This is exactly how I feel right now.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Drop your pen, Take your fingers off the keyboard
(11/17/09 blog post)
For my free choice blog post, I am choosing to write about how I cannot write anymore (current state, not forever...hopefully). I love to write and used to be a Creative Writing Major, but it's really important for me to be creative while I write and I can't be creative when I feel rushed. When I am not being creative I get frustrated and erase everything that I had just written. "Writer's Block" is definitely common. And I think that I have it just about now. This semester was great, but it has drained me completely and I need some time to rest and write only when I want to write.
Blogging is excellent, and I say this genuinely (even though I don't really wish to be blogging now). A blog can be used as a channel to portray one's opinions, as a stress-reliever to express thoughts, and as a canvas to write original pieces. But because of the fact that blogging goes hand in hand with publishing your writing--in cyberspace...one should definitely think before he/she writes--that's why it's hard when it's forced.
For my free choice blog post, I am choosing to write about how I cannot write anymore (current state, not forever...hopefully). I love to write and used to be a Creative Writing Major, but it's really important for me to be creative while I write and I can't be creative when I feel rushed. When I am not being creative I get frustrated and erase everything that I had just written. "Writer's Block" is definitely common. And I think that I have it just about now. This semester was great, but it has drained me completely and I need some time to rest and write only when I want to write.
Blogging is excellent, and I say this genuinely (even though I don't really wish to be blogging now). A blog can be used as a channel to portray one's opinions, as a stress-reliever to express thoughts, and as a canvas to write original pieces. But because of the fact that blogging goes hand in hand with publishing your writing--in cyberspace...one should definitely think before he/she writes--that's why it's hard when it's forced.
Boston Legal- Vocabulary
(11/10/09 blog post)
Boston Legal
1. Prong
2. Shock Jock
3. Rancours
The context of these words wasn't very helpful in giving clues about their meaning. I wanted to pick a show that I never watch- like Boston Legal- in order to be exposed to new language, but it was hard for me to follow and understand the episode because I was not aqcuinted with the storyline. I understood the general legal procedures but could not follow and comprehend the legal terms and the many unfamiliar words that were mentioned. Out of these three words, I think that I have only heard the word "prong" before. I usually try to look up the definition of any unknown word that I encounter and cannot recall hearing the words "shock jock" and "rancours".
The definitions of the above words are:
1. Prong: one of the pointed tins of a fork.
I think that I expected the word "prong" to be some kind of sharp object because it has a sharp sound to it.
2. Shock Jock: a radio disc jockey or host who features offensive or controversial material.
I figured that the word "shock jock" had something to do with a disc jockey because it has the word "jock" in it. It's interesting that this word has a pretty clear meaning:
Shock= offensive or controversial material
Jock= Jockey.
3. Rancours: bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice.
The word "rancours" sounded like it was describing a mess or chaos, and its definition isn't a far stretch because it definitely has a negative denotation (being rancours could indeed cause chaos).
Boston Legal
1. Prong
2. Shock Jock
3. Rancours
The context of these words wasn't very helpful in giving clues about their meaning. I wanted to pick a show that I never watch- like Boston Legal- in order to be exposed to new language, but it was hard for me to follow and understand the episode because I was not aqcuinted with the storyline. I understood the general legal procedures but could not follow and comprehend the legal terms and the many unfamiliar words that were mentioned. Out of these three words, I think that I have only heard the word "prong" before. I usually try to look up the definition of any unknown word that I encounter and cannot recall hearing the words "shock jock" and "rancours".
The definitions of the above words are:
1. Prong: one of the pointed tins of a fork.
I think that I expected the word "prong" to be some kind of sharp object because it has a sharp sound to it.
2. Shock Jock: a radio disc jockey or host who features offensive or controversial material.
I figured that the word "shock jock" had something to do with a disc jockey because it has the word "jock" in it. It's interesting that this word has a pretty clear meaning:
Shock= offensive or controversial material
Jock= Jockey.
3. Rancours: bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice.
The word "rancours" sounded like it was describing a mess or chaos, and its definition isn't a far stretch because it definitely has a negative denotation (being rancours could indeed cause chaos).
The Second Exam
(11/3/09 blog post)
I thought that the second exam was more difficult than the first one. The questions seemed a bit vague, and once again, because the study guide was pretty general, I didn't really know what to focus on and just studied everything, even though much of what I studied wasn't even on the test.
I felt that this exam, however, was fairly graded. I appreciated the elimination of the fill in the blank section and was grateful for the curve that we received in our grades.
I thought that the second exam was more difficult than the first one. The questions seemed a bit vague, and once again, because the study guide was pretty general, I didn't really know what to focus on and just studied everything, even though much of what I studied wasn't even on the test.
I felt that this exam, however, was fairly graded. I appreciated the elimination of the fill in the blank section and was grateful for the curve that we received in our grades.
Just Listen
(11/3/09 blog post)
I closed my eyes at the library and listened to my surroundings. First of all, I find that when you temporarily cease using one sense (like sight), your other senses (like hearing)-- become sharper. The library is pretty quite, but as I shut my eyes I could distinctively hear many different sounds:
- Typing
- Mouse clicking
- Turning pages of books
- Ringing of keys
- Footsteps
- Whispering
- Quite giggling and laughter
- Music coming from earphones
- Cellphones ringing on vibrate mode
I knew what was going on around me because I have been to the library many times and have heard the above familiar sounds before. I didn't realize, however, how many sounds can be contained in a typically quiet place such as the library-- mostly because when my eyes are open I focus on a plethora of things, other than just sound.
I closed my eyes at the library and listened to my surroundings. First of all, I find that when you temporarily cease using one sense (like sight), your other senses (like hearing)-- become sharper. The library is pretty quite, but as I shut my eyes I could distinctively hear many different sounds:
- Typing
- Mouse clicking
- Turning pages of books
- Ringing of keys
- Footsteps
- Whispering
- Quite giggling and laughter
- Music coming from earphones
- Cellphones ringing on vibrate mode
I knew what was going on around me because I have been to the library many times and have heard the above familiar sounds before. I didn't realize, however, how many sounds can be contained in a typically quiet place such as the library-- mostly because when my eyes are open I focus on a plethora of things, other than just sound.
It is Because I Said So- Persuasion In a Nutshell.
(10/20/09 blog post)
Communication is not always intended to be persuasive, but I think that there is an element of persuasion in all communication-- because it's all about choice. We choose the words and gestures that we use with specific motives in mind (a form feedback, a desired outcome).
For example, when we tell a joke-- we are trying to persuade someone that what we just said is funny and worth laughing at!
Even when we communicate for informational purposes, we choose to inform about a certain subject and present it in a certain way, from our own perspective and frame of reference. We also constantly seek to establish our credibility in our communication, which is definitely a form of persuasion.
Communication is not always intended to be persuasive, but I think that there is an element of persuasion in all communication-- because it's all about choice. We choose the words and gestures that we use with specific motives in mind (a form feedback, a desired outcome).
For example, when we tell a joke-- we are trying to persuade someone that what we just said is funny and worth laughing at!
Even when we communicate for informational purposes, we choose to inform about a certain subject and present it in a certain way, from our own perspective and frame of reference. We also constantly seek to establish our credibility in our communication, which is definitely a form of persuasion.
"Everyone believes...in how they think it ought to be"
(10/20/09 blog post)
First of all, I strongly believe in genuineness. I think that it's extremely important to voice your opinions, and tell others how you feel because there is nothing worse than being a liar or a fake person. Do not conform to others' standards or expectations because you are the person that you are for a reason-- it's essential to be your own self and preserve your uniqueness. Learn from others but never lose a hold of your identity.
Secondly, life definitely tests us to see how we endure in situations and to foster personal growth. The notion of "everything happens for a reason", though it can be looked upon as a cliche, is definitely a belief of mine. The movie Sliding Doors illustrates this very clearly. We go through so many different experiences in our lives, meet specific people, make decisions, and go to certain places at certain times--then we live the outcome. How many times have you wondered-- "WHY?"
- Why I was accepted to a certain university but not the other?
- Why was this person assigned to be my roommate out of all the students who live on campus?
We often can't see or understand the reason that things happen to us, but along the way--when we look at the big picture, we can realize that all the small details tie together in a certain way.
- That university provided you with a great job opportunity...
- Or, that person who was assigned as your roommate (and you didn't know if you would get along in the beginning) ended up becoming one of your best friends...
First of all, I strongly believe in genuineness. I think that it's extremely important to voice your opinions, and tell others how you feel because there is nothing worse than being a liar or a fake person. Do not conform to others' standards or expectations because you are the person that you are for a reason-- it's essential to be your own self and preserve your uniqueness. Learn from others but never lose a hold of your identity.
Secondly, life definitely tests us to see how we endure in situations and to foster personal growth. The notion of "everything happens for a reason", though it can be looked upon as a cliche, is definitely a belief of mine. The movie Sliding Doors illustrates this very clearly. We go through so many different experiences in our lives, meet specific people, make decisions, and go to certain places at certain times--then we live the outcome. How many times have you wondered-- "WHY?"
- Why I was accepted to a certain university but not the other?
- Why was this person assigned to be my roommate out of all the students who live on campus?
We often can't see or understand the reason that things happen to us, but along the way--when we look at the big picture, we can realize that all the small details tie together in a certain way.
- That university provided you with a great job opportunity...
- Or, that person who was assigned as your roommate (and you didn't know if you would get along in the beginning) ended up becoming one of your best friends...
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