When Butterflies Fly in Majestic Formation August 11, 2008
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My hands froze. My knees trembled. Butterflies in my stomach refused to fly in formation. I felt that my heart was in my throat! I could almost hear the strong lob dub, lob dub, lob dub!
No, I didn’t see a ghost or met an accident…I just presented my pre-fieldwork paper, a research proposal with extensive literature review, a strong theoretical framework, hypothesis, and detailed methodology in answering a valid problem.
This may sound “absurd” to others, but to me, this was a big challenge because I presented my paper at the Australian National University among anthropology professors with diverse experience in this field and PhD students from different parts of the world.
The audience made me so nervous even days before my presentation. I was not so confident because up to now, I don’t consider myself knowledgeable in anthropology. It’s exactly six months now that I am doing my PhD in anthropology. I knew also my limitations in Shakespeare’s language. I always tell people that I am better read than heard. This may be because I am afraid of public speaking, more so before an international audience. (more…)
Remind me God June 30, 2008
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When I am lonely and
Perhaps I feel despair,
Let not my ailing heart forget
That YOU hear every prayer…
Remind me that no matter what
I do or fail to do,
There still is hope for as long
as I have FAITH in YOU…
(more…)
Anthropology or a dose of medicine? May 10, 2008
Posted by Diadem in : Lessons in life , 8commentsEvery time I have a new acquaintance, they would always ask me what I am doing here in Australia. Blankly, I tell them that I am pursuing my PhD in Anthropology.
Upon hearing the word “anthropology,” they seemed awed and somewhat admired me for becoming a future anthropologist. I wondered why. 
Taking anthropology was not actually my original plan. I just wanted to study Filipino rice farmers’ culture and behaviour. Being a development communicator in the Philippine Rice Research Institute, such study would help us capture the ”heart” of the farmers because of the complex rice farming system and reduce the gap between them and the scientists in the process.
I wanted to take up community psychology then, or rural sociology. But I was advised during our orientation at the Philippine Social Science Council that anthropology would be more suitable for my study. They told me, “Anthropologists look at cross-cultural differences in social institutions, cultural beliefs, and communication process. They seek to promote understanding between groups by ‘translating’ one culture from the other, for instance, by spelling out common and taken-for-granted assumptions”.
I actually had anthropology subjects in my undergraduate degree, and my professors’ explanation of anthropology sounded like a musical melody to my ears. I realized that there were only few people in my community who do anthropological work. (more…)
Changing season, changing lives April 19, 2008
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I had my first ever experience of autumn here in Australia. I was amazed at how leaves transformed into vibrant colors as the cold gust of wind tickled my soul. I realized that life, like a season, changes all the time.
Change is a universal rule. The end of autumn marks another transition in the ticking of the clock of the universe, just as life has its beginning and rebirth.
Glancing at the colorful trees on my way home from school, I “heard” the ticking of the clock and witnessed a natural wonder that is more often than not ignored by us.
This cyclic phenomenon underlines the workings of an unseen Hand that no mortals can do. Inspired by the cacophony of colors andthe seeming synergy of the unseen elements of nature, I set my fingers on the home keys of my computer and wrote these lines…
My hippie-happy mother March 24, 2008
Posted by Diadem in : Lessons in life , 2commentsWhen you hear me laughing aloud and talking about the latest fashion and shopping in flee markets, I am probably talking to my mother! 
We can talk about everything and anything under the sun. She can speak my “lingo,” share shoes, make up, and fancy jewelries. She tries to be as “kikay” as I am. There were times when it is annoying, but it is lovely most of the time. At least, even if she’s already in her 60’s, she still manages to relate with me and do things that I love to do.
When I talk to her, it is as if I am just talking to a friend. She would always ask if I have a boyfriend now or advice me how to get one. She’s cool. Her advices are often out-of-the blue, but it does strike straight in the heart. I remember her telling me one time: “Dem, mag-asawa ka na. Kapag 30 ka na, magpabuntis ka na. Mahirap tumandang mag-isa.” (Dem, get married. When you reach 30, get pregnant. It’s hard to get old when you are alone.) (more…)