for sooooooo many reasons, i’m starting to realise how incredibly lucky i’ve been. The pieces are starting to fit together and i think i might actually find my place somewhere~~~~
so, today was amazingly busy, yet not in several ways…but nevermind that…i kinda attended one of the monthly egyptology meetings where a guest lecturer comes to speak to whoever decides to go. and Prof. Kitchen sits right next to me! (moment of fangirling~) xD he doesn’t teach us, so…i was just sorta taking in who was who the first 10mins.
anyhoo, point point point…point is…the talk was about Memphis and the work there, it sorta ended up about the conditions in egypt today. both the archaeology and relationship between the governing body and archaeologists. and for the first time, i realise what a dolt i’ve been. maybe i’ve been reading and studying too much, because before i knew it, i became stuck in the past, romanticizing about what it was like, and that’s all that mattered. i didn’t care about the present much even in terms of the news or the people around me (sorry larh, work!!! honest!)
but i remembered what i had known before in poly but forgot…
the rift between said governing body and the archaeologists… the discussion (that stretched a little too long and got interrupted by a phone call i was sortaaaaa expecting *buries head*) was about heritage management. the fight for the preservation and understanding of egypt’s dynamic history and for commercialization (which i presume is in hopes of drawing more tourists, bringing in the moo-lah and therefore funding for conservation). the latter however, has been and is being done at a huge expense. is it worth it? is there no better way to be conducting things? i knew and could empathize with the actions being done by the council, but now i finally understand the weight of their actions because i’m on the other side now. i’m actually sick at some of the decisions made, but i still empathize…i understand where they are coming from, and now understand the FULL weight of their actions…period.
this was exactly what i used to argue my way into uni.
and i FORGOT!
as archaeologists, or egyptologists, we have to be able to connect with both the past and present. and i forgot?
i fail!
i shouldn’t have discounted what i’ve learnt in poly especially since it’s actually applicable. Even more so because i was actually lucky enough to be shipped off to do a course specifically in heritage management.
there you go~ Tibet Macau, and one of it’s many attractions. disneyfication at it’s best. as if i needed reminding (which i probably did) i was unexpectedly once again shipped off to see the actual monument myself (at the risk of a major hangover) the following year.
ok, this isn’t ACTUALLY it, but…the com at home was dropped and all the photos died…this is one of the few that was recovered of a built construction. but that’s not the point. point is…i’m insanely lucky don’t you think?!
to have been provided all the opportunities i have been thus far. more importantly, it’s shocking how everything actually links up like i planned it (sorta, i wasn’t expecting the experiences to be so meaningful, but in that moment…during the discussion (before my phone rang) i was suddenly really grateful)
now, i just need to use my brain, grow a back bone (in more ways then one) and do what i came here to do.
to hell the brick wall, i’ll take it down one brick at a time if i have to!
but, today’s just been a good day. the phone call i was sorta expecting was for a goodie my friend was sharing. his dad shipped PROPER ramen from JAPAN! hahahaha…brilliant-ness! so nice~! (i’m never so nice, i need to be nicer…mental note!) he only had four servings but shared one and i even openly raided his kitchen for the crispy tempura topping for it.
now, i can’t ask for more, but…if this pain will stop and if i can just finish editting and put the finishing touches to one of my assignments, i’d really be over the moon!
I’m craving Karelian pies though 
arthur had to do it for however many years it took before i came along…yay! 
