Literary Analysis #3 The Joy Luck Club

     There are poor relationships between mothers and daughters all around the world. In the novel The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan, there was a large amount of inadequate miscommunication  between mothers and daughters. The complication between the families can be caused by many reasons, but culture stands out. Cultural differences are portrayed when you compare obedience from China to free will as American. The story would change dramatically if the characters were fathers and sons because men had more rights and they would be a lot more care free.

     The women had very little respect, or at least that's how men treated them. Ying Ying was married to Clifford St. Clair. and he changed personal things about her including her own name. Ying Ying evolved and eventually became a ghost because she eventually stopped caring. The same thing happened with her daughter Lena. Lena's marriage was headed toward disastrous ways and she didn't do anything to stop it. Ying Ying also married a man before Clifford, a man who turned out to be a womanizer and who left her for an opera singer. There were a lot of men who didn't value their relationships,

     Men wouldn't worry as much as women did. For example, An-Mei-Hsu's mother taught her how to cope with pain, distrust others, and swallow or control her tears. Men usually got many marriages and had more power. They hardly had moments where they got emotional and completely broke out. They made the rules most of the time and were unreasonable. Overall, they suffered the least.

     I believe that, for the most part, men were the main source of pain. If the story was based on them it would mostly be about unsatisfied marriages, keeping a family together, and even plain womanizing. Lindo, Suyuan Woo, An Mei Hsu, and Ying Ying all had emotional breakdowns or painful moments in their lives. They moved to America to escape all the bad in their world. Their daughters still faced bad men. Lena literally owes money to her husband Harold and doesn't have a healthy marriage. Waverly is in a relationship with a man named Rich, and he treats her the way she would want to be treated. It seems that there are good men in the world, but they still have to find them. 

     Overall, I believe that the entire concept of the story would be different if the characters were fathers and sons. The 2 reasons are because men's lives were different compared to women due to more rights, and because men would have less worries. My opinions about the novel in general make me realize that I'm lucky. Lucky that I have a healthy relationship with not only my mother, but my family. The last thing I would want is a large amount of miscommunication between my family and I, and for my family to go through everything that the characters faced.

     

Leopard Man #9-15

9. Tom Leppard is known as "Leopard Man" because he is covered with tattoos from head to toe of leopard spots, he lives the lifestyle of a leopard, and because of where he lives.

10. The author believes that people with tattoos and piercings are just looking for attention. He believes this way because he assumes that they failed to get the positive attention they were seeking, so they seek attention by getting piercings and tattoos.

11. Leopard Man stands out from other peirced and tattooed people because he tattooed his body to express the way he wanted to live his life, as a leopard. Plus, he tattooed his entire body while most people with tattoos only get a few or only cover their arms or back.

12. Leopard Man lives in the Scottish wilderness in a small cabin. 

13. According to Feys, the type of people society fears are loners (or anti-social freaks). They fear them because they follow their own beliefs and values and they refuse to let anyone's opinion effect them.

14. The "worlds most common but dangerous psychological disorder" is conformity. Feys argument consisted of people wanting and trying so hard to fit in so much that it causes them to destroy themselves. You destroy yourself due to all the pressure. 

15. Leopard Man is content with his life because he is living the life he has dreamed of. He doesn't care about everyone else's opinions on him and is relieved from society. All that he has ever wanted is his.

Latin Roots #7

Roots and Derivatives

1. duct(t), duce (to lead): conduct, reduce, education, abduct, deductive, ductile, induction, deduce, conduct

2. fed(er), fid(e) (faith, trust): federal, confidence, affidavit, infidel, bona fide, confide, confederate

3. fin(e) (end, limit): finish, confide, define, infinitesimal, affinity, infinity, finial

4. flect, flex (to bend): deflect, reflex, reflector, flexibility, genuflect, flexor

Word List

1. aqueduct(n): a large pipe or other conduit made to bring water from a great distance

2. conducive (a): tending to lead, help, assist, or result in

3. definitive (a): completely accurate, reliable, and authoritative; decisive or conclusive

 

4. fidelity (n): faithfulness to one's promises or obligations; steadfast faithfulness; technological faithfulness

5. fiduciary (n): an individual who holds something in trust for another, a trustee

6. finale (n): a "grand" conclusion, as of a performance; the last scene of a play

7. finite (a): limited or bordered by time or by any measurement; measurable

8. flexuous (a): winding in and out; bending or wavering

9. inducement (n): anything used or given to persuade or motivate; an incentive

 

10. inflection (n): a slight change in tone or modulation of the voice, as in a point of emphasis

11. perfidious (a): characteristic of one who would intentionally betray a faith or trust; treacherous

12. traduce (v): to speak falsely of; to slander or defame; to disgrace another's good name; to vilify

Antigone Questions

1. What kind of prize is given for dancing choruses of worshipers?
The prize that was given to dancing choruses of worshipers was a goat or bull.

2. How many spectators would gather in the open-air theater of Dionysos? 
There were about 14,000 spectators in the open-air theater of Dionysos.

3. How does the mask affect the voices of the actors? 
The masks affected the voices of the actors because they amplified the actors' voices.

4. Why was Antigone suspenseful to viewing audiences?
Antigone was suspenseful to the audiences because of the dramatic irony.

5. How is the shepherd to leave the infant on the mountainside?
The shepherd was to leave the infant on the mountainside to die with its ankles fastened together.

6. What is the riddle the sphinx gave to Oedipus? 
The sphinx's riddle was "What creature goes on 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs in the afternoon, and 3 legs in the evening?" 

7. Who are Oedipus' kids?
Oedipus' 4 kids are Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices. 

8. After Oedipus is exiled, who takes over Thebes? 
Creon takes over Thebes after Oedipus is exiled.

9. What did the family do to the dead body?
The family closed the eyes and mouth of the body, placed it on a bier, throw certain herbs on it, washed it, and dressed it in wedding clothes. 

Latin Roots # 6

Roots and Derivatives 


1. corp(or) ( body): corpse, corporation, corps, corpuscle, corporeal, corpus, corset
2. cred (to believe, to trust): credo, credit, discredit, credence, credentials, accreditation
3. cur(r), curs, course (to run, to flow): current, excursion, discourse, concur, recourse, curriculum, recurrent
4. dic(t) (to speak, to say): diction, indication, edict, jurisdiction, dictionary, addict, interdiction                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Words                    

1. benediction: the invocation of a divine blessing, as at the close of a religious service; a blessing or state of blessedness

2. concourse: a running or flowing together; a broad public walkway or hallway; a crowd or throng

3. concurrent: occurring at the same time; meeting or acting together 

4. corporal: related to the physical body

5. corpulent: very stout; fleshy and obese; fat

6. credibility: the quality of being believable or trustworthy 

7. credulity: the (naive) willingness to believe too easily without proof

8. cursory: done in a superficial of hasty manner

9. dictum: an authoritative saying or maxim

10. incorporate: to form into one body or functioning unit; to combine several different things into a whole

11. incredulous: not believing, skeptical, or doubting

12. indicative: characteristic of or very much like; suggestive 

Literature Analysis # 2

The Giver 

1. The introduction in The Giver, by Lois Lowery, starts off with Jonas preparing himself for the Ceremony of 12. 2 weeks later at the annual ceremony, the chief announced that Jonas had been selected to be the next receiver. Jonas eventually met the current receiver, but the mysterious old man wanted to be acknowledged as "The Giver". The Giver had a special quality within him, and he transferred that quality to Jonas. By doing so, Jonas received a distinct memory of sledding in the snow. This is the moment in which Jonas realized that there were many memories that no one in the community had experienced. Jonas learned a lot from The Giver, including the beauty, nature, love, and wonders of the world. He also realized that the real world consisted of the pain of loss and suffering. Later on Jonas found out that a kid called Gabriel was scheduled to be "released", but Jonas didn't know what it meant at the time. The Giver showed Jonas a "release" ceremony, and Jonas was horrified to find out it was an execution. Jonas convinced The Giver to create a plan that would allow him and Gabriel to escape and give the whole community the memories Jonas had from The Giver, but The Giver would have to stay to help everyone understand the memories. In the end Jonas and Gabriel escaped, and at one point they reached a snowy hill. Jonas recalled it being the exact hill that he saw in his memory. As they both grew weaker, Jonas got a memory of sunlight that kept him warm and transferred it to Gabriel. As they came closer to the top they could hear the sound of music, and when they reached the top they saw lights. They had reached elsewhere.                                                                                                                                 
2. The main theme of the novel would have to be "Significance of individuality and memory". Lois Lowery probably demonstrated this theme to show the audience that it's good to be your own person and that it's okay to stand up for what you believe in or what you desire. Another reason is to show that one can be both happy and sad with memories. However, without memories, you can't learn from your mistakes.                                                                                                                                            
3. The protagonist, Jonas, is dynamic and round. He not only gains the courage to escape from the community, but he has also learned a lot from The Giver and has gained great leadership skills. Another major character is The Giver, and he is the wisest of them all. Jonas has learned everything he knows from him. The Giver is very mysterious to everyone, but he is like a father and friend to Jonas.                                                                                                                   
4. 1 significant symbol from the novel is the river. In the novel, the river is an obstacle that one must overpass to escape the utopia. It symbolizes the escape that Jonas and Gabriel made from the community.                                                                                                   
5. I chose this novel because the title stood out to me. I asked myself "Is it about giving knowledge? Wisdom? Advice in general? What made me want to keep reading it was the fact of how life was for everyone. I figured someone will escape in the end, so I wanted to know how and what they went through to escape.                                                                                                                                       
6. 1 person I can connect the novel to is my grandpa. He has always shared stories with my family and has given us advice when we needed him. He has also helped us all through tough times.                                                                                                                                               
7. 1 idea that I'd remember from this novel was to not be afraid to stand up for what you want. Normally, I'd not want to make a scene or bother anyone, but now I know that you have to put in a fight. Another idea is that power and wisdom can be completely different. "I have great honor," The Giver said. "So will you. But you will find that that is not the same as power." stated The Giver. Honor and wisdom can come from anyone at any rank. Power can come from anyone who has access to many opportunities.

Antigone Quick Write

My first move would have to be planning how I would bury my good brother. If there would be anyone who would do it it would be me. The good person took blame once again, since he got punished, I have to do what is right. Since my sister is too scared to help, and I understand, I guess I would have to execute the plan alone. In the end I  would bring her to the burial site so she to can say a few words. If I do manage to bury him and everything continues going right, I would give him the proper farewell to. I would say a few words to myself describing him and say a few good things. After the funeral I would check on my parents to see how out of their minds they are. If they still have a slight memory of who they are . If they are to far gone I would have to be forced to leave them behind and take all that is left in my family, my sister. Next I would check on my uncle to see how he sees things, but I honestly wouldn't expect anything good out of him. My next move would have to be the hardest which is taking down my uncle's power. First I would go around asking individuals for their opinion on how things are being run. If they are in the same perspective as me I would ask them to join me on starting a protest to strip my uncle from his crown. I would make sure to only get protesters who really want to stand up and be heard. I would also have to keep a very low profile if I don't want anyone to get suspicious. I would also have to find someone special to design a special armor for the protesters in case the guards attack us, but that's only a precaution. By the time I have more protesters than one could count I would head toward my uncle. I would start off by telling him that this was all my idea and that if anyone should be punished or killed it should be me and not the other protesters or my sister. I would tell him that I don't like what he's become and that he shouldn't be king anymore. From there it's all up to my protesters to say how they feel. Hopefully nothing gets out of control. The last thing is my uncle's response. Is he going to kill me or anyone else, that's the big question. I just hope that he realizes what he's become and changes his laws. Even better if the guards realize it to and join my side. The rest is up to my uncle to decide.

Latin Roots #4

Roots and Derivatives 
1. bon, boun (good): bonus, bounty, bountiful, bonify, boon, bon voyage, bonhomie 
2. capit, capt (head chief, leader): capital, captain, capitalize, decapitate, per capita. capitol
3. carn(I) (flesh): carnal, carnality, carnival, carnation, carnify 
4. ced(e), ceed, cess (go, yield, surrender): recede, proceed, success, concede, exceed. procession. unprecedented 

Word List
1. accession: the attainment of a certain rank or dignity; an increase by means of something added; the act of becoming joined

2. bona fide: in good faith: genuine 

3. bonanza: a sudden and unexpected source of money or riches; a windfall

4. bounteous: inclined to be generous: plentiful and abundant 

5. capitulation: surrendering, usually upon prearranged terms or conditions: a final giving up

6. carnage: a great slaughter, as in a battle

7. carnivorous: flesh-eating, as an animal

8. incarnate: literally, in the flesh: in bodily form: personified; flesh-colored

9. intercede: to act on another's behalf

10. precedent: a previous act or decision taken as a valid model; having gone before 

11. recapitulation: a brief repetition: a summary, as of what has already been said

12. reincarnation: a thing that is reborn, or comes back into being, although perhaps in a different (bodily) form

Literature Analysis #1 Invisible Man

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses.
The novel begins with the narrator claiming himself as an invisible man because everyone refuses to see his true self. He reminisced about the time when he was selected to give a speech at his high school graduation. He was later asked to join in a boxing match with other black students. They made a fool out of themselves when they fought above a rigged carpet that electrocuted them for the white men's entertainment. After the match the men gave the invisible man a scholarship and briefcase to the state's college for colored people. The invisible man was given the opportunity to drive around Mr. Norton, a school trustee. The invisible man ended up getting expelled from college after falsely endangering Mr. Norton. He had to work in a paint factory to pay off his next year's tuition in New York. Everything was going well until he got into a fight with Lucius Brockway, the person who the invisible man was assisting. Lucius caused an explosion in the basement after being beaten, causing the invisible man to severely black out due to his wounds. The invisible man was fired from the factory and returned to Harlem. A kind woman named Mary Rambo took the narrator in after he almost passed out from his weakness. Mary healed him and took good care of him. The invisible man met a man named Brother Jack, who offered him a job that involved making speeches for his organization The Brotherhood. The price on joining the organization involved leaving Mary and his past behind. The invisible man later on found out that Tod Clifton, a member of The Brotherhood, had disappeared. He also found out that Tod was selling dolls. Tod resisted arrest and was killed by a police officer. The invisible man made a funeral for him without agreeing with The Brotherhood and then left the organization. The invisible man returned to Harlem and came back to see a riot. He ran into Ras the Exhorter again, and he ordered his men to hang the invisible man. The invisible man escaped the men, but then ran from 3 other white men who were curious about what was in his briefcase. The invisible man fell inside a sewer hole and the police trapped him inside. As he stops reminiscing, he claims to have been living underground ever since.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel.
I believe that the main theme of the novel is that achievement has no color. The author probably chose to write this topic to prove that anyone is capable of accomplishing anything and that it doesn't matter what race you are.

3. Why did you choose this book? 
I chose this book because I already knew that it had nothing to do with an actual invisible person, but that it involved racism and discrimination. I wanted to know the story and the character who overcame or endured all his experiences. I also knew that in one way I could connect with that character on how he felt during that time.

4. Did you find the book realistic?  
I found the book very realistic. It didn't really have anything that someone would find unreal because everything that happened could become reality. I made only one connection to the book and that was with the invisible man. He felt unwanted, and there have been times where I've felt the same way. 

5. Describe the author's tone.
The author's tone seemed calm and thoughtful at the most. "Something in this man's thick head had sprung out and beaten him within an inch of his life. I began to laugh at this crazy discovery." "I ran away into the dark, laughing so hard I feared I might rupture myself." The author put a lot of thought into how the invisible man was feeling, but seemed to have put very few emotion into it. This tone seems to continue to the end, although there was some comedy.

6. Describe a minimum of 10 literary elements/ techniques.
Simile: "You go along for years knowing something is wrong, then suddenly you discover you're as transparent as air" (pg. 575)
Hyperbole: "That is the real soul-sickness, the spear on the side," (pg. 575)
Point of View: The narrator's point of view is shown in the entire novel 
Assonance: "-without his motives being considered consciously or unconsciously malicious?" (pg. 314)
Alliteration: "-and below in the street the sound of sirens and shouting" (pg. 285) 
Conflict: "Oh yes, I kicked him! And in my outrage I got out my knife and prepared to slit his throat" (pg. 4)
Epilogue: (pg. 572)
Flashback: "One night I accidentally bumped into a man," (pg, 4)
Allusion: "No, I am not a spook like those who hunted Edgar Allen Poe;" (pg. 3)
Imagery: "The room spun around me, a swirl of lights, smoke, sweating bodies surrounded by tense white faces. I bled from my nose and mouth, the blood spattering upon my chest." (pg. 23)

CHARACTERIZATION 
1. Describe 2 examples of direct characterization and 2 examples of indirect characterization.
Tod Clifton is described as handsome, clever, and dedicated to The Brotherhood. The man that the narrator fought in the beginning was described as tall, blonde, and had blue eyes. A perfect example of indirect characterization is the narrator himself. His name has never even been mentioned and there wasn't much information about his appearance. Another example of indirect characterization is Ras the Exhorter. What we know about him is that he believes that blacks should never be with the whites and that he has a foreign accent. 

2. Does the author's syntax and/ or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? 
The syntax changes with different characters. With the narrator everything seems to be in good order. With the other characters there's not as much good use of words and descriptions. Good uses of words were used during the narrator's speeches.

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or Round? Explain.
The narrator is both dynamic and round. He learned a lot about himself and society as the book went on. He was just a teenager in the beginning of the story when he started to reminisce about his past. He also impacted the people's thoughts and beliefs in Harlem. He became a very wise person in the end. 

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?
After reading the book, I feel like I had both met the invisible man and experienced some events that he's gone through. Just knowing all that has happened to him and him telling all of it makes me feel like he had actually been talking to me this whole time. When the story ends with him saying "the end was in the beginning" got me thinking about what he had really meant and to whom he had been talking to.

ENDURING MEMORY

Write a paragraph in which you describe the one or two ideas from this book that you expect to remember for a long time.
One idea for sure that I'd remember for a long time is that color doesn't matter. Everyone has the capability of doing anything whether it's public speaking or having a good work ethic and education. We're all human and we should all be treated the same. Another idea from the book that I'd remember is that you have to open your eyes and see the reality. One thing that the narrator struggled with is discovering that there was many bad people in the world and that you shouldn't drop your guard for a single second. I always have known this concept but this book helped me view it in a different way, that is being in racism terms.

Latin Roots 3

Roots and Derivatives

aud (it) (hear) audience, auditorium, audition, audiovisual 

avi (bird) aviation, aviculture, aviatrix, avifauna

bell(i) (war) rebellion, rebel. belligerent, postbellum

ben(e) (good, well) benefit, benevolent, benediction, benefice, benison

Word List

1. antebellum: before the war, especially the American Civil War: typical of how things were before any war.

2. audit: to attend a class only only as a listener, not for credit: to check or examine a company's financial records; the process of making such an examination

3. auditory: related for the sense of hearing

4. avian: a characteristic of or pertaining to birds

5. aviary: an elaborate structure for housing birds

6. avionics: the technology of (using) electronic equipment in aviation, missilery, and space flight

7. bellicose: eager to fight or quarrel; hostile

8. belligerency: the condition of warlike hostility; a hostile action 

9. benefactor: a person who gives another (financial) help; a patron

10, beneficiary: one who receives a benefit (of payment) as from an insurance policy

11. benign: not malignant; gracious and kindly; good natured

12. inaudiable: unable to be heard

Perseus and Medusa

      Main Characters: the main characters are Perseus and Medusa

• Perseus is a strong, clever, handsome, and is a human 
• Medusa is a gorgon, has snakes or hair, has tusks, and has a tail

      Settings: 

• Arogos
• Seriphus
• Medusa's lair
• Graeae lair

Main Plot:

Ploydectes was in love with Danae, Perseus' mother, and he wanted to marry her.

He didn't like Perseus though, and didn't want anything to do with him. He sent Perseus in an impossible mission, to capture Medusa's head. 3 nymphs and the gods Athena and Hermes helped Perseus by giving him a bronze shield, an sword, a magic bag, winged shoes that   gave him the ability to fly, and a helmet that could turn him invisible. Perseus found the Graeae lair, but they refused to tell him Medusa's location. He turned invisible using his helmet and took their one eye to blackmail them. They told him where Medusa was so he went after her. Perseus found Medusa's lair and killed her in her sleep by cutting her head off and stored  it in the magic bag. On his journey back he saved and married Andromeda. When he finally returned king Ploydectes laughed at him, so Perseus pulled out Medusa's head and turned him to stone. During the discus event in the olympics, Perseus threw the discus to far, and hit someone and killed them. That someone was his grandfather.

Main Conflict: The main conflict is Perseus' quest on getting Medusa's head. He faces many external conflicts when he finds the Graeae lair, Medusa's lair, and when he returns home. 

The myth tries to explain that anything is possible if you fight hard enough. If you're determined to get it done you will see success. 

Latin Roots #2

Roots and Derivatives
1. anni, annu, enni (year): anniversary, semiannual, biennial, bicentennial, annuity
2.aqua, aque (water): aquatic, aqueduct, aquarium, aqualung, subaqueous, aquamarine
3.arm (arm, weapon): army, alarm, disarm, armaments, armory, armor
4.art (art, craft, skill): artistic, artificial, inarticulate, artmobile, article, artificer 

Word List
1. aqua: the hue of the sea:, bluish-green

2.aquaculture: the cultivation of water plants and animals for human food

3. aqueous: like, of, or formed by water; watery

4. armada: a fleet of warships

5. armature: equipment or clothing for battle, or any protective covering; an armlike extension

6.armistice: a temporary suspension of hostilities by mutual agreement, as a truce preliminary to a peace treaty

7.artifact: any object produced by the art of the human hand; simple or primitive objects from the distant past

8. artifice: cunning ingenuity; clever or sly trickery

9. artisan: a person skilled at a craft, usually a handicraft

10.millennium: a period of peace and great prosperity; a thousand years

11. perennial: year after year: throughout the years; a plant that blooms annually

12. superannuated: worn out, or retired, from age and years of use of hard work: obsolete or outdated 

Journal Entry #1

     It mostly depends on what a book is about in order to decide whether or not it's boring or not. It also depends on the reader's interest in what they read. It can be entertaining for them. yet very boring to others. I liked the Cirque Du Freak book series. It was a science fictional and fantasy type that involved various creatures. It was exciting for me because I liked its content, but what I mostly liked was the adventure and action. It had suspense, romance, betrayal, and many other themes. Others might not like the fact that it had mystical creatures, but I sure found it entertaining. A book that I found extremely boring to the point where all you do is read the title and fall asleep was Guns, Germs, and Steel. It explained how human history began and explains it for a long 496 pages in total. Some people might have actually liked it because they for one actually like history and like books that have real information about the real world. Everything goes back to the reader and his interests.

Purpose of Myth Review

1. Name 4 fundamental questions that myths address.
-What is the nature of the universe in which I live? How do I relate to that universe? How much control do I have over my own life? What must I do in order to survive?

2.Name 4 themes in world mythology.
-The first parents are often the gods of sky and earth. The creator usually fashions the first human beings from parts of the earth. The gods destroy at least one world of mortals by causing a great flood. In the world as in nature, birth maturity and death are often followed by rebirth.

3.What is the beginning of the universe for most popular cultures?
-Divine beings who separate earth and sky. Most of the major cultures start with the beginning of the universe: a chaotic formless mass that a god or pair of gods separates.

4.What do hero myths and epics teach members of society?
-The heroic myths and epics of a society teach its members the appropriate attitudes, behavior, and values of that culture.

5.Why do ordinary people identify with heroes?
-The heroes' special qualities and imperfections allow ordinary people to identify them.

6.What is the foundation of the Matriarchal Society?
-The political, economic, social, and religious foundation of the Matriarchal Society was the agricultural year.

7.What is Sigmund Freud's view of myths?
-Sigmund Freud and his followers view myths as the expression of the individual's unconscious wishes, fears, and drives.

8.Myths demonstrate that people possess...
- Myths demonstrate that people possess the intellectual capacity to understand the world in which they lived.  

Birth Order Research

            I am the youngest in my family. Being the youngest in the family can be both easy yet difficult in some cases. Situations like our parents expecting a lot out of us. It can be easy because we can always reflect on decisions that our older siblings have made. We can also count on them for advice. Research has shown that the youngest children in the family are temperamental, rebellious, charming, and affectionate. Birth order research accurately describes my personality, motivating factors, and future careers.

            Birth order research describes me as a charming and impatient person. Even though I am shy, when I meet someone new I manage to grab their attention. They tend to find me weird but interesting. When I first met my friend Luis, I had found out that he liked Superman. That was one thing we had in common and it soon led to talking. We became friends there. I was shy to talk to him, but after finding out we had same interests I wasn’t afraid anymore. I also tend to be very impatient. My patience level is really low most of the time, but it all depends on what state my mood is in. The most common time where I’d get impatient is whenever I have to wait for someone or something. For instance, I once waited for 2 hours in the DMV. There were children screaming and running around, numbers that weren’t mine being called to the front desks, but the worst part was that I was standing the whole time. My patience had struck rock bottom. The research greatly describes both my personality and motives.

            My motivation mainly comes from both praise and encouragement. When someone praises me, especially in sports, when I run I feel like I want to do it more. That small cheer gives me slight adrenaline and gives me an extra boost. When someone encourages me to do something it helps build my confidence. With them believing I could do it helps me believe it to. Overall, my best motives are praise and encouragement because it’s perfect for self confidence.

            Sales and show businesses were always options for me as future careers. I’ve considered starting up and running my own shop because I would have the privilege to run my own destiny and to work for something I’d actually enjoy. Being the owner of your own shop can be really flexible for you. I’d deeply considered show businesses, but only ones involved with agriculture. I would love to be a part of showing animals in the county fair. It may not be my own business, but at least it’s something I really enjoy doing and being a part of. My 2 possibilities as future careers are being a part of a sales committee and agricultural show businesses.

            Birth order research describes me as an impatient and charming person, my main motivation factors: praise and encouragement, and identifies my possible future careers as a salesman and show businessman. My thoughts about the research are that they’ve described my qualities and I precisely. It couldn’t be more right on saying that I had specific characteristics and motivational factors. I also see myself different.  I’ve realized that I’ve had certain characteristics that I didn’t know I had. 

Birth Order Traits

Research Aspect	Accuracy or Inaccuracy
Carefree	I agree and disagree with this category. I remember when I was little all the tension was on my older brother. I got off scott-free most of the time and didn't worry about how to do things because I could have just asked my brother because he already knew how. Everyone grows up though. I am not carefree anymore and can't even think about the last time that I was.
Blames Others	I would say that did blame others for my actions in the past. I must say though, most of the time i didn't have to blame others because when I was growing up my brother took full responsibility. If I broke something my brother's name would be the first who'd be called out. I still sometimes blame others in the present.
Impatient	This would have to be one of my most distinctive traits: impatience. My patience is very low, but it mostly depends on what mood I'm in. If I feel happier than usual my patience is high, if I'm moody, not so high. I especially get impatient when I'm waiting for someone or when I have to deal with someone whom I find obnoxious.
Rebellious	I do not agree, but also agree with this category. It seems to me that it's the middle, but mostly, the oldest sibling who are the rebels. The youngest ones develop their inner rebel over time. For instance, I do what I'm told, and don't argue about it. Something that I observed about my brother arguing with my parents was that they really didn't want more than one in the family. I'd always think to myself that I wouldn't be as rude as them and I would listen and not disagree with the system. I know that I'd become a rebel when I got older and started to see what really goes on. That day has not come yet.
Careers: Performing on Stage	My dream career is to become a doctor, not a performer. Being on stage and acting is furthest from my list honestly. I mainly just want to help people in any medical way.
Show Off	I am everything but a show off. If you want to know if I have something interesting or that I have a natural skill on something, you're going to have to ask me because I tend to stay quiet. Someone actually has to pull information out from me sometimes, but i might share what's on my mind if there's a conversation about it in particular.

Reflections On Week 1

1. As far as I know there aren't any factors that would affect my participation or experience in a bad way. I have a computer with a printer that no longer works, but I always have a backup when it comes to computer work. I have no transportation related problems to worry about because I don't live that far from school. It's only a 20 minute walk. I must say that I am a little worried about the new schedule because 50 minutes of class could lead to very little in class work. I would have to do most of the work in my own time and wouldn't have a sufficient amount of time to do it in class. I am also going to need more time getting used to working with technology because I'm used to doing everything by hand.

2. My best learning experience happened in 6th grade. I was in the morning class with the G.A.T.E. teacher Mr. Sturgell. What was special about this teacher was the way he made us think. He made us think outside the box and ignite the creative spark that is in everyone's head. The whole class learned the same thing I did. Friday was the day where we learned the most because every Friday our class and the 5th grade G.A.T.E. class would form 10 teams and would have an Odyssey of the Mind competition. It taught me about how to be a better leader, a better listener, and better thinker. I honestly think that if i wasn't a part of that activity, I would think and see things in a different way.

3. I think I'm going to be most excited about all the activities we'd do. I'm sure that we're going to work really hard this year, but I'm also sure that with hard work, comes some type of reward. Whether if it's a reward that we'll gain at some point during the year or if it's a reward that the whole class can enjoy, everything counts. I'm most concerned about all the technology we're going to need to use because I personally am old fashioned. I would rather type and print out assignments rather than posting them in a blog. Most importantly I'd rather hand write my assignments. I look forward to learning about poetry. I think this class will help me greatly on becoming a more active reader, which is my main goal for this year. Normally I'd read 20 minutes and stop then procrastinate. The next day later do it again. Unless if it's something I really like I'd read for over 40 minutes. Overall I hope that this class will help me with my reading and working habits/ skills.

LATIN ROOTS #1

ROOTS AND DERIVATIVES
1.act, ag, ig: to do, to move, to drive
 2.ali, alter: another, other
 3.am: at/ to love
 4.anim: life, spirit, soul

WORD LIST

1.agenda: a list, plan, or outline of things to be done.

 ex.) The boss said we have a lot of meetings in our agenda today. 

2.agile: able to move quickly and easily. 

 ex.) I would describe Jade as a very agile person because she is very active . 

 
3.alienate: to make indifferent or hostile. 

 ex.) In just a few hours he managed to alienate everyone he encountered. 

4.altercation: a noisy argument or controversy. 

 ex.) Given last year's violence, the altercation was not surprising. 

5.amiable: friendly; sociable 

 ex.) Anyone could look more amiable and approachable if they smiled. 

 
6.amorous: showing or expressing love. 

 ex.) Music does a pretty good job of expressing affection and amorous intention. 

7.animated: full of life, action, or spirit. 

 ex.) My grandfather was very animated in his younger years and was never afraid to take risks. 

8.equanimity: calm emotions when dealing with problems or pressure. 

 ex.) Her equanimity was striking, although her job presumably is exhausting. 

9.inalienable: impossible to take away or give up. 

 ex.) We are a nation run by laws, enshrined in these laws are inalienable rights.

10.inanimate: not capable of life. 

 ex.) When you learn to program a computer, you acquire a superpower: the ability to make an inanimate object follow your command. 

11.magnanimous: having and showing a generous and kind nature. 

 ex.) There certainly are quite a few magnanimous souls here today.

 
12.reactionary: relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction. 

 ex.) There are some signs of a reactionary movement in the art of fiction.

Six Words

I believe that you should let life take its course, because you can't control everything that's going to happen. What you can do is prepare for what life is going to throw at you. No matter what you got to live in the moment. You're never going to get the same moment twice in life, so enjoy it. Life opens up many doors for you and you can't help that, but you can choose which doors to enter.

I thought about the words by thinking about 2 things: life and things you'd experience along the way. It's a belief of mine and it basically means have to be open to life and that you should live every second of it. Personally to me it means seize the moment. It can connect to me because whenever I get any good opportunity I take advantage of it. If it doesn't work out in the end I move on and prepare for any other upcoming thing that life would throw at me.