“Knowledge is power, knowledge is safety, knowledge is happiness”

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– Thomas Jefferson

This is so simple, but yet again quite profound. Without knowledge or an understanding in some common idea, one is weak, unprotected, unworldly, unknowing, and not living a full life. One cannot participate in conversation, interact with culture, or understand the nature of life without some basic understanding and knowledge learned.

One might be able to live a functional life without knowledge, but it would not be as complete, easy, or enriching as another that is educated.

Anyway, knowledge does bring happiness – unless you know about something you shouldn’t!

“Culture enables humans to survive.”

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This was said during my Introduction to Anthropology class earlier today. Usually, I don’t find much challenging from that class, a lot of the things seem to be common sense, or I already had encountered the material with my mom (she’s an anthropologist) at some point in my life. But today, during discussion about the cultural dimension of the study of anthropology, we were given the statement, “culture enables humans to survive.” 

Being more interested in the cultural quarter of anthropological studies (rather than the biological, archeological, or linguistic parts), I caught this comment and pondered it during the remainder of the class.

At first glance, this statement seems to be untrue. Why do we need culture to survive? Why do I need art, music and literature to have a decent life? Long before these social inventions, people seemed to get along just fine. Traditions are nice in all, but are they really absolutely necessary?

Well, in the deeper sense of anthropology, culture is more than just art, music and literature. It is what we do every day, how we do it, and most importantly, why we do it. Culture explains why we have three meals a day and what time they are (compared to others), why we dress in a certain way, why we practice certain beliefs and traditions, etc.Without the culture that contributes to our daily lives, we would not be able to effectively live.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

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-Margaret Mead

I saw this quote at the Field Museum in Chicago during Thanksgiving break.

It is quite inspiring for small groups and lone voices, which many times is the only thing that changes world issues. Only after the lone voice, or small group of voices can get inspire a movement, causing change in the world.

You know you studied abroad in Spain when…

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I received this from a friend whom I spent a wonderful semester in Spain with.

1. The mullet – made for men and women alike.
2. You know what a croqueta is.
3. You’ve eaten more fish and veal in one week than in your whole US life.
4. You have seen people in 50-degree weather in winter coats and scarves.
5. When you know how to the use the metro when the map is in Spanish.
6. It only took you an hour to get to Madrid from your house.
7. You have stolen Internet.
8. You watch a dog take a crap on the sidewalk and the owner doesn’t clean it up.
9. You have encountered numerous people haciando un pis in the streets.
10. You have encountered tiny children wandering the streets alone.
11. You know what a doner is.
12. You got drunk off wine.
13. You are a huge fan of the Menú del Día.
14. You stayed in the Madrid until 6am waiting for the Metro to reopen.
15. You’re life span has been shortened 5 years because of the second hand smoke.
16. You have seen a cigarette box that says “smoking can cause a slow and painful death”
17. You have learned that deodorant is obviously not necessary.
18. You have had a staring contest with a stranger in the streets.
19. You’ve watched Simpsons, multiple, multiple times.
20. You have trouble speaking both English and Spanish.
21. You’ve left the house to go out at 1am.
22. You have never been to a store between 2:30 and 5:30.
23. You have fought with the lock on the door and have only won half the time.
24. You have gorged on scrambled eggs at the hotels.
25. You’ve had bread everyday for every meal.
26. You have a lisp…
27. You know what joder means.
28. You can take showers in a 2 ft box called a shower.
29. You jump when you hear the words, vamos a comer
30. Your dinnertime is about 10:30.
31. You know what El Corte Inglés is, and where to find it.
32. Fútbol is amazing.
33. You root for Barcelona or Madrid…
34. You have seen porn on TV news.
35. You know what a turron is.
36. You know and love tortilla francesa.
37. You have seen buildings that are older than our country.
38. You know who Velázquez is, and how to say it.
39. You have seen pizza boys on Mopeds.
40. You’ve been surprised to see a “big” car.
41. Sidra, delicious sidra.
42. You have seen old people out at 2 am
43. You know the difference between tengo calor y estoy caliente.
44. You have been stopped in a plaza and asked if you speak English.
45. Vale, pues, venga.
46. You write on graph paper and not lined paper.
47. You have learned the true meaning of a cell phone bill.
48. Yelling is not yelling…it’s just excited chatter.
49. Personal space = 0 cm.
50. You know fichas are a rare commodity.
51. You know what a puente is, and LOVE it.
52. You know where to find cheap tickets for anything!

Surprisingly true. I don’t think I need to explain any more than that.