Monday, January 27, 2014

VOCAB #4 SPRING

accolade-
an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit. 
Being employee of the month was an accolade

acerbity-
a sharp bitterness
The old lady acted acerbity.
attrition-
the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.
The attacker caused attrition on my body.
bromide-
a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate.  
He spoke in bromides to help.
chauvinist- 
 a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism.
Many Americans are chauvinist.
chronic-
persisting for a long time or recurring
The disease was chronic
expound- 
present and explain an idea or theory systematically and in detail
The student explained metaphysics in an expound manner.
factionalism-
the splitting of a group into fractions
The teacher used factionalism to make the groups for the project.
immaculate- 
perfectly clean, neat, or tidy esp. person or their clothes
She dressed immaculately for the interview.
imprecation-
a spoken curse
The witch spoke imprecations.
ineluctable-
unable to be resisted
Chocolate is often ineluctable.
mercurial-
subject to unexpected changes of mood or mind
A bipolar person is said to be mercurial.
palliate-
make a disease less severe without removing the cause
The antibiotic helped palliate my disease.
protocol-

the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.
The protocol was only a draft.
 resplendent-
attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous
The painting was resplendent.
stigmatize-
describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval
After failing at the job, the new employee was stigmatized.
sub rosa-
happening or done in secret
Students cheat in sub rosa.
vainglory-
inordinate pride in one's self or one's achievements
This one girl is always vainglory about winning the competition.
vestige-
a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
We found vestige dinosaur eggs.
volition-

the faculty or power of using one's will
Teachers volition their power in the classroom.

HAFTA/WANNA

Is there a difference between life after high school and life in high school? Well, why did Dr. Preston pick this title? Did he already know what many responses would be? Or did he himself sincerely think one you have to attend, while one you want to attend. High school is a weird time and that is for certain. You are entering in and you are still kind of young and innocent, but you are surrounded by these large people, many of them 18. It's a crucial time in the development of many. Academic wise, we start each year by saying "Oh, this is the year, I'm going to try really hard," then the week after that, us high schoolers are back to the same shenanigans. It is true that maybe high school is a "have to" for many students because, well without it, your success will definitely not be in your career. It's mandatory to at least complete high school. Then senior year ends, and you are a free bird. Well, kinda. In a sense you get to choose what you want to do next. Military, trade school, universities, or nothing. This is the "want to" stage. People ask you what do you want to be when you're older? They ask this because your future is completely up to you. Life after high school is what you want to do. You can legally be on your own, make your own decisions if you want, and sign your own legal documents (I am assuming many of us are 18 when we graduate). The possibilities are out there and it's up to you what you want to do. In high school, students have required classes, day to day routines, and no flexibility in their schedules. This is where the difference is. After high school, essentially it's up to you to make the decision. There can be potentially no one telling you what to do.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

SPRING LIT ANAL 1

1.
In "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom, Eddie, a very elder man works at a boardwalk fair. It is where he has been his whole life. As a child, to play, and now to maintain the rides. Right away the story jumps to "the end" or so Albom calls it. Eddie dies while trying to save a young girl from getting pummeled by a falling ride. Then, the story changes from real life, to Eddie's after life. It takes readers on a journey as to what it is like. How it is in the story is Eddie meets five people from his life who have died already that either impacted his life or he impacted theirs. He meets The Blue Man, Captain, his father, Ruby, and Margerite. I think the narrative fulfills the author's purpose of writing the book well. The author knows that there is no way to know for sure what happens after you die, so he creates a fictional story of how his Uncle Eddie's life after death is.
2.
The theme of this fiction novel I believe is that there are no random acts. In a sense everything does happen for a reason. If some things didn't happen, Eddie wouldn't have lived, for example Captain shooting his leg to save him from a fire. Or the fact that Eddie actually killed The Blue Man second handed. These things all happened for a reason and you see that as the story gets further and further in.
3.
The authors main tone is gloomy. It makes sense since the main character has died and Albom is trying to capture the feeling of death and the whole process. For example, an excerpt from the book right after Eddie's death read "Eddie saw nothing of his final moments on Earth, nothing of the pier of the crowd or the shattered fiberglass. In the stories about life after death, the soul often flouts above the goodbye moment, hovering over police cars at highway accidents, or clinging like a spider to  hospital-room ceilings. These are the people who receive a second chance, who somehow, for some reason, resume their place in the world. Eddie, it appeared, was not getting a second chance." (pg. 20) It is clear that this is a sad passage talking of how Eddie doesn't get a second chance. "Now he began to drop, hurtling toward the surface. It was faster than anything he'd ever imagined, yet there wasn't as much as a breeze on his face, and he felt no fear. He saw the sands of a golden shore. Then he was under water." (pg. 22) This is also gloomy in that you are imagining a person falling out of the air and straight into the water. Lastly, an excerpt describing a moment in Eddie's life as a captured soldier in the Vietnam war. "The enemy soldiers screamed and poked them with bayonets. Eddie, Smitty, Morton, Rabozzo, and the Captain were herded down a steep hill, hands on their heads. Mortar shells exploded around them. Eddie saw a figure run through the trees, then fall in a clap of bullets." (pg. 66)
4.
Setting: The setting of the Ruby Pier is where Eddie's whole life took place. By referring back to Ruby Pier events, or people he met at Ruby Pier, like the Blue Man, the setting tied into the theme. The majority of the setting was also in heaven which clearly played a huge role in the story as Eddie met the five people there which is what the story about. This is where the theme was presented.
Conflict: The conflict between his father and him played an important role in the solidification of the theme because it showed Eddie here that this was supposed to happen and it taught him why it did happen.
Dialogue: Dialogue played a big role in how the author presented characters. A lot of direct characterization was made largely this way. You can see how this is important in introducing vital characters. The theme was also presented through dialogue.
Tone: The tone is this book was gloomy. When speaking of death and trying to present an overall feeling and theme, the tone was very important to capture this.
Theme: The theme created a sense of organization for the story. It seemed that once the theme was presented, then the story was made around it. It created clarity and connections for many parts.
Characterization: As mentioned below, the author uses indirect and direct characterization to convey the characters a certain way.
Symbolism: symbolism is used in the relationship of Eddie and his family. The birthday cake in the story largely symbolizes his family. Anytime Eddie had a flashback to his family, it was at his birthday surrounding a birthday cake.
Point of View: When Eddie meets his father in heaven, we are introduced to him from Eddie's point of view. The author does this to create a lasting impression on the father.
Imagery: When Eddie had just died, the author paints a picture in our minds by telling us metaphorically how the sky looked. For example, "The sky was a misty pumpkin shade...". This clearly paints a picture in readers minds.
Metaphor: Metaphors were used sparingly to create a better sense of imagery. For example, " The sky around him changed again, to grapefruit yellow, then a forest green...". This shows readers exactly what Eddie is experiencing.

CHARACTERIZATION
1.
Direct characterization:
 Eddie: At the beginning of the story, our first approach to Eddie was direct characterization. We became aware of Eddie's attributes by direct text the author gave us. There was no underlying meaning we were left to uncover. We became aware of his job, an approach to his past, and how his past formed his present characteristics. Some of these characteristics are quietness, reminiscent, and rough on the outside, yet gentle.
The blue man: When Eddie meets the first person in heaven, it is the Blue Man. Because Eddie barely remembers him because he only saw him once briefly at a fair, the Blue Man introduces himself to Eddie which then introduces him to us readers as well. The author did this purposely because the Blue Man played a vital part in not only the story as a whole, but introducing the premise and theme of the story as well. After all this is where the theme is introduced as well.
Indirect characterization:
Eddie: Although Eddie was introduced directly at the beginning of the story, throughout the remainder, hints and clues were indirectly characterizing Eddie as we read. Some we very apparent like when others spoke of him. But, many were unapparent as the author wrote of experiences with his father and how it affected him emotionally, or how Eddie was always stronger then his older brother and how that affected the relationship with his brother. Little pieces of Eddie were indirectly characterized.
Eddie's father: When Eddie meets his father in heaven, readers are introduced to his father merely by the exchange of conversation between Eddie and his father and Eddie's thoughts. There is no initial introduction to him to give readers any background. Eddie's father is characterized by Eddie's perception of him which is about as indirect as it gets. Reader's have one viewpoint on him and that is all.
2.
The author did use syntax and diction when he focused on a character. It really made the readers able to connect with a character easier. By his style of talk, we can get a better sense of who he is, where he's from, or what he likes. For example, "But, I gotta pay." (pg. 47) The word gotta is not a formal word. In this case, Eddie is concerned and throughout the passage, the diction is changed, like in the example listed, to show his concern.
3.
The protagonist, Eddie is dynamic. At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to him as a old, grumpy man who can't really be bothered. As the story progresses, Eddie also progresses. He goes from the grouchy, bitter man, to the evolving Eddie. By evolving I mean that as the story goes on, his mind and views are changing. He is evolving before reader's minds. With each person he met in heaven, he started to really think about a lot of things. He began to retrogress through his whole life and wish he could go back and change many things. Eddie goes from a sore man, to a solemn man by the end of the story.
4.
After reading this story, I did feel like I knew character's. Because Eddie is "meeting" these people in heaven, I felt like as he reanalyzed their role in his life, I was also learning and getting to know this character. For example there is the Captain. The Captain came from a long line of military family members. As the name implies, he was a Captain in the Army. While in war, he, along with Eddie and 3 other men were captured and held hostage by the enemy which was the Vietnam people at this time. The Captain always had a motto and it was to never leave anyone behind. He held true to this when Eddie wanted to save a person that actually wasn't there. Eddie was risking his life as flames engulfed him and would not leave until he found this person he claimed to see. To save his life the captain shot him in the leg and him and the other men got him in the car. While driving away, the Captain sacrificed his life while making sure the coast was clear. He had stepped on a land mine and was killed. Throughout this section of the book as the Captain explained the details even Eddie didn't know until then, I felt like I got to know him.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

VOCAB #3 SPRING

apostate-
a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
 effusive-
expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
 impasse-
a situation in which no progress is possible, esp because of disaggreement
euphoria-

a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.
 lugubrious-
looking or sounding sad and dismal
bravado-

a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate  
consensus-
general agreementdichotomy-
a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
 Gothic-
of or in the style of architecture prevalent in western Europe in the 12th–16th centuries, characterized by pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses, together with large windows and elaborate tracery.
 constrict-
make narrower
punctilio-
a fine or petty point of conduct or procedure. 
metamorphosis-
process of transformation from an immature for to an adult for in 2 or more distinct phasesraconteur-
a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing waysine qua non-
a thing that is absolutely necessaryquixotic-
exceedingly idealisticvendetta-
a blood feud in which the family of a murdered person seeks vengeance on the murderer or the murderer's family.
 non sequitur-
a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow the previous conclusion or statementmystique-
a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or somethingquagmire-
a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfootparlous-
full of danger or uncertainty

I, SENIOR PROJECT/FIRST DRAFT

I have decided my plan/project will be traveling, but furthermore a travel journalist, so I can turn this into a career. I can majorly use networking and collaboration as an advanced tool for this particular project. We worked heavily on this subject in the fall. What I can do by June to prove to myself and to others that I have succeeded or at least taken a huge leap in the right direction is to improve my writing, preform interviews, and start studying and summarizing other travel journalists like Samantha brown for instance.

Monday, January 20, 2014

LIFE AFTER...

My life after high school I see very prominent. I see it full of many new adventures. Really, everything I do will be adventurous because everything will be so new to me. What I wish to do, and am in the process of making happen, is studying abroad. The thrill of being somewhere so different is what drives me to do this. Being somewhere new is pretty easy, I could drive a couple hundred miles and be in a city where I've never been. However, living a whole different lifestyle is what I yearn to experience. Studying abroad is exactly how I can fulfill my wants. I want to study in Europe. The European lifestyle is so different which I have already experienced a short preview of it and love it. It is always so nice to have so many perspectives and experiences to be able to draw from. It truly does make a person more well rounded and more of an interesting person as well.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

VISUAL STORYTELLING

Hollywood does a great job of making you feel emotions. Not only do they create a story a certain way, but they add to the story by incorporating hints or clues that we automatically recognize and associate with a certain emotion. Sometimes, this recognition can be so natural that we don't even realize it is happening. In Murder Ball, the filmmakers incorporate many extras to add the feeling at the moment. One technique they use is music. For example, I noticed when they were showing Mark and his girlfriend in the pool goofing off, they played cute music you would signify with a cute couple. This was to show that Mark was a normal guy with a normal relationship. Another technique they use is camera positioning. By this I mean where the camera is at a certain time. To explain this better, I can refer to the scene where Kieth is finally coming out of rehabilitation after 10 months. This is a very big day for him. When he is leaving the nurses give him a card. The camera at the moment stays focused on how Kieth is struggling to open the card. It emphasizes how hard recovery can be mentally and stressing here the physical aspect. Lastly, another key example of visual storytelling is showing the guy who has no limbs whatsoever. He is surrounded by kids who are asking him questions of which only kids who don't know any better would ask. This scene is setting up the stage for a triggered emotion within the audience. We as the viewers feel bad for this man not only for his condition, but also the awkward questions he is forced to answer.

VOCAB #2

accoutrements-additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity.
The props were accoutrements.
apogee-the highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination.
After my 13 years of schooling, applying for college is my apogee.
apropos-with reference to; concerning.
I have an apropos about the guidelines.
bicker-argue about petty and trivial matters.
My mom and I bicker often.
coalesce-come together and form one mass or whole.
The group after an hour of arguing finally agreed and formed a coalesce.
contretemps-an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence.
The death was a contretemps.
convolution-a coil or twist, esp. one of many.
The rod formed a convolution.
cull-select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources.
The fruit I chose for the salad was a cull.
disparate-essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
There was no disparate to the tastes. This one was better by far.
dogmatic-inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.
A teacher is known to be dogmatic.
licentious-promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters.
It is not professional to be licentious in the work place.
mete-dispense or allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment.
My dad meted me after my wrongdoing.
noxious-harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.
The drug is noxious.
polemic-a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
Many critics can be polemic.
populous-having a large population; densely populated.
China is populous.
probity-the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
The probity of the church is high.
repartee-conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.
A comedian responds in a repartee way.
supervene-occur later than a specified or implied event or action, typically in such a way as to change the situation.
The character supervened and changed the premise of the story.
truncate-shorten (something) by cutting off the top or the end.
I truncated my tree today.
unimpeachable- not able to be doubted, questioned, or criticized; entirely trustworthy.
His character was unimpeachable.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

PROFILE IN COURAGE

This move shown today in class took an unusual viewpoint than many movies I have seen. The premise was taking something of which many people viewed as a bad thing but made it have a positive outlook. Many people have impressions or ideas of how people in wheel chairs are: depressed, lazy, or mentally challenged. What this film showed viewers was exactly the opposite of that. It showed how these men, young and older, overcame adversities in their lives and still enjoyed themselves. This film showed viewers the courage that these men possessed and even obtained along their long and hard journey of recovery. It showed that courage is also individual. It depends solely on the person, their circumstances, their attitude, and personal wants and fears. This was just what I got from the first part of the movie. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I would like to finish it so I can have an even better response!

Monday, January 13, 2014

THE CHOICE

Absent and to be written!

VOCAB #1 PERFORMANCE REVIEW

My performance on the first ever vocabulary quiz of the spring semester was really well! I was absent the first week back so I missed the introduction to the words and a couple days of studying, but I caught up an was on the track to success in no time. I posted my words and made up for lacked time by studying right away. Later that day I decided to make flash cards to help the process and potentially make studying more convenient and easier. This did help and I was able to study with ease and efficiency. My only mistake on the test was caused from rushing because of my overconfidence on my knowledge. I made a silly mistake by writing the wrong word for the wrong number! If I slow things down, I will be fine!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

VOCAB: SPRING 1

adumbrate
report or represent in outline
Before I start an essay, I adumbrate my ideas.
apotheosis 
climax
When the author explained the conditions, it was the apotheosis of the book.
ascetic 
practice of severe self-discipline from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
Many Catholics can be described as ascetic as they follow each guideline in the Bible.
bauble 
small trinket
While in Italy, I bought many baubles.
beguile 
charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way
The mistress beguiled the old man to marry her just for his money.
burgeon 
begin to grow or increase rapidly
With the new soil, my flowers burgeoned.
complement 
thing that completes perfection
The final touches on the house created complement.
contumacious 
stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority
Many toddlers are contumacious.
curmudgeon 
bad tempered person
Upon waking up way to early, the curmudgeon man was grumpy.
didactic 
intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.
The colorful alphabet was meant to be didactic for the new learners.

HACKING MY EDUCATION

This metaphor had always been a bit confusing to me! How do you take a lesson that a trained professional gives you and ask to do it totally different? More than confusing, it is intimidating!! What if your personal way doesn't work. Learning is very personal! So maybe that is why we are supposed to "hack our education". We as the students know what is best for our learning capabilities. By changing and personalizing the curriculum, we can get ample knowledge. This thing is starting to sound more and more reasonable. The hard part is how do we do it, and better yet, how will your way work for 39 other people in the class. The best way to judge is by trying. First semester I never suggested a different way. However, I honestly didn't know a better way. I do very well at learning the way I am presented. When I come across a better way this spring semester, however, I will bring it to your attention Dr. Preston!

THE CHOICE

1. What is the "choice" referred to in the title?
The choice in this essay is the choice they give their daughter. Whether to drink the "poison" willingly, or whether the parents need to force her to drink it.
2. Is it a real choice?  Why/why not?  What is the alternative?
This choice is not really a choice at all. First, she has to drink the medicine either way. Secondly, the alternative is she dies if she doesn't take it.
3. Why does the author use the word poison in the first line?
The word poison adds a lot of emotion to the article. By appealing to emotion in the first line, the author has the reader hooked from the beginning.
4. The author's daughter wants to play with a toy that is intended for older kids.  Why?  Do you agree with her?  
She wants to play with a toy that is intended for older kids because she says she will not live to be that age. I agree with the fact that she has to play with it. Everyone should have something they have to do before they die.
5. If you thought you might not live to the age of 30 what would you want to do right now?
Right now, I would want to do things I have always been scared of doing. I would want to accomplish many big things in my terms.
6. Under what circumstances does it make sense to endure discomfort--or even force it on a loved one-- in service to a greater/more important cause?
I think it always makes sense until they are old enough (in her case) and wise enough to make the decision of whether they want to keep fighting and potentially suffer, or give up.
7. Is suffering a necessary condition of life and love?
Suffering is a necessary condition of life and love because through experiences which cause suffering, an individual may view things different, or become wiser in some way, or even become stronger as a person from this suffering.
8. Most readers don't share the author's circumstances, but we feel an emotional response to his words.  Why? 
Many feel emotion to his words because this girl is so young and hasn't had the opportunity to really enjoy life to its fullest. Also, in many cases, reader's can relate.