Thought Paper #1

Every solitary morning, usually at an hour when most sane human beings are still deep in slumber, my coach asks us, “Where do we live?” Without thinking twice about the answer, we all respond in one voice, “paradise!” We don’t say this each and every day because we know it’s what she wants to hear; we say it because we really mean it.

     I have lived in this city for approximately twenty-six days, one hour, and thirty-four minutes. I can truthfully say that, although I am a newcomer, these past twenty-six days and odd number of minutes have been purely beautiful. I have seen so many spectacular things, people, and places. Every day is a new adventure, another chance to explore and see something new.

     I am never satisfied with what I have seen or with what I have done. There is always more to do, deeper crevices to look into. I am ecstatic to be living in the “greatest city in the world,” and to explore all that it has to offer.

     By the end of the semester, I want to know this city. I want to be an expert on the Muni System, run every trail and square inch of Golden Gate Park, taste a latte from at least thirty different coffee shops, and eat as many different kinds of ethnic foods as I can manage to find. I want to be the one in a group of friends who always knows which way to go and can always point out interesting and unique pieces of signage. I want to really understand the people and culture of every area and neighborhood in the city. I want this city to really feel like home, and not just a place where I go to school.

     Relating to the people and culture of different neighborhoods and areas in the city is a big part of learning about varying forms of signage. Anthropology very directly deals with the science of humans and their work. Since understanding people and culture is such a big part of signage, anthropology is quite literally the study of signage.

     Throughout this semester, I hope to obtain a great deal of knowledge of the anthropology and art of the city. I am so excited to embark on our many adventures as a class and explore things that many people may not even know exist.