CherokeeChica88's Xanga

A Good Investment... Vocaboly.com

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:21:16 GMT

As long as I can remember I’ve always been good at understanding vocabulary. If I didn’t know the meaning of a word, then I would make an educated guess and magically get the answer right. This past year, I took a practice GRE and after seeing the results, my confidence was shot. I’m going to be taking the real GRE soon and need to build up my vocabulary.

After a little bit of research, I found vocaboly.com. It claims to be “a vocabulary builder software for SAT, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and general vocabulary”. I tried it out and took a vocabulary “quick test” and got a score of 90 out of 100%. My first thought was “they know that I know my stuff” . I thought I’d take a risk and download the trial version. Let’s just say I’m thoroughly impressed and think it’s totally worth my money.

Here’s the link: Vocabulary builder

It's almost over...

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 09:30:32 GMT

Well, 2008 is almost over and I hope that all of you have had a productive and satisfying year. Just in case you didn't, I pray that 2009 will be that year for you.

My Christmas was splendid considering this recession that we've gotten ourselves into. Hope yours was too! I received all the major stuff I asked for (mainly books... and a nintendo ds... lol). Was it just me or did Christmas seem like Christmas to you this year? It took me forever to get into the holiday spirit. I listened to all the Christmas music I could find, sent cards, made decorations, decorated the tree (of course), lit apple cinnamon candles, and tried to watch as many holiday movies & shows as I could. Yes, I even held my hot chocolate tight & squealed with delight when How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon) came on the telly. Christmas day I realized I worked myself up into a frenzy just to have it end quickly. Next year I'll remember to start this process the day after Thanksgiving... rather than waiting until my Christmas break starts.

New Year's Day is right around the corner and my first mission is to get one of those cute lil New Year's top hats from Wal-Mart. Lol! My cliche resolution? To lose this holiday weight... by actually using those workout downloads that I purchased with mycoke points... (of course I'm sure losing the weight would be even easier if I would stop guzzling down so much Sprite to win such prizes). *shrugs* Lol!

Have a Happy New Year everyone!

Mademoiselle

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:37:42 GMT

It's almost Easter and I'm on SPRING BREAK right now (hence the reason I'm writing at 6:30 in the morning). Anyway, I was just thinking about something that has nothing to do with either of those things. I REALLY want to marry my boyfriend. Not now..., but RIGHT now. I absolutely love him. I hate being away from him for so long during weekdays. I never want the weekends to end. I love my best friend, Harry.

My sophomore year of college is almost over. That's a trip. Saying it kind of makes me sound a lil old, but obviously I'm not. I'll be starting my junior year in August. That is SO crazy!

Sadly I haven't applied for an internship in my field. I was thinking earlier today (or yesterday) while I was on the subway about how I don't think I want to be the type of psychologist that people are so used to seeing on television. You know, the kind that sits in a chair asking you personal questions while you're laying on a matching couch. I still want to major in Psychology, but I don't want to do that type of counseling so much anymore. I would much rather incorporate it with something else. I think it would be more enjoyable for me that way. The only problem is I have to figure out what it is that I want to fuse. I thought about music, but I don't know about that one. Maybe art... maybe not. We'll see. I'll keep you informed. But for now... I'm going to bed. Heh, yeah, I'm a night owl and unforseen circumstances (such as my kindness) kept me up.

Goodnight/morning!

The Question: Why do YOU smile?

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:31:46 GMT

With Changes Comes Excitement!

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:55:54 GMT

Wow... I haven't updated in some time now. I'm slackin for real. So I'll update you. I've started my sophomore year at Howard University, celebrated my 19th birthday, found out that I made the dean's list in the College of Arts & Sciences for 2006-2007, let a few grades slip (still in the process of fixing that), got a new boyfriend, and changed my hair color. Exciting... right?

It was my fault that my last school year was so boring. I studied, studied, studied first semester and didn't really go out much. Second semester, I joined the Howard University Community Choir (Ha ha... PR, no?) which definately became the highlight of my year.

THIS year I'm going to attempt to make it SO much better. It actually already is as far as getting out and joining more organizations. I joined the Psychology club, a state club (Illinois-Missouri Connection "Ill-Mo", & Bison Watch (which is basically a hall monitor in the dorms). Problem is... my grades aren't looking so good. Midterms were HORRIBLE! I honestly thought I had at least a high B or an A- on my Classical Mythology midterm... it was more like a high C. Boo... And I can't even discuss my Algebra tests and Spanish tests. You would think after 5 years of Spanish I'd be good at it by now. SO not. I really gotta work on balancing these activities and school work. This is exactly why I haven't gotten a job while in school.

Here's a before & after of my hair:

My honey bunches of oats... I got myself a man from Morgan State University!

Went to Morgan's homecoming with my sweetie. My school played against his. We both had on hoodies with our school's names and people either didn't believe we were actually together and thought it was a stunt or said "Howard and Morgan... that's cute. ::Whatever team they root for:: is going to stomp you!" lol! Morgan won the game, but Howard's band did WAY better than Morgan's during the halftime show.

Howard's homecoming game is today. I'm heading over to see the parade down Georgia Avenue right now. The Step Show is tonight too. It better be good. I definately paid double the original price for 5 of those tickets. Of course, more pictures will be posted up soon!

Love you all!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:24:23 GMT

For those of you that didn't know, my mom has passed away. She died in the Kansas City Hospice on Sunday June 24th. I was in the room with her. I had been there for only an hour before she died. It was like she was waiting for me and my dad to arrive before leaving us. I was the last to say something to her before she passed. I told her that we would be okay and for her to go on. I told her I loved her. Five minutes later she was gone.

It's been a long road for us. While I am sad that it happened this way and she's gone so soon, I'm relieved because I know she's saved! I know she's finally in His loving arms. I know she is in a much better place. She was planning on moving to a big house in Arizona soon, but I know in Heaven she's got a greater house than she dreamed of getting here on earth. She's with my sisters and most of all she's finally with God! I'm so happy for her, but it just kills me the way she was taken from me. Still, she was strong and she taught me to be strong too. And I know that we'll be together again. Please keep my family in your prayers.

Ayla

Everyday I'm Missing You...

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:02:21 GMT

Sorry it's taken me so long to post again, but I guess you've gotten used to it by now. Some of you already know why I haven't really been updating lately. My mom is very sick and has been in the hospital for a couple of months now. She's in a coma. I wish God would give her back to me and my dad. I've asked Him... multiple times. But He must want her to be with Him now. Still..., I want her back so badly. I miss her.

He's Right... "You Can't Handle The Truth"

Thu, 03 May 2007 18:31:10 GMT

Last Thursday, my friend, Jeremiah and I were talking. People expect to hear about great things going on at Howard University. We are the Mecca for goodness sake! However, a lot of Howardians keep their mouths shut about what it's really like. No one wants to talk and lower the school's great reputation. No one tells the real story. This is only because the audience doesn't want to know the real story. Jeremiah and I have come to the conclusion that people just don't want to hear the truth. We shared stories about what we've told our families and friends when they ask about the great legacy of Howard University. We tell them the truth, but most of the time... they don't want to hear that. They want to hear things like "Oh, it's great! I can see the White House from my bedroom window!" and "I'm learning so much about the Polynesian culture!" (I'm just coming up with something off the top of my head).

Anyway, the point is... it's not like that. The truth is... outside of my window, I see a cathedral that's being used as some sort of factory. And I'm always awakened by drilling or hammering taking place in front of this "factory." Sometimes I hear gunshots down the street, but only at night. Other times, I hear kids popping firecrackers... in the middle of March (figure that one out). No, I don't know anything about Polynesian culture. Right about now... I'm pretty much learning the same things I learned in high school. College Spanish I is learning the Spanish alphabet, colors, and basic grammar (same things I learned in high school). College Algebra I is learning the difference of two squares and adding and subtracting polynomials and a couple of NEW things, but mostly the same stuff from high school. Sociology is learning about peers; cultural diffusion; and the imitation, play, and game stages (same EXACT thing I learned in high school).

I can't say that I haven't learned ANYTHING new. I have learned how to write a scientific experimental report. (Yes, it's very different from regular papers). I've learned how to use the APA format (I always used MLA in high school). I've also learned more about the Black Diaspora (about Black people BEFORE slavery began and about African traditions). I've discovered I'm not all that good at writing argumentative essays, but I'm pretty good at writing comparison-contrast essays and excellent at writing process, definition, and cause-effect essays.

Maybe other people here at Howard ARE learning about the Polynesian culture (among other subjects), but I'm not. At least not yet. Maybe next year, when I begin Classical Mythology, it will seem as if I'm actually learning something new. My freshman year of college was pretty much a breeze. Maybe next year the challenge will actually begin.

Howard University is supposed to be "the capstone of Negro education in the world," according to Zora Neale Hurston (a famous African-American author & Howard alumni). Ms. Hurston also wrote, "They say the same thing about a Howard man that they do about Harvard-- you can tell a Howard man as far as you can see him, but you can't tell him much. He listens to the doings of other Negro schools and their graudates with bored tolerance." Today, with less than a week left of school, I can't agree. At least not yet. I'm sorry to say, Howard's legacy is outdated. I really hope the foundation of my college career is strong enough. So tell me... could you handle the truth?

Frog Princess Update!

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:38:41 GMT

“Dreamgirls,” star Anika Noni Rose has been chosen to make Disney history as the voice of the movie studio’s first black princess. The actress/singer beat the likes of Oscar-winning Dreamgirls co-star Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Tyra Banks, who all reportedly auditioned for the role.

The Real HU: SpringFest & Crossing Over

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:31:31 GMT

So yesterday was pretty exciting. SpringFest was taking place on the main campus yard. I didn't take a lot of pictures of what was going on because not everything was set up when I was around. But here's a few pics anyway:

Moonwalk on the yard! I was trying to take a picture of the man on the stilts, but he walked right out of the picture. What's funny is I couldn't find him with my camera for a minute. Keep in mind he's a MAN on STILTS and I couldn't SEE him!

After a few seconds... I found him!

He had on mini converses too!

So there's this guy who's always passing out flyers to clubs on campus. Obviously he never quits. Here he is giving a flyer to the clown lady on her unicycle.

Campus security was there too. Instead of keeping watch and making sure nothing dangerous happens they all stood around and watched the lady on the unicycle & the stilt man.

The next exciting part of the day was watching the Alpha chapter of the Deltas cross over! It all went down in the Valley at around 4 p.m. I recorded some of it, but I'm only gonna post the pics on here. If you want to see the videos... just e-mail me and I'll send them to you.

Unfortunately I didn't get to see the whole thing. They went on the yard and did some more stuff, but I had to go to choir rehearsal, so I missed it.

While I was in choir rehearsal one of the guys told me I look like a Disney princess. He said I look like the black Cinderella or Pocahontas... Lol! He told me it was all in my demeanor and that it seems like kids would love me. Which is actually pretty true. Kids do love me for some reason.

So this is funny. My roommate went somewhere to celebrate her birthday and she left her phone in the room. I heard it ringing and looked in that direction. It was on the sink along with this...

It's the TMNT, Michaelangelo... interesting.

Later!