It's been a while. The job at the coffeehouse, in addition to teaching and (unpaid) academic work, drained all my energies, and—eventually—made me sick. I had to reduce and/or cancel everything I love to do. But in the end that wasn't enough. And all I did was: work. So, I had to make choices. Do … Continue reading Still Alive. I Think.
Love Letters From My Students
A few days ago, I came across an old course evaluation. Every time, I'm afraid of these evaluations. For no particular reason. There are always one or two students who complain and/or criticize. But most of them are satisfied or even happy. (And I cannot make everyone happy--one or two critical responses are perfectly fine, … Continue reading Love Letters From My Students
Making Coffee: My First Few Days
I thought I'd share a few impressions about my first few days at the coffee house. I'm a first-class barista now. Not. Okay, so: my first two days were quite good. I have great colleagues (mostly), most of them are patient. The customers are similarly nice and patient. My third day, a Saturday, quickly turned … Continue reading Making Coffee: My First Few Days
My K-Pop Experience: My Ears Are Bleeding!
Did you ever attend a boy band concert? I did. Not as a teenager as many of my classmates did during my teenage days. But as an adult (if I want to call myself adult), chaperoning a teenager. My experience began at the checkroom where I met one of my students who worked at the … Continue reading My K-Pop Experience: My Ears Are Bleeding!
About Gardening: Publish or Perish
I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan everything ahead of time, like an architect building a house. They know how many rooms are going to be in the house, what kind of roof they're going to have, where the wires are going to run, what kind … Continue reading About Gardening: Publish or Perish
Can I Make You a Coffee?
Today was the day. My first (proper) day as barista. My head is spinning. Coffee, coffee, coffee. Caffè Latte. Latte Macchiato. Cappuccino. First milk. First espresso. Lactose free. Almond milk. Flavors. No flavors. Hot milk. Cool milk. Tee, please. Do you remember that I don't drink coffee? The first thing I had to do today: … Continue reading Can I Make You a Coffee?
Thriller! Pop Culture 2.0
I recently went to a party playing (almost) exclusively Madonna and Michael Jackson songs. We were not sure what to expect. An empty dance floor? A crowded club? A few hours before the party, we checked the Facebook event. Chantal was excited about the upcoming evening and posted a picture of her outfit for the … Continue reading Thriller! Pop Culture 2.0
Sexual Harassment In the Field: On Academic Assholes (Part II)
A few days ago, I talked about academic assholes and elaborated on supervisor assholes. Today, I want to talk about those saddening peer assholes. Everyone met them. Competitive, judging, arrogant, selfish, self-centered, self-involved (basically every word that begins with ‘self’), nonempathic. The list is endless. I started avoiding these people, but sometimes, you don’t have … Continue reading Sexual Harassment In the Field: On Academic Assholes (Part II)
Fun At the Gym. Maybe.
I go to the gym three or four times a week. I try to go when no one else does, usually around noon or in the afternoon—a crowded gym annoys me. My gym is a bit expensive and accordingly, most members are from a certain economic class. There is diversity, but not a lot. (It’s … Continue reading Fun At the Gym. Maybe.
A Day In a Theme Park
Theme park or amusement park? Have you ever wondered whether there is any difference between the two terms?Arthur Levine (2019) I did. So when I started this post, I found Arthur Levine's article "What is the Difference Between a Theme Park and an Amusement Park?" and learned that I visited a theme park. Rough rule … Continue reading A Day In a Theme Park
thestrugglinganthropologist.wordpress.com 