Update. Late-Nights. Thanksgiving.

So, I know it's been a while. But, Summer happened, and that quickly led into school. And, in general, the fact is that in the past two months I've been busy doing things. Leaving no time to write about such things. Sadly. :(

But even though I sit uncomfortably awake at 2 AM on the final cusp of Thanksgiving weekend, with too much work to do and a terribly delicious and diabetes-inducing study snack of chocolate fudge pudding... I feel the need to conclude the first full weekend away from Sackville this semester with a post.

Leaving home this summer was bizarre - typically I can't see much sadness in leaving Alberta for I would be blinded by the excitement of the East. This year though, with friend priorities slightly shifting (as alluded to and described in previous posts) it became more difficult to relocate this September 3rd.

School has, once again, dictated its own rhythm to me, and as we're now about half way through the semester... projects are falling into place, and I'm seeing the "end of the tunnel" approaching ever closer. 4th and final year has a way of doing that. It's both the catharsis of dealing with really interesting topics in class, having fewer classes and instead more intense work schedules, and heavy involvement in campus activities that just stresses one's time out so thin. On top of the 6 classes and PT job held over from the summer (which is another reason why I'm up so late) I have maintained my casual involvement with Oxfam and the school newspaper - the Argosy. Additionally, the Geo/Environment Society is in full force this year - and so that means meetings and events... on top of everything else. But geographers are fun people! and hilariously socially awkward.

Some of the themes from the classes this term - relational aesthetics, miniature art, uncanny; writing about the experience of art in space; intercultural discourse; archaeological record, Olmec and other Mesoamerican art styles and cultures; research ethics, eco-tourism entrepreneurship; and African art and culture in general.

Unfortunately, as the "end" looms near it feels more and more like I need to know what I want to do with the accumulation of knowledge and perspective post-MTA. However, I don't. Is this a problem?
I know I want to travel. I hope I will be able to successfully accomplish such a goal in the year following graduation. I need to find a travel buddy (any volunteers?!) and a destination. As I described to a friend earlier today, it seems like a waste of a Geography degree not to travel with it... right?!

In any case, the longer I spend sitting in classes and doing readings and producing papers in what has become a near robot-like process.... The only way to maintain interest is to find connections between geography, art history, and anthropology - which occurs with archaeology (apparently!). But I'm also interested in modern day connections. I suppose I would be most content considering how the past evidence for these crossovers are mimicked and reproduced in contemporary art and life. 1) what are the issues with that, the contemporary problems or intriguing aspects that can be studied further...? and 2) are there any jobs AT ALL that use that kind of knowledge. That is a downside of liberal arts education - rarely will one find a job that their degree was built for. BUT it's also a wonderful gift in disguise, because one can enter nearly any job and do well. It's just finding a job opening you can both love and apply knowledge and skills to... that's the gem. I am confident one day I will find that job. Or, if I'm lucky, I'll be able to see the connection in every job I'm hired into.
The most crucial part of any job is the ability to be interesting and informative to the people you work with and for. So, if your university is teaching you group communicative skills, critical thinking, and fact-based knowledge...while preserving some idealism... then you've done good.

I'm content with the education I'm receiving; it's just hard to explain that with confidence to people who ask the ubiquitous "so what are you going to do when you're finished?"
The problem there... is that I don't plan on being finished learning, ever. So, as long as they mean univerisity, and more specifically Mt. A, I will continue to flub up a mediocre answer for a future plan. All in all, I'm not concerned. I'm employable, because I'm not picky. And I'm thankful enough to have been granted wonderful education opportunities by being born into the world in an opportune time and place.
This, being Thanksgiving, has been a weekend of immense gratitude. It began with a kick-in-the-pants refresher regarding friend-issues; and ended with a spontaneous and generous ride home from PEI. Filled with food, family, and friends - I've never felt so lucky and provided for.

To everyone unsure, unstable, and uncomfortable - it gets better. People care. Sometimes it takes being a little selfish and a lot more selfless to keep the world in balance.
Til next time,
Keep yer chin up,

Jude