Calendar/To Do List

To Do List:
1.) Study for exit exams
2.) Project presentation
3.) Dishes

vying

vying

source sentence: Right now, there is an abundance of speacial interest groups vying for the city administration's attention, each proposing a host of potential building sites, but none of these has come forward to present an aritistic or cultrual vison for a new Kunsthalle.

context clues: Direct definition clues, Inference clues, (syn.) competing, (ant.) collaborating, swimmers competing is an example of vying.

definition: competing; contending

original sentence: During this high school swim season, Fullerton High School and Buena Park High School are vying for first place in League.





http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vying

dichotomy

dichotomy

source sentence: It is the idea/expression dichotomy that is central to a number of such cases involving photographic and film works being used by advertisers.

context clues: direct example clues, inference clues, (syn.) disunion, (ant.) agreement, union, a division between thought and action is an example of a dichotomy.

definition: division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups

original sentence: The class discussion about pro-life and pro-choice lead to a dramatic dichotomy.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dichotomy

infringement

infringement

source sentence: Cases where artists have sued or threatened to sue infringers are increasingly common, the case discussed in this issue concerning the works of the US artist Richard Prince being only one of a number o such cases.

context clues: Inference clues, (syn.) intrusion, violation, when someone plajorizes it is an example of infringement of the law.

definition: a breach or infraction, as of a law, right, or obligation; violation; transgression

original sentence: Because he confessed to an infringement of the law, he was sentenced to a year in jail.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infringement

Weekly Calendar/To Do List

To Do List:
1.) Finish Reader's Journal (articles)
2.) laundry
3.) Finish wheel for Psych group project
4.) Study for Psych final (5/18)

Reflection 7

This school semester has been relatively easy to handle. I am only taking a couple classes so there is really nothing to stress over. Deadlines could be easily met, so it has been up to me to do the work and meet them. And in this, I have learned one very important thing about myself: I am incredibly lazy. If ever there were an organized group of procrastinators (which would be impossible given that nothing would ever be done), I would be among the elite. This has no longer become a foible. It is a personal trait or characteristic. I know that saying these things will only reassure my brain into thinking that there is nothing I can do to change this, but I believe I am only reassuring myself that a change is, indeed, in order. I know for a fact that if I stop being so lazy, I can lead a better and healthier academic life. I will not have to lose hours of precious sleep finishing papers or projects due the next day. A life without losing any sleep is definitely a life I would love to have.
There are a lot of things I need to change in order to become less lazy. It will probably take some growing accustomed to, but in the end I know it will be good for my academic career. I will have to do, or at least start, my homework the day it is assigned. That way I can do my work efficiently and thoroughly. Well completed work is definitely better than just completed work. I should carry around an organizer to school. I will be able to know exactly when certain things are due, and maybe I could map out certain hours of the day dedicated to doing the work. So far I think working on just these things will help me get a great start on my goal. I really hope everything works out. I am really starting to hate being so lazy and procrastinating all the time.

Reflection 6

The next few weeks will be a little difficult in terms of finishing up the semester with a series of projects and papers due in multiple classes. This should be fun. I am being sarcastic of course. No one I know, including me, enjoys having to write papers or finish projects that we, as students who want to pass, are forced to do. It is not depressing, just frustrating. As of now I am passing my classes. All I need to do to make sure I stay passing by the end of the semester, is to just do my work properly and turn it in on the expected deadlines. It should not be too difficult. Knowing me, I will probably end up finishing everything at the last minute. That is not very smart is it? I should stop this kind of behavior, especially because I know that it is a very bad habit of mine. The one project that I fear I will not get a good mark on, is my Psych101 project. Then content of the project or the difficulty is not the problem. What makes me nervous is the fact that this is a group project. Socializing with others is not a problem for me, but working with them is a whole different story. Because I often do things last minute, I find myself stressing over this particular project because there are more people involved. I guess you can say it is a good thing that I do not want to wait last minute to finish this project, but that is precisely what is stressing me out. I do not have the option to push it aside. It MUST be dont and in check at all times. Therefore, working on this project will be a little challenging but when it is all finished, I have nothing to worry about.

Calendar/To Do List

To Do List:
1.) Finish Read 96 final project
2.) Start Psych project

Reflection 5

It turns out I ust my right hemisphere dominantly than my left, and I am an ESFP. I can admit that the result of these assesments are generally correct, but I feel that the results are a little dramatized. They made me look like a mellowdramatic attention seeker, and I just do not think that that is entirely correct. I do admit that I am what people call an "emotional rollercoaster," but not to such an extreme where you could see me in daytime soap opras. I tend to skirt between emotions often. Let me clarify: I would feel happy at a certain time of the day, but later you would find me depressed, then a little later after that, I would be angry at something. It's all situational of course. Certain things happen that make me feel a certain way. What I am trying to say, is that my emotions are almost never flatlined. Everyday this line of emotion rises and falls depending on what happens during my day. Often times, I find my emotions get away from me and I cannot control them. Therefore, the results of these assesments are quite accurate, just not to the extreme.
I did not learn anything new from these tests, but I realized that I can change in order to benefit myself throughout my academic career. I realized that if I planned ahead more often, I would be able to keep track of my work and deadlines; then perhaps I would not miss any anymore. When writing essays I tend not to outline them. I write from head to paper. If I outline my papers, they would probably turn out better. They would be more organized and I could make sure that I am staying on track and not letting my thoughts wander. These tests have helped me realize that knowing more about myself can help me become a better student and even a better person.

quip

quip



source sentence: This male quip captures something essential about the face of sexism: an ambivalence, or doubled-edged way of thinking, in which women are sometimes treated with contempt and sometimes adored.



context clues: inference clues, (syn.) banter, joke, quirk, (ant.) compliment,



definition: a clever or witty remark or comment



original sentence: After being insulted by his arch nemesis, Bob came back with a quip that even his enemy's minions laughed at.





http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quip

Weekly Calendar/To Do List

To Do List:


1.) Study and finish any homework


2.) Nothing: Spring Break! :)

ogle

ogle


source sentence: As they move through the aisles, Sammy, from his work station, first ogles them and then idealizes the prettiest and most confident of the three.


context clues: inference clues, (syn.) gaze, leer, stare, (ant.) look away, Sammy staring at the pretty things is an example of ogling.


definition: to look at amorously, flirtatiously, or impertinently


orginal sentence: Most people ogle at the beauty of supermodels, but Mark found them too skinny and ugly most of the time.



http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ogle

bereft

bereft

source sentence: Morrison's mediations between these two theoretical and political camps - between postmodernism and African American social protest - enable her to draw the best from both and make us question the more extremist voices asserting that our postmodern world is bereft of history.

context clues: inference clues, (syn.) lacking, left out, (ant.) abundant in, full of, Being excluded from history is an example of being bereft.

definition: deprive

original sentence: Sally was very depressed because she was bereft of the party everyone else was being invited to.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bereft

ambivalence

ambivalence

source sentence: This male quip captures something essential about the face of sexism: an ambivalence, or doubled-edged way of thinking, in which women are sometimes treated with contempt and sometimes adored.

context clues: example clues, (syn.) contradictory, equivocal, (ant.) certainty, An example of ambivalence is when an idea is contradicting.

definition: uncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things

original sentence: The ideals of predestination and free will put together is full of ambivalence.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ambivalent

Reflection 3

Studying for the vocabulary required for this class has had quite an impact on me. Each week I learn several words I would never be familiar with had it not been for this class. I've always though learning new words was fun. I really like expanding my lexicon because not only does it make me sound more intelligent and erudite, but because it's just nice to understand people most of the time. Most words I am not already familiar with don't usually pop up a lot, but when they do, I notice them right away and find use of them. I do not approach vocabulary in a different way, but rather I pay attention more on how I process it. For instance, usually I just read the word and memorize the general meaning of the word. I try to use it in a sentence, and then once I've got it, I move on to the next word. It used to be almost like an innate process for me. If it hadn't been for this class I never would've noticed what exactly my process was for learning new words. I've always thought I was just memorizing the words instead of learning them. I've realized that there is a significan difference between those two concepts. Because of my process to learn, I have embedded those new unfamiliar words into my brain and can now use them with little difficulty. I occasionally use some of the words I have learned from this class. I'm used to using what's already in my vocabulary because I'm not confident in using some of the unfamiliar words, but sometimes I try and succeed in using them correctly. After the test, I find myself remembering most of them. I forget a few only because I know that I will not see them or use them that often. I should go over the words multiple times to learn them, because when they do show up somewhere, I should be able to know what they mean.

scant

scant

source sentence: What I eat for breakfast connects me to the planet, deep into its past with the fossilized remains of plants and animals which are now fuel, as well as into its future, when these non-renewable resources will likely be in scant supply.

context clues: indirect example clues, inference clues, (syn.) lacking, restricted, (ant.) abundant, sufficient, (ex.) A gas tank with hardly any gas left in it is an example gas in scant supply.

definition: barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate

original sentence: When I came back from my neighbor's house to borrow some milk, I was upset because he gave me a scant cupful.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scant

camaraderie

camaraderie
source sentence: They enjoy the outdoors, the camaraderie and the various skills involved.

context clues: indirect example clues, inference clues, (syn.) brotherhood, (ant.) enemy, (ex.) People who are good neighbors and help eachother out are an example of camaraderie.

definition: conradeship; good-fellowship

original sentence: During Stalin's reign over Russia, camaraderie was a huge platform of the nation.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/camaraderie

contemptuous

contemptuous

source sentence: When, in my 20s, I read the great humanitarian Albert Schweitzer's writings on reverence for life, I became a vegetarian and even more contemptuous of hunters.

context clues: inference clues, (syn.) disdainful, sneering, (ant.) respectful, (ex.) A parent punishing their child is an example of a contemptuous parent.

definition: showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful

original sentence: If the girl did not listen, the old woman threatened to strike here with a contemptuous hand.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/contemptuous

harried

harried

source sentence: the workers stand loosely grouped and at ease, but my uncle looks as harried and tense as a police officer trying to unsnarl a New York City traffic jam.

context clues: example clues, (syn.) molest, trouble, (ant.) tranquilize, (ex.) A frustrated person police officer is an example of a harried person.

definition: to harass, annoy, or prove a nuisance to by or as if by repeated attacks; worry

original sentence: Because Joshua was having such a bad day, no one was more harried after the news about possible lay offs at the office than he was.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/harried

arduously

arduously

source sentence: I have a place on the East Coast, where our neighbor is so much a part of our family that my mother never passes her house at night without glancing at the lights to see if she is home and safe; where my parents have hauled hundreds of pounds of rocks from fields and arduously planted Christmas trees and blueberries, lilicas, asparagus, and crab apples; where my father still dreams of angling a stream to a new bed so that he can dig a pond in the field and fill it with water and fish.

context clues: inference clues, indirect example clues, (syn.) diligently, (ant.) lazily, lathargically, (ex.) A hard working person is an example of an arduous person.

definition: requiring great exertion; laborious; difficult

original sentence: The hunters arduously trudged through the jungle to find food for their tribe.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arduously

Weekly Calendar/To Do List

To Do List:
1.) Finish TTTC
2.) Buy a birthday gift for Andrew
3.) Lab
4.) Laundry

topographic

tophographic

source sentence: If you were to view Earth from a great distance, as we sometimes view other plantes through telescopes, the most distinctive topographic features would be the enormous mountain ranges arranged in linear patterns that extend for thousands of kilometers.

context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) geographic, (ant.) ...?

definition: the detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality

original sentence: The location director of a major film wanted help on topographic issues relating to a small city being filmed so he asked the local geographer.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/topographic

Reflection 2

Last week I had plans to study and to finish all my homework. Unfortunately I did not follow through. The unforgiving cloud of laziness and procrastination hovered over me for most of the past week. I was not successful in fulfilling my acedemic plans. There is really no legitimate excuse for it. I was just too lazy. Instead of doing what I am supposed to be doing (finishing homework and studying for class discussions or tests), I go out with my friends or spend time with my boyfriend. I find myself in these situations during most of my life. Since I know what I am doing wrong, perhaps I should stop and do what is right. As a matter of fact I will. Whenever I am faced with a decision to go out or do homework, I will do what is right and focus on my acedemics before I can spend time with friends and others. It will be difficult and time consuming at first, but I know that in the long run, it will be better for me.
From last week to next week, adjustments such as the one in the last paragraph should be made. I should use my time wisely and efficiently. Whenever I feel "too lazy" to do homework I should tell myself to snap out of it and think of the choices I have: either I do my homework now and get it done for the next class; or I put it off until the last minute and stress over it, not doing what should be my best. Since I hate being pushed and hurried to finish things last minute, I will choose the most obvious choice: finish my homework for the next class. This way I will not have to worry about it at all, and I'll have some extra time on my hands to spend with whomever I wish.

Calendar/To Do List

To Do List:
1.) Finish homework online
2.) Get a present for Andrew's birthday
3.) Study for discussion in Psych
4.) Finish rest of homework after dinner

Reflection 1

This coming school week will most likely be like any other school week. There are no big exams or papers due. My challenges include finishing up the last two week's work of this blog and registering in myreadinglab.com. There will be homework I need to keep up with. I find it a little difficult to motivate myself enough to actually start on homework for my classes, but once I start I usually keep going until I finish.
I know this week I'll find it hard to concentrate on my studies because of my younger brother, Chris. He's a senior in high school and is waiting on letters on behalf of his acceptance or denial of admissions to the colleges he applied for. The anticipation is palpable whenever I am around him. I get nervous just thinking about it too because I want him to succeed. I really wish he would calm down a little though. Then perhaps I can feel the pressure less and concentrate on what is going on in my life rather than his. I need all the concentration I can get because of all the homework and studying I need to finish.
I don't anticipate any other problems during this week. With the right mindset and environment, I should be able to finish all I need to for next week. The only thing different I should be doing is trying to concentrate more. Therefore, my challenges for this week include doing homework, studying, and making sure I can concentrate while doing so. I can use a few things I learned from my Read 96 class to achieve this week's goals: concentrate on doing homework or studying in 20 minute intervals. Hopefully all goes well.

invariant

invariant

source sentence: "It develops in an invariant sequence of stages related to cognitive development."

context clues: indirect definition clues, inference clues, (syn.) same, (ant.) changing, unconstant

definition: unvarying; constant

original sentence: Because the problem said the letter "n" was invariant, the student concluded it was a constant.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/invariant

incongruity

incongruity

source sentence: "McGhee proposes that some incongruity (for example, something unexpected, absurd, inappropriate, or out of context) is usually the basis for humor."

context clues: formal definition clues, (syn.) dishonor, inappropriateness, (ant.) appropriate, pleasing

definition: the quality or condition of being inappropriate, unbecoming

original sentence: The elders found his dancing in the middle of the street very odd and full of incongruity.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/incongruity

clandestine

clandestine

source sentence: "Washington also expanded the elaborate clandestine war agiast North Vietnam that it had begun in 1955."

context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) hidden, secretive, (ant.) announced, apparent

definition: characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, esp. for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious

original sentence: CIA spies are usually very sneaky and clandestine.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clandestine

mainstay

mainstay

source sentence: "On the Web, students can also find electronic versions of the most popular academic journals, the mainstay of research for faculty and advanced students."

context clues: indirect definition clues, inference clues, (syn.) leader, (ant.) unimportant

definition: person or thing that acts as a chief support or part

original sentence: During the American Revolutionary War, Tea was thought to be the mainstay of the economy.




http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mainstay

dissident

dissident

source sentence: "An observer can point to the inappropriateness of using the National Guard; to Nixon's speech on Cambodia (the follwoing day he referred to student dissidents as 'bums'); to the hysteria of local officials who called in the Guard; to the governer's overuse of them; to the sour mood of 1970 as the nation unhappily faced the prospect of final defeat in Indochina."

context clues: inference clues, (syn.) opposing, (ant.) agreeing

definition: disagreeing, as in opinion or attitude

original sentence: The editor threw out the peice on the president's financial plan because it was too dissident and opinionated.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dissident

altercation

altercation

source sentence: "The odds on killing bystanders in an altercation were high."

context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) arguement, dispute, (ant.) agreement

definition: a heated or angry dispute

original sentence: My brother and I engaged in an altercation for who gets the remote.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/altercation

Calender/To Do List

TO DO LIST
1. stats homework
2. READ homework
3. clean room

longevity

longevity

source sentence: Studies on the aged have confirmed that pet owners have increased longevity and live more satisfying lives compared to their peers without pets.

context clues: indirect definition clues, inference clues, (syn.) durability, longlastingness, (ant.) death, shortness of life

definition: long life; duration of life

original sentence: The old man's longevity was apparent because he lived to be 109 years old with the help of ancient chinese medicine.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/longevity

contention

contention

source sentence: The combination of high hopes and contention has left many people confused about where those potential treatments stand today, seven years after human embryonic stem cells were isolated and grown in the laboratory.

context clues: example clues, contrast clues, (syn.) optimism, (ant.) pessimism, hesitation

definition: controversy; struggling together in opposition

original sentence: There is often much contention with politicians during elections, especially when money for campaigning is abundant.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/contention

incredulity

incredulity

source sentence: Their incredulity persists even now that i am a senior resident, working in on eof the busiest hospital emergency rooms.

context clues: inference clues, (syn.) disbeliefe, (ant.) approval

definition: inability of unwillingness to believe

original sentence: Believers find the incredulity of athiests discerning.


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/incredulity