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.