Assignment 2: Identity Symbols

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I am a Christian. I realize that this is a loaded term with a lot of negative connotations, and so I’d ask that you take a moment to understand what it means to me. First off, let me say that my definition of the word is not synonymous with the conservative Christian right, with bigotry and intolerance, or with strict adherence to culturally irrelevant rules and expectations. To me (influenced by the Bible’s emphasis), being a Christian means that I recognize my abundant moral shortcomings and therefore my guilt before God, and that I have chosen to receive the free gift of God’s forgiveness through faith in Christ. It is not about following rules, about ascribing to a certain political ideology, or judging other people. It’s about loving God, loving other people, and being wrong and messing up a lot along the way. So please feel free to challenge my beliefs and contradict my sentiments- I promise I won’t freak out. This is part of the reason I’m so excited about this class: I love having respectful discussions centered on faith. And being a Christian is such a huge part of who I am, I couldn’t write an identity description without it. (My symbol for this one is my old Bible, with the binding all duct taped and the pages marked up... no picture, but you can imagine...)

Now… for the other things. I love traveling and learning about other cultures. Around me right now I can see the beautifully crafted drum I got in Jordan, a painting I purchased from an art student in Uganda, and a wall hanging I bought in a market in Cambodia. I hope one day to live and contribute to development work abroad, and these artifacts reflect that to me.

To the left is a picture of me and friends with an Iraqi woman and her 3 beautiful children who are refugees in Jordan. We took gift boxes to several families during our time there.

To the right is a picture from Angkor Wat, one of the largest temples we visited in Cambodia.

Below is the view of Kampala from the hotel where we stayed in Uganda.

In addition, I think I’ve got some of the greatest friends in the world, and I live with ten of them (it’s kind of intense, but awesome).

I’m also a big fan of food in general, and I enjoy making it almost as much as I love eating it. I could probably live on bagels and cream cheese, and I have an irrational aversion to vegetables in general and a significant portion of fruits.

I like most music, and while I know that most of the R&B/Hip-hop I listen to isn't necessarily quality, I just can't help listening to and enjoying it for some reason. Some of my favorite (and actually good) bands/artists include Guster, Ben Folds, Andrew Bird (who I'm seeing in Pittsburgh on Tuesday!), and Dispatch, among others.