Anthropology at its worst!

   I am sure most of you are aware of the recent coverage of Nelson Mandela's stay in Hospital. I myself was at my local Hospital awaiting to be called in when I saw an interview given by his eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela , on how well or not he was doing. I was surprised to see that this opportunity to appear on television was used not solely to inform the viewers of her Fathers wellbeing but also to express the family's frustration at the increasing invasion of privacy by the press.

   What was even more shocking to me was how of the entire interview (which lasted around 15 mins!) only the few seconds during which she said, and I quote, "...But I think that for us as children and grandchildren we still have hope because when we talk to him he'll try to open his eyes ... When you touch him he still responds." were actually used for the segment on TV. Any other person just randomly switching on the News after a long days work would not be aware of the controversy (and I use the term very loosely here) raised by her accusations.
  
    As soon as I got home I went online to look for the full interview on the BBC website as it was the News station I was watching the exert on. Once there, I had to select BBC World, then the BBC Africa tab and then scroll down to find the link to the South African News Channel that actually carried out the interview itself!!! Now I ask you, in the MILLIONS that watched the news that day, HOW MANY HAD THE WILL POWER TO SEARCH FOR AND SIT THROUGH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND MAKAZIWES' POINT OF VIEW???

  So here it is, the main comparison that was made was of how the media were being like ''vultures'' by refusing to leave the Hospital Grounds despite several requests by both staff and family themselves being made, and how the same scenes would not even be conceivable here in England whilst the late Margaret Thatcher was hospitalized herself.

This comparison has now been said to have been RACIST. Now is this not plain ass IGNORANCE fuelled by the media who decided to brand it a 'controversial topic' and 'out of touch' view? How can you expect to enter someone else's Country and Culture and carry yourself as though you were back home, totally disregarding local custom and tradition.

   It absolutely baffles me how the BBC among other Corporations are capable of researching and finding out about private family matters on the Mandela family, such as the recent coverage on the dispute over the burial site of some of Mandela's children, and not on how to conduct themselves when dealing with the illness or death of an elder according to local culture. It is as though you are calling on death to present itself by anxiously waiting around for news and constantly addressing it.
The negative energy that we generate by unconsciously 'expecting' the worst is more than enough to affect the result of any situation. Surely this is not what is needed at a sensitive time such as this.

   Anyway, I surely could go no but as many people truly believe what is shown on television with all their strength and take it as absolute truth, this little View that I hold may not be nothing but a silly little rant to most. In my opinion, it wouldn't even surprise me if Mandela was actually dead from some time ago, the announcement of his passing however may well be in holding for revelation at a more opportunistic time in line with some next alteration of the 'world news' for added effect. Some next rioting or whatever that is being prepared in advance to then be able to say it is due to the community reaction to the loss of such an iconic figure, who knows?

    Either way, I shall leave you with a quote, ''The purpose of Anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences''- Ruth Benedict. (THINK ABOUT IT)
  

Je suis de retour!!

I.m Back!

   Hello again dearest (deserted) Blog and fellow Bloggers! I know it has been absolute aaages since my last post but it seems life has finally pressed on the breaks and given me time for a breather.

 

   Hmm..where shall I start? I have since finished Uni and moved away from the sleepy town that is Northampton. Pedders and I (plus the little bundle of joy Tyson..our pup) are now living in Nottinghamshire.

We have actually been here for a good while and it doesn.t look like we will be moving any time soon, which for my nomadic self here is a pretty great achievement! As we are relatively settled into our new Home I can actually take some time out to reflect on the many things that have been driving me mad over the past months (prepare for some passionate writing over the next few posts).

 

    With my Mother literally in a whole other continent and having to fend for myself, my eyes and ears have opened like a blossoming flower. There is literally quite a lot that goes on right under our noses and because we are so used to the "stench" we hardly notice the shit around us!

 

Anyway....here is hoping all has been well with you and that you enjoy my future posts.

 

P.S- They should at the very least make you question yourself regarding your own perspective on things, after all "knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."-Aristotle.

Ditch the Caffeine - Embrace the Food!

Lately I have been surrounded by talks of detoxing and all these crazy schemas to shed away those little annoying Christmas pounds, fair enough, as I too would like to whip my lil butt into shape.

What's really annoying me though is how at Uni, with all the deadlines catching up with us ,everyone keeps on going on about how much they need their "caffeine boost!" or "sweet sweet morning glory (coffee)". Me personally, even when hanging out at Starbucks and everyone is asking for their Caramel Frappucino, Espresso or Extra Shot Skinny Vanilla Late all I can think of is a nice Hot Chocolate and some YUMMY FOOD!

With me there is nothing better to feel cleansed and full of energy after the hollidays than some jogging and tasty easy food, so as an attempt to stear you guys clear of the hidden addiction that is caffeine I thought I'd share with you some easy recipes that will boost your energy all the same ; )

Peanut Butter and Banana Sarnie

2tbsp peanut butter (preferably with no added sugar)

2 slices of wholemeal bread

1 sliced banana

...because: Bananas are bursting with carbohydrates, potassium and fibre which will keep you feeling full for longer and slowly release energy into your body! You can even add some hony if you like.

Wholewheat Pasta with Broccoli, Beans and Cheese

Toss together 1 cup coocked wholewheat penne pasta,

30g feta cheese,

1/2 cup cannellini beans,

1 cup chopped broccoli and

2tsp olive oil

...because:

It's simply the ideal fibre-protein mix rather than the carb overload that is spaghetti and tomatoe sauce which will only lead to an energy crash once it burns out! plus wholewheat is digested slower than white pasta which will help if you find yourself struggling with afternoon fatigue.

Lentil soup and Salad

250ml bowl of lentil soup (will ask my Mum for the recipe)

1 wholegrain roll

1 plate of mixed salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomatoe, onion, avocado, carrots, and whatever else you like), dress with a light vinaigrette dressing

...because:

Lentils, beans and chilli soups are good hearty altenatives to broth-based ones such as tomato soup and for that reason keep you going for much much longer, you'll find yourself snacking much less as beans and lentils are high in fibre and protein.

So there you have it, my simple plan to boosting your energy a little more this year without turning to those evil energy drinks or espressos on your way out the house. And remember if yo have the time, thre is nothing like a nice afternoon jog!

New Year's Resolutions - do we really need them (that much)?

It's that time of year again!
With Christmas gone we now turn our focus to making the New Year  much better than the one before, somehow.

This sense of novelty makes us  get our heads all worked up with identifying what it is we need to do to renew ourselves too, but should we really be changing every year? Will we ever be able to enjoy the midnight fireworks whilst thinking "well done, now just keep doing what you do."?

Yes, I know most of us need a little something to look forward to in order to face yet another year of whatever it is we do with a little more optimism but if we think about it, how many of the resolutions we settle on have we had on the list before? I'm not saying we don't do them alltogether but perhaps learn to choose more realistic ones. If we did this wouldn't we be gradually perfecting ourselves to a point where a change in habits would no longer be needed?

I may be saying this but I too have things I'd like to improve on this year but to be honest, I'm just a little tired of seeing the same things on my list year in year out! This is when I decided to STOP, breathe and really think about where I have been going wrong...it was right there in front of me (well behind my eyes really... inside my head ).

All this time I was too focused in changing where I went 'wrong' or failed to succeed, that I forgot to analyse just how many of those shortcomings were actually part of my nature, part of who I am. Now that I have realised this I can fully embrace my annoying ever so persistent differences and shortcomings that keep me from being the self-actualized, almost perfect woman I dream of being one day.

So there you have it, do your lists, post it notes, diary entries, whatever it may be, but remember! the same way you project for the future, introspect and acknowledge the past.

Appreciate what defines you and if you don't like it much then find a way to tame it rather than attempt to discard it because some things, just don't seem to go away.

x

Patty? WHO IS SHE?!?!!

Before you make up your mind as to whether you should be even remotely interested in what I 'Patty' has to say, here's a little something about me...

So, I'm a girl in her 20's who has a bit to say about everything, anything to me is worth exploring and discussing really.

I have immigrated and pursued my studies in two countries, Portugal and England which opened my eyes to quite a few truths about people, places and even myself!

There is always an opportunity and reason for sharing your opinion on something and as I'm not heavilly sedated or somehow programmed to comply with everything I encounter, I intend to do just that.

Drama, Psychology, Sports and Art are just a few of my many interests so if you have a bit of a crave for any of these or anything alike I'm sure you'll find something here to satisfy it. And remember, we don't see things as they are, we see them as we are!

; )