*~Restless Ecstasy~*

I remember my post of life being a roller coaster….. Well, it’s happening again!

A few days ago, I was upset about the fact that I was broke, filled up with work and deadlines and doing a degree in International Relations which is really not my cup of coffee. Well, things have taken a nice turn for me *touches wood* So this is what’s happening:

1) I’ve changed my major
Most of the students who were selected to do Geography had opted to settle for Economics, International Relations and other glamourous subjects. In the earlier list of eligibility, they had selected 50 students to major in Geography and I was the 70th in the list. But after all those students left, they revised the list and  came up with a new one WITH MY NAME ON IT! WOOOO!

Then came the next headache…choosing between Geography and International Relations.

I spoke to a couple of people about these two subjects and the majority advised me to settle for IR. Why? They said that I would have a variety of job opportunities available. Is this really true? To figure out the scope of both subjects, I’ve listed out possible careers for both:

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:

Parliament:
clerks
tour guides
researchers
administration staff

Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies:

International

Peace Corp Volunteer
International Banker
Analyst, CIA
International Research Specialist
Foreign Service Officer
Press Officer
Strategic Planning Specialist
Translator
Instructor
Director of International Marketing
Policy Analyst
Lobbyist
Field staff
Agent, International Bureau, FBI
Consultant to Multinational Corporations
International Correspondent

NGOs

Media and Communications:
Public Relations consultancies
Communications units in Government Departments
Press secretaries
Spokespeople
Speech writers
Liaison officers
Journalists
Political commentators

Education

Government/Politics Teacher
Curriculum Developer/Supervisor
Researcher
Education Reporter
College Professor
Student Affairs Administrator

GEOGRAPHY:

Aerial Photo Interpreter
Facilities Planner
Land Developer
Site Researcher
Agricultural Extension Agent
Forestry Technician
Land Economist
Soil Conservationist
Air/Water Quality Control Manager
Geographer
Land-Use Analyst
Surveyor
Cartographer
Geographic Area Specialist
Location Expert Systems Analyst
Cartography Compiler
Geographic Map Analyst
Teacher
Climatologist
Geographic Information Systems
Map Curator/Librarian
Traffic Manager
Coastal Zone Manager
Geophysics Assistant
Map Editor
Transportation Analyst
Community Developer
Hazardous Waste Planner
Market Research Analyst
Transportation Manager
Computer Mapper
Health Services Planner
Natural Resources Spec.
Travel Agent/Specialist
Computer Programmer
Health Services Organization Manager
Outdoor Guide
Urban/Regional Planner
Demographer
Hydrologist
Park Ranger
Weather Forecaster
Earth Scientist
Industrial Developer
Peace Corp Volunteer
Wildlife Manager
Ecologist
Industrial Planner
Property Manager
Writer/Author
Editor
Intelligence Agent
Public Utilities Specialist
Zoning Investigator
Env. Impact Analyst
International Business Rep
Real Estate Agent/Broker/Appraiser
Environmental Quality Specialist
International Investment Analyst
Remote Sensing Analyst
College/University Professor

Seems like both subjects are equally matched with job opportunities eh? Well, I’ve switched to Geography nevertheless. I like the subject a lot (although it is very much harder and more scientific than IR) and I feel that I can do more activist work and do something worthwhile by doing Geography. I hate desk jobs and would want to work in the field.

When I spoke to my role model: My literature teacher, Mrs. Rajasingham, she asked me to “follow my heart” She asked me whether the numerous graduates of International Relations have helped the world and if so, why there are so many misunderstandings, wars, corruption in the world. I agree. I worked for the United Nations and I know how they pay thumping amounts to the foreign employees who are probably less qualified than most graduates of Sri Lanka.

I hope to join an organization and help create sustainable development in the world one day. So many problems are arising due to environmental degradation and I guess the world needs more passionate geographers than selfish politicians. I know Im being VERY biased here, but what the hell! CHEERS TO GEOGRAPHY!

2) Changes in Appearances

No, it’s not the fact that I’ve gotten fatter… (I’m trying to cut down on pigging out…HONEST!) It’s the fact that I’m going to change my hair colour. I’m trying to experiment with radical hair colours these days and I’ve always been fascinated by BLUE! Yes, you guessed it right, Im colouring my hair blue. (No, not the whole thing, I’ll be kicked out of Uni) Im going overall BLUE/BLACK and finishing it off with electric blue tips!
Hope it all works out ok.

3) Changes in Lifestyle

I’m cutting down on the partying! *sigh* (Yes, it’s possible)

I guess Im sick of going clubbing now. I’m sick of going through the trouble of getting dressed up, starting the night off well, ending up with all my friends drunk or high and sitting in a corner, sulking and smelling of smoke. I hate to rinse my hair for hours to get rid of the smell of smoke from it, I hate it when people start knocking over glasses because they are too drunk to even stand straight, let alone walk, I hate the fact that none of my girl friends come out partying with me (mostly cuz they dont get permission), I hate the fact that I HAVE to wait till my boyfriend drops me home, even though I want to go home earlier (Since I do not own my own car and my father refuses to let me drive his vehicle, alone).

So, Im taking it easy and relaxing at home. No more tiresome weekends for this lass! I might occassionally go out to hang with my girlies but other than that..NADA!

I’m also thinking of concentrating more on my studies without waiting till the last minute, have panic attacks and cram myself into finishing the entire syllabus in ONE day. I hope all this works out well and I dont end up being bored out of my mind.

Well.. that’s all for now folks! Hope life is treating you well as it is for me!

I like to think so.

Life’s been good after the marathon of A/Ls but has become very stressful at the same time. I guess it’s a phase of adjusting to the outside world and taking up responsibilities more seriously. The days where I was pampered and looked after are long gone, and I find myself out in the open road that was illustrated to us as this beautiful, carpeted highway with the appropriate directions and road signs, ready to guide us through. We all knew this was going to happen one day or another, so what seems to be the problem? Well, for starters, it turns out my open road is not a luxurious highway but a gravel road full of dust and dirt with large potholes with hardly any proper road signals and guidance.

Yes, life is tough. Especially when you are living in Sri Lanka anyway. When I asked my cousins whether they had a post-teenage crisis, all I got were sniggers and snorts.

“Achchi ammek wage katha karanne nathuwa inna” (Stop talking like a granny) was one of the harsh replies.

But seriously, am I the only one who’s feeling this? Was life easier for young adults in the past? Is it the sky-rocketing inflation rates the cause of it all?

FINANCE-WISE:
To be honest I haven’t bought something fabulous in quite a long time now. I’m always looking out for bargains which can be so stressful and finally after a day’s of wandering around end up with NOTHING! Most of my hard-earned cash goes to my phone bill and food. Its depressing the way money disappears off these days especially when you have to go through so much to earn the darn thing.

I also don’t feel like asking for money from my parents. I know for a fact that even they are having financial crises with the ongoing economic situation in Sri Lanka. I try to even pay my tuition fees with my own money without asking from my dad. I often wonder how daily labourers and people who earn very little survive these days….do they starve? steal? beg or borrow? How do people overcome the stress of life?

EDUCATION/JOB-WISE:
The goal of most students nowadays is to get as much as certifications and qualifications as soon as possible. It’s more of a trend that everyone’s following really, but it’s given the statement “the survival of the fittest” a whole new meaning. Should I follow the trend? Will I be deprived of better job opportunities if I don’t?

My ambition as I’ve mentioned earlier is to become a policy maker on sustainable development. (hopefully) Thanks to financial situations, I am in Colombo University doing a degree in International Relations. (Yes, a B+ was not good enough for a Geography major) *sigh* They all say IR will help me in future, but will it really? Will I ever like it as much as I loved Geography? Will I achieve my goals in life with an BA in IR?

I hope things ease out soon. I don’t want wrinkles on my forehead before due time!

Yes, I’m a strong buddhist. I do not go to temple every day nor do I worship lord Buddha 2-3 times a day, but I believe in the buddhist way of life; I believe in karma : what goes around comes around. Is that what’s happening to this country? Is it all coming back to us now? Is that what’s happening to the entire world? Before expanding on to the entire world, I’d like to talk about what’s happening in our dear little country, Sri Lanka.

“Is there a place justifying violence and conflict in out religious traditions?”

This is something that has been in my mind since the day every one was all for the “all out war”. It’s been bothering me so darn much that I even picked it up as a project title for a course assignment at uni. *sigh*

Firstly, what is Buddhism?

It is, as we know, more of a philosophy than a religion per se, which focuses on personal spiritual development, a deep insight into the true nature of life and does not worship any gods or deities. According to Buddha’s teachings, the ethical and moral principles are governed by examining whether a certain action, connected to body or speech is likely to be harmful to one’s self or to others and thereby avoiding such harm. This is achieved foremost by cultivating good conduct by training in what is known as “The Five Precepts”. One should be aware of the fact that if one breeches any of it, it will result in an action that is known as “Karma” and one must examine how such a breech can be avoided in future.

Of these above mentioned five precepts, I’m going to stress on the first:

“To undertake training to avoid taking the life of beings”

This means that all beings, humans and non-humans alike, have a right to live their lives peacefully and this right should be respected.

Now let’s move on to Violence and its relation to buddhist ethics…

In modern use, “violence” is used broadly to describe negative human actions harmful to other living beings, living organisms, eco-systems and the environment. This is opposed in Buddhism as I initially confirmed by pointing out the first precept. Buddhism is a peaceful way of life and nothing in Buddhist scriptures gives any support to the use of violence as a means of resolving a conflict.

This is what Buddha feels about violence and conflict:

“Even if thieves carve you from limb to limb with a double-handed saw, if you make your mind hostile, you are not following my teaching.”- Kamcupamasutta, Majjima-Nikaya. 28-29

“Hatred will not cease by hatred, but by love alone.
This is the ancient law” - “Yamaka Wagga”, Dhamma Pada

“In times of war
Give rise in yourself to the mind of compassion
Helping living beings
Abandon the will to fight
Wherever there is a furious battle,
Use all your might
To keep both sides’ strength equal
And then step in to reconcile this conflict”

Given that Sri Lanka is the proud home of Theravada Buddhism and the fact that the majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists (69.3%) , it is unimaginable how and why within the last two decades Sri Lanka has experienced such severe violent activities. True, the violent activities has no direct link to Buddhism, but the the occurrence of violence in Sri Lanka has challenged sustainability of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and is seemingly influencing the society. This unhealthy conditions have become such a routine to us that we are oblivious to the gory details of such incidents unless the numbers of the deaths are high and more damage has been done.

This is not only apparent in the ongoing war situation, but in the rise in crimes such as kidnappings, rapings and other anonymous murders etc. I believe that the roots of such violence in Sri Lanka are based on economic factors, linguistic issues, issues in equal opportunities and human rights, democratic representation in the political system and other issues which all reflect Buddha’s views on the link between “Thanha” (Greediness), “Aasha” (Necessitation) and Violence. The more you necessitate, the more your calm and composed frame of mind is impaired.

Do we need more than just Buddhist teachings? Yes, I believe that Sri Lanka is desperately in need of a “righteous leader”. Buddha states this, in a legendary outline (stated in the Cakkavattisihanada Sutta):

“In this way monks, money was not being given to the poor. Poverty flourished; because poverty flourished, theft flourished; because theft flourished, weaponry flourished; because weaponry flourished, murder flourished; because murder flourished, these beings’ vitality decreased.”

Because of this king’s inability to provide a means of wealth for the poor, poverty increased in that society and created a violent context. As a result, crimes increased. This can be taken as an example to compare the economic situation of Sri Lanka and to draw parallels to the increasing rates of violence.

Buddhism as stated earlier promotes a peaceful way of life. It speaks of Metta (Compassion), Ahimsa (Non-violence), Tolerance, Wisdom, The middle path and peace amongst all. But are any of these in any of our thoughts? We speak of wiping out the terrorists…..seems so simple doesn’t it? But it all involves breeching each and every concept that Buddha ever taught us; each and every good value that He tried so hard to instill in us. We speak of stopping a war…will we be able to stop the hatred people have against each other? Are we assured that another war will not be created? How are we to stop such a war when countries like England and USA could not fight off terrorism by means of armory?

I suppose we all like to hope…. for a better future. Ironic isn’t it?