Introduction

"Before you act, listen. Before you react, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try."  -Ernest Hemingway

At Bill's Record Studio.

Hello there! Welcome to my ePortfolio. An insight to my goals, ambitions, and overview of who I am. My name is Kristie Souanevichith, born and raised here in Dallas Texas on New Years Eve. I'm working my way up to become a Marine Biologist in the nearby future. My passion drives me to go further than what I am capable of. It's a bit out of the ordinary since it's not your typical career right out of college, but I find it quite unique. At the moment work and school plays a huge role. I spend my weekends working at Hot Topic, part time in school and in between creating art. I'm the oldest of my siblings which has molded me into a very independent individual. As life has a way throwing curves of unexpected events; I am still learning and growing how to survive in this world. Nevertheless, allow me to share with you more facts about myself!

About Me

 I have a Nikon D3000 w/ 0.45x Super Wide Angle Macro Lens

One of my favorite hobbies to do when I have free time is Photography. I'm an aspiring photographer that emerges fashion, urban settings, cars, people and candid moments all into one. I've been doing this since high school and it's such a fun hobby! The camera I use is a Nikon D3000 attached with macro lens. Capturing what your mind has in store and making it into a reality has to be the most creative aspect of it all. Drawing comes second since it's more of a patient timing. I'm more of a visual person so I have to see what I'm going to sketch. Whether it is raveling to different areas across the cities with friends, going to live concerts, writing literature, car events or even reading a good book all summarize my pinpoints of favorite hobbies. Art literally is part of who I am since I was a child and still is til' this very day.

Jazz Lounge in Ft. Worth

Slammed s2000 on Wednesday Night Meets

Final Sketch of a Calm Wolf

My Quality World


 I have dreams and fantasies just like any other human on this planet. Whether they can be achieved in a long-term, immediate, intermediate or short term; there's this confidence in me that will lead me to fulfilling my accomplishments. A perfect quality world to me consists of more than just materialistic items and the average wealthiness. There are of course a variety of qualities in between that create the atmosphere I want. Relationships are probably the most difficult subject I face out of the four major arena's of life. The connection I have between family and friends is quite fair, but perhaps finally having my own soul mate someday would expand the affection I want. My fear is facing things alone not having anyone by my side to guide me. I've always been a huge fan of romance novels, fictions, stories and the thought of meeting the love of my life would definitely play a huge role in my world. There is no doubt in the back of my mind I want happiness more than anything. The other three arena's I seem to have balanced out don't worry me as much. I've experienced many situations throughout these nineteen years to become the person I am today. Constant battling to make the best of everything even if I didn't achieve my goals. Who wouldn't want to land their dream jobs at a certain age or be satisfied with all of their success by the end of the day? It can be difficult to collide so many desires all at once in such a matter of time. I have learned at a very young age to obtain my goals I have to work hard for it. There is no trying, just do. Someday I really do want to become a Biologist. The study of life and animals combined feels like a complete last step for me, especially if it's something I adore. In my world I wouldn't want to wake up and attend a career I awfully hate everyday. That would bring negativity daily and wouldn't help me look forward to progress. In order for me to even reach that level of completing that degree I need to start focusing on what my present goal is. Maintaining good grades, attendance, and basically not giving up is what I need to work on. There's no body else on Earth who will push me to get that far. I may not have a specific belief, but I do believe in myself. As long as my ambitions are set realistically, I am determined to have those done. Hopefully once I'm much more advanced in financial savings it'd be enough for me to travel around the globe and see places I've never seen. Set aside a fun for my family if they need some help. A comfortable home, good people and good vibes. It's an amazing feeling when you come to realize the extraordinary dreams anyone can set their mind to finish. Failure for me is not an option. If I had all the qualities to state that this is what I want in my quality world, then I could die as one happy woman.


My Goals (Timeline)

Short term goal: Pass these two classes of Educ and Bcis so I can be off my Probation and refresh my entire semester of clean grades. I am almost there, and I have never felt so accomplished!
Intermediate goal: Already be transferred at UTA to finish my education, at the same time have a job to help out paying my bills and making sure my family will be good with financial issues.
Long term goal: Finish my Bachelors degree in Arts in Biology to become a Marine Biologist or anything specific in the Science field. Find a career that I absolutely adore and will not regret. Live in a city, have my goals accomplished and hopefully start a family someday.

Oceanography in Marine Biology

What is your intended major? _Bachelors of Arts in Biology _____________________________________________ 

What degree plan will you follow?  
Core basics at Northlake and transfer to UTA ________________________________

College Level Credit Classes already taken and passed (if any yet)                                

___________________________

____________________________

Fall 2011

EDUC-1300____________________________________

BCIS 1405________________________________________

Winter Term 2011-2012

ARTS-1311_____________________________________

Spring 2013

ENGL-1302_____________________________________
HIST1301_______________________________________

DMATH0091_________________________________

PSYCH 1301_____________________________________

Summer 2013                                                                       

SPCH1311_______________________________

Fall 2013

DMATH0093_______________________________
SOCI1301___________________________________
HIST1302____________________________________

Winter Term 2013-2014 
SPAN1311______________________________

Spring 2014

BIOL-1322_________________________________

GOVT2301_________________________________

MATH1314_________________________________

PHIL1301__________________________________

Learning (Strength quest)

-My Top 5 Strengths were: 

1. Strategic
2. Empathy
3. Connectedness
4. Individualization
5. Ideation

      

Strength Quest Summary

   From the very first time I took my Strength Quest assessment, I had a feeling I would connect with my results right away. Before I knew it, my instincts were correct and it has impacted me to an outstanding conclusion. The five strengths were strategic, ideation, empathy, individualization, and connectedness. Three of the five are more related to a connection with people. It didn't surprise me because I know what kind of person I am. When I first met with Mrs. Thompson, we both had similar strengths; strategic and individualization. Merging unique humans into one group can be difficult to others. I learned that empathy was the ability to sense other people's weaknesses, feelings, a sense of idea of who they are and relating to their situations when never meeting them in life before. It shocked me because I never knew the word for it, but at the same time I was thankful. Throughout these years as I've been analyzing characters walking passed me; there was this urge to get to know somebody. A strategic side of me is released when I can merge diverse groups of people to work in the same setting. Everyone has their own attitude, personality, mindset and at times it can be stressful if all can't get along. I know I use this method at work and school plenty of times. Incorporating ideation with connectedness is probably the easiest idea when it comes to anything. Ideation is already thinking ahead creating a mini visualization in your mind and making it real. It's kind of like making your dreams come true. A lot of these scenarios are based on planning. Careers like business and the medical field would be a good usage so the outcome won't be a downfall. Last but not least, connectedness just engages in so many situations. It's the key to keeping up good work, a surrounding of acquaintance and interaction everyone would want. The smallest exercises Mrs. Thompson had me work on really cleared my definition of those words. Now I can take them into my own hands using it for my future!

Thinking Section (map)

Concept Map of  BCIS.

Research Literacy Analysis 
(Is Animal Experimentation Necessary?)

My partner Humberto and I created a 6 slide show powerpoint, including images and our Pro/Cons overview of Animal Testing. Here is a link below to access the PowerPoint! :)

Animal Experimentation PowerPoint <---- CLICK HERE!!

    One of my favorite articles I've ran across throughout this research projects was, "Animal Testing Alternatives" written by Sidney Draggan. A leader author who is an Ecologist and Science Policy Analyst. He discusses about how laboratory animals are used for the medical research side. It's about conducting the tests of animals to help us understand substance effects because human testings are not allowed. For health effect identities, cancer and birth defect will benefit our learning to new vaccines and a development for the future. There are two types of testing; vivo and silico. Vitro is more of using living organisms or known as laboratory animals. Silico involves using computer models which are far from live animals and are based on evaluation of substances. Draggan states that without laboratory animals, scientists would lose a basic method for getting the necessary information to make wise decisions that protect the public health. Of course animals would be the potential suspect in experimentation because there is no other species out there with such significant DNA to the Human. Scientists are required by law and statue these animals are treated with care and compassion, and maintained healthy in a household environment before testing. As much as I am against it since animals have rights too, there's not a highly successful alternative other than choosing animals. Majority of the testing benefits towards medical, surgical, cosmetics, military defense, and plenty more. A controversy such as this would have to be settled seriously to find another method. Today there is ongoing efforts trying to find alternatives to animal testing like the National Toxicology Program focusing on both vivo and silico.

Annotated Bibliography

Research Question: Is animal experimentation necessary?

Sidney Draggan Ph.D. (Lead Author);Emily Monosson (Topic Editor) "Animal testing alternatives". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth April 5, 2007; Last revised Date September 21, 2011; Retrieved November 8, 2012 http://www.eoearth.org/article/Animal_testing_alternatives

Sidney Draggan attempts to educate the readers of various benefits animal testing can conduct to our researches and resource. The main course of action is obvious to medical testing. Animal testing would help understand health effects such as cancer and birth defects for future vaccines and methods. Draggan claims without laboratory animals, scientist would lose a basic method (model) for getting information needed to make wise decisions that protect public health. He reports his aftermath with the study of chemical substances and reports of the effects. This article may be viewed as scholarly due to the amount of education facts he has announced. Draggan is an Ecologist with special interests in science policy and research analysis. He is served as a NSF Representative for New Zealand and has been since 1978 until this very day. Even though he can oppose the idea of testing, he is also looking for new alternative ways for development. 

Unit 5 Assignment - EDUC 1300

( Final Reflection)

For your final assignment, please summarize your response to each of the following seven questions in 3-4 well thought out sentences.

Luck will not help you here – just good thinking~

1. 1.     Autonomous learners have a vision of where they want to go and who they want to be, and are aware they need strategies and good thinking skills to get there. What is your personal learning system as an autonomous learner? My personal learning system, I will admit is not the best compared to other students but I will say I never give up. I tend to forget major things and end up being too late to complete what needs to be done. To help me with that I make a memo to remind me of important assignments and duties. Once I start on a project I stay focused until it gets finished. Double checking my work before submission has helped me throughout my education.
2. 2.     What learning strategies did you use this semester to help you be successful in your courses? How do you know you will learn better by using these strategies? I have used Strategic many of times this semester. Being in a group with other individuals can be difficult when everyone has their own opinion and you have another. I have learned to study their behavior and mindset using Empathy to connect and understand their feelings. It has been a great use to my advantage with connectedness to gather other students around me and work in a timely manner. These strengths will definitely guide me throughout all these courses as long as I keep it up!
3. 3.     Give me an example of how you used your metacognition skills to support rather than sabotage your learning this semester. 
4. 4.     What behavior management techniques did you use to build constructive habits and get rid of unproductive habits this semester? I definetly used my time management skills this semester to evaluate between two of the classes I am taking. I looked at due dates and was constructive about turning my homework on time. My attitude towards wanting to come to school is more positive than I was in high school which is the best feeling ever! I use to attend classes and not give a care, but my mindset has changed as I grew older to realize how serious education is to me.
5. 5.     Give me an example of how you used elements of critical thinking to solve a problem this semester. I use a a lot of point of view, concepts, implements, and information to analyze any given situation. At one point I had to create a literacy analysis for Educ about a problematic issue going on in this world. I had to use my evaluation of logic to figure out the core as to why a specific subject has pros and cons to it. There's more than establishing facts which is why I use identification of premises and conclusions to carry me on.
6. 6.     How did you evaluate information in relation to what you needed this semester? By reading over the rubric, asking questions if I don't understand a topic and asking for help when I need it the most. Those three are the main components!
7. 7.     How do ethics effect your decision making skills in college? Ethics effect your decision making skills in college by following what you think is right versus what will get you by saving you time. My thoughts sometimes can be juggling in between the two, but I always lean towards what will help me in the future.