Reflection

About a week ago I unexpectedly received my tax return on the same day I got my paycheck. When I checked my checking account and saw the unusually large balance, I was absolutely ecstatic! It instantly inspired me to begin my much needed new habit of saving money. I decided it was in my best interest to use this as a sort of jump start to reaching my goal of $5,000, as I originally intended starting about six months ago.  Unfortunately my "want list" interfered and apparently took higher priority. Instead of saving my newly obtained funds I bought a lap top, a new bed, new bedding and matching curtains. I also bought a new purse and have intentions of buying a TV this weekend. Although I feel great about all me newest accommodations, I certainly didn’t follow my plans to save up $5,000. I have to admit, however, my little shopping spree wasn’t entirely impulsive. Every purchase I made actually had about 2 or 3 months devoted to researching and comparing the product, reading reviews, and basically making sure I did all my homework before buying anything. In the end, I personally benefit most from the "review" portion of the SQ3R reading strategy. I was successful in reviewing different stores, prices, brands, and comparing quality to determine what was best for me. I could definitely benefit from being more decisive about my goals and what I want. I need to decide, before I act; save or splurge? Heaven forbid I settle for an easy medium.

Vocabulary

reticence (adj) - reluctant, reserved, or restrained; disposed to be silent or not to speek freely.

"To an extent, i suppose, his reticence of that part of Minnesota, where privacy still held value, and even if I'd been walking around with some kind of deformity-four arms and three heads- I'm sure the old man would have talkied about everything but those extra arms and heads."

I practice reticence because i prefer to listen rather than to speak.

I used logic and my background knowledge of the word, "reticent" as it was one of the only vocabulary words that stuck with me throughout highschool.

Intrigue (v) - to arouse curiosity or interest by unusual, new or otherwise facinating or compelling qualities; appeal strongly to.

"The war intrigued her."

I am intrigued by the photography class I just started taking.

I used logic to connect the fact that Mary Anne took great interest in the war to determine the meaning of intrigued.

Vaporous (adj) - having the form or charactoristics of vapor; foggy or misty

"The seven silhouettes seemed to float accross the surface of the earth, like spirits, vaporous and unreal."

The vaporous freeway made for pleanty of accidents and traffic on the way to work today.

I used the example of spirits to connect the transparent matter of vapor to the word vaporous.

weekly calendar

sunday, february 13, 2011
To Do List:
Must Do:
1. be home from 8am-noon for the matress delivery
2. get my nails done
3. wash the car and dog

Need to do:
1. buy new purse
2. return old purse
3. clean room and do laundry

Want to do:
1. buy new curtains
2. attend yoga class
3. walk the dog

Reflection

A few years ago my grandfather was sick in the hospital. He was my only grandfather and a very unique man. He had a very “round about” way of speaking, like everything he said was a riddle. Few people every understood him, but he always taught me patience and brought a certain kind of understanding for those of us considered “different.” I can say, however, I’ve never met any one quite like him. We didn’t always agree and our communication skills were fair at best, but he helped raise me and had always been there for me. I remember the very last time I saw him, My mom and I was getting ready to leave the hospital room and the little voice inside my head was screaming, "Say it Shauna! Say the words!!! …I love you grandpa!" But I couldn’t. For some reason, fear, embarrassment - I don’t know, I just couldn’t muster up the courage to choke out the words id never spoken before. Maybe I thought I’d get another chance. I’m sure he knew, or knows fine and well that I love him, but he didn’t get to hear it. I will forever regret not saying those words because I never again got an opportunity to do so. And thus, will never let anyone slip through my fingers again, without at least knowing my true feeling for them. I embrace "carpe diem" and seize every moment! That’s not to say I’m emotionally outgoing all the time; I still refused to cry at the funeral.

Vocabulary

Decapitate (v) - to cut off the head of; behead

"After slaughter, the hogs were decapitated, split down the length of the belly, pried open, evicerated, and strung by the hind hocks on a high conveyer belt." (page 42)

Many people were decapitated during the french revolution.

based on the content of the sentence and self-explanation of the prefix "decap", one can logically assume that it means to behead.


Infantry (n.) - soldiers or military units that fight on foot with weapons.

"you have to head for the front and hook up with an infantry unit and help spill the blood." (page 42)

Rather than join the infantry and test my luck, i'll keep my desk job.

The term, " help spill the blood" logically suggests that infantry are soldiers in a hands on position with weapons.


Imperative (adj.) - absolutely neccesarry or required, unavoidable.

"Knowladge, of course, is always imperfect, but it seems to me that when a nation goes to war it must have a reasonable confidence of the justice and imperative of its cause." (page 41)

Is the redundance of this assignment imperative? ;)

This sentence is focused on the neccessity of the war. Logically I can infer that imperative holds a high value of importance.

Reflection

 The Things I Carry

The things I carry are simple and few, they are not gut wrenching or worthy of tears. Like anyone else, I could shuffle through the memories and find the ones that force a wince or cause my heart to drop, however, my life has been a blessing and I choose to appreciate the good in life and focus on that instead. I carry gratitude for the upbringings of two supportive parents that raised me with more love than I ever could have expected. My father is the strongest, most patient man I’ve ever known, and if not for him and the persistence and courage of my mother, I certainly would not be who I am today.  I have also been blessed with two younger brothers who have taught me many life lessons, including coping with separation and the way it reveals how tremendous one and others love for each other really is. My family, our home and our health are the most important parts of my life.  Though it may not instinctually be my first choice, I carry the courage to express myself, and especially my feelings for others. I have learned to cease the moment, for it may be your last. I carry ambition and a sense of independence that I hope will prepare me for a wealthy life and a great career. I carry respect for history, for the dead, and the things they have to teach us. I personally believe that much of life is a choice. One may choose to look and react to things in their own manner, but a man’s perception of life can change everything. I choose to discard my past regrets and embrace my lessons learned. The way I see it, to travel light is to travel far and fast.

Vocabulary

monsoons (n.) the seasonal wind of the Indian ocean and southern Asia, blowing from the southwest in summer and from the northeast in winter.

"Because the nights were cold, and because the monsoons were wet, each carried a green plastic poncho that could be used as a rain coat or ground sheet or makeshift tent."

Although the precise cause of the monsoons is not fully understood, no one disputes that air pressure is one of the primary factors.