You can see a complicated web of connections and interactions that shape my experiences and exchanges when I think about the networks of family and trade in my daily life. My close family members are the most important people in my network because they give me mental support, advice, and a sense of belonging. I give and receive love, respect, and shared adventures with them, which helps both of us grow and be happy.

Besides my family, my network includes friends, lecturers, and other individuals I know. Each of them holds a unique position in my life. Friends give me company, security, and shared interests, which makes my social life better and gives me a sense of belonging. Another important part of my network is my classmates, with whom I share information and get help, which helps me grow and improve in the classroom.

I have personal relationships, but I am also a part of bigger networks that are based on activities and interests we all share. For instance, I play netball with other people and learn new skills, how to work as a team, and how to get along with others. This network gives me a sense of community and a common goal, which makes my life better in ways other than just interacting with other people.
I exchange not only items and services through these networks, but also trust, respect, and support, which are hard to put a price on. Both sides gain from these exchanges and help the network as a whole.

Thinking about my networks of family and exchange makes me realize how linked people are and how important it is for us to have experiences and identities that are shaped by exchanges. It makes me think about how important these connections are and how I need to take care of them so they keep growing and getting better.

When I think about my own beliefs and how they create "otherness," I see that I have taken on board many of the stereotypes and negative ideas about people that society and the media have spread. People often make these assumptions because they don't understand or hear other points of view, which makes them see certain groups of people in a simple and wrong way.

I really liked one of the parody examples in Ngozi's TEDTalk called "The Danger of a Single Story." It was brought up that one story can lead to stereotypes and false beliefs. I know that I have told these single stories before, especially about countries or groups that I don't know very well. These stories can make people feel "other" and keep damaging assumptions alive.

In Wainana's "How to Write About Africa" piece, I saw another example that made me question what I thought I knew. He makes sarcastic ideas, like calling Africans "noble savages" or focused only on poverty and disease. These show how dangerous it is to simplify and misrepresent complex cultures. I'm aware that I may have believed these stories without meaning to in the past, which added to the romanticization and spreading of false information about some cultures.

"Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" by Miner also reminds us how easy it is to get the wrong idea about strange habits and practices. The article talks about everyday things in American society in a way that makes them seem strange and foreign. It does this to show how important it is to understand other cultures before you judge them.

All in all, these cases have taught me to be more aware of the stories I read and the assumptions I form about other people. I can help reduce "otherness" and increase knowledge and kindness by questioning my own stereotypes and looking for different points of view.

My day begins when I hear the chime of my alarm clock pulling me out of my dreams. As I gradually wake up, I see the early rays of dawn filter through the curtains. This transition represents the rite of separation as I am departing from dream land to begin my day in the real world.

I get up and leave the warmth of my sheets and as my feet touch the cold tiles, I feel a slight shiver up my spine. I draw the curtains and the sun shines so brightly, it illuminates all the dark corners of my room. I open my windows to take a deep breath from the air that fills up my space. 

Making my way to the kitchen, i switch on the kettle to make a cup of lemon water. The cup brings warmth to my hands and the first sip awakens my taste buds. I can hear birds from outside my window chirping a new song. This is the liminal phase from night to day, where I seek comfort in the calm, letting myself be embraced by the peacefulness of dawn.

My everyday existence is defined by the activities that I am engrossed in as the day goes on. There is sensory richness in every encounter, from the attendance to every lecture in the day to the quiet and focused moments of studying.. My day is textured by different sensory experiences, from the taste of my lunch to the chattery of students i pass by on campus and the feel of my solid pen pressing on my notebooks. This is my reincorporation