to boot camp August 4th. It's great to finally have a date, but it's really late in the summer. So that means I'll get to see him off for boot camp, but I won't get to see him graduate, and he won't be able to see me off to England. Neither of us is sure what our schedules will be like starting in August, so there's a possibility that we won't see each other for 13 months. More than likely we'll get to see each other at least twice over the next year.... but who knows. I've been trying to come up with ideas on how to stay connected while we're apart. Since talking on the phone will be hard with our different schedules (not to mention time zones!), I thought it'd be nice to keep a journal for each other. Basically a compilation of letters, but in journal form. This way, not necessarily every night, but at least once a week, we take a concerted amount of time to spend thinking and talking to the other person. And then, of course, at the end of the year, we have this massive journal to give to the other person. Any other suggestions?
Yesterday I got a letter from Florida Atlantic University. They accepted me into their Anthropology department and wanted to give me a free ride and $4,000/year plus 9 credits to TA for an Intro to Anthropology course. I read the letter and immediately went, "FRICK!". Obviously I'm still really looking forward to going to Durham, and it's a better fit in terms of curriculum and focus, but I would've loved to TA, not to mention get a scholarship to help pay for grad school! Who knows, though, had I gotten both acceptances at the same time, I probably (most definitely) would've chosen Durham.
So the rest of my summer contains Creation Fest in late June, my cousin's wedding in mid-July, packing Andy off to boot in early August, vacationing in Maine in mid-August, and then off to England in September. Ooo! And I'm getting my hair cut in early September. I know it doesn't sound as exciting as everything else, but I really really hate my current haircut and I'm so totally pumped to do something new... something along the lines of:
but on a not-so-skinny brunette, erhm, currently redhead, obviously.
Andy heard back from his recruiter. He'll be heading off to boot camp August 4th. It's great to finally have a date, but it's really late in the summer. So that means I'll get to see him off for boot camp, but I won't get to see him graduate, and he won't be able to see me off to England. Neither of us is sure what our schedules will be like starting in August, so there's a possibility that we won't see each other for 13 months. More than likely we'll get to see each other at least twice over the next year.... but who knows. I've been trying to come up with ideas on how to stay connected while we're apart. Since talking on the phone will be hard with our different schedules (not to mention time zones!), I thought it'd be nice to keep a journal for each other. Basically a compilation of letters, but in journal form. This way, not necessarily every night, but at least once a week, we take a concerted amount of time to spend thinking and talking to the other person. And then, of course, at the end of the year, we have this massive journal to give to the other person. Any other suggestions?
Yesterday I got a letter from Florida Atlantic University. They accepted me into their Anthropology department and wanted to give me a free ride and $4,000/year plus 9 credits to TA for an Intro to Anthropology course. I read the letter and immediately went, "FRICK!". Obviously I'm still really looking forward to going to Durham, and it's a better fit in terms of curriculum and focus, but I would've loved to TA, not to mention get a scholarship to help pay for grad school! Who knows, though, had I gotten both acceptances at the same time, I probably (most definitely) would've chosen Durham.
So the rest of my summer contains Creation Fest in late June, my cousin's wedding in mid-July, packing Andy off to boot in early August, vacationing in Maine in mid-August, and then off to England in September. Ooo! And I'm getting my hair cut in early September. I know it doesn't sound as exciting as everything else, but I really really hate my current haircut and I'm so totally pumped to do something new... something along the lines of:
but on a not-so-skinny brunette, erhm, currently redhead, obviously.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
In the very very very beginning...
Last week I was accepted into Durham University's Masters of Science program in Evolutionary Anthropology. I'm absolutely thrilled at the prospect of studying abroad again. I get to spend an entire year (Oct-Sept) in England, studying evolutionary anthropology as it applies to social interactions and behavior. Sounds pretty perfect, huh? I found (or rather my father found!) the program that beautifully united my interests in evolution as well as culture/s. and even better, I was accepted into that program!
Andy, my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years has decided to enlist in the Coast Guard. After three years of researching options, getting together information, losing over 80 pounds, and two unsuccessful applications to Officer Candidate School, he's committed so much to being a part of the Coast Guard, that the next step is to enlist. From that position, he is more likely to be accepted to Officer Candidate School; and even if he never attends OCS, he will still be a part of a wonderful organization that will give him a copious amount of life skills, abilities, pride and future opportunities. I'm so proud of everything he's accomplished to pursue his goal, and I'm even prouder that he has not given up despite some set backs and hard news.
It's a wonderful, wildly new, chapter that I'll be starting this fall. It's going to be hard to be away from friends and family while undertaking a rigorous academic schedule. It will be very hard to find a new routine to communicate with Andy and keep our relationship strong despite being so far away from each other. Although I'll be in beautiful Durham, so I suppose some of the pain will be eased! And at the end of one year, I will have a degree and a ridiculous number of memories, I'm sure.
So the point of this blog is to keep all of you up to date while I prepare to leave for Durham, am in Durham studying, traveling, and learning. It'll be a crazy great experience! and since we all know how much I abhor the telephone, what better way to report back to you than via blog?! Everything's open here to everyone, so feel free to leave comments/advice/haikus!
Durham's skyline, dominated by Durham Cathedral
The Shield of St. Aidan's College, the specific college at Durham University I will be attending
Andy, my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years has decided to enlist in the Coast Guard. After three years of researching options, getting together information, losing over 80 pounds, and two unsuccessful applications to Officer Candidate School, he's committed so much to being a part of the Coast Guard, that the next step is to enlist. From that position, he is more likely to be accepted to Officer Candidate School; and even if he never attends OCS, he will still be a part of a wonderful organization that will give him a copious amount of life skills, abilities, pride and future opportunities. I'm so proud of everything he's accomplished to pursue his goal, and I'm even prouder that he has not given up despite some set backs and hard news.
It's a wonderful, wildly new, chapter that I'll be starting this fall. It's going to be hard to be away from friends and family while undertaking a rigorous academic schedule. It will be very hard to find a new routine to communicate with Andy and keep our relationship strong despite being so far away from each other. Although I'll be in beautiful Durham, so I suppose some of the pain will be eased! And at the end of one year, I will have a degree and a ridiculous number of memories, I'm sure.
So the point of this blog is to keep all of you up to date while I prepare to leave for Durham, am in Durham studying, traveling, and learning. It'll be a crazy great experience! and since we all know how much I abhor the telephone, what better way to report back to you than via blog?! Everything's open here to everyone, so feel free to leave comments/advice/haikus!
Durham's skyline, dominated by Durham Cathedral
The Shield of St. Aidan's College, the specific college at Durham University I will be attending
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