Blog 12: SJSU Press Release

Old SJSU Spartan Daily newspapers brought back to life through digital technology!

San Jose, May 2, 2016 ­­– Many older copies of the Spartan Daily, ranging back to 1934, will become digitally available through ScholarWorks. On Monday morning, from 10:30am–11:45am, there will be a public announcement event hosted in MLK library room 225 to commend the joint project between SJSU’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

There were various challenges that had to be overcome to recreate over 77,000 pages of old physical copies into readable online versions. The challenging project involved a complex two-step process of computer processing existing analog material to make page images keyword searchable and by reviewing, cataloging and uploading of the files. The project resulted in viewable PDFs that allow for keyword searches throughout all the pages. The Jack and Emma Anderson Endowment Fund raised and donated approximately $13,000 to the project.

“If the Andersons were still alive, I think they would be feeling fulfilled that we were preserving the newspaper for the world to see,” said Tim Mitchell, SJSU journalism and mass communications professor. “Otherwise more than 80 years of local-history ink would continue to decay on old newsprint in bound volumes tucked away in dark places.”

The SJSU Spartan Daily has won six Pulitzer Prize winners in the past, and is the oldest college newspaper in the California State University system.

For more information visit http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartan_daily.

About SJSU School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Founded more than 70 years ago, the SJSU School of Journalism and Mass Communications is the largest of its kind in Northern California. We offer undergraduate degrees in advertising, journalism and public relations, as well as specialized education in reporting/editing (newspaper), photo, magazine and electronic (broadcast) journalism.

Press Contact

Name: Matthew Vega

Mobile: 650.580.2779

Email: matthew.c.vega@gmail.com
Press Kit: http://www.jmc.sjsu.edu/

Word 24: FRANCHISE

Word of the Week

Source: http://www.imediaconnection.com/articles/ported-articles/red-dot-articles/2015/feb/the-6-best-video-game-marketing-campaigns/

"For more than a decade the "Call of Duty" franchise has thrilled first-person shooter fans, so it's not surprising that the trailers for each new installment have become media events unto themselves."

noun
the right or license granted by a company to an individual or group to market its products or services in a specific territory.

example
The Harry Potter franchise is very successful; they recently launched a new theme park in Universal Studios Hollywood.

Word 23: DECEDENT

Word of the Week

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/princes-vault-reportedly-drilled-open/story?id=38766251

"The documents obtained by ABC News, signed by Nelson, state, "I do not know of the existence of a will and have no reason to believe that the decedent executed testamentary documents in any form."

noun
a person who has died.

example
The government made sure the decedent's property went to this children.

Word 22: JUXTAPOSE

Word of the Week

Source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/yeethoven-concert-to-juxtapose-music-of-kanye-west-beethoven-20160331

"Yeethoven' Concert to Juxtapose Music of Kanye West, Beethoven"

verb
place or deal with close together for contrasting effect.

example
Colorful photos of the outdoors were juxtaposed with black and white images.

Word 21

Word of the Week

AUTOMATION 

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/serro-automated-service-manager-ausm-sdn-powers-nexusguards-automated-intelligence-ddos-mitigation-service-300215020.html

"This automation eliminates manual traffic handling—a particularly difficult task given DDoS traffic is usually large, sudden and extremely unpredictable."

noun
the use of largely automatic equipment in a system of manufacturing or other production process.

example
The advancement of technology has led to enterprise companies turning to more efficient systems of automation.

Blog 11 – Scholarly Journal Summary

In the article "A cluster of randomised school-based lifestyle intervention program for the prevention of childhood obesity and related early cardiovascular disease, 2011," by Monika Siegrist, Henner Hanssen, Christoph Lammel, Bernhard Haller and Martin Halle, the issue of childhood obesity and the different lifestyle programs that could be implemented at school to help lower risk of the disease is looked at. This study is important because its goals is to deliver a realistic long-term intervention strategy to recreate childhood health and to avoid obesity-related cardiovascular health issues in our young ones. The authors created a study where around 15 public schools in parts of Europe are randomly assigned to a controlled variable school or an intervention one. There will be fifth grade students who will be studied for approximately four years. The study creates a school-based and a home-based approach, targeting at young children, educators and caregivers.

Source: Siegrist, M., Hanssen, H., Lammel, C., Haller, B., & Halle, M. (2011). A cluster randomised school-based lifestyle intervention programme for the prevention of childhood obesity and related early cardiovascular disease (JuvenTUM 3). BMC public health, 11(1), 258.

Blog 10: Scholarly Journal Notes

What is a Scholarly Journal?

Scholarly or peer-reviewed articles are written by experts in academic or professional fields. They are excellent sources for finding out what has been studied or researched on a topic as well as to find bibliographies that point to other relevant sources of information.

Author: Usually a scholar or researcher with expertise in the subject areas. Author’s credentials and/or affiliation are given.

Audience: Other scholars, researchers, and students.

Language: Specialized terminology or jargon of the field. Requires expertise in subject area (or a good specialized dictionary)

Graphics: Graphs, charts, and tables: very few advertisements and photographs.

Structured; generally includes the article abstract, objectives, methodology, analysis, results (evidence), discussion, conclusion, and bibliography.

Accountability: Articles are evaluated by peer-reviewers or referees who are experts in the field; edited for content, format, and style

References: Always has a list of references or bibliography; sources of quotes and facts are cited and can be verified.

Examples: Annals of Mathematics, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, History of Education Quarterly, almost anything with Journal in the title.

Over 461 databases

·      Text

·      Video

·      Music

Link+ is a program among many California academic and public libraries that allows you borrow items from other libraries that are not available at the King Library or San José Public Library (SJPL) branches.

Services:

Study Hours

Sunday-Thursday stay until 1AM as long as you have SJSU tower card.

Word 20

Word of the Week

FOLIAGE

Source: http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article66988357.html

"Plants were very uniform even after two hard winters and three growing seasons.  Flower stems were very few in 2015 and faded into foliage for a superior appearance."

noun
plant leaves, collectively.

example
The dying foliage fell from the treetops and fell onto our driveway.

Word 19

Word of the Week

EXASPERATE 

Source: http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-04-15/bernie-sanders-attacks-on-big-banks-make-him-a-populist-not-a-progressive

"The move officially starts a long regulatory chain that could end with breaking up the banks. Nearly a decade after the financial crisis, it underscored how the debate about banks being 'too big to fail' continues to rage in Washington and exasperate on Wall Street."

verb

irritate intensely; infuriate.

example

The justice system can unfortunately be very exasperating for all parties involved.

Blog 09: Technology Story Outline

The Good

Technology allows for instant communication at any time and anywhere. Methods of communicating with people who are far away from you are much simpler. For example, Skype allows businesses to avoid unnecessary business trips for meetings.

Gives us access to information whenever we need it.

Allows us to connect with our friend/families through social media.

Technology makes our lives a lot more efficient and allows us to use fewer resources. Increased production output with less human labor.

 Technology allows us to make great advancements in the medical industry, which can help us improve the standard of living and also save lives from illness.

Technology encourages innovative business practices. New forms of business, such as Uber or DoorDash, can be created through new technologies.

Improved entertainment: New music services such as Spotify or SoundCloud has given users access to all their favorite kinds of music on their laptops and smartphones.

Improved/Efficient methods of education: Modern technology has made it easier for students to learn from anywhere through online education and mobile education.  Also, students now use modern technology in the classroom for more efficient methods of learning. For example, students use iPads/Laptops to share visual presentations with fellow students in the classroom. This has made learning more convenient and enjoyable. Also new modern educational technologies support individual learning, which gives a chance to students to learn on their own with no need of tutors.

The Bad

Dependency: Technology may improve our lives in many ways, but it also makes us dependent on them to function in everyday lifestyles decisions. For example, I personally depend on my phone wherever I go. I find myself not fully complete, if I leave the house without my phone on me.

Lack of social skills: Technology may have opened windows for more forms of communications, but it also created a world where we have less face to face interactions with one another. Some people become so used to communicating behind a bright screen that they forget how to have a simple conversation with another human being.

Word 18

Word of the Week

DESECRATE 

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2016/04/07/franklin-graham-brands-paypal-as-hypocrite-of-the.html

"the Torah teaches that all human beings are created in the image of God and imbued with infinite value. In that spirit, we declare that our state should, under no circumstance, desecrate the holiness and dignity of any citizen."

verb
treat (a sacred place or thing) with violent disrespect; violate.

example
The angry protestor desecrated the American flag during a violent riot.

Blog 08: The Spartan Daily Stories Q&A

Identifying patriotism as an American Muslim
The terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 redefined the way certain Americans viewed Muslim Americans. After the 9/11 attacks, Americans attempted to strengthen their sense of patriotism through various actions. However, for certain people this patriotism has led to an increase in discrimination against Muslims living in America. SJSU students retell their stories of their many instances of discrimination that they have faced growing up after the 9/11 attacks. One student, Duaa Hussein, recalls a time where she was at the supermarket with her family when an elderly white woman came up to her and started physically pulling off her hijab. She was then further insulted and even called a murderer.

Q: What are some ways American Muslims can prevent this type of discrimination from happening?

Serving those who served 
San Jose State University is filled with patriotic students who have served in our military prior to attending college. These students are assisted by Damian Bramlett, Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program coordinator, who offers aid to student veterans and connects the students to various services ranging from stat services to community services. Bramlett believes that military service is not the only way to express patriotism as an American citizen; he believes that helping them transition to higher education is equally as patriotic.

Q: What are some challenges veterans face transitioning to higher education after service?

Is it okay to burn the flag in protest?
Two different opinion stories show contrasting arguments about a burning question, is it okay to desecrate the American flag as a sign of protest? Daokotah Zabroski, a fellow SJSU student, believes that the burning of the flag is completely unacceptable. He makes the comparison that burning the flag in front of a military veteran is like burning the bible in front of a church. Another student, Raphael Stroud, argues that desecrating the American flag is just a way to express your displeasure with the American government or country in general. He brings up the argument about racism, hatred, inequality and elitism that still occurs in this country today.

Q: Is it currently illegal to burn the American flag?

Answers
1. Educate people on Muslim culture and tell stories of past personal experiences of discrimination. Have a voice and don't remain silent. 

2. The military life is a very structured and rigid environment where everything is planned for you. College is a world where you free to do whatever you want, no one tells you where you have to go or what you have to do. This transition between two completely different environments can be a major challenge for some veterans.

3. Currently, burning the American flag is not illegal in the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States in its decision from 1969 has ruled that the burning of the flag is protected by the First Amendment. However, the person who burnt the flag can be found guilty of a misdemeanor for starting a fire without a permit. (source: thelawdictinary)

Word 17

Word of the Week

DESICCATE

Source: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/top-10s/the-car-top-10-worst-cars-of-the-last-50-years/

"Make a small car out of a goldfish bowl, and then fit the weakest air-conditioning unit you can find, and see whether you can actually desiccate the occupants."

verb
lacking interest, passion, or energy.

example 
The repetitive monotone teacher led a desiccated class lecture on world history.

Blog 06: Jimi Yamaichi Interview

Jimi Yamaichi (age 93)

• He was born and raised in San Jose. 
• He refers the internment camps as American concentration camps instead of internment camps.
• 1942 Executive Order 9066 – “gave army the full right to do whatever they had to do to us.” Yamaichi’s registered number was 32420, which became his new identity at the camps. 
• If you were 1/16th Japanese, you were considered Japanese. 

Q: Challenges you faced while in the internment camp?
A: Their citizenship was completely taken away. Lowest as 1/16 Japanese blood you were sent to concentration camps. Lost their identity, known by a number. Surviving was a huge challenge, was highly discriminated everyday. Struggle to stay safe on a daily basis. Keeping the family together was another challenge.

Q: Was anyone shot while in the camps?
A: There were two people who he remembered that got shot. One was half blind and could barely hear. He was chasing after his dog who escaped and could not hear the guard yelling at him to stop running and ended up getting shot by him. Another person was shot a few days later.

Q: How did you feel after everything was over?
A: It took until 1960 before they were fully accepted as American citizens once again. He wanted to show the rest of the country that the Japanese were just as good as everyone else. It was hard to find a job; they took anything they could get to get by. High school was his top education, but he wished he acquired a college education.

Q: What was the first thing you wanted to do when you got out of the camp?
A: He went to trade school in 1941 and graduated inside Morris Dailey auditorium. He took up carpentry and wanted to go find work. When he got out of camp his strongest desire was fighting the issue of getting a union card to work. It was hard for him to find a job because he faced constant discrimination for being Japanese.

Q: What did you use as motivation to get through the hardships of the camp?
A: 7% of the people at the camp were financially stable; the rest of them were poor and/or homeless.  Most of these people didn’t have any money to support themselves. The biggest motivator to get through these hardships was working hard enough to earn money to support his loved ones.

Q:  Do you recall a time where you had to give hope to your younger siblings?
A: Our future was unknown but we tried to keep everything normal as possible. All the parents tried to make life as normal as possible for everyone. We had recreational facilities and we would make the most out of them. We would just take everything in stride and try to enjoy ourselves anyway we can. It was tough and scary, but it was survival of the fittest.

Q: How did the camp change your view of America?
A: It made me a stronger man.  I learned not to get mad, but try to understand the other person. I tried my best to figure out why they were mad. I learned that it’s all about how you look at the issue. I learned a lot about different people and the struggle of discrimination.

Blog 05 - A delicious recipe for any occasion!

The recipe that I'm going to share with you is my grandpa's delicious recipe for chicken adobo. This amazing concoction is a favorite dish originating from the Philippines. My childhood is filled with days of coming home from school to see my grandpa preparing my favorite meal. This soy sauce flavored chicken dish is best served with steamed rice.

Total Time: 2 hours

Prep: 10 minutes

Inactive: 1 hour

Cook: 50 minutes 

Serves: 6-8 

Ingredients 

4 to 5 pounds chicken thighs

½ white vinegar

½ cup soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

3 bay leaves

Steamed rice, for serving

Directions

1. Combine the chicken thighs, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns and bay leaves in a large pot. Cover and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours.

2. Bring the chicken to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

3. Remove the lid and simmer until the sauce is reduced and thickened and the chicken is tender, about 20 more minutes. 

4. Serve with steamed rice.

In addition, here is the chocolate chip cookie recipe I made through InDesign.

Word 16

Word of the Week

TAWDRY 

Source: http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/03/beyond-satire

"A diluted version of the same instinct seems to lie behind Mr Trump’s boasts about his billions, and his not entirely accurate claim to be funding his own campaign. The message is that he is already rich, and so immune to the tawdry temptations of Washington."

adjective
showy but cheap and of poor quality.

example
The beautiful singer was wearing tawdry jewelry that made her look cheap.

Word 15

Word of the Week

CONSUMMATE 

Source: http://www.thefader.com/2016/03/25/phife-dawg-a-tribe-called-quest

"Phife’s significance was much quieter, but no less necessary. He was a consummate team player who scarcely appeared on the group’s debut—1990’s People’s Instinctive Travel and the Paths of Rhythm"

adjective
showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect.

example
Michael Jordan was considered a consummate basketball player whose skills were unmatched.

Word 14

Word of the Week

SUBSIDIARY 

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-17/google-is-said-to-put-boston-dynamics-robotics-unit-up-for-sale

"Part of the challenge was that Alphabet, created in 2015, was geared toward making Google inviting to startup founders and entrepreneurial executives who wanted to join companies driving toward products and revenue, which could increase shareholder value for those subsidiaries."

noun
a company controlled by a holding company.

example
Instagram was recently bought out and became a subsidiary of Facebook.

Word 13

Word of the Week

Palatable 

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/28-Feb-2016/review-bachaana-is-a-big-slice-of-highly-palatable-cheese

"Bachaana is a big slice of highly palatable cheese."

adjective 
Having a pleasant or agreeable taste.

example
The delicious bowl of clam chowder was palatable.

Blog 05 - Resume Workshop

What is a resume?
• YOUR marketing tool
• First contact with an employer
• Must catch their attention and speak to their needs
• NOT a list of ENTIRE employment history 

Important questions to think about as you write your resume:
• Who is your audience?
• What are their needs?

The average employer looks at a resume for less than 10 seconds.

Common resume mistakes
• Typos or grammatical errors 
• Including too much information
• Not listing achievements in former roles
• Poor layout or design
• Including too little information 

Step 1: Taking Inventory 
• Make a list of the skills you have (computer skills, language, etc.)
• List educational achievements (strong GPA, class projects)
• List skills you use in your current on-campus job or volunteer work
• Think about specific examples of your abilities, and accomplishments.

Step 2: Research 
• Review job descriptions: what is on the employer’s shopping list? Which specific skills are employers seeking?
• Employer Websites & Social Media: What does the employer produce, how are they organized, what are their values?
• Networking: Talk to people who work in the same type of position, field, or organization (LinkedIn).

Step 3: Organizing Your Resume
• Objective 
• Education 
• Relevant Coursework
• Relevant Projects
• Experience 
• Activities 
• Honors/Awards
• Skills (computer, software, language etc.)
• INCLUDE KEY WORDS FROM JOB DESCRIPTION

Highlight Accomplishments 

Typical Statement
• Worked with adolescents and their families.

Highlighting an accomplishment
• Facilitated group sessions with adolescents (ages 12-18) and reviewed treatment plans with families

STAR Resume

Transferable Skills

What do employer’s want?
1. Communication skills 
2. Analytical Skills 
3. Teamwork Skills
4. Technical Skills
5. Strong work ethic 

Start with VERBS 

Cover Letter

1st Paragraph
• Why are you writing
• Why are you excited about the position or company?
• How did you learn of the opportunity
• Did someone refer you?

2nd Paragraph
• Mention some of your key qualifications. Tell the employer why this job appeals to you and how you meet their needs.

3rd Paragraph 
• Request an interview and indicate when you will follow-up
• Thank them for their time in reviewing your resume, cover letter. 

What are key components of a resume?
• Concise & Easy To Read 
• Error Free 
• Targeted to a Specific Job or Field
• Relevant Skills & Experience 
• Accomplishment Statements

CASA Advising Center, Thursday
MQH
10:30-12 Noon

Career Center Resources
• One-one career coaching 
• Workshops: webinars, at career center 
• Spartan Staffing
• Employment connections: career fairs, employer panels, info. sessions, drop-in interviews, etc. 

Word 12

Word of the Week

Dystopia 

Source: http://flavorwire.com/564607/not-with-a-bang-what-if-the-apocalypse-already-happened-and-no-one-noticed

"Dystopian fiction is more popular than ever, and the dystopias we imagine grow directly out of our own society. The Road, The Hunger Games, Fallout… pretty much every popular dystopian narrative envisages what might be left after the end of our world."

noun
an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one.

example
Clockwork Orange is the perfect example of a movie with a dystopian world.

Word 11

Word of the Week

Wordmonger

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2015/12/11/first-draft-makes-you-feel-like-a-potentially-non-drunk-hemingway/

The team is working on improving the app by adding new features and improved export systems. Because it is a place for first thought, best though, I suspect the average wordmonger can use the app to write a roll-like manuscript for the next great American road novel in the next few years.

noun

a writer who uses words for show or without particular regard for meaning

example
The drunken wordmonger effortlessly wrote down 10 pages worth of political propaganda.

Word 10

Word of the Week

MALFORMED 

Source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/02/24/jack-red-hearts-may-even-trump-rain-man/TS3XVnVqJYidt2JxQoqUhM/story.html

"Rubella, herpes, cytomegalovirus — all these pathogens can cause microcephaly, which leaves newborns with abnormally shrunken heads and malformed brains."

adjective
(of a person or part of the body) abnormally formed; misshapen.

example
The child was born with a malformed head.

Word 09

Word of the Week

COLTISH

Source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/02/24/jack-red-hearts-may-even-trump-rain-man/TS3XVnVqJYidt2JxQoqUhM/story.html

"And as performed by Robb, those charms are considerable. From the opening scene she takes over the screen with a coltish toughness and mercurial charisma."

adjective
energetic but awkward in one's movements or behavior.

example
The young nervous boy showed a coltish presentation in front of his peers.

Blog 04: Comparing Media - The Zika Virus

TELEVISION - NBC News

The story is about 14 new cases of the Zika virus appearing in the United States. New research was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and revealed that the Zika virus has possibly spread through sexual transmission within the United States. The Zika virus spread fast in Latin America and has strongly been suspected as the main cause of birth defects in newborn babies. The news story featured on NBC News and was reported by Erika Edwards. The story is relatively short and a little over one minute. Two sources are quoted and directly featured on the news report, Dr. Anne Schuchat and Dr. William Schaffner, both research doctors from the CDC. There are much less details provided on the television news in comparison to the newspaper. The television uses less words and more imagery to emphasize its main points. The report headlined “CDC Investigates 14 New Zika Cases in U.S.” was short and straight to the point. The lead was informative and grabbed the audience's attention. There was no teaser shown for the upcoming story. The anchor did not use an announcement at the start of the story, instead she jumped right into the story by stating there were 14 new cases of the Zika virus in the United States. The news report started with an outside view of the CDC and then continued to focus on images of the virus under a microscope.

ONLINE NEWS - The New York Times

The story is about 14 new cases of the Zika virus appearing in the United States. The story is relevant because the spread of the virus is occurring in our own country. The idea of the virus infecting one of our loved ones is a horrific thought. The online news coverage of this issue focuses more on the possibility of the virus spreading through sexual transmissions. In comparison, the NBC News report emphasizes more on the birth defects caused by the virus. The story is 985 words long. Four sources were used in the article, Dr. Anne Schuchat, Dr. William Schaffner, Dr. Peter J. Hotez and Dr. Gary W. Procop. The Wall Street Journal’s online news coverage was more like a print coverage. The headline reads “C.D.C. Investigating 14 New Reports of Zika Transmission Through Sex”, further emphasizing the possibility of sexual transmission of the virus.  The lead leaves the reader engaged and takes note of the major implications of the virus being spread sexually. There is only one image featured in the article and it is shown at the top of the page. The image shows two mosquitoes under a microscope. The rest of the article is mostly text.

RADIO - NPR

The story focuses on the CDC arriving in Brazil to investigate and conduct further research on the Zika virus. The main discussion points in this radio story is how the Zika virus is spreading to the United States and if the virus is actually the cause of birth defects. The story is four minutes long. There is one main source in the radio story and that is Erin Staples, a CDC medical officer leading the CDC team in Brazil. The radio and television coverage are similar because they both focus on the efforts conducted by the CDC. However, the coverage on the radio focuses more on the origin of the Zika virus and the different ways it's spreading to the United States. No, the radio story doesn’t use background sound or interviews to change “the scene” in the listener’s mind. The story is a discussion between the reporter and CDC medical officer. The headline “CDC Arrives In Brazil To Investigate Zika Outbreak” is too simple and could’ve been worded better to build more curiosity from the audience. The lead is engaging and successfully captured my interest. There were no ads after the report, it went straight to discussion on a different topic.

Word 08

Word of the Week

Monotony

Source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/Robots-give-a-break-from-monotony/articleshow/50966824.cms

"Automation and robotics are a way of simplifying people's work. It is a way of breaking monotony from meaningless work and trying to upgrade manpower."

noun
lack of variety and interest; tedious repetition and routine.

example
I have to experience the cruel monotony of filing paperwork every time I work at the office.

Word 07

Word of the Week

Aggregate

Source: https://www.ama.org/publications/MarketingNews/Pages/google-analytics-in-2016.aspx

"GA measures all of those digital interactions in an aggregate, anonymized way, but in a way that still can paint a very real picture of who your customer is and what they need or want from you, and how you can better serve them.”

adjective
formed or calculated by the combination of many separate units or items; total.

example
This chart shows an aggregate of website traffic data from the last 10 years.

Word 06

Word of the Week

Verboten

Source:  http://techcrunch.com/2016/02/19/u-s-government-says-hoverboards-are-verboten/

"U.S. Government Says Hoverboards Are Verboten"

adjective
forbidden, especially by an authority.

example
The courts ruled that distributing large volumes of prescription drugs were considered verboten.

Word 05

Word of the Week

Trope

Source:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/02/18/deadpool-why-its-box-office-blow-out-terrifies-me/#34160f9da91c

The unabashed crowd pleaser is somewhat unique in blending superhero origin tropes with bawdy comedy and slapstick ultra-violence.

noun
a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression.

example
The politician wisely used a figurative trope to describe the sensitive topic on the war on drugs.

Blog 03 Library Notes

• Searching for keywords gives you results similar to how Google search works. 

• Subject lines aren’t very intuitive 

• You can limit search results to SJSUS and King Library

• Subject headings can be very controversial 

• For example, if you type in Japanese Internment it changes to “Japanese American Evacuation”

• Folio collection is for larger sized books. Art books tend to be oversized

• Copyright. Supreme court has historically recognized that when the door to the classroom closes it’s a protected space.

• Fair use covers you if it’s limited in a way. 

• Educational use is protected and public use isn’t

• Takes around 3-4 business days to transfer books to the SJSU library from other libraries. 

• Link + fines are almost a $1 fine per day late.

• You can specific to only get peer reviewed journals in your search results

• Ref works is a helpful bibliography management tool. Easy bib another similar tool

Word 04

Word of the Week

Finesse 

Source: http://www.vulture.com/2016/02/vulture-roundtable-kanye-wests-msg-event.html

"Beyoncé has far too much finesse and statesmanship to bother, and besides which, she’s got the Super Bowl to stunt on. And I’m not sure anyone else is in the conversation."

verb
do (something) in a subtle and delicate manner.

example
His finesse allowed the bank robber to sneak away from the police undetected.

Word 03

Word of the Week

Neophyte

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/miketempleman/2016/02/12/building-a-landing-page-that-converts/#7a219b5c3000

"Luckily for folks like me, there are dozens of tools out there that will allow even a neophyte to create a stylish looking landing page without having to spend hundreds of dollars with a web design group."

noun
A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief.

example
The candidate process transformed the young men from neophytes into full fledged business professionals.

Word 02

Word of the Week

Unfathomable 

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2016/02/10/titus-oneil-suspension-sends-strange-message-to-wwe-talent/#240cd2379231

"Given the series nature of wellness issues, which have been the source of several dozen prematures wrestler deaths, it's unfathomable how a repeat offender of WWE's Wellness Policy could receive a lesser punishment that a first-time offender of an unwritten rule."

adjective
incapable of being fully explored or understood.

example
Her gray eyes were dark with some unfathomable emotion.

Word 01

Word of the Week

bizarre

Source: https://www.rt.com/news/332144-child-drawing-becomes-toy/

"Kids’ fantastic drawings transformed into bizarre stuffed dolls."

adjective
very strange or unusual, especially so as to cause interest or amusement.

example
There was an extremely bizarre man on the bus who was hiding underneath the seat.

Blog 02

Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban
J.K. Rowling
8 July 1999


"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him. How else could you produce that particular Patronus? Prongs rode again last night. -- Dumbledore, page 427" 

The Harry Potter series has held a special place in my heart ever since I was a child. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was on a scorching hot day in the third grade when I rented Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone from the library. This was the book that started my incredible passion for reading. I was unable to put it down once I picked it up. My mind swiftly raced back in forth, illustrating beautiful images of a colorful movie in my head. The words on the pages came to life through my imagination and it was a marvelous feeling like no other.

My favorite book in the series has to be from the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Up above I included my favorite quote from the book, spoken from the wise character Dumbledore. In the quote Dumbledore speaks to the main character, Harry Potter, about his deceased father. He tells Harry that even though his father is gone, he never truly left him. He explains to Harry that his father lives through him, this being explained by a magic spell that Harry conjures known as the Patronus. This passage is one of my favorite pieces of writing because Harry’s situation is something that I can relate to. His troubled curiosity about his father is something that I have experienced multiple times in my life. I believe that this writing by J.K. Rowling is a great piece of writing because she has created a surreal moment where I sincerely see myself in Harry’s shoes. The author’s ability to create this bizarre, yet fantastic moment is a remarkable feat.

Blog 01

The larger object is a triangular chip with pointy edges. Its color is vibrant orange and it has small black dots on its surface. The orange color gives off a radiant vibe similar to the feeling of the sun’s warmth. The chip gives off a crunchy sound when I bite into it. The sound of my chewing and leftover pieces hitting the floor echoes around the room. The chip feels rough yet fragile as it cracks under the slightest amount of pressure. The chip tastes bland to the point where I can’t figure out what flavor it is. I cannot smell the chip, but this might be just because I have a bad sense of smell.

The smaller object looks like a round wrinkly fruit. It has a dark brown shade to it. It appears it has been dried out by the sun and has lost some of its size as a result. The dried apricot is chewy and makes little sound when I bite into it. The only thing I can hear is the sound of my teeth grinding over the fruit. The dried fruit feels squishy and somewhat like a person’s skin. The dried fruit is sweet, but not too sweet. The smell of the fruit is faint, yet I can smell a touch of sweetness, like the smell of old cookies in the back of the pantry.

The Five Senses

The Super Bowl being in my own backyard is a surreal moment in time, yet it also plays a huge hindrance in my everyday life. I work in Santa Clara and my exit just so happens to be the same as the Levi’s Stadium. The Levi’s Stadium is home to Super Bowl 50 as well as my work office’s next-door neighbor. I work everyday, Monday through Thursday, starting at nine o’clock in the morning. The morning commute has been exceptionally awful this past week, mostly due to all the Super Bowl visitors. What normally would take 20 minutes to get to work now sadly takes over 45 excruciating minutes. Super Bowl 50 may bring excitement to my Bay Area peers and myself this Sunday at kickoff, but for now it only brings emotions of frustration. I’m forced to wake up almost 30 minutes earlier every morning due to the increased traffic on highway 101. Those extra 30 minutes of sleep makes a huge difference in how my days play out. I woefully yearn for the end of the Super Bowl. These visitors need to leave my city!

Super Bowl 50