And now for something completely different...

When I pulled out my next ten words for the week, I realized that, somewhere along the way, I mixed up the cards. "How do I know this?" one might ask. I know this because I have words like diffuse along with words like zoology. Which brings me to my next point-- This process of expanding my vocabulary has been very interesting. At first, I debated whether I should include words I already “kind of” knew along with the completely new words. After many long debates with myself, I decided that it would behoove me to learn the formal definitions for all words, even those words I could potentially already use in a sentence. I'm glad I opted for including all words because it has made me more comfortable with my word choice. So with that random soliloquy out of the way, I'll give you the new, mixed-up list of words.

diffuse: to spread; spread out: not concentrated (esp. light); wordy and not sticking to the point (esp. in speeches)
dilate: to become wider or larger; to speak at great length about something

deleterious: harmfulcohere: to be consistent; to stick together (esp. similar particles)

wheedle (see--this is where I start to go off course): to persuade by using flatter (like Antony does with the Roman crowds and Decius does with Caesar)

zeal: enthusiasm

zoology: the biological study of animals (see- the formal definition is a bit more specific than the definition in my head)

vigilant: watchful

viscous: thick and not easily poured

vituperate: to scold with abusive language

So I have this whole list of things I've been meaning to blog about, but at the moment I can't think of one of them, and at this point in the day, expecting me to actually get up and walk to my bag is more than one can ask. I will say that I am a bit proud to say I suffered my first athletic injury this week. This may sound completely ridiculous to those long term runners and the likes out there, but it was kind of a rite of passage. This is probably the longest I've kept running (both in distance and number of days--not is a Forrest Gump kind of way though). So, I guess, since I didn't really know what I was doing, it was bound to happen. I guess I should tell you that it really wasn't that big of a deal--just a tweaked (that was the basketball coach's term) hamstring, but it required ice and heat and rest, so it felt official. I'm all better now and running just fine. Luckily it was such a minor injury that I didn't have to miss a day of running. On that note, I will leave you…

The power of caffeine...

This has been one of those crazy weeks. Grades were due this week, so I had big stacks of papers everywhere. I was grading as quickly as I could, but I have a hard time sitting and grading for long periods of time. I am happy to report that my life is my own once again. I feel so free! :)

I think one of the words for the week may be my favorite so far. The word dilettante is just brilliant. I've been muttering, "dilettante," all week as I see people doing silly things. It makes me smile on the inside...and sometimes on the outside. I think some people might be dilettantes when it comes to cognition, but that's okay. :) I've noticed (and I think I told you this on my last blog) that the more words I learn and the more I read, the more I see those words in what I read. It always makes me happy. This week I didn't really have much time to read. I was disappointed, but oh well.

I started to read a book called The Plot Against America. My friend Nick recommended it. I only read about 40 pages before I had to turn it back in. (See- I knew last week's break in tradition would lead to further disappointments...it was a bad sign). Anyway-the book is a novel written as if Lindberg had won the presidential election over FDR. I don't really know as much about history as I would like, so I need to chat with Nick and find out how much of the story is true and how much is the novel. I guess I just need Nick to corroborate some of Roth's quotes as actual quotes as compared to fictional quotes. I know Lindberg was never president, so as soon as he gets elected I should no longer be confused! But, alas, in the name of decorum, I had to turn the book back in today so another library patron could enjoy it.

I didn't really have any time to read Metamorphosis either, but I have noticed that, like many authors, Ovid seems to depend on the same tricks over and over. He likes turning people into some form of plant--trees, reeds, shrubbery, etc. The first time I thought it was a cool idea; the second time I thought he was just being lazy! Hopefully I'll be able to catch up on my reading this week while trying not to be so behind on my grading.

On a completely different note, this was a weird week in my classroom. It seemed like every time I turned around, some kid was asking for a band-aid. The other day, a kid came in with tape around her coagulated blood because the teacher wouldn't give her a band-aid. How sad? :) After couching my dismay in the form of a question, I offered to give her a real band-aid. She then told me a concise story about how she came to injure herself and her teacher's inability (due to lack of band-aids) to help her out. I think the increase in finger injuries might somehow correlate to the winter weather. Don't ask me how, but it seems to somehow be connected. So I guess you could say that my band-aids are quickly becoming a commodity.

On that note, I must leave you as my library computer time is coming to an end. Goodbye

The winners are...

I'm a bit behind this week. I had Monday off (thank you Mr. President...) so I took the day off from all of my usual activities (with the exception of hygene-related activities of course...). I'm posting my words today with the hope that I will have them mastered in a short amount of time. I've been really encouraged lately because I keep seeing words I'm learning in the books I'm reading. This makes me think that either I'm learning good words and reading good literature or I'm just silly and should have known these words because everyone else already uses them. I guess only time will tell. I should start listening more closely to the people around me. Spending most of your time talking to those still developing their vocabularies doesn't really give you a good pool to draw from when surveying the average American vocabulary.

All that to say--here are the new words--note that some are simply new forms of words from previous weeks:

1. dilettante: an amateur; a person who enjoys the arts (this makes me think of debutante and I want to look and see if there is a connection)

2. decorum: proper behavior

3. deride: to mock

4. coagulate: to clot

5. couch: to express

6. concise: brief and comprehensive (this word impresses me--it seems like most of the time people tend to be one or the other)

7. correlate: to establish a reasonable connection

8. corroborate: to confirm

9. cognition: the act of thinking

10. commodity: something bought or sold regularly; something useful

So there you have it. I apologize for any errors; I don't have time to edit this because I am off to an Ash Wednesday service. I'm kind of excited. Last year was my first year to observe Lent, so I thought I would try to really follow along with it this year.

As a side note, it was a sad day for me on Sunday. I had been able to both read every book I had borrowed from the library and turn them all in on time...until this weekend. I went to renew one of my books, sure that I could finish it in the next two weeks. When I got to the library I found out there was a hold on the book so I had to turn it in or take a fine. The kind librarian reminded me that I could turn it in before the library opened on the next day and still not have a fine. I went home and attempted to read 384 pages in 24 hours. Sorry to report that my years as an English major had not prepared me for this--alas, I was only able to finish 284 pages of the book. I will have to check it out again later.

Later I will have to update you on my Metamorphosis readings. I've discovered some interesting things in that book. Boy, I didn't think I would be able to honestly say that before. Once again, I must go. Apologies for the sloppy writing.

Thoughts on Valentine's...

So it's Valentine's Day, and I'm a cynical thus-and-such on days like today. I feel the need to clarify--I'm not bitter or unhappy, I'm just a bit suspicious of any "holiday" that gives credence to the belief that one must buy stuff in order to denote love to someone. Don't get me wrong, I believe in love and even in grandiose gestures of love, but I firmly believe they should be heartfelt--not required. So on days like today, as I see people walking around with flowers they will soon desiccate and pin on a bulletin board, I tend to think that days like today debase the true signs of love.

Today has actually been a nice little day though. I often find that despite the focus on romantic love, Valentine's often reminds me of the blessings found in platonic and familial love. My roommate is a wonderful friend, and I woke up this morning to find a funny, sweet note on the counter. I started my day feeling loved!

This year's day of love kind of slipped up on me. I totally forgot what day it was when I made plans with a friend to congregate (I think that word actually needs a group instead of just two, but whatever) at a local coffee shop for a night of knitting. I can't wait. I did congregate with a group of other knitters for a night of charity knitting. We were making squares to make blankets for the rescue mission. The most exciting part of the evening? I can now knit in a pattern. I only know one, but it was a big moment for me. After a few mishaps with some oversized mittens, I tend to be a bit diffident about my knitting abilities. This diffidence was increased by the fact that I started my first adventure with double-pointed needles and, much to my consternation, the needles won the battle for dominance.

This has actually been a really good week for my vocabulary. My sophomore classes are reading Julius Caesar, which is full of demagogues. Between Antony and Cassius, they could get anyone to do just about anything. Then there is Brutus, who actually truly believes what he says. I must admit that I’m not really that fond of the play—it gets a bit wordy and, to be honest, boring at times. I think the only thing I find really interesting is the power play between the soon-to-be despot (Julius Caesar), and those planning to depose him. The first time I taught this play, I really spent most of my time trying to keep all of the characters straight. This time through, I’m actually starting to really appreciate the different characters’ motives and enjoy their speeches. Brutus is, of course, my favorite. He’s so focused on what’s right and honorable. He is so willing to sacrifice for the good of others that it compels me to look at my own motives.

Ha! Check it out! All ten words!

As a funny side note—I was reading You Suck: A Love Story this weekend, and I ran across the word decorous, and I knew what it meant. I was SO excited! My words are coming in handy. I’m now reading the modern version of Metamorphoses, and it’s going much better. I’ve also been reading Miss Julie Speaks Her Mind upon my mom’s recommendation, and it’s hilarious. It’s just the right humorous balance to Ovid’s poetry.

The next ten...

It's been a pretty odd and long day in my world, so I am not feeling completely creative or interesting tonight. I apologize in advance for being borrowing. So with that warning...

It's Monday. I'm keeping my word. Here are the new words:

Denote: to indicate

Diffident: lacking self-confidence

Congregate: gather together

Desiccate: to dry out; to make lifeless

Demagogue: someone who gains power by arousing an audience's emotions (this word seems appropriate for this week in my life given the fact that my sophomores are about to read the funeral speeches of Brutus and Antony in Julius Caesar--talk about a crowd persuaded by emotion!)

Despot: a ruler with absolute power (this reminds me of that great quote that says that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely)

Deposition: a statement made under oath; being deposed from power; being deposited

Consternation: a state of paralyzing dismay (this word seems like it should deal more with anger than dismay- but sometimes words are deceiving!)

Credence: acceptance of something as true

Debase: to degrade or lower in value

Also- I went to the library on Sunday to check out Metamorphoses by Ovid. I got home and discovered that this translation was translated from, I guess, Greek into what appeared to be Middle English (words like ayre instead of air…very tricky…). After trudging through the first 10 pages, I was becoming fearful that reading 400 pages of Middle English just might do me in. In an effort to save my reading campaign, I went to the book store and, reluctantly, bought the book in a modern translation. As much as I had hoped to get all 1001 books from the library, I decided that being able to actually enjoy the stories in the book was more important. So there you have it.

One down...983 left to go...

Guess what!?! I have already completed the first book on my list. Yep, that's right...I went to Panera with my Aesop's Fables picture book yesterday, and over a yummy bowl of soup, I read them all. (Well all of them in this version)! Of course this is less impressive when I tell you that it was a picture book, but still, it's a check on the list.

Reading Aesop's Fables taught me some very important lessons. I now know to avoid foxes, wolves, and other predatory dog-ish animals. Birds of most forms can be trusted, although some are easily swayed by flattery.... let’s see...what else did I learn about animals....

Anyway, aside from the literal lessons of the stories, I was reminded of some valuable life lessons: beware of flattery, know how you are going to get out of a situation before you get into it, etc. As I finished up the stories and drove home, I wondered why we don't tell fables anymore. After all, they are good life lessons tucked in fun stories. So why don't you hear people talking about foxes and crows anymore?

After thinking about it for a while, I realized that we do still tell fables; they just don't look the same. Our modern society and its dependence on technology have changed the way fables are passed down. I read somewhere that Aesop was actually a slave who won his freedom by telling his fables to his master. We don't really sit around telling stories anymore. Instead, we forward emails and pass on stories we heard in church. Although these modern day fables are told as true stories involving real people, by the time they get to most of us they are about as true as the story of the crow who talks to the fox. Instead of the tricky fox, we pass on stories about the tricky criminal who hops in the back of your car while you pump gas, and instead of the silly crow, we have the unaware college girl. Just like the fables, we tell these stories not because we necessarily believe in their absolute word-for-word truth, but because we want to pass on the moral of the story: be aware of your surroundings, don't trust just anyone, avoid dangerous situations, etc.

Maybe I'm completely off, but that's what I thought about as I went to look up my next book. (which, by the way, is Metamorphoses by Ovid--I've never heard of this book, but, from what I gather, it's a collection of stories). Also--tomorrow is Monday, so I'll have ten new words for you tomorrow.

A slacker from the beginning!

So it's only week one on this adventure, and I've already been a slacker. I apologize for the 2 people reading this. :) Anyway. It's been a bit of a crazy week, so I think I'll have plenty of reasons to use my new words. I am quickly realizing this blog might contain many entries that are not even remotely cogent to the original goal. I hope that will not bother anyone!

I have really been trying to turn over a new leaf this year. The end of this semester made me realize that there was, sadly, no real dichotomy between my personal and professional life in the sense that I spent a large amount of my free time working on school stuff. So, after years of having nothing but derision for New Year's resolutions, I made some of my own this year and am trying to stick to them. I think I feel so passionately about it this year because I had a discussion with my students about resolutions, and they brought up the great point that if you never resolve to change anything about yourself, you always stay the same. I thought about that and realized they had a great point--I don't want to wake up at the age of 65 and realize that I am exactly the same person I was at 25. One of my major resolutions was to spend more time reading and less time watching television. My limited budget made me wonder how exactly I could afford to read more...then it all hit me...hello...the LIBRARY.

I always forget about the fact that you can go to the library and borrow books for free! Of course they are only truly free if you remember to take them back on time. Here is where my next resolution kicked in. After my first trip to the library, I came home with 3 books. For the first time in my life, I read 2 out of the 3 books within the two-week limit and only had to renew one. Not only that, but as of today, I have been checking books in and out of the library every Saturday for 6 weeks and am yet to have a late fee!!! For some this might seem common, but for me, it's a big deal.

Before my trip today, I was sitting in my room, convalescing from my Saturday morning run, when I decided to up the stakes. My sister gave me this wonderful book for graduation: 1001 Books to Read Before You Die (this book could very well be some form of collusion on the part of the publication industry seeing as how they stand to make quite a bit of money if everyone reads 1001 books). I went through the book to see how many I had read (this was a bit tricky--I had to be honest and not count books I had simply been assigned to read in college--if I had just done my homework, I could have had quite a few more checks). I had read 17 out of the 1001. My roommate and I were chatting about it, and I wondered how many I had left to read (somewhere in all of this I decided to starting reading through the book). After borrowing her calculator, we found I had 984 left. That seemed like a lot to read. I began to feel a bit despondent, but I decided I would never get any closer to the end of the book if I just thought about it.

So today I begin stage two of the reading more books resolution. The first book on my list: Aesop's Fables. Unfortunately, it seems decorous in the library system to only stock this book in the children’s' department. It felt weird to begin my journey into the world of the well read by going into the juvenile nonfiction section. Oh well. Discussing this new endeavor with my roommate made me wonder how many books the average person reads in his/her lifetime. How many books have I read in my lifetime? Oh the questions...So there you have it...a little window into my world this week. I only have 7 out of the ten words in this entry, but I think it's a good first effort.

The first 10...

So it's Monday, and I thought I would jump right in there...here are the first 10...

1. Derision- scorn or ridicule
2. Desultory- occurring haphazardly
3. Collusion- a conspiracy
4. Convalesce- to recuperate (this is the one I tried to casually drop into conversation last week--unfortunately, my excitement at using a new word made it obvious that that word was not a part of my everyday language--but you just wait--soon I'll be telling people to stay at home and convalesce so naturally they won't know what happened!)
5. dichotomy- a distinct division into two parts (this is one of those words that people throw around in grad school. I could always tell what they meant by it, but I never knew an official definition, so I would simply nod when they talked and avoid using it myself. But no more--now I will proudly discuss the dichotomy between the Peanuts cartoon series and all other cartoons!)
6. decorous- conforming to prevailing customs
7. cogent- believable or relevant
8. decry- to condemn or belittle publicly
9. coalesce- to come together into a single group
10. despond- to lose hope

so there you have it. as you can tell, the cards were once in some form of alphabetical order but have since been a bit mixed up. I'm sure those who know me are not the least bit surprised.

A new era...

So I'm on a new adventure. I spent the summer blogging about my thoughts and experiences as a member of the crafty workforce. I am now going to attempt to blog about my trials and triumphs with expanding my vocabulary. I have a huge box of big words on tiny flashcards. I bought said box of words when I still had dreams of becoming a PhD woman. I have since let that dream die (or maybe just hibernate--who knows). Anyway--this box of words is supposed to be the top 1000 words used on the GRE. I didn't really know what one would do with that many words if he/she wasn't attempting to pass a ridiculous test. I have since solved this problem. I'm an English teacher (please don't hold that against me or hold me to an impossible grammar standard)! Each week I require my students to add 5 more words to their vocabulary. We write the definitions, talk about the words, and discuss the utter importance of a good vocabulary. Lecturing my students on the importance of constantly updating one's vocabulary made me look at how rarely I take time to update my own vocab. Eureka! I could practice what I preach AND use my handy-dandy box of words. But then another problem came into view--how would I practice my words? Then it really all came together--a blog about new words. I know it sounds boring, and if it is, I'll put everyone out of their misery and stop, but--hey--let’s give this a try. Here's how I think this will work...on Mondays, I'll post my 10 new words and what they mean, sometime during the week I'll use all of them in a conversation on my blog. The only missing link is how I'll test myself at the end of the week. Any ideas for that one? I have a sneaky feeling I'll also be blogging throughout the week about other parts of life and the challenge of learning my new words. We'll see. Anyway- so there's that. I embark on my new adventure.