That's Just Who You Are.

[sechan19]

In seminar today (this is the one I'm taking from my adviser), we got a little bit off topic for a while and began talking about the taking of illegal souvenirs from famous sites. (Trust me, there is a way to get from discussing Japanese legends to discussing the taking of illegal souvenirs from famous sites - we did it today in class.) I was talking about the catacombs of Paris, and how people are always trying to make off with the human remains that bolster the street-supports, when the following exchange took place:

Me: I was actually disappointed with the catacombs because they weren't as scary as I was expecting.
Student: Yeah, but an underground cavern filled with a bunch of bones - that's pretty scary.
Me: Well, I wanted there to be some bone bodies, you know? I wanted to be able to imagine they might get up and come after me because... well, because...
Adviser: Because that's just who you are.
Me: Exactly!

In other news: in the next two weeks I have to give three presentations (of varying length), one of which will be in Japanese, and put together a couple of serious papers - in addition to my usual workload of classical Japanese translation. So... I'll see you all when I see you.

And wish me luck!

Comments

[lordameth.livejournal.com]

Hrm. Some classical translation skills would have been useful for my current project...

Anyway, my actual comment: One of my friends last year at SOAS did her MA thesis on the danger to SE Asian sites posed by tourism. I haven't read it, so I don't know the details, but I'm sure the same applies - people trying to take rocks or things from Angkor Wat or whatever.

Admittedly, I did bring home a good sized bit of Jerusalem stone the last time I was there. Took it from an empty lot, though, not from a holy/historical site. Still felt weird about it though.

[alonewolverine.livejournal.com]

go get 'em tiger

[reteva.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's exactly how I felt. I'm so happy that my adviser knows who I am and likes me. Have I seen your red boots? If not, then I must.

[foxxydancr.livejournal.com]

that's awesome.

[reteva.livejournal.com]

Will do. Love you.

[unapperent.livejournal.com]

You will rock, you need no luck =)