Vocab #4

obsequious: characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning

beatitude: supreme blessedness; exalted happiness

bete noire: a person or thing especially disliked or dreaded; bane; bugbear

bode: to be an omen of; portend

dank: unpleasantly moist or humid; damp and, often, chilly

ecumenical: general; universal

fervid: heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm, et..

fetid: having an offensive odor; stinking

gargantuan: gigantic; enormous; colossal

heyday: the stage or period of greatest vigor, strength, success, etc.; prime

incubus: an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep

infrastructure: the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization

inveigle: to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements (usually followed by into)

kudos: honor; glory; acclaim

lagniappe: a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus

prolix: extended to great, unnecessary or tedious length; long and wordy

protege: a person under the patronage, protection or care of someone interested in his or her career or welfare

prototype: the original or model on which something is based or formed

sycophant: a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite

tautology: needless repetition of an idea, especially in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness, as in "widow woman"; an instance of such repetition

truckle: to submit or yield obsequiously or tamely(usually followed by to)

My Big Question

What is the point of expanding our knowledge and learning? To pass it down for further research or to be turned into a legend as technology grows and replaces the thinking portions of our daily lives? What happens when advanced technology is abused and only two ranks in society exist: the intelligent and the ignorant as scholars create more advanced technology and naive people become more dependent on "smart" phones to do all the thinking? What would happen if we lacked such technology today? Would our world's perspective be less judgmental or more?

Beowulf Essay

Beowulf is best know as a classic hero that was and still is passed down from generation to generation despite its significant era difference. The context of the story is revolved around an idolized hero that saves the lives of civilians being troubled by a demon, Beowulf accomplishes this by expounding leadership through his dictatorial decisions rather than democratic and also being a generally fearless man. Beowulf can be compared to another legendary leader that also exemplified these heroic traits and palliated racial demons that haunted the people, maybe not through a sword and armor but through the strings of a guitar and echoing of a microphone. His bravery, influence and sense of security has given Bob Marley the legendary heroic position. Both characters knew exactly what it took within themselves to aid their people from chronic imprecations and they knew just how to do it, because of this they have been regarded as great heroes of their time.

Although they differ greatly from a nutshell perspective, both Beowulf and Marley both had the same intentions: save the people from bondage. Beowulf created security through the destruction of Grendel with weapons and armor while through music Marley was able to create a movement to save the damaged spirits of African Americans struggling with the demons of racism and inequality. Each action caused a reaction of the creation of peace within the community and the individuals. Without fear of what their movement might cause, both heroes acted fearlessly, this fearlessness caused the people to look towards the person as iconic figures. There determination and relatable ideas caused a massive talk of their influences. Since they were seen as people who stood up against the fight rather than submitted to defeat, many people looked up to them to exemplify the courage they wish they had. The actions each hero succeeded from defeating a terrifying demon to the fight for racial equality and world peace greatly influenced the people of their time and continue to be praised to this day.

Despite their internal conflicts and struggles, Marley and Beowulf were able to put away their personal problems for the sake of the greater need: the people. These men acquired their noble qualities and good deeds through selflessness that benefitted the people's good rather than their own, giving the idealistic example of a meritorious hero. 

What is time? (Journal)

Time. T-I-M-E. There's an infinite amount of time yet it's treated with such scarcity, why? Time ticks and tocks, comes and goes, fast and slow. Time is the epicenter of all productiveness and one star among the galaxy of nothingness. Why is it that every aspect of our lives from birth to death is all measured in time? The space between the second we're born to the second we take our first couple of steps is even measured down to the day averaging between a year give or take. Our days in school are categorized in play time, work time and lunch time. Who has the power to say our work time is limited to second-specific measurements of time or if we should have more work time than play time? Time is the ultimate dictator since the beginning and will rule until the end when it decides to be no more. Without time, humans have no sense of direction or guide. Time's ultimate goal is to set up barriers between each human's actions and interactions from tests to a season of growing. It's ironic how there can be such an unfathomable amount of time yet seem like there's never enough. Time is categorized into so many sections based on the amount per day, night, week, year for an overwhelming series of sleeping, eating, thinking, working, playing, talking, expressing, creating, discovering, writing, decorating, getting ready. There's too many categories established for one to feel there is enough time for one specific task especially for people like me. We spread ourselves so thin we're the width of a strand of hair because we try to take on anything and everything that turns into the majority of our time stressing about stress resulting in the completion of, if we're lucky, one or two items on the wall-length list of to-dos. The cock on the wall says "It's Time." It's time for what? Time for learning? Time for earning? Time for nothing? Time for everything? God, time drives me mad.
We are all limited by time, no matter how much we posses. But in contrast, without us, time would cease to exist. We give time the power to rule our lives, we give time the power to even exist.

Masterpiece in Progress

When I get older I hope to travel to different countries and help non-profit organizations or become an activist to better the world. I'm hoping to somehow connect this with my masterpiece by getting involved with some type of humanitarian work or organization. My main focus for this project is to get the community involved with the whereabouts of other's needs in a way that's both enjoyable and beneficial. I believe this project will be a step forward into my future career paths and uplift my motivations not just for me but for the people surrounding me as well.

Vocab #3 DEFINITIONS

1. ACCOLADE(noun): any award, honor, or laudatory notice.
2. ACERBITY(noun): sourness, with roughness or astringency of taste.
3. ATTRITION(noun): a reduction or decrease in numbers, size or strength.
4. BROMIDE(noun): a person who's is platitudinous(flat, dull) and boring; a platitudinous or trite saying.
5. CHAUVINIST(noun): a person who is aggressively and blindly patriotic, especially one devoted to military glory; a person who believes one gender is superior to the other, as a male chauvinist or a female chauvinist.
6. CHRONIC(adj.): constan; habitual; inveterate; continuing a long time or reoccurring frequently.
7. EXPOUND(verb): to set forth or state in detail; to explain, interpret.
8. FACTIONALISM(noun): the state or quality of being partisan or self-interested.
9. IMMACULATE(adj.): free from spot or stain; spotlessly clean; free from moral blemish or impurity; pure; undefiled.
10. IMPRECATION(noun): a curse; malediction(utterance of a curse).
11. INELUCTABLE(adj.): incapable of being evaded; inescapable.
12. MERCURIAL(adj.): changeable; volatile(evaporating rapidly); fickle(likely to change); flighty; erratic(having no certain or definite course); quick-witted.
13. PALLIATE(verb): to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate; to try to conceal the gravity of an offense by excuses, apologies, etc..
14. PROTOCOL(noun): the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence and etiquette; an original draft, minute, or record from which a document, especially a treaty, is prepared.
15. RESPLENDENT(adj.): shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid.
16. STIGMATIZE(verb): to set some mark of disgrace or infamy upon.
17. SUB ROSA(noun): confidentially; secretly; privately.
18. VAINGLORY(noun):excessive elation or pride over one's own achievements, abilities, etc..; boastful vanity; empty pomp(stately display) or show.
19. VESTIGE(noun): a mark, trace, or visible evidence of something that is no longer present or in existence; a surviving evidence or remainder of some condition, practice, etc..
20. VOLITION(noun): the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing; a choice or decision made by the will.

Literature Analysis #1: PUSH by Sapphire

1.  The story begins with Precious getting kicked out of her high school due to her second pregnancy by her father, which she is angered by as she believes she's done nothing wrong. Later on, Mrs. Lichenstein visits her home encouraging her to go to an alternative school, Each One Teach One, where she soon meets Ms. Rain and other classmates enrolled in the pre-G.E.D. courses. Ms. Rain becomes an inspirational figure in all of the girl's lives as they all come from dysfunctional backgrounds. Writing is key to Ms. Rain's teaching, therefore she has them start a autobiography called "Life Stories-Our Class Book." Through these writings Precious is able to write down her thoughts about her troubled life and dreams. After the birth of her second child, Precious reveals that her first daughter lives with her grandmother, revoking Precious' mom's welfare advantages. This causes an ugly dispute between Precious and her mother resulting in Precious to be abandoned, but with the help of Ms. Rain, she is able to stay in a halfway house. The new home brings independence from her past and Precious begins to think of living a "normal" life with a real boyfriend, until her mother unexpectedly reappears and reveals her father had died from aids. Shortly after, Precious is tested positive for HIV. A classmate, Rita, tells her to join support groups that help her emotionally as she tries to deal with the circumstances. Precious' whereabouts and future are left for the reader to imagine as the novel ends with Precious' writings from the alternative school.
2. Self-confidence and independence is a central theme that is conveyed through Precious' fantasies of being another person more accepted in society that alters into a fantasy of a better version of herself rather than Madonna or Janet Jackson. This change is brought on by the hope and love the Each One Teach One students and teachers have given her allowing her to discover her independence from the bondages of her mother and father's abuse to care for herself and her baby rather than live in a world surrounded by fear and cell bars.
3. The author's tone is quite "out there" I guess you could say. The main character, Precious, is the narrator of the novel who lacks any reading, writing and even speaking skills. This lack of education contributes to the tone's ignorance. Throughout the novel, Precious describes traumatizing events as if they were a mild crime like running a red light, but her childish tone up brings the emotions of sadness brought on by a lack of understanding.
4. Illeism is used throughout the novel conveying the understanding of a child stuck in a 16 year old's body. "Precious wandered what file said." (pg. 30)  Diction is exaggerated in the novel to portray the lack of education brought on by abuse and poverty. "I big, I talk, I eats, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muter says." (pg. 33) Precious also faces several conflicts from the abuse of her mother and father to the struggle of trying to escape the bondages that weigh her down. "Then she kick me side of my face! 'Whore! Whore!' she screamin.'" (pg. 9) Epithets are also used extensively in the novel to allow the reader to understand how Precious first categorizes people based on the first impression. ".. the cornrow head said smiling." (pg. 32) The story always draws into random flashbacks to help the reader understand in "sneak peeks" the events that played out in Precious's life. "She is 12 no was 12? She is 16 now." (pg. 23) Tragedy is a main device seen by the reader as clear as day from the series of rapes to the down syndrome child to the revealing of HIV positive in the family. "I'm not happy to be HIV positive." (pg. 141) Imagery brought on by the many daydreams of Precious showed how badly she yearned to escape the life she lived for a life she knew she had no chance at. "The butter-colored nurse and a little black nurse were standing there by her bed." (pg. 17) Precious and Ms. Rain's blossomed friendship portrays irony compared to their relationship when they first met. "'The what?' the woman says raising her eyebrows and peering over the top of her glasses at Precious." (pg. 28) The tragic mood contributes to the overall tone of the novel by creating a sympathetic aura for the readers. "I'm walking across the lobby room real real slow. Full of chicken, bread; usually that make me not want to cry remember, but I feel like crying now." (pg. 40) Stream of Consciousness is another major literary device used. The novel itself is basically a diary of Precious's life events and thoughts on every aspect of her life from her beatings to her fantasies. "I want to tell her what I always want to tell someone, that the pages, 'cept for the ones with pictures, look all the same to me .." (pg. 50)

CHARACTERIZATION

1. Indirect: "Precious tried to turn away from her but the butter-colored nurse from Greenwood, Mississippi held her tighter, pulling Precious' chest and shoulders into her arms." (pg. 18) "My fahver don't see me really. If he did he would know I was like a white girl, a real person, inside." (pg. 14) Direct: "I should be in the eleventh grade, getting ready to go into the twelf' grade so I can gone 'n graduate. But I'm not. I'm in the ninfe grade." (pg. 1) "But I couldn't let him, anybody, know, page 122 look like page 152, 22, 3, 6, 5-all the pages look alike to me. 'N I really do want to learn." (pg. 5) The author uses both approaches to convey the character through direct describing words and support their statements through their actions.
2. The author's syntax and diction alternate between each page break. Precious speaks of herself in an illeism stance or in first person while another section could be told by an outside third person perspective. The author uses different perspectives to portray the same plot but through different understandings. "'Precious!' That's my mother calling me.'" (pg. 9) "This time she knew Mama knew. Umm hmm, she knew. She brought him to me. I ain' crazy, that stinky hoe gave me to him." (pg. 25)
3. Precious is more of a dynamic and round character in the sense that she alters from a person changed by her circumstances into a character who takes hold of the reigns of her future. In the beginning of the novel, Precious lives her life with one goal: surviving. Because of the lack of love, encouragement and education in her life, she is forced to believe any other life for her is impossible to achieve. When she attends the Each One Teach One alternative school, she finds herself surrounded by people just like her who learn to lean on one another to fill in the missing gaps of hope and love they lack in their lives. At the end of the novel, Precious finds herself with a new sense of independence and self-confidence. Although she discovers she's positive for HIV, she reacts to the situation differently by continuing to live her life and care for her child.
4. I placed the novel down feeling like I've met Precious Jones on a more personal level than she'd ever give off if she were a real person I'd met. The novel's choice of literary devices and diction placed me inside the head of a poverty, abuse stricken child who has no sense of what is right or wrong, but is ironically innocent in her own unique way. This innocence wouldn't have been understandable if it weren't for the insight into her thoughts through this novel. "'What's your daddy's name?' 'Carl Kenwood Jones, born in the Bronx.' She say, 'What's the baby's father's name?' I say, 'Carl Kenwood Jones, born in the same Bronx.' She quiet quiet. Say, ' Shame, thas a shame. Twelve years old, twelve years old,' she say over n' over like she crazy (or in some shock or something). She look at me, butter skin, light eyes-I know boyz lover her. She say, 'Was you ever, I mean did you ever get to be a chile?' Thas a stupid question, did I ever get be a chile? I am a chile. I'm confused, tired." (pg.12-13)

Homework (Hell)per

So I know a lot of people have been asking for a universal place for all the homework assignments so I found this easy to use app called "myHomework" which you can use on any mobile device or computer. It's rather convenient as you can set up alerts to remind you of each assignment. I'll be posting assignments from AP English, AP Calc, AP Econ and AP Environmental. You can also add any assignments I missed or you'd like from any other classes as well since we will all have access to the planner. Here's the log in to sign onto the planner:

username: opensourcelearning
password: warriors123

WILL STUDY FOR FOOD

The scholarship I found was (of course another no essay scholarship) from WellsFargo College Steps Program. All you have to do is fill in some general information about yourself and hit submit and voila! You've been entered into the drawing where 40 people are chosen to receive $1,000 each. Simple scholarships like these are easy to knock out while applying for colleges so you don't overwhelm yourself too much like I tend to do A LOT. I know scholarships are gonna take up a good chunk of my time because of how frugal I am with money but also because a college education is no where near cheap, unless you put in the effort to apply for all the free money out there. My goal is to try and cover at least a third or maybe even half of my total costs for attending college through scholarship funds. I know this will be time consuming but as long as I put in the effort (which to be honest I've been lacking lately) I can achieve my goal. Time to kick it into gear and begin this roller coaster fully suited and prepared.

Vocab #2 DEFINITIONS

Accoutrements: Personal clothing; accessories.

Apogee: The highest or most distant point; climax. 

Apropos: Fitting; at the right time; to the purpose; opportunely. 

Bicker: To engage in petulant or peevish argument; wrangle. 

Coalesce: To grow together or into one body. 

Contretemps: An inappropriate occurrence; an embarrassing mischance. 

Comvolution: A rolled up or coiled condition. 

Cull: To choose; select; pick. 

Disparate: Distinct in kind; essentially different; dissimilar. 

Dogmatic: Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of dogma(a specific doctrine authoratively laid down) or dogmas, doctrinal. 

Licentious: Permisquise; lacking moral ethics. 

Mete: To distribute or apportion by measure; dole. 

Noxious: Harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being. 

Polemic: A controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc ..

Populous: Heavily populated. 

Probity: Integrity and uprightness; honesty. 

Repartee: a quick, witty reply. 

Supervene: To take place or occur as something additional or extraneous. 

Truncate: To shorten by cutting off a part; cut short.

Impeachable: Making one subject to impeachment, as misconduct in office.