Angelcrow's Xanga

My Celtic Cross Reading

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:34:53 GMT

Your Spread

Your Notes

Reading Notes: Something to take into consideration

Your Interpretations

Self: The Magician

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
You have a talent for creating something from nothing.

The card in the Self position reveals aspects of how you perceive yourself right now.

The Magus symbolizes imagination, creativity and an inventive nature. Your unique intelligence and talent for clever experimentation is a valuable asset. The Magus serves as a catalyst, an agent of change. His influence is a fresh breeze blowing through any situation.

So be playful, and stay open. Don't limit yourself, the possibilities are endless. Try things, see what happens and correct your course as you go. Tease open the minds of those who are watching to see what you will do.

Situation: The World

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
You drew your arrow and hit your target with the style of a skillful archer.

The card that lands in the Situation position refers to social or circumstantial factors which could be affecting your life at this time.

When the World is in this position, you appear to be approaching circumstances that previously existed only in your imagination. After years of effort and struggle, matters may seem absurdly easy now. Your ambition, inspiration and perseverance have taken you toward your desired outcome. Now you are zeroing in on the bull's eye, having explored the territory and brought yourself to its center.

Pause for a while and enjoy this moment. Recognize that you have completed what you set out to achieve. You are the person you wanted to be in the presence of the company you wanted to keep. You now inhabit what used to be a dream.

Challenges/ Opportunities: Three of Wands

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Be ready to act on what you instinctively know is a good opportunity.

The card that lands in the Challenges/Opportunities position refers to ways that you can turn obstacles into stepping stones.

The Three of Wands in this position indicates that your instincts and impulses may be aroused by new trends and possibilities. Take a good look at the tide coming in and be ready to take advantage of its power to take your ships out to sea.

Act on these changes -- you are the right person at the right time. If you disregard this opportunity you will regret it later.

Foundation: Eight of Cups

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
When you assert inner wisdom and strength, you will not repeat patterns of victimization.

The card in the Foundation position points to influences from your personal history, your roots and background.

The Eight of Cups in this position suggests that lack of protection or boundaries has caused you to be wounded in the past. Setting aside the question of who is guilty and how scores might be settled, ask yourself if you are still expecting the worst.

Do you continue to be passive, waiting for the ax to fall, or for another's actions to determine your fate? To the extent that your boundaries can still be violated, you continue to collude with victimizers, losing power and self-esteem. Summon your courage to graduate from a chronically defensive posture in order to stop attracting traumatic experiences.

Recent Past: Ten of Cups

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Something that used to hurt you and hold you back has been healed; you have arrived at a new level.

The card in the Recent Past position refers to events that are just departing, recently influential but now diminishing in power.

With the Ten of Cups in your recent past, you have just completed an extended exercise of self-discipline, intense focus and cooperative teamwork. These labors have brought you to a new level of self-esteem, usefulness and enthusiastic service in your life.

Even when you are feeling down, you no longer slide back into the same ruts. Challenges no longer deter you -- you don't despair or feel abandoned. Instead, you know how to refill your cup from the inside and let it overflow, becoming an inspiration for others. Having seen positive results and the impact of your efforts, you can now hold yourself in higher esteem. Take your advancement to heart. With it you can operate from a stronger position of strength and creativity than you could before.

Higher Power: Nine of Cups

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
You know there is a benevolent presence in the universe that blesses you.

The card in the Higher Power position reflects the broader perspective and influence of your conscience, Guardian Angel, inner wisdom.

The Nine of Cups in this position points to great blessings. Because your ego has remained pliant and teachable, your Higher Self has arranged abundant rewards for you. Although you are clever and creative, in your heart of hearts you know that divine providence and synchronicity have had a lot to do with whatever success you have achieved.

Be grateful to a Higher Power; acknowledge that you never could have accomplished anything worthwhile without its backing. Other awakenings may come as well: that you are not alone, that you are being protected, that the Greater Whole supports your endeavors. When you want what is best for everyone, spiritual forces arrange what is best for you. That may seem illogical to some, but when you have experienced it, a tremendous amount of fearful anxiety goes away. You can directly acknowledge the light that shines upon you from on high. The evidence lies right here in this experience.

Near Future: Two of Cups

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
A relationship is blooming. Trust the process and open with it.

The card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation. If you follow the Advice card, however, you can improve on or neutralize tendencies.

With the Two of Cups in this position, a newly emerging or existing friendship can develop into something more. You may feel as if you want to know this person or situation better and better. This optimistically placed card encourages you to trust and let yourself open up. It is telling you to go for it -- why hold back? One of the strongest human drives is to relate more deeply, more honestly and with fuller consciousness.

As long as you're not frivolous with this relationship or foolishly scattering your energy around, there is no reason to repress your feelings or pretend that an amazing alchemical occurrence isn't in the works.

Blocks & Inhibitions: Three of Cups

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Is it possible that you think you won't receive the love and support you need?

The card in the Blocks position points to self-undermining tendencies, areas where you could be in denial, where you could get stuck -- unless you examine yourself and make some corrections.

When the Three of Cups falls in this position, a part of you doesn't believe that you can attract the kind of love you offer to another. Is it possible that you have a double standard you are holding against yourself? You wish to be seen as a person who cares about others and takes care of them, remaining open to the ebb and flow of the needs in your relationship. But what about receiving?

For some reason, you may not expect or ever ask to be taken care of in return. When you come up short after having poured out much love and energy to a partner, ask yourself why you tend to starve yourself. Once you understand that, you can put a stop to this self-undoing tendency. True love requires a two-way circuit of giving and receiving.

Allies: Seven of Pentacles

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Listen to your mentors, so their experience and wisdom can guide you in your endeavor or special relationship.

The card in the Allies position points to people who can be supportive or helpful to you at this time.

In this position, the Seven of Coins implies the presence of experienced people who understand your situation and can give you advice on what to do next. Listen so you can begin your progress from the highest point their shared experience and wisdom can take you.

This is what evolution and progress are all about. You are blessed with great human resources around you, and they are positively disposed toward you, happy to share their accumulated experience. Seek these people out. Perhaps by helping them on their projects you will earn the right to have their help on yours. Be gracious to friendly resources that are available to you.

Advice: The Emperor

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Draw upon the capable inner resources you possess to get the task completed.

The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

When the Emperor is in this position, get in touch with your inner sovereignty and natural self-possession. Realize that somewhere deep inside you is the memory of royalty. Reach within to find that strain of natural nobility and leadership. These innate qualities will help you manage your current situation.

The Emperor suggests that you have the necessary abilities to be the final authority. This situation is an opportunity to showcase your competence and skill. Act with the confidence of someone who knows how to take care of business.

Long-term Potential: Knight of Swords

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
You can direct the situation without controlling it. Be creative and flexible.

The card in the Long-term Potential position points to unknowns still taking shape. It is the "wild card" yet to be played.

With the Knight of Swords (in some decks, a Prince) in this position, change is afoot; no longer drifting with the currents, you are assertively directing the flow. Although we often wait until things happen to us, the Knight of Swords likes to be the prime mover in a situation.

If you are respectful of natural timing, the innate enthusiasm of this horseman can facilitate change. Nevertheless, be careful not to try to control the outcome. You will serve the situation best by being receptive, so the finest ideas have a chance to emerge. Avoid second-guessing what the highest and best outcome should look like. The best this horseman has to offer is creative intellect combined with mental resilience.

Am I Ready?

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:34:55 GMT

Today at work I said good morning to one of my co-workers. She works in the cafeteria. I was getting the children's sheets from the dryer and once I was heading off I told her to have a good weekend. She said the same to me plus to go have fun. "You're so young, you should go dancing and have a boyfriend." I kind of smiled at her and said "We'll see." What's so funny is that she is not alone. There are a few people that I know who wonder if I will be in a relationship. My excuse to them is that I don't have time for one because I'm committed to my studies. I've been working in the mornings and going to school at night. Now that summer is here I really don't have any excuses. But on the other hand I'm not sure what I want. Do I want to continue being single and have fun with my friends or be with a good guy?

I think the reason why I stayed away from relationships is because... well yeah 1) I was sick 2) I was trying to get better 3) Getting my life on track and 4) I've seen some relationships that weren't at their best. I've notice that I made alot of excuses to stay away and I never really gave relationships a chance. I think I was scared at what will happen if I was in a long-term relationship. Honestly when I'm ready that's when a relationship will happen. Relationship will gradually come and when that moment is here I know I will be ok.

The other day my brother and I were talking and he said most likely I will be with someone who's weak. I thought that was sad. He said, "I see you as the dominated person in the relationship and the guy as the lower status." For references I perfer someone who's equal to me. Who can handle my family, lol j/k. I have a big family and if the guy is cool with that, then that's fine. Of course I'm daddy's little girl, but I'm also his only girl so....lol. Actually my dad knows that I'm a strong person and I won't be guilable to what guys say plus I grew up with brothers so I always had to defend for myself. They are also football and baseball fans. And as you can see I like to watch wrestling, I still watch it every now and then. I think it would be cool if I'm with someone who's similar to me. Someone who's mix like me I'm native-spanish-italian with english/irish from my father's side of the family. We're very different and a handful at times but they are my family and they supported me through alot. They were there when I couldn't breathe, they were there when I couldn't walk, they were there when I was weak. They gave me strength so I could live... maybe the reason why I never ended up in a relationship is because I want them to be proud of me. I want them to know they kept me strong so I can succeed in life. It's probably a bit corny but it's true.

I'm tired

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 02:32:15 GMT

If I put any opinion up on my myspace blog, certain people would have a problem with it! Mostly it's family because they don't want no one to know what's going on with me or situations that are occurring. Since they feel that way I am going to write them all here!!!

Dealing with rent issues: First of all unfortunately my landlord is planning to raise the rent another $100. If it's not paid by the 5th an extra $75 will be included, if not recieved by the 10th an $150 extra. Of course this upsetted quite a few of us. They gave us a contract to sign there are other things he stated in the contract that isn't accurate. Here's a brief info on the house in July 2005 we moved into our house. The house was in terrible shape. The deal was 4br and 2 bath. We came into a 3 br, 1 extra room and 1 bath. The backyard look like a jungle. The kitchen was was in poor shape and the bathroom needed a makeover. My mom's room was okay looking but the central air and heater does not work on her side, it appears that something is blocking it to reach on her side. In others words when the whether is hot her room is hotter - when it's cold (yes you guess it) her room is chilling. My brother's room is alittle bit better the only thing that is wrong is his closet door. My room... well I think mine was the worst one. The carpet had a very fowl odor and mold on the wall. The closet needed to be clean and definitely a new paint job. Well we were the one's that painted the place and fix pretty much everything - when family and friends came to see how it look before they were in shock that we paid rent in the first place. We clean the mold in the bathroom and my room. Painted every single room, fix anything or everything and yet now that in July 2007 it's going to be two years in the house and it's not completed!!!

My side shelves have yet to be fix and painted, the top storage area in my room has yet to be clean and painted. The inside of my closet was the only part that got painted and the walls. They installed a borrow fan that was in my brother's room and put it in my room. We added a new medicine cabinate and painted the bathroom, they redid the bathroom later on. Mind you we were at times without a bathroom. When they were getting the kitchen fix we were months without one. You know what we were like a year until it was somewhat done. They still need to put those fans - to let the smoke out from the stove. We have the window open everytime we cook. Some of the outlet plugs is not really covered, you know with a cover to prevent anything to go in or come out. The extra room my other brother is living in there. It's just a room and nothing else. We had to fix the room after our roommates moved out!!! They too left a mess in there! We cleaned, painted, fix the floor and my dad had to work the electrical wiring. Oh and I should mention there are two control boxes for the house. Plus every now and then the power will go off and one of us would have to go outside to retored the power again. My landlord are responsible with the water bill. One day I was taking a shower - to get ready for work! Right when I was going to rinse my hair ---- THE WATER TURNED OFF!!!!!! With my hair still wet with shampoo I had no choice but to go get some water bottles and large cups of drinking water to try and rinse my hair in the sink. Mind you it was on of the coldest days and I was using cold water. I was so upset I almost ran late to work because of it! They didn't get the water bill in time so that was the reason the water shutted off on me. And I am quite sure I never heard an apology from them.

With all of this matter of increased rent and incomplete tasks it has definitely brought tention to the family. We are constantly fighting and insulting one another. And sad to say it truly made me come to a decision that I do not want to continue living with them and prefer to live on my own with my kitty. I think it is best that they find a place that is more convient for them and vice versea with myself. I know they will not agree with my decision but now it's time to put my best interest first. I do not plan to live with my family forever I hope they can accept that I'm better off on my own then with them.

All I Want For Christmas...

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 06:14:43 GMT

Is a miracle

I don't want my family to worry where they are going to live in 10 months or all of our financial stuff as well. I don't want people I care about to be sick or be in constant pain. I want to help but being me I can only do so much. I want everyone to be happy and not sad. Strong and not scared, knowing that everything is going to be alright. I don't want people to be mad at one another or alone during the holiday season. I just want everyone to know how happy they can be, how much people love them and truly care for them. I don't want people to believe one thing and not hear the truth from another. I want people to stop making enemies and start being friends. Even to those who were friends before to make up and connect the friendship once again. To people who could find love and hope to look at their eyes only to see more love from within.

I want my family to be alright. I want everyone to be alright, even if it means I don't find my prince... if I have to loose that so this miracle can come true then I will give that dream up so others can have theirs.

This is what I want for Christmas - others to be happy more than for myself.

Anita

Last Friday...

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 22:39:51 GMT

I wrote this poem last Friday. I was going through some things mostly cause of situations that are hard to handle. After writing this it gave me the confidence I needed to pick myself back up again. I reasured myself that things will get better... and you know what, it did. Thanks to my angel

How To Be Strong

(10/13/06)

When you’re going through a lot

Your heart can take so much

Trying to keep a straight face is never enough

You try and you try, but you never give up

You do the best you could for everyone, including yourself

The only way to be strong

Is to have faith in you

Keep doing what needs to be done

And the good will finally come

Keep your heart from ever breaking

So you can feel the love to continue thee embracing

You are strong within your own heart

Never give up hope

Never give up on love

Never stop believing what is yet to come

Always be true and never let the bad get to you

Believe in your heart and your strength will always remain

-Anita S.

So Much Has Changed

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 05:23:30 GMT

It's been a while since I last wrote on here. So many things have been added while I'm still trying to get use to the old ones. I need some assistance on redecorating my page.

Well what can I say... it was close to two years of being rid of my disease. And now just recently it came back... how you say? To tell you the truth I'm still pondering that question myself. If I can be very honest I am actaully frighten to admit it's back and I am feeling the same pains as I was before. So the truth is I'm losing blood, my stomach feels like I have cramps and I become completely tired or weak to do things. And if I tell everyone how bad it is then that means more medications or being hospitalized and honestly I cannot afford either. I have rent and bills to pay. I'm going to school and working - do you honestly think I have time to just sit and let this disease takes it course and be on bed rest? Wow I sound like my mother!!!! Now I know where I got this attitude from, which makes sense since I got this disease because of her family line.

When I am at home I try to do as much as I can with little or no help from everyone else. My mom can't do much either because she is injured but my brothers both get mad or cranky if you tell or ask them to do something for you. The pain comes and goes and when it comes of course it will be the time when someone is acting like an ass. (Excuse my tone) But it seems like after they act like a complete ass and feel better that they told me off. I would have to turn around do my work and then just put up with this pain that is beating my ass!!!! I will get tired of all the complanning like I'm wasting their time, it's bad enough that my mom needs things and gets mad if nothing is getting done but it would be nice if they don't complain to me.

I myself would get cranky but hey who wouldn't? Do they honestly think I will listen to everyday they say and keep quiet about it. That will never happen - I tell it like it is whether they agree upon it or not. That's just me... sometimes I wonder how it would be like if my father parents were around and my grandpa being around too. How would they act or think about everything that is going on. Would they be proud of us? Would they be happy? Would have they been there for the rough times were going through? All I can do is ponder about all these questions and more.

Gotta run - time to go to bed now~Good night~~~~~

~Anita~

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Tue, 17 Jan 2006 18:05:13 GMT

Anita Sarmiento

January 17, 2006

SOC 215

Response to Essay

Essay 1 - Psychologist

I can identify to what you are saying. And the toughest thing for any minority is being limited to what is offer to you. Though we may have challenges that we have to conquer, it will be bitter sweet in the end. Keep going forward and prove others wrong, become a positive for your family and for your race. So your future generation can have a positive outcome in the end. A little tip for you, when your "bad temper" comes into play the best thing to do is get a pillow, use it to cover your mouth for a few seconds and let out a good scream, its better that the pillow hears it then the rest of your family.

Couple of questions: 1) If you’re able to become a Psychologist what is the main group or people that you want to work with? In what field is your main focus going to be? 2) How much do you practice yoga? Is it every week or only certain days of the week? 3) Did you not have enough time to add sources? Or did you forget? A good citation would have been excellent in the second paragraph in regards to "Hispanic Women". Another one could have been to define "Psychology" or what a Psychologist does. 4) When you start your paragraph you only need to intend once by simply pressing tab on the first line.

Anita Sarmiento

January 17, 2006

SOC 215

Response to Essay

Essay 1 - I Am A Single Mother

I first want to point out that you are so right. Every moment that you spend with your child, nothing or no one can replace it. And as far as the statistics goes, unfortunately it's sad to know that large amount of kids are going through it everyday. It's true that they need both a mother and a father. Some kids are lucky to grow up with a dad but there are moments that it's not. It's always the father who ends up leaving and that really sucks. I have a friend that sometimes would have her dad but mostly all her life she grew up without him. Her mother's brother step in and took the roll as a father to her and her brothers. I had the honor of meeting this wonderful man. I saw how much of a father figure he was to them. Despite him not having kids of his own, it didn't matter to him; her and her brothers were his kids. It doesn't matter if you don't have your birth father around; it would be great, don’t get me wrong. But what's really important is to have a father figure in your family. When you do find that special someone, make sure he is a great father figure to your daughter.

Question: 1) Well it's more of a suggestion - have a separate page where you can list your citations, basically where you found the quotes from. You don't have to put the website address link in the paragraph; you can list on your reference page. Other than that it was a great paper.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 22:36:46 GMT

hi Xanga

Friday, January 13, 2006

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:41:09 GMT

Essay 1

January 12, 2006

SOC 215

When questioning "Who am I?" or "What am I?" some people have difficulty to answer this. Rather than others that could simply reply with a short answer that is acceptable. If you think about it for a moment we should answer "What makes us different from the rest?" or simply "What's wrong with you?" I pretty much know what I have to accomplish in my life. You make a list of objectives and things that need to be done. You take responsibilities with every ounce of your body. The key question is: are you happy with yourself? And usually the answer is always - "Sometimes". I labeled myself as a multi-tasked responsible individual with problems of trust issues. I had just issues for quite some time. People who are my friends or family members are suppose to be the trusted ones. But every time I am around them I find it very difficult to believe what they are telling me is true. There are only a few people I trust but it takes along time for them to gain it because of all the situations that I encounter throughout my life.

The following defines Trust in sociology "a relationship between people. It involves the suspension of disbelief that one person will have towards another person or idea. It especially involves having one person thinking that the other person or idea is benevolent, competent / good, or honest / true. Much work has been done on the notion of trust and of its social implications. The work of Barbara Misztal attempts to combine all notions of trust together. She points out that there are three basic things that trust does in the lives of people. It makes social life predictable, it creates a sense of community, and it makes it easier for people to work together. Trust can be said to be the basis of all social institutions. It is also integral to the idea of social influence, as it is easier to influence or persuade someone who is trusting. Trust can be contrasted with Power (sociology). Though they intuitively might seem like opposite concepts, they sometimes overlap. For example, Stockholm syndrome and in charismatic authority" (Author unknown).

According to Thomas Volkens in regards to Moral Trust:

"Values, norms and attitudes, as they are understood here, are patterns of shared orientations, which are culturally transmitted through processes of socialization and enculturation and remain relatively stable over time (Parsons [1939] 1994; Inglehart 1977, 1990; 1998; Inglehart/Baker 2000; Kunz 2000). Although those habitualized moral maps may influence the structure of motives and behavior, they cannot survive without periodic empirical support in the long run. This means that cultural patterns have to be reproduced through behavior. This is why a cooperative ethos in an environment of rampant opportunism is doomed to fail (Rothstein 2000) and other forms of moral maps develop, e.g. Banfield’s (1958) well-known amoral familialism, which optimizes the short-term utility of the core family, might evolve as the dominant ethos. Socialization, with regard to time, on the one hand points to a long period of cultural learning, which typically takes place in the formative years of childhood and youth. On the other hand, although the process of socialization must be understood as a life-long endeavor, moral maps stabilize and may not easily be changed. Common norms, values, and attitudes – in short, a generalized moral – help agents to recognize the goals and preferences of others; they structure expectations. However, a generalized moral need not necessarily result in the generalization of trust, since the expansion of trust is inherently dependent on a cooperative and inclusive ethos. The term moral trust, as it is used here, therefore refers to norms, values, and attitudes which enable and foster the generalization of cooperative actions. Once a cooperative moral diffuses in a society it develops its productive potential by acting as a substitute and catalyst of the norms, regulations and controls of the sanctioning apparatus. Agents will refrain from negatively-sanctioned opportunistic actions, even if their actions would not be detected. Since aspects of the common good are internalized, norm enforcement by the state is of subsidiary character, because agents feel that their common interests are adequately represented by the political and legal institutions."

If there less communication, then I feel that something is up. I learn through my family that it's better off to be single then in a relationship. I have notice that each married couple was constantly arguing a lot to one another. Once in a while they will make a truce so we can be what they calmed as a "normal family". Father, a liar, caused so many problems because of the lies he had created. Mother, complainer, yells to which we knew something bad had just happen. And if my mother believes that we were lying she will keep nagging us throughout the whole day if we (my brothers and I) were lying to her or not. This is the reason that they are divorce; my mom couldn't take it anymore. And I seen the emotional scars it left my mom, my family and myself. My aunt and uncle, not what a couple should be (theoretically speaking) in polite terms but It seems as my aunt would play the dominated role in her marriage, while my uncle is doing all the duties that needs to be done. But he would take his time doing them, whatever she says goes and I mean goes. My grandparents another conflict issues (not able to comment at this time) it seems as though no one was meant to be. And apart of me is thankful that I am still single because I don't want to handle what they are subjecting themselves as.

To others they may seem me as perfect in one way... but I'm not in another. Seeing these social conflicts mixing in, growing up doubting people, doubting relationships... it definitely does take its toll. Sure I still maintain my responsibilities but it's because I refused to be part of a cycle that my family has created before I was ever born. By observing their characteristics and flaws I am able to learn from their mistakes and improve myself to be more aware of my surroundings. I learn later it is better to be aware then to become a statistic in the making.

My problems with trusting someone or trusting relationships it is one I am working on really hard. Every time there is someone who wants to date me, start a relationship I end it quite fast or even before they could say the words. How my family relationships with one another, ends up preventing me from having a relationship with someone I care about. I just get scared and move myself away from him. The main reason I do that is because I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to be the one that gets cheated, abused or lie to. I don't want to become a statistic. I cannot repeat the past. And I made this a goal of mine and added it to my list of things that needs to be accomplished. In the meantime I find relationships to be nothing else but things that get in the way. My top main focuses are: 1) School - My studies comes first than anything else. Pretty soon 2) will be WORK - my job schedule is going to be hecked. But I need to continue to pay my rent plus support the family as well. Which concludes 3) Family - I have to make sure everyone is taken care of. Make sure my grandmother's health is improved. My brothers are doing their responsibilities to their full capabilities. Make sure my father is getting his things done too. And of course to see if my mother is taking care of herself and is eating right. The less stress she has the better it is for the rest of the entire family. I know it may seem a lot but if someone is willing to head forth with this task, shouldn't they give it a shot. This family always relies on the second born child, because they can never trust the oldest to do the things for them and the youngest are always the "babies". So who else is there for the job... your looking at one of them, my cousin is the other. He handles one part of the family I handle the other half. The sad thing is I have to handle more than him.

References

Author unknown. "Definition of trust in sociology." 2006. 11 October 2006. <http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Trust+(sociology)>

Volken, Thomas. "Elements of Trust: The Cultural Dimension of Internet Diffusion Revisited." 2002. 11 January 2002.

<http://www.sociology.org/content/vol006.004/volken.html >

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 20:10:19 GMT

Anita Sarmiento

November 7, 2005

ANTH 200

Dr. Bellas

Southwest Museum Assignment

When entering the museum I kind of felt excited. Going through the museum I examine each artifact and as the narrator explain what they are his voice fades away and a voice of an elder comes in his place and continues with the details of the artifact. If it was something that a woman would wear or use I picture that lady standing there and demonstrating how it were used. I imagine also a man either a chief or and elder man speaking in their native tongue how the tools were used. Even though I don’t know how to speak it, I can still understand.

In consideration the exhibits are aimed for the general public and for anyone who is interested in Native Indian Culture, but apart of me feels that the exhibits existed for those who forgot or don’t know how their culture lived. They brought the exhibits to them. So they won’t let their culture fade away. It’s bad enough that not that many of us don’t know our full heritage and even those who struggled are simply left with little or no data about their tribes. And even harder if their family members didn’t know much information on which tribe they are from or can’t remember how they were because as time goes by some of the memories they had are becoming forgetful and it is heart broken that those who want to know their history can’t because of this happening in their family. This is a better solution for those who want to know their roots to see what their tribes did in their clan and how things were during their time on earth. Those who weren’t able to learn it through their family members are for sure capable of learning it through artifacts, books and communicating with those who still remain in the native tribal lands.

There were so many artifacts that I found that were so exciting and interesting to me it was very hard to choose just one. Growing up I was always fascinated with weapons and not just the common daily usage of modern (present) guns. I was more into swords, draggers, knives, arrows, etc. Anything that was made out of common tools that created these items. Each area that contains these artifacts I try and study the style, if they have any shapes symbols or designs that have a significant meaning. One in particular exhibit was the coastal region weapons artifacts. I was very inspired from the style of some of the draggers. They had a very narrow blade with a sharpen edge. The grip contains a unique pattern that I have never seen before. But in the middle of one of them it contain (if I remember correctly) a design of a whale. I could be mistaken but I think there were a whale and another dragger having a raven on the grip handle. Despite the fact they most likely use these draggers for either tools or hunting, I am sure they were also used in battling among enemy tribes or early settlers.

I have found this opportunity a wonderful experience for me. I am simply looking forward to coming again to the Southwest Museum. And the next time I come back not only will I get some more tea (small joke) but I will also like to get a Native drum for my baby brother, books of course, perhaps a blanket or two but also some fried bread mix. I know my family would look forward into having some fried bread. I hope the next time when I do come back that my brothers would come with me and see one particular display which is on the Plains exhibit is located because this is where they contain some of the artifacts that once were used, worn or created by our native tribe of Crow Indian.

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When people view Native Indians they usually refer the movies interpretation or even animation but do they really know what Native Indians are? What do they believe or what do they know? When people think of Native Indians they think of Thanksgiving or the game “Cowboys vs. Indians”. Some consider Natives as “Bad Guys” during the old west, but when they grow up and learn more they see that this is not the case. Each Native tribe has different beliefs about how life is formed, tales about legends and heroes, custom and traditions and other techniques they use for daily tasks. If only other people could view the Natives’ ways with an open mind, then they could learn so much. They would be able to educate their children to respect other people’s beliefs, to not insult them if they don’t believe in the same thing as they do, and acknowledge that even though we may look different on the outside, were all the same on the inside… after all we’re all human.

The Crow tribe is known by a couple of names through many years (Siouan and Hidatsas) and still today we acknowledge those names despite Crow being the main focus of identity. The elders would still go under the others names which still forms the Crow’s Nation. “The Crow name for themselves is ‘Apsaruke’, which early interpreters mistranslated as ‘gens de corbeaux’, ‘Crow (or Kite) Indians’ (R. Lowie, pg. 3). The Crows are of Siouan origin, and thus they speak Siouan. The Crow, also called the Absaroka or Apsaalooke, are a tribe of Native Americans who historically lived in the Yellowstone river valley and now live on a reservation south of Billings, Montana. My father told me that Apsaalooke meant "children of the large-beaked bird." The White men later misinterpreted the word as "crow."

There were originally three bands of the tribe: the River Crows, who inhabited the territory along the Musselshell and Yellowstone Rivers south of the Missouri River; the Kicked-in-the-Bellies, this band was located in the area known as the Bighorn Basin in northern Wyoming; and the Mountain Crows, are also known as the Main Camps, they were in the area of the Upper Yellowstone River and the Bighorn Mountains. There are three (3) mountain ranges on the Crow’s land: The Wolf Teeth Mountains, the Big Horn Mountains, and the Arrow Shot into Rock Mountains. My Great-Grandfather once told my father that these mountains were their source of sustenance; they gather their food, meat, lodge poles, and ceremonial and medicinal plants. All the water running throughout the Crow’s lands all originate from these mountains. Water is the source of life, it represents life.

The Crow’s yearly cultural round was similar to other Native Indian tribes of the northern Great Plains. Spring was considered the beginning of the cycle; this was perhaps the most significant of the seasons. The first thunder was a signal to discontinue the winter’s activities, such as storytelling, and to take up tools and begin the tribal ceremonies. This activity happens at the same time as the birth of the new birds and animals. Adoption and initiation ceremonies started and a new perspective on life blended with new plant growth and the coming abundance of the warm seasons. The Old Man Coyote is one of the most popular stories told by Crow Indians and many other tribes as well. The tale goes:

The two of them are there, by that ancient cottonwood. And the younger one asks, “Grandfather, why do you continue to tell the stories?” “It's… Old…Man…Coyote, the Grandfather says. He's all alone, traveling along... all hungry and tired. There's water everywhere, no peoples, nothing, water everywhere. When he wants to rest, it’s cold and wet. He's having a difficult time of it. Four ducks fly over. Old Man Coyote says, Younger brothers, dive beneath the waters, bring up some earth.’ The first duck dives, is unsuccessful. Then the second and third ducks dive, no earth is brought up from the waters. Finally, Old Man Coyote says to the fourth duck, Hell-Diver, bring up some earth.’ The duck dives deep, is down a long time. Hell-Diver surfaces, has a small piece of mud. With this earth…Old Man Coyote travels from the east to the west, the mountains, the Rocky Mountains, the Big Horn Mountains, they are made. The rivers, the Yellowstone, the Missouri, the Bighorn River, are made. Now Old Man Coyote has a good place to take a rest. What you see all around you are here, Old Man Coyote made this place, the animal and plant peoples, the human peoples too, He made us, gave us our...traditions, our...ceremonies” (Author unknown).

It is known that as with all Coyote stories told among the Crow, this narrative should only be told aloud during the winter months, my father said that from the first frost until the first thunder in the spring. It was explain to me that the stories were told during the winter time when people were sitting by the fire or relaxed ready to fall asleep and as the story-teller (narrator) would see that everyone had fallen asleep, he would stop and pick up where he left off the next night. The reason they told the stories during the winter time was because they were afraid of telling them in the summer time. “According to one Indian this was because the morning-star comes only in the winter time. The restriction to the night is similarly explained: the named stars all used to live on the earth and they appear only after dark” (R. Lowie, pg. 107).

The worship system of the Crows' parent tribe, the Hidatsas, was carried on by the Crow; some forms have persisted to the present day. The tribe also copied, adopted, and adapted worship practices and ceremonies from other tribes. Fasting for divine guidance as practiced by the Hidatsas was retained by the Crow, as were wound healing and other ceremonies for health maintenance, and the sweat lodge (D. Mc Ginnis and F. Sharrock, pg. 42).

The Bear Song Dance is featured during the Meat Festival, so the belief in batsira’pe is the outstanding feature of the Bear Song (naxpitse’ icu’o disua). “The batsira’pe is a mysterious animal or part of an animal or inanimate object that dwells within a person’s body, emerges on some definite stimulus, and in most cases must be made to go back unless its host, who at once goes into trance, is to come to grief. Generally he is restored by smoking him with incense.” (R. Lowie, pg. 264).

The original ceremony of the tribe is the Tobacco Ceremony (it is sometimes mistakenly called the Beaver Dance). This ceremony surrounds the harvesting, cultivation and keeping of the sacred tobacco seeds first identified in No Vitals’ vision. Originally the candidate (chosen one) was instructed during the winter time and formally initatiated in the spring time, this was after the Tobacco was planted. Each person would sing one or two songs, thus “protracting the ceremony until the late afternoon or evening. This really essential thing was to have each novice dance with the persons who had taught him his ceremonial songs” (R. Lowie, pg. 284). “The Tobacco Ceremony resembles not only a unified plot but rather a chain of casually coupled episodes from the tribal repertory” (R. Lowie, pg. 296).

The Crow Sun Dance, a communal worship of the sun, was banned by federal authorities in the late 1800s, but the Shoshone Sun Dance came to the Crow in 1941 and became a popular feature of tribal life. The peyote ceremony also came from the tribes of Oklahoma in the early twentieth century. The Crow Sun Dance (acki’cirua) resembles the equivalent among other Plains tribes. It is regarded as a ritual of Sun-worship. The Sun Dance was the most spectacular and important religious ceremony of the Plains Indians of 19th-century North America, ordinarily held by each tribe once a year usually at the time of the Summer Solstice. The Sun Dance lasted from four to eight days starting at the sunset of the final day of preparation and ending at sunset. It showed a coherent whole between life and death - regeneration. It shows that there is no true end to life, but a cycle of symbolic and true deaths and rebirths. All of nature is joined together and dependent on one another. This gives an equal ground to everything on the Earth. The sun dance was a significant part of the Crow Indian people's spirituality. It was a spiritual retreat in which a large number of participants would fast, pray and dance for a period of days. They asked for answers to events going on in their lives (T. Mc Cleary, pg. 206).

During the Sun Dance the eagle is the facilitator of communication between man and spirit. The Crow may be accompanied by a dancing eagle in his visions, the eagle instructing him about the medicine acquired through the vision. The eagle's feathers can cure illnesses. During the Sun Dance a medicine man may use his eagle feather for healing, first touching the feather to the sun-pole then to the patient, transferring the energy from the pole to the ill people (E. Lawerence, pg. 4).

One of my friends who are Native explained to me that Self-inflicted torture has also come to symbolize rebirth. The torture represents death, and then the person is symbolically resurrected. The sun dancer is reborn, mentally and spiritually as well as physically, along with the renewal of the buffalo and the entire universe. After the dancers all tear free, or after four days, the Sun Dance ends. The dancers are laid down on beds of sage to continue fasting and to recite their visions to the priest. These visions may hold new songs, new dance steps, or even prophecies of the future. Whatever the outcome, the overall feeling for everyone present is of renewal and balance, the relationships between people and nature once again reaffirmed. When the camp is ready to leave all sacred items are left in a pile by the sun-pole for they are too sacred to keep for personal use. The Sun Dance Lodge is then left standing for nature to do with as it wills. The Sun Dance is still performed today, as an annual tradition to the Crow Community. Each year many Crow Natives would look forward to the ceremony as a celebration of life.

About 75 percent of the Crow tribe's approximately 10,000 or more enrolled members live on or near the reservation. Eighty-five percent speak Crow as their first language (Crow Nation Website). Despite the fact that the large sum of the population still exists, there are many more not counted because they are not full-blooded Crow Indian. There are still many people out there that have Native within them. I know this because I am one of the many that are not 100% Native Indian. While we attend the POW Wows, as do other non-natives, but we are surely the ones that get left out of our traditions. Those who weren’t taught by the old ways or are in other religions (for instance Catholic or other forms of Christianity) makes us not worthy or traitors in the eyes of those who are full-blooded.

I didn’t know that I have Crow on my father’s side of the family until I was 10 years old, when my older brother was working on an assignment for his English class in regards to our family tree or Kinship. Later, when I too was entering Junior High, I found out that I have native on my mother’s side as well. They had us believing all this time that we were Spanish-Italians and a little bit of other groups. After being upset at my parents, I wondered for a brief moment why did they inform us now about our history, about our ancestry, about who lived before we did? They felt that we weren’t ready to know. We grew up just like any average child in the dominant society, being involved with sports or dance teams. And it finally hit me, my grandfather brought out my mother’s bow and arrows that she had since she was very young. My two brothers (at the time) and I were very excited and curious about the items. My father set up a big wooden board and spray painted a target shot. My brothers’ aim were alright, despite my mom helping my little brother. When it was my turn I got the bow and one of the arrows and listened to my grandfather telling me where to aim. I pulled the arrow back, let go and the arrow landed directly on the center---BULL’S EYE!!!! Right there and then they were very certain that it was time for us to learn the truth about who we are and what makes us unique in our own way.

From then on I have been searching for my roots; it wasn’t until my older brother wanted to learn about our ancestors, about our timeline. It began with the three of us playing with a bow and arrows. When my baby brother grows up to accept and be proud of who he is, then it will be the four of us continuing on with the tradition of our people. And we all agreed to never let the tradition of those who came before us fade away. When people ask me what ethnicity am I, I respond back “Native Indian Italian Hispanic”.

Bibliography

Author unknown. “Crow.” 2005. 6 October 2005.

<http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/naind/html/na_009300_crow.htm>

Short reference about the Crow Indians, the description talks about their past history of their culture and to the present time. And what their beliefs are.

Crow Nation. “APSAALOOKE NATION”. 8 November 2005. <http://www.crownations.net/>

The Official Website/Headquarters of the Crow Community it includes announcements and photographs.

Frey, Rodney. “Stories That Make the World: Oral Literature of the Indian Peoples” 21 October 2005.

< http://www.lili.org/read/letstalk/themes-books/storiesthatmake.htm>

An article explaining the conversation between a grandfather and his grandson by traditional of storytelling.

Lawerence, Elizabeth A.

The Symbolic Role of Animals in the Plains Indian Sun Dance.

Medford, Mass: Tufts University, 2004.

The importance of the Sun Dance and what each animal symbolizes among the dances meaning.

Lowie, Robert H.

The Crow Indians.

New York: Rinehart, 1935.

A well known anthropologist analysis and studies of the Crow Indians.

Mc Cleary, Timothy P.

The Stars We Know: Crow Indian Astronomy and Lifeways.

Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press, 1997.

The ways that the Crow Indians see through stories of what each symbols significance are all about in Astronomy or personal journeys.

Mc Ginnis, Dale K. and Floyd W. Sharrock

The Crow People.

Phoenix: Indian Tribal Series, 1972.

Explaining the Crow Indians living structures and what practices do they do?

Crow Indians on the reservation

Author unknown < http://www.crownations.net/gallery.htm>

Crow Fair 2004

Source: Author unknown <http://www.crownations.net/parade_pictures.htm>

*Source from cover picture also from crownations.net

CROW NATION

Dances For The Celebration Of Life

Anita Sarmiento

December 8, 2005

ANTH 200

Dr. Bellas