As previously stated, the reason I'm in Grahamstown is to attain a Master's Degree in Sociology. In order to get this degree, I must write an extensive thesis, which involves reading. A LOT OF READING. All this reading that I must do is entirely academic writing and I'm sure you know what that implies...
read, read, read
...
start to fall asleep
...
have some coffee
...
read, read, read
...
go to the bathroom
...
make a cup of tea
...
read, read
...
crack a beer
...
read
...
surf the internet
...
read for five seconds
...
surf the internet some more
...
check facebook
...
stumble upon
...
glance at the book on participatory development rhetoric
...
check email
...
beer
...
email
...
what was I supposed to be doing again? Oh yeah, work. Oh well, I guess 10 pages is enough for today...
But I digress...this post was not supposed to be a tangent about my pathetic lack of study skills and the beer/study program. This post was intended to comment on the letter Z...or was it S? I can't remember.
You see, I am attending a South African university. That means that not much of the reading is published in America. Most of the books and articles that I have to read are published in either England or South Africa, written by either southern African or European scholars; and, as some of you may know, people from such places do not often use the letter Z in spelling, as opposed to Americans who use Z all the time.
When I began my studies, I decided to continue to spell in my American way (so...organiZation, NOT organiSation).
This has come at a price. After reading so much, I don't know anymore what words should have a Z and what words should have an S...and in the desperate attempt to not lose any little piece of my American identity, I have found myself PUTTING Z's IN EVERYTHING!
And...what's even worse...I almost spelled the word "neighbor" like "neighbour"...don't worry, I caught myself. Whew, close one!
...organization, utilization, mobilization, criticize, specialize, emphasize...yeah, it's a Z...I looked it up! :)
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