Reflection 5

Wow! Honestly, I feel elated that we are in the middle of the semester already. When I decided to enrolled into reading 096 & English 059 this semester I was skeptical at first because I have never taken to two classes at the same time. I knew from the beginning this was going to be a challenged for me because I also work fulltime.  It’s been really tough juggling two classes and work at the same time, but I’m extremely motived to do my best to exceed in both of my classes. I remember when I was child I dreamt of attending college after high school, but I knew my parents did not have the resources to pay for it. Now, as an adult student, I feel boisterous for returning to school.  My motivation is strong right now; although sometimes I feel overwhelmed with some much homework and reading that I just want to walk away from everything. When those ludicrous moments happen I look in the mirror I see a new me. Going back to school has changed me into a thriving person. What is keeping my motivation strong is believing in myself. For the first time in long time my focusing on me. I’m living my dream and making it a reality. I’m so blessed to have both of my parents, my husband, and my friends by my side cheering me on all the time. They always keep motivating me to working harder and to never give up.

To do list 5

1) prewrite my essay
2) complete my in-class outline
3) study my vocabulary words
4) get my house ready for open-house
5) study my sentence structure for English class quiz
6) Read the pact chapter 4,5, & 6 for reading 096 - Read The Pact chapter 7 & 8 for English 056
     and write reading response

To do list 3

1) Use the SQ3R method for my English class
2) Organize my closets
3) Organize my kitchen cabinets
4) finish my class assignments
5) Re-do my intro and conclusion for my 2nd essay

Reflection 4

Long-term Goal: get a B.A. degree

Mid-term Goal: open a Wine Bar

Short-Term goal: buy a new house

 Dear Susan,

    Hope everything is going well with you and the family. I wanted to share some of my goals that I finally I accomplish such as my long -term goal, mid-term goal, and my short term goal. Hopefully you enjoy them.

A long term of mine was to get my B.A. degree. Wow! I can finally say “I did it”. Getting my degree in English was the best decision I made as an adult.  As I look back at all of the obstacles I had to go through in order to make my dream come true. I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat. I remembered how difficulty it was to juggle work and college at the same. Some days I didn’t sleep at all. I sometimes felt like if I was zombie in my own little world. The stress of writing essays was so overwhelming that at one point I wanted to just quit, but I kept motivation myself and kept working harder to reach my goal. Some of the steps I took to pass my classes were a few strategies that my teacher Ms. Bogan taught me in my reading 96 class. I would create vocabulary cards to learn new words, annotate, annotate, annotate this method helped me so much when reviewing textbooks, and the SQ3R method this was my tool to use to study of exams.  During my college journey I met some of the most incredible teachers that inspired me to continue with my studies. I also had some amazing classmates that I can now call some of my closest friends. Overall I can say I had a wonderful college experience.

A mid-term goal of mine was to open a wine bar. Marring a wine aficionado was the best decision I made.  My Husband I are lovers of wine.  We just love to entertain our family and friends by hosting wine tasting parties each month. We create specialized menus starting with the appetizers, to the salad, and the main course to complement our wine choices for that evening.  One day we were having a glass of wine in the backyard and as I was sipping my wine a crazy thought came into my mind.  I had some plans and I always wanted to become an entrepreneur. I turned around and looked at my husband and said “it would be awesome if we opened a wine bar”.  He loved the idea. We had just moved to a new city, so first we checked out some potential locations and finally found a beautiful a little shop by the water in Orange County. I decided to take a 2 day wine course in the Nape Valley Wine Academy, so I can become a wine expert. We reached out to some small upcoming wines companies to see if they wanted to display their wine in our new wine bar. After several months the wine bar is open.

A short term goal for me is to finally buy a new home. After living in our current home for 10 years we decided it was time to move the family to a beach community. This was a difficult task for my husband and me.  The frivolous conversations we had with our previous agent were a waste of time. We knew exactly what we were looking for.  There were several steps such as getting our current home ready to sell.  The house need to be de-clutter, clean the carpet and flooring, paint the interior, make some minor kitchen improvements, needs to fix lighting outside. During that process we were house hunting too. I really love to cook, so I wanted a well-equipped kitchen, pool, and yard for my doggies so they can run around. Also, location, location. Close to the beach but not too far distance to work. I think we finally found a home we really love. Hopefully all goes well.

Vocabulary 3

Heuristic

The heuristic questions provide an off-the-shelf answer to each of the difficult target questions. pg.99

Thinking, Fast and Slow. Author Daniel Kahneman

Heuristic means: Interesting


This image shows how different ideas connect to one another.

My own sentence:
The English professor uses a heuristic method to help the students visualize how to connect major ideas with supporting details.



Superfluous

An intention to answer one question evoked another, which was not only superfluous but actually detrimental to the main task. Pg. 95

Thinking, Fast and Slow. Author Daniel Kahneman

Superfluous means: extreme or excess













This image shows the excessive amount of candles.

my own sentence:
For my dad's birthday, my mom covered the entire cake with candles, the extra candles were superfluous.


Pianissimo

If crimes were expressed as music, mass murder would be played fortissimo while accumulating unpaid parking tickets would be a faint pianissimo. Pg94

Thinking, Fast and Slow. Author Daniel Kahneman

Pianissimo means: soft or relax




This image shows how relax she looks.

my own sentence:
Christina Aguilera voice was so pianissimo when she was singing the Ave Maria.

Reflection 3

When I looked back at the plans I had last week. I remembered telling myself how important was to make sure I had ample time to concentrate working on my first English class essay. I also needed to put time aside to complete all of my additional homework, such as studying my vocabulary words, reviewing chapter 4, and read the Pact, chapter 3 & 4 and complete two full pages of reading notes. After contemplating for a few days I decided why not use the same strategies I utilize in my workplace. I figured I do a good job in managing my time and completing difficult tasks with crazy deadlines all the time. I created a nice colorful to do list. I categorized each subject and prioritized tasks from difficult to easy. I was feeling motivated and so ready to tackle each assignment. I felt like I was on top of the world. As I was completing assignments I would cross it out with a huge black sharpie and say “whatwhat” meaning I was getting things done.  I was happy that I finally found a strategy that really helped me to stay focus. I never realized how my work habits can really help me to keep me organized in college too.

Here are some of the strategies I utilized to complete my English essay. Frist, I listed all my major key points, then, I used the free write method to help me express my thoughts more clearly. Next, I did the prewriting, drafting (during this process my peers gave me recommends as to how to improve my essay) revising, and finally my final copy. When I received my easy back was very pleased with grade. For the “Pact” reading notes strategies I utilized Ms. Bogan’s idea of ways to annotate and use the highlight method. This really has helped me to understand the story much better and to minimize my time. My teacher was really impressed with my notes.

Looking forward to the coming week. I will maintain my colorful to do list, but I also want to add a new strategy to help me remember my vocabulary words. I decided to write the vocabulary words using stick notes and sticking them to my make-up mirror. This way can review the words in the morning and at night.

To do List 2

1) Outline and prewrite my 2nd essay
2) Do my vocabulary Graffiti cards
3) Get a hair cut
4) Go back and revised my 2nd essay
5) create the final essay

Reflection 2

You must read this book!

Growing up my parents did not allow us to have any pets expect for birds and fish. My brothers and I always wanted to have a dog. Now, as an adult I have two beautiful furry babies. Charlie is a 95 pound chocolate lab  and Oliver is a mixed maltese/poodle who weights a hopping 8 pounds. They are best friends…. Well sometimes…. Shhhh! don’t tell Charlie I said that.  They are the best babies every. They bring happiness into my home and I just love them so much. Recently, I read a novel called “UNSAID” by Neil Abramson. I can honestly say that this novel made in impact on my life in an emotional way. I never thought about how strong our relationships with animals can be and how we learn about their personality, emotions, and the love we receive from them. After reading this novel I realized that people and animals are similar in so many different levels.  The power of communication is the key for people and animals to understand each other. You see, it is how the message is delivered, received, and it matters that make a difference.  I found myself analyzing my babies more often.  I notice how Charlie has stressful days when Oliver gives him a hard time. Charlie has low tolerance when being picked on and loves going for rides. Oliver on the other hand adores attention. He is tends to be a bully with other dogs and loves to eat ice cream. I’m glad I read this book because I gave me the opportunity to communicate with my babies on a different way.

Vocabulary 2

Unrequited

It was INEVITABLE: the scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love.

Love Of The Time Of Cholera. Page 3

Unrequited means: unrecognized or useless

Type of clue: Inference

My own sentence: Gigi loved him, but James did not feel the same way. it was unrequited love.

Diligent

There were old magazines and newspapers everywhere, piles of negatives on glass plates, broken furniture, but everything was kept free of dust by a diligent hand.

Love Of The Time Of Cholera. Page 4

Diligent means: to maintain something in order

Type of clue: Contrast

My own sentence: Martha is a diligent student.

Fastidious

He was not only the city's oldest and most illustrious physician, he was also its most fastidious man.

Love Of The Time Of Cholera. Page 5

Fastidious means: difficult to please

Type of clue: Inference

My own sentence: Jesus is a fastidious eater.

To Do List

Calendar

Reflection

Life’s Backpack!

In 2013 I could no longer carry the weight of my backpack. It was too much weight I was unhappy and depressed with my life. I felt my backpack was ninety-five percent work and five percent family time.

It was time to empty my backpack, throw it away, and buy a new one. I remember getting a blank piece of paper and asking myself these questions “what are your priorities in your life”? “what new direction do you want go”?  “what makes you happy in life”? I jot down a long list of the new things wanted to put inside my new backpack, but the most important two items wanted in inside is to spend more time with my loved ones and enroll in college.

I was ready to start a new backpack. I immediately felt the weight off my shoulders.

The new weight I carry now has motivated me to be a strong positive woman. I’m surrounded by loving people everywhere that inspires me to work hard and to never give up.

I can honestly say since spending more time with my mom a special bond has been created between us.

She is my best friend.

College has been an awesome experience. I can say going to back to school has made me very proud of myself. I’m finally building a solid foundation for my writing skills that I know will help me throughout my future classes and professional career. I also have met some incredible people along my journey.

My life has changed in a positive way since carrying my new backpack.

Vocabulary

Juxtaposition

He argued that body language, facial expression and stock mannerisms function "in juxtaposition to words, " imparting feelings, attitudes, reactions and judgments in a different register.

Why Gen- Y Jonny Can't Read Nonverbal Cues. Page 1

Juxtaposition means a different pattern.

type of clue: Definition

My own sentence
A juxtaposition of two cars show that one car an save more gas than the other one.


Adept

It is a skill that we all must learn, in actual social setting, from people (often older) who are adept in the idiom.

Why Gen- Y Jonny Can't Read Nonverbal Cues. Page 1

Adept means to be comfortable in any situation

type of clue: Definition

My own sentence
My husband is adept at teaching my step-daughter difficult math problems by using flash cards to make it more interesting


Adroitness

The digital natives improves their adroitness at the keyboard, but when it comes to their capacity to "read" the behavior of other, they are all thumbs.

Why Gen- Y Jonny Can't Read Nonverbal Cues. Page 2

Adroitness means knowledge.

type of clue: Inference

My own sentence
My step-daughter soccer team is considered adroitness at playing the soccer game.