Reflection 7

Throughout this semester I have been putting in practice all the tips I've been given from my instructors. The tip I found very helpful is what Mrs. Barbara Luther told to my ESL 184 class at the beginning of my journey at Fullerton College. She said that back in her high school years she would feel more inspired to write at the end of the night because there was nothing but silence in her house and that indeed her best essays were the ones she had written almost before dawn. Likewise, I myself feel the same not only when writing, but also by studying. It's very exciting to see how much I can study when there's no noise annoying me. I live In a small apartment so most of the time I have to deal with my mother cooking, my father watching T.V. or my sister talking through the phone. It actually takes me time to go back to my readings especially when I have been reading too much. For example, I rather waited until everybody fell asleep to continue with the things they carried reading because my sister interrupted me for being in my bedroom watching some silly but classic Latin soap opera where the poor girl falls in love with a rich generous man and struggles to marry him because his family doesn't accept her for being poor. Additionally, I think when I stay overnight studying the time goes slower than during the day. I tried to read the chapter "ambush" on the things they carried at 12 pm and by the time I finished a couple of pages It was already 2:15 pm and I had to go to work. On the other hand, I finished speaking of courage from page 137 to page 145 in about 20 minutes because I was reading at one in the morning. I felt like I was reading in my first language. It's amazing how much we can improve our skills when we are concentrated.

Vocabulary 7

Prick

Synonym detestable
Antonym Charming
Definition noun

an obnoxious or contemptible person

I've got to say, when I look back on how it all began, I marvel at what an arrogant prick I was.

http://dictionary.reference.com/dic?q=prick&search=search

When my sister is in a bad mood she is such a prick

Joseph Finder Paranoia P. 3


Disbursement

Synonym expense
Antonym
Definition noun

money paid out or spent.

I gave them all the right disbursement numbers, authorized the transfer of funds in advance.

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

When my best friend claimed her taxes, she had to bring all her disbursements to receive an extra refund.


Paranoia P. 3

Standoffish

Synonym unfriendly
Antonym sociable
Definition adj.

somewhat aloof or reserved; cold and unfriendly

His wife of 42 years, Esther, at first seemed standoffish, but she turned out to be an amazing dance.

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

Many girls appearance is so standoffish, but by talking to them they are usually the opposite.

Paranoia P.5

calendar 7

To Do list

Cash office
Eating
Study For math test
Work
Finish Chapter 12 for my Spanish class
Finish lab contract 2 for my reading 96 class

Vocabulary 6

Boulder

Synonym big rock
Antonym
Definition Noun

a detached and rounded or worn rock, esp. a large one.

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

Another was bent from the waist over a small boulder, the top of his head on the ground, his arms rigid, the eyes squinting in concentration as if he were about to perform a handstand or somersault.

When I went to the mountains, there was a boulder next to a river where some native Americans used to wash their clothes.

The things they carried p. 243

Scalp

Synonym
Antonym
Definition noun

the integument of the upper part of the head, usually including the associated subcutaneous structures.

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

Even now, when I think back on it, I can still see the glossy whiteness of her scalp.

The things they carried p. 235

Haughty

Synonym supercilious
Antonym humble.
Definition adj.

disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious: haughty aristocrats; a haughty salesclerk.

By looking at her walking, she was giving us a haughty attitude.

The Restless Worksheet # 3 p. 45

Reflection Prompt

During these weeks I have been working harder than the others because I must be prepared for the finals and I need to review a lot of things I saw at the beginning of the semester. In my college algebra class I have to review some exercises about matrices. These kinds of problems are like an array of numbers placed in rows multiplied by a column of other numbers. These arrays are used to eliminate linear systems or to simplify information about a research or a survey. I think I have to go to the math lab on Saturday and ask for help because some exercises from the book are very tricky. In my other classes reviewing is not that difficult. the only thing that is overwhelming is all the homework I have to finish. To be honest It's becoming actually exhausting having to stay late to finish the assignments for my Spanish class. Although Spanish is my first language, I had to stay until two in the morning working on some exercises about grammar and reading comprehension. In my Reading 96 class I have to say that sometimes is difficult to give my opinions in class because I feel way behind my other classmates. All of them are native speakers and they are so confidant of naturally expressing their thoughts. Despite that they are very cool with me. I mean they don't make fun of my accent even though I have a big problem with it. I think I'm learning a lot in this semester. I hope get good grades so I can improve my GPA.

reflection 5

It was quite enjoyable doing the Preference assesments. They reflected a lot about myself especially the dominance test because I encountered that I used my left side of my brain to generate thinking. I believe it's because I'm left handed. To me it's easier to explain something by writing rather than drawing. Also I'm too lazy to move furniture in my apartment. I seldom clean my computer. Geometry is boring because of the traces and measurments of angles. I rather use numbers or algebraic expressions to calculate the perimeter or the area of a geometric figure. When I'm working it's very easy to notice how much time I have spent doing an activity. For instance, when i'm the cashier at the costumer service desk I already know that I can deal with eight costumers in 20 minutes as long as they don't have any returns or they don't have cristal items. Also because I seldom pay attention to what people say It's very hard to remember their names, but it's so easy to recognize them by looking at their face or the way they speak. During a speech It's more feasible to figure out what the speaker tells me because I'm quite accurate guessing the new vocabulary or phrases I'm not familiar with. Also the context itself prompts me what the speaker is trying to tell me. Additionally, this assesment precisely described me in the way I study. I just can't study lying in a bed because It's too relaxing. I usually fall asleep before I read the first page of my reading.

calendar

To do list

Reading 96

Math 141

Spanish 201


working

vocabulary 5

Wade

Synonym Walk in water
Antonym
Defintion Verb

to walk in water, when partially immersed: He wasn't swimming, he was wading.

He watched the young soldier wading through the water, bending down again, as if something might finally be salvaged from all the waste.

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

Many Cahtolics argue that Jesus Christ waded on through the water.

The Things They Carried P. 173

moccasin

Synonym
Antonym
Definition noun

soft leather shoe; originally worn by Native Americans

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

I was trying my moccasins by the time my cousing was asking me whether we wanted to go out or not.

The Things They Carried P. 202

Homeostasis

Synonym
Antonym
Definition Noun

the tendency of a system, esp. the physiological system of higher animals, to maintain internal stability, owing to the coordinated response of its parts to any situation or stimulus tending to disturb its normal condition or function.

The principle of homeostasis helps us understand how various aspects of body functions are interrelated.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homeostasis?qsrc=2888

By studying the human body I undestood the definition of homeostasis.

Efficient and Flexible Reading P. 367

To Do list

Meet My Friends In Mexico

Study For Math

Party

Visit My Grandma

Reflection post 3

The story I'm about to tell is the day I had to say goodbye to my exgrilfriend in Mexico. I still remember it like it was yesterday. Seeing her there sitting next to me in a green old bench outside the bus station thinking of all the moments we were not going to share anymore, all the kisses and hugs that will never exist, the long but passionate stares that I in fact miss to death, and an obvious question that she would never be bold enough to ask. By looking at her deep brown eyes I read it. It is "why are you leaving me in a world that belongs to us?" She was next to me looking at my heavy luggage with an innocent face and biting her lips pretending to be strong. She was looking at me in a unique but sad way. I think she tried to memorize my face. She knew it, She knew that I will probably return to Mexico only once a year, she knew that our love was fading away. I felt so miserable. It was all my fault for not taking my poverty as a man, it was my stupid ambition to obtain a better future. It was nothing but an emptiness inside my heart that made my mind flee from my body and my reality. In a selfish attempt to make things better I asked her if she wanted me to stay. Of course she said no. I knew why, because she loved me too much to let me stay away from my family that was already in California. That is true love, the most sublime feeling that makes us lofty. I will never forget her kindness and everything she did for me. She made me see the world from a different perspective. She taught me that a kiss is more relaxing than a cigarrete and that water makes people happier than a beer. I wish I could see her this time I go to Mexico and sincerely thank her for being so perfect for being the woman of my dreams.

weekly calendar 4

To do list

Reading 96

Finish Discussion for Spanish for the Spanish speaker class

Study for math

Work

Math lab

Weekly calendar 3

vocabulary4

Coined
Synonym
Antonym
Definition tr.v.
To devise (a new word or phrase).

"Let's roll," The phrase coined by Tood Beamer, a passanger on United Airlines Flight 93 who helped launch the attack against the hijackers over pensilvania, was named most inspirational.

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

I can't undertand the soccer games because of all the phrases coined by the narrating people.

Efficient and Flexible Reading p. 247

Burden
Synonym impediment, obligation
Antonym
Definition Noun
that which is borne with difficulty; obligation; onus: the burden of leadership.

I remember his face, which was not a pretty face, because his jaw was in his throat, and i remember feeling the burden of responsibility and grief.

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

I feel the burden of scoring a goal so my team can win the soccer team.

The Things They Carried P. 179

Clatter

Synonym
Antonym
Definition noun

a rattling noise or series of rattling noises: The stagecoach made a terrible clatter going over the wooden bridge.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clatter%20

Instantly there was a clatter outside the wire.

I was in my house whatching a movie on and suddelny there was a clatter inside the tv. After awhile the TV broke down.

The Things They Carried P. 207

Reflection post 4

This week has been a practice week. I've been using my new vocabulary words with my friends at work. My best friend, who teaches me Enlgish, has told me I speak the language fluently already. She enourages me to speak with the costumers at my job, to I lose my fear, and to obtain more selfconficence. I just love her so much. Her name is Alice and is such a sweetheart. We are always laughing and she tries to speak spanish with me when I don't understand what she says. The other day she told me "Alice's palace" and I understood Alice's a plaza. Something different I need to do this week is trying to focus on listening to the new vocabulary and see if I understand what the speaker is talking about. This week is going to be a little bit harder than the others because I need to finish all the work I couldn't finish the other weeks because of my schedule at work and all my homework from other classes especially math. I still need to write a coulpe of relfections, post three more calendars, do the three vocabulary words, and add some comments to other classmates blogs. Also, I still need to finish some excercises at the reading lab, and the handout for the things they carried. All this work is due tomorrow as lab contract one. I think I will leave the reading lab at the end of the night because it requires more effort than the blog homework and I can be more concentrated since there won't be noise at that time in my house. Today's my day off and I have no homework from other classes to finish, so I can be all day studying here.

To do list

Math test
Homework
math 141 class
Reading 96 class
Spanish for the spanish speaker

Reflection 2

During this week I've found out less problems with this class in comparison to the other weeks. I think I have improved a little bit my vocabulary which is reflected in my last two quiz results. Nevertheless, I still have to work harder if I want to pass this course and go to reading 142 class. In comparison to my other classmates I'm a lot behind. This is because I have been focusing on other classes and my job which is also another impediment to finish my homework duties on time. What I'm doing to recall the new vocabulary is writting down the words in a separate piece of paper and write the easiest definitions. Then I translate the words in spanish and try to make sentences with them. After I feel more comfortable using those words in my language, I challenge myself trying to make more sentences in english. Of course, I always try different ones. This is very hard and annoying, but after awhile everything makes sense like magic. Sometimes I compare english grammar with complex mathematic equations. I mean the learner only has to follow a pattern and be careful of the restrictions or speacial rules. I think during the years ahead I will get the native sense in english and I won't be affraid of using difficult words. Well the only thing I'm concerned about is my reading lab. It's so hard. I'll keep practicing and let's see what happens throught the semester.

Charisma
Synonym - ability
antonym
Definition adj.
the special virtue of an office, function, position, etc., that confers or is thought to confer on the person holding it an unusual ability for leadership, worthiness of veneration, or the like.

Elvis's moves seem to posses a weapons-grade charisma.

Efficient and Flexible Reading p. 247

Many soccer players like David Beckham have a lot or charisma.

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

painstaking
Synonym - careful
Antonym
Definition- noun
taking or characterized by taking pains or trouble; expending or showing diligent care and effort; careful: a painstaking craftsman; painstaking research.

The task of deciding which words actually make into dictionaries, their editors say is much painstaking.

Efficient and Flexible Reading p. 248

It's painstaking using terms we don't know during a speech.

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


inconsequential

Synonym - unimportant
Antonym important
Definition adj
of little or no importance; insignificant; trivial.

Back in 1999, he thought he had a perfect candidate to drop from the 2000 edition- a seemengly inconsequential word not in general use.

Efficient and Flexibe Reading p. 248

Although my sister crashed, the damages were inconsequential.

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

Reflection post

I have learned a lot of significant tools that will help me to improve my vocabulary and my english level. It was quite hard for me to understand some words and sentences while reading the first hand America reading; however our instructor always tells us what we should do and what the bests ways to apply sq3r are. Studying vocabulary words is another efficacious choice to improve my english. Nevertheless, it is taking me more than than what I expected to memorize and learn all the words. Although i speak spanish and I understand and some latin prefixes used in the same way are used in english, there are some words that seem totall odd to me. The best thing to improve my english level and grades is by attending to work shops so they provide me further assistance and answers to my questions. lately I have had a lot of problems in my reading lab it is very difficult. By using dictionary.com I'm able to understand all the new vocabulary and figure out the meaning of the readings. Most of what I've read is the same material we cover in the book. I think it's quite important to say that mrs. Henderson is very patient with me and she is encouraging me to improve my skills. Last time I just told her whether I should drop the class becaus it's becoming sort of overwhelming for my level, but she told me I was doing fine. Indeed I had an 87 in my clas which is a b. Mrs. Bogan also provided me such an interesting handout about cognates. and in the last workshop it was easier to study the words for the quiz. I just want to thank both my instructor and midterm to help me improve my english. Thanks a lot!

Vocabulary 2

Wallow
synonym To swim
Antonym
Defintion
verb
-to roll about or lie in water, snow, mud, dust, or the like, as for refreshment: Goats wallowed in the dust.



She can't explain why people want to wallow in al the blood and gore
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wallow

The Things They Carried P. 84

Lexicon

Synonym thesaurus
antonym
Defintition noun
the vocabulary of a particular language, field, social class, person, etc.

Two newspaper articles may not make for a trend, but lexcio-graphers and linguistics say it would not be surprising if some of the language of the war on terrorism becomes apart of our permanent lexicon

By using a lexicon I will notice if I am using the correct word choices in my sentences.

Efficient and Effective Reading p. 247

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lexicon?qsrc=2888

Euphemistic

Synonym
Antonym
Definition noun

the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.


The grim nickname for the 15000 pund bomb that explode just above the ground level, was named most euphemistic.

Efficient and Effective Reading p. 247

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/euphemistic?qsrc=2888

Weekly Calendar

To Do

Weekly Calendar

Monday

Study for math

Learning more english vocabulary

Finishing the last exercises of my Spanish class

Potential

My best friend has a lot of potencial in school

Efficient & Flexible Reading p. 109



Synonyms - ability
Antonyms - limitation
Definition - adjective
capable of being or becoming: a potential danger to safety.

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

The potential of stem cells to treat devastating diseases has been hailed as one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of all time.



Devastating

Hurrican Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the US history

Efficient & Flexible Reading p. 109
Synonyms - Destructive
Antonyms - Peaceful
Definition - adjective
satirical, ironic, or caustic in an effective way: a devastating portrayal of society.

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

The potential of stem cells to treat devastating diseases has been hailed as one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of all time.

Incredulity

The incredulity of people didn't allow them to be prepared of the disaster

Efficient & Flexible Reading P. 105
Synonymous - disbelief
Antonomous - approval
Definition - noun

The state or quality of being incredulous; a withholding or refusal of belief; skepticism; unbelief; disbelief.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/incredulity

Their incredulity persists even now that i am a senior resident, working on the world's busiest hospital emergency rooms.