Portfolio Index

For my project I decided to go with the portfolio option. I am a firm believer in the fact there is always room to grow as a writer. Revisions, edits, and shaping old ideas is not to say that your original idea was bad, but there is molding to be done. In the same way that we as human beings always have room to grow into better versions of ourselves, our stories have the same potential.

This is my reasoning behind revitalizing my old stories to create new and better versions. Happy reading!

Jesus and The Leper
This story hones in on one episode found in the Gospel of Mark. It is a speech told from the point of view of a leper, whom Jesus healed. This story is an inside look into Biblical times and the accounts of Jesus.

Story of the Broken Pot
This is the story inspired by an old Indian folktale told from the point of view of a grain of rice. It is a short story that expresses the importance of loving where you're at and the people and things are around you. Don't take the little guys for granted.

Sue Ellen's Sneezes
Take a walk in Sue Ellen's shoes and see her day week from bad to worse based on an old rhyme her dear ole grandmother used to say. This story is set in the heart of New York City and is centered around a nursery rhyme in Andrew Lang's storybook.

Tricky Students and Wise Professors
Throughout college there are lessons to be learned even when you least expect them. Follow along with young trickster Flora and old professor Smith in this short story to see if Flora can get away with her cheating ways on her first college exam.

Tech Tip: Embedded Youtube Video

This video is one of all my all-time favorites. It just came out but it encompasses the life I want to live. I have this desire to get in a car and just drive. I long to see the world all that it has to offer. You can't live life behind a desk or a computer screen for forever. Sometimes we all just need to sleep on the floor for awhile.

Sleep on the Floor- Lumineers Music Video
https://youtu.be/v4pi1LxuDHc

Review: Beatitudes of the Weird

(Image sourced from link)

I have grown up knowing the beatitudes from the bible by heart, this is why the beatitudes of the weird first caught my attention. I believe that we're all a little weird and the creatives of the world often get that stereotype. I think as a creative we need to embrace our weirdness because we get to see the world through another set of eyes. We get to look at a blank page and we can see life spring from it if we write certain words or draw a certain picture. I don't think I would want to be any other way. I want to embrace my weirdness and the creativity that comes with it. It's my hope that we all drop our cool and relish in the fact that we all are a little weird.

Online Course Announcements: December 4th

Famous Last Words: Surviving Finals

(Image sourced from Giphy)

I think this gif is the most accurate depiction of finals week ever. I think as college students we all stress ourselves out (probably more than we should) and guzzle down one cup of coffee after another. In my final 12 days of college, I find myself putting more pressure on myself than I ever have before. I am attempting to push myself to better than I ever have before in school this semester and I think finals play a huge part in that. It is hard to remember in the midst of tests, presentations, and late nights spent in the library that grades don't define you. Looking forward to the day when I have no tests or homework, it's just around the corner.

Tech Tip: Blogger Template

I know that there is only one week left in this course but that didn't stop me from continuing to mold and update my website in an effort to make it better. I decided to change the template to a more clean and simple one. The white background allowed me to work with the white space while still keeping the blue accent colors. This is how I have my real website created. (Check it out at amandaleighclark.com). I wanted to finish the semester strong and I think by having a cleaner more modern website that will allow me to do so.

Learning Challenge: Reading

(Image sourced from Buzzfeed)

This quote was found in the book dedication of Jen Campbell's novel, The Bookshop. I believe this quote rings true and carries a deeper message than all of the memes that I searched through before this. Bookshops, stories, and books themselves gives readers a space to dream, breathe, and reside in a safe place.

I am a firm believer that we should all take a break from the real world every now and then and lose ourselves between the pages of a good book and the smell of coffee (especially on a rainy day). I believe that words hold power and that that kind of power should be taken seriously.

I am looking forward to graduating in 12 short days and relishing in the fact that I will get the time to read a good book every now and then.

Growth Mindset: Just Keep Swimming

(Image sourced from Giphy)

After doing some further research over Growth Mindset, I realized that our favorite blue fish Dory had the right idea. While dory may have suffered from short term memory loss she is a prime example of what having a growth mindset can accomplish.

She preserved when frustrated, she pushed herself when she couldn't remember, she sought help from the people around her, and she always just kept swimming. I  believe that we should all be a little more like Dory. We should always go after our dreams and goals with the idea that we can take on whatever comes our way. 

While Finals week is upon us keep in mind to just keep swimming.

Reading Notes: Europa's Fairy Book

(Image sourced from link)

For my extra reading this week I decided to read Europa's Fairy Book. I came to this decision because I wanted to do something out of the Europe unit and still delve into fairytales.

I really enjoyed the Cinder-Maid story the most out of Part A. I have read many versions of cinderella as my mother was a librarian all throughout my childhood, but this version I had never come across. I like the added details of the mist, honey, tar, and the shaking of the tree.

I enjoyed the other stories as well such as the Talking of Animals. The plotline of that story thoroughly intrigued me and I think that could be a fun one to remake and make it my own.


Bibliography:
Europa's Fairy Book, link to online reading.

Wikipedia: From St. John's College to Horsepower Taxes

Last Wikipedia trails assignment I decided to scroll through the class announcements, so this time I decided to begin my trail from something that I had written about. This is where St. John's College came into play.

I posted an image of St. Johns in my week 13 storytelling post where a college was the setting. I chose St. Johns because I had actually been there and I have a huge infatuation with England (check out my favorite place story if you don't believe me). St. John's college is located at Cambridge University in the UK. It started way back in the day, 1511 to be exact. After looking through the facts of St. John's I stumbled upon the pictures of the place and that led me to my next link, the Bridge of Sighs.

(Personal Image taken on the River Cam in 2016)

The Bridge of Sighs is one of Cambridge's most photographed landmarks. It was built in 1831 over the River Cam based off the Bridge of Sighs. I had the opportunity to be punted along the River Cam and went directly underneath the Bridge of Sighs. Rumor has it that students hoisted a car underneath it as a practical joke. This led me to my third link, the Austin 7.

(Image sourced from Wikimedia)

Austin 7 is one of the raddest cars on the market back in the 1920's. The Austin 7 was on the market from 1921 until 1939 produced in the UK. This car was licensed and produced in countries all over the world under other names, but the same model. After researching the Austin 7 I came across the horsepower tax.

I found this intriguing because I thought how in the world is someone going to place a tax on horsepower. According to this article, the tax was deciphered by an equation. This equation was set into place during 1910 by the RAC at the British invitation. It was put to rest in in 1948 when another tax was set in place.

Week 13 Review: Thanksgiving

(Image sourced from Week 13 Class Announcements)

This was my favorite post underneath week 13's course announcements. I believe that this is was a fitting quote for the holiday season that we are now in the middle of. There should always be room for more people to come and join in community around food. There is no better way to get to know someone than over a nice dinner. Being around a table breeds authentic conversation and that is showcased in this quote and in the image itself.


Link to online course announcements.

Reading Notes: Denslow's Mother Goose

(Image sourced from Denslow Mother Goose)

I sat down to do my extra reading and for some reason the typical reading links did not work for me. Instead, I decide to take advantage of the free book option and read up on some mother goose rhymes.

I read from the beginning and then all the way to Little Miss Muffet. Many of these rhymes were familiar to me and others did not ring a bell. While reading through these stanzas I thought how strange it is that growing up we were taught these rhymes and there were hundreds if not others that were not as popular. It made me wonder, who and why was it decided that we will pass down some and not the many others that we’re beautifully written.

In addition to learning about other rhymes that I had not heard of before. I enjoyed looking at the multitude of illustrations that covered the book. I wish I had the ability and the eye to draw in the way that others can.

Bibliography:

Denslow's mother goose, link to online reading.

Famous Last Words: Moving Forward

(Personal Image taken in November of 2016)

I feel like the assignment title famous last words is fitting for these next few weeks. This semester has been full of lasts, last semester, last OUTX weekend, last football game, last class, last time all my friends are in one place during the same season of life.

I am about to embark on the greatest adventure yet, the real world. On New Year’s Day, I hop on a plane with two suitcases in hand and a new life ahead of me. I’m on the threshold of starting over in New York City. I’ve accepted an offer from my dream agency and have purchased my one-way ticket. As I look back on what I’ve accomplished in this semester and throughout my time at college there are mountains and valleys. I hope that when I graduate in a few short weeks that I feel as if I had done my best, that I was intentional in every and all relationships, and that I wore my heart out on my sleeve and left it all on the table.

Oklahoma, you’ve taught me what it meant to love others well, what it looked like to pick up the pieces of a broken heart, and what it felt like to rely on the Lord throughout it all. New York, I’m looking forward to molding and growing within the concrete jungle, to finding myself on long walks through Central park, and to building a new life from the ground up.

Thanks for the foundation Oklahoma, now it is time to move forward.

Story: Tricky Students and Wise Professors

(Image of St. Johns College at Cambridge sourced from Wikimedia)

Young trickster Flora was a wizard at cheating her way through school. She had the peripheral vision of a wiz and she was a class act in academic misconduct. She could hack the internet for answers, she could see others tests from miles away, and she even could mark up her arms with answers undetected. Flora was the integrity council’s worst nightmare. She had managed to cheat her way through high school and now her final test was fooling a college professor.

Old Professor Smith was known to be a stickler on grades. He taught financial accounting and allowed for not a single decimal point to be misplaced. He was ruthless in marking X’s in red ink and relentless in making sure all of his students were honest in their work. He valued determination, authenticity, and the truth. He was the poster child for top notch professors. Flora had met her match.

Flora had a financial accounting test coming up quick and she came up with the plan to fool Professor Smith. Flora's plan was perfect. She decided to test out the water bottle method. She wrote all of her notes and answers on the back of a water bottle label and then reattached the label seamlessly. “Professor Smith is going to have no idea what hit him,” Flora brooded to herself.

Test day rolled around and all of the students were on edge, except for Flora. Flora couldn’t foresee any problem. Tests were passed out, the class went silent, and the scantrons were pulled out. Flora was taking peeks at her water bottle and everything was going according to plan until she undid the cap and took a sip of water in hopes of making people less suspicious. As Flora was setting her bottle down to get back into the groove of things her classmate knocked it over in the process of holding up her hand. Water spewed from the bottle and landed all over the floor. The bottle was emptied, classmates were now wet, and Flora’s answers were exposed.

Old Professor Smith quickly came to the soaked situation and discovered the answers hiding behind the facade of an empty water bottle. Professor Smith looked up at Flora and smiled and then proceeded to say, “Finish your test.” Flora felt sick. She had never been caught before nor did she expect this type of outcome. “Wasn’t he supposed to scream, holler, and kick me out?” she thought to herself. Flora found herself sweaty and nervous. She could no longer write because her hands were shaking uncontrollably. She went up to the front of the class, turned it what she had and walked out only to receive an email in her inbox from Professor Smith that read, “See you in my office tomorrow at noon.”

Many nightmares later and a breakfast that was quickly stomached, Flora headed to see Professor Smith. She knocked on the door promptly at 12:00 o’clock and the wooden door slowly creaked open to reveal Professor Smith with a frown on his face. Panic seeped into Flora’s veins. She had never felt such guilt, she knew what was to come. Professor Smith gestured for Flora to take a seat and she reluctantly did. Before Professor Smith could utter a word Flora burst into tears and profusely apologized. Professor Smith’s face did not change and Flora fell silent as he began to speak. “If we ask anyone what cheating is, that person may tell us that cheating is an act of dishonesty. Based on this answer, we have to ask ourselves, whom exactly we are lying to.”

Flora sat in disbelief as her tears dried. She began to critically think. It didn’t take long for Flora to realize that she had been lying to herself all along, she was the one who had been fooled. Professor Smith had watched her come to this realization and then gave her a second chance to take her exam the following week. Flora thanked him and walked out the door with a new wave of motivation. As the door shut, Professor Smith's heart grew softer as he knew he did his job well. Professor Smith guided the way for Flora to be sprung into what education is supposed to look like: honest, truthful, and hard work.

Author's Note:

I chose to base this story around the Fox and the Stork from La Fontaine's Fables. This particular story stuck out to me because I knew I could somehow put a creative spin on it and make it relatable to the audience. One of the storytelling prompts was to somehow make it relevant to OU students, which is exactly what I did. I felt as if that prompt was fitting for this story and for me as it is my last semester here at OU. I wanted to add a deeper meaning than the original one, which is why I chose to keep the professor's honesty intact and guide Flora with his own wisdom to see what was right and what was wrong. In the original, the fox just walks away with his ears burning in defeat and the stork is gleaming with pride. You can't fight fire with fire so I wanted to change it to something that had more depth.  The picture I chose was of St. Johns college in Cambridge, where I had the pleasure of visiting. I thought that this particular photo eerily resembled some of OU's buildings so I snuck it in there.  

Bibliography:
The Fox and the Stork, link to the online reading.
Fables of La Fontaine, link to online reading.

Cheating quote sourced from Dinara Kairbayeva.

Reading Notes: Fables of La Fontaine Part B

(Image of La Fontaine sourced from Wikipedia)

La Fontaine continued his use of humanizing animals and song-like sentence structure throughout Part B of the readings. For the most part, the stories remained similar in writing style. However, this time when I read the stories I began to really take notice of his use of imagery and the language he used.


The adjectives and verbs he chose to use in his stories allowed the reader to better understand the plot line. I think when I write I often forget that every word I use should further the plot in a meaningful way. As writers, I think we get stuck in a rut and use the same words over and over again because they are comfortable and we know that they work. I think I need to stretch myself and some research on verbs and adjectives that go much deeper than what I have been writing.

Bibliography:
Fables of La Fontaine, link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Fables of La Fontaine Part A

(Image sourced from Flickr)

I chose to read Fables of La Fontaine because I wanted to stretch myself. I want4ed to go far beyond the fairytales that I was already familiar with and dive into the unknown.


After reading through Part A, I realized that these stories are shorter in length and because of that every word holds power. Every single one of these stories had an animal as a character, including the readings titled “Foolish People.” The verbiage used in these passages allowed for a smooth flow of sentence, it was easy for the reader to read because it was almost written like a song.


These tactics will be used in the stories that I write.

Bibliography:
Fables of La Fontaine, link to online reading.

Learning Challenge: Empathy

(Image sourced from PostSecret)

I had never heard of PostSecret before this evening. It was actually incredibly intriguing and also sad in a way. I found it shocking that there were so many secrets waiting to be shared. I think it was heartbreaking to know that there are millions of people out there who feel like they can't say what they want to. I know we as humans all have something we don't want to share but it is my personal belief that we shouldn't live in fear. We should live in a world that breeds acceptance and understands the value of peoples words. Scrolling through PostSecret has made me realize that I too need to be more accepting of others and that I need to be a listening ear to those who need it.

Growth Mindset: Create your own Meme

For this growth mindset challenge I decided to create my own meme that is tailored to my passions. I have a deep seeded love for travel and I believe that my creativity is fueled by my travels. Experiencing culture and diving into to a new place allows for growth. It pushes you to be a better version of yourself and to get out there and learn new things. For that very reason I put the quote "Creativity knows no boundaries," I believe that creativity isn't confined by walls or borders but that it can be found anywhere in the world. Go out and find it.

Tech Tip: Twitter Widget in Post

Tweets by AmandaLeighC85

Week 12 Reading Notes: Lang's European Fairy Tales I Part A

(Puss in Boots Image sourced from blog)

I chose to read Lang’s European Fairy Tales I. This unit specifically caught my attention because the readings came from all over Europe; Europe holds a special place in my heart. I’ve read a majority of these stories before doing my childhood but reading them at 21 years old allowed me to read them in a new light with a different perspective.

After reading through Part A, I realized that these stories are longer in length and hold great detail. There is also more dialogue between the characters than in past stories. The verbiage used in these passages allow for detailed imagery that furthers the plot.


These tactics will be used in the stories that I write.

Bibliography:
Lang's European Fairy Tales I Part A, link to online reading.

Reading Notes: English Tales Part B

(Personal Image taken in London, England 2016)

After reading all of Part A and moving into Part B of the English Tales I noticed that there were many similarities and just a few differences.


Mythical creatures were still relevant and animals such as chickens and hens were giving the ability to talk. However, I paid more attention to the sentence structure and rhyming in each of the stories. I came to the realization that each of the stories was almost song like. The variety in sentence length gave them a new sort of depth that I hadn’t noticed before.


This is something that I could work on in stories of my own. I often like to stick to parallel structure and I don’t use much differentiation in sentence length.


Bibliography:
English Tales Part A, link to online reading.

Reading Notes: English Tales Part A

(Personal Image taken in London, England 2016)

Every day I wish that I could be back in London, England so it’s only fitting that I would choose from the list of English Fairy Tales to read.

I noticed that the stories mostly begin with those four famous words, “Once Upon A Time.” After reading the multitude of stories I came to realize that just about every story has some sort of riddle or theme that is vital to the plot line. I enjoyed that many of the characters included mythical creatures or animals that we’re humanized. Animals and creatures could talk, smell, and feel things which were portrayed through imagery and great detail.

I can utilize the themes of mythical creatures, animals, imagery, and detail. I am looking forward to writing a story that encompasses all of these things and allows me to relive some of my favorite memories in England. Of course, my story will start with "Once Upon a Time."

Bibliography:
English Tales Part A, link to online reading.

Learning Challenge: Coffee Shop Thoughts

(Personal Image taken in Bristol, England 2016)

I believe everyone has their own way of paying attention. I think it's up to the individual to figure out the setting they work best in. For me, it's a chill coffee shop with music and a little bit of background noise. I think I work best in an environment that inspires me to be creative and surrounded by people who are also working.

Gray Owl Coffee off of Gray street in Norman is my favorite place to study at. The art hung from the walls and the trendy people at every table inspire me to also be creative and get my work done. There is something about being surrounded by like-minded people who spur you on to be a better version of yourself.

The environment has everything to do with how well you pay attention to your work. Maybe a coffee shop is too distracting for some people, that's why the library and the great reading room work great for other students. Figure out what setting allows you to pay attention best and work there. That's my little tidbit of advice.

Tech Tip: Pinterest Embedded

Week 10: The Will to Explore

(Growth mindset meme sourced from the Growth Mindset Blog)

I believe in my heart of hearts that I was born with the innate will to explore and go. When I came across this Growth Midset meme, I was like "Yes, this is me." I don't think curiosity is something that can be learned or taught, I think it is natural. I believe people are born with curiosity and that is as springboards them into the fields that they are passionate about. 

For me, I'm passionate about traveling the world and people, this curiosity about what the world offers I believe landed me the job I now have working in an International Travel PR firm in New York City. 

The things that we are passionate about will push us forward. Be curious about something, whether that be far off places, people, computers, or history. It can be anything. It is better to be curious and say yes to exploring that field in depth than to do nothing at all.

Reading Notes A: Pacific Northwest, Part A

(Image sourced from topsy.fr)

The Pacific Northwest is something that has always intrigued me. The multitude of hiking trials, the mountainous landscape, and the abundance of coffee from PNW has always seemed to call my name and lure me in. For this very reason, I picked the Pacific Northwest unit to read for this week.

I liked that the stories in Reading A incorporated a variety of mountainous animals and related many of the stories to the landscape that I so want to be apart of.

I noticed that a majority of the stories were about the creation of the world and how it ties in with the nature surrounding the PNW. If it wasn’t about the creation of the world the story humanized animals to steal something, such as fire.

I think I can incorporate humanizing animals in my stories and bringing them to life in a new way, or even come up with a creative way of how I think the world came to be.

Bibliography:
Pacific Northwest: Part A, link to online reading.

Week 8: Growth Mindset

(Grow Image sourced from Flickr)

After looking back and reflection on the growth mindset challenges that I have completed I realized (and already knew) that my biggest challenge deals with time.

I feel as if there are not enough hours in the day to get done what I need to. I looked at this chart and recognized a few things about myself and the way that I grow.

I noticed right off the bat that I do the minimum in the things I'm not passionate about and in the things that I passionate about I push myself to go as far as I can. I research and spend time on the things that captivate my heart. I find the motivation inside myself to do the things that I know I want to do. It’s not like pulling teeth, it comes naturally. That’s why in life I desire to pursue a career that I’m passionate about. If it’s void of creativity then it’s not for me.

I think with this class I want to be a perfectionist in my story writing, I want it to be good and I mull over sentences for a long period of time in hopes of making it the best I can be. However, I think short-term in that sense and haven’t completed as many stories as I should because I take too long on one post.

In life and even in this class I see myself comparing myself to others. As a woman in college, how can you not? I find myself critiquing the way I look, the clothes I wear, the stories I’m writing, and the job I’m pursuing. I firmly believe that we are our own worst critics. I am harder on myself than I should be, which is a blessing and a curse.

I enjoy that this class is not only acting as an outlet for creative writing but it pushes me to critically think and grow as a person.

Week 8 Reflections

(Image of Belle from Beauty and the Beast sourced from Angela's Blog)

Overall, this class has been a joy and stressful all at the same time. I feel as if I am behind and playing catch every week. This class has pushed my creativity in my writing which is something I have been looking for in a class throughout my time at OU. (Of course I would find it in my last semester of college).

Reading: The hundreds and hundreds of stories and units we have been able to choose from is something that I love. You can always learn something new and there is enough stories to go around that if you don’t like one you can always switch to another. I find myself now thinking of what I want to write when reading stories because I’m picking up on the authors; writing techniques which is something I didn’t do previously. I am looking forward to the reading in the European unit. The culture of Europe is something that I have always been intrigued by.

Writing: I am happy with the stories that I have been writing, but I do know that there has been a lack of them. I taking my creative writing seriously and my creative always seems to take longer than most. I can sit down in one sitting and write a story at the snap of my fingers. I slowly piece my stories together and that has been my struggle in this course. I reread and rewrite until I think it’s good enough and that takes more time than I have. In fact, on blog post that I wrote for my own personal website (amandaleighclark.com) took me over a year and a half to write. I compiled travel notes, dreams and thoughts and then pieced it all together over the course of a year. I love to write but I feel pressed for time. Writing in one sitting and then editing later is a skill i’m hoping to master by the end of this class. I can’t dwell on a sentence for hours, I just no longer have time in this hurried semester.

Connecting: I often compare my stories to others that I am reading and I find myself wishing I had he skill set of others. Never would I think of writing in the same dialect or would I be able to write a long drawn out poem like I see others doing. I enjoy reading others stories and then seeing what I can do to make mine better. The feedback is something I look forward to receiving in my inbox.

Reading Notes: Stories from Congo Part A

(Children from the Congo sourced from Public Domain)

When I came across the word Congo, it was as if my heart could hear the beating of the drums and I could feel the african heat encompass my body in a blanket of warmth. There is something about Africa that has magic behind it. It was as if these stories were calling to me read them.

R. E. Dennett collected these stories over four decades. These stories included spirits, supernatural powers, and the embodiment of this magic in the form of objects, animals, and other humans.

One thing I noticed right off the bat was that these stories all had some sort of family member in the title. That struck me as important because it showed that the African Culture values its people and the families found within their physical borders.

After reading through a multitude of stories, I realized that a lot of them were centered around this idea of love or not being lonely. Whether this comes in the form reviving husbands to life or dreams of future loved ones. Stories from the Congo embody love and relationships.


Bibliography:
Stories from the Congo: Part A, link to online reading.

Wikipedia Trail: From Navratri to British Raj

I am a naturally curious person so this extra credit assignment was enjoyable to me. If we're being honest I often click through wikipedia links in my spare time and get trapped into clicking on article after article. However, I never thought about covering my tracks until now.

I first looked at the class announcements to get some inspiration on what my starting point was going to be. After scrolling through them, I decided upon learning more about Navratri the nine day festival dedicated to worshiping the hindu deity Durga. This sparked my interest because I had never heard of the festival and who doesn't love a good festival?

This article led me to click on the Diwali link, which was an article all about another festival. Diwali is the festival lights. This peaked my curiosity because the first thing I thought of was the movie Tangled, which had a festival of lights in it. After reading this article, I thought the photos attached were stunning. The way the Hindu's celebrate the festival was stunning in the way that they strung lights. It reminds me of my love for Christmas lights and all that the wintry season entails.

(Lights strung in celebration of Diwali sourced from Wikimedia)

The Diwali festival led me to click on the Sikh link. The reason I clicked on this link is because when I was back in high school I actually got to go to a Sikhism temple. I went to France as a missionary my sophomore year of high school and got the privilege of getting to know and love on the Sikhs while I was there. I haven't researched them in years, so this was a good reminder on what I once learned.

The last article I clicked on was the British Raj. If you've read any of my previous articles including my introduction, you know that I have a deep seeded love for the Brits. My passion for all things english urged me to click on this link. This was probably the most intreating article for me because i had no idea that the British Crown ruled over parts of india back in the day.

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

For all of us Oklahomans we live in the world of sporadic thunderstorms, unannounced snowstorms, and random tornadoes. In Norman, no one truly knows what to wear in the mornings because no one knows what the day actually holds. Will it rain? Will it hail? Is it hot? Is it cold?


Due to the uncertainty that we all feel about the weather I decided to implement the Weather Widget into my blog in hopes of my readers gaining a better grasp on what the day holds for them.


Here's to hoping we dress for the right weather, always.

Learning Challenge: Time

(Image sourced from Pinterest)

I feel as if this poem sums up how I feel about time perfectly. In my world I firmly believe that there are not enough hours in the day to do everything that I need and want to get done. I know school should come first, but this being my last semester of college I can’t help but feel like my priorities are different this time around. I find myself valuing meaningful conversations and quality time with loved ones hold more value to me than homework.

I feel as if time is slowly slipping away and as hours, days, and months march forward and I can’t help but think that what I’m doing will be forgotten. I want to be able to leave an impact on this world and be intentional in my friendships and relationships while they’re still near by. In 3 months I’ll either be hopping on a plane to New York or London to start the rest of my life...

I can only hope that my yesterday’s will be remembered and treasured by the people I spent them with.

Reading Notes: Tibetan Folktales Part A

(The Tiger and the Frog image sourced from illustrations by Mildred Bryant (1925).

This week has been crazier than usual so my extra reading for this week is over the Tibetan Folk Tales found in the African Unit.


After reading through the multitude of stories collected by Albert Shelton, I discovered that there were a plethora of stories that were centered around Buddhist legends and the gods and goddesses of the Tibetan culture.


I noticed that all of the Tibetan folk tales began with a short proverb that was essentially the main theme of the story and then it was followed by short paragraphs which was essentially a longer version of what the proverb was trying to portray.


Another a thing I noticed was a majority of the tales had animals incorporated within them. They had thoughts, feelings, and carried out the message of the story. These animals often held value and deep seeded meanings in the Tibetan culture.


When writing my own story based upon the strategies I took notice of from the Tibetan Folktales would be to incorporate an animal and give the character real life feelings and emotions and to either make up or take a Tibetan proverb and make the story my own.


Bibliography:
Tibetan Folktales: Part A, link to online reading.

Learning Challenge: Caffeine Causality Loop

(Cartoon by John Atkinson sourced from Wrong Hands)

The caffeine causality loop is something that haunts my daily routine. This year I have felt like I have been in a constant cycle of meetings, school, University Sing, and coffee. Normally, I have my life under control, however this semester is throwing me for a loop. I found out on the first day of class this semester that I am graduating a semester early.


That day rocked my world. No longer was this semester just a semester full of game days, classes, and social functions, it was a semester of goodbyes. I am learning how to manage my time all over again because I am really trying to be intentional in my friendships and encourage those around me, but that takes more time than I thought.


I'm quickly finding out that there is not enough hours in the day to get everything done, which leaves me praying for a personal assistant and sucking me into the caffeine causality loop. Coffee and prayers are the only things getting me through these long days. Not all days are bad, but every day calls for coffee.

Story: Jesus and the Leper

(Image of Jesus healing a leper sourced from Wikimedia)

Many of you don't know me; In fact, many of you have never even looked my direction. For years and years, I have waited with bated breath on the side of the cobblestone road that you people walk every day to get to work. You go and you visit with your families for meals, you go and laugh with loved ones at local wineries, and you go about your everyday chores and never bother to look in my direction. While you go go go, I sat in the same spot longing for someone to talk to me. I sat there with skin falling off my very bones, deformities altered my face, and contagiousness left me completely and utterly alone. Day after day, I sat and I could feel my muscles wither away leaving me paralyzed. My skin was discolored and my heart was empty. There were tears, there was sadness, and depression often crippled my bones. I was among those who were infected by disease and labeled as “outcast.” I did not know love, I did not know kindness, and I did not know what compassion looked like, until I saw the face of Jesus.

Jesus is a controversial name and man in this town but He is one of the best people I know. He extends a helping hand to those who need it, He hears those who go unheard, and He reaches the hearts of those who are deemed unlovable. I was touched by this man and I was cleaned by this man. This man made me whole and I am who I am today. Jesus is the reason I can stand before you today and He is the very reason all who are listening will now look upon my face. I once was a leper. I was one of the many people that you dared not to come in contact with. You passed by every single day. I have finally been seen. I have finally felt what it was like to have been known and to be valued. My skin was once discolored and now is normal, my face was once was deformed and now is in place, my heart once was broken and now is whole. I once was infected and now I am clean.

This Jesus saved my life and He can save yours. I am who I am today because a Man, who is of the utmost authority, got down on bended knee and whispered "Be thou clean." While He told me not to go out into the streets and tell of what has been done, I cannot help but shout it from the rooftops. He has healed me and my heart is overflowing. For all my days I will sing His praises. The messiah has come and he has touched my heart and cleaned my wounds. Go forth quickly and see this man named Jesus for He is the real reason we are breathing, moving, and living this blessed life.

I leave you with the same words Jesus left me, "Be thou clean."

Author's Note:

I have read the Gospel of Mark numerous times throughout my life. I’ve heard it in Sunday school, mission trips, and in my own personal quiet times. That being said, the story of Jesus healing the Leper was not new to me. In fact, I practically knew it by heart. The prompt I chose for week 3 was to write a motivational speech. While doing my reading this particular story seemed to jump off the pages and exclaim “Write Me.” I couldn’t say no. It would've been easy to write a speech motivating those in Biblical times from Jesus's point of view, but I wanted to change it up. I wrote my speech in the leper’s point of view who couldn't help but tell other people of how he had been healed. In fact, Jesus told the leper NOT to tell people, but the Leper couldn't contain his joy or words, in the same way I couldn’t help but write this story. That is one of the most interesting parts to the story I think, the fact that Jesus said don't go tell people. I believe Jesus wanted the healed man to show his gratitude through his actions and not necessarily his words. However, most people including myself will often do the opposite of what we are told and that is exactly what the healed man did.  I think this story adds depth to my portfolio, because it shows my heart’s cry. I believe my own beliefs and morals shine through this story. I don’t know this healed man personally, but I do know my heart beats for the Lord in the same way I imagine this man’s does too. I think this story reveals my own values that I carry with me, thus adding substance to my portfolio.

Bibliography:

King James translation of the Gospel of Mark, link to the online reading.

Story: The Broken Pot

(Image sourced from a blog for teachers)

Hey, hi, hello. Down here, yes, me in the rice bowl. I may not look like much, I’m nothing but a wee little grain of rice, but I have feelings and thoughts. You may be wondering, “What in the world am I doing listening to what this little grain of rice has to say?” Well, let me tell you, the little guys count too.


Let me go back to the beginning. I was one of many little grains of rice who cohabit in this beautifully crafted rice bowl in India. I came from a long line of other kinds of wheat and grains and after a long period of time had passed I somehow plopped into this rice bowl in the hands of a sweet and tender Indian man who daydreams far too often. Daydreams are not always bad but in this particular case, my owner's daydreams made me feel betrayed and unwanted.


The other day my owner was daydreaming aloud and I heard some things that I was not too fond of. My owner proceeded to tell the tale of how he was going to sell me, my friends, and my family in an effort to gain more and more materialistic things. I would be traded for goats, the goats would be traded for cows, the cows would be traded for buffaloes, the buffaloes will be traded for horses, the horses would be traded for gold, the gold would be traded for a house, the house will be used to gain a wife, the wife will have a child, and then my owner shall have everything he wants in life. Or so he thought...


His daydream took a turn and he dreamt that his wife is distracted with the daily household work and cannot hear him. In his frustration, he went forth and claimed he would give her a kick with his foot. Only, it was all in his head. In reality, he kicked the very thing that was supposed to give him his heart’s desires. He kicked the beautifully crafted pot where I and all the other grains of rice reside. In an instant, the pot broke from all sides and like a waterfall we all poured out onto the dirty ground and in the crevasses of the floor of our Indian household.


I may be nothing but a grain, but there is a lesson to be learned. That lesson is that all things hold value. The goats, the cows, the buffaloes, the horses, the gold, the house, the distracted wife, the child, and a teeny tiny grain of rice shouldn’t be tossed aside. There is worth found in all things and in all people, don't let dreams get in the way of understanding that principle.


Author's Note:

In the original story, this plot line was told from the point of view of the Brahman. The Brahman expressed his desire to grow in society through a trail of daydreams where he would trade one item for another to eventually reach his desired social status. However, the dream was interrupted with a kick to the rice pot bringing him back to reality. I read this Indian fairy tale and wanted to do something a little outrageous. When I read the prompt I tried to think of the most absurd minor character I could find and I couldn’t think of anything zanier than telling the story from a grain of rice’s point of view. In my reading, I saw that every story had a lesson. I kept that within my story by putting emphasis on the fact that the little guys hold value too. Don’t count them out. The image that I chose came directly from the desire to give the grain of rice a humanized effect. I wanted to bring the rice to life in a novel way and I believe that this image sets the tone for what the story is going to be about.



Bibliography:

The Broken Pot, Indian Fairy tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1912). Link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Indian Fairytales Part A

(Image sourced from Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1912))

For this week’s reading I decided on reading Indian Fairytales: Part A. I wanted to hear and learn from fairytales that were not from the English origin to discover similarities and differences between the two of them.


After reading a multitude of Indian fairytales I noticed that their plotlines follow that of the higher power they believe. It is specifically centered around lessons taught in Hinduism or Buddhism. Each story began as a creative plot line and then ended in a lesson. Much like in the way Jesus taught through the parables.


Each of these stories held a powerful message that went far beyond a fairytale, these stories were meant to cut to the core and allow for critical thinking.


This reading made me realize the power in storytelling. Humans use their stories to pass down vital lessons that are critical to culture, well-being, religion, and society. A story is much more than some strategically placed words and sentences, there is depth, value, and life breathed into them.

Bibliography:
Indian Fairytales: Part A, link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Alice in Wonderland, Part A

(Image of the White Rabbit Sourced from Wikipedia)

 I have read Alice in Wonderland many times, I have been seen the stage production, and my sorority's mom's day brunch was based off the mad hatter tea party. Alice in Wonderland is something near and dear to my heart, so I assumed when I read it that I would already know everything there was to know. I was pleasantly surprised that, that was not the case.

When I was doing my readings I forgot all of the minute creative details that makes the reader fall in love with the story. To what the late white rabbit was wearing to the advice from the wise caterpillar. Lewis Carol does a great job of setting the scene with incredible detail. Down the rabbit hole, with the multitude of doors, and an abundance potions to choose from.

Creative writing is one of my favorite things to do, it's for sure my favorite pastime. Lewis Carol is an expert in creative writing. Her details each have a purpose and it adds another dimension to the story. Creative details give a plot line depth, it's what captivates the reader and brings them in. I hope to do the same thing with my storybooks and future stories in this class.

Bibliography: Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carol, link.

Feedback Thoughts

(Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons)

Feedback can also go by the name of constructive criticism, which is a term that has followed me for many years. I have grown up doing musical theatre and I have received numerous amounts of feedback on my performances both positive and negative. While I stopped doing theatre when I got to college, feedback doesn’t go away. Every presentation, every project, and every blog post in this class sits on the foundation of feedback. If we didn’t receive feedback how would we know how to improve or to keep doing what we’re doing. Due to the many years I have spent on stage, I like to think I can take feedback very well. I have learned not to take it personally when someone corrects me because in the long run they’re trying to help me out.



The most helpful article I read was the “5 Tips for taking Feedback like a Champ,” because it provided the reader with practical advice on how to receive feedback well. This article was structured in a way that allowed the reader to easily follow and understand what the author was trying to portray. I personally liked that the first tip validated the reader’s feelings by stating that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable, in fact it’s healthy. This tip not only applies to receiving feedback but in life in general. When we get out of our comfort zone and push ourselves to learn from our peers we as individuals grow to be better versions of ourselves.

Reading Notes: The Gospel of Mark- Part A

(Image of Jesus sourced from Flickr that was labeled for reuse)

If we’re being candid, I have read the Gospel of Mark numerous times throughout my life. I have grown up hearing these stories time and time again. While I was familiar with the meanings and lessons behind these passages, I was not familiar with the storytelling patterns hidden in between the margins. This assignment provided me with the opportunity to read between the lines and hone in on a different angle of the Bible.


By reading these stories in a new light, I realized two main things, each story had a question and Jesus is a man of few words. Just about every passage found within the first ten chapters of the Gospel of Mark contained a question. The people who came to listen to Jesus’s sermons often asked him questions, the Pharisees often questioned the validity of Jesus’s teachings, and Jesus himself asked his listeners questions in an effort to make them think. Rhetorical questions can act as a creative writing technique within one’s story. It encourages the reader to be engaged and actively participate.


The second thing I noticed was that Jesus often only said a few words to get his point across. Jesus always got the punchline of every story found within the Gospel of Mark. For example, in Mark 2 Jesus heals a paralytic man and all he said was “Son, your sins are forgiven,” and he was immediately healed. This was after the fact that the friends of this paralytic man cut through the ceiling of the overcrowded home Jesus was teaching in, in an effort to drop this paralytic man at the feet of Jesus. After all of that hard work of carrying a grown man, cutting through the ceiling, and lowering him through the roof of this home, the only words Jesus had were, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” To me this translates as a story technique because it is proof that your stories don’t have to necessarily be wordy if your story is profound. Jesus’s words were bold and were few, the stories we tell can be the same way.

Bibliography:

King James translation of the Gospel of Mark, link to the online reading.

Growth Mindset

(Image sourced from Robert Cullen's Tweet posted earlier this morning)

Before this assignment I had never heard of Carol Dweck and this idea of growth mindset. However, after watching the two videos I realized that growth mindset is not a new concept in society, the term has just never been coined before.


I think humans innately know that we need to challenge ourselves in our relationships, in our workplaces, and especially in our comfort zones, it’s just a matter of actually doing it. I think Carol Dweck is onto the idea that Growth Mindset and challenging out minds needs to be enforced in schools otherwise we won’t do it. Most people need that extra push in order to do so.


My favorite this Professor Dweck said in her ted talk was “Praise the Process, not the end result.” As a creative person, this is something that I have come to know and live by. One of my favorite things to do is write and I know that in my writing there is a process that takes place. In my writing classes I’ve come to know and love the process it takes to create a blog. However, this does not translate well when I focus on courses that involves numbers.


When it comes to math or business related courses I get trapped in the mindset of now. I don’t appreciate the difficult process it takes to find the end result of an equation because I have trained my brain that I am not a math person, thus making me a failure at all math related things. This goes directly against the Growth mindset that Professor Dweck is so passionate about.


I believe growth mindset is something that I would be more interested in getting to know and understand, as it is applicable to everyday life. This semester I already feel like I am growing my brain just by figuring out the groove of each of my classes. I have a multitude of online classes, I’m skyping with professors who teach out of New York, and I’m getting used to the different online platforms that my professors are choosing to use.


Growth mindset is key in our learning abilities. I think that everyone deserves to know that they have value and worth even when things don’t go as planned. There is joy to be found in the journeys and the process it takes to get to an end result. Whether that end result be a math problem, a creative writing piece, or just to a turning point in ones life.

Starting the Semester

(Personal image of my handy-dandy planner and my favorite cactus Bryn taken in January 2016)

The fact that i’m sitting here trying to type out semester-tips is hilarious to me considering I’m a senior, in my last semester of college, and still have yet to figure it out. I think my biggest piece of advice is to roll with the punches and to relax. Things are sometimes not going to go your way. You might not get into that class you desperately need to or you may not get a 4.0 every semester (or any semester for that matter) but in the end it’s going to work out. I promise.


I often work myself up about classes and the semester ahead and to be honest that doesn’t do me any good. I found that going and talking with my advisor (whom I have a great relationship with, shout out to my girl Kathy) more than once a semester is a huge help. Academic Advisors are there for you and to get you out of college, so go and utilize them. You never know they might get you out of college a semester early, like mine did.


Another useful tip is to get an old school planner and write in every assignment, meeting, and social function you’re going to. I live and breath by my planner, I honestly don’t know what I would do without it. There are digital calendars out there but you never know what might get deleted or lost, that’s why I personally believe in a planner that you write in and carry with you every where you go.


All in all there is no right or wrong tip on how to start the semester, you just have to find what fits you and what you groove to. Organization looks different to everyone, but it’s key you find it.

Reading Options

For my week two reading I decided to go with the Biblical Unit, to be more specific I chose the Gospel of Mark. As a Christian woman myself, I am already familiar with the Gospel of Mark but I wanted to dive deeper and this assignment provides the means for that.


For the readings found in the Untextbook I decided to read the following English Fairy Tales I, Ballads of Robin Hood, and Alice in Wonderland. After living in London for a month studying British media I wanted to dive into British Literature and folklore for the rest of the semester.


I specifically chose English Fairy Tales I, because I wanted to get an Idea of the stories that were passed down in the UK in general. I think by reading a multitude of stories I can gain a better grasp of what the culture was like in England during that time.


To dive a little deeper into British books I chose to read the Ballads of Robin Hood. All growing up I used to watch the cartoon Disney version of Robin Hood but I don’t know the class tale as well as I would like, which is another reason why I decided to read this during the semester.

(Mad hatter Image sourced from Sir John Tenniel)

Alice in Wonderland, was more in my comfort zone which is one reason why I decided to read it over the semester. While I know the general story very well, I wanted to use this project to dive into the characters. I want to learn about why they do what they do and their specific impact on the audience. Hopefully I gain some more insight on why Alice in Wonderland became such a phenomenon in our culture.