Cindy

The research seminar has truly been the highlight of CADES for me personally. There are ups and downs during the whole process but I wouldn’t change anything. The departure of Holi was abrupt and heartbreaking, but we have learned to accept that we all have our struggles and if it wasn’t for Holi, we wouldn’t have had such a fruitful collaboration with Globe Aroma in the first place. For that, thank you Holi!

During the first month, we started to get to know each other. The group dynamics were interesting: there were different opinions and seemingly never-ending arguments—quite expectedly because we are eight different people and we have to work together—but after acknowledging our issues and differences, weaknesses and strengths, we found our rhythm and a way to accept each other and learn from our shortcomings. Personally, as someone who avoids confrontation and arguments at all costs, it gives me a more refined understanding that arguments and confrontations are not all bad. Sometimes they are constructive and they have the power to let the other person(s) understand each other better. I think they have made us a better and stronger team. Synchronized sense of humor helps, too. J (Props to inside jokes relating to Old Age™ and Travor’s made up nicknames for everyone.)

Research seminar gives me an abundance of topics to reflect on: ethnographic fieldwork, team work, human connections, how to overcome problems, trust, learning by doing, and the chronological order of doing a (n anthropological) research. In the past, my understandings of doing research are look for a topic and read about it, formulate a research question, meet with participants, and analyze findings. During this research seminar and my entire learning experience in CADES, my previous knowledge and understandings are constantly challenged. In addition, working with seven other people for a long period of time is a significant change (and as it turned out, a wonderful one). Reflexivity and its importance is also something I have come to appreciate. It allows me to re-arrange my thoughts and feelings as well as nurture self-awareness and to position myself better in the midst of ‘the bigger picture’.

Our collaboration with Globe Aroma wasn’t devoid of challenges. The police raid was quite the wake-up call for us too because at that moment we started to critically assess what role do we play in this reality, as well as the strategies to progress beyond this. It was a wonderful day when we attended the rally—the sun was shining and we were walking by the canal with a few other people. There was a small open-air stage by the side of a street, with signs of ‘open mic – safe mic’ under a statue of a crow. There was a taste of festivity in the air—perhaps due to the art and creativity theme as well as the people’s kitchen stalls—although as it progresses it felt familiar, warm, and supportive. If you walk down the street, there was also another set of events happening in a big hall. Half of the hall was filled with roundtables with speakers and participants (and everyone can join them), and the other half features a collection of artworks produced by Globe Aroma’s artists. There was also a corner where we could watch a news video about the police raid. When I reflect on this event, it was quite humbling and heartwarming to know that in the face of crisis, empathy and solidarity prevail. Another thing to note is how Globe Aroma itself feels as warm and open as that rally, and I’m very grateful we had the opportunity to work with them.